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Steve Bruce could bin DeAndre Yedlin before the January transfer window closes if Newcastle United sign anyone on loan.

What’s the word?

According to Chronicle Live, Yedlin’s Tyneside future is up in the air ahead of Monday’s Deadline Day as United eye late reinforcements for Bruce’s side.

Newcastle named a complete 25-man squad for the Premier League season last summer and are yet to offload any of those in the winter market, leaving no space for potential arrivals.

Yedlin would serve as a prime candidate to depart if suitable offers are received in the coming days, with the United States international now inside the final six-months of his £30,000-per-week contract and yet to be offered a new deal.

The 27-year-old has spoken on his frustrations at the lack of clarity on his situation, having seen United chiefs fail to make any contact with the defender or his agent.

“Obviously, with my situation, currently I have six-months left on my contract. It has been a bit frustrating because me and my agent have had no communication with Newcastle at all about what their plans are for me, if I can go or if they want me to stay,” he told CBS Sports HQ.

Yedlin has also had visa issues rule him out of Newcastle’s last two Premier League games after his previous work permit expired, which may yet play a role in United’s decision over whether or not to retain the £4.5m-rated titan.

Should Newcastle get rid of Yedlin?

If Newcastle are to strengthen Bruce’s squad before Monday’s deadline passes, the Toon will have to make a tough decision on at least one of his current players and the indicators point to Yedlin being the most at risk.

Yedlin has emerged as a potential target for sides in Turkey and America this month, with reports suggesting the defender – whom Rafa Benitez once said about “I love this player” – has been offered a Major League Soccer return and a move to Super Lig giants Galatasaray.

His preference may be to remain at St. James’ Park and sign a new contract, yet that option may never be one Yedlin can explore as his form – despite being the star of the show against Fulham and Liverpool – would suggest he may not be a huge loss, if one at all, now that Javier Manquillo has returned from Covid.

Among the four players Bruce has fielded at right-back more than once in Premier League fixtures this season, Yedlin’s efforts have only returned marginally superior results to those of Emil Krafth and Jacob Murphy in some regards but often trails those of Manquillo.

Bruce sees Manquillo win the highest number of successful tackles (2.3) and with the second-most attempts (2.7) per 90 – Yedlin offers 1.8 from 3.0 – while Krafth is first for clearances, as he keeps things simple to protect Karl Darlow’s goal with 3.5 a game to Yedlin (2.6), Manquillo (1.5) and Murphy (0.5), per WhoScored.

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Murphy tops the charts for interceptions (1.5) to Yedlin (1.4), Krafth (1.3) and Manquillo (0.7), and looks to drive play forward when on the ball far more often than his positional rivals with the 25-year-old making 3.5 successful runs from 5.5 attempts to Krafth (0.3/0.5), Yedlin (0.2/0.4) and Manquillo (0/1).

Murphy matches his drive with quality at the top of the pitch, as well, to deliver 0.8 accurate crosses from 3.1 deliveries a game to Manquillo (0.8/3.3), Krafth (0.3/2.8) and Yedlin (0.2/2.6). It also helps the £3m-rated maestro to create more goalscoring opportunities with 0.8 key balls to Manquillo (0.7), Yedlin (0.6) and Krafth (0.5).

So, if Bruce was to lose Yedlin in the final days of the January transfer window, it may not be a blow for Newcastle to endure, so long as United first meet the one condition needed for his exit. Signing a player who will improve a squad winless in 11 games across all competitions.

AND in other news, Newcastle have landed a huge boost in their pursuit of a £4m-rated beast…

Sheffield Wednesday have made a lot of movements in the transfer window so far, and they have announced another new addition to the squad on Twitter.

The club posted that Elias Kachunga has signed following his release from fellow Championship side Huddersfield. The 28 year-old centre-forward adds some much-needed firepower as before he signed, the club only had one natural striker on the books in Jordan Rhodes, who only managed three goals in the division last season.

Kachunga has a decent goal scoring record as he has played 365 games throughout his career and scored 99 times. He has also picked up 33 assists, per Transfermarkt. For Huddersfield in both the Premier League and the Championship, he scored 17 times and assisted 10 times.

To bring an experienced forward to the club is normally a good thing, and now manager Garry Monk will have a week before the Championship starts to work out a formation to get the best out of the player.

Here is what fans said following the news, with many delighted given they have finally beefed up their attacking options.

Owls fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!

Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter to bemoan Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to drop Eric Bailly in place of Victor Lindelof for the trip to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Ivory Coast international had started both of the Red Devils’ last two outings – the 2-0 win over Chelsea and the 5-0 victory over Club Brugge in the Europa League.

As you can see, Bailly helped United keep clean sheets in both of those fixtures, but despite that, Solskjaer decided to place the former Villarreal defender back on the bench in preference of Lindelof.

The Swedish centre-back was set to face Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, both of whom have netted a combined 27 goals this season for the Merseysiders this season – he didn’t struggle as such against the attacking duo, but did give away two fouls.

Of course, Solskjaer gets paid to make the big decisions – however, it is difficult to see why Bailly was dropped given that he did nothing to deserve such a fate.

Let’s see what the United fans on Twitter thought of the Norwegian’s pre-match decision…

To kick off the reaction, ‘Big Fish’ said that they think Solskjaer made a mistake by choosing the former Benfica man over Bailly, adding that Everton’s forwards are pacey and physical – as aforesaid, he coped well and basically shut them out with the Toffees’ only goal coming courtesy of a howler from David de Gea.

Elsewhere, Black Mamba said that Solskjaer is one foolish manager after dropping the Manchester United No.3 –  in fairness, perhaps Bailly was just being rested after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Lastly, Olly Green said that he was disappointed not to see Bailly start against Everton – it didn’t make a huge difference as Everton struggled to make chances and only scored thanks to De Gea.

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Is life under the Glazers really that bad? Maybe this quiz will change your minds, Man United fans…

Caru then simply said “really?” after finding out what Solskjaer had done.

In other news, this Manchester United man has been compared to some club legends…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

West Bromwich Albion literally show no signs of letting up.

Time and time again, they are made to wait. The teams below them all play; they lose their place on the Championship throne, the pressure ramps up.

Time and time again, they brush it off like it’s nothing. One defeat all season, six wins in a row. Whatever Leeds United throw at them, the Baggies respond.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Slaven Bilic’s men have amassed 45 points from 20 matches under his stewardship this campaign, which if they continue to keep up, they’ll hurtle straight towards automatic promotion come May.

But if that isn’t enough to convince you, maybe their demolition of Swansea City – spearheaded by one player in particular – is.

The Welsh side were the only team to have not tasted defeat away from home before Albion swept five past them.

Matheus Pereira was the key protagonist to it all.

The Sporting Lisbon loanee is expected to clinch a permanent move to the Hawthorns in January for a total, loan fee included, of £9m – what a bargain that is turning out to be.

Per SofaScore, Pereira absolutely ran the show against the Swans. Aside from his one goal and three assists, the 23-year-old recorded 86% passing accuracy, eight key passes and had 75 touches of the ball.

It’s quite astonishing that a team in the second tier of English football has such a talented Brazilian in their ranks.

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His total goal contribution for the season now rises to 19 (five scored by himself, 14 assisted) so it isn’t unreasonable to suggest that they already have a Premier League player on their hands.

And that is exactly why they appear destined to return there as the quality of football and players that Bilic has brought to the club makes it seem like this process is a mere formality until the end of the season.

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In other news, one WBA favourite is flourishing under the guidance of Slaven Bilic…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, John Hartson said that Tony Adams is “one of the greatest leaders of men” he has ever worked with.

Former Wales international Hartson played with the former Arsenal leader between 1995 and 1997. That period of time also coincided with Arsene Wenger’s arrival in north London too. Whilst the Gunners were trophyless during those two years the striker was at the club, the 44-year-old has lauded the influence of the 66-time England player.

He said, “Tony Adams is one of the greatest leaders of men I’ve ever worked with. Captain of England, captain of Arsenal at 25 years of age, they (great leaders) don’t come around too often.”

There is little wonder why there is a statue of Adams that now stands outside the Emirates Stadium. Quite frankly, few have ever had an impact on the Gunners quite like the now 52-year-old.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Appointed captain at Highbury aged 21, he led the team to the title in his maiden season in the role, and he would go on to wear the armband for another 14 years. During that time, he would win 10 major trophies, which included four league titles, three F.A Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

Overall, he made 669 appearances for the Gunners, and has now gone down in folklore. Even with the arrival of Frenchman Wenger, who revolutionised not only Arsenal but also English football, Adams remained a constant and was continually trusted to be the leader of the dressing room.

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He had his problems, of course – who hasn’t? – and he has struggled to convert his playing prowess into the managerial world, but Arsenal fans won’t care.

The word legend gets thrown about an awful lot these days. Adams, though, embodies everything that it means. In north London, he will never be forgotten.

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It’s official and both the club and player have confirmed it – Alberto Moreno has joined Villarreal on a free transfer after his contract at Liverpool expired.

The Spanish full-back has signed a five-year contract with the Yellow Submarine and has already passed his medical.

Now he is ready to join the squad in their pre-season training and then start the La Liga season in August.

Moreno joined Liverpool in the summer of 2014 and has since played a total of 141 games, scoring three goals and assisting a further 11 in the process.

He became a free agent when his contract expired in July and Villarreal have grasped the opportunity to sign the 27-year-old in a cunning swoop.

Moreno has since taken to

/BztCIGyowy4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram to celebrate his move and the snap was met with a lot of great wishes by his former teammates and friends on Merseyside.

Andrew Robertson and James Milner were among the first ones to reply to the snap as they showered Moreno with their best wishes of support.

Soon, other teammates followed as Dejan Lovren, Georginio Wijnaldum and Simon Mignolet joined the party.

In the 2018/19 season, Moreno was second fiddle to Robertson and he played just five games in all competitions.

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By the end of the campaign it became obvious that he was effectively surplus to requirements.

Since the inception of the Premier League, only three defenders have ever won the PFA Player of the Year award.

Aston Villa’s Paul McGrath was the first defensive recipient of the award back in the 1992/93 season when the defender almost led the West Midlands-based club to the league title, and 12 years later Chelsea legend John Terry was named PFA Player of the Year as his Chelsea side conceded just 15 goals in 2004/05, a defensive record still yet to be bested in the Premier League. And on Sunday night, Virgil van Dijk became the latest defender to pick up the prestigious honour.

The Dutch international has been without question one of the best defenders in world football this season, commanding the best defence in the Premier League and taking Liverpool from outside title contenders to one of the two teams who have the quality to actually go for the main prize.

Van Dijk, who has only been dribbled past once since joining Liverpool, has been a revelation on Merseyside and has taken Jurgen Klopp’s side to the next level, and it’s now crazy to think that when the defender signed for a still world-record fee from Southampton in December 2017 many fans thought the club had overspent.

£75 million is a ridiculous fee for a defender, but van Dijk’s incredible impact on the Liverpool side shows that his signing was worth every penny and some, and his latest achievement has proven that defenders will get the recognition they deserve if they step up to the plate and deliver for their team.

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Liverpool fans, is van Dijk the best defender in the world? Let us know!

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after Wilfried Zaha was handed a one-game ban and fined £10,000 for improper conduct, after sarcastically applauding referee Andre Marriner in the 1-1 draw with Southampton according to the Eagles’ official Twitter account.

The Ivory Coast international accepted a charge for the offence for his actions, having been given his marching orders by Marriner at St Mary’s Stadium towards the end of January.

Interestingly, the suspension will not come into effect immediately as the 26-year-old considers his right of appeal.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Zaha has decided to appeal, so he will be available for the fixture against West Ham at Selhurst Park in what should be an exciting London derby.

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However, given the fact that some fans of the south London-based club feel the initial dismissal by Marriner was unfair given the context of the situation, they have let their feelings about the decision be known on Twitter…

While Everton were able to take a point away from their Premier League encounter with Chelsea on Sunday, it was a game where they did not create much due to the home side’s dominance when it came to ball possession. 

As a result, summer signing Richarlison failed to make much of an impact up front having been reduced to playing off scraps.

Nevertheless, the Brazilian has still been an amazing addition to Everton’s squad and has since been tipped by team-mate Seamus Coleman to make it to the very top.

The Breakdown

Speaking on the Toffees’ summer arrival, Coleman told the Liverpool Echo: “His [Richarlison] quality to score goals is amazing and his work-rate is second-to-none so that’s impressive. For him to put in a shift and get two goals [against Brighton] we are all very excited about him.

“The manger has signed really good guys, the lads we have brought in this season have been unbelievable around the place. He’s a top player and we are lucky to have him. He won’t get big-headed by his performances. He’s a great lad, he’s had a tough time to get here and I can see him going to the very top.”

It is still early days, of course, but Richarlison has shown he has all the tools needed to become an elite forward — as alluded to by Coleman.

The 21-year-old has pace to run in behind, can dribble, use both his feet, is a threat in the air and, most importantly, is starting to become a real goal threat.

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This campaign, Richarlison has already scored six goals in 10 Premier League appearances, which is more than what he managed in 35 games last season at his previous club Watford.

Be it out wide or up front, the Brazil international is quickly developing into a quality forward.

Everton are reportedly set to battle Wolves for the free signing of Miguel Veloso, and it could be another stroke of genius from Marcel Brands.

What’s the story?

According to Teamtalk, Everton and Wolves have both “shown interest” in the veteran midfielder, who is a free agent after opting not to renew his contract with Serie A side Genoa.

The Premier League window is of course closed, but Veloso could still sign for a Premier League side as he became a free agent before the window closed.

The 32 year-old can play as a midfielder or defender, and the report claims Marco Silva would like to add even more to his squad after an impressive late surge in the transfer market.

New director of football Brands has already worked his magic this summer, but getting an experienced, versatile and reliable international for free might just be his best move yet.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”280645″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Dodgy De Gea & Arsenal’s MiniRevolution”]

Another Brands bargain?

Veloso is not going to set the league alight aged 32, and he probably wouldn’t even be first choice for Everton, but the 56-cap Portuguese international could play an important role in Silva’s squad.

Silva’s fast-paced and free-flowing football has hit the ground running at Goodison, but it will start to take its toll on the squad as the season wears on. Midfield depth is essential, and Veloso’s calmness in possession would be a valuable trait to have coming off the bench.

The midfield maestro has never averaged below an 80 per cent pass success rate over a full season throughout his career, and his last two seasons with Genoa he averaged well over one key pass per game.

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He is just as solid without the ball as with it though, and his tough tackling will quickly endear him to the Goodison faithful. Averaging nearly two tackles and well over one interception per game throughout his career, his intelligence and game-reading ability means Silva could use him in defence as a last resort.

If Silva and Brands are seeking a reliable veteran to take pressure off the first eleven, control matches late on, and fly in with the occasional crunching tackle, then they really can’t go wrong with Veloso.

So, Everton fans, do you think the 32 year-old would be a good signing? Or would you rather stick with what you have? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…