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Confidence and momentum are absolutely integral to the success of centre-forwards at any level of the game.

What’s the word?

Charlie Wyke’s dismal run of form in recent weeks is a typical example of how the life of a striker can be unforgiving and confidence-sapping.

The 26-year-old forward has scored just one goal for Sunderland this season, and his struggle to find the net continued on Saturday against Bristol Rovers.

Wyke was brought on as a second-half substitute and he had chances to add to his tally for the season, but he let three big chances go begging.

Jack Ross, though, did not seem overly concerned by his failure to find the net and he praised the goal-shy striker for his intelligent positioning, as per Sunderland Echo.

“I was really pleased with him when he came on.

“I know people will say that’s easy [to say] because we won the game.

“But I was. His all-round performance when he came on, he got himself into three really good positions, his movement was good.

“He’ll score and I’m desperate for him to score.”

Confidence-boosting goal could stimulate turnaround

As Ross has alluded to, the fact the Black Cats recorded a 2-0 victory made it easier for him to take such a patient stance with Wyke, but the striker’s ability to manufacture opportunities during a rough patch is a sign of promise for the future.

Ultimately, the run Wyke is on is bound to frustrate Sunderland supporters, but a single goal could be all that he needs to stimulate a major turnaround.

While the former Carlisle hitman continues to find himself in the right positions, both Ross and the supporters should keep believing that he will eventually rediscover his clinical instinct.

Everton have made a name for themselves when it comes to disastrous transfers ever since Farhad Moshiri took over as the owner at the club, with over £500m spent on players and absolutely no return on investment when you consider that the Toffees find themselves in a relegation battle this season.

Although Moshiri will definitely have regrets on some of the players he has already spent millions on, there are opportunities missed to sign players who have gone on to have a fantastic career elsewhere, and one of the biggest howlers was not securing the signature of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Sam Allardyce told the talkSPORT Breakfast Show that he wanted to sign the former Arsenal goal machine back in 2018 when he was the manager at Goodison Park;

“Aubameyang was desperate to come to the Premier League and we didn’t really know if it was definitely a yes [to Everton] or not – but it was probably not.

“Whether that could have happened or not, we never got that far.

“It was always going to be too much money for January, because of what the club spent previous to me arriving.”

The striker, who scored 68 Premier League goals has been hailed a “genius” by Jose Mourinho, and eventually signed for the Gunners in a deal worth £56m from Borussia Dortmund. The rest was history as he became a Premier League golden boot and FA Cup winner during his time at the London club.

When you compare the Gabon born striker’s Premier League attacking statistics (via Premier League website) with current Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Aubameyang would have clearly been the better striking option for Everton, out-achieving the 26-year-old attacker’s Premier League career so far with two seasons less in the league.

Aubameyang’s superior attacking output could have potentially saved the Toffees from several campaigns of struggles, especially this season when you consider the situation the club has found themselves in.

It’s something that can definitely be partially blamed on the lack of goals and chances created in the attacking line so far with the side only scoring 29 times compared to the 47 strikes they have conceded already.

With reports of Calvert-Lewin potentially on the move this summer it could be an opportunity for Moshiri and Lampard to find their next Aubameyang who can offer a consistent output of goal involvements, and ultimately improve their chances of thriving in the top half of the table once again should they survive their relegation challenge in the remaining months of the season.

In other news: Forget DCL: Everton must keep “terrible” £110k-p/w “huge liability”, Lamps needs him

Arsenal have edged one step closer to sealing Dusan Vlahovic this month, according to recent reports…

What’s the word?

Italian outlet Ok Calciomercato claim that Serie A outfit Fiorentina have accepted a bid of €80m (£66m) upfront and another €26m (£21.5m) in bonuses and instalments from the Gunners for their leading striker.

However, the Serbia international is thought to have an agreement to move to Juventus when his current contract at La Viola expires in the summer of 2023, so that complicates matters somewhat.

Fiorentina are said to be prepared to drop Vlahovic for the remainder of his time in Florence following the loan arrival of Krzysztof Piatek earlier this month.

One step closer

It’s no secret that a new frontman is amongst Arsenal’s priorities in 2022, even transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that one will definitely be signed, either before this month’s deadline or in the summer.

And that’s because manager Mikel Arteta could soon be without any senior option in the role.

Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expires at the end of the season and there are no signs that he is willing to sign an extension. It’s a similar case for Eddie Nketiah, too, and both players are free to sign pre-contract agreements with foreign teams.

Then there is the matter of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was stripped of the captaincy last month following a disciplinary breach. He’s subject to interest from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr but was recently sent home from the Africa Cup of Nations due to health complications.

Vlahovic is currently one of Europe’s most lethal forwards, making him a hot commodity indeed.

As per Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old beast has found the net 20 times across 24 appearances this campaign, adding to his tally of 21 goals last term. One goal every 101 minutes is a mouthwatering prospect and perhaps why Gunners boss Arteta is so keen.

It is no surprise that Vlahovic has been dubbed a goalscoring “monster” by his former coach Ivan Tomic, who also likened him to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and a “machine” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Arteta will surely be delighted and buzzing by these reports suggesting that the north Londoners have had a bid accepted for the £63m-rated talisman.

It’s an issue that needs resolving at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners are surely one step closer after receiving the green light from Fiorentina.

AND in other news, “They will”: Fabrizio Romano drops huge Arsenal transfer claim, Arteta will be buzzing…

An exciting Newcastle United transfer update has emerged, regarding the club’s interest in Benfica’s Darwin Nunez…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Pete Graves has claimed that the Magpies are keen on the 22-year-old forward, whilst they are also on the lookout for players with experience.

He Tweeted: “On second striker – #nufc rate Ekitike but nowhere near at the price they’ve been quoted. Some interest in Darwin Nunez as well but Benfica reluctant to sell. There’s a feeling amongst key members of the ownership that Premier League experience will be key in survival battle.”

Excitement

This update from Graves will surely excite Newcastle fans for multiple reasons. Firstly, it shows that they realise they need players who know how to perform in the English top-flight to get them out of the hole they are in.

The Magpies are 19th in the Premier League table and could be facing relegation unless they are able to turn things around quickly and pick up points to drag themselves out of the bottom three. This means that they need to sign players who can come in and hit the ground running.

Whilst it is possible for any new addition to do that, those who are already accustomed to performing in England’s top division will be able to instantly get going with no issues as they won’t need to adapt to the league. Whereas, someone coming in from a foreign division with no prior experience in the country may need time to find their feet and this could cost Newcastle points in the short-term.

However, there is a balance to be had and the claim that the club are keen on Darwin Nunez will surely excite the Toon Army irrespective of his lack of history in England. He has scored a whopping 13 goals in 14 league matches for Benfica in the Primeira Liga, showing that he can score on a consistent basis for the Portuguese giants.

The attacker has also scored three goals in two Champions League starts this season. This highlights his knack for finding the back of the net at the top level and suggests that he’d have a good chance of being a success for Newcastle, whilst he also has room to develop at the age of 22 and could be a signing for now and for the future.

Therefore, Newcastle could strike a balance between bringing in players with prior Premier League experience and finding talent from abroad with the potential to explode for Eddie Howe’s team in the coming months and years.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Wood: Romano drops big NUFC transfer claim that’ll infuriate Hammond…

Crystal Palace are looking to make Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move permanent.

That’s according to journalist Tom Barclay, and, as to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Palace brought Mateta in 12 months ago from Mainz on an 18-month loan which included an option to buy. [BBC]

The 24-year-old has scored against rivals Brighton and Millwall during his time at the club and has featured regularly under Patrick Vieira in recent months.

And it now seems as if he has done enough to make a Selhurst Park stay permanent, with Barclay stating he has won Vieira over in recent months.

The journalist added that a deal is not done yet, but a full-time transfer appears to be on the cards for the Frenchman.

Palace fans react

This is what these Eagles supporters had to say in reply to Barclay’s post, with one ‘buzzing’ for the forward and another labelling it as ‘incredible’.

“Good. Goals against Millwall and Brighton. I’m a fan forever.”

Credit: @HunterCPFC

“Buzzing for the man, Vieira clearly rated him above Benteke and at 24 years old we could get him on the cheap”

Credit: @ReeceJMT

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @EvilSashPioneer

“Would be incredible if he goes on to be a big player for us”

Credit: @SWPalace

“YESSSSS”

Credit: @MattCPFC

“Get in”

Credit: @Rpcpfc

In other news: ‘Onto the next one, sorry Donny pal’ – Many Palace fans react as Romano shares ‘bonkers’ update. 

BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Pat Nevin believes that a number of clubs are watching Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi, as per Football Scotland.

The Lowdown: Furuhashi’s form

Furuhashi has been a revelation since moving to Scotland in a £4.86m deal over the summer. The forward, who was described as ‘unbelievable’ by team-mate Jota, has already contributed to 21 goals in 25 games, with his latest strikes coming in the Scottish League Cup final triumph at Hampden Park.

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The 26-year-old has recently been linked with Southampton, and Nevin feels that a number of clubs are tracking Furuhashi ahead of the January transfer window.

The Latest: Nevin’s comments

Talking to The OTB Football Show, as relayed by Football Scotland on Monday evening, Nevin said of the Japanese maestro:

“There’s a lot of clubs that will be watching him right this second.

“I think he’d be best suited for a Liverpool or a Manchester City.

“He’d work really, really well there. I suspect he would probably have to take a step before he made that one.

“He would go to one of the other clubs lower down the table, similar to the way Van Dijk did. From Southampton to Liverpool.”

The Verdict: Celtic hold the cards…

Furuhashi is Ange Postecoglou’s most expensive signing as Celtic manager and has quickly become a key member of the team and a fan favourite. His contract at Parkhead doesn’t expire until 2025, so the Hoops should be under no pressure to sell should they receive any offers for his services in the New Year.

There’s bound to be interest as a result of his incredible form, as Nevin has claimed, and who knows, one day Furuhashi may look to move to the Premier League.

However, for now it may be for the best for all involved if Celtic keep hold of the forward, as his market value will continue to grow if he keeps up his impressive streak in front of goal.

In other news: Postecoglou reportedly keen on signing ‘phenomenal’ Scottish starlet for Celtic in January

Rangers will be hoping to move up to second in their Europa League group as they host Sparta Prague at Ibrox on Thursday night.

The Gers face off against the Czech outfit with only goal difference separating the two sides in the group, with a win for the hosts enough for them to move into the top two and on the verge of qualification for the knockouts.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be in the dugout for the first time after taking over from Steven Gerrard, having watched on from the stands as the club lost 3-1 to Hibernian in the League Cup on Sunday.

How many changes will Gio make from the side he watched? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make five alterations to his side, with Fashion Sakala, Ianis Hagi, Juninho Bacuna, Jack Simpson and Calvin Bassey coming in.

He has already confirmed that changes will be made to the XI, whilst he has also stated that they will line up in a system he wants to play. Van Bronckhorst said:

“You will definitely see some changes. You will see a team in a system I like to play and how I feel is best to play against Prague.

“We are not happy with the result or the goals conceded on Sunday. We have to be much more focused and compact in the defensive side of the match.”

The Dutchman’s favoured formation is said to be a 4-2-3-1, which is why we are predicting Joe Aribo to move away from the wing and into the number 10 role ahead of Bacuna and Scott Arfield. The former could come into the side for Steven Davis to add an extra attacking flair from midfield, having managed a goal and an assist against Ross County prior to the international break.

In defence, FFC published an article explaining why Jack Simpson should be handed a start over Leon Balogun, who could be axed, at centre-back. Calvin Bassey could also be thrown into the XI to freshen things up and we have predicted him to play ahead of Borna Barisic, but he could be picked ahead of Connor Goldson at centre-back with the Croatian keeping his place.

On the right wing, with Aribo vacating the position to play behind the striker, Hagi may return to the XI. The Romanian international scored off the bench against Brondby in Rangers’ last outing in the competition and could provide a goal threat from out wide.

Finally, Fashion Sakala should lead the line, with Alfredo Morelos dropping down to the bench after a poor showing against Hibs last weekend.

AND in other news, Gio’s first big Ibrox blow could soon be inbound, it would make Rangers fans upset…

Everton’s Premier League status ahead of next season still hangs in the balance as they continue to flirt with the chance of relegation in 17th, however it has not stopped the club being linked with signings this summer, as fresh interest emerges from Goodison Park.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, Newcastle United are ready to sell their star player Allan Saint-Maximin this summer, with Everton joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in the pursuit to secure the signature of the French winger.

90min reports that they understand Everton are ‘keeping tabs on the situation’ although their interest is likely to only gain more traction if Frank Lampard can seal another Premier League season for the Toffees.

Other reports claim he could be worth somewhere in the region of £50m.

Richarlison replacement

Due to Everton’s disastrous season, Richarlison has been linked with a number of moves away from the club with both Arsenal and Manchester United being tipped to sign the Brazilian winger this summer, and if it was the case that the Everton star did leave come the end of the season, Saint-Maximin could be a worthy replacement.

The £93k-per-week Newcastle wizard who has scored five goals this season, has been highly praised during his time on Tyneside, with Gary Neville even hailing the 25-year-old “breathtaking” after his performance against Leeds United earlier in the season.

Neville told Sky Sports: ‘To see his speed, his movement, it’s absolutely breathtaking.”

If you compare Saint-Maximin to Richarlison it’s clear to see who is having the better impact on his team this season, with the Magpies winger more successful in his aerial duels, tackles and dribbles, as well as offering a higher shot and pass accuracy according to Soccerment.

With that being said, although the loss of Richarlison would be a shame as he has become a fan favourite, if Farhad Moshiri could fetch an eye-catching transfer fee for the Brazilian and then follow up by signing Saint-Maximin as a replacement in the same window, it could be a huge upgrade for Everton.

The signing could turn out to be a superb piece of business for the club, especially if they can convince Dominic Calvert-Lewin to stay, giving the Toffees boss the opportunity to form a fierce attacking partnership between the Frenchman and their current star striker.

Ultimately, Lampard must focus on maintaining top-flight football at Goodison Park over the rest of the season if the club have any chance of attracting players of Saint-Maximin’s calibre and keeping hold of some of the key players in their current squad.

In other news: “Pretty likely…”: Insider drops huge Everton claim that’ll have Frank Lampard fuming

Newcastle United have offered Atalanta €30million (£25.1million) for striker Duvan Zapata, according to Duncan Castles for The Daily Record. 

The lowdown

Newcastle have already signed one striker this month in the form of Chris Wood. They activated the £25million release clause in the New Zealand frontman’s Burnley contract.

But it seems that Eddie Howe wants even more firepower at his disposal, with Zapata in the club’s sights as he enters the final 18 months of his contract in Bergamo.

Of course, Callum Wilson is out for the foreseeable future with a calf injury, and the Magpies will need all the help they can get in front of goal, having scored just 20 times in 20 top flight matches this term.

The latest

The report states that, while Atalanta are willing to sell, they want another €15million (or £12.5million) on top of Newcastle’s original offer.

Encouragingly though, Zapata is thought to be ‘open’ to joining Newcastle if a fee can be agreed.

Newcastle’s top target for the striker position is SL Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, but the Primeira Liga outfit are demanding just over £50million. ‘Sources close to the negotiations’ say Zapata is being lined up as an alternative.

He’s one of a number of ‘high-value’ targets Newcastle are working on.

The verdict

Zapata’s record is excellent. In 152 appearances for Atalanta, he’s been directly involved in 116 goals (scoring 78 and setting up 38). He’s on 12 goals and seven assists for the 21/22 season so far.

His ‘quite incredible’ performances under Gian Piero Gasperini have, in the words of football journalist Maxi Angelo, made him ‘one of the most notorious strikers in Europe’, and at 6 foot 2 with tremendous physical strength it’s not hard to see him adjusting to life in the Premier League.

If he’s willing to trade Europa League football and a Serie A top-four battle for a relegation scrap, it suggests he’s certainly up for the fight.

But there is a question mark – do Newcastle really another striker approaching their twilight years? They’ve paid a sizeable fee for Wood, and Wilson is 29, while Wood and Zapata are both 30. From that point of view, you could also ask whether this is sensible squad-building.

In other news, Luke Edwards breaks some ‘difficult’ transfer news.

As per Football Insider, a Tottenham source has sung Ryan Sessegnon’s praises as he produced an “amazing” turnaround in Spurs’ 3-0 win over Norwich.

The Lowdown: Struggling for minutes

Sessegnon has not had the start he would have wished for since arriving at Tottenham in 2019 for a hefty fee of £24.3m.

The 21-year-old has been involved in just 79 minutes of play across two Premier League games this season. The left-sided starlet has suffered from two separate injuries which stagnated his 2021/22 campaign; the longest of which left him out of action for 74 days – missing a total of 14 games.

He never even played a Premier League match under former manager Nuno Espírito Santo, as he was either injured or on the bench.

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The youngster made his return from injury in Spurs’ 2-1 win over Leeds, after coming on as a substitute in the latter stages of the second half, but was then sidelined once again as he was sent off in the UEFA Europa Conference League, as the Lilywhites lost 2-1 to Slovenian side NŠ Mura.

The Latest: A big turnaround

Sessegnon came on to in the 22nd minute to replace Sergio Reguilon who suffered an injury on Sunday. Lilywhite Rose insider John Wenham (via Football Insider) was blown away by the Englishman’s performance, saying: “He produced one of the best performances I’ve seen from him after he came on.

“Sessegnon looked like a real option, he was really hugging that left-hand side.

“There was one ball he put in that was right across the face of the goal, unfortunately, no one was there to turn it in.

“That was much, much better from Sessegnon, I was so pleased.

“He was rightly sent off against Mura, I have no complaints with that. But what an amazing response from him.

“Clearly he’s knuckled down at Hotspur Way and I really hope he can build on that now.”

The Verdict: More minutes to come

Following Reguilon’s injury, it is expected that Sessegnon will be receiving more minutes in the upcoming weeks. Even though the former has claimed his issue is not serious, it is surely a warning sign for the manager to rotate the position during the hectic winter period.

Conte will surely use this time to assess the player and decide whether he will be included in his long-term plans.

Former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic likened the 21-year-old to Real Madrid ace Marcelo after previous comparisons were made with fellow Galácticos star Gareth Bale, so there is certainly talent there, but it will be up to Conte to decide if the youngster possesses the full package.