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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. 

Manchester United have suffered a potential selection setback ahead of their Premier League clash with Watford this afternoon, with key defender Luke Shaw unlikely to feature from the off.

What’s the word?

The Red Devils will definitely be without French duo Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane after they picked up thigh and hamstring injuries respectively. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could also have to contend with the enforced absences of both Edinson Cavani and Shaw.

Cavani missed the Manchester City match last time out and was not included in the Uruguay squad for the recent international break due to a tendon injury, while the England left-back has not appeared in training footage this week after he suffered a concussion against Pep Guardiola’s charges.

Solskjaer was coy over the pair’s availability in Friday’s press conference, but it’s very unlikely that they will be able to take their places in the starting XI when the Red Devils travel to Vicarage Road.

“There are a couple of doubts with illnesses and small niggles,” the Norwegian revealed. “Paul (Pogba) is out for a while, Rapha (Varane) is out for a while. Apart from that, players will be coming back in the near future, some this weekend, some in the week, but that’s the same for other players.”

Solskjaer will be gutted

The news that Shaw is highly unlikely to play any part for the 20-time English champions against Watford will leave Solskjaer feeling gutted.

Although the England international hasn’t been in top form this season, he has still started every Premier League game for United, highlighting how integral he is to the team.

His underlying numbers indicated how effective the 26-year-old has been this term despite his slip in performance levels. As per WhoScored, Shaw has averaged 1.8 crosses per league game – the highest tally amongst his teammates – and 2.1 key passes, the second-highest total when compared to his colleagues. Indeed, Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand has spoken highly of the left-back’s “exquisite” ball distribution in recent months.

Therefore, United’s attack could well be blunted if the marauding left-back is forced to watch on from the sidelines, providing a major blow to the Red Devils’ chances of securing a much-needed victory in Hertfordshire this afternoon.

In other news… Forget Telles: Ole could unearth MUFC gem in rarely-seen 18 y/o with a “great future”

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…

Celtic winger Karamoko Dembele may not be in line for a return to first-team action any time soon.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to a claim made by Kieran Devlin, with The Athletic journalist revealing in a recent Q&A that the 18-year-old’s injury sustained in pre-season appeared to be a break rather than a less serious knock, something which could see the forward ruled out until well into the new year.

When asked by a fan why Dembele has not featured for Celtic so far this season, Devlin said: “He’s also injured, *think* it turned out to be a break in the end but conflicting information on that.”

Postecoglou will be livid

Considering Dembele’s regular involvement in Celtic’s pre-season campaign this summer, in addition to Ange Postecoglou appearing incredibly excited to work with the teenager this season, the news that Dembele could remain sidelined until well into next year will undoubtedly have left the 56-year-old manager livid.

Indeed, shortly after his arrival at the club, the Greek-Australian coach singled the winger out for praise, stating: “He is obviously a hugely talented boy. He has been here for a while and I guess he gets an opportunity now.

“I think the way we play will suit him. He was positive [against Charlton Athletic], not just with the ball, he also worked hard without the ball. Yeah, I thought he did well. I never worry too much about age, at either end of the spectrum. It is more about can they do what we want them to do.

“He has been in and around the first-team squad for a little while now. I think he wants to break through and be a first-team player so I see no reason why anybody needs to protect him from that.”

And, when taking into account the excitement that surrounds the youngster, – the prolonged absence of the forward will undoubtedly start to raise questions as to whether he can indeed go on to fulfil his undoubted promise.

For instance, French publication L’Equipe once named Dembele as one of “the wonders of European football” alongside the likes of Ansu Fati, Joelson Fernandes, Sebastiano Esposito, Mohamed Ihattaren and Karim Adeyemi back in 2019.

Indeed, should the England U18 international find himself ruled out of action until after the rapidly approaching January transfer window, in which Postecoglou will look to bring in further reinforcements to his current attacking options at Parkhead, Dembele could well find his route to first-team football even more blocked than at present – something that does not bode well for his development in professional football whatsoever.

In other news: “Continuing talks”: Sky journalist reveals transfer update that Celtic fans will love

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marlon Harewood urged his former club West Ham to go all out for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham in the summer, believing he would complement Michail Antonio in attack nicely.

Following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea manager, Abraham has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old has not been included in any of his side’s last three fixtures, including the recent 2-0 win over Everton, putting his future in west London in doubt.

And, according to The Telegraph, West Ham are just one club who are said to be interested in £36m-rated Abraham should he become available at the end of the season.

For Harewood, who knows all about leading the line for the Hammers, bringing the England international to the London Stadium is a no-brainer. Speaking exclusively to FFC on the subject, the former West Ham striker said:

“That’s where West Ham should be looking, and I think Moysie [David Moyes] is that sort of person that he will be looking for a striker of that calibre, young, he’s ready to go, he’s been in the Premier League quite a while now. 

“I think he needs a chance, just like [Jesse] Lingard coming from Manchester United obviously not playing coming into the club, got a lot to show, and Tammy is one of them, got a lot to show [too] and would complement Antonio very well.”

Despite barely featuring of late, Abraham is still Chelsea’s top goalscorer in all competitions this season, managing to find the back of the net on 12 occasions.

This comes after a campaign where he was also the team’s most prolific player having scored 18 times last term. Bearing all of that in mind, Abraham could, indeed, end up being a good alternative or partner to Antonio at the London Stadium.

A nine-man Glasgow Rangers side crashed out of the Europa League at the round of 16 stage on Thursday evening.

Steven Gerrard’s men were defeated at Ibrox for the first time in just over a year by Czech Republic champions Slavia Prague, also ending a 13-game unbeaten run in the competition.

The visitors took the lead early in the first half, but things went from bad to worse after the break. Just six minutes after being introduced from the bench, Kemar Roofe received a straight red card for catching the goalkeeper with a high boot.

Slavia Prague doubled their advantage shortly later as Leon Balogun followed the 28-year-old in for an early shower.

However, the Gers duo weren’t the only two players to badly let Gerrard down on the night. You could probably make a case for pretty much everyone, although the fact that Scott Arfield was hooked after just 55 minutes was rather damning.

As a key member of that engine room, in the absence of the injured Ryan Jack particularly, the 32-year-old veteran should’ve stepped up to the mark in what was a historic occasion for the newly-crowned Scottish champions.

Instead, he was lightweight and anonymous alongside Steven Davis and Glen Kamara.

Arfield managed the fewest number of touches (29) of any Rangers player to start from the off, even fewer than goalkeeper Allan McGregor (40), and that’s just not what you need from someone who is supposed to pull the strings in the middle of the park.

From those limited touches, the Canada international struggled in possession, losing the ball nine times whilst he could only make 71% of his 24 passing attempts. This was comfortably the worst effort from any Gers player, and that’s just not what you need from a midfielder.

Considering Arfield is averaging an accuracy of 84.4% of his passes this season, via WhoScored, he was clearly having an off night.

The former Burnley ace won just one of seven duels (14%) too, only emphasising how much he struggled to combat the industrious strength of the visiting Czech Republicans.

GlasgowLive graded Arfield a 4/10, the joint-worst from the starting XI alongside Balogun and claimed: ‘It’s just not worked out for him since coming back from injury and he really struggled in his 50 odd minutes on the pitch.’

Indeed, the ageing midfielder hasn’t managed above a 6.22 WhoScored rating since mid-December and last night was just another sign of why the Gers should be looking to move on from him sooner rather than later.

He badly let Gerrard and the club down.

AND in other news, Exclusive: West Ham will be monitoring Rangers striker, claims Pundit…

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou could be facing a summer headache as news emerges from Parkhead about midfielder Tom Rogic.

What’s the story?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “I’m sure, behind the scenes, Celtic’s powerbrokers will be looking at Rogic’s contract again. He’s out of contract in 2023, so he’s not got that long left on his current deal.”

Key player for Ange Postecoglou

While Rogic hasn’t completed the full 90 minutes for Celtic since the 4-0 victory over Motherwell back in February – a game in which he struck twice – he has certainly chipped in with some big contributions this season.

In 45 games across all competitions, he’s managed six goals and provided another ten assists, including netting in the superb 2-1 victory over Rangers in the Old Firm clash just a couple of weeks ago.

Indeed, speaking earlier this month, former Scotland boss Alex McLeish, said: “He’s been the bane of everybody recently, but he was invisible for a big period.

“It’s taken his countryman, Postecoglou, to come in and show the faith in him again. And he’s rewarded his gaffer with some incredible performances. I would have thought Celtic would make it a high priority to get Tom on board for a few more seasons.”

Sorting out a new deal for Rogic has to be an absolute priority for Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson, especially considering he won’t have long left on his contract heading into the summer.

Given the importance of Rogic to Postecoglou since coming back in the fold, the Hoops boss certainly wouldn’t be happy if a deal couldn’t be struck between the two parties.

If that can’t be done, then the Australian would either have to be sold on the cheap as he would have just the 12 months left on his existing deal, or would then leave on a free transfer next summer.

It’s the kind of nightmare scenario that Postecoglou could do without.

AND in other news – £4.7m down the drain: £12k-p/w Celtic liability rinsed Peter Lawwell for 140 weeks

A little under a year ago, Leeds were linked with a move for a player in Turkey.

That might not be enough to get your heart racing but in retrospect, not choosing to sign that individual has turned into a considerable mistake from the club’s recruiters and Victor Orta

The player in question is Canada international Cyle Larin, someone currently playing for Besiktas.

In February 2020, a reported £5m deal was on the table for the Whites but they ignored the forward and thus, settled on different targets in the summer window.

Leeds welcomed Rodrigo and Raphinha to Elland Road in a big summer of spending, deals that came to a combined £47m – £42m more than they would have paid for Larin.

In hindsight, this was a terrible decision from the hierarchy at Leeds. Rodrigo has managed just three goals since his record-breaking move to English football but Raphinha has, fortunately, shown better signs.

The Brazilian is a tricky livewire and has amassed 2.4 shots per game this term, registering four goal involvements for his new team. However, the aforementioned Larin is tearing the Turkish Super Lig apart this term.

Since Leeds failed to conclude a move for the 31-cap international, he has been breathtakingly good for Besiktas, firing in goals on a regular basis.

The 25-year-old has netted 14 times in just 20 outings this season, providing two assists in the process. He also takes fewer shots per game than Raphinha which considering his goal output compared to the Leeds winger is mightily impressive.

Yet, you only looked to look at his remarkable accomplishments in the last week. To put things simply, Larin has been incredible. He has scored six goals his last three matches over the past seven days, netting four in a 6-0 rout of Rizespor.

Coincidentally, that came in his only outing of the campaign where he played from Raphinha’s traditional position on the right flank. Capable of playing across the front three, Larin is clearly a dependable performer but to someone like Kaka that will come as no surprise.

He played alongside the great Brazilian at Orlando City where the Ballon d’Or winner only had praise for the Canadian: “I think Cyle can go far. Cyle is a very good player and the third season for us will be great, but I think Cyle can play in a big team in Europe as well,” Kaka commented.

That’s a fine tribute for a player who could have made Leeds’ dynamic attack under Marcelo Bielsa even more exciting.

Judging by Larin’s record this term, not signing him has turned out to be a howler from Orta. Larin is improving all the time and his scintillating record of six goals in seven days is tough to turn a blind eye to.

At the moment, he is the real deal and if he continues to register those types of numbers, bigger teams than Leeds will surely cast their net in the attacker’s direction.

This is undoubtedly one that got away for the Premier League outfit.

AND in other news, Better than Struijk: Orta must seal Leeds swoop for “dominant” £5.4m-rated colossus…

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could reignite Harry Winks’ career amid Paul Robinson’s suggestion that the Whites should sign the Spurs midfielder.

What’s the story?

The England international has endured a difficult campaign in north London this year, falling out of favour under former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho and making just 12 appearances in the Premier League.

And now, former Leeds and Spurs goalkeeper Robinson has claimed he “would love to see” the midfielder join Bielsa’s side this summer, and insisted he could add a real bit of quality.

He said: “One player I would love to see at Leeds in the Kalvin Phillips role is Harry Winks. He’s not been given his opportunity at Spurs, I think he is a fantastic player. Not only can he do the Phillips role, he can play in midfield as well,

“Someone with Winks’ quality would really add something to that Leeds side. He is able to play more advanced but can do the Phillips role when he’s not available. I would love to see Winks at Elland Road next season.”

Bielsa could transform him

While Winks’ career might have stalled somewhat at Spurs, Bielsa has proven in his incredible work with getting Leeds promoted that he’s a truly exceptional coach who can get the most out of his players.

And in the still 25-year-old Winks, the Leeds boss could find the kind of pet project that excites him, with the midfielder coming for huge praise from former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

He said: “Harry has the profile of the perfect midfield player. His characteristics are perfect. When we talk about midfielders like Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, he’s like this type of player. He has this capacity but he needs to take my words in a very positive way — he needs a lot of work.”

And, Dean Windass has previously thrown his weight behind a potential Leeds move for Winks, saying Bielsa’s coaching ability could be exactly what Winks needs.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think if Bielsa does stay and brings in his own players, they will be a top four or top six side, and Harry Winks could get into any of them teams. He’s Bielsa’s sort of player.

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“Is he going to play to two sitting midfield players? But Winks can get forward as well. Phillips was once a right-back and now he’s turned him into an England international sitting midfield player. The manager is obviously good on the training ground at developing players.”

A revitalised Winks under Bielsa could see the midfielder once again be the established England international that he once was.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could light up Elland Road with this £26m-rated magician who’s “something special”…

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action as they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to North London this afternoon.

Ryan Mason’s side know a victory would see them rise into sixth place to bolster their slim hopes of making the top four, though they will need to keep picking up results to ensure qualification to the Europa League at the very least.

The visitors have very little to play for, languishing down in 12th place but this encounter has often produced goals and after last weekend’s shocking performance at Leeds, the 29-year-old caretaker may want to tinker his side.

It will be interesting to see what sort of line-up he opts for today, so here’s the XI we reckon he could go with, as well as the latest team and injury news from N17…

We’re predicting there to be as many as three changes right across the pitch as Mason looks to spark a reaction in pursuit of a crucial three points.

Joe Rodon could be in contention to start.

The 23-year-old has been “unfortunate” not to feature under the interim boss and he revealed in the build-up to this encounter that the Welshman has “trained well, done well.”

He could be gifted a start, taking the place of axed Eric Dier, who was at fault for all three goals at Elland Road. And he will partner Toby Alderweireld in the middle, with Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier on the wings, in front of skipper Hugo Lloris.

A second change could come in midfield, with Tanguy Ndombele due a start, having been snubbed from the line-up in their last two outings.

The £45m-rated box-to-box maestro would likely replace the underwhelming Giovani Lo Celso to take up a place alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the base of the engine room.

There is a tricky decision to make over Dele Alli in an advanced role. The 25-year-old has started back-to-back league games for the first time this season but his lack of game time (377 PL minutes) could raise fitness doubts.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-spurs-manager-update-gossip-transfer-rumours-daniel-levy-enic-mason-mourinho-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

Despite assisting Spurs’ only goal against Leeds, Mason could look to freshen things up by deploying Lucas Moura in the role instead.

Described as a “nightmare” to train and defend against by his teammate Dier, the £26m-rated Brazilian winger has thrived through the middle, providing two goals and three assists in seven appearances.

The front three should write itself, with Gareth Bale, Heung-min Son and Harry Kane all likely to keep their places.

AND in other news, Gold drops fresh Spurs manager claim over “unbelievable” 48 y/o, fans will be buzzing…