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Sunderland’s U21 side were beaten comfortably on Monday night as they were hammered 3-1 by Southampton in division two of Premier League 2.

Results are largely irrelevant at youth level in terms of the development of the players as the overall goal is for them to make the breakthrough into the first team, which they can do without being part of a successful youth team.

One positive to take away from the loss to the Saints was that 21-year-old right-back Niall Huggins started the match and played the full 90 minutes – his third appearance for the U21s in 2022 after recovering from a fractured back.

His last competitive outing for Sunderland came in a 5-0 win over Cheltenham in September 2021 and he has now returned to first-team training after just over a year away from the senior group.

Huggins played three games for the U21s as part of his rehabilitation and he is now closing in on being able to make a return for Tony Mowbray’s team, with the youngster now enjoying his first chance to impress the manager as Lee Johnson was in charge when he was last available for selection.

Mowbray could now strike gold by unearthing the starlet’s full potential as he showed great promise prior to his injury nightmare over the past year.

Indeed ex-Black Cats boss Johnson hailed the youngster’s talents after bringing him in from Leeds United last year, saying:

“Niall is an interesting player and tactically he’s very versatile – he is also very good physically in terms of his speed and acceleration and he’s a good dribbler, whether that’s playing left back or right back.

“He’s a bright kid and he’s had a very good education at Leeds, but now it’s the right time for him to step into that first-team environment. Niall is another one that we have added to our stable of quality young players, so we are very happy to have him and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

The £3.9k-per-week warrior, who was dubbed a “stunning” signing by journalist Josh Bunting, offered a taste of what he is capable of in a 2-0 win over Wigan in the EFL Cup last season. He recorded a SofaScore rating of 7.3 as he won five of his six individual duels and created two chances, registering one assist, in the match as he showcased his competitive nature and his ability on the ball.

Huggins, who is an international for Wales at youth level, was a regular for Leeds’ U21s prior to his move to the Stadium of Light as he played 17 Premier League 2 matches, scoring twice, in the 2020/21 campaign.

His performances for the Whites were good enough to convince Kristjaan Speakman and Johnson to sign him and the gem’s display against Wigan could be a sign of what is to come from him under Mowbray now that he has recovered from his injury.

Therefore, the Black Cats boss could strike gold by giving Huggins, who has plenty of time left to develop at the age of 21, opportunities to impress in the Championship, helping the youngster fulfil his undoubted potential and become a valuable member of the first-team squad.

Everton took a point from their stalemate with Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend and the team’s goal-shy approach to their performances over the season so far could start to become a problem for Frank Lampard if things don’t improve.

Indeed, the Toffees had made huge strides in their defensive play thanks to the blossoming centre-back partnership formed by new signings Conor Coady and James Tarkowski which has led them to a healthy 12th league placement after 13 Premier League outings.

However, their impressive defence can’t mask the fact that only Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest have scored fewer goals than Everton so far, something that many of the Goodison Park faithful may have expected this season following the departure of last season’s top goal-scorer Richarlison in the summer.

Lampard has his work cut out trying to find the solution to increasing goal contributions in the final third, but does the manager start dropping players or does he allow them to gel together considering Dominic Calvert-Lewin has only just made his return from injury in the last few games?

Keeping the faith in Demarai Gray’s work rate on the left flank could be one of the best decisions that the Toffees boss could make over the final few league fixtures before the World Cup commences next month, as he proved against Fulham that he plays a key role in winning possession.

Over his 75-minute performance last weekend, the talented winger delivered three key passes, completed two tackles and created two big chances, as well as making three clearances, proving that he is working hard defensively whilst using his opportunities on the ball to build attacking play.

Not only that, Opta Analyst listed the players with the most shot involvements following a ball carry in the Premier League so far this season, with Gray ranking sixth (14) amongst Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Wilfried Zaha, Mohamed Salah and Gabriel Martinelli.

This proves that the 26-year-old – who was hailed a “big talent” by Daniel Garb – may be lacking in the end product but is one of the most persistent creative players in the top flight right now, so if he can rebuild that connection and chemistry with Calvert-Lewin they could be a lethal combination.

With that being said, Lampard must persist with the selection of Gray over the coming games as he is due a moment of magic after all the hard work he has been putting in over his performances so far.

Brentford are ‘braced’ for an approach from Aston Villa for their manager Thomas Frank, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Frank a front-runner for Villa job

The Dane is doing an excellent job in west London, turning them into an established Premier League team and playing high-tempo football along the way.

Frank has been linked with replacing Steven Gerrard as Villa manager in recent days, with the Midlands club seeing the 49-year-old as a front-runner for the role.

It looks as though their interest isn’t going away any time soon, judging by one update.

The Latest: Brentford braced for Villa approach

According to Football Insider, Brentford are already ‘braced’ for Villa making a move for their boss, with the 49-year-old having a ‘relatively low release clause’ of £3m in his contract.

It is even stated that the Bees are ‘putting out early feelers’ for potential replacements for the Dane, seemingly planning for the future should he depart the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Verdict: Favourite to take over?

With each passing day, it feels increasingly as though Frank could be Villa’s number one target to become the new manager, which would be a positive decision.

He has shown what a superb job he can do with a limited budget, both in the Premier League and the Championship, so he could really flourish if he has greater funds at his disposal at Villa Park.

The lure of joining a club which arguably has a better chance of long-term success, given the investment from the ambitious NSWE, must surely appeal to Frank, who may feel as though he has come as far as he can at Brentford.

Coincidentally, today could be something of an audition for the Villa job if he is interested in it, with the two teams meeting in the Premier League this afternoon.

Everton made plenty of smart signings under David Moyes’ 11-year tenure at the club, and even Roberto Martinez was liable to pull out the occasional pearler of a transfer deal.

Naturally, everyone is aware of Farhad Moshiri’s recent financial misdeeds that have left the club somewhat struggling to adhere to FFP, but just before his arrival the deal to spend £28m on Romelu Lukaku marked terrific value.

The Belgian had enjoyed a fine loan spell at Goodison Park and joined permanently in 2014 from Chelsea, for a club-record fee at the time of £28m.

He became something of a cult hero on Merseyside, with his goals instrumental to some of the more enjoyable times that the Toffees have had in recent years.

The 29-year-old scored 87 times in just 166 games for the club, as well as assisting 29 times too.

It was during the 2016/17 season that he truly hit the peak of his powers for Everton, scoring 25 league goals for a side that would finish seventh.

He had given almost everything to the various managers he had played under, and when Manchester United came calling it became impossible to deny.

However, with the infamously deep pockets of the Red Devils, the Blues managed to demand £75m to lose him.

This marked an incredible 167% profit made on the Belgium international, who had scored incredible amounts of goals before earning the club a huge paycheck.

Journalist Rahman Osman noted how “insane” Lukaku’s goal-scoring feats for his country had been, labelling him a “special striker”.

What would make the deal even sweeter is that despite 27 goals in his debut year for his new club, he was eventually hounded out of Old Trafford for a lack of fluency in his link-up play.

He has only truly excelled again whilst playing for Inter Milan, for whom he has scored 65 in 98 outings. Even when he returned to Chelsea he struggled, finding the net just eight times in the league, and thus was sent back out on loan to Italy.

Everton hit the jackpot with Lukaku, as they managed to squeeze plenty of goals out of him before cashing in, and then watching his career stutter across his moves following.

Manchester United are now ‘unlikely’ to proceed with a deal for PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Gakpo offer made

Football Insider claimed last week that the Premier League giants had submitted a £25m take-it-or-leave-it-bid for the 23-year-old, who is represented by the same agency (SEG) as Erik ten Hag, with the manager giving the green light to sign him.

However, the Red Devils have now agreed an £85m deal for Ajax starlet Antony after weeks of negotiations, and it would appear that this has changed the Old Trafford club’s stance on the Dutch winger.

The Latest: United’s change of heart

Taking to Twitter on Sunday afternoon, Sheth revealed that United are set to walk away from the Gakpo deal as a result of securing Antony.

Citing an ‘increased confidence’ in landing the Brazilian, the Sky Sports reporter stated: “United now unlikely to pursue deal for Cody Gakpo. He started for PSV today.”

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The Verdict: Wrong decision

Antony has been a long-time target for United, so it will be a huge boost that they have seemingly managed to secure him, but that shouldn’t necessarily have stopped them from going after Gakpo.

The 6 foot 2 star, who was hailed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for being on ‘another level’, was named Eredivisie’s Footballer of the Year in 2021/22 after recording 25 goal contributions in just 27 league games (Transfermarkt).

Whilst United’s previous bid didn’t amount to anything, £25m is a lot cheaper than the £85m reportedly set to be paid for Antony; and for someone who could have offered plenty in the final third, the Red Devils have missed out on the chance to sign an absolute gem.

In the same league as Gakpo in 2021/22, United’s imminent new recruit managed just 12 goal contributions, so it’s mind-boggling that they’d pay so much for the seemingly less effective player.

There could well be yet another twist in Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, amid reports that the Old Trafford outfit could make another late attempt to extract the midfielder from Barcelona.

What’s the word?

According to Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan, via the Daily Express, the Red Devils could well push again to sign the 25-year-old before the September deadline, with manager Erik ten Hag said to have been handed additional funds in order to bolster his ailing squad.

The Premier League side had struck a reported €85m (£72m) agreement with the Catalan giants for the Netherlands international back in July, albeit with the player’s perceived reluctance to leave the Camp Nou, as well as a monetary dispute with his current side, having hampered United’s chances of striking a deal on personal terms.

The suggestion is that the club’s initial bid has now expired such has been the long-running nature of this tiresome saga, albeit with the La Liga side still likely to need to offload the playmaker due to their ongoing financial woes.

Imagine him and Casemiro

That latest report will no doubt serve as something of a shock to supporters, with the suggestion having been that the club’s recent £70m capture of Real Madrid man Casemiro was a marker of the end of their De Jong pursuit.

If Van der Kraan is to be believed, there could be the prospect of the two men lining up together in the centre of the park come the start of September, with the two former El Clasico foes potentially the figures who can end the ongoing nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams.

At present, the midfield department remains an area in desperate need of major surgery, with the much-maligned partnership of Scott McTominay and Fred still playing far too prominent a role in the starting XI, having been dubbed “not good enough” by club legend, Roy Keane.

Replacing that pairing with a midfield axis of De Jong and Casemiro would surely spark a drastic change in fortunes for Ten Hag and co, with two players of such genuine quality likely to be a real upgrade on the current options.

In the case of the latter man, the Brazilian powerhouse should finally solve the longstanding issue at the club that has been the lack of an out-and-out holding midfield player, with the 30-year-old the destructive presence that the side is in desperate need of.

The five-time Champions League winner notably ranks in at least the top 10% for tackles made, blocks, clearances and aerial duels won among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, showcasing his defensive prowess.

While the former Porto man will be the figure to shore up United’s shoddy defence – which has already shipped six goals this season – it will fall upon De Jong to add that creative spark alongside him, with the 5 foot 11 ace set to be the man to initiate attacks from deep.

The highly-rated “genius” – as described by current boss Xavi Hernandez – is a true master at driving his side forward from his central midfield berth, as he ranks in the top 7% for progressive carries made per 90.

Not just a talent who can turn defence into attack in an instant with a surging, breakaway charge, the 44-cap sensation can also feed his forward line expertly with a defence-splitting pass, as rubberstamped by his rank in the top 6% for progressive passes received.

Having also been likened to Casemiro’s now ex-Madrid teammate Luke Modric, as per FBref, it would appear that the two men can dovetail beautifully together in Manchester moving forward, with the potential added expense of another high-profile addition set to prove worth it.

Sporting director and transfer chief John Murtough could potentially have another trick up his sleeve…

Former BBC pundit Noel Whelan has suggested that there is a ‘massive chance’ that Nottingham Forest are relegated from the Premier League this season after their extensive activity in the transfer market.

The Lowdown: Busy transfer window

Steve Cooper’s side recently confirmed the £12.7m signing of Orel Mangala from Stuttgart, with the club having now added 12 new players to the squad during the summer transfer window following their promotion to the top flight in May.

Following the Belgium international’s arrival at City Ground, Forest have reportedly brought their summer spend to more than £85m.

The Latest: Whelan’s warning

Whelan, who used to work as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, hopes that Forest can survive the drop this season, but he worries that it may take the squad too long to gel with one another.

Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed: “I do believe it will take time to blend these players and gel this group together. But they’ve got a very good manager in Steve Cooper, and he will give them the best possible chance.

“It is often the case that teams can sign too many players and it backfires – but Forest didn’t have a choice, they lost a lot of their best players after the play-off final.

“The owner has shown his intent and you just hope it doesn’t backfire. I think it would be great to keep Forest in the Premier League.

“They’ve got that history and that prestige. When you see them on the fixture list, it’s a game you look forward to.

“There is a massive chance that it could come back to bite them if these players can’t adapt to a new club and a new league. It’ll be intriguing and exciting for their fans to see how it pans out.”

The Verdict: Not a great start…

Embarking on a Premier League campaign on Saturday for the first time in 23 years, Cooper’s team were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

“Newcastle deserved to win the game,” the Forest manager told reporters. “They were the better team. We will always show respect to that.”

With so many new arrivals at the City Ground, this was always going to be a likely outcome at the beginning of the season, so it may take a few weeks or even months for the squad to settle in playing with one another.

Whelan is right to sound a warning that extensive summer spending does not automatically ensure a comfortable top-flight campaign, with Aston Villa scraping survival on the final day in 2020 despite spending more than £140m in the summer and winter transfer windows.

BBC journalist Simon Stone has shared his view as Leeds United signing Luis Sinisterra picked up an injury in the Whites’ pre-season friendly with Crystal Palace.

The Lowdown: Sinisterra joins Whites

The winger completed a move from Feyenoord to Leeds earlier this month, helping fill the void left by Raphinha, who has joined Barcelona in a big-money transfer.

Sinisterra is an exciting signing, having scored 12 goals and chipped in with seven assists in the Eredivisie last season, and fans have been enjoying watching him in pre-season action.

Unfortunately, things have taken a negative turn in that respect.

The Latest: Injury update

Taking to Twitter during Leeds’ friendly clash with Palace, Stone confirmed that Sinisterra had limped off after picking up an injury, which he believes to be a hamstring issue.

The reporter confirmed it was a non-contact injury and shared a brief moment involving manager Jesse Marsch before the player headed down the tunnel.

“Sinisterra went down with no-one near him. Looked like a hamstring injury. Had a brief word with Jesse Marsch before making his way slowly to the tunnel. Colombian one of LUFC’s big summer signings.”

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The Verdict: Big concern for Marsch

A new signing getting injured is always hugely disappointing and this is especially concerning, given the manner in which Sinisterra picked up the knock.

Nobody was around him when the incident happened, which can mean potential muscle or even ligament damage due to an awkward turn or landing, which will be of big concern for Marsch.

The hope is that Sinisterra’s setback is nothing serious and that he left the field as a precaution, but with the new Premier League season only two weeks away, anyone associated with Leeds will be sweating.

Aston Villa are among the teams taking an interest in Sergio Gomez, according to transfer insider Dean Jones…

What’s the word?

The Eurosport journalist dropped the intriguing claim during a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, where he revealed:

“Sergio Gomez was a player that actually had a lot of clubs looking at him at the backend of last season coming into the summer window. So, Villa are one of those.

“I don’t know how much progress has been made to this point, but he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.”

Another exciting addition

Last month, The Athletic claimed that manager Steven Gerrard was targeting three more signings before the start of the 2022/23 campaign – a left-back, another centre-mid and a striker.

The Midlands side have already signed some exciting names in Diego Carlos from Sevilla and the free-agent acquisition of Boubacar Kamara from Marseille, so making further additions should leave many supporters around Villa Park thrilled.

Gomez is a solid option to provide cover and backup to Lucas Digne, perhaps even one day usurping him in the pecking order given he is only 21. That said, the 5 foot 7 dynamo is also capable of playing further forward and began his footballing career as an attacking midfielder.

In 49 appearances last season, the Spaniard registered seven goals and a whopping 15 assists, via Transfermarkt.

Valued at just £9m by Transfermarkt, the U21 international could prove to be quite the bargain indeed, particularly considering he would be coming in as a second-choice option.

During his time at Borussia Dortmund, their sporting director Michael Zorc described the versatile gem as being “undoubtedly one of the best players of his age in the world.”

Gomez was even once dubbed the “long-term heir to Iniesta” by journalist Ronan Murphy.

Signing a player capable of delivering goals and assists from a defensive position is certainly a mouthwatering prospect, not just for Gerrard but the Villa faithful, who must be buzzing by Jones’ claims.

Also lauded as a “playmaker”, “the king of assists” and “Guardiola-esque” by scout Jacek Kulig, it’s clear that Gomez has a bright future in the game, so it is now on director of football Johan Lange to secure him in B6.

AND in other news, Ashley Preece drops exciting Aston Villa transfer claim…

Everton youngster Ellis Simms is wanted on loan by Scottish Premiership side Hearts next season, according to a report from Edinburgh Evening News. 

The lowdown: Hot prospect

Formerly of the youth system at Manchester City, Simms joined the Blues in 2017 and has since progressed remarkably through the ranks on Merseyside.

The 21-year-old striker amassed an incredible 62 direct goal contributions in 84 outings across the Everton Under 18s and Under 23s before a spell out on loan at Blackpool, where the starlet netted ten times in 24 appearances for the then League One side.

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Set to return to Goodison Park this summer following a loan spell at Hearts last season, Simms is wanted for a second spell north of the border.

The latest: Approach made

As per the report from Edinburgh Evening News, Hearts officials have already made a ‘strong pitch’ to take the frontman back.

It’s claimed that the Toffees will wait to make a decision on Simms amidst interest from a ‘number of teams’ in the Championship and to allow Frank Lampard to ‘assess him’ during pre-season.

The report also states that the man lauded for an ‘absolutely magnificent’ goal against Hibernian in the Scottish Cup semi-final could be required to fill the void left behind by either Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The verdict: Keep him

Given the lack of striking options at his disposal due to injuries and suspensions last season, Lampard should seriously consider keeping Simms for the 2022/23 campaign, regardless of what happens with Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin over the coming weeks.

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 2, the Oldham-born youngster has the physical attributes to cope with the Premier League and could provide a younger, more agile alternative to 32-year-old target man Salomon Rondon, who was so often the go-to option in times of need late last term despite only scoring once in the league.

Having enjoyed further senior success and big match exposure whilst scoring seven times and providing two assists in 21 outings in Scotland, the ace who won the 2018/19 Premier League 2 Golden Boot award with a staggering 32 strikes can be an affective member of the Everton squad moving forwards.

In other news, Everton are eyeing this midfielder from a big-six side