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Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has warned Celtic about moving for David Moyes in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

According to GiveMeSport, the former SPFL champions have sounded out the 57-year-old West Ham manager as they look to replace Neil Lennon following his exit last month.

Moyes has done a sublime job at the Hammers this season, guiding them to fifth in the Premier League and just three points behind a Champions League spot with a game in hand. Bearing that in mind, Palmer is not too convinced by the idea of Moyes switching the London Stadium for Celtic Park, believing he has found his place in east London.

Speaking on Moyes and Celtic, the retired England international told FFC:

“Celtic is a massive club, a massive club. But I just say sometimes you’ve got to be careful. David Moyes did a fantastic job at Everton then ended up going to Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson, which was always going to be a tough gig, and then for a while he lost his way. He’s a very, very good manager, but he lost his way.

“He seems to have found his niche at West Ham. I think he’s found his little spot there and they’re doing exceptionally well.”

Moyes’ contract at West Ham expires at the end of the season, which could bode well for Celtic. However, with their former player doing so well with the Hammers this term, you would expect the club’s board to get him tied down to a new deal, meaning Celtic are probably going to have to look elsewhere.

That could come in the form of Roy Keane, who is one of the latest names to be linked with the job in the Celtic Park dugout.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the criticism that Gareth Bale has received this season has been fair.

Given the impact Bale made during his first spell at Tottenham and what he managed to achieve at Real Madrid, much was expected of him.

However, the 31-year-old has been unable to replicate the sort of form that made him such a popular figure at White Hart Lane first time round, failing to nail down a regular spot in Jose Mourinho’s starting XI, including being left on the bench and featuring for zero minutes in the win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

As a result, Bale has come under fire, though ex-Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards recently came out to defend him, believing the Welsh forward has been disrespected to a certain degree.

Palmer, however, is not too sure and feels Bale should be delivering more. Discussing the Wales international, who is on loan from Real Madrid, the retired Premier League footballer told FFC:

“I think everybody would have expected that Gareth would have done better than what he’s done. Of late, he’s started to show signs of the old Gareth Bale, but you can’t just go off what people have done in the past and say that you should give him respect.

“He’s not come over to Tottenham on a free transfer and on small wages. He’s come over on a huge salary. If he was honest and if Jose was honest, they would have both wanted his impact to be more.”

In recent weeks, Bale’s form has certainly picked up. He scored two goals in Tottenham’s 4-1 win against Crystal Palace at the start of the month and another two prior in a 4-0 win versus Burnley.

However, before that, he was having very little influence on the pitch, really struggling in front of goal when called upon, making the criticism he has faced this season unsurprising.

To suggest Celtic’s recruitment in the last few years has been shoddy would be putting things lightly.

The Hoops have got a lot of their transfers wrong and on that basis, it’s easy to see why they’ve relinquished their grasp on the SPFL title.

Last term they signed the likes of Boli Bolingoli, Hatem Elhamed, Moritz Bauer and Patryk Klimala.

Of those players signed in 2019/20, only one of them is currently in and around the Celtic squad; Klimala.

Bolingoli is out on loan while Elhamed has gone back to Israel. As for Bauer, he never stood a chance of having his loan spell extended in Glasgow.

Nick Hammond seemingly didn’t learn a year on. Once again, their movements in the transfer market left plenty to be desired.

They signed Vasilis Barkas for a fee of £4.5m, a player who has made a number of individual mistakes since putting pen to paper. To make matters worse, he isn’t even their number one goalkeeper at the moment.

Unfortunately, they also decided to spend £5m on Albian Ajeti; a transfer that now looks nothing short of disastrous.

Ajeti has had a poor few seasons but at the age of 24, still has plenty of potential. After all, you don’t score 21 goals in one season for European regulars Basel without having a bit of quality.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-boupendza-mcgeady-marsch-mccarthy” title=”Latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

A move to West Ham followed that but he failed to score in 12 appearances. It’s not got much better for the Swiss forward since joining Celtic.

The striker has played 19 matches in the SPFL but has only scored six times. That means that Ajeti has cost Dermot Desmond nearly a whopping £1m per goal since signing. To be precise, he has cost £833k per goal.

Add his £13.5k-per-week wages into the equation and that’s a further £432k for the 32 weeks he’s been at Parkhead.

The money spent is made all the more frustrating by the small glimpses of quality we’ve seen from him. Ajeti scored five goals in his opening ten matches and netted a sensational strike against Kilmarnock in February.

Scott Brown played a long ball forward which was elegantly taken down by the Switzerland international. He was able to turn before firing the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

It was a strike worthy of a £5m player, but his form for large parts of the season hasn’t dictated that.

Ajeti’s goal against Killie was his first since September, a run stretching across 14 matches. Coincidentally, the former West Ham man hasn’t scored since that match.

Speaking in October, Alan Hutton suggested the attacker had been “anonymous” and that he was becoming a big problem for the management team. You can’t say the former defender doesn’t have a point.

Ajeti will desperately need to improve if he’s still at Paradise next term.

Aston Villa are hoping crucial star and captain Jack Grealish will be returning soon, however it looks like their upcoming derby against Wolves will be too early for him.

The latest on Grealish

Manager Dean Smith was previewing the all-Midlands clash against Wolves in his pre-match conference, via Birmingham Live: “Jack’s unlikely to feature on Saturday. I haven’t sat down with the medical staff yet but he was running on the AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) yesterday, which is a positive because if he’s running it means he’s pain-free.”

The wait goes on

The skipper is a crucial member of Smith’s side and is a key component as Villa look to push on and finish in the top half of the Premier League, so understandably many fans are very worried about the injury.

His form this season has been electric and his goal contributions show that he has been involved in nearly half of Villa’s goals in the division this campaign, as Smith’s side have managed 37 in total (SofaScore). He has not just shone for Villa either but also England, with manager Gareth Southgate in awe of the Villa skipper, hailing his performance against Belgium as ‘outstanding‘.

The only positive is that the playmaker looks to be close to returning as he is pain-free so hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later.

In other Villa news, fans have been piling praise on one star at the club following his latest comments. Have a read who it is here!

Fans of Aston Villa have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Gregg Evans relayed recent comments made by Dean Smith regarding Morgan Sanson’s progression at the club.

Since joining Villa from Olympique Marseille in what was a £14.22 million deal back in January, Sanson is yet to be awarded a start in the Premier League, with the midfielder’s four appearances for the club all coming as a substitute.

However, speaking prior to the club’s clash with Sheffield United on Wednesday evening, the 49-year-old Villa manager provided a rather positive update on the development of the £18 million-rated 26-year-old, suggesting that the Frenchman could be in line to start a fixture in the near future.

He said: “He’s starting to show what he’s about in games when he’s been coming on. But he’s an ambitious young man who wants to start games and I’m confident enough now that he can start games for us and I have no doubts putting him in.”

And, after Evans relayed Smith’s comments on Twitter, fans of Villa flocked to have their say on the matter, with many urging their manager to play Sanson from the off against the Blades.

So, what exactly did these Aston Villa fans have to say in reaction to Dean Smith’s comments regarding Morgan Sanson?

“Then start him, Dean.”

@WatkinsOffside2

“That comment suggests it’s Nakamba – McGinn – Sanson tomorrow then, I’m fine with that.”

@WWE__History

“It’s fantastic that we have the opportunity to do that this season. Whereas last season we had to chuck all new signings straight in without a slow introduction. It really showed what a difference it made, after last seasons lockdown, how important it is to have a steady introduction.”

@stegzy80

“I think we are easing him into premier league life perfectly tbh. He will become more of a major player for us as time goes by. He looks decent.”

@coleman83avfc

“I can see Sanson / Barkley starting as a 10 tomorrow in place of Ramsay. Maybe he will save Sanson for Wolves on Saturday though.”

@avfcsarco

“Get in! SANSON STARTING CONFIRMED?!”

@trickytargett

“I like this talk.”

@GaryBolton91

In other news, these Villa fans are loving this crazy statistic – find out more here!

Steven Gerrard has suffered a big blow at Ibrox after it was revealed that Rangers defender Nathan Patterson will be suspended for four games after he and five other teammates broke lockdown restrictions earlier in the season.

With James Tavernier only making a return to training recently, the manager faces a real headache as to who to select at right-back for upcoming fixtures, with Patterson set to miss the games against Cove Rangers, Hibernian and St Johnstone, as well as the Old Firm derby, although that could change depending on whether or not the Light Blues progress in Sunday’s cup tie.

After being internally punished by the club, the 19-year-old has managed to work his way back into Gerrard’s good books with recent strong performances and has really stepped up in the absence of Tavernier.

The teenager impressively scored his first goal in Rangers colours in the 5-2 Europa League win against Royal Antwerp and has been a regular in the first team since then, starting four of the last five games before the international break.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

After that goalscoring return, Gerrard was full of praise for Patterson, saying: “He’s got an opportunity and he needs to learn from this and make sure it doesn’t happen again. He’s a wonderful footballer with a big future ahead of him.”

With Tavernier unlikely to be thrown straight back into the fray, it seems as if Gerrard has a huge decision to make. He may have to put his faith in Leon Balogun in the right-back position for upcoming fixtures, although the Nigerian struggled there in the Old Firm derby and against Royal Antwerp recently.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Although the title is already wrapped up, Gerrard will be desperate to finish the season unbeaten, so the lack of a natural right-back for upcoming fixtures could prove to be a blow for the 40-year-old manager.

In other news… Wilson should reignite Rangers interest in 27 y/o gem who’s “got all the attributes”

Alongside the several potential new players Celtic have been linked to this window, they also have their eye on a new manager. The Mirror recently reported that Rafael Benitez is in the picture to usurp Neil Lennon as head coach of the Glasgow giants, following his decision to leave his role in China.

No decision has been confirmed yet and Lennon is still very much in charge of the Hoops, but if he is to be shown the door, the club have a lot to thank him for.

Not only did the Irishman lead Celtic to their historic quadruple-treble accolade, alongside several Premiership titles but he has developed players like Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull into proven first team players.

The 2020/21 season has undeniably been tough on the Bhoys, who are down and out in their chances of securing a tenth consecutive Premiership trophy. They were also handed an early exit from the Europa League after conceding the joint-most amount of goals (19) and managing to win just one match out of the group stages.

With a crisis on their hands, Lennon was forced to rummage around in the substitutes barrel. Taking a punt, the boss took a chance on 2020 signings Turnbull and Soro. This is one of the smartest decisions Lennon has made this season and if he is to part ways with Celtic, he will leaving two ready-made stars in his wake.

According to Transfermarkt, Turnbull has contributed six goals and three assists for Celtic this season, despite only making his first start in October. He has been the difference for his side on numerous occasions, including his goal to secure a point against Hibernian earlier this month.

Soro has also made a vast difference to Celtic’s midfield and has taken the place of Scott Brown on several occasions. According to WhoScored, the 22-year-old has averaged a higher passing accuracy than the Hoops skipper and more interceptions and tackles per match.

This goes to show the benefits of Lennon taking a risk as he desperately tried to turn this season on its head. Whilst he hasn’t achieved what he wanted, he can be proud that he has developed two overlooked players into solid and reliable starters.

In other news, Carlton Palmer believes Benitez would be good coup for Celtic…

David Moyes’ decision to field West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen as a makeshift centre-forward against Brighton and Hove Albion backfired horrifically on Sunday.

Bowen was fielded in a central role to serve as the middleman between striker Sebastien Haller and captain Mark Noble, with an emphasis on pushing high up the field at the London Stadium.

Instead, most of the work Bowen could muster at home to the Seagulls saw the former Hull City maestro backtrack into Irons territory, before seeing his reputation spared any further damage when replaced by Andriy Yarmolenko at half-time looking absolutely knackered.

West Ham’s inability to dictate the flow of proceedings in the opening 45 minutes hindered Bowen’s hopes of making a move into a central role work, with the £25m-rated playmaker unable to find the needed space to create or the end product when openings developed.

Brighton’s buoyant start left Haller isolated without his attacking partner able to get close, while even Bowen’s deliveries from set-pieces was woeful with the 24-year-old failing to find a teammate with 50 per cent of his four corners taken.

His SofaScore heatmap from the Seagulls affair even showed the right-hand corner flag to be where a majority of Bowen’s 25 touches were taken, as he laboured to a mere seven successful passes, misplaced his two open-play crosses, offered zero key balls and missed the target with his sole shot before being hooked.

The £96,000-per-week forward further lost possession 10 times, though won three of his four ground duels, and will be desperate for the hectic festive schedule to end in order to earn a welcome rest having started all 15 of the Hammers’ Premier League fixtures this term.

Moyes will now be forced to go back to the drawing board ahead of West Ham’s trip to Southampton on Tuesday night looking to resolve his creativity crisis, that left the Hammers forced to come from behind twice to snatch a point at home to Brighton.

Yarmolenko is unlikely to be Moyes’ answer having endured a frustrating cameo against Brighton, as the Ukraine international’s direct runs caused the Seagulls problems but often without a decisive end product.

AND in other news, a West Ham gem who’s “not been at the races” betrayed David Moyes vs Brighton.

It’s been reported that Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris has rejected the club’s ‘very lucrative’ initial new contract offer, with the 2018 World Cup winner’s current deal set to expire a year and a half from now.

This news comes after reports emerged claiming that Lloris is wanted by former Tottenham boss, and new Paris Saint-Germain manager, Mauricio Pochettino.

Long-term Levy plan

This contract update on Lloris was originally reported by Football Insider, who have claimed that the Lilywhites’ owner and chairman Daniel Levy, who Lloris claimed to have a good relationship with back in 2016, is keen to sign the Frenchman to a long-term deal that would effectively see him spend the rest of his career at Spurs.

It’s claimed in this report that the Lilywhites hierarchy ‘still have great faith’ in the £10.8m-rated man, as does Spurs manager Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham Hotspur knocked back

Pochettino’s appointment at Le Parc des Princes seems to have thrown a spanner in the works of this long-term Levy plan to tie Lloris down to a long-term deal, which the club has reportedly been working on since August, as Mourinho’s side are now said to be prepared to try and battle ‘strong interest’ from PSG for the goalkeeper’s signature.

With Spurs’ early attempts to get Lloris tied down to a new deal having been knocked back, and the club said to be determined not to allow their captain to enter the final year of his contract amid interest from PSG, it certainly seems that unless they can convince Lloris to change his mind and commit his future to Tottenham in the next few months, a summer departure could well be on the cards.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Spurs and Levy’s negotiations over a new deal for star attacker, Son Heung-min.

Daniel Levy could round off a perfect Tottenham Hotspur attack this summer…

What’s the word?

According to Tuttosport, Spurs are among the teams monitoring Sampdoria attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard ahead of the next transfer window.

It’s claimed that Jose Mourinho has the 20-year-old on his shortlist, though he’ll face competition from Serie A giants Juventus.

As per the report, it is thought that the Dane’s value has increased from €6.4m (£5.6m) to €20m (£18m) thanks to his impressive form in Genoa this season.

Imagine him, Son & Kane

So far this season, Spurs have heavily relied on the goalscoring exploits of Heung-min Son and Harry Kane, both have scored 13 times apiece, meaning they account for 72.2% of their goals in the Premier League.

Tanguy Ndombele is next up with only three goals whilst between right-sided options – Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn – just two goals have been scored. The latter two are suffering barren spells too.

The Brazilian has bagged just once in the top-flight since December 2019, whilst the Dutchman hasn’t found the net since football’s original return in June 2020.

Evidently, Mourinho could do with another option in his attack, and this is where Damsgaard fits the bill immensely.

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Ranking among Sampdoria’s consistent performers with an average rating of 6.76, the Danish international has proven to be an industrious source of goals, scoring twice as well as providing four assists, per WhoScored.

For Claudio Ranieri’s men, Damsgaard tops the charts for dribbles, managing 4.7 per 90 minutes at a completion rate of 61.7% but his work-rate doesn’t stop there as he puts in the graft defensively too –  a bit like Bergwijn.

No attacking outlet attempts more than his 4.7 tackles per 90, and more often than not, he’s a hard man to defeat as he’s managing a success rate of 51% and this should be right up Mourinho’s street as he wants his players to track back and help out the team.

Not even Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (4.5 per 90) is attempting more tackles than his fellow Dane, which speaks volumes.

The former Leicester City hero has also earmarked his impressive talent for a “big future” whilst TV 2 SPORT’s football expert Martin Mikkelsen dubbed him “magical,” adding: “He is dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions. Was that something we dreamed of? It’s awesome.”

That merely reinforces his potential fit in Mourinho’s attack alongside Son and Kane – he’s certainly doing far better than the seasoned and illustrious Bale this season, which is costing an abomination with wages of £240k-per-week, all for 230 minutes of PL action.

Levy ought to forget Bale this summer and swoop for the Blucerchiati gem, just imagine him in that Spurs attack.

AND in other news, Spurs’ £20.25m-rated target who “shows no nerves” could be a perfect buy for Mourinho…