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In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 333 appearances for Newcastle United, has praised Allan Saint-Maximin for the way he changed the game against Burnley and West Ham.

Since Saint-Maximin’s return to the side, Newcastle are unbeaten having picked up eight points in their last four games against Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley, West Ham and Liverpool respectively.

Saint-Maximin was influential during his first start since returning from injury as the Magpies earned a respectable 3-2 win against the Hammers, with the winger causing havoc as he completed all of his attempted dribbles.

Speaking on how good Saint-Maximin has been for Newcastle since returning from injury and how he’s been able to change things around, Lee told FFC:

“He was different class during the spell when he scored and created goals against Burnley, and just his pace and ability to go past players easily.

“He’s changed games for us massively and that’s what he’s there to do.”

The £38,462-per-week winger did hobble off during the win against West Ham, which would have been a worry for Steve Bruce, but the forward played all 90 minutes in the Magpies’ hard-fought draw at Anfield.

Newcastle face Arsenal next weekend, with all three points meaning Premier League safety would be all but secured for another season.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer has reacted to comments made by Garry Monk regarding his decision to take the Sheffield Wednesday job back in 2019.

Speaking to The Athletic (via Sheffield Star) this month, Monk admitted signing up for the role in the Hillsborough dugout was a mistake.

After 14 months in charge, the 42-year-old was sacked as the Yorkshire club found themselves second from bottom in the Championship.

In his interview with The Athletic, Monk also claimed he knew that there were a lot of things wrong at Wednesday under the Dejphon Chansiri regime, something which Palmer felt he obviously had to know from the get-go and should have served as a warning sign.

Discussing Monk’s recent comments, the former Wednesday midfielder told FFC:

“Anybody who takes the Sheffield Wednesday job surely must have been doing their homework. There’s just too much of a managerial merry-go-round going on, so there’s something not right at the football club. But the problem that you’ve got is that it’s a massive club, it’s well supported and, you know, it’s a big job. So you believe, right, I can get in there, I can do a good job and this, that and the other.

“But there’s clearly issues there. I know there’s issues over the way Chansiri controls the playing side of things in terms of players coming and players going out. I’d be very shocked if Garry wasn’t aware of that when he went in there.”

With eight Championship games still to play, survival is not out of Wednesday’s reach yet. However, if the Owls do end up dropping down to League One, it will be interesting to see if Darren Moore is kept on or given the same treatment as the likes of Monk and Tony Pulis.

Leicester City are set to receive a huge boost ahead of their Premier League clash versus Manchester City, with James Maddison ready to return to action.

The midfielder has been out of action since mid-February with a hip injury.

However, Foxes’ boss Brendan Rodgers has suggested that the former Norwich City man is likely to return to contention “after” the international break.

His return after a five-match lay-off will surely be massive news for Leicester as they attempt to continue their push for a UEFA Champions League place against runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Maddison is currently in the midst of his most productive campaign since arriving at the King Power Stadium from Norwich City in 2018.

He currently has 11 goals and ten assists in all competitions to his name and only needs to get on the scoresheet on a further four occasions to match the most prolific season of his career to date.

As a matter of fact, only striker Jamie Vardy can match the 24-year-old’s 21 total goal contributions throughout 2020/21.

It shows then how big of a player Maddison is that he is out-performing the vast majority of the Leicester squad and coming up against the irrepressible City at home on Saturday evening, Rodgers will certainly need his best players if the Foxes are to earn a result.

Having said that, Leicester’s results haven’t been harmed whilst Maddison has been ruled out.

In the five matches in which he has been unavailable, Rodgers’ troops have won three, drawn one and lost the other.

Nevertheless, in games in which the midfielder has scored – ten in total – Leicester have won every single one, including their famous 5-2 victory at the Etihad earlier this season.

Maddison will certainly be looking to continue that trend as he provides a big injury boost to Leicester and Rodgers at the weekend.

AND in more news, take a look at which former Real Madrid striker the Foxes are reportedly interested in…

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has told Football FanCast that Danny Ings will not be moving to a top-four club this summer but he believes Arsenal could end up making a move for the Southampton forward.

Ings has been in excellent form this season, scoring eight goals in the Premier League, and has 42 in 91 appearances for the south coast outfit in total.

He has battled injury issues, having sustained a knee problem earlier this season, but remains the Saints’ key man going forward.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are currently 14th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Windass is convinced that Southampton will stay in the top-flight but he does not believe Ings will be moving to a club in the top four when the transfer window reopens.

Ings has played for Liverpool previously, but he made just 25 appearances for the Reds, scoring four goals.

Liverpool signed the player as he came to the end of his contract at Burnley and Windass believes that his performances at Anfield may put off any potential suitors.

He told FFC: “Southampton will stay in the Premier League. Because Danny Ings went to Liverpool and it wasn’t a success, I can’t see one of the top four buying him.”

However, Windass does think that a club like Arsenal could make a move for the forward.

He has claimed that he could cost as much as £50m, but he does not believe the Gunners should be regarded as a Champions League-level team.

Windass added: “Maybe Arsenal, but I’m not talking Arsenal as a top four team.

“Arsenal will probably go and pay £30, £40, £50 million for him, whatever, but I can’t see Danny Ings going into the top four.”

When asked about the latest Tottenham Hotspur team news, manager Jose Mourinho confirmed the latest to football.london – with Spurs star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg set to miss the Europa League clash tonight against Dinamo Zagreb through suspension.

The Dane, who will not feature tonight, joins the likes of Son Heung-min (injury) and Joe Rodon (ineligible) on the list of players unable to take part this afternoon.

Jose Mourinho confirms Tottenham team news

Hojbjerg, who signed for Tottenham in the summer, has debatably been one of their best signings of that window alongside Sergio Reguilon – and he could be a miss.

Mourinho is predicted by reliable Lilywhites correspondent Alasdair Gold to play both Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks in midfield as a replacement for the Dane while Erik Lamela, Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn play further in front of him.

Tottenham hold a solid 2-0 advantage over the Croatian giants heading into tonight’s second leg, courtesy of a brace from Harry Kane in north London, and Mourinho has also confirmed that the Englishman is set to start this afternoon.

Giovani Lo Celso, who has been sidelined for months, is also ‘back to the squad’ according to Mourinho.

As Hojbjerg is set to miss the Zagreb clash, with Mourinho previously hailing him as a ‘phenomenal player’, it remains to be seen how Tottenham line up in midfield.

In other news: Daniel Levy will be offered this ‘extraordinary’ star, find out more here.

يستهدف المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر يونايتد، رالف رانجنيك، موهبة ألمانية مميزة في مركز صانع الألعاب لضمها في الميركاتو الصيفي المقبل.

وكشفت صحيفة “ذا صن” أن نادي مانشستر يونايتد يرغب في التعاقد مع لاعب باير ليفركوزن، فلوريان فيرتز، الذي يمتلك عقدًا حتى يونيو 2026.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رانجنيك يتغنى بلاعب منتخب تونس: مانشستر يونايتد يمتلك موهبة رائعة

ويخطط رانجنيك لتقوية صفوف مانشستر يونايتد في السنوات المقبلة بمزيد من اللاعبين الموهوبين لإعادة الفريق الإنجليزي إلى الطريق الصحيح والمنافسة على الألقاب.

فيرتز هو أولوية لدى رانجنيك رغم سنه الصغير حيث لديه 18 عامًا فقط ولكنه أحد أهم المواهب في الكرة الألمانية ونادي باير ليفركوزن.

الجدير بالذكر أن الصفقة قد تكلف خزائن مانشستر يونايتد مبلغ يصل إلى 70 مليون يورو كحد أدنى وهو ما لن يبعد النادي الإنجليزي عن هدفه.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former England centre-back Steve Howey has urged Cenk Tosun to join West Brom this month.

The 29-year-old striker was Baggies boss Sam Allardyce’s first signing during his time at Everton, splashing out £27m to Besiktas for his signature, though things haven’t gone to plan since.

In three-and-a-half seasons at the Toffees, the Turkish forward has only made 58 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists. He was even sent out on loan to Crystal Palace last term, where he scored just once in five games, per Transfermarkt.

Tosun has played only 43 minutes in the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti this season and has subsequently been linked with a reunion with Big Sam.

According to Sky Sports, the 66-year-old is keen to bring Tosun to the Hawthorns to bolster his frontline, as West Brom rank among the worst three clubs in the top-flight in terms of goals scored.

It’s claimed that any loan deal would be with a view to making the move permanent if Albion avoid relegation – it’s thought that the 45-cap striker is currently earning around £100k-per-week.

On the back of these reports, when we asked him if Tosun would be a good signing for the Baggies, Howey claimed it would be an “absolute no brainer,” for the player to make such a move. He said:

“For [West Brom], I think you’ve got [to say to the player] ‘there are X amount of months left in the season, you’re not playing. We’ll give you an extra little bit more – if you keep us up or if you score X amount of goals, or if you do this, there’s an extra bit in it for you’, so for a player who isn’t playing and is fit, it’s an absolute no brainer, win-win!”

Even in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence on Tuesday night, Ancelotti snubbed Tosun from the starting XI as the Toffees defeated Wolves 2-1. Indeed, he didn’t even come off the bench despite the game heading into the final 20 minutes all-square.

Meanwhile, over at the Hawthorns, Big Sam is currently dealing with a shortage of striking options. He’s sanctioned the loan exit of Charlie Austin to former club QPR despite the serious injury suffered to Karlan Grant.

Tosun would be a welcome addition to the Albion squad given the circumstances, Howey certainly seems to think it would be a good move for all those concerned.

AND in other news, West Brom heading for transfer disaster over the next Stephane Sessegnon

Over the last month, nothing has really gone right for Nuno Santo and Wolves.

Since Raul Jimenez fractured his skull in a horrific clash of heads against Arsenal, the Molineux outfit have won just three of their last 12 outings.

Not only have they struggled to score goals but at the opposite end, they’ve been in diabolical shape. Nuno has shifted between a three-man and four-man backline but on a rare occasion in recent weeks, he got his system spot on during Wednesday night’s draw with Chelsea.

The Portuguese went back to basics as Wolves lined up with three centre-backs. The result was a first league clean sheet since October – a run of 13 matches. All three of the defenders were imperious as Willy Boly and Max Kilman lost just one of their duels between them.

It was a night of near perfection from Wolves’ defence and it was a timely return to form for club captain Conor Coady.

The £55,000-a-week Wolves skipper has struggled of late and looked in horrific form when the Old Gold lost the Black Country derby to West Brom. He conceded a penalty and was then hauled off for the very first time in his Molineux career by the manager.

It was a landmark moment for the defender, one that signalled he wasn’t untouchable in this Wolves team.

However, the England international bounced back on Wednesday evening and answered any critics with a superb performance at the heart of Nuno’s defence. As he traditionally does, Coady marshalled things well and in winning 100% of his duels, barely put a foot wrong.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-wolves-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Wolves news”]

Express & Star’s Joe Edward’s typified his display with the following words at full-time: “Led by example. Typically vocal, always organising those around him and providing encouragement too. His own game was hugely improved from the previous few matches as well.”

That was all Nuno could ask for from Coady on Wednesday. He was superb and demonstrated all of the characteristics we’ve become accustomed to seeing from the bubbly 27-year-old.

In completing 86% of his passes – a team-high – he was safe and secure, while his radiant confidence meant he wasn’t dribbled past on a single occasion, nor did he commit a foul.

He and the rest of the defence stifled Olivier Giroud exceptionally well. That’s no mean feat given his physicality and for a man who usually dominates in the air, he won only three of the seven aerial battles he competed in.

That was a testament to not only Coady but the entire defence he was leading.

After his horror show against West Brom, he needed to prove himself and this was exactly the way to do it. Why did we ever doubt him?

AND in other news, 7 passes all night: Wolves gem who won just 25% of his duels endured a torrid evening…

أقامت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية حفلًا من أجل تسليم جوائز الأفضل عن الموسم الماضي في بطولة الدوري الإسباني 2020/2021، والذي توج فيه نادي أتلتيكو مدريد باللقب في النهاية.

وعلى الرغم من رحيل جناح برشلونة السابق، ليونيل ميسي، عن البطولة إلا أنه قد نجح في حصد جائزتين من الصحيفة الإسبانية الشهيرة الأولى هي البيتشيتشي عن لقب هداف الدوري الإسباني بالموسم الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. موندو ديبورتيفو تكشف موعد أول ظهور لـ داني ألفيش بقميص برشلونة بعد عودته

🙌🙌🙌 ¡¡Grande Leo Messi!!

Es su octavo Pichichi… ¡se dice pronto! @HyundaiEsp @LaLiga #LaLiga #PremiosMarca2021 https://t.co/rjGRP4ypnp pic.twitter.com/3ctms8XdD1 — MARCA (@marca) November 29, 2021

ونجح ميسي في تسجيل 30 هدفًا مع برشلونة خلال الموسم الماضي من بطولة الدوري الإسباني متفوقًا على مهاجم ريال مدريد، كريم بنزيما، الذي سجل 23 هدفًا بالتساوي مع مهاجم فياريال، جيرارد مورينو.

الجائزة الثانية التي حصل عليها ميسي من صحيفة “ماركا” هي جائزة أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإسباني عن الموسم الماضي ولكن بتصويت الجماهير.

ولم يحضر ميسي الحفل المُقام في العاصمة الإسبانية “مدريد” حيث يستعد لحضور حفل جائزة الكرة الذهبية مساء اليوم ولكن سبق وتسلم الأرجنتيني الجائزتين من صحيفة “ماركا” وتم تصويره وإجراء مقابلة صحفية قبل أيام وتم نشرها.

⚽📋 Un premio al mejor entrenador que se repite, @Simeone lo recoge de manos de todo un atlético, el alcalde de Madrid @AlmeidaPP_

“Fue una temporada difícil, perligrosa, larga y eso hizo más grande ganar @LaLiga” @HyundaiEsp #PremiosMarca2021 https://t.co/rjGRP4ypnp pic.twitter.com/57koUT40LO — MARCA (@marca) November 29, 2021

حصد مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد الحالي، دييجو سيميوني، جائزة أفضل مدرب عن الموسم الماضي، وحصل مهاجم الروخي بلانكوس، لويس سواريز، على جائزة الأفضل في الموسم الماضي وهي باسم أسطورة ريال مدريد، ألفريدو دي ستيفانو.

🤩⚽ @LuisSuarez9 recibe el Trofeo Di Stéfano@HyundaiEsp @LaLiga #LaLiga #PremiosMarca2021 https://t.co/rjGRP4ypnp pic.twitter.com/zMv40yZOVl — MARCA (@marca) November 29, 2021

بينما حصل حارس مرمى أتلتيكو مدريد ومنتخب سلوفينيا، يان أوبلاك، على جائزة زامورا كأفضل حارس مرمى في الموسم الماضي.

A last-minute switch up in transfer targets saw die-hard Celtic fan Robert Snodgrass snubbed of a move to his boyhood club. The Hoops made a deadline day decision as they snapped up AC Milan ace Diego Laxalt on loan instead. The left-back has certainly impressed since his move to Parkhead and he’s a player that the club should be considering moving for permanently.

Snodgrass is also a man they shouldn’t leave out in the cold. Whilst it was only a short-term deal Nick Hammond was looking for, he could sign the West Ham star for absolutely nothing next summer.

Should Celtic sign Snodgrass?

In short, the 33-year-old would be a very smart signing for the Bhoys. As it stands, Neil Lennon has no registered senior right-winger on his roster. His line-ups this season have featured either a double strike force or a midfield three to support the one loan target man.

Signing a natural right-winger would give Lennon so much more depth and several new formation options. Celtic have struggled somewhat this season, falling out of favour in the Premiership and stumbling through their Europa League campaign with just one point on the board so far.

The manager has been frustrated with injury problems, positive coronavirus tests and players out of form. Odsonne Edouard is one man who has surprised a lot of people with his silence on the pitch. Since his return from his self-isolation spell, the Frenchman has struggled to get involved in many goalscoring opportunities. He has just one goal to his name his last nine appearances for the club.

Mohamed Elyounoussi has been Lennon’s star man, but he too is on loan. Lennon will have some serious thinking to do as the countdown to the summer window approaches. Signing Snodgrass from the Irons would be a step in the right direction if a permanent deal for the Southampton forward is off the cards.

The Scotland international has been out of favour this season as West Ham continue to develop. Last term, however, he notched five goals and five assists in the Premier League, beating the previous campaign’s two goals and five assists (via Transfermarkt).

Snodgrass is currently on a reported £40,000 per-week wage, which could be a problem for Hammond. The current highest paid full-time Celtic player is Scott Brown on £23,000 per-week. The winger would likely have to consider taking a significant pay cut if he was to join the Hoops, but with it being a dream move to the club he loves, it’s feasible that he will take pretty much any deal to make the move happen.

In other news, Celtic must unearth hidden gem in Mikey Johnston as Lennon troubles continue…