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Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie has been impressed by the form of Mason Greenwood this season, telling Football FanCast that his improvement has been “incredible”.

The young striker was again among the goals last weekend, scoring twice as United beat Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford.

The goals mean that he has scored five Premier League goals this season, adding up to nine in all competitions.

The 19-year-old remains remarkably young, and he has primarily played on the right wing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, instead of through the middle.

He has been in fine fettle in recent weeks, scoring four goals in three games, as he was also on the scoresheet against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.

Gillespie, a former winger himself, believes that Greenwood is a nightmare for defenders to deal with, and thinks that he is growing into a superb young player.

He told FFC in an exclusive interview prior to the Burnley game: “You can see with Greenwood, he can go either way when he cuts in from that right, you saw it the other day, he scores with his right foot, he is left-footed.

“It’s a great option to have because defenders just don’t know which way to send him.

“They know that he can shoot with both feet, he’s still very young and I think the improvement he’s made since a year, 18 months ago, has been incredible. It’s fantastic.”

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has weighed in on the Trezeguet-El Ghazi debate in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, suggesting that the Dutch winger should be getting the nod at present.

It was Trezeguet who started in the recent 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, and the 26-year-old has since come in for criticism for putting in a subpar performance.

Ex-Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor was highly critical of his display and overall attacking contribution this season, stating Anwar El Ghazi should be in the team ahead of him, a sentiment shared by former team-mate Hendrie.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the two attackers, Hendrie said:

“I agree with Gabby about that. El Ghazi’s more of a direct player and he’s got a bit more versatility than Trezeguet. He can go down the line or he can cut inside and he’s scored goals this season, so I totally agree.

“I feel that because they’re not scoring goals, you need something of that dimension to try and bring into the side. If I had to choose one, El Ghazi would be my first choice.”

This season, El Ghazi has managed to score six goals in the Premier League, a tally only top scorer Ollie Watkins can beat. Meanwhile, Trezeguet has failed to register at all, so it is not hard to see why some feel that El Ghazi should be getting the nod over the Egypt international.

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has answered a Celtic fan’s concern on the Hoops’ ongoing pursuit of Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Howe waiting for Bournemouth’s season to finish?

It appears as if the 43-year-old has agreed to take over at Parkhead, becoming Neil Lennon’s long-term successor in Glasgow.

That’s what reports suggested last week, with one of the reasons for the delay down to Bournemouth’s participation in the Championship playoffs.

Howe wants to take some staff members from the Cherries to Celtic, however, Bournemouth could well book their spot in the playoff final this weekend, with the Wembley showdown set for May 29.

The Latest: Nixon addresses backroom staff question

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked by a Celtic fan on Twitter about the backroom staff situation.

He was quizzed if Howe couldn’t get his staff, if a deal would fall through, or if it was more a financial standpoint.

Nixon replied, confirming Howe wants his own backroom team. However, he seemingly stated that the Cherries backroom staff aren’t a dealbreaker.

“Howe wants a backroom team. He’s got these guys he prefers. If they don’t come he will have to get others. It can only go on so long though…”

The Verdict: Good news for McKay?

Nixon’s claim should be good news for new CEO Dominic McKay.

If Howe cannot bring members from the south coast to Bournemouth, he will have to look elsewhere. Nixon doesn’t suggest a deal would be off if he can’t take them with him, which can only be a positive.

With a potential squad rebuild on the cards, the last thing McKay needs in his new role is to wait until May 29 for the playoff final and then the deal for Howe fall through due to disputes about his staff.

However, as Nixon mentions, talks can only go on so long, so we feel the next few weeks are crucial in regards to getting a deal officially over the line.

In other news: Odsonne Edouard closing in on Celtic exit, find out more here. 

Charlton Athletic have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of their crucial League One finale this Saturday.

What’s the latest?

Nigel Adkins has been left sweating over the fitness of Addicks midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey ahead of the club’s must-win fixture against Hull City this weekend, as the midfielder was taken off with a knee injury Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Lincoln City.

When asked for an update on the 27-year-old’s condition after the game, Adkins said: “I don’t know. We’ve got brilliant medical staff so we’ll get it assessed. Obviously for Jake to come off there must be something going on with his knee.

“I don’t know, it might be a soft tissue injury. I don’t know, is the answer. Obviously, he’s a warrior who wants to carry on with things. We’ll see. We’ll have to get the right diagnosis and we’ll go from there. It’s not nice when anyone comes off.”

Huge blow

With Charlton simply having to win against the League One table-toppers on Saturday to stand any chance of securing a place in the play-offs, the news of a new injury, let alone one to a player as important as Forster-Caskey, is likely to come as extremely unwelcome news to both Adkins and fans of the club alike.

So far this season, Forster-Caskey has been in exceptional form over his 34 appearances for the Addicks, with the midfielder scoring six goals, providing two assists and creating two big chances, as well as making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 2.2 tackles and 1.4 key passes per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 7.26 – ranking him as the club’s best performer in the third tier.

As such, it goes without saying how devastating it would be for Adkins to be without the midfielder in such an important and difficult fixture, and both the 56-year-old and fans of Charlton will undoubtedly be praying for the £6,100-per-week star’s recovery in time for the clash.

In other news: Lost possession 15x: Charlton passenger who committed 6 fouls let Adkins down vs Imps – opinion

Southampton may find themselves scrambling to find an heir to Danny Ings this summer, should the 28-year-old complete a move to Premier League champions-elect Manchester City, but Ralph Hasenhuttl may already have a ready-made replacement in Mohamed Elyounoussi.

The Norwegian international is currently in his second successive season on loan with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and it has been suggested recently that he will be given an opportunity to impress by Hasenhuttl ahead of next season.

The Austrian reportedly told the winger last month that he could still work his way into Southampton’s plans for next season with some impressive performances in Scotland and he produced a stunning display at the weekend, contributing two goals and an assist in Celtic’s 6-0 win against Livingston. That saw him earn a superb 9.81/10 rating from WhoScored.

The 26-year-old has now managed 22 goals and 14 assists for the Hoops in just 61 appearances, including 15 in all competitions this season, so he could return to Southampton in confident form ahead of next season.

Elyounoussi signed for the Saints from FC Basel in the summer of 2018 but struggled to have much of an impact, with no goals or assists in his 19 appearances for the South Coast club so far.

However, if Ings does join Man City, or any other side in the Champions League next season who might be interested in the England international, then Hasenhuttl could turn to Elyounoussi as his successor.

We have seen Nathan Redmond, Theo Walcott and Nathan Tella all perform well on occasion when playing as a striker this season and perhaps the Norwegian could be rejuvenated playing in a different role for Southampton after boosting his confidence with regular goals and assists in Scotland.

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Earlier in the season, BBC journalist Tom English was full of praise for Elyounoussi, saying:

“He has an awful lot to offer and that performance will fill Neil Lennon with an awful lot of heart because if he’s back to his best, Elyounoussi is a very, very dangerous player.”

He has featured as a centre-forward in the past and could provide a more clinical option than the likes of Redmond and Walcott, who have both struggled for goals in the Premier League this season.

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Certainly, Elyounoussi deserves another chance to show what he can do at Southampton, and if the talismanic Ings does leave, perhaps we could see him step up as his replacement.

And, in other news… Imagine him and JWP: Semmens should seal Saints swoop for “amazing” £19.8m-rated gem 

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United midfielder Rob Lee expressed his concerns over the lack of natural goalscorers at his old club.

First-choice striker Callum Wilson has scored 10 Premier League goals this season; however, no other Newcastle player has been able to show that level of proficiency during the 29-year-old’s time on the sidelines.

The likes of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin have really struggled in front of goal overall, with the former managing to score just once in the current English top-flight campaign so far.

Unsurprisingly, it is a huge worry for Lee, who believes this predicament has left manager Steve Bruce and the club in big trouble.

Speaking exclusively with FFC, the ex-Newcastle star said:

“If you haven’t got someone who’s a natural goalscorer scoring goals, you’re in trouble, you’re in trouble. You look at all the teams down there and none of them have a natural goalscorer, none of them. They [the teams that go down] never do. Throughout the years, they never have a natural goalscorer.

“We actually have one, but he’s injured and it seems the whole of our team is based around him and how he plays. And we haven’t got a replacement and then we don’t have any players from midfield [who can score goals].”

Indeed, Newcastle’s lack of goals at the minute is a huge concern. Furthermore, Bruce will be delighted to have Wilson in training again and hoping his return from injury has not come too late.

Leicester City are closing in on the signing of Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare as they look to get their business done early ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Foxes’ interest in Soumare has been widely reported for several months now, but it appears as though the Midlands outfit have secured their man, seeing off several other clubs for his signature.

According to well-respected journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a contract has already been agreed between the 22-year-old and Leicester, with the youngster’s arrival set to be announced shortly.

Fans will be buzzing

Leicester have shown remarkable progress under Brendan Rodgers over the last two seasons, finishing fifth in 2019/20 and securing the FA Cup this time around.

A place in the Champions League qualification spots is still within their grasp heading into the final day of the season, although they’ll either need a favour from Crystal Palace or Aston Villa, or a big swing in goal difference to leapfrog one of Chelsea or Liverpool.

Nevertheless, it’s been a remarkable campaign for the King Power outfit, given their relatively modest resources compared to their fellow top four competitors, and it’s clear the 2016 Premier League champions have already begun plotting for the future.

With European football of some description already secured for next season, Rodgers is going to need to add some strength in depth in order to compete on multiple fronts.

A striker has long been on the club’s wishlist, and now a new component to Leicester’s engine room is seemingly set to arrive.

Soumare’s proposed transfer will surely have the fans buzzing after his exploits with the Ligue 1 table toppers. The former France Under-21 international has featured in 31 league games for Christophe Galtier’s side as they look to end Paris Saint-Germain’s three-year dominance of French football.

Although Soumare doesn’t grab headlines with goals or assists, scoring just once and providing only three assists in 111 outings for Lille, he should complement the likes of Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and Wilfried Ndidi very well.

He epitomises what it means to be a traditional box-to-box midfielder, combining his natural power, stamina and athleticism with precise passing and intelligent decision-making on the ball to devastating effect.

Newcastle United reportedly agreed a £35m fee with Lille for Soumare last summer before the Frenchman turned the Magpies down, while Leicester have seemingly benefitted from the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic and the collapse of the French football television deal, to get their man for significantly cheaper.

Romano recently tweeted to confirm the contract agreement and the reported fee the Foxes are set to pay: “The real fee for Boubacary Soumaré from Lille to Leicester City will be around €23m [add ons included]. Contract until June 2026 already agreed. Here we go is coming”

It’s a transfer that could see Leicester close the gap on their rivals at the top of the Premier League and keep Rodgers’ men marching forward.

And, in other news…Leicester could land Rodgers his next Vardy with £40m swoop for “incredible” colossus 

Leeds United have emerged as contenders for the signing of West Brom star Matheus Pereira in the summer.

What’s the story?

The Baggies saw their relegation from the Premier League confirmed at the weekend after suffering defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.

And now, The Daily Express claim that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are interested in signing the Portuguese winger this summer, although they are set to face significant competition from the likes of RB Leipzig and Leicester.

The report adds that with West Brom’s Championship status now confirmed, Pereira’s exit from the Hawthorns is now likely, with the Foxes currently at the head of the queue to sign him.

Bye-bye Costa

Dubbed as a “genius” who “who has a technical ability that I have never seen before” by former Nurnberg coach Nate Weiss, Pereira has emerged as one of West Brom’s standout performers since his arrival at The Hawthorns.

Weiss added: “How am I going to tell a player like that how he is supposed to shoot, how he is supposed to pass or how he is supposed to use his body? The things he is doing are so natural. How do you train that? How would you train Lionel Messi?”

That natural ability has been on display all season for the Baggies, with the £17m-rated star scoring ten goals and providing another five assists in the Premier League alone – including a sparking display at Chelsea when he scored two and made two in a thrilling 5-2 win.

With Helder Costa’s future at Elland Road very much uncertain at the moment amid claims that he could be one of the players Leeds look to sell this summer in order to raise some much-needed transfer funds, Pereira could be the perfect replacement for him.

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His performances at Premier League level show that the Baggies’ wing wizard is more than capable of shining in the top-flight, and it’s no surprise Bielsa is eyeing up a move for him.

Pereira’s arrival could then well be the move that sees Costa wave goodbye to Elland Road as well.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target would be a major upgrade for Marcelo Bielsa…

Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie believes fans will be braced for the possibility of the club’s star players leaving this summer if they do suffer relegation, telling Football FanCast it is “virtually impossible” to keep them in that situation.

The Magpies were in trouble just a few weeks ago, but after taking seven points from a possible nine they are now in a more comfortable situation.

Still, Steve Bruce’s side face difficult run-in on paper that sees them Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City, which means there is no room for complacency. They end their season with games versus rock-bottom Sheffield United and, perhaps pivotally, Fulham.

Dropping through the trap door might encourage a firesale of assets this summer, with owner Mike Ashley looking to balance the books.

And Gillespie believes that supporters will expect that if the club do go down, with the big clubs swooping in to snaffle away a few bargains.

Newcastle were last relegated in the 2015/16 season and they subsequently saw Georginio Wijnaldum move to Liverpool, Moussa Sissoko to Tottenham Hotspur, and Andros Townsend to Crystal Palace, while Remy Cabella, Daryl Janmaat, Papiss Cisse, and Cheick Tiote also departed.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Gillespie, who played for the club between 1995 and 1998, said: “I think fans are realistic that when a club does go down they’ve got to think, ‘well we’re going to lose our best players because all the clubs are going to want them.’

“When clubs do go down, it’s so difficult to hang on to your best players, it’s virtually impossible to hang on to them.

“You’ve got bids coming in, you’ve got to think about the money you’re losing from not being in the Premier League.

“They want to balance the books and if big offers come in for your players, you have to look at it and inevitably it does happen where the players do leave. As I say, fans are realistic, your best players are not going to be there if you’re not in the top division, that’s quite obvious.”

Celtic’s pursuit of a new manager has been the saga which just keeps on going for the Bhoys.

The Hoops still have a temporary coach in charge in John Kennedy and it feels as though Dermot Desmond will have to wait a few more weeks before getting his man.

What’s the word?

Eddie Howe has been front and centre of discussion over the last few weeks. The 43-year-old was in advanced talks with Celtic but, as far as an interview process goes, things have been quiet.

Howe is thought to have met with Desmond but a number of complications have stalled things. The former Bournemouth boss doesn’t want to return to management until the summer while both Crystal Palace and Brighton are monitoring his situation.

There is also a problem with Celtic’s director of football position. Howe wants Richard Hughes but the Hoops want Fergal Harkin.

Speaking about the current situation on the latest Record Celtic podcast, Michael Gannon had the following to say to Chris Sutton: “It’s more legalities and the finer points of contract details. I think that Eddie Howe will be at Celtic in the summer. I suspect that he might still be on the wage bill at Bournemouth and why pay £400,000 to get him out early when the season is done? He could be working away in the background.”

Gannon continued: “There is also Richard Hughes, that angle as well. Richard Hughes was a Premier League technical director on a good wedge as well. Would he get that at Parkhead? There’s wee things in the background going on like this that cost a lot of money but maybe in the longer term will get ironed out.

“The noises coming out of Celtic are positive this is close or they are optimistic. All these sort of warm, fuzzy phrases,” he concluded.

Encouraging signs

After all of the negative setbacks Celtic have been dealt in the last week or so, this is incredibly exciting news. The Hoops did identify an alternative in the form of Lucien Favre but that they’re refusing to panic is a good thing.

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After all, this is a season where the Celtic hierarchy have come under intense scrutiny. The Green Brigade protested outside Parkhead a number of months ago against the leadership of Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell.

This poor season will have seen both men lose their jobs once it comes to a close but being calm and collected in this scenario is a good thing; they have to get things spot on.

Dermot Desmond has faced his own critics this term but he isn’t willing to sit back and take the easy way out.

Roy Keane would have been a simple appointment considering a lack of suitors from elsewhere but Howe is their top target, and they will stop at nothing in order to try and bring him to Glasgow.

You can understand why they want him, too. The former Premier League manager is a progressive coach, he is meticulous on the training ground and he has a decent CV; not many can say they’ve taken a team from the fourth tier to the top table of English football.

With Gannon claiming that Howe is still ‘close’ to Celtic, this should come as music to the ears of Hoops supporters.

AND in other news, Hammond cost Celtic 10IAR by failing to sign “exceptional” £70k-p/w colossus last year…