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Watford held Newcastle to a 1-1 draw on Saturday as they picked up their first one-pointer of the Premier League campaign.

The Hornets went into the match having won two and lost three of their opening five games, with Xisco Munoz’s side then sharing the spoils with the Magpies this weekend.

Sean Longstaff put the away side in front in the first-half, but a second-half equaliser from Ismaila Sarr, assisted by Josh King, secured a point for the hosts.

Despite Sarr and King being directly involved in the goal for Watford, another player stole the show for the Hornets at Vicarage Road – Danny Rose.

The summer signing from Tottenham was sublime at left-back and deserves the plaudits for his all-around display throughout the 90 minutes. He was a rock at the back whilst also providing quality in the final third of the pitch to create chances for his teammates.

Defensively, Rose was solid. Per SofaScore, he won an impressive 10 of his 13 ground duels, whilst making three tackles, one interception and one block.

This shows that he was able to win the majority of his battles against Newcastle players, along with being in the correct positions required to make vital interventions – intercepting and blocking the ball. Therefore, Newcastle were unable to expose his area of the pitch, preventing them from creating a number of chances down his side, helping Ben Foster in the Watford goal.

Going forward, he also caught the eye. Per SofaScore, he had 74 touches of the ball, completed five of his six attempted long passes, had a 100% success rate with his five attempted dribbles and provided three key passes to his teammates. Although he was let down by their finishing, registering zero assists, it does show that he was able to carve open the Newcastle defence with his passing and create openings in front of goal, which could have resulted in the ball ending up in the back of the net on another day.

Munoz will surely have been left purring at the dynamo’s performance as he was able to merge both sides of the game, defensively and offensively, to piece together an excellent showing. His effort and energy from box-to-box contributed to Watford picking up a point and, hopefully, he will be able to keep up this form throughout the rest of the campaign to help the club avoid relegation back down to the Championship at the end of the year.

After seeing the summer transfer window shut on Tuesday night, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa will be glad to have gotten one final signing over the line in the shape of Manchester United’s Dan James.

But, one area in which the Whites failed to strengthen is in central midfield, with a move for Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien seemingly falling on its head.

In response to a question from a fan about whether the Whites would pursue a late move for the midfielder on transfer deadline day, The Athletic’s Phil Hay said on Twitter: “Not a matter of time. They’re not stretching to £8m+ for O’Brien.”

While Leeds may have baulked against paying that kind of fee for O’Brien, they may take some comfort in the return from injury of Adam Forshaw.

The midfielder has endured a difficult spell at Leeds for well over a year now, with injuries seeing him miss the entire Premier League season – in fact, his only appearance of 2020/21 came at Premier League 2 level when he was given a runout against Aston Villa’s under-23s back in mid-April.

Speaking towards the end of last season, Bielsa himself said of the 29-year-old: “He has basically been not playing for two seasons and to be able to play 90 minutes at a high competition after being healthy – there is still a while to go before you’re ready for that.

“He’s healthy, and has two months left of the season to prove that he is finally over his issues. We all hope it will be like this, because he is a very important player and he has made a massive effort to overcome the situation that he’s been through.”

With Leeds lacking natural cover for Kalvin Phillips, and a new central midfielder not arriving through the door, Forshaw’s comeback from injury is a timely one.

Writing for The Athletic, Phil Hay backed Forshaw to enjoy a redemption season this year, saying: “Can his body hold up? Could he adapt quickly to the pace of the Premier League? The thing about Forshaw is that he is one of Bielsa’s favourite players at Leeds; someone who Bielsa has genuinely been heard to describe privately as having the right attributes for a Champions League side.”

The £60k-a-week earning midfielder has been dubbed as “class” by former Leeds man Noel Whelan, while Bielsa himself has previously admitted just how influential he can be.

He said: “Forshaw is a player who, when he has played, he is always between the better players of the team.

“He has a feature that is very difficult to get. He defends similar to Kalvin, he attacks similar to Klich. What he does close to Phillips doesn’t impede, it is not a problem for him when he goes close to Klich to attack. You are not going to find a lot of players with this kind of characteristic.”

That is high praise indeed from Bielsa, and he will be hoping that this campaign could be the making of the 29-year-old at the top level.

Now that O’Brien isn’t here and the transfer window has closed, it’s finally time for Bielsa to unleash Forshaw in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay dropped a Leeds United update on deadline day…

Leicester City will be hoping to make it three wins from a possible four in the Premier League when they welcome Manchester City to the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

A victory over Norwich City saw the Foxes bounce back from a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham United and give them confidence coming into this one.

Brendan Rodgers’ charges have received some huge selection boosts following the international break, with Jannik Vestergaard, Jonny Evans, Ricardo Pereira and Ryan Bertrand all making significant progress in their recoveries from injury and illness.

“Ryan Bertrand will be back and available. Jonny Evans and Jannik Vestergaard are progressing very well. We’ve had a good international break with players increasing their fitness levels,” Rodgers revealed in his press conference on Thursday.

“Hopefully, all those players should be fit and available. (Ricardo) trained today. He was out on the pitches yesterday and came through a session today and looked very good.”

On Evans and Vestergaard, the manager: “They’re not going to be 100 per cent. We only have three substitutes so there’s a strategy going into the game, so we have to be as sure as we possibly can in terms of how long the players can last. We’ll see where we’re at before we finalise the team.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects Leicester to line up at the King Power Stadium, with four changes from the side which started against Norwich last time out…

In goal, the virtually ever-present Kasper Schmeichel will keep his place between the sticks after making a solid start to the new season, and he could be called upon on several occasions when the current champions visit.

Ahead of the Denmark international, there is expected to be a rather unfamiliar-looking backline. Bertrand should replace 20-year-old Luke Thomas at left-back, while a string of errors for club and country could result in Vestergaard coming in for the £40.5m-rated Caglar Soyuncu.

Daniel Amartey and Timothy Castagne are likely to complete the defensive unit, with Rodgers set to bring Evans and Pereira back into the starting XI over the coming weeks as the latter gives way to the Belgian on this occasion.

The engine room will be made up of the usually dependable duo of Wilfried Ndidi and Youri Tielemans, who will provide a solid base for the more attack-minded James Maddison.

Completing the lineup will be Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy and Ademola Lookman. The RB Leipzig loanee should replace Marc Albrighton on the right wing, providing more pace on the counterattack for the Midlands outfit.

In other news… Rodgers could beat Man City again by unleashing Leicester’s “top talent” 

A number of Rangers supporters have been mocking a tweet by Chris Sutton, following the 5-0 demolition of Dunfermline on Friday.

Steven Gerrard’s side haven’t been used to bad results in recent times, but they have had a rocky week or so, following back-to-back defeats to Dundee United and Malmo.

The Gers were in need of a response against Dunfermline at Ibrox and they duly delivered, cruising to a 5-0 victory.

John Lundstram’s early strike was added to by a Scott Wright effort before Ianis Hagi found the net to make it 3-0 before the 20-minute mark.

Kemar Roofe also scored a brace to complete the rout, as Gerrard’s men secured a much-needed result.

After the game, a bitter-sounding Sutton took to Twitter to sarcastically congratulate the Gers for ‘stopping the rot’, as his Celtic past again shone through.

Rangers fans react to Sutton tweet

These Gers fans mocked Sutton’s comments on Twitter.

“U raging”

Credit: @JamieMccomb14

“Salty Chris Sutton”

Credit: @Jackf1872

“You misspelled Champions”

Credit: @fonics7

“Chris Sutton still hasn’t got over Helicopter Sunday… 18 YEARS AGO”

Credit: @scottfraser1972

“Living in his head rent free”

Credit: @jemnicp

“18 years later and that glorious day still haunts you Chris”

Credit: @IJW_RFC_55

In other news, one Rangers player has been linked with a summer exit. Find out who it is here.

Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia is expected to fly to Portugal on Thursday to complete his move to Sporting Lisbon, according to Record (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

The 21-year-old came through the youth system of another Portuguese giant in Benfica. He then spent two years at Arsenal before joining Everton in 2018.

He played 22 games for the Toffees’ under-23s, commendably keeping 11 clean sheets. Three senior appearances followed in 2020/21, most notably in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Manchester City (via Transfermarkt).

With Jordan Pickford out injured, Virginia kept the eventual Premier League champions and Champions League finalists at bay for 84 minutes before they claimed victory.

The latest

The report from Record (via Sport Witness) stated that Virginia is in isolation after a positive Covid test, but he will apparently be cleared to fly to the Iberian peninsula on Thursday if he tests negative.

Virginia will join the reigning Primeira Liga champions on a season-long loan, and Sporting will have the option to make it permanent at the end of the campaign. The deal will be completed as long as Luis Maximiano, the keeper whom Virginia is replacing, seals his move to La Liga outfit Granada.

The verdict

Now that Everton’s goalkeeping ranks for the new season have taken shape, how strong are they looking in that position?

Pickford has performed well enough in 2021 to quash any questions over his suitability for the number one spot at Goodison Park. However, summer signing Asmir Begovic is a somewhat unconvincing deputy, having struggled in his most recent top-flight season, conceding just under two goals per game with Bournemouth in 2018/19.

Virginia might have hoped to get the prime backup role after deputising impressively for Pickford last season, but Everton ultimately don’t rate him highly enough. Let’s hope they don’t come to regret letting the Portuguese youngster leave.

In other news, this player can apparently help Benitez put his ‘stamp’ on the team. 

An update has emerged on Flamengo forward Gabriel Barbosa, regarding Everton’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Everton manager Rafa Benitez is keeping tabs on Flamengo centre-forward Gabriel Barbosa.

The former Newcastle boss is going in search of additions to his squad before the end of the window and has identified the Brazilian striker as a potential target.

Get it done

Marcel Brands must get a deal done for Barbosa this summer as he could complete Everton’s attack. The Toffees already have James Rodriguez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, but the Flamengo forward could be the missing piece to form a mouth-watering front four.

Imagine a 4-3-3 variation with Rodriguez as the most advanced of the midfield three behind Barbosa on the right, Calvert-Lewin through the middle and Richarlison on the left. That could be a lethal strike force for Benitez, especially given Gabigol’s record for Flamengo.

The ex-Inter man has 68 goals and 18 assists in 96 appearances for the club, including 14 goals and assists in 15 games in the 2020/21 campaign. He has shown that he can score goals at an eye-catching rate, whilst he also has the versatility to play as a striker, on either wing, or as an attacking midfielder. This means that Benitez could utilise him in a variety of ways and have flexibility with his frontline options.

Former Brazil international Zico once claimed Barbosa “has everything” and said that he can make himself one of the greats with Flamengo. He told O Dia (via TNT Sports):

“I think Gabigol has everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history. It’s getting there. His performance got better and better, consolidating himself as one of the greats.

“He’s already gone down in history. He is young and can do much more, and hopefully, he can do it. Doing this is always good to give joy to the Rubro-Negro fan and, logically, we always expect this from a guy who has the potential that he has.”

This is why Brands must swoop for the Brazilian this summer, as he is highly rated in Brazil and his statistics back up the hype.

He has shown that he is too good for the league he is currently playing in with his sublime goalscoring record and Everton fans would love to see him showing off his skills alongside the club’s current forwards.

AND in other news, “That was the disappointment” – Exclusive: Ball fires warning to Rafa on £18m-rated Everton ace…

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has confirmed Celtic’s approach for Liam Scales, The Scottish Sun report.

The Lowdown: Scales links

Celtic were linked with a move for Scales at the beginning of the week after The Irish Mirror’s Paul O’Hehir claimed the Hoops were in talks with Rovers for the 22-year-old.

Dermot Desmond has a 25 per cent stake in the Irish champions, and a move for Scales could cost Celtic a ‘significant’ six-figure fee.

Scales can play at centre-back, left-back, left-midfield or defensive midfield and the Hoops were willing to pay €700,000 for his services.

The Latest: Bradley’s comments

Shamrock Rovers manager Bradley recently spoke out about Scales and the rumours of a move away.

His comments were relayed by The Scottish Sun, with Bradley confirming Celtic’s approach for the versatile defender.

“I expect him to be with us (next week). I speak to Stephen daily and I’m well clued in on where it is and who is interested and the timeline on it.

“I fully expect Liam to be with us next week. But there is a lot of serious interest from the English Premier League and Scotland.

“It’s always been there for the last year. We’ve had a number of managers ring myself and Stephen (McPhail) regarding Liam and watching him on a weekly basis.

“That has been there as well as Celtic and others. There is a lot of interest. There have been bids put down.”

The Verdict: Time to move

With interest from the Premier League, it seems as if Celtic need to look to wrap up a deal relatively quickly.

The longer talks go on, the more expensive Scales could come, should a Premier League club with superior finances enter a bidding war with the Hoops for the Irishman.

Celtic have already brought in three players to Ange Postecoglou’s senior squad under the age of 22 in Liel Abada, Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide, so adding Scales to their ranks could be another shrewd step in the club’s long-term plan.

In other news: Celtic ‘in talks’ to sign 25 y/o who has same agency as superstars like Son and Varane. 

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could find his next Patrick Bamford in Sassuolo star Jeremie Boga.

What’s the story?

Now, The Daily Mail claim that Bielsa’s side have shown an interest in signing the Ivory Coast international, who was previously on the books at Chelsea in his earlier years.

The report adds that Serie A side Atalanta have made an offer for the now 24-year-old, while the likes of Everton and Crystal Palace are also said to be keen as they bid to lure him to the Premier League this summer.

Leeds’ new Bamford

Came through the Chelsea youth system, but didn’t get a real chance with the first-team? Sound familiar? Bamford of course toiled away at Stamford Bridge without really breaking through, and in the end, it was Leeds, and Bielsa in particular, who turned him into the fine Premier League striker that he is now.

The £18m-rated Boga has followed a similar path to the striker, spending time his in west London with the U23s or having to make do with loans elsewhere – in fact, the the forward played 60 times for Chelsea’s various youth sides, and made one senior outing that only lasted 18 minutes.

Since his permanent move to Serie A side Sassuolo however, the Ivorian has begun to show signs of his promise, and Bielsa will back himself to work his magic just like he did with Bamford.

The natural ability is there after all, with his former coach at Chelsea, Michael Beale, saying: “The most unique talent and I’m talking in a window of being 13/14 and he just beat the other team possibly on his own is a young boy called Jeremie Boga.

“He just beat teams on his own, such a lovely boy. I thought wow, this boy is a supreme talent. he can stop and go and over three or four yards, he can just drift past you.”

As per Whoscored, Boga averaged an impressive 3.2 dribbles per game in Serie A last season, which is higher than any Leeds player, even Raphinha (1.9).

He also managed 1.2 shots per game (that would rank him just outside the top five among Bielsa’s current squad), while he boasted a whopping 89.4% pass accuracy (the highest of any player that started more than five times for the Whites).

Given his career trajectory, Bielsa may feel that he could be the manager to really unlock Boga’s true potential, much like he has done with Bamford.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer update…

Luke Dowling’s recent departure from West Brom is a “huge blow”, claims Peterborough director of football Barry Fry.

The Midlands club confirmed last month that Dowling, who held the position of sporting and technical director, had mutually agreed to leave The Hawthorns.

According to Football Insider, West Brom are unlikely to appoint a successor as they look to scrap the director of football model and allow new manager Valerien Ismael to work directly with the recruitment team.

For Fry, West Brom losing Dowling, who he feels is not at fault for the Baggies’ relegation to the Championship, is a massive setback.

“That’s a huge blow,” Fry said in an exclusive interview with FFC. “Luke’s very good at what he does, recruitment and all that. 

“They’re in a bit of a turmoil this year, not entirely his fault. I mean, they didn’t do too much when they got promoted, did they, in the market? So they were always going to struggle.

“They were always sort of odds-on favourites from day one to go down, so I don’t find that’s his fault.”

Indeed, it was a difficult season for Dowling, Sam Allardyce and Slaven Bilic, who was, of course, West Brom’s manager when the 2020/21 campaign started.

With Ismael now in charge, however, there is reason to be optimistic. The 43-year-old managed to take Barnsley to the play-offs last term, so he does look like a capable coach at this level.

According to a report by The Times, Tottenham Hotspur have renewed their interest in signing Norwich City defender Max Aarons.

The Lowdown: Tottenham and Aarons

Links to the Canaries full-back are nothing new, with Spurs even eyeing him as far back as last summer. 

Indeed, Tottenham were touted with a move for the promising English ace in 2020 with reports detailing that they could now make a move this window.

Aarons played a big role in helping Norwich secure promotion back to the top flight and he has no shortage of suitors, with Sky Sports reporting they rate him at around £30 million amid interest.

The Latest: The Times say Spurs are eyeing Aarons…

Now, The Times have backed Tottenham’s fondness of Aarons and have namedropped him as one of a list of players who Spurs are well and truly keeping tabs on.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-3/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

As well as the 21-year-old, Spurs are eyeing a few other defenders in Serie A stars Takehiro Tomiyasu and Milan Skriniar.

After Tottenham appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new head coach, attention can now seemingly turn to the transfer market with an interesting summer up ahead.

The Verdict: Great option…

Serge Aurier has been strongly tipped with a move away from north London this summer with the player even admitting himself that he has reached the ‘end of a cycle’.

Tottenham will need a replacement and Aarons is someone who could fit the bill nicely, especially given his threat going forward.

Only Son Heung-min in the Lilywhites squad averaged more crosses into the box per 90 (1) than Aarons (0.8) over 2020/2021, with the youngster even equalling Gareth Bale’s total of 1.4 completed dribbles (WhoScored).

Lauded as a ‘special player’ with an ‘unbelievable future’ by Norwich boss Daniel Farke (pinkun.com), he has also been dubbed the ‘perfect right-back’ by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor (Football Insider).

We believe he should, at the very least, be at the top of Tottenham’s summer transfer wish list.

In other news: Spurs in seven-horse race to sign this star who shone at Euro 2020, Levy will have to pay over £25.8m…find out more here.