When Manchester United faced Arsenal, he came up with the goods. When they were 2-0 down at half-time at home to Burnley, he game up with two more to level the game and salvage a point for his side. Jesse Lingard is more than just a man on form – he’s a man who delivers when his team needs him.
To say that they need him now, though, would be an understatement. Winless in three in all competitions, Manchester United are in danger of ending 2017 on a run of four without a win. That Southampton – a team who are in just as disappointing a run as the Old Trafford club – should pose such a threat might seem strange, but given the festive fixture pile-up, and Jose Mourinho’s refusal to rotate so far during this period, it might not be so far-fetched.
A trip to Everton is up for United just 48 hours after they host Southampton, and both games have become quite important in the context of the season: the league title may now be well beyond the Red Devils, but Jose Mourinho’s side have not been lower than second in the league so far this season – they would fall off that perch very quickly if their winless run continues.
With that in mind, we asked Manchester United fans if they thought Mourinho should rest Jesse Lingard for Saturday’s home match against Southampton, keeping him fresh for what might be a tougher test away to Everton – who have kept five clean sheets in seven since the arrival of Sam Allardyce.
Fans of the Old Trafford club are overwhelming in their response, however. 87% of the United fans we polled are adamant that Lingard’s form should be exploited while it’s red hot, and with a win needed as soon as possible, we can’t blame them for wanting their form attacker in the side against a Southampton side who will likely defend deep and look to spring a surprise on the counter.
The only problem is, can he do it twice in three days?
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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly opened talks with Barcelona over the signing of Andre Gomes, who could replace Mousa Dembele, according to Calciomercato.
What’s the story?
Spurs’ plans to fight for the Premier League title have since been altered due to Manchester City’s dominance.
The North London club sit sixth in the table, 21 points behind Pep Guardiola’s leaders.
If manager Mauricio Pochettino does any squad strengthening in this transfer window, it will be to boost a top-four finish and progression in the Champions League.
Calciomercato reports that Gomes has been identified as a replacement for Dembele, who is believed to be interested in a move to AC Milan.
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Dembele has also had limited game time – mainly due to injuries – as he has been in the first XI just nine times in the league this season.
Is Gomes the right replacement?
The 24-year-old’s lack of minutes on the field should be a concern, especially if he is being chosen to take Dembele’s place.
Tottenham’s current midfielder has had some injury problems, but the quality that he possesses will be missed, and Gomes may need time to fill those boots.
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The positive aspects of signing the Portugal international, though, is that he would give Pochettino plenty of options.
The Euro 2016 winner can play all across the midfield and he has also featured down the left flank.
It’s no great secret where Southampton have struggled most this season. Despite being 16th in the Premier League table, they’ve actually created the seventh-most chances of any side in the division yet averaged just one goal per game.
Indeed, Saints’ strike-force has struggled to find the net this term, barring a flurry from Charlie Austin earlier in the campaign, and bringing in another source of goals will surely be one of Mauricio Pellegrino’s priorities for the January transfer window.
For this weekend, however, Southampton’s current options in attack will have to do. 11-cap international Manolo Gabbiadini began the season in the starting XI, but in recent weeks has found himself playing second fiddle to Shane Long – who Transfermarkt value at just £7.2million.
The Irishman recently bagged his first goal of the campaign against Crystal Palace and started last time out against Watford, but is he the right man to lead the line when Tottenham Hotspur come to St. Mary’s this Sunday? Let us know who you’d start up front by voting below…
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According to Belgian media outlet L’Avenir, reported West Ham United target Leander Dendoncker could be available for just €15m (£13.3m) if he leaves Anderlecht before the January transfer window slams shut.
Another Belgian source DH reported on January 9 that the Irons were keen to bring the 22-year-old to the London Stadium this month as manager David Moyes is looking to sign a new central midfielder, with DH also saying in a separate story that the Belgium international would cost between €25-30m (£22-26.4m).
However, L’Avenir suggest those figures have been lowered considerably and even though Anderlecht boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck has advised the Belgian to wait until the summer to leave, it seems as though the players wants out by January 31.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are back in form in the Premier League following a disappointing spell and as well as looking to secure a third successive top-four finish, they are also face Juventus in the knockout stages of the Champions League next month.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino may well be keen to add to his squad in preparation for a big second-half of the campaign, and bringing Dendoncker to Wembley could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Tottenham must hijack West Ham’s bid to sign the highly-rated star…
Long-term Dembele replacement
Mousa Dembele’s injury problems in recent seasons prove that Tottenham need to start thinking about finding a long-term replacement for the 30-year-old, and his Belgian compatriot could be the answer.
Dendoncker is decent on the ball – according to WhoScored.com he had a passing accuracy of 89.6% in their six Champions League group matches this season – and successfully completed four of the five dribbles he attempted in Europe’s elite club competition, while he also made 15 interceptions.
The 22-year-old is also taller than Dembele and is similarly strong, and there is no doubt that he has huge potential and could bring something to the middle of the park for Spurs both now, and in the future.
Versatility
Dendoncker is a hugely versatile player, and he has demonstrated that for Anderlecht this season.
While his preferred position is understood to be as a defensive midfielder, he also has also played at centre-back on a number of occasions for the Belgian side this term – including in two of their six Champions League group matches.
That versatility will certainly impress Mauricio Pochettino, while the fact that he scored six goals in 57 appearances during the previous campaign show that he can be a threat at the other end of the pitch too.
Price tag
To put it simply if L’Avenir really are right and Dendoncker is available for £13.3m this month, then it he would be a complete bargain deal.
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The 22-year-old is a full Belgium international and has played more than 150 matches for Anderlecht – including in the Champions League – and he clearly has the ability to improve and go on and play at the highest level.
Tottenham love a good value for money signing themselves and if they can sign the midfielder for such a reasonable price this month, they would be mad to miss out – especially to one of their main local rivals in West Ham.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund on transfer deadline day, with the Gunners paying in the region of £60m to sign the Gabon international.
The 28-year-old had initially been pencilled in to make his Arsenal debut when Everton visit the English capital in Saturday’s late kickoff.
However, Wenger has conceded that Aubameyang has been suffering with an illness, and the centre-forward will be assessed on Friday to determine whether he can debut this weekend.
The same can also be said for Jack Wilshere, with Wenger, who spoke on Friday morning, revealing that the midfielder is also a doubt through illness.
Wenger told reporters:
“Aubameyang was sick as well, we have to assess him today.”
Aubameyang followed former Dortmund teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Arsenal during the January transfer window.
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Arsenal were also recently boosted by the news that Mesut Ozil has signed a new long-term contract with the Gunners, who lost 3-1 at Swansea City on Tuesday night.
Liverpool were at their attacking best on Saturday as they moved into second place, temporarily usurping Manchester United in one of the automatic qualification spots for next season’s Champions League with a 4-1 win over West Ham.
Emre Can headed Liverpool into the lead with just under half-an-hour played, and Mohamed Salah doubled the Reds’ advantage just after half-time when he put the ball beyond Adrian in the Hammers goal.
Roberto Firmino then made it three after a mistake by Adrian, before Michail Antonio made a game of it with a low finish and the rejuvenated Sadio Mane put the icing on a thumping win at Anfield.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 16 home matches in the league now, a record for which the ever-influential Mohamed Salah can be credited. The Premier League’s second highest goalscorer was again at his imperious best, getting on the score sheet and playing a key part in the Reds’ dismantling of the struggling Irons.
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With four different goalscorers, though, there are plenty of nominees for Liverpool’s best player, while a few Reds surely disappointed on Saturday despite the healthy scoreline. With that in mind, we’re asking Liverpool supporters to issue ratings out of ten for each individual performance…
According to reports in The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama wants a new contract amid links with Manchester United and Liverpool.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Mirror says that the Kenya international is on both Premier League sides’ list of potential options this summer with Jose Mourinho actively looking for a new midfielder and Jurgen Klopp potentially looking for a replacement for contract rebel Emre Can.
Wanyama is two years into his five-year contract with Spurs and The Mirror says he is keen to extend his stay with the north London outfit rather than joining one of their top flight rivals.
While the 26-year-old has only been sparingly used in recent weeks following his return from a knee injury, Mauricio Pochettino still sees him as an important player.
How has Wanyama done this season?
The Kenyan started the campaign as a regular in the Tottenham team, but he suffered a knee injury at the end of August that kept him on the sidelines until 2018.
The 26-year-old has only started once in nine fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League since then – the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace last weekend – but he has come on as a substitute in all of the others and he scored a screamer in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield last month.
Should Tottenham offer him a new deal?
They certainly should.
It is no surprise that the likes of United and Liverpool are targeting Wanyama because he has proven that he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and the strength and protection he provides in front of the back four is priceless.
While Spurs also have Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele in those positions, Pochettino needs the competition and while the latter has been brilliant of late, he will be 31 this year and the club need to think about the long-term.
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The fact that Wanyama wants to stay should be enough to get a deal over the line, and Tottenham can’t afford to miss out on tying the Kenya international down.
Rochdale’s visit to Wembley to face Spurs in their fifth round FA Cup replay tonight may feel like a cup final for the League One side, but for Tottenham their priorities might be slightly different.
In the midst of a busy three-game week, with Mauricio Pochettino focused on keeping his side’s spot in the top four secure, Spurs may choose to rest some key names tonight and give their youngsters the chance to shine.
One of those young guns looking to prove himself is 20-year-old right-back Kyle Walker-Peters. The Tottenham academy graduate has made only two appearances in the league this season, but has featured heavily in Spurs’ FA Cup run – having played all 90 minutes in the third round and been given a 45 minute run-out in the fourth.
Pochettino has seemed unable to decide whether he wants to give regular playing time at right-back to summer signing Serge Aurier or Kieran Trippier, so now seems like the perfect time to throw another name into the mix.
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But what do Spurs fans think? Should Pochettino play Walker-Peters tonight? Have your say by voting below…
Tottenham Hotspur desperately need a trophy if they want to keep their burgeoning squad together.
That is the prevailing point of view in the aftermath of Spurs’ Champions League last 16 defeat at the hands of wily Italian giants Juventus last week. It makes Saturday’s FA Cup quarter final against Swansea their biggest game of the season.
Not everyone subscribes to this viewpoint but even those who do cannot dispute that Mauricio Pochettino has vastly improved the club in almost area since his appointment.
He has shipped out the deadwood and made Spurs a well-coached, potent and adaptable side, who improve year on year.
For my part, I am a huge admirer of Tottenham and what Pochettino has done there. In an era of quick fixes and overspending, Spurs are bucking the trend.
The Argentine is much more adept on the training pitch than in the transfer market and appears to be one of the few coaches left in the English game – although Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche are others – that believe in building something.
‘Poch’ feels that greater cohesion, team spirit and organisation over a period of time will do more for his young and prodigious squad than expensive purchases would and based on the performances his side put out most weeks, it is hard to disagree.
They are the epitome of a modern football side. Comfortable in numerous formations, capable of dominating games or counter attacking, tight at the back and frightening going forward. It is hard to find a weakness when running through their starting eleven.
Yet, as the club passes ten years without a trophy after their latest failure at the hands of the Old Lady, all this serves to do is beg the question; how does such a good team keep faltering during the big moments?
They blew up against Chelsea when they were Leicester’s closest challengers in 2015/16. Last season’s FA Cup semi-final was a huge opportunity to set up a shot at silverware but they lost 4-2 to the Blues.
Even this season, while they collected impressive home wins over Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, they were timid throughout away defeats in crunch matches against both Manchester clubs and bitter rivals Arsenal.
They dominated for 170 minutes of the tie against Juve but in the 10 minutes they were on the back foot, they conceded four goals. That is not good enough.
Week to week, it is evident that the quality of the players is there. Most of their Premier League rivals would trade their respective options for Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele and Harry Kane.
Yet, there are big moments within big matches. Ones where other teams – Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich – find a way to keep the ball out of the net or make their chances count.
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They switch on and realise that if they ride out the current storm or make the most of their sustained pressure, they will win the match. They manage the game. And Spurs still don’t.
It is not a case of being ‘Spursy’ or ‘bottle jobs’, as Spurs are far too good a team for that. They have performed in some hostile atmospheres; in Turin, in the Bernabeu, and have made Wembley a fortress.
They still just don’t have the knack of identifying the crunch times, the ones where they simply cannot afford to go to sleep and stepping up at those times.
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That’s all it is. It’s a small step that will make an almighty difference. By almost every discernable on-pitch measure – attacking potency, speed of play, adaptability, playing style – Spurs are better than say, a much more expensively-assembled Manchester United.
Yet they are behind them in the league. Because they lack that bloody-minded ruthlessness at the key times.
It should come for Spurs. They could quite easily win the FA Cup this season and silence the doubters. I don’t subscribe to the theory that if it doesn’t, there will be a mass exodus as the players are clearly happy where they are – with only one or two exceptions.
But it needs to soon, or else this team will become synonymous with glorious failure. Poch was ruthless in his culling of the deadwood until he had a squad that, to a man, bought into what he was trying to do.
Now, he must instill that same bloody-mindedness into his players, so they learn to come out those vital moments within matches with their noses in front.
According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur have learned that Norwich City attacker James Maddison will cost them £25m at the end of the season.
What’s the story?
Maddison, 21, has been in outstanding form for Norwich this season – scoring 14 times and registering 10 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.
A number of Premier League clubs – including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton – have been credited with an interest, but it is understood that Tottenham are confident of enticing the attacker to the new White Hart Lane.
According to The Mirror, Tottenham have learned that they will have to pay £25m to sign the England Under-21 international.
It is a high price for a player that is unproven at the highest level of English football, but it is not a number that will put off a Spurs team who seem determined to land a player that is being tipped to become a future England international.
How good is Maddison?
Arguably the most gifted footballer in the Championship, it is not a surprise that a number of Premier League clubs are closely monitoring Maddison.
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Norwich signed the attacking midfielder from Coventry City in February 2016, and he showed his incredible potential for the Canaries in the second half of last season, which also included a loan spell at Aberdeen.
It was always going to be difficult for Norwich to keep Maddison when he hit full flow, and that has been the case throughout the 2017-18 campaign.
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Capable of operating in a number of positions in the final third of the field, the 21-year-old could well thrive alongside the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham will have to fight tooth and nail to sign Maddison ahead of a number of Premier League rivals – notably Liverpool – but £25m might well turn out to be a steal for a player that has all of the tools needed to be a future star for the England national team.