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Transfer columns were filled with Leeds UNnited links to Rodrigo De Paul last summer after the Argentine reportedly agreed personal terms, and despite no deal happening former midfielder David Norris believes the player is still interested in moving to Elland Road.

De Paul enjoyed yet another stand out season with Udinese and it has not gone unnoticed as Liverpool are now interested in bringing the midfielder to the Premier League.

However, the possibility of working with fellow countryman Marcelo Bielsa will stand Leeds in a good place to materialise a move for their much sought-after transfer target, and De Paul could be the missing piece to the jigsaw that Bielsa needs to push Leeds into Europe next season.

Already, De Paul has been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer and that suggests both parties are still very much interested in each other, something Norris confirmed exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I think Leeds are still interested and he’s still interested in Leeds and it’s been ongoing for a long time now and I don’t think anything has changed so I think there’s definitely something there.

“I don’t know if there’s an overvaluation in the player that is holding it up and it might be that if Leeds want him then they’re going to have to suck it up and pay Udinese want.”

Leeds won’t be afraid to splash the cash this summer considering they spent £95 million last summer, and now that they appear comfortable in the Premier League after just one season, Bielsa may have an even larger transfer budget this time around.

De Paul would bring something Leeds don’t have – and that’s creativity in the middle of the pitch. Kalvin Phillips does a great job of transitioning the play from defence to attack, but then it seems to always go predictably out wide, with De Paul able to offer them another dimension and way of playing.

An exciting new claim has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a new manager…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london, Spurs are receiving plenty of fresh – and strong – candidates for their vacancy, and chairman Daniel Levy will attempt to meet them face-to-face rather than over Zoom in the summer.

Writing in a recent column, Gold revealed: “football.london understands that strong new candidates for the vacant managerial post are constantly emerging at the moment and making their interest known.

“Tottenham will attempt to speak to all of their top candidates face to face rather than over Zoom once the season ends, when currently employed managers are out of their club bubbles.”

An exciting development

Several names have been linked with the north London outfit since Jose Mourinho’s shock departure just over a month ago.

RB Leipzig’s Julian Naglesmann and Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers quickly emerged as the two top targets, although the former was soon confirmed as Bayern Munich’s next boss whilst the latter wants to remain at their Premier League rivals – perhaps even more so after winning this season’s FA Cup.

The Athletic have since claimed that there are four names on the shortlist – Roberto Martinez (ex-Everton, currently with Belgium), Graham Potter (currently at Brighton), Ralf Rangnick (ex-Leipzig, currently unemployed) and Erik ten Hag (currently at Ajax and recently signed a new two-year extension this off-season).

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Gold’s latest claim throws shade on this as it suggests that Levy has been fielding applications from more than just those four managers, and that should excite fans immensely as it opens up the pool of potential candidates even more – especially if they are ‘strong’ options, as he has suggested.

You can make a case against all four of those names above, so if other coaches are keen, then it should only help the Lilywhites chairman truly find the most suitable appointment.

Martinez failed at the Toffees, with some suggesting that systemic problems were the reason for his downfall.

Potter is vastly inexperienced, with this being only his second campaign in the Premier League. He does play the attacking brand of football that Spurs are thought to be seeking, but the Seagulls only narrowly escaped a relegation battle this term.

Rangnick, widely regarded as a pioneer of the gengenpress, has been out of a managerial role since the 2018/19 season and has never coached outside of Germany. Similarly, Ten Hag’s only senior management jobs have been in the Netherlands, with Ajax dominating perenially.

Therefore, the fact that new – and strong – names are still continuing to come in means that Levy can secure the right man to appease the fanbase.

This latest development is hugely encouraging news.

AND in other news, Levy could seal bold hire in “brave” 38 y/o who’d bring Klopp-like intensity to Spurs…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to transfer news shared by The Athletic’s Villa correspondent Gregg Evans.

The journalist shared a story on Friday morning, looking at the club’s plans for the summer window. The main takeaways from the piece are that Villa are looking to add two or three key players to their ranks this summer and are chasing Burnley’s Dwight McNeil and Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia.

Villa have already laid extensive groundwork over deals for the pair, with moves not being viewed as replacements for Jack Grealish but rather to supplement the club captain.

Elsewhere, Evans admitted that West Brom’s Matheus Pereira isn’t rated as highly as McNeil or Buendia by Villa chiefs, while Celtic’s David Turnbull is not a target for the club.

However, as to be expected, it was the news on the Burnley and Norwich stars (who provided a combined 17 goals and 22 assists this season) which had a number of Villa fans excited.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news on Twitter on Friday morning and here is what some supporters had to say in reply, with one describing potential deals for Buendia and McNeil as ‘outstanding’.

“We are winning the league”Credit: @Nathhhavfc”love that”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Outstanding business if we can get this done. Young, forward, creative players!!”Credit: @viIlajake”Both would be excellent signings for us”Credit: @RossMatthewman7″They would be perfect for us”Credit: @1998_David_”Naaaa! I’m dreaming.”Credit: @RHAVFC

In other news: Villa linked with move for outgoing Tottenham ace, find out who it is here. 

West Ham United’s chances of qualifying for Europe were dealt a devastating blow as they were defeated by fellow hopefuls Everton at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Irons boss David Moyes will rue his side’s ineffectiveness in front of goal as the misfiring Londoners could’ve easily snatched something from the game considering they were only beaten by the solitary goal.

With all of the Hammers’ attacking options on the pitch, they really should’ve mustered up more of a threat in front of goal, especially as they dominated possession (68%).

Moyes was dealt an early injury setback in the first half which saw Manuel Lanzini forced off just before the break.

He was replaced by Jarrod Bowen, who was snubbed from the starting XI for the second successive game, so he surely had a point to prove to his manager.

However, he offered West Ham absolutely nothing in attack and as a result, he was graded amongst their worst performers (6.4) as per SofaScore ratings.

The Evening Standard’s Jack Rosser added further weight to this argument in his post-game column, where he claimed the former Hull City winger “made very little impact” from the bench and similarly, football.london suggested that he “missed a glorious chance to make it 1-1.”

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Aside from that one golden opportunity, Bowen struggled to assert his dominance on the Toffees’ back four, registering only 26 touches – the same number goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski managed throughout the game.

To make matters worse, the Polish shot-stopper made more passes (13) than the 24-year-old (ten), too, and that only goes to show how fruitless he was in the 47 minutes he was on the pitch.

His one shot off target resulted in one big chance missed, whilst he was caught offside once and lost possession ten times – once every 4.7 minutes, and once every 2.6 touches, as per SofaScore.

Bowen’s struggle with the visitors was further seen by the fact that he won just 50% of his duels, with Lucas Digne and Michael Keane often getting the better of him on the day.

Considering it was only the second time this season that the £27m-rated attacker had been out of the starting XI in back-to-back matches, Moyes would have been expecting to see a reaction when subbed on but frustratingly, he may want to think again about his involvement in the coming matches.

Bowen was just one of many Irons stars to be unproductive but his place is most at risk compared to say, a Michail Antonio.

There are three very winnable games left remaining in Brighton, relegated West Brom and Southampton but the likes of Bowen will need to vastly improve if the Hammers are to top off their fantastic season with European qualification.

AND in other news, £13.5m-rated West Ham lightweight who lost 83% duels badly let Moyes down again…

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and Sky Sports regular Danny Mills has warned Tottenham Hotspur fans that they ‘won’t be happy’ if Rafael Benitez is appointed manager after Jose Mourinho’s dismissal.

The Lowdown: Levy eyeing Benitez

As revealed by the same outlet, Premier League and general top level experience is growing as a desirable trait for chairman Daniel Levy and co as the board eye Tottenham’s next manager.

This has led the club to set their sights on former Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle boss Benitez (Football Insider), who is also said to be keen on joining Tottenham.

The Latest: Tottenham fans warned over Benitez

However, while he has a glowing CV and a proven track record at the top level, having won the Champions League with Liverpool and Europa League with Chelsea, Mills has warned Spurs fans that they would not be happy if he was appointed manager.

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“Spurs fans have been moaning about the style of play,” the pundit explained to Football Insider.

“Is Rafa’s style of play exciting? No, not really, it’s counter-attacking football. He will defend, as Mourinho did, and then play on the counter-attack using pace in the wide areas.

“People will say ‘Oh, he was great when he was at Liverpool!’ He was, but he was still defensive and played counter-attacking football. He had weapons called Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Torres would run over the top and Gerrard would ping an eye of the needle pass 40 or 50 yards right onto his foot and allow him to finish.

“Yes, it’s a big name and you’d expect him to do well but Tottenham fans, if that happens don’t expect to play the ‘Tottenham way’ that we hear about. They won’t be happy about that.”

The Verdict: Mills bang on the money…

What we have heard consistently in the media is Tottenham’s desire to appoint an out-and-out attack-minded manager (The Guardian), with reports also suggesting they want someone young and dynamic.

Alasdair Gold says that the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter fit into this mould (football.london), but the same cannot be said of Benitez.

As explained by Mills, the 61-year-old’s counter-attacking style possibly wouldn’t draw favour with Spurs fans and is arguably more akin to Mourinho’s philosophy, with supporters possibly eager to avoid repeating the same mistake.

In other news: Tottenham favourites to appoint this ‘perfectionist’, find out more here.

Another game, more dropped points.

It’s been an all too familiar story for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

And whilst that is one of many concerns likely to be ringing round the mind of Jose Mourinho, the vast drop-off in form from Sergio Reguilon ever since his comeback from injury is now surely becoming a major cause for concern.

During their 2-0 win over Aston Villa, the Spaniard was withdrawn before the hour mark following a knock, just five appearances after making his return from a six-game injury absence.

Reguilon had been one of Spurs’ best and most consistent performers this campaign, recording an average rating for the season of 6.85 but he has managed to match or better that tally just once in his last four outings, with Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United the worst (6.05).

At Newcastle United last weekend, he was particularly poor, as outlined by the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick. The £22.5m-rated dynamo was ‘unusually sloppy,’ perhaps as a result of rustiness from his injury and that he ‘created little’ going forward.

Much was the same here back in north London this weekend.

As per SofaScore ratings, only one Spurs player was graded worse (Serge Aurier, 6.2) than Reguilon (6.3) and it’s easy to see as the Spain international was one of the more influential players.

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His 71 touches were only bettered by midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (78), as it should be as the Dane pulls the strings from a deep midfield position, but it also shows how Mourinho wants his attack to also be played on the wings, where Reguilon is vital.

However, the 24-year-old was wildly off the pace as he struggled to get to grips with Aaron Wan-Bissaka – he won just one of four duels (25%), failed to deliver an accurate cross from two attempts and could only muster one dribble from three tries, via SofaScore.

Reguilon usually wins just shy of five duels each outing, whilst only three other players have managed to provide more assists in the league, so his attacking contribution is always crucial.

This also shows that he majorly struggled with the physical threat on offer and even defensively, he did very little and it resulted in him being absolutely spun out by Mason Greenwood as he breezed past him to pile on the misery with a third strike.

Reguilon was unable to contribute a single tackle, block or clearance and also lost possession 15 times.

Dan Kilpatrick slammed his performance in the Evening Standard’s post-match ratings column, where he ranked the Spaniard amongst Spurs’ worst performers. He said: “Hesitated to get forward, which is his real strength, and loose with the ball. Fatally nutmegged in the build-up to United’s winner.”

Ultimately, this form will be a huge worry to Mourinho as they need to start scoring more if they are to alleviate their defensive troubles and when one of your most creative options isn’t at the races, it’s going to be a very tough ask.

It’s made even worse with Ben Davies out injured, so there’s no other option to soften this disastrous form.

AND in other news, 16x possession lost: Spurs disaster who’s “not good enough” badly betrayed Jose vs Utd…

Lots of Everton fans have been left to blast the display of Mason Holgate in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Friday night.

The former Barnsley man was guilty of some very poor defending along with Michael Keane for both of their goals conceded at Goodison Park, as Harry Kane pounced both times to earn Spurs a point.

Holgate did not have his best game for the Merseyside club statistically as well, as he failed to block any shots on Jordan Pickford’s goal and also lost possession of the ball on no fewer than on 11 different occasions in the match, earning him a very measly 6.4 overall rating on Sofascore, the second-lowest out of any Toffees outfield player to have set foot on the pitch.

Everton fans on Holgate display

These Blues blasted his performance on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to compare the English central defender to a ‘Sunday league’ player.

That may feel a little harsh on a young player with potential, but it’s fair to say the Goodison faithful were not happy with what he produced against Jose Mourinho’s side…

“Keane and Holgate like a pair of Sunday league players. Other than that we battered them there. Looking more like a shootout for 7th place now with spurs #EVETOT #EFC”

Credit: @PaulEddie84

“So frustrating. Didn’t play badly. Keane and Holgate poor. James and Sigurdsson really good. #efc”

Credit: @james_mcgrow

“Defensive mess again! Absolutely awful and Holgate at fault again for me #EVETOT #EFC #COYB”

Credit: @Macca8t1

“Good 1st half performance. Always look better when we play the ball quicker and close down as a team. Allan looks a couple of games away from full fitness, still not convinced with Holgate. #efc”

Credit: @caehoward

“Holgate for me at fault both goals. Didn’t communicate with Keane in both, could of instructed Keane the 1st, didn’t listen to Keane at all the 2nd when he was screaming. And all the rumours are about Mina? #EFC”

Credit: @AlanWong_1987

“Keane & Holgate cost us the points tonight with their playground defending #Everton #efc”

Credit: @Kmac7472

In other news, find out what transfer update has been lauded by Toffees here!

Look down at Sunderland’s squad this season and you’ll struggle to pick out many players who have let the team down.

The forward line has been superb with Aiden McGeady registering 12 assists and Charlie Wyke scoring 26 times.

As for the centre-back pairing of Dion Sanderson and Luke O’Nien, they have now kept eight clean sheets in their last ten outings.

One of those shut-outs came during their 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t the most convincing of performances from Lee Johnson’s men but it’s taken them to within three points of the top with two games in hand.

That being said, there is one member of Sunderland’s side that continues to let the manager down; Callum McFadzean.

Last week, the left-back looked as though he may embark on some sort of revival. He scored a crucial goal in the club’s 1-1 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln.

Yet, this weekend, he proved just how enigmatic he can be. At times this term, McFadzean has often been the scapegoat for Sunderland, even when they win.

Once again, you could look towards his performance against Bristol Rovers as a cause for concern.

McFadzean was particularly shaky on the left-hand side of defence and was probably fortunate they weren’t playing more high-calibre opposition. On another day, he would have been caught out and punished.

A mistake didn’t cost the team on Saturday but his display was particularly worrying. In possession of the ball, the defender was woeful, losing it on no fewer than 35 occasions.

For context, that was 11 more than any other Sunderland player. What made this stat even worse was that he wasn’t even losing the ball from trying something productive; McFadzean didn’t attempt a single cross for instance.

His passing let him down all afternoon with the 27-year-old completing only 47%. Again, this was made worse by the fact he didn’t complete a single key pass to a teammate.

McFadzean did register a dribble when he got forward, but besides that, there was very little to be positive about.

A constant will to surrender possession has plagued his season. On average, the full-back has lost it 18.5 times per match.

With Denver Hume set to return from injury in the next few weeks, he should be worried about his place. Once the former returns, McFadzean must be taken out of the firing line.

AND in other news, Forget Willis: SAFC must unleash rarely-seen 21 y/o, Johnson said he’s a “great kid”…

Fabian Balbuena may already have played his final game for West Ham after David Moyes spoke of the defender in the same breath as Sebastien Haller.

What’s the word?

While discussing the benefits of having a small squad following Monday’s 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, via quotes shared by football.london, Moyes praised the impact that Balbuena and Haller both had on West Ham’s season.

The use of past tense from the Irons boss suggests he has already drawn a line under Balbuena’s time at the London Stadium, having not called on the Paraguayan to feature in the Premier League since December.

“Sometimes not having too big a squad makes a difference,” Moyes said. “I might say other things in the weeks to come but having everyone close to the team helps.

“Balbuena was great, Haller contributed so we have a good squad, but we can’t afford too many of them to pick up injuries.”

Balbuena made the last of his 12 top-flight appearances for the season  as the Hammers drew 2-2 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, before Watford loanee Craig Dawson was then awarded his debut at Southampton, and Moyes has never looked back.

West Ham have kept six clean sheets over Dawson’s 15 league outings in claret and blue, which have now triggered a £2m purchase clause, compared to four in 15 without the 30-year-old featuring.

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Moyes also overlooked Balbuena when assessing his options to replace Angelo Ogbonna after the Italian sustained a high ankle sprain in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, with Issa Diop instead recalled and starting the Irons’ last seven top-flight fixtures.

The end of the road for Balbuena?

Moyes speaking on the impact that Balbuena had in the same breath as Haller, who was sold for £20m in January, may come as a hint to the Scottish tactician already drawing a line under the Paraguayan’s time at West Ham ahead of his contract expiring in June.

Balbuena was expected to earn a new deal back in December before falling out of favour at the London Stadium, where rumours surfaced on deadline day of the winter market that the Irons would listen to offers for the £40,000-per-week enforcer.

The 29-year-old has since been linked with clubs from around the world – including Flamengo, Internacional, a Saudi Arabian side and an MLS outfit – while his agent Renato Bittar confirmed last month that discussions had already taken place with potential suitors.

The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas also questioned Balbuena’s West Ham future following last month’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal, noting on the Fine Margins podcast: “Balbuena – it’s a tough one right now. Because his agent has come out and said all sorts of crazy stuff. Like for example, for now, he’s not really a West Ham player.

“He’s sort of looking to move abroad. So Moyes will have to think about it, I think. Or play someone who’s more committed – someone who wants to be here for the long-term.”

Moyes’ recent comments seem to strengthen the likelihood of Balbuena heading through the exit door when his deal expires this summer, having potentially failed to make 60 appearances in claret and blue over three years in east London following his £6.5m arrival.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

The last few weeks have been a triumphant affair for Sunderland. Lee Johnson’s team are now fourth in the League One table and are unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning seven in that time frame.

It would seem that promotion could finally be on the cards for the Black Cats this season.

Before they prepare for the run-in, however, they face Tranmere in the Papa John’s Trophy final. The Mackems travel to the capital and Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face the League Two opposition in what should be a comfortable win on paper.

That being said, all form goes out the window when you play in a final. Sunderland have been at this stage before but tasted defeat to Portsmouth in 2019; they know they cannot afford any slip-ups.

With such a crucial match ahead, Johnson will have plenty of dilemmas to mull over in terms of his team selection. Here’s the XI we’re predicting him to pick.

Life at the Stadium of Light is never simple and that has been evident this week.

Sunderland defeated Portsmouth but, as the week drew to a close, it became apparent that injuries were going to bite them once again.

They are already missing a number of players including Denver Hume and Bailey Wright, but Jordan Jones is now a major doubt to play after suffering a minor injury. Both he and Aiden O’Brien are set to face late fitness tests but Johnson claims O’Brien is far more likely than Jones to play.

That being said, we suggest both could miss out. Consequently, Sunderland may make as many as four changes from the Pompey clash. Chris Maguire comes into the side for O’Brien while Conor McLaughlin, fit again after hernia surgery, is in for Jones.

He shifts into a central area in defence, with Max Power preferred at right wing-back in a five-man backline.

Wright is set to miss out while Dion Sanderson is cup-tied, having already played for Wolves under-21s in this competition. Fortunately, they have Tom Flanagan back, who can take the place of Sanderson.

The final replacement is in the middle of the park, where Carl Winchester has to sit out. The midfielder has already played for Forest Green in this year’s competition so, like Sanderson, he is cup-tied.

Johnson revealed that Grant Leadbitter is set to return from a dislocated shoulder, so he slots in for Winchester.

AND in other news, Dreyfus may be on the verge of repeating one of Donald’s biggest SAFC mistakes already…