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Loads of Liverpool fans have been running the rule over the latest transfer news, amid claims the Reds are set to sign 16 year-old Lyon academy product Billy Koumetio.

According to RMC reporter Mohamed Bouhafsi, Liverpool will sign Koumetio this month.

The report claims the teenage centre back arrived in England this week, as Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards continue to build Liverpool’s future.

FFC’s James Jones has identified the one thing that could cost Liverpool the title. Find out what it is in the video below…

Koumetio was extremely highly rated at Lyon’s academy, an academy famed for producing talents like Alexandre Lacazette, Samuel Umtiti and Karim Benzema. He has since been plying his trade for Ligue 2 side US Orleans.

The youngster is left-footed, and much like the Reds’ latest debutant Ki-Jana Hoever he has the athleticism, technique and composure to play multiple positions in the back four.

The Reds have shown an impressive eye for talent in the transfer market since Edwards teamed up with Klopp, securing bargain deals for the likes of Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, both of whom are now worth far more than what the Anfield club paid for them.

Kouemtio looks to be the latest addition to a Liverpool academy that is brimming with talent, and plenty of fans have been giving their verdict on the news.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Each week on Football FanCast we will be celebrating those special breed who lit up the Premier League with their unique brand of utter genius. This time out we pay homage to a player limited in stature who battled – and triumphed – against fate and the elements.

There are certain words that leave the taste of chalky-cheese in the mouth when spoken in the same sentence as a player. Mesut Ozil and industrious is one such example; Romelu Lukaku and diet another. Perhaps the most incongruous pairing of all would be to combine Robbie Savage and genius.

Because he’s clearly not a genius; not now as a purposely outspoken pundit who is proven wrong more times than he is proven right, nor was he especially brilliant as a player; socks down, poodle-mane flopping about; walloping around Premier League pitches like an enthusiastic competition winner.

You may think then that his inclusion in this series – a series intending to celebrate the very best ballers the top flight has offered up these past couple of decades beyond the very obvious names – is a scraping of a barrel. At the very least it is meant ironically, no?

It is neither. It’s sincere.

Here’s Albert Einstein on the qualification for something he knew a fair bit about: “Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.” Here’s what the artist JMW Turner had to say on the matter: “I know of no genius but the genius of hard work.” Here’s Henry Ford, a man who shaped the world in which we live in today: “Genius is seldom recognised for what it is: a great capacity for hard work.”

These esteemed chaps appear to be in full agreement that the fluke of possessing prized DNA is nothing to honest graft and the application of it and this latter quality is where Savage was, well, savage.

The Wrexham-born midfielder famously came through the ranks at Manchester United with a peer-group that went on to have a cinematic release lauding their achievements in the game.

David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt – the Class of ’92. And though he was offered a professional contract he never made the grade at Old Trafford, a bitter pill that was surely even harder to swallow when he soon after saw his mates establish themselves as household names and bona fide superstars.

So Savage dropped down four divisions, to Crewe, and began his own journey, one that involved re-imagining himself as a box-to-box scrapper and excelling in the lower leagues until Leicester swooped in 1997.

Given the opportunity to prove himself at an elite level Savage rabidly tore into the challenge and never let go. He played in the Premier League – for four different clubs – across twelve consecutive seasons. He made 346 appearances, more than Paul Ince and Patrick Vieira. He made himself a household name despite fate probably having other plans.

It could be said that Savage was a dirty player. In fact many people have said that and have said it often. In reality he was only sent off twice in his long career. In reality he was combative and gnarly and flippin’ horrible to play against as he battled against the elements.

It could also be argued that he was limited in ability compared to those he contested every ball with. This, to an extent is incontestable. Yet it is a perception viewed askew. It is a perception grounded in pure snobbery. That Savage established himself among company who found it all so easy and natural whereas he did not; and established himself for thirteen years, is surely something to be praised, not belittled.

It is March 3rd 2004 and Birmingham are hosting Middlesbrough at St Andrews. The Blues are a goal to the good and we are mid-way through the second half.

A free-kick to the home side right on the edge of the box has Boro concerned. Their wall consists of seven players, all conjoined by arms, but they are powerless to stop a Savage rocket that fizzes through a slight gap and thunders down off the crossbar. It is an exceptional, unstoppable combination of force and technique. It is one of the finest short-range set-pieces you will ever see.

It was a moment of genius that came through what natural ability Savage did have, but it was earned through all those years of endless hard work.

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RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick has warned Timo Werner about the challenges of moving to the Premier League, Bulinews have reported via quotes from Sky Germany’s ‘Wontorra – the football talk’ show.

What’s the word?

German international striker Werner was one of the forwards linked with a move to Anfield throughout the January window, as outlets such as Bild and The Independent claimed the Reds would be chasing the £58.5million-rated ace.

The interest had solid foundations as the 23-cap international is out of contract in the summer of 2020 and is yet to commit his future to the Bundesliga club. Of course, no deal came through and the Stuttgart product remains in Germany, but interest could well be revived in the summer.

If you haven’t seen Patrice Evra’s bizarre new Instagram post then you need to check out the video below…

RB Leipzig manager Rangnick, however, has been quoted talking on Sky Germany’s ‘Wontorra – the football talk’ show by Bulinews, stating that it might not be the right move for the 22-year-old.

“[Naby] Keita was an outstanding player here, but he’s still struggling in Liverpool. So far, he’s not the player there that he was here,” Rangnick told Sky. “The surroundings must be right for Timo.

“We have gone to our financial limit with our offer. We know that he can earn more elsewhere, but he can also provide for himself for the rest of his life here.

“He’s a top player, and he has become one of the most exciting Bundesliga strikers.”

Should Liverpool revive rumoured interest?

If Werner does not accept the contract that Rangnick is claiming to be at RB Leipzig’s financial limit, Liverpool have to enter the race for his signature in the summer.

The 22-year-old is one of the Bundesliga’s top goalscorers with 11 goals in 19 games, and has supreme quality in possession.

Jurgen Klopp may have to convince the German international that a move to the Premier League would not hamper his chances of featuring at Euro 2020, however, and assure the 5 foot 9 forward that he would be an instant match for his tactics as well as having a place in the side. Currently, it’s difficult to see quite where he fits into the starting XI ahead of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah.

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Aston Villa’s play-off hopes fell further out of view with a 1-0 defeat at Brentford on Wednesday night, and fans are fuming at the performance of Conor Hourihane.

Dean Smith’s return to Griffin Park didn’t quite to go plan on Wednesday, as his side were quite simply outclassed by Brentford.

The Bees had 62 per cent of the possession (Whoscored), racked up 23 total shots to just six from Villa, and eventually got their deserved winner when Neal Maupay curled a stoppage-time finish into the top corner.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The Villans have now won just once in their last eight Championship games, a 2-1 win over Ipswich in January.

While none of the players will be particularly proud of their performance, fans are particularly unhappy with Hourihane, who simply failed to influence the match whatsoever.

The 28 year-old has nine Championship assists this season and is in the team to create chances, but he failed to complete a single key pass on Wednesday and managed just one accurate cross (Whoscored).

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Conor…

Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers was dramatic, to say the least.

Just when it seemed like the teams would share the spoils of war, Jose Mourinho’s troops managed to rattle the inside of their opposition’s net once again before the final whistle, snatching all three points for their troubles in the process.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

But one man has seemingly managed to particularly impress the Spurs players as Football Insider reports that some of the senior players have requested that Spurs sign Adama Traore after his fantastic display against them.

Upon seeing this update, many of the fans also couldn’t help but agree – Traore looks like the real deal with three goals, three assists and 4.5 dribbles per game to his name in the Premier League this season – as they started imagining him in their squad and gushing over his skills.

Some of the fans weren’t afraid to compare Traore to some of their former and current stars.

Who is that?! Can you name all of these obscure Spurs signings? Give it a go now…

One fan said that he looks like Aaron Lennon, the current Burnley player who left Spurs in 2015, on steroids while one other pointed out that he is better than Lucas Moura.

Across all competitions, Traore has managed to score four goals, one of which was against Spurs, and assist further six in the ongoing 2019/20 campaign and could potentially be a good addition to Mourinho’s squad.

And if these reactions on social media are anything to go by, many of the fans seem to think so too.

Meanwhile, many Spurs fans were delighted with one report linking their club with a big name in the world of football…

Leeds’ left-back situation has been an interesting one to monitor this term.

Barry Douglas started the campaign on the left-hand side of the defence before he was quickly usurped by Gjanni Alioski after being injured.

Leif Davis has also had game time while Stuart Dallas remains a viable option too.

However, the competition for a role at left full-back has taken a fresh twist with two of those men very much in form.

On the chalkboard

Dallas and Alioski both played in central midfield against Huddersfield a few weeks ago as Marcelo Bielsa opted for a three-man defence.

His formation of playing three at the back, as well as in midfield is a bizarre one but it’s worked for the Whites. They sit second in the Championship and are ten points clear of Preston in third.

However, because of injuries, namely to Liam Cooper, Bielsa reverted to a back four in their 3-3 draw with Cardiff last weekend.

Alioski was named among the substitutes despite scoring two in two games prior to that, while Dallas was selected at left-back.

The Northern Irishman was in decent form, as he has been for most of the season, and claimed an assist. In the process, the versatile performer won two tackles and two aerial duels too.

It would be difficult to drop him from a role that he’s impressed so much in. Last term, the 28-year-old scored twice from that position against Derby in the playoffs.

But this is where one of Bielsa’s biggest dilemmas this campaign has arrived. Dallas is surely an automatic pick in the side but Alioski is in standout form as well.

He replaced Jack Harrison at left-wing but after scoring for Leeds’ U23s on Monday evening, he showed that at the moment he’s in outstanding goalscoring touch.

Virtually impossible: Can you name the year all of these Leeds flops arrived at Elland Road?

Harrison has also proved himself to be one of Leeds’ most consistent players, contributing to nine goals in 2019/20 so it would feel harsh to drop him.

This is a pretty large conundrum for Bielsa, especially after the way Leeds collapsed last weekend. If they want to gain promotion then he’ll have to strike the right balance. For a manager with so much experience, you’d back him to find a remedy.

In other Leeds news, one player is outshining Alfie McCalmont at youth level…

Jack Grealish has excelled on the left-wing, but it will be interesting to see whether he is put centrally again after John McGinn’s injury.

On the chalkboard

Dean Smith took the decision to move Grealish to the left-wing against Burnley and he has not departed that position since.

However, that could change after it was confirmed that McGinn will be out of action for an extended period with an ankle fracture.

Watch Aston Villa Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

This also comes with many Villa fans calling for the talismanic figure to be played centrally, feeling that he is not of as much use while out wide.

With this in mind, we have taken a look at how Grealish has compared on the wing and in midfield this campaign.

Showing adaptability

The 24-year-old has played 10 games on the left this campaign, compared to six in the central areas.

While operating on the wing, Grealish has managed to get a goal every other game, and averaged 2.1 successful dribbles, 3 key passes, 1 tackle and 0.7 interceptions per game, though he hasn’t managed any assists in that time.

During his six appearances from a central position, he has failed to get any goals, while he has provided his teammates with two assists, as well as averaging 1.5 successful dribbles, 2.3 key passes, 2 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game.

These stats indicate that Grealish is actually able to have more of an impact on games when he is deployed out wide, though the added time given to adapt to the Premier League may have also played a part in this.

Having the academy product out wide may have been experimental at first, but it has been shown that this can work for both Grealish and Villa, while Smith will also be aware that he can be relied upon in central areas.

Can you score at least 80% on this Ultimate Premier League Quiz? Test your knowledge now…

That means that Grealish’s position could be determined by where he is deemed to be needed the most, rather than where it is thought he can perform best.

In other news, Villa fans reacted to their midfielder’s accolade win.

In the immediate aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment as caretaker manager of Manchester United, everything appeared to be all rosy in the Old Trafford garden once more. The Red Devils were reeling off wins, left, right and centre, and they seemed to have found their groove again.

But following that exceptional start which included an impressive nine game winning streak away from home, the tides have somewhat turned. Solskjaer has faced renewed speculation over his long-term future at Old Trafford in recent weeks and months, with suggestions that he was even fighting for his job late last year.

But positive results against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City appeared to quieten down that talk. Despite their defeat to Arsenal on New Year’s Day, the Red Devils remain well and truly in the race to finish in the top four and thus secure qualification to the Champions League next season.

But one image that Solskjaer continues to struggle to shake off, is this idea that he is a puppet for Ed Woodward and the Glazers. A mouthpiece for the regime that has led to United’s barren years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure back in the summer of 2013. A ‘yes-man’ who goes along with whatever his employers have to say, and does nothing to shake the boat or upset the apple cart.

Several United fans have been very public with that opinion of their club legend on social media this season.

But with the January transfer window now open, Solskjaer has the perfect opportunity to start shedding that image. The Red Devils have an injury crisis in midfield with both Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba out injured, whilst they are relying on an 18-year-old in Mason Greenwood to be their third-choice striker this season.

United could desperately do with some reinforcements in both those areas this month, and rather than simply standing aside and insisting that they will only do business if it’s right for them, Solskjaer should be more forceful. He must refuse to toe the party line and state clearly what needs to be done in terms of recruitment to take the team forward.

Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Man Utd’s history in the January transfer window?

It would help the United fans to put aside their perception of the Norwegian as a ‘yes man’ and a ‘puppet’, and also help him asset his authority to both Woodward and the Glazers. It’s Solskjaer’s time to take charge once and for all.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans were left unimpressed by this ace’s shocking display against Arsenal.

Leeds United could see some transfer activity this week after The Athletic’s Phil Hay provided a key update on three players who could join this club.

What’s he said?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were defeated 2-0 by Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon, which has resulted in some supporters demanding that Victor Orta pulls his finger out sometime soon.

Their calls could soon come to fruition as Hay revealed that one deal is close, while the club also pursues two others.

He said:

“Caprile is basically done and Poveda is on the cards. That should happen this week. With Adams (the crucial one), Southampton as a club seem open to a deal. But Hasenhuttl appears insistent on keeping him. The key factor might be that Adams, up until now, has been wanting to leave. That could tip the balance.”

One, two, three…

According to TuttomercatoWeb, Leeds were set to have Italian goalkeeper Elia Caprile in for a medical over the weekend, and that is now something Hay claims is ‘basically done.’

Whether or not he makes an impact remains to be seen given Kiko Casilla’s standing in the starting line up and Illan Meslier’s impressive debut against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

The next player said to be ‘on the cards’ is another youngster, winger Ivan Poveda of Manchester City. Beren Cross says a permanent deal either this month or in the summer seems likely and he would be part of Bielsa’s core group.

And then there is striker Che Adams, the one position that the Whites could really do with right now as they only have one senior option in Patrick Bamford following Eddie Nketiah’s recent recall to Arsenal.

Although, that deal is proving to be somewhat doubtful after the 23-year-old came on as a substitute to provide an assist for Southampton’s winner at Leicester City on Saturday.

Call yourself a Leeds expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

Hay also revealed that Bielsa still wants a striker, so this one could go down to the wire this month.

In other news, ex-Whites man Danny Pugh discusses the future of Leeds’ biggest star amid constant transfer interest…

West Bromwich Albion’s season has hit a stumbling block.

The Baggies may well be sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table but their form in recent weeks has been a worrying concern.

It is epitomised most by Brentford’s recent rise to third place.

Both Albion and Leeds United held a substantial gap in the automatic promotion places, which at one stage was as many as 12 points. That is down to just seven with the Bees hot on their heels. Fulham are closely behind too.

Slaven Bilic’s side have won just one league game in their last seven, stretching back until the middle of October, and that was heading towards a defeat at one point until Charlie Austin’s super-sub cameo.

Four draws in their last five matches also highlights just how big that gap at the top could have been – that’s eight points gone, add that to their current total and they are ten clear of Leeds in second place having played them on New Year’s Day.

The west Midlands outfit need a spark this month and the January transfer window presents that very opportunity.

It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?

One player linked to the club that holds the keys to all that is Jarrod Bowen.

The Hull City hotshot has been in impressive form once again this season. He’s netted 17 times while providing five assists, per Transfermarkt.

Bowen has the ability to play anywhere across the front three, which opens up the scope to many possibilities with Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana exciting options in attacking midfield.

Although, his best position is out on the right flank, where he is proving to be a more lethal option than Matty Phillips.

In addition to scoring nine more goals than the 28-year-old, Bowen has proven to be a bigger threat, regularly popping off more shots at the opposition, as seen in the graph above.

West Brom’s conversion rate in the Championship this term has been poor, scoring just 51.5% of their total shots at goal – 50 of 97 in fact, via Transfermarkt.

The Baggies have also only scored five times in their last six matches which is below the rate they have been scoring all season as they rank best in the division currently.

Bowen can add that spark to reignite Bilic’s frontline and their title hopes – if there’s any way the club can thrash out a deal, then they must do it. The Athletic believe he could be available for £20m, but his contract does expire in the summer.

Meanwhile, an update over the future of Nathan Ferguson has been provided this week…