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Sheffield United defensive midfielder Sander Berge is attracting interest ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that a number of clubs, including Newcastle United and Glasgow Rangers, are keeping a very close eye on the progress of the 23-year-old in the first half of the season, ahead of a potential move for the Norway international in the winter market.

Reports back in July had claimed that Arsenal, Atalanta and Napoli were all also keen on a move for the midfielder, however, Sheffield United’s £35m asking price saw Berge remain at Bramall Lane upon the closure of the summer transfer window.

Jokanovic must avoid disaster

Considering just how poorly Sheffield United have started their 2021/22 Championship campaign, having picked up a mere two points over their opening five fixtures of the new season, it would appear fair to suggest that losing the services of a player who is undoubtedly one of the most talented Slavisa Jokanovic has in his first-team squad in January would be something of a disaster for the Serbian boss.

While, admittedly, Berge has not exactly been in breathtaking form so far this term, averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.76 over his five Championship appearances, the 23-year-old has nevertheless proven in previous campaigns that he has the ability to play a starring role for the Blades in this season.

Indeed, over his 14 Premier League appearances immediately following his move from KRC Genk back in January 2020, the £16.2m-rated man scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.4 shots per game.

The player Albert Stuivenberg dubbed a “leader” also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 0.9 clearances and winning 5.5 duels per league fixture.

These returns saw the £38k-per-week midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as United’s seventh-best performer in the top tier of English football that season.

As such, it is undeniable that Berge has the ability to help get the Blades out of their current mess, as well as the talent to fire his side towards the top of the Championship table.

However, should Jokanovic decide to cash in on the Norwegian in January, it would very much appear as if the 53-year-old would be waving goodbye to any hope of promotion he may this season – no matter how slim.

In other news: Get rid: Jokanovic must ruthlessly axe £5.4m-rated SUFC flop, he’s stealing a living

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has been left baffled by what he’s heard about managing director Fabio Paratici at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Paratici antics detailed…

According to a report by The Sun, one thing the Italian does at Spurs has caused some dressing room unrest at Hotspur Way, with players in particular described as uncomfortable.

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Indeed, by sitting in Tottenham’s dugout alongside fellow executive Steve Hitchen, the transfer chief is said to be bothering certain Spurs players and causing slight irritability.

Robinson has now given his take in reaction to this claim which he has heard out of N17, .

The Latest: Robinson baffled by Paratici antics…

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Spurs goalkeeper has been left baffled by Paratici’s antics and insists that club officials have no place in the technical area alongside coaches and squad members.

“I think the bench is a place for the manager and their coaching staff,” the 41-year-old explained.

“The sporting director and head of recruitment should be upstairs watching from afar. Players report to managers and coaches – the director of football isn’t the one taking training day in, day out.

“The bench isn’t a place for either of them. Managers I’ve worked with in the past would have had something to say had this been going on.

“It’s an arrangement I really can’t see lasting very long.”

The Verdict: Cease?

While seemingly harmless on paper, the practice should be ceased fairly quickly if it is indeed causing some unrest in the Tottenham dressing room.

Given Paratici’s role as managing director of the club, it’s little wonder some players are uncomfortable with his presence in the dugout, and we agree with Robinson that the 49-year-old should return upstairs.

In other news: ‘Sell’, ‘Useless’, ‘Giving me a migraine’…Many Spurs fans slam ‘awful, awful’ ace vs Crystal Palace, it’s not Davies or Tanganga – find out more here.

Southampton will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games as they travel away to face Sheffield United in the League Cup.

The Saints will need to defeat the Championship side to progress through to the fourth round, having beaten Newport County 8-0 in the previous stage of the competition.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men come into this match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League and the Austrian could make a number of changes to freshen his side up.

One player who should be given his chance to shine in the spotlight is summer signing Lyanco. The centre-back is yet to make his debut for the club and this League Cup clash could offer up the perfect opportunity for him to come in and show what he can do.

With Jack Stephens potentially out for a while with a knee injury, there could be a spot in the XI for Lyanco to slot in and start alongside Jan Bednarek. This would also allow Mohammed Salisu to rest ahead of the league meeting with Wolves at the weekend.

Earlier this month, Hasenhuttl admitted that Lyanco, who is a ‘very good character’, is a long-term project at St. Mary’s. He told Southampton’s official website:

“As always, for us, new signings are long-term projects.

“He needs to learn his English, but he’s willing to learn in every area. A very good character and a very settled personality. Very happy to have him here.

“Ori, in the moment, is a little bit my translator. My Italian is not that good when I try to speak with him, especially in the football business there are some words I don’t know.”

This suggests that he should not be rushed into starting in the Premier League straight away, with the likes of Stephens, Salisu and Bednarek ahead of him. Therefore, playing him in the cup, instead of the pressured league matches, could be perfect for the defender to help him ease into English football.

Lyanco averaged a solid SofaSore rating of 6.90 in 23 Serie A appearances for Torino last season, with the warrior averaging 2.0 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game. This suggests that he does have the potential to put in quality performances at the top level, but it is now down to whether or not he can adapt to the English game and a test against Sheffield United could provide Hasenhuttl with some valuable information.

Therefore, the Austrian head coach must give Lyanco his 90 minutes in the spotlight as it is his time to shine in a Southampton shirt. Allow the defender to showcase what he is capable of doing on the pitch to see if he can challenge the other centre-backs in the squad for their places.

AND in other news, Semmens disasterclass: Ex-Saints beast has seen value soar 317% since St. Mary’s exit…

West Ham face Manchester United for the second time in four days when they head north to begin their Carabao Cup campaign.

After suffering late heartbreak on Sunday afternoon, David Moyes and his side will not only be looking to bounce back at Old Trafford but they will also be keen to better last season’s fourth-round exit.

With everyone available for selection, the 58-year-old boss has plenty to ponder before selecting his starting XI, particularly as it’s the third time they have played in a week, with a Premier League clash against Leeds on the horizon this weekend.

It could be a good opportunity for many of Moyes’ fringe and youth players to stake a claim, too.

From all of their summer signings, only Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic have seen a proper run-out, meaning Alphonse Areola and Alex Kral are surely in line to start.

And Moyes may want to consider the impact of said players, including the 29-cap Croatian playmaker, who has looked pretty sub-par since his €30m (£26m) move from CSKA Moscow.

The 23-year-old, formerly of Everton, made his Premier League debut at the London Stadium on Sunday but a 6.31 rating suggests he struggled to have much of an impact – that’s the lowest of anyone to start for West Ham this term, via WhoScored.

In the absence of Michail Antonio, Vlasic was deployed out wide for the second successive game, having played in the same position for their win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League last Thursday.

Before he was hooked 22 minutes from time, the £27m-rated dynamo managed only 30 touches, which was the fewest of any starter, including goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and that’s just not what you’d expect from someone who is supposed to be a major creative outlet.

After all, he’s come in to replace the presence of loan sensation Jesse Lingard, who bagged the agonising winner at the weekend.

Vlasic himself knows that he will have to improve to keep his place in the side.

“The team was playing very well. I’ve only been here one week [after the international break] so I’m getting used to the team and the team are getting used to me,” he told the Irons’ official website.

Perhaps he needs a little bit more time to settle in before he’s handed the full reins in attacking midfield.

Recently described as “really impressive” by Moyes, Vlasic must be ruthlessly axed for the trip to Manchester United this evening. Right now, he’s holding them back in attack but expect that to change the more he settles in.

For now, the Hammers boss must make this bold call.

AND in other news, Moyes must unleash “exceptional” West Ham titan tonight, could be big in the long run…

Leeds United will definitely be without three key players for their home game with West Ham United on Saturday, including Patrick Bamford.

The Lowdown: Injuries galore

United look for their first league win of the season this weekend when they host David Moyes’ West Ham, and they go into the game with a whole list of first team players out.

Pascal Struijk is suspended and missed last Friday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle United, whilst Jack Harrison also missed the clash due to a positive Covid-19 test.

Ahead of the weekend’s game, Bielsa has confirmed a further three players who are now out and will miss the game with the Hammers.

The Latest: At least three out

Journalist Adam Pope has confirmed from the manager’s press conference that Bamford ‘will be missing’ Saturday’s game with West Ham, along with Robin Koch and Diego Llorente.

Last season’s top goalscorer has only managed to score once this season, but has started in every top flight game so far for Bielsa’s side.

Harrison, Raphinha and Luke Ayling are all question marks ahead of the Hammers’ visit to Yorkshire.

The Verdict: Brutal blow

Bielsa’s style of play requires certain players and not having these available for a tough test against West Ham will be a worrying prospect for Bielsa and the Leeds fans.

The exclusion of Bamford, who bagged 25 goal involvements in last year’s league campaign, will be a massive miss for Leeds and the injury list will be scary viewing for those associated with the club.

Labelled ‘exceptional and rare’ by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in April, Bamford’s importance for Leeds is clear for everyone to see, with the 28-year-old scoring 44 goals in 116 appearances in total since moving from Middlesbrough.

With Rodrigo struggling for goals since his arrival from Valencia – he has managed seven goals in all competitions – Leeds may need to rely on goals from the midfield in Saturday’s contest.

In other news, this BBC pundit is stunned by this certain Leeds player’s performance. Find out more here.

According to TEAMtalk, West Ham United, led by new head of recruitment Rob Newman, are now ‘contemplating a January bid’ for Hull City forward Keane Lewis-Potter.

The Lowdown: Newman era begins…

As confirmed by the club, West Ham have now begun a new era of transfers as they appoint former Manchester City scouting chief Newman to their new head of recruitment role.

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The 57-year-old comes with a glowing reputation from Eastlands and will oversee a Hammers restructuring in terms of their scouting and recruitment department.

Commenting on his new role, Newman spoke of the importance to sign players who fit West Ham perfectly and not just players who you think ‘he’s a great player for that team, he’s automatically going to make us a great team’ (whufc.com).

Now, it appears the Irons chief has set his sights on a new West Ham target.

The Latest: West Ham weighing January bid for Lewis-Potter…

As per TEAMtalk, West Ham, and by extension Newman, now want to sign Hull forward Lewis-Potter after his ‘impressive rise’ over the last two seasons.

The 20-year-old, scoring 20 goals and supplying 10 assists in 85 appearances for the Tigers since his senior debut in late 2019, is now attracting the Irons’ attention as they weigh a January bid.

One of the Championship’s top starlets, he has become a fixture in Grant McCann’s first team and it is believed West Ham are keeping tabs after they also snapped up another one of Hull’s rising talents in Jarrod Bowen.

The latter man has gone to become a mainstay for Moyes and now it appears West Ham have set their sights on another starlet from the MKM Stadium.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lewis-Potter has described himself as ‘raw’ when speaking to Hull City’s official website, and going by his impressive performances over the last two seasons, he could be a real coup for West Ham.

If he can follow in the footsteps of Bowen, who has been one of Moyes’ standout performers this season, it’s safe to say Newman’s tenure as new head of recruitment wouldn’t get off to the worst start.

In other news: ‘Perfect’, ‘I would cry’…Many West Ham fans erupt as talks held for ‘incredible signing’, find out more here.

An update has emerged on Newcastle’s new ownership in regards to how much they can spend without breaking Financial Fair Play rules… 

What’s the talk?

According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, via The Daily Mail, Newcastle could have in excess of £200m to spend in the transfer market over the next three years without breaking FFP restrictions.

He has explained that the finances Mike Ashley has left allows them to spend £190m without running into issues with FFP, but also states that the new owners, PIF, could increase the commercial revenue and add to that £190m figure, taking it over £200m.

“For all that is wrong with Mike Ashley, I would love to be buying a club from him,” he said. “There is a lot of scope to increase the investment in Newcastle if any new owners choose to do so

“Mike Ashley himself is a toxic brand when it comes to sponsors and Newcastle have struggled to match the growth of other clubs.

‘There is a lot of scope for an increase in commercial and sponsorship revenue and from Saudi Arabia itself.”

Excitement

This report will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling excited about the upcoming transfer windows now that PIF have officially taken over control of the club. If Maguire’s figures prove to be accurate, the Magpies could be set to make a splash in the market in January and next summer.

Newcastle spent roughly £26m on transfers in the 2021 summer window, signing Joe Willock from fellow Premier League side Arsenal. The central midfielder was the only senior addition to the squad, having been on loan during the 2020/21 campaign, and he could be the sole recruit of the club’s last quiet window for some time to come.

After a disappointing few months of a lack of activity in the market, Newcastle fans may be desperate to see some money spent in January in order to help the side avoid relegation back down to the Championship. This is why they will be excited to see PIF spend £200m+ over the next few years.

Steve Bruce is reportedly set to be sacked by PIF, who are prepared to pay his £8m compensation fee. This means that it remains to be seen who will be given the opportunity to spend this £200m+ in the transfer market over the next few years.

Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers and Rangers’ Steven Gerrard have both been mentioned, but until a deal is close to being finalised, or complete, there is little point in speculating how they could spend the money. On the flip side, the new owners could already have ideas in mind on who they want to add to the playing squad and then appoint a manager to suit their plans. Either way, it is an exciting time to be a Newcastle supporter!

AND in other news, PIF could pull off early blinder by making two swift moves, NUFC fans would love it…

Newcastle United could sign a dream partner in crime for Allan Saint-Maximin in Real Betis play-maker Nabil Fekir.

What’s the story?

With PIF’s takeover of the Magpies all done, attentions can now turn towards the upcoming January transfer window and how the club’s new owners can look to strengthen the squad.

And, according to Sebastien Denis of Foot Mercato (via Get French Football News), the Tyneside club have already made contact over signing Fekir, although a deal at this stage remains to be seen.

It’s added that a new contract for the Frenchman at Betis cannot be ruled out either.

Imagine him and Saint-Maximin

Even in the dark and desperate times Newcastle have been in over these past couple of years under Steve Bruce, one man who the Magpies faithful could rely upon to give them a little bit of hope and excitement is Saint-Maximin.

The former Nice star has been the undisputed stand-out of a wretched period, single-handedly carrying Newcastle through games and willing them to victories.

But in Fekir, Saint-Maximin could find someone to share that creative and goal-scoring burden, and help form a devastating tandem at St James’ Park.

In 274 career games for both Lyon and Betis, the Frenchman has managed 83 goals and provided another 61 assists, being effective both playing behind the striker and out wide too.

The Betis ace has got a penchant for doing the spectacular, and that’s something former Bordeaux star Malcom was in awe of.

He said: “Fekir is a big player, and when I was in France, he scored incredible goals”.

Real Betis’ club president Angel Haro, has also recently raved about the club’s talisman, saying: “He is doing magnificently well. He is a champion of the world with tremendous quality. When you see him move with the ball, glued to his foot, you know he is going to do something genius.”

The £22.5m-rated star has got the kind of creative ability that could really mesh well with Saint-Maximin and help form a nightmare duo for Premier League defences.

Having two players who can create a moment of magic from nothing gives the Magpies an added weapon going forward.

Meanwhile, George Caulkin has dropped a Newcastle manager update…

It’s not about talent, or natural ability. Becoming a professional footballer is all about how hard you work and the choices that you make during your career. It’s also about who you know! If there are people in your life with connections – like coaches, scouts, agents- then use them to get ahead of the competition. Because it takes more than just skill to become a professional football player these days; it takes drive and determination too!

What qualifications do you need to be a professional footballer?

To play professionally, the most important qualification is that you’re good enough. All players who want to earn money from football can’t be considered for playing in any league or team without meeting all the requirements set out by the individual teams. That means an ability to read and write English well, as well as being able to speak comfortably on behalf of yourself and your teammates. 

The rules vary among countries but they usually involve having no criminal record either in England or abroad, no history of drug or casino abuse (such as no deposit free spins) and medical certificates confirming that there are no conditions preventing you from working.

What are the chances of becoming a professional football player?

Your chances of becoming a professional footballer depend on many different factors. Where you live, the team that you play for, and if you have any sort of connection to a coach or scout all have an effect on your chances. At the end of the day, it is up to you to put in the hard work and dedication necessary to become a professional footballer.

Top tips for becoming a professional footballer Be willing to relocate for the right opportunity: Moving to a new town or country can be difficult, but it is sometimes necessary to give yourself the best possible chance of success. Get as much experience as you can: The more matches and training sessions you play in then the better your chance of being noticed by scouts and coaches. Play well with others: Competition for places is tough at professional clubs so if you want to get noticed than demonstrating your ability and willingness to work hard for your teammates is important too. Learn English: With so many foreign players in the Premier League, it’s crucial that young players understand English so they can speak confidently with their coaches and teammates. Have a back-up plan: All footballers get injured sometimes; if you’re lucky, it will be a minor injury and you’ll only miss a few games. But what about times when injuries can end your career? If that happens then having a solid education could save you from financial hardship in the future. Take up an active hobby: Given how much time football players spend on the field practicing, clubs prefer to sign those who have healthy interests such as horse riding or outdoor sports to help them recover from injury and maintain good mental health. Be coachable: When young players reach professional level, they often find themselves working under managers and coaches with decades of experience playing the game at the highest level. Sometimes younger players don’t feel confident in challenging a coach or manager’s decisions during a match. However, if you demonstrate faith in your colleagues and authority figures then they’ll be more likely to take you seriously on the pitch too. Develop good personal habits: Eating well, getting enough sleep each night and keeping healthy are all important factors in ensuring that players stay motivated and achieve their best performance levels on the football pitch. If you’re not taking care of yourself properly then it will be harder for coaches to trust you with a place in the team. Watch matches closely: Sometimes when watching a football match it can be easy to get caught up in what is happening elsewhere on the field rather than concentrating on your own role within the game. Keeping an eye on what other players are doing lets you learn from their good and bad play. Don’t give up: If you truly want to become a professional footballer then make sure that nothing gets in the way of achieving your dreams. Bad luck, injuries and lack of opportunities can all put talented players off going for their dream, but if that’s what you really want then persistence is key! Moving to a new town or country can be difficult, but it is sometimes necessary to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

The more matches and training sessions you play in then the better your chance of being noticed by scouts and coaches.

Having faith in your colleagues and authority figures then they’ll be more likely to take you seriously on the pitch too.

If you truly want to become a professional footballer then make sure that nothing gets in the way of achieving your dreams.

Conclusion

It’s not impossible to become a professional football player, but it is difficult. You need to be willing and able to relocate in order for your skillset to reach its full potential. It will also take time, effort, and dedication on your part.

Leeds journalist Phil Hay has made a big Andrea Radrizzani transfer claim ahead of the 2022 summer window…

What’s the talk?

The Athletic reporter has claimed that the window could be a busy one for Leeds as owner Andrea Radrizzani wants to take the club into Europe.

Replying to a fan questioning the lack of money spent in the summer, Hay said: “What I’m starting to feel now is that if this season is going to be a slog (and it looks like it will be) now is the time to start seriously thinking about what to do next summer.

“Investment in the squad will definitely be needed because Radrizzani is the one who keeps talking about Europe. It seems like next summer should be so much more active than this one.”

Leeds fans could be buzzing

Leeds fans will surely be left buzzing by this claim from Hay as it suggests that they are in for an exciting summer next year. The Whites added only two senior players to their squad in the window just gone, with Junior Firpo and Dan James arriving from Barcelona and Manchester United respectively for a combined fee of £39.69m.

Young goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson was also brought in and Jack Harrison’s loan from Manchester City was finally converted into a permanent deal. Their spending totalled £53.01m as they made nothing from outgoings, which shows that Radrizzani did invest a fair amount in the squad despite the relatively low number of new faces.

It also highlights why Leeds fans may now be excited about what could be to come next summer. Hay believes that the club could be in for a busy transfer window in comparison to the one just gone, which suggests that more than £53m could be spent. Fans will surely be delighted as it means that big money could be invested in some exciting talent to add to the squad, particularly if the rest of this season continues to be a “slog”, as Hay put it.

They will also be buzzing with the club’s ambition to qualify for Europe in the coming seasons. Imagine a European night at Elland Road after so long without one to enjoy… it sends chills down the spine. If Radrizzani can give Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta the funds to go and build a squad capable of challenging for the top six, then fans could start to believe that the glory days will return to Yorkshire.