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Aston Villa: Fans react to Robin Olsen arrival

Aston Villa announced the signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen on Tuesday evening.

And a number of Villa fans were quick to give their thoughts to the club’s fourth January addition on social media.

The 32-year-old has joined Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Kerr Smith in moving to the Midlands in 2022, signing on loan until the end of the season.

Steven Gerrard was after a back-up goalkeeper this month to work alongside Emiliano Martinez and Jed Steer and has got his wish with the Sweden international.

Olsen spent the first half of the season with Championship side Sheffield United, where he made 11 appearances. However, he fell out of favour at Bramall Lane, with the Blades willing to cut his stay in Yorkshire short, with Villa now sealing a temporary move from parent club AS Roma.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to the club’s official post on Olsen, with one ‘excited’ and another labelling it as ‘decent’.

“I don’t think people understand how great this signing is, allows Sinsalo to go out on loan and get first team football, also Olsen in himself is a great keeper and he’s obviously aware he’s come to be a back up and that’s a great mentality for him to do that.”

Credit: @JPAvfc_

“We’ve actually broken Lange”

Credit: @AzariaJohnson14

“Wow hope he can push for number 1 good to have 2 good gk”

Credit: @villamadfan

“What a busy window this has been, I’m so excited about this team”

Credit: @Hydracronis

“Decent cover for Martinez, was decent for Everton last season, didn’t work out for him at Sheffield United this season, will provide some mentoring to younger Villa keepers. Welcome Robin Olsen”

Credit: @Villaboy89

“Another new player in through the door”

Credit: @TalkTrinity

In other news: ‘£25m’ – Many Villa fans react as EPL rivals eye move for pacey 26 y/o. 

Devlin drops early team news

Kieran Devlin has dropped some early team news ahead of Celtic’s Premiership clash this evening.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on The Athletic, the journalist revealed that, after both players were brought off during Celtic’s 1-0 win over Motherwell on Sunday, there is a possibility that neither Mikey Johnston nor James Forrest will be deemed fit enough to feature against Ross County on Wednesday evening.

In his post, Devlin said: “Possibility that neither Johnston nor Forrest make [the] game against Ross County, which means that six of Celtic’s seven first-team attacking players might be out injured for it.”

Fans will be fuming

While injuries are, unfortunately, part and parcel of the game, the sheer volume of knocks that Celtic players have been picking up this season is sure to have left fans of the club fuming.

Indeed, at present, all of Kyogo Furuhashi, Albian Ajeti and Jota are sidelined with hamstring injuries – while Giorgos Giakoumakis, Christopher Jullien and Karamoko Dembele are all also in the treatment room – something that would appear to suggest a number of Ange Postecoglou’s players are still not quite fit enough to keep up with the pace of the game the 56-year-old is trying to get his side to play.

Regardless of this, the news that both Forrest and Johnston are now also doubts for the Ross County clash is sure to have left both fans and Postecoglou gutted, as, with Wednesday’s fixture being the club’s last before the League Cup final against Hibernian on Sunday, Celtic’s attacking options are looking incredibly bare.

This evening, the Greek-Australian coach looks as if he will only have Liel Abada available as an out and out forward, with attacking midfielders Ewan Henderson and David Turnbull appearing likely candidates to fill in within the front three.

And, if this situation does not improve before Sunday, Celtic’s chances of lifting the League Cup trophy would appear to be much slimmer than they would have been otherwise – something that will certainly be a worry for everyone involved with the club.

In other news: Ange could unearth Celtic’s new Moravcik with “natural” 16 y/o “star in the making”

Aston Villa: Fans slam Kortney Hause

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have hit out at centre-back Kortney Hause on social media for his performance against Brentford on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard was back in the dugout and rang the changes from the side which lost to Chelsea last time out, one of which was Hause coming in for the suspended Tyrone Mings.

Hause was making just his fourth league start of the campaign and his first under Gerrard, who selected the 26-year-old amid Axel Tuanzebe being linked with a move to Napoli.

However, a number of supporters didn’t think the 26-year-old had a game to remember, with a bizarre moment in the first half where he conceded a corner under no pressure. The centre-back also appeared to get caught out when Yoane Wissa equalised for the home side shortly before the interval.

As per SofaScore, Hause failed to make a successful tackle or interception all afternoon and lost possession eight times on a frustrating afternoon for the defender.

Villa fans react

Here is what these Villa fans had to say about Hause on Twitter during the game, with one labelling him as a ‘donkey’ and another saying that he “can go” from the club.

“Shocking from Hause… Is anyone surprised though”

Credit: @Dean_AV

“Hause isn’t up to the level of a back 4 in the PL”

Credit: @CalFergie

“Hause looking like a donkey plodding along oblivious”

Credit: @avkv1874

“get rid of Targett man, he stinks. Hause can go as well”

Credit: @KonsaThings

“Hause and Targett are making me physically sick”

Credit: @Chloavfc_

“Targett’s done OK but should have put his foot in there. Don’t get me started on Hause. Shouldn’t be anywhere near a Villa first team”

Credit: @CraigJ1S

In other news: ‘Exciting’ – Many Villa fans react to big transfer update on ‘quality’ Gerrard target

Leeds: Struijk fit for Brentford clash

Pascal Struijk is expected to be available for Leeds United’s Premier League clash with Brentford this weekend, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Struijk injured in midweek

The Whites picked up a crucial victory on Tuesday night, winning 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace thanks to Raphinha’s stoppage-time penalty.

One of the negatives on the night saw Struijk leave the field at half-time, though, with the centre-back picking up an injury.

Although his involvement in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brentford at Elland Road looked in doubt, that now doesn’t appear to be the case.

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The Latest: Hay gives positive update

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, Hay confirmed that Struijk is expected to be available for the weekend action, giving the following eight-word update:

“Struijk should be available for the Brentford game.”

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The Verdict: Injuries finally easing

This is another big boost for Leeds, with Struijk hailed as a ‘fantastic’ player by former Whites hero Noel Whelan and someone who provides real squad depth. He has impressed with his defensive efforts this season, with his match averages of 2.3 tackles and 1.6 interceptions among the highest in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

There is a feeling that the Whites’ injury problems are easing at long last, with Hay also confirming that key duo Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford should be fit to face Brentford as well.

While Bielsa and his players deserve some blame for a poor start to the season, injuries haven’t helped at all and we should now hopefully start to see improvements on the pitch, with Leeds potentially pulling clear of the relegation fight.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with a new signing – find out who it is here.

Man Utd linked to Arnaut Danjuma

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma as the January transfer window fast approaches.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet TodoFichajes, the Red Devils are one of three clubs monitoring the 24-year-old ahead of a potential switch, with Lyon and La Liga giants Barcelona also credited with an interest.

The report claims that United have been ‘closely watching’ Danjuma, with new interim manager Ralf Rangnick keen to mould the first-team squad into his image at Old Trafford.

He could be exceptional for Man Utd

Danjuma only signed for Villarreal over the summer after they splashed out £21.3m on the former Bournemouth ace, but his eye-catching displays in Spanish football have opened the door to an imminent exit.

Since arriving at the Estadio de la Cerámica, the skilful winger has quickly established himself as one of the top-flight’s most exciting attacking talents, bagging nine goals and providing three assists in 18 appearances.

A crucial brace against Atalanta last week secured a place in the Champions League last-16 for Unai Emery’s charges and caught the attention of several European heavyweights.

And Danjuma’s eye-catching performances at club level have also earned to versatile forward a recall to Louis van Gaal’s national team setup where he scored in the 6-0 thrashing of Gibraltar last month.

It was his first cap for the Oranje since 2018, and the £22.5m-rated star’s standout showing from the substitutes bench earned glowing praise from the Dutch coach in his post-match interview.

“This was a spectacular substitute by Danjuma,” Van Gaal said. “He deserves to be praised because what he showed was very clever.

“On the left, we have plenty of options; on the right, we don’t. He deserves to be praised. Danjuma had nice, good dribbles. His fellow players were not quite ready for his hard crosses yet.”

With Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba all out of contract next summer and Anthony Martial reportedly desperate to leave the red half of Manchester, Rangnick will be in need of attacking reinforcements over the coming months.

If Danjuma can replicate his Villarreal form at United, then he could be, in the words of Clinton Morrison, an “exceptional” player and addition to Rangnick’s revolution at the Theatre of Dreams.

And, in other news…“As things stand..”: Romano drops intriguing Man Utd update, fans will be ecstatic

Newcastle transfer news on Adeyemi

Newcastle United have reportedly knocked on the door to try and sign Karim Adeyemi.

The Lowdown: Hot prospect

Adeyemi is a player that is really emerging as one of the hottest prospects in world football at just 19 years of age.

He has already been called up three times to the senior squad for the Germany national team for crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying games, and coach Hanzi Flick has been full of praise for him, claiming that he is ‘ice-cold’ in front of goal.

With no fewer than 14 goals and two assists in 21 matches in total for RB Salzburg so far this season (Transfermarkt), it is hard not to agree, and he will no doubt only get better considering these performances are coming so early in his career.

The Latest: Newcastle knocked on door

As per Sport1, both the St. James’ Park faithful as well as Tottenham Hotspur have knocked on the door for Adeyemi.

However, a transfer to the North East is currently ‘out of the question’, as Liverpool, PSG, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund have all been credited with interest in the striker, so he may prefer to move to a club currently competing in the UEFA Champions League.

The Verdict: Unrealistic

Given that the Tyneside outfit are currently in a relegation battle, it seems very unrealistic that Adeyemi would move to them at this moment in time.

He has been coveted by some of the top teams around Europe, and so it is more likely that he will move to one of them.

There is no doubt that Adeyemi would add a lot to the Magpies squad, as his manager Matthias Jaissle has cited his ‘brutal’ speed and quality.

Callum Wilson is unsurprisingly the team’s top scorer this season with four goals, but he has been injured for some parts of their campaign, and so they need to bring in another goal scorer in their ranks to ease the burden off of him and replace him when he is out injured.

Adeyemi has already proven that he can score goals despite his young age, and the potential is certainly there for all to see. However, a move to the Toon seems unlikely for now.

In other news, find out who Amanda Staveley is ‘confident’ will be NUFC’s next manager here!

PSG end Richarlison pursuit

Everton have received a potentially significant boost after it was revealed Paris Saint-Germain have ended their pursuit of star forward Richarlison.

What’s the story?

In the final weeks of the summer transfer window, it was revealed that the Ligue 1 giants had identified the highly-rated 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

However, according to Spanish outlet El Espanol, PSG have now moved their attention to RB Salzburg attacker Karim Adeyemi after his incredible start to the campaign.

The report states that: “On the table was the Brazilian Richarlison, but Everton did not let him out. Now the main candidate is Karim Adeyemi, from Salzburg and sought after throughout Europe after adding 15 in 22 games so far this season.”

Everton fans will be buzzing

News that the Parisians are no longer believed to be interested in acquiring Richarlison’s services will leave Everton fans buzzing with excitement, given his importance to the club.

As per WhoScored, the Brazil international bagged seven goals in his 34 Premier League appearances last term, averaging 2.4 shots per game and 1.8 dribbles, placing him in the top two for each metric amongst his teammates.

In the current campaign, a knee complaint has kept him sidelined for several weeks, but he’s still managed three goal contributions in just seven outings, highlighting his influence over proceedings.

And Richarlison’s integral nature to Everton’s success has only been exaggerated this term.

Key striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is facing a lengthy spell on the treatment table following a setback in his recovery from a quadricep injury while his replacement Salomon Rondon has been hugely underwhelming.

Calvert-Lewin was the Blues’ top scorer last season and Rondon hasn’t come close to replacing the Englishman’s output, failing to find the back of the net in any of his seven outings.

Therefore, the threat of Richarlison departing in January could have ended any realistic hopes Everton had of finishing in a European qualification spot come May, changing the outlet of their season completely.

As a result, this latest revelation will be met with a huge sigh of relief on Mersyside, and everyone associated with the club will be hoping to see Richarlison pull on their famous blue jersey many more times in the years to come.

And, in other news…EFC may repeat Iwobi disaster by signing “lacklustre” £140k-p/w dud, Brands must avoid 

Johnston proved his worth to Celtic

With Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou having to deal with something of an injury crisis over the first few months of his reign at Parkhead, the 56-year-old Hoops boss will undoubtedly be delighted that the tide has started to turn in his favour regarding the return of his stricken players.

Indeed, the trio of Adam Montgomery, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Mikey Johnston all made further steps in their respective recoveries in the recent 2-0 Europa League win over Ferencvarosi TC, with all three of the previously sidelined players getting more minutes behind them on Tuesday afternoon.

However, regarding Johnston in particular, it was not simply more game time the winger managed to get under his belt against the Hungarian champions, but an extremely impressive performance too.

Completed eight passes

Despite being brought into the game late in the second half, with the 22-year-old featuring for a grand total of eight minutes against Ferencvarosi, the former Scotland U21 international was full of energy upon his introduction – with Sky Sports News journalist Anthony Joseph dubbing the forward as “lively”.

It is easy to see why, as the £900k-rated man managed to have 13 touches of the ball, complete eight passes – one of which was a key pass – and create one big chance despite his extremely limited amount of time on the pitch.

The £9k-per-week winger also completed both of his attempted dribbles, won both of his two attempted duels and hit the target with his one shot at the Ferencvarosi goal.

These returns saw Johnston earn an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.7, rather remarkably ranking him as the third-best player to feature in the match.

As such, considering Liel Abada’s contrasting display, Postecoglou will certainly have a decision to make as to whether the forward deserves to start against St Johnstone this weekend. Despite the impressive performances of goalscorers, Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi, alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, it was the 22-year-old Scot who finally proved his worth to Celtic on Tuesday, after what had an extremely frustrating campaign up until now.

In other news: Anonymous £2.7m-rated Celtic flop who lost 90% duels failed Ange in Europa League win

Kyle Walker-Peters must be dropped from Southampton’s team to face Watford

After getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek against Chelsea, Southampton turn their attention back to the Premier League this weekend with an away clash against Watford on the horizon.

With just one win, five draws and three defeats under their belt with nine games played, Southampton are currently sat in 16th place in the Premier League table with eight points, whereas Watford are in 14th place with two more points than the Saints, setting things up for a big game at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

On the chalkboard

Looking ahead to the match, one Saints player that featured against Chelsea that we feel shouldn’t be in the starting XI to face Watford at the weekend is Kyle Walker-Peters.

Walker-Peters, who started and played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, managed to misplace seven of the 23 passes he attempted, made no key passes, failed to accurately complete any of the four crosses he attempted, failed to accurately complete any of the two long balls he attempted, won just seven out of the 17 duels he was involved in and failed to make even one tackle, ultimately earning himself a rather uninspiring overall match rating of 6.4/10, making him one of Southampton’s lowest-rated player on the day according to SofaScore.

This shows that he very much struggled to have any sort of impact in the game against Thomas Tuchel’s side, either from an attacking or defensive sense.

So far this season, Walker-Peters has made just seven appearances for the Saints across all competitions.

Southampton originally signed Walker-Peters on a loan deal back in the 2020 January transfer window from fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur before securing him on a permanent deal in the following summer window in a deal worth a reported fee of £12m.

Since then, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £16.2m according to Transfermarkt and has been described as “very professional” by Hasenhuttl, has gone on to make 52 appearances for the south-coast club across all competitions in which he has managed to score one goal and provide four assists in the process.

Moving forward, we feel that Walker-Peters should not be in the starting XI at the weekend to face Watford, whether it be in the left-back position where he’s played in the five Premier League appearances he’s made so far this season, or on the right-hand side where he featured against Chelsea.

In other news: 6 duels won, 3 interceptions: £23k-p/w Saints beast a shining light for Ralph vs CFC – opinion

Ex-Leeds ace explains why club did not sign Gallagher

Former Leeds United star David Norris insists that Conor Gallagher snubbed the club because he wanted to stay in London, and admits that he has been surprised by his form at Crystal Palace.

Gallagher moved to Palace on loan from Chelsea in the summer transfer window despite also being linked with Leeds.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were reportedly rejected by Gallagher, as he looked to link up with Patrick Vieira’s side at Selhurst Park.

Since his arrival, Gallagher has been pulling up trees in the Premier League, making five appearances and scoring two goals, while also laying on an assist.

He has emerged as a key player under Vieira already, with Palace only losing to Chelsea – in a game for which Gallagher was ineligible – and Liverpool.

Norris is not surprised that the midfielder chose to move to Palace because of the locality of the club to Stamford Bridge, and claims he has already been shocked by how good he is turning out to be.

Norris said: “I think he wanted the London move so it was always going to be a little bit more difficult for Leeds in that sense but he’s surprised me, just with the impact that he’s had so far.”

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