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After Patrick Vieira ruled out a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace should reignite their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt star Djibril Sow.

The Eagles had been linked with re-signing Gallagher but when asked about the possibility of bringing the England international back to Selhurst Park this month, Vieira simply replied: “No.”

The French manager is clearly in need of another midfielder to support Cheick Doucoure in the middle of the park, with Will Hughes and Luka Milivojevic having both struggled for regular game time so far this campaign, making just three Premier League starts between them.

Vieira has often preferred Jeffrey Schlupp in the middle as an unorthodox midfielder, while Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise have both dropped into a deeper position on occasion.

Therefore another natural in midfield should be a priority for CEO Steve Parish in this month’s transfer window and it would perhaps not be a surprise to see the Eagles reignite their interest in Sow, after failing with a late move for the Switzerland international in the summer.

The Athletic claimed at the time that Palace could return for the 25-year-old this month when there was more chance of completing a deal with a fee of around €25m (£22m) likely to be enough to get the deal done.

This season has seen Sow make 15 appearances in the Bundesliga, in which he has contributed two goals and no assists, averaging a solid 6.71 rating from WhoScored for his performances, with the website also suggesting that he excels at interceptions, long shots and passing, which suggests that he can be an all-round midfielder in Vieira’s squad.

He also played every game Oliver Glasner’s side as they progressed through to the Champions League knockout stages, which emphasises the top-level experience he could add at Selhurst Park.

Express sports reporter Sam Smith was full of praise for the Swiss midfielder in late 2022, writing:

“First time properly watching Djibril Sow in this first half & been impressed. Progressive on the ball and combative.”

Therefore, while Palace fans will be disappointed that a move for Gallagher seemingly isn’t on the cards this month, the Eagles must put that behind them and bring in a midfielder such as Sow to help boost Vieira’s chances of a positive finish in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool have held talks with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) over the potential takeover of the club, according to finance journalist and Alex Miller.

The Lowdown: FSG selling up?

It has been a hugely disappointing season on the pitch for the Reds, with supporters also showing signs of unrest at the general running of the club.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have come in for criticism for a perceived lack of spending and reports of the current owners selling a part or whole of the club have generally been met positively.

The Athletic report however that there is no takeover offer on the table currently and zero sign of talks with suitors from Qatar.

The Latest: Journalist drops contray claim

Taking to Twitter, Miller, a finance writer and editor for The Mail on Sunday, claimed that the Reds have been in contact with QIA over the possibility of them buying Liverpool, disputing the claims from The Athletic:

“Mergers and acquisition people I am talking to, have confirmed there is definite interest (and talks) between QIA and @LFC – don’t forget QIA are potentially interested in “all big UK clubs”. Different sources with different info. It happens.”

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The Verdict: Likely to split opinion

The ownership situation at Liverpool is a complex one, in terms of who eventually replaces FSG and whether or not supporters want to effectively be owned by a state.

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The human rights records that exist with the owners of Manchester City and Newcastle United do not sit well with many, for example, and given the city of Liverpool’s reputation for being left-leaning, Qatari ownership would be controversial.

It has certainly reached a point where the Reds need FSG to sell up and move on, though, with the American owners simply not allowing enough funds to be available for new signings, particularly compared to their rivals.

Podcaster Dan Cook believes that Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha was already carrying an injury prior to his newfound hamstring problem.

The Lowdown: A huge blow for Patrick Vieira

When Zaha hobbled off two weeks ago, Patrick Vieira’s heart will have surely sunk as his talisman and top scorer this season looked set for some time on the sidelines.

His worst fears appear to have come true, with Zaha reportedly now set for a huge stint away from the first team and spend around six weeks in the injury room, which is a major blow to Palace’s season.

Zaha has been Palace’s top scorer for each of the last two seasons and looked on course to repeat that feat this time around with six goals already to his name – but it’s not without his body going through a lot of pain, it would seem.

The Latest: Zaha potentially injured for a while

Cook has insisted on the HLTCO podcast that this hamstring injury was just the tip of the iceberg for Zaha and what his body has been going through in recent times.

He said: “Of course, he was taken off in the closing stages of our game against Newcastle the other day with what looked like a pretty severe hamstring pull.

“I don’t think he’s necessarily torn it, but as far as I was aware, Wilf has been carrying a bit of a knock on his knee for a little while and I think maybe it’s just the wear and tear on his body at 30 years old now has weighed too heavily and he will have to have a period out of the first team.”

The Verdict: Palace must learn to live without Zaha

While it’s far from ideal for Palace to have lost their best player for a prolonged period of time, it could well benefit them in the long term as they will have to get used to playing and winning without Zaha.

This is because Zaha has turned down any proposals of a new contract at Selhurst Park and is poised to leave in the summer as a free agent to try one more time to take his career up a level before he misses his chance.

If Palace can perform and pick up some positive results without Zaha, it could give Vieira a lot of confidence for next season when a lot of the pressure will be put onto players such as Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to be the difference for the Eagles if Zaha leaves, as he’s been ‘outstanding’ for Palace in big games, as Ally McCoist pointed out when they beat Wolves.

Manchester City have been advised to consider signing Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell by former Scotland defender Alan Hutton.

The Lowdown: Man City need a left-back

Joao Cancelo departed for Bayern Munich on loan at the end of the January transfer window, with the German champions retaining the option to make that permanent for a fee of £61m, leaving City rather light at left-back.

Rico Lewis was handed a start by Pep Guardiola in the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but given that he is just 18, the manager will likely to bring in a player with a little more experience, and Chilwell has been identified as a possible summer target.

The Latest: Chilwell talked up

Hutton spoke to Football Insider about the possibility of the Chelsea defender moving to the Etihad Stadium, which he feels would be a worthwhile venture for the Premier League champions.

The ex-Tottenham right-back said of Chilwell’s links with City: “It would be a good move. I would not have thought Chelsea would want to lose him. I think he is an integral part of their team, him and Reece James. Especially when they are both fit and playing.

“Depending on what happens with Cancelo, we will have to wait and see. But Chilwell when he is fit is a top player, one of the best in the country.

“With [Oleksandr] Zinchenko leaving to go to Arsenal, it is an area they will need to strengthen.

The Verdict: Best to avoid

The 26-year-old has not been in the best of form for Chelsea this season, ranking a lowly 18th in the squad among Sofascore’s performance metrics with a 6.77 rating, while he is also showing signs of being injury-prone.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2020, the Englishman has missed 53 games through injury, and he has been absent for ten games with a hamstring problem this term.

There are some indications that Chilwell would fit a possession-based Guardiola system, as he ranks in the 88th percentile for average attempted passes per 90 in the past year (67.68) among left-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.

However, his injury history and recent form would suggest that there are probably better options available to City.

Five other starlets from the Glasgow Rangers Academy – alongside Cameron Scott – are reportedly set to sign new deals at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Scott deal agreed

It was reported this morning that Scott is set to sign his first professional contract at Rangers, despite rejecting an initial offer from the club.

He is set to sign terms on a three-year deal, and is viewed as an ‘extremely exciting prospect with first-team potential’ after snubbing interest from Premier League Southampton.

The Latest: Five more to sign

According to Football Insider, five other rising stars from the Academy are also set to sign new professional contracts on Sunday alongside Scott.

Christopher Eadie, Lewis Stewart, Alfie Halliwell, Joshua Gentles and Lancelot Pollard have all committed their future to the Gers, as the club look to invest in a new crop of promising youngsters.

The Verdict: Exciting future

The future certainly looks bright for Michael Beale’s side, as they look to tie down talents that could eventually break into the first team.

Eadie and Stewart in particular have received high praise in the past, while the others will also look to make their mark in the Academy.

The Light Blues had only handed out five professional contracts in the last two years before signing these six up, showing how much faith they have in them to impress, and their new deals should bring a sense of excitement to the supporters and around the club.

Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at home to Leeds United on Wednesday evening will no doubt have given manager Erik ten Hag food for thought with regard to his team selection moving forward, with there having been a number of winners and losers among his side on the night.

One man that undoubtedly falls into the latter category is January arrival, Wout Weghorst, with the on-loan Burnley man having largely been a bystander to proceedings, in truth, with the Red Devils appearing much improved following his withdrawal on the hour mark.

The 30-year-old powerhouse – who has netted just one goal for his new club thus far – was forced to watch on as his teammates sprung into life in the final 30 minutes or so, with the introduction of the returning Jadon Sancho providing the hosts with some renewed vigour down the left flank.

The Englishman’s introduction had seen compatriot Marcus Rashford shifted into a more central role, with that alteration soon paying dividends as the in-form ace netted his 20th goal of the season with a well-taken, guided header, following Diogo Dalot’s inviting cross.

One can only imagine the frustration that Weghorst will have endured after witnessing that effort from Rashford, with the Dutchman likely to be questioning just why he was not able to receive such quality service from his teammates during his 59-minute outing.

That lack of involvement, however, may suggest that the 6 foot 6 dud is simply yet to gel with his new colleagues, with Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst having suggested that the former Wolfsburg man looked “out of kilter” with the rest of Ten Hag’s side.

Such woes were evidenced by the fact that the ex-Besiktas loanee was restricted to just 19 touches in total – fewer than David De Gea in the sticks (32) – having also made just ten passes in total.

That ineffectual outing also saw the lumbering hotshot fail to register a single shot and win just two of his four total duels, having also been rather wasteful when he did have possession after losing the ball on four occasions.

For all the blame that Weghorst may perhaps shift onto those around him for not being fed more regularly, when the 19-cap titan was put through on goal he failed to take his chance, notably proving unable to control Bruno Fernandes’ lofted pass over the top in the first half.

Those struggles saw the recent addition achieve a rather measly match rating of just 6.6, as per Sofascore, with it set to be no surprise if Ten Hag is considering deploying Rashford through the middle in the reverse fixture this weekend.

As the aforementioned Luckhurst stated, the non-impact of Weghorst is now becoming a “growing issue” as far as the former Ajax boss is concerned – particularly with Anthony Martial shackled to the treatment table – with it looking as if the 53-year-old’s transfer gamble may be beginning to backfire.

Ex-Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson believes Ryan Kent could be offered a release clause in a new Gers contract in order to keep him at Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Kent’s future

There is real concern at Ibrox that Kent may be heading towards the exit door, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and no extension appearing to be close.

The 26-year-old first arrived in Glasgow four seasons ago, and after a successful loan move to the SPFL from Liverpool, he was made a permanent Rangers player for £7.5m, with a 20% sell-on clause also included in the deal (via Sky Sports).

The Latest: Ferguson’s belief

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, former Gers captain Ferguson reiterated his belief that Kent will remain at Ibrox next season – but admitted the club may have to offer the incentive of a buyout clause to persuade him to stay.

He said: “I still 100% believe he will sign a new contract.

“But I think there’ll be clauses in it, because they’ll say something like, if he signs a new three-year contract, maybe after next season or whatever, if you’re still producing the goods and somebody comes in and hits that clause in a transfer fee, then you can go.

“But it just looks to me, he’s got a good relationship with Michael Beale – that’s clear to see, and that’s showing out on the pitch.”

The Verdict: Seems likely

With Kent still an important player at Ibrox and Ferguson’s comments on the relationship between the Englishman and Beale growing, it’s unsurprising that there remains a belief he could remain a Rangers player after this season.

Kent’s registered 11 goal involvements so far in the league this term, with him starting every game under Beale so far as the Gers look to close the nine-point gap to Celtic – but what may be more important for Kent’s future will be entering the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

With European football on offer again at Ibrox, we think Kent could remain happy to stay given the option by way of a potential release clause opening him up for a return to England to finally give the Premier League a go one day.

But in the meantime, competing on the continent for Rangers – having been beaten Europa League finalists and Champions League participants in the last 12 months alone – may be what Kent needs to bide his time and wait for the perfect offer rather than become a free agent in the summer.

Arsenal are in pole position to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Personal terms agreed

The Belgian will be out of contract at the King Power Stadium at the end of the season, with an exit likely to be on the cards having rejected several new proposals.

The Foxes talisman is a long-term target of Mikel Arteta and has previously even agreed personal terms to join the Premier League giants, though as of yet, a move has failed to materialise.

However, the upcoming window could be about to change that situation if the following fresh update is anything to go by…

The Latest: Arsenal leading the race

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are the ‘current frontrunners’ and ‘well placed’ to sign Tielemans ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Inside sources close to the situation have claimed that it’s ‘unlikely’ he will extend his stay in the Midlands, with the maestro keen to ‘cash in’ on his free agent status.

Newcastle United and Barcelona are also keeping tabs, but it’s the Emirates Stadium outfit who are so far leading the race.

The Verdict: Instead of Rice?

Arsenal are also believed to be in pole position to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice this summer but Tielemans could be the wiser choice.

The Nike-sponsored playmaker has posted 53 goal contributions in 186 matches for Leicester and offers plenty of versatility having operated in six various positions throughout his career.

Rice doesn’t share that same versatility and end product as part of his game, and Arsenal already have plenty of cover in the sitting role thanks to the January addition of Jorginho.

The 25-year-old Belgian is also strong in the defensive aspect of his game, where he averages 2.2 tackles per league game, highlighting the impact he can make at both ends of the pitch.

Tielemans has been dubbed an ‘outrageous talent’ by scout Jacek Kulig and it would be a massive coup for Arteta to finally secure the services of his long-term target.

Racism has been a long-standing issue in football teams. It occurs when people discriminate against someone based on the colour of their skin, ethnicity or nationality. Racism can take many forms from verbal abuse to physical violence and it is not limited to any particular team or country – it happens all around the world.

There are many reasons why racism is still present in football teams, including ignorance and lack of education about diversity. Unfortunately, it is often seen as acceptable behaviour by some people and can be perpetuated by the media, which contributes to an environment where racism is tolerated or even encouraged.

Read about racism examples

Racism in football is an issue that has been around for a long time, and unfortunately it still exists today. Football can be an incredibly powerful platform to speak out against racism and its damaging effects. Essays on this topic can help us better understand why racism exists in football and how we can try to prevent it from occurring. For those interested in learning more about racism in football, reading a racism essay on this subject can provide valuable insight. These essays can help us understand the history of racism in football, how it is manifested today, and what we can do to put an end to it.

Effects of racism on footballers

Racism in football can have far-reaching negative effects on players. It can create a hostile environment in the stadium, leading to decreased performance levels and a lack of concentration. Players may feel isolated and unwelcome, which can lead to anxiety and depression.

The psychological impact of racism is significant and long lasting. Being  the victim of racism can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, anger, fear and anxiety. These feelings can impact a player’s performance on the field and their overall mental health. Racism can also cause players to withdraw from the sport altogether.

Furthermore, racism can be a barrier to entry for certain players who might otherwise have been able to participate in the sport. Racism can also lead to poor decisions on and off the field, as players may be influenced negatively by racist comments or language used to describe them.

Finally, racism can have a lasting impact on players’ careers, as they may not receive the same opportunities for growth or recognition because of their race. It is important  to be aware of the impact racism can have on football players, and to take action to combat it.

Dealing with racism on the football field

Let’s discuss the most effective ways to overcome racism in football teams.

1. Promote Diversity and Inclusion in Team Recruitment

Recruiting a diverse team of players helps create an atmosphere that celebrates differences and prevents racism from taking root. Teams should look to recruit talent from all backgrounds, including those with different ethnicities, genders, religions, economic backgrounds, and more. Coaches should also be mindful of any internal biases they may have when selecting players for their team. It’s important to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to compete for a spot regardless of race or background.

2. Train Players on Racial Sensitivity

Teams should have training sessions where they teach players how to be sensitive to people of different races and how to stop racism on their teams. This can include things like:

understanding privilege learning about different cultural practices encouraging respectful communication recognizing biases.

By giving players ways to learn more about each other, teams can make a place where people from all backgrounds feel more welcome.

3. Create a Zero-Tolerance Policy

Teams should also have clear policies in place that outline the consequences for any racist remarks or behaviour. This should ensure everyone feels safe and respected within the team environment without fear of racial discrimination. It’s important that coaches and staff are held accountable as well to ensure they are not tolerating any form of racism on their team or in their organization.

4. Promote Open Dialogue

Creating an open dialogue between players can help them understand each other better and foster a greater sense of unity. Players should be encouraged to discuss their backgrounds and experiences, as well as any racism they have witnessed or experienced in the past. This will help to create a more empathetic atmosphere and make it easier for players to identify any instances of racial discrimination on their team.

5. Support Anti-Racism Organizations

Teams can show how much they want to stop racism by giving money or other resources to anti-racism groups that work to raise awareness and fight systemic racism. Being involved in the fight against racism not only sends a strong message, but it can also start conversations within the team about why this is important and how everyone can help make football more welcoming for everyone.

6. Hold Team Meetings

Regular team meetings should be held to discuss any incidents of racism that may have occurred, as well as strategies for preventing such behaviour in the future. This can help players become more aware of how their words and actions can affect others and ensure everyone feels heard and respected on the team. Additionally, coaches and staff members should be held accountable during these meetings if they are not actively working to prevent racism.

7. Encourage Positive Role Models

Having positive role models within the team can help inspire other players to stand up against discrimination and promote acceptance of differences among all members. Teams should look for players who embody qualities of respect, inclusivity, understanding, and empathy to be seen as leaders in the sport. These players can help set an example for others and show that all racial backgrounds are welcome and celebrated.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, racism in football teams is a deeply complex issue. With the right education and measures put in place by coaches and team leaders, it is possible to overcome racism in football teams. Creating a safe and respectful team environment is key to eradicating racism in football teams.

Photos by Unsplash

Tottenham Hotspur have made a ‘request’ to sign Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic as reports from Italy share an update on his future.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing a new midfielder?

The north Londoners are widely believed to be targeting one or two new central defenders as a priority this summer, with links surrounding Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi among others.

However, alongside the possible additions of centre-backs, reports have suggested that a new midfielder could also come to Spurs.

Antonio Conte will also be without Rodrigo Bentancur until much further into this year, and if the Italian remains at Tottenham for that long, he may want an alternative in the middle of the park.

The Latest: Tottenham make Brozovic ‘request’…

Croatia international Brozovic is said to be a target for Tottenham, with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport claiming (via Calciomercato) that Spurs – alongside Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona – have made a ‘request’ to sign him.

Inter chiefs are apparently ‘starting to think’ about selling the midfielder amid that interest, with the Nerazzurri now ‘preparing to say goodbye’ to the 30-year-old.

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The Verdict: Right man?

While Brozovic hasn’t had the best season at Inter this time around, his exploits over 2021/22 indicate that he could be a real asset to Tottenham if he moves to north London.

As per WhoScored, the Croatian was a mainstay under Simone Inzaghi, with only Samir Handanovic and Milan Skriniar being selected for more Serie A minutes. Brozovic also ranks in Inter’s top four that season for overall performance, while nobody in Inter’s squad averaged a better rate of tackles per 90 in domestically.

The player would come to N17 with real experience and pedigree, having won seven major trophies throughout a decorated career encompassing 541 club and international appearances.

Taking home a reported £189k per week, his current salary would put him among Tottenham’s highest earners, but his reported valuation of around €30m (£26m) is quite reasonable.