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Former Crystal Palace striker Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Burnley manager Sean Dyche would be an ideal replacement for Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park.

Hodgson signed a one-year extension with Palace last March, meaning his future remains in serious doubt heading into final few months of his deal.

The former England manager previously went on record and said he “wasn’t bothered” about getting a new contract, and was simply concentrating on the football.

But heading into the final few months of the campaign, a decision hasn’t yet been made as to whether Hodgson will still be there next season.

Dyche is therefore being lined up as a potential replacement for Hodgson, with Eagles chairman Steve Parish a long-term admirer of the Burnley manager, although the likes of Eddie Howe and Frank Lampard has also been touted as a possible successor to the 74-year-old.

But Bent, who played under a number of managers during his two years with Palace, told Football FanCast that Dyche would be a good fit for both parties:

“I think Sean’s a good manager, you could say great in a sense with the finances that he’s been given at Burnley, and Burnley are no pushovers.

“They’re not in the top three or top four or top half of the table, but they complete, especially with Sean, he demands that. I think going into Crystal Palace with some of the egos, some of the players they’ve got in there, I think he’ll level them out.

“He’s got good management skills. I think it would be a good move for him and a good appointment for Palace, if Hodgson goes.”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marlon Harewood, who made 164 appearances for West Ham, has claimed that David Moyes does not need to bring in any new players this summer.

Moyes was appointed West Ham manager last season when they were in a relegation scrap and after guiding them to safety he has turned their fortunes around this season with Champions League aspirations.

West Ham sold club-record singing Sebastien Haller in January, but David Moyes made the – at the time – controversial decision not to replace him, with their only addition being Jesse Lingard on a loan deal from Manchester United.

Speaking on why Moyes doesn’t need to bring in any new players and how the players want to play for the manager, Harewood told FFC:

“Moyes has not made a statement by going out and buying new players because he believes in the squad that he’s got which is good, because then the players feel trusted and will want to work for him.

“‘At West Ham, they’ve got a good team understanding and the players want to play for the manager and that’s something Moyes has put in place, so that he doesn’t need to get anyone else in because he believes in the players.”

The Hammers are currently suffering a mini-injury crisis with Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio and Mark Noble all picking up issues in the last couple of weeks.

Moyes will be looking for his side to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Newcastle which leave them outside the top four ahead of their clash against fellow Champions League hopefuls Chelsea on Saturday.

Leeds must seize their perfect chance to offload Gjanni Alioski this summer amid reported interest from Napoli.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Turkish giants Galatasaray had reached a pre-contract agreement with the versatile defender as the 29-year-old’s current deal with Marcelo Bielsa’s side expires this summer.

Now, Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) claim that with Faouzi Ghoulam set to leave Napoli in the summer, the Serie A giants are eyeing a move for Alioski as his potential replacement.

Bielsa’s golden chance

Speaking after the 0-0 draw against Chelsea last month, former Leeds man Noel Whelan criticised the £3.6m-rated Alioski for his defending and urged the club to go after a new left-back when the transfer window opens.

He said: “Leeds need a natural full-back there that you know can cover most bases, definitely defensively because as much as he gives everything, he is a liability. He’s not the best of defenders.

“I think that’s why you could see a lot going down that left-hand side, really targeting Alioski and you saw that frailty there at times.”

Earning a reported £55k-a-week, Alioski’s departure would take a massive load off the wage bill at Elland Road, and would surely have Andrea Radrizzani relieved.

The Leeds owner will certainly not want to be paying a player who’s been labelled a “liability” and who isn’t even a “natural full-back” like Whelan says.

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It’s the perfect time for the Whites to move on from the 29-year-old, and news of Napoli’s emerging interest has handed Bielsa the perfect chance to finally get rid of Alioski this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds must unleash this star who’s “got it all”…

Steven Gerrard has admitted that Glasgow Rangers could lose players this summer if they receive the right offer.

Gerrard makes transfer admission

The Gers have long since clinched the Premiership title and defeated Celtic for the fourth time in five outings this season on Sunday (Sky Sports). As such, there is likely to be plenty of interest in their players during the summer.

Speaking prior to that 4-1 Old Firm victory at the weekend, Gerrard admitted the club could sell players. He said:

“At a club like this, I don’t think it is a secret to say we will get attention for our own players. From a selfish point of view I don’t want any of my good players to go but the reality is if the right number lands then that decision might be taken out of my hands. I might not like it at the time but it’s where we are as a club.”

Worrying

While this is perhaps already known to fans across Glasgow, they will not be happy to hear it come from the horse’s mouth. Unfortunately, while the Gers will always be in the hunt for titles, Scottish football is unable to offer much competition outside of the Old Firm – for example, Rangers are currently 37 points clear of third-placed Hibernian (BBC).

The Gers’ squad is valued at £170m according to The Athletic – there are plenty of players they could sell for respectable fees. As such, it promises to be a busy summer at Ibrox – Gerrard will just be hoping he has a strong playing squad by the end of it.

In other news, some Rangers fans slammed this man’s performance against Celtic.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has praised David Moyes’ transfer policy of signing players from the Championship.

Having seen big money signings like Felipe Anderson and Sebastien Haller – both signed by Manuel Pellegrini – fail to live up to expectations, the Hammers boss has recently been shopping in the second tier.

His first signing back at the London Stadium was Jarred Bowen from Hull, who’s scored eight goals and laid on five assists in 34 Premier League appearances, following his arrival last January.

Meanwhile, Craig Dawson and Said Benrahma have come in from Watford and Brentford respectively, whilst Czech Republic duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have both flourished since joining from Slavia Prague.

Then there’s January signing, Jesse Lingard, who’s been in tremendous form, but McAvennie lauded Moyes’ work in the Championship in particular.

He told Football FanCast:

“The best thing that is happening now is that David Moyes is buying the players. I’m not saying the chairman doesn’t do the deal, but David Moyes identifies the players that he wants, and he’s got a good eye for a player.

“I think there’s a lot of wonderful players in the Championship.

“There’s a lot of players doing great in the Championship that you would look at and go ‘he wouldn’t do it in the Premier League,’ but David has done well picking out the ones he has, and I can’t see him changing that.”

Whenever a new manager walks through the door at Celtic, they will have little opportunity to get to grips with their surroundings at Parkhead.

That’s because the Bhoys’ playing squad is in dire need of being repaired.

On the chalkboard

The biggest concern from Celtic’s diabolical season is their defence. They have shipped 16 more goals than their biggest rivals Rangers and also conceded 19 times in just six Europa League outings.

It has been a wretched campaign which has been summed up by two lacklustre displays in the space of a few weeks against the Gers.

They were demolished 4-1 in the league last weekend in a performance which lacked urgency, authority and composure. Those qualities were also missing in the 2-0 defeat in the Scottish Cup fourth round – on that occasion, it was Diego Laxalt who was made to rue some unforgivable errors.

The AC Milan loanee was completely out of the picture as Rangers charged down his side of the pitch for the opener and then for the second, he was turned inside out in embarrassing fashion by Joe Aribo.

Laxalt’s defensive qualities have left a lot to be desired for vast portions of the campaign and it would be surprising if we saw him back at Parkhead next term.

The solution

Celtic have seen a number of high-class left-backs escape their clutches in years gone by. The Hoops famously let Andy Robertson leave the club when he was just 15, while Aaron Hickey is another defender they should have kept at Lennoxtown.

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Two years ago, Kieran Tierney departed the club in a deal worth £25m. Ever since the Arsenal defender left, they haven’t looked assured on that side of the pitch, and that’s why they should revive their interest in Josh Doig this summer.

Celtic were interested in signing the 18-year-old during the winter months, and if they decide against bringing Laxalt back, it’s Doig to whom they must turn.

The teenager has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Hibernian and has been named alongside David Turnbull as a nominee for the Young Player of the Season. A move to Celtic would be just desserts for an eye-catching campaign in which he’s shown similar attributes to Tierney going forward.

Speaking about Doig this season, former Celtic assistant manager John Collins said: “I have enjoyed watching his appetite, his desire to get forward. He’s a player that, when you watch him, he 100% sprints up and back again. That’s something you don’t often see and it catches your eye. He’s got that real desire to get up and support.”

Collins added: “He still has to work on his final delivery into the box, but he’s shown enormous potential.”

Doig already possesses almost all of the attributes you require from a modern full-back, but crucially, he can also defend astutely – the young Scot has won the same number of tackles per game (1.7) as Laxalt. That said, it’s worth considering how young he is and that number will only grow larger the better and more confident he gets.

He would certainly seem a marvellous pick-up this summer if they can beat others to his signature.

AND in other news, Celtic can sign ideal Elyounoussi heir in £80k-p/w titan with “breathtaking technique”…

It would be foolish to admit that the sun is shining for Celtic again.

The Hoops may have won 4-0 against St Johnstone in midweek but there is a long way to go before the atmosphere surrounding Parkhead improves.

Karamoko Dembele’s emergence has been timely but this has still been a crushing trophyless season for the Bhoys.

On the chalkboard

Celtic’s final game of this arduous campaign will be against an ever-improving Hibernian side on Saturday.

Jack Ross has been one of several managers tipped with a move to Paradise but, with a deal for Eddie Howe reaching a conclusion, he will presumably stay at Easter Road.

One individual who will be heading away from Scotland, though, is Mohamed Elyounoussi.

The Norwegian’s second loan spell in Glasgow will come to an end after the clash with Hibs and, if we are to be ruthless, he should never play for the club again.

Those may seem like harsh words for a player who is their second top scorer this term. Elyounoussi has rattled the back of the net on 17 occasions, but his form towards the latter stages of the campaign has been dismal.

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The winger is tricky and difficult to stop on his day but he defines the very essence of enigmatic. He is too inconsistent and, in his last 15 outings, he has found the net just three times.

He scored twice in the 6-0 rout of Livingston but since then he has been abject at best. Elyounoussi missed a simple opportunity to score against Rangers in the Scottish Cup but his league form has arguably been even worse.

The forward rescued his performance against Aberdeen with a late assist for Leigh Griffiths but beyond that, it was a shoddy evening.

Unfortunately, he failed to provide the goods in the 4-1 defeat to Rangers and also didn’t produce much against St Johnstone last time out.

In his last three league matches, Elyounoussi has lost the ball an alarming 44 times. He surrendered possession every four touches against St Johnstone and provided just the solitary key pass despite his team being in the ascendency.

What makes that statistic even more worrying is how few dribbles he has completed. The Norway international has produced five in his last three games, which isn’t a disastrous tally but nonetheless suggests that the 26-year-old is losing the ball through sloppy passing and inaccurate crossing.

Elyounoussi has been one of the most productive players in this Celtic team but, with a £5m fee being touted, Dominic McKay and co should be waving farewell to him for good this summer.

Considering that the Norwegian has no future at Paradise, John Kennedy has to drop him on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news, McKay must wield the axe on 5 ft 11 Celtic liability, Lennon once dubbed him “stupid”…

Leeds United have been handed a major boost in their chase for Bournemouth starlet Ajani Burchall.

What’s the story?

Reports from Football Insider claimed that with Burchall having rejected a scholarship deal with the Cherries, Leeds had registered their interest in signing him this summer.

Now, the 16-year-old himself has confirmed via his Instagram that he will be leaving the Championship side, which comes as a major boost to the likes of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, Aston Villa and Arsenal, who are all said to be interested in him.

Mark Jackson’s dream prospect

Bournemouth’s official club website notes that Burchall is “predominantly plays wide and is an exciting forward player who likes to take opponents on and has an eye for goal, while also being a hard-working, tough-tackling winger” – exactly the kind of traits that will have U23s coach Mark Jackson grinning from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, Burchall’s teammate at the Cherries, Steve Cook, said after his debut: “You could see how special a player he is. His first involvement was checked his shoulder, cut across a player and won his foul. For a 16-year-old, that awareness, that knowhow, I think the club have produced a really good player.

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“On Saturday, we had a few players who have come through the youth system, so it’s terrific. The club’s been known for that and I think Ajani has got great talent. He obviously can’t train with us day-to-day because he’s at school! But I’m sure he’s got a very good future and a very proud moment for his family.”

Given the kind of player that has thrived under Bielsa – hard-working with a team-first attitude – Burchall seems exactly like the kind of prospect who could really make a name for himself for Jackson and the club’s U23s.

The Whites have made a conscientious effort to strengthen the club’s academy with the signings of the likes of Sam Greenwood in recent transfer windows. Burchall could follow in those footsteps and further add to the quality of the Leeds’ youth set-up under Jackson.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this Bundesliga sensation…

Queens Park Rangers have offered midfielder Tom Carroll a new deal at the club.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a statement posted on the QPR website, which confirmed that both Carroll and Charlie Owens have been offered contracts to extend their stays at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

The club also revealed that both Dillon Barnes and Marco Ramkilde will be remaining in west London until June 2022 after exercising extension clauses in the players’ current deals, while Paul Smyth and Aramide Oteh have been released.

Fans must be buzzing

While Carroll has not featured for QPR since mid-January due to a knee injury, the news that Amit Bhatia has offered the 28-year-old a new contract is likely to leave Rs fans buzzing, as the midfielder had started to become an important part of Mark Warburton’s side since joining the club back in September of last year.

Having featured in all but one of the Rs’ Champoinship fixtures prior to his injury, the former Tottenham man proved a very reliable option for QPR in the middle of the park, averaging 0.6 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 1.1 key passes per game over his 22 appearances, culminating in a solid average SofaScore match rating of 6.74.

While it would be fair to say that Carroll has perhaps not lived up to the expectations placed on his shoulders while a youngster at Spurs, if the 58-year-old QPR gaffer can manage to consistently get the best out of the £1.8m-rated midfielder, the Rs could be in possession of a real talent who is in the prime years of his career.

As such, once he has fully recovered from his injury and with a full pre-season behind him, the player who Tim Sherwood once claimed had the ability to play for Barcelona could very much play a huge role in Warburton’s side mounting a push to secure a top six finish next term.

In other news: Warburton drops “staggering” update on £5k-p/w beast which will surely delight QPR fans – opinion

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Dundee United’s Benjamin Siegrist, with the goalkeeper now addressing the links regarding a move to Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Celtic were keen back in December

It’s not the first time Siegrist has been linked with a move to Celtic Park. Back in December, the Hoops reportedly added the 29-year-old to their list of January targets.

As we know, a deal never materialised, but it seems as if Celtic are still keen on signing the Switzerland Under-21 international, who kept 12 clean sheets last season.

Former Dundee United manager Micky Mellon described Siegrist as ‘brilliant’, and it seems as if his displays haven’t gone unnoticed.

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The Latest: Siegrist addresses Celtic interest

According to Swiss newspaper Blick, cited by Sports Witness, both Celtic and Ipswich Town are still interested in signing Siegrist.

He has just over a year remaining on his deal at Tannadice and was quizzed specifically on Celtic’s interest.

Siegrist was asked about Celtic possibly offering £400,000 to £1m for his services, to which he said:

“If there is interest, I’ll take a close look.”

The Verdict: Who should Celtic move on?

Siegrist’s telling five-word admission ‘I’ll take a close look’, appears to be a come and get me plea to the Hoops.

Should the Hoops firm up their reported interest, then you’d expect one of Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain or Conor Hazard would have to move on.

Having four first-team ‘keepers at Parkhead could be one too many, so it would be interesting to see what Celtic would do.

They spent big money on Barkas last summer and agreed on a new contract with youngster Hazard back in March. On that basis, Bain could be the man sacrificed for Siegrist.

The 29-year-old made 15 appearances last season but was missing from the squad for the last two games of the campaign.

It looks set to be a busy summer for the Hoops, and their interest in Siegrist could be one to keep a close eye on.

In other news: Olivier Ntcham contract speculation refuted, find out more here.