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Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Jan Oblak…

What’s the word?

That’s according to reports in Spain, which state that Spurs are looking for a new shot-stopper to replace Hugo Lloris in the short-term but they’ll face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

It’s believed that Atletico Madrid are holding out for around €30m (£26.7m) and that they have already lined up a replacement in the form of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Oblak’s contract runs out in the summer, so the LaLiga outfit may be forced into a sale during the January transfer window.

A proven Lloris successor

The Slovakia international is the latest glovesman to be linked with a switch to Hotspur Way in recent weeks, joining Leeds United’s Illan Meslier in the frame to take the reins from the French no.1 in due course.

Oblak has been widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in world football in recent years and would represent a more instant option to replace Lloris between the sticks.

There’s no denying that Meslier has been a standout for the Yorkshiremen in recent seasons but the 29-year-old is simply on a different level, having won the Spanish title, a Europa League and finished runner-up in the Champions League.

That sort of experience is invaluable and is exactly what Spurs will need when Lloris does hang up the gloves.

Once described as a “beast” by BT Sport presenter Reshmin Chowdhury and a “titan” by OptaJose, Oblak has proven to be one of Diego Simeone’s most reliable performers over the years, having been entrusted to start every single LaLiga game over the past three seasons.

“For me, Jan Oblak is the best goalkeeper in the world,” claimed teammate Koke only back in March this year and that only further highlights just how respected and important he is to the Colchoneros.

At 35, Lloris isn’t going to be around forever and whilst he’s got a few more years in him, it’s unlikely that current backup Fraser Forster is the man to replace the £100k-per-week stalwart, who is often dubbed a club “legend”.

Therefore, sporting director Fabio Paratici ought to look at Oblak in the upcoming transfer window as his proven ability and vast experience could be exactly what Tottenham need to fill such a great void in the coming years.

AND in other news, Antonio Conte handed boost ahead of Arsenal clash…

Former Scotland international Alan Hutton has talked up Liverpool-linked young star Mykhaylo Mudryk, calling him an ‘outstanding talent’.

The Lowdown: Liverpool set to scout Mudryk

The 21-year-old is arguably maturing into one of Europe’s most exciting young players, producing some superb performances for Shakhtar Donetsk.

Mudryk has been linked with a host of top clubs in recent times, such is his ability, and Liverpool are one of those who have been tipped to snap him up, with reports that Anfield scouts are set to watch him up close this week against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

With the Reds enduring a tough start to the season, a January move could potentially come to fruition.

The Latest: Hutton praises Mudryk

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton admitted that Mudryk could find it hard to play every game for Liverpool but talked up the idea of him moving to Anfield.

The BBC radio pundit said:

“The only thing with Liverpool is you see the players that they’ve already got.

“The likes of [Luis] Diaz, is he [Mudryk] going to go there and play? I think he’s an outstanding young player. He’s only 21, he’s lightning quick, and he makes things happen. He just picks up the ball and glides past players and before you know it he’s in the box having a shot.

“He started this season really well, I had the opportunity to watch him a couple of times so it doesn’t surprise me that all these teams are looking at him.

“His next move, for him to develop, he’ll want to play games. He won’t want to go to Liverpool to just sit on the bench. That being said, it makes you better when you’ve got competition like that. It’s really down to the fee and where he fancies but he’s an outstanding talent.”

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The Verdict: Sign him up, FSG

Some players come along who look truly special and Mudryk is one of those, boasting effortless natural ability and being able to beat players and produce consistent end product.

The Ukrainian has already registered 15 assists in just 32 appearances for Shakhtar, which is a magnificent return, and he could provide Liverpool with some much-needed extra guile.

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He has already made four successful dribbles in the Champions League group stage this season, in addition to scoring twice and setting up another two goals in the competition.

Mudryk can thrive on the left wing and also in a more left-sided central midfield role – using him in the latter at Anfield could give the team a very different and more vibrant feel, considering the doubts which have been aired over Jurgen Klopp’s current options in that position.

Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham fears Lucas Moura’s most recent injury setback is a ‘massive’ blow for Antonio Conte and Spurs.

The Lowdown: Moura’s injury

The Brazilian is currently suffering from a calf injury which he sustained in mid-August, having last played for the Lilywhites against Chelsea in the Premier League nearly two months ago.

Prior to the injury, the 30-year-old had played just 12 minutes of football for Tottenham this season, having fallen down the pecking order at Hotspur Way following the January arrival of Dejan Kulusevski and the summer arrival of Richarlison.

However, as quoted by Spurs Play after the Lilywhites’ disappointing 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Saturday, Conte admitted: “Moura, I’m really worried because he’s really far to recover”.

The Latest: Another setback

With Spurs’ schedule set to become all-the-more hectic in the coming months, Wenham, an insider who breaks news on his Lilywhite Rose social channels, worries Conte’s squad options will be too thin with Moura’s injury absence.

Speaking with Football Insider, the N17 pundit said:

“Conte seemed very, very worried about Moura’s latest knock.

“I was surprised he wasn’t in the squad yesterday because he has been back in training for the last weekend and a half.

“It seems like he has picked up a knock in the final session before the Arsenal game. People might say to me that Lucas Moura doesn’t start anyway.

“We have so many games coming up until the World Cup, we need all of our options. The fact is that against Arsenal the only attacking option we could have brought on was Bryan Gil.

“Conte has made it abundantly clear that he is not fit for Premier League football. It shows we need Lucas back desperately, it’s a massive blow that he is unavailable.

“I hope it’s weeks rather than months.”

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The Verdict: Major blow

When looking at Moura’s underlying stats, it is easy to see where Wenham is coming from, with numerous figures illustrating his ability to perform at the top level.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the winger ranks in the 95th percentile for assists and aerials won per 90, in the 92nd percentile for expected goals assisted and in the 85th percentile for clearances made, offering a good mixture of creativity and defensive work rate.

With current injuries/suspensions to Kulusevski and Emerson Royal, Moura would have been an incredibly useful option for Conte to have at his disposal, as he could be utilised in either position due to his varied skill set.

Spurs will be hoping the rest of their wide players can stay fit; otherwise, they could be in serious trouble.

Ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan has claimed losing captain Callum McGregor to injury will be a ‘massive blow’ in the title race for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Lowdown: McGregor’s injury

After just 38 minutes of play in the Hoops’ 3-1 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig last week, the central midfielder was forced off the pitch with an injury.

As quoted by Sky Sports, Postecoglou subsequently revealed the Scotland international would likely be out for three to four weeks.

“The initial report suggests he’ll probably be out until after the [World Cup] break at this stage.”

The Latest: Whelan gutted

Whelan, a former Scottish top flight striker who then worked as a pundit for BBC Radio, believes McGregor’s absence will come as a massive blow in potentially title-deciding fixtures.

Speaking with Football Insider, the pundit said:

“Injuries to key players are always damaging to a team.

“It is unfortunate because it is such a massive blow for Celtic.

“Again a last-gasp winner just keeps them edging ahead of Rangers but I did think it was going to be a runaway season.

“I always felt that the Old Firm games were going to decide where the title goes and I still believe that.

“I will not change my mind on that because I still believe that it is going to be such a tight fought race that only those games are going to be the difference between where the title goes.

“They are going to have to deal with the fact that they have got an important player out but at the same time this is where someone needs to step up in to some big shoes and fulfil them and take the opportunity.”

The Verdict: Big loss

In the Premiership this season, the 29-year-old has played a pivotal role in Postecoglou’s midfielder.

As per WhoScored, with an impressive 91.6% pass success rate – the highest such number of any outfield player in the squad – the Scotsman has averaged 1.4 key passes, 1.1 tackles and 1 interception per league game.

Having played the full 90 in every fixture he’s been available for, the Hoops will miss McGregor’s consistent and experienced presence in the middle of the park.

Without their leader, stand-in captain Cameron Carter-Vickers will have to step up in the midfielder’s absence – otherwise, Celtic may be in for a troubled title race.

West Ham United’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht on Thursday evening was overshadowed slightly by the injury suffered by Angelo Ogbonna which forced the Italian off in the 22nd minute.

Ogbonna missed the majority of last season due to a cruciate ligament injury and only returned to action this season, featuring in all but one of West Ham’s European games this season.

These games represent an opportunity for the Italian to re-build his match fitness ahead of a probable return to Premier League action but he now sadly looks set for another spell on the sidelines after he was forced off with a knee issue against Anderlecht, which fans will be hoping isn’t a repeat of last season’s troubles.

Since signing from Juventus in 2015, Ogbonna has gone on to make 209 appearances for the Hammers, in which he has contributed 13 goals and one assist.

The 34-year-old has been a mainstay for David Moyes in the Premier League in recent seasons but another knee injury at his age could well be the beginning of the end for Ogbonna, especially with the summer additions of Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer potentially pushing him down the pecking order at the London Stadium.

To make matters worse for Moyes, Ogbonna’s replacement Craig Dawson was also forced off against the Belgian side on Thursday night, which could leave the Scottish manager well short at centre-back.

After Ogbonna’s injury last season, which came in an impressive 3-2 win over Liverpool, talkSPORT pundit Darren Gough was full of praise for the Italian defender, saying:

“He has been outstanding. He is a threat on both ends of the pitch. He has been a consistent pick for Moyes.”

Ahead of the game against Anderlecht, Moyes discussed Ogbonna’s absence last season and emphasised how important the Italian is in his squad.

He said: “Angelo was in great form playing alongside Kurt, and probably if we’re honest, we were maybe in our best form in that period.

“It was maybe once we lost Angelo that it started to dip a little bit in certain ways. He gave us left-sided balance at the time and it just didn’t feel quite as good after.”

Therefore, the Scottish manager will surely be gutted that Ogbonna was forced off again on Thursday and will be hoping that it was just a minor knock rather than a repeat of last season’s troubles, as that would surely be career-threatening for the 34-year-old.

Wolverhampton Wanderers currently occupy 18th place in the Premier League table after winning just two league matches all season.

Their biggest downfall is a lack of goals, with the Old Gold only scoring five times in 11 league matches, the lowest out of any side in the top flight.

Former manager Bruno Lage brought Sasa Kalajdzic to the club to solve these woes, however, he got injured in his first match, while Diego Costa hasn’t exactly set Molineux on fire so far, averaging a disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.35.

Lage might still be in a job if Wolves signed one of their targets during the summer, especially with his goalscoring record and Premier League experience…

Dzeko would have solved Wolves’ goalscoring crisis

Edin Dzeko was linked with the club back in July as Lage looked to add some firepower to his misfiring squad.

A move didn’t materialise and it appears Wolves are paying for that mistake now, especially with their woeful goal return this season.

The £155k-per-week forward has plenty of Premier League experience, winning two league titles with Manchester City, scoring 50 goals in 130 league appearances for the club in a four-year spell.

Despite being two years older than Costa, the Bosnian might have been a better option due to the form he showed last season for Inter Milan.

The 36-year-old scored 17 goals in all competitions, chipping in with a further ten assists, proving his game doesn’t just rely on goals and he is still performing at the highest level.

Eusebio Di Francesco, his manager at AS Roma, supported this claim, saying: “He’s an extraordinary player, and not just in terms of his finishing – he gets the team playing, brings the ball down, and produces good service for his teammates.”

Compared to positional peers in the big five European leagues, Dzeko ranks in the 93rd percentile for total shots (3.56 per 90) and the 90th percentile for progressive passes (3.06 per 90), with these stats alone proving that Wolves should have brought him back to England.

With their current form and evident woes in front of goal, the club will surely regret their decision to pursue other targets.

West Ham are reportedly eyeing up former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as David Moyes’ replacement, should he be sacked in the near future.

The Lowdown: Moyes under huge pressure

The Hammers were humbled away to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-0 on the south coast and being comprehensively outplayed throughout.

It was a result that left West Ham sitting 16th in the Premier League at the end of the weekend action, with Moyes finding himself under increasing pressure.

Rumours have already emerged regarding the east Londoners looking at a new manager to bring in and now a fresh update has emerged.

The Latest: Mourinho offer made

According to LaRoma24.it [via Sport Witness], West Ham have ‘delivered a remarkable offer’ to Mourinho, as they look to entice him away from Roma.

It is believed that the 60-year-old is flattered by the ‘rich contract’ coming his way but is currently happy at the Serie A club.

The Verdict: Could be a great appointment

Acquiring Mourinho’s signature certainly looks like it could be difficult for West Ham but he is someone who could be a magnificent appointment if they get it done.

Granted, the Portuguese’s powers may have waned a little since his Chelsea days, when he won three league titles and was considered arguably Europe’s best manager, but he is a born winner and remains a force, clinching UEFA Conference League glory last season.

Mourinho would surely have the experience and talent to steer the Hammers away from the relegation zone, before then building towards better things this summer and beyond.

For now, his appointment may have to feel like nothing more than a pipe dream for West Ham supporters, but if something changes, it could be a masterstroke by the club.

West Ham United manager David Moyes should ‘go to Specsavers’ after claiming not to have seen the handball incident during the Premier League game vs Bournemouth, according to Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell.

The Lowdown: Controversy at the London Stadium

The Irons secured a 2-0 victory over the Cherries at the London Stadium on Monday night, but there was controversy after Thilo Kehrer appeared to handle the ball seconds before Kurt Zouma put it in the back of the net.

During a BBC interview post-match, the Scottish boss claimed that he didn’t see the incident that gave his side the lead, despite a lengthy VAR review from Mike Dean.

The Latest: Campbell’s comments

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell was shocked by Moyes’ revelation, but couldn’t deny that the Hammers fully deserved the victory on the night, regardless of the decision made:

“If David Moyes did not see that maybe he should go to Specsavers. It was blatant.

“Managers could say, ‘I have seen them given. We have got the rub of the green today.’ I would like to see that.

“I am sure West Ham know they got away with one there.

“It is part and parcel of the game though. Some decisions go your way, some don’t. West Ham deserved the win on the night though.”

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The Verdict: Back to normal

The Irons were definitely lucky that the goal stood, but their performance more than earned them the win over their opponents and it seems they are really back in business after a slow start to the campaign.

These three points saw them climb up to tenth in the table, and after securing qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League in midweek, they should be full of confidence.

West Ham return to league action to take on Manchester United this Sunday and will be hoping to continue their decent run of form on the back of some strong results.

If Sheffield Wednesday are to earn automatic promotion from League One this season then they will need everybody in their squad to contribute.

Sadly, it seems as if the Owls have been carrying the extra weight of Callum Paterson for too long, as the versatile striker has struggled for goals across the past two seasons.

With the former Cardiff City man way down the pecking order in Darren Moore’s side at Hillsborough, the former West Brom boss should consider selling him in January, as it seems as if he is now surplus to requirements.

Paterson joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2020 and he would be a hit in his first season at Hillsborough despite their relegation to the third tier, as he hit eight goals and four assists in 43 Championship appearances.

However, despite the drop in division, he has found life harder in League One, with just six goals in 40 appearances last season, which saw him average a less-than-impressive 6.67 rating from WhoScored, which ranked him as the 18th-best performer in Sheffield Wednesday’s squad.

It was no surprise therefore when Moore brought in attacking options such as Michael Smith, Malik Wilks and Alex Mighten during the summer, all of which appear to be ahead of Paterson in the manager’s thinking right now.

The 28-year-old has managed nine appearances in the league this term, scoring just one goal and averaging a terrible 6.27 rating from WhoScored, which ranks him as the 20th-best performer in the squad, emphasising just how poor he has been.

Moore spoke about what Paterson adds to the squad last season when he endured a disappointing run of form in front of goal, which saw him fail to score between early October and late February.

He said: “I would love him to get a goal… He works so tirelessly and is an important member of the team. He adds so much versatility. He has played in midfield, defence and up front this season.”

However, Moore’s patience with Paterson’s goalscoring woes must surely be running out, as he has been very poor on his limited appearances so far this season.

Considering his £12k-per-week contract at Hillsborough is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, Moore should surely be looking to get rid of him in January, rather than losing him for nothing next year.

With the 2022 World Cup around the corner, there will be a significant Manchester United presence in Qatar given the number of players in Erik ten Hag’s squad who will be at the tournament. 

The Red Devils head into the tournament in fifth place in the Premier League table following a 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage which saw teenager Alejandro Garnacho grab a later winner for his side.

Looking ahead to the tournament in Qatar, United will have 14 players from their senior squad heading to the Middle East to take part in the competition, which leaves only Manchester City (16) with more players involved among Premier League clubs.

Test your knowledge of United and their history with the World Cup in our interactive quiz below.