Karl Darlow was on the verge of an England call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Three Lions coaching staff had been in ‘direct contact’ with the Newcastle man to tell him he was being considered.
However, Steve Bruce then restored fit-again Martin Dubravka to the line-up following the 3-1 defeat at Manchester United last month, and that has cost Darlow his opportunity.
Johnstone gets nod over Darlow, who may look to Wales
There was an opening in the England goalkeeper ranks after usual first-choice Jordan Pickford sustained a rib injury, but it has been filled instead by West Brom’s Sam Johnstone, selected alongside Dean Henderson and Nick Pope.
Darlow is understood to be ‘very upset’ at missing out on the call-up, which would have been one of the highlights of his career.
The 30-year-old has kept four clean sheets, made 88 saves and conceded 43 goals in his 25 appearances this season (via Premier League).
Darlow is eligible to represent Wales, and Ornstein says that they may try to persuade him to change allegiance. He rejected the switch in 2018, but it is said that the ‘door is not completely shut’.
Transfer Tavern verdict
Darlow may be frustrated with Bruce, but you can understand why the manager recalled Dubravka. The Slovakian is his usual first choice and was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2019/20.
Ultimately, Darlow gave the Bruce the justification he needed with an unconvincing performance in that game against Manchester United, when was twice beaten at his near post.
In other news, Lee Ryder slammed this attacker’s performance against Brighton.
According to Football Insider, Glasgow Rangers sources claim the Gers are interested in Jonson Clarke-Harris, as they step up their plans to replace Alfredo Morelos.
Gers eye Clarke-Harris
Morelos has recently spoke about his desire to play in the Premier League, and could therefore leave Ibrox this summer.
Were he to depart, he would of course need replacing, and the 55-time Scottish champions have their eyes on Peterborough United striker Clarke-Harris as a result. The Gers had scouts at Posh’s game against Accrington Stanley last weekend, with the 26-year-old scoring a hat-trick as Peterborough won 7-0.
Goalscorer
Clarke-Harris has been in terrific form so far this campaign, scoring 25 goals in 37 games in League One and 27 times in all competitions (Transfermarkt). No other player in the English third tier has hit the back of the net on so many occasions in the league (BBC).
Morelos has been a fantastic servant for Steven Gerrard’s side, and has finally picked up a trophy after helping the Gers win the Premiership title this term. However, he clearly has ambitions above what Rangers can provide, and so Ross Wilson and co must be prepared to let him depart if he so wishes. Bringing in Clarke-Harris as a replacement, though, could very well be a good bit of business for the Gers.
In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this act of vandalism.
In recent years, Sunderland have had the unfortunate experience of seeing a number of their academy stars leave the Stadium of Light in search of first-team football away from the Black Cats.
You can hardly blame them, however, when you consider the rather questionable ownership of Stewart Donald.
The club’s U23 side failed to win a single game last season but that’s no surprise after who left. Sam Greenwood, now of Leeds, departed for Arsenal in 2018 and he was then followed in controversial circumstances by Josh Maja a year later.
The Fulham striker wasn’t the last, however. Bali Mumba, Joe Hugill, Luke Hewitson, Morten Spencer and Logan Pye have all walked through the exit door. They have now also been joined by Mitchell Curry who has gone to Inter Miami.
This has been a trend before Maja and co even burst onto the scene. Two high profile examples, Jordan Pickford left for Everton and Jordan Henderson went to Liverpool.
The midfielder departed in 2011 for a fee of around £16m and since then, his career has taken off in some style.
Henderson wasn’t a fan favourite at Anfield initially but he is now one of their standout players, an individual who goes under the radar on a regular basis.
After exiting the Stadium of Light ten years ago, he admitted it was hard to leave his boyhood club but the decision to move to Merseyside has undoubtedly been vindicated.
Considering his immense career trajectory, it’s baffling to think he was almost let go when he was still a trainee. Before making his breakthrough under Roy Keane, he could have been left in the doldrums somewhere.
Former Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia once told the Mirror: “There was one professional contract still to be handed out, and it was a straight choice between three of the academy lads.”
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Sbragia continued: “The night before the decision had to be made, it still hadn’t been decided. As I left for home, I didn’t have a clue which one would get the nod. When I came back in the following day, Jordan had been chosen.”
It’s fairly evident why; he had plenty of desirable attributes. He wasn’t able to show them in the north-east for long but he has demonstrated them on plentiful occasions for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Henderson has now made 392 appearances for the Premier League outfit and while his boyhood club Sunderland have fallen down the football pyramid, Liverpool have become one of the best in the world.
With the 30-year-old as captain, he has won the Premier League, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
He is an FWA Premier League Player of the Year winner and is one of the first names on the team sheet for England. Sunderland knew they had a gem but it’s unlikely they will have envisaged his career panning out quite as it has.
Henderson’s transfer value soared to £31.5m, an increase of £15.5m in the year the Reds ran rampant in Europe. He is a shining example to everyone at Anfield and now has to go down as one of the most consistent players in the top-flight.
Football – Sunderland v Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League – Stadium of Light – 10/11 – 23/4/11 Stephane Sessegnon (R) celebrates with Jordan Henderson after scoring Sunderland’s third goal from a penalty Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Ed Sykes Livepic NO ONLINE/INTERNET USE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE +44 (0) 207 864 9000.
Speaking about the Liverpool star in 2018, Gary Neville commented on the way he succeeded Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park:
“Think about four years ago when Liverpool nearly won the league under Brendan Rodgers, he was a box-to-box midfield player and Steven Gerrard was sitting in there. Now he has evolved his game, he’s matured.”
Neville continued: “He wants to learn all the time, he works hard, he’s conscientious, he’s a manager’s dream.”
One of Sunderland’s favourite sons, he has quickly become a Premier League stalwart. Henderson is a shining example to everyone in the north east.
AND in other news, Imagine him & Wyke: SAFC could create a scary duo by signing 25 y/o who “works hard”…
Newcastle United have been dealt an injury blow, with Steve Bruce confirming that Callum Wilson will not return until after the March international break.
That’s according to The Northern Echo, who quote the Toon boss as voicing doubt in having his side’s 10-goal top-scorer plus fellow forwards Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin back in time to face Dean Smith’s Aston Villa this weekend or Brighton and Hove Albion next week.
There had been some hope that Wilson could return from his deep hamstring tear to feature in some capacity at the Amex Stadium a week on Saturday, but none of the trio are now likely to play again until United host Tottenham Hotspur on April 3rd at the earliest.
Newcastle have been without Wilson for four games after losing their £20m summer signing late in the first half of last month’s 3-2 win over Southampton. Almiron and Saint-Maximin were ruled out with knee and groin injuries after the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 27.
Wilson has stepped up his rehabilitation with a return to training on the grass and Bruce believes he, Almiron and Saint-Maximin are all showing promising signs in their recoveries.
“Callum is four weeks in, so we’re seeing him on the grass and he’s progressing. That goes for Allan and Almiron as well,” the Toon boss said.
“We’ve just got to let nature take its course. They’re working as hard as they possibly can. We hope the international break will maybe do us a turn, and we hope that by the end of the international break, they’ll be there or thereabouts.”
Bruce added that he feels everything is going to plan and that Almiron is making “particularly good progress,” while Javier Manquillo is nearing a return from a muscular injury sooner than Newcastle initially predicted.
“We’ve got no new injuries to report,” he noted. “Manquillo has worked extremely hard and was a week or two quicker than expected, so it was good to see him around it. [Federico] Fernandez is back amongst it too [after a calf injury], which is good news.”
Bruce sharing that Wilson, Almiron and Saint-Maximin will all miss Newcastle’s Premier League games with Aston Villa and relegation-rivals Brighton and Hove Albion will surely leave the Magpies head coach deeply disappointed.
United are just a single point better off than the Seagulls heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures, but Graham Potter’s side would move above the St. James’ Park natives should they avoid defeat at Southampton on Sunday and Aston Villa win on Friday thanks to a superior goal difference.
Regardless of results this weekend, next Saturday’s meeting at the Amex will be a pivotal six-pointer in the fight for survival, too, with 18th-placed Fulham hot on Newcastle and Brighton’s tail after a run of form that saw Scott Parker nominated for February’s Manager of the Month award.
Having just Wilson back for the Toon’s trip to the south coast could have been huge, with the 29-year-old not only the club’s top-scorer but also lead assist maker with five over 21 outings in the Premier League so far this season.
Wilson, Saint-Maximin and Almiron account for 59% of the 27 goals scored by United players in the top-flight this term, along with 53% of the 17 assists registered.
The Toon have also scored just twice in the four games played without Wilson to date, and will be desperate to see Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll or Joelinton change their fortunes on Friday.
AND in other news, Newcastle eye summer swoop for £16k-p/w maestro once lauded for being “the most gifted” player…
Many Manchester United fans heavily scrutinised forward Anthony Martial after his side’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Saturday evening.
The 25-year-old emerged as a second-half substitute in what was a quiet afternoon for both teams on the attacking front, as both defensive lines came out on top during a chilly affair in North London.
Despite being one of the club’s top earners on £250k-per-week (Spotrac), Martial was not deemed worthy enough to start this game and failed to make an impact on the tie as a whole, proving his manager right.
Sofascore recorded that the France international failed to win any duels, did not get any shots on target and made no successful dribbles.
With this in mind, supporters were incensed by another showing where Martial didn’t turn up, with some saying that he should be performing better, considering his weekly salary.
Martial slated by MUFC fans
“Anthony Martial is stealing a living. #MUFC”
Credit: @Rob_loder
“Martial doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing”
Credit: @peterEmcewan
“Martial body language is absolutely shocking. Notice it every game huffing and puffing”
Credit: @AJLawlesss
“Rashford really suffers being on the right. And- frankly- Martial isn’t worth accommodating for that.”
Credit: @andyyax
“I’d rather Telles play LW than Martial, he offers nothing.”
Credit: @Opryce92
“Rashford & Bruno look absolutely knackered. Martial is off the mark, Cavani getting no service at all.”
Credit: @TheOpinion_MUFC
In other news, Manchester United fans singled out one player after the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic ahead of next season and the 23-year-old could prove to be the ideal addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad in the summer.
What’s the word?
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Max Bielefeld on Twitter, both Liverpool and Manchester United have been ‘in touch’ with Fiorentina for the defender, with Borussia Dortmund also showing an interest.
Would he be a good signing?
The Reds have been low on centre-back options since Dejan Lovren was allowed to leave last summer, with no replacement brought in for the Croatian international, leaving just Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as natural options at centre-back in Klopp’s side.
All three have subsequently suffered long-term injuries this season, forcing Klopp into playing the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in defence, whilst promoting youngsters Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams into the first-team.
Whilst Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies were brought in during the January transfer window, these are arguably short-term options for the Reds, especially considering they have no obligation to make the Turkish international’s loan move from Schalke permanent in the summer.
Therefore, it is no surprise to hear that they are reportedly interested in Milenkovic, as the Serbian continues to impress in Serie A.
So far this season, the centre-back has made 21 appearances in the Italian top-flight, contributing two goals and averaging a solid 6.91 rating.
Standing at 6 ft 5, it is obvious that the defender is a big threat aerially, as he has impressively averaged 3.5 won aerials per game in Serie A this season, whilst he also contributed five goals last season.
In Kabak’s two Premier League appearances thus far, the 20-year-old has averaged a less than impressive 5.93 rating, so unless he wins Klopp over with his performances in the rest of the season, it is difficult to see the Reds making his stay a permanent one.
Therefore, they will definitely need to bring in another centre-back option, unless they want a repeat of the major issues they have had in defence this season, and Milenkovic could prove to be a superb option.
Back in 2018, Milenkovic’s former coach Ivan Tomic described the defender as a “beast”, whereas journalist Dejan Stankovic had this to say about him:
“He is the most talented centre-back Serbia have had since Vidic, and they definitely have one thing in common – both are fearless.”
Milenkovic is clearly held in high regard and if he can live up to this potential, then there seems no reason why he wouldn’t be a success at Liverpool should he make the move to Anfield in the summer.
And, in other news… LFC suffer huge transfer blow with centre-back beast who “manhandled” Diego Costa
For those in the Celtic reserve side, their chances of securing regular first-team action seems difficult to envisage.
That was certainly the case under a stubborn Neil Lennon. Very rarely did the northern Irishman change his methods and it eventually led to his downfall.
An underlying problem at Parkhead has been the lack of opportunities for their young players. Cameron Harper has headed back to America as a result, while the likes of Armstrong Oko-Flex and Karamoko Dembele look set to depart when their contracts expire in the summer.
With that in mind, they have to start handing more minutes out. Adam Montgomery has been on the bench since John Kennedy was put in interim charge but someone who must join him is Luca Connell.
The 19-year-old joined in 2019 from Bolton Wanderers but has, rather bizarrely, never been given a chance in the senior side.
The teenager arrived with 12 appearances for Bolton in the EFL to his name, something which makes his lack of football in Glasgow even stranger.
When he put pen to paper two years ago, he surely wasn’t expecting to sit in the reserves. With the Bhoys signing Liam Shaw in a few months time, another with a similar level of experience under his belt as Connell, he will be hoping his career doesn’t follow in a similar path.
The Hoops have little to play for between now and the end of the season so throwing in players like Connell wouldn’t be a bad idea. By giving him minutes, it could help Kennedy and co. prepare for Scott Brown’s potential exit.
The veteran is out of contract in the summer and thus, there will be a vacancy in the middle of the park to fill. Ismaila Soro will be at the front of the queue but following behind should be Connell.
He is strong in the tackle and assured with his passing, earning numerous positive reviews in his short career to date.
Connell was given a chance to train with Ireland a few years ago and earned the following appraisal from Mick McCarthy, someone linked with the Celtic manager’s seat: “He’s a breath of fresh air around the place,” he began.
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“He’s left-footed and he can certainly find a pass. He hits it with a bit of authority and lets people have the ball. He doesn’t mind putting his foot in either so he’s fitted in pretty well,” McCarthy concluded.
That final passage is what should excite Celtic supporters. As Brown and Soro have shown, you can’t play in this Hoops midfield without having a bit of bite about you. Despite his tender age, Connell possesses plenty of that.
With the Hoops skipper potentially on his way out, it is surely now or never in terms of the teenager’s Celtic career. Kennedy needs to give him a chance.
AND in other news, 109 dribbles: Celtic could seal huge Ryan Christie upgrade by signing 18-goal wizard…
Marcel Brands faces a huge battle to sell Josh Bowler during the January transfer window with the forgotten Everton flop looking to secure a permanent exit this month.
What’s the word?
According to the Liverpool Echo, Bowler is keen to sever his ties with the Goodison Park natives during the mid-season market, rather than wait until the summer when he would become a free agent.
The winger is in the final six-months of his £3,000-per-week contract but has failed to break through into Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team squad after a season on loan with Hull City, while hip surgery in October has kept the 21-year-old sidelined.
Bowler, who won the Premier League 2 title under David Unsworth in 2018/19, is believed to be nearing a return to fitness and hopes to feature against Liverpool later this month when Everton’s Under 23s host their inner-city rivals.
He had scored twice in three PL2 appearances before going under the knife to take his U23s tally to five goals and one assist in 38 appearances, after netting once and creating a goal in 31 outings with the Tigers across all competitions last term.
Hull held a £5m option to purchase Bowler at the end of his temporary spell at the KCOM Stadium but chose against activating the clause following their relegation to League One.
Time to go
Brands must do all he can to facilitate a permanent exit for Bowler in the January transfer window and grant the forgotten 21-year-old his wish, as there is little expectation of the forward suddenly emerging in Ancelotti’s plans and earning his senior Everton debut.
The Toffees agreed a deal worth £1.5m rising to £4.25m with Queens Park Rangers to sign Bowler in 2017 but the decision has not paid off, even though Unsworth once lauded the Chertsey-born forward as being capable of producing magic.
“Josh Bowler was terrific. We need to get the ball to his feet in the final third and that’s where you see his magic,” he told Everton’s club website, via The Boot Room, following a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in February 2019.
Bowler was highly-rated when signed by Everton but often failed to produce any magic for Hull last term, with the forward offering just 0.2 key passes and 0.5 shots a game, making 0.9 successful dribbles and delivering just 0.1 accurate crosses, per SofaScore.
It was no wonder the Tigers passed up on paying big for the youngster following their relegation, which would have solved Everton’s problems well before Brands was left with a huge battle to find a potential suitor and avoid Bowler proving a total financial loss.
AND in other news, Everton can reach a new level by signing a “complete” £31.5m-rated maestro in January…
Manchester City may well be regretting selling Jason Denayer as their defensive issues were once again exposed as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon.
Despite dominating the ball against Jose Mourinho’s side, the Citizens slipped to a 2-0 defeat after goals from Heung-Min Son and Giovani Lo Celso, in what were the home side’s only two shots on target.
This perhaps highlights that City’s defence is struggling once again this season, as Pep Guardiola’s side have recorded just two clean sheets in the top-flight so far this campaign.
Therefore, they may be rueing their decision to sell Denayer in 2018 for just £9 million, with the Belgian international opting to join Olympique Lyon.
In the two years since, the centre-back has gone on to make 94 appearances from the French side, contributing three goals and one assist (per Transfermarkt).
Back in 2016, when the defender was on loan at Sunderland in the Premier League, David Moyes was full of praise for Denayer, saying:
“I thought Jason did quite well, not always noticeably. But he’s very quick and I thought he recovered things and got back with opponents. We’ve been needing a bit of speed.” (per Vavel)
Pace is arguably something Manchester City are lacking in their centre-backs, with Jamie Vardy able to take full advantage of his pace when Leicester City won 5-2 at the Etihad earlier this season, with the Foxes striker bagging a hattrick (per BBC Sport).
When considering form this season, City may have been a lot better off had they stuck with Denayer rather than signing John Stones, as the Englishman has averaged a poor 6.57 rating for his performances in the Premier League this season, whilst the Lyon man has earned a much more solid 6.79 rating for his performances in Ligue 1.
Guardiola has previously admitted that he was open to selling Stones in the most recent transfer window and considering he is currently sat on the bench for most games, earning £100k a week, it also would have made financial sense to keep hold of Denayer rather than splashing £47.5 million on Stones, as the Belgian earns just £53k per week at Lyon.
Therefore, it could definitely be argued that City would rather have Denayer than Stones at the club right now and they may well be regretting selling him.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has provided an update on defender Gary Cahill and the pre-match news will not be what the Eagles fan base will want to hear.
The latest on Cahill
Roy Hodgson was speaking in his press conference in the build up to the big clash against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. He said: “Gary Cahill is injured unfortunately. He is the only absentee on top of the long term ones.”
This is a big blow for Palace
Hodgson knows the importance of Cahill, as in the past he said, “He’s also brought us leadership qualities, he’s been very good leadership-wise. He’s the best type of leader; he’s the quiet leader people don’t see from Row Z in the stand.”
For now they don’t know the severity of the injury, and it will be very frustrating for Hodgson as the squad depth is crucial during the busy Christmas period.
The defender has made 4.4 clearances per game this season (WhoScored), showing his safety first attitude around the box. The former Chelsea star is 35, but has an abundance of experience, and is still a vital asset for the club.
Therefore, Hodgson will be gutted to lose him for the Villa fixture, especially when the South London side have conceded the third most goals in the division (SofaScore) and Villa, led by Jack Grealish, are absolutely flying.
Have a read of Crystal Palace fans praising one player in the 1-1 draw to Brighton here!