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Tottenham Hotspur youngster Pape Matar Sarr has seriously impressed Antonio Conte since his return from the World Cup late last year.

What’s the latest?

Spurs have suffered a major blow in their midfield recently with their Uruguayan central midfielder, Rodrigo Bentancur, missing through an injury he picked up in the World Cup.

It was initially thought the 25-year-old would only miss a few weeks and would likely return for the game on New Year’s Day against Aston Willa, however, this has not been the case.

This has offered a number of players with an opportunity to impress Conte but it is apparent the likes of Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp have perhaps fluffed their shot in the starting XI.

But speaking on Chris Cowlin’s YouTube channel, journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed the young Senegalese midfielder has seriously been impressing Conte of late:

(29:15) “But I would also say, I think I mentioned it earlier in this video call, but the emergence of Bryan Gil and Pape Matar Sarr in recent weeks has been such a huge positive for Spurs.

“Because Conte’s really seen something that he can work with. I know Sarr returned early from the World Cup when he was expected. And the time he spent on the training field has really left an impression on Conte.”

Time to shine

Since returning from the World Cup, Sarr has made his debut for the Lilywhites with appearances from the bench in their last two league games against Villa and Crystal Palace.

And then the 20-year-old was handed his first start as a Spurs player in their FA Cup game against Portsmouth on the weekend where he played the full 90 minutes in N17.

This all comes after months of sitting on the bench and, at times, not even being included in Conte’s matchday squad after spending last season out on loan with Metz.

But following the World Cup, the midfielder pretty much returned straight to London to get back to work under the Italian manager and it seems as if this has gained the 53-year-old’s trust.

Amid the January transfer window, there have been some reports suggesting the player could leave on loan for the remainder of the campaign with the Serie A side, Salernitana, showing an interest.

However, it seems as if the youngster may finally be getting his opportunity at Spurs having impressed massively in the games against Palace and Portsmouth.

And it sounds as if he is doing the right things behind the scenes, too, with Taylor claiming the Italian boss is taking a real shine to the young midfielder.

There is a tough run of games ahead for Spurs in the coming weeks, so it will be interesting to see what role Sarr may play in these games and how Bentancur’s potential return could affect his game time.

TalkSport pundit Simon Jordan has a “sneaking suspicion” Manchester United can sign Declan Rice in the summer.

The Lowdown: Rice on the move

The West Ham United midfielder is almost assured to be on the move in the summer amid the Hammers’ dire form and The Guardian reporting last month that he wants to win trophies and play in the Champions League.

Any hopes of keeping him in east London were dealt another blow this week after The Athletic revealed Premier League leaders Arsenal are confident they can reach a deal for the ‘£80m-rated’ midfielder.

The Latest: Jordan’s feeling

Speaking on TalkSport, Jordan revealed his feeling that Arsenal’s interest won’t go untested and that Erik ten Hag could be able to add Rice if United’s season continues to strengthen.

He said: “I’ve just got a sneaking suspicion – and I don’t think he’ll end up at Arsenal. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that if Manchester United continue to progress and can knock on the door of something significant this season… he could occupy a quarterback role at Manchester United.

“I think we’re now talking about levels of between £70m and £80m, and that will make a deal happen.”

The Verdict: How would he fit?

Rice, who has been labelled a ‘monster’ during his time at West Ham, is undoubtedly a quality player who has shown through his performances in Europe – as he international level, where he now has plenty of tournament experience, that he’s ready to mix it at the top on a regular basis.

Despite the public interest from Arsenal, The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg revealed that United are also in the running for Rice and have “laid some of the groundwork for a summer move”.

However, it remains to be seen where the 24-year-old would fit into Ten Hag’s setup, with the holding midfield role currently occupied by Casemiro, whilst it seems a more attacking pairing of Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes is how the Dutchman wants to operate.

Rice doesn’t possess the same attacking and creative prowess of the most expendable of the midfield pair based on minutes, with Eriksen outperforming the Englishman in every goal and shot-creation metric this season on FBref, barring fouls drawn and defensive actions leading to shots – which can be explained by his deeper role.

Given Casemiro has only just arrived and made himself at home, we feel a move now doesn’t seem it would get the best out of Rice in the current setup, with his preferred role occupied by the Brazilian.

Manchester United scouts have been watching Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos ahead of a potential move in 2023, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Ramos’ season so far

Ramos, labelled as an ‘incredible talent’ by football content creator Jacob Schneider, has enjoyed a free-scoring season so far for club and country.

The 21-year-old, who can play as a centre-forward, second striker or attacking midfielder, has scored 18 goals and registered seven assists in 27 club appearances.

He also featured at the World Cup, scoring a remarkable hat-trick and registering an assist in a 6-1 Round of 16 victory over Switzerland.

The Latest: Romano’s claim

Romano touched on United’s search for a new marquee attacker in his daily briefing for Caught Offside on Wednesday. The reliable reporter said that Red Devils ‘are monitoring many strikers’, although nothing is expected to happen in the final days of the January window.

One of those forwards is thought to be Ramos, with United scouts watching the Portugal international in action during the Champions League.

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The Verdict: Summer target?

Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are also named in Romano’s briefing, however, Ramos could be a shrewd alternative, assuming Kane and Osimhen are above the Benfica man in the Old Trafford wish-list.

The Nike-sponsored forward has gone from strength to strength in recent months and now holds a career-high €30m Transfermarkt valuation, so is likely to cost less than the aforementioned pair despite being at the peak of his powers.

You’d expect he still has further room for improvement on his already impressive game before hitting his prime, so in the long run, you could make an argument for Ramos being a smart signing due to the fact he is already finding the back of the net with ease and is younger than Kane and Osimhen.

Aston Villa remain in the mix to sign Universidad de Chile and Chile international Dario Osorio, although they face some illustrious competition for the teenager, according to reports from Italy.

The Lowdown: Osorio linked with Villa

Unai Emery is no doubt looking at new signings to bolster his squad, as he looks to bring in players who are ideally suited to his system and playing style.

Osorio is one player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park recently, having already won three caps for Chile at the age of just 19.

It could be that the teenager is eyeing up a new challenge away from his homeland, and a new update suggests that Villa could well snap him up in the near future.

The Latest: Milan also eyeing Osorio

According to Sky Italia [via Sport Witness], AC Milan are rivalling Villa for Osorio’s signature, but the latter are providing ‘strong competition’.

It is stated that there is interest from the Premier League but ‘above all Aston Villa’, which appears to suggest that Emery and co are front-runners to sign him, with the report also stating that Milan ‘must be careful’ of the Villans.

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The Verdict: Ideal long-term target

At 19, Osorio would clearly come in as a long-term acquisition at Villa, although he has already made a telling impact at senior level, having scored seven goals in 27 appearances for Universidad de Chile.

He would provide the attacking depth that Emery is currently lacking out wide, especially if Philippe Coutinho leaves this month, as has been mooted.

Planning for the future rather than just the present is imperative for Villa, and Osorio could be someone who matures into a future star at the club, with Universidad sporting director Manuel Mayo saying that the 19-year-old is a player who ‘shoots spectacularly’.

Villa must be wary, though, that Milan could be an attractive destination for the teenager, given the club’s illustrious history as seven-time European champions and reigning Serie A title holders.

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Crystal Palace are still ‘interested’ in signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in the final days of the January transfer window, according to Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Midfield options

Patrick Vieira has limited defensive and central midfield options at Selhurst Park at this moment in time. Summer signing Cheick Doucoure is the only midfielder who is contracted beyond June 2024, with Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur out of contract in the summer.

Jairo Riedewald and Will Hughes are into the final 18 months of their respective deals, and it seems as if Palace are still keen on Gallagher after speculation earlier this month.

The Latest: Gallagher still wanted by Palace

Sky Sports reporter Sheth gave his thoughts on a potential Selhurst Park return for for Palace loanee Gallagher to GiveMeSport, labelling his future as ‘interesting’.

He said that Palace are still interested alongside Newcastle but feels that Chelsea manager Graham Potter may want to keep hold of the 22-year-old beyond Tuesday’s deadline.

Sheth stated: “The Conor Gallagher one is interesting because he’s constantly been linked with a move away from Chelsea. He was definitely linked in the summer and has been linked the whole of this month.

“The likes of Newcastle, the likes of Crystal Palace as well, who would want him back at Selhurst Park, are interested. But he’s been starting games for Chelsea under Graham Potter and I just wonder whether Potter would allow him to leave.

“Remember they have got a few injury problems in central midfield, not least, N’Golo Kante. I just think maybe they want to keep a number of their midfielders at the club just to cover any potential injury issues.”

The Verdict: Could be huge…

Gallagher enjoyed a hugely successful Selhurst Park loan spell last term, winning the club’s Player of the Season prize after contributing to 39 appearances.

Still just 22 years of age, the England international was described as a ‘monster’ by Palace-supporting journalist Tom Dutton and can play in a variety of central roles. His Transfermarkt valuation is continuing to rise, and you’d expect that it will keep doing so as he heads towards the prime years of his career.

It seems as if a new midfielder should be high up on Palace’s wish list, with Matt Woosnam believing that it is a contributory problem towards the team’s lack of goals. Therefore, potentially signing Gallagher – who has already starred for the Eagles before – could be a major coup both in the short-term and the long run.

West Ham United are interested in a late move for Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Alex Crook, with the journalist revealing in his latest column for talkSPORT that David Moyes is now considering launching a last-gasp swoop for the Chelsea midfielder, while Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are also believed to be keen on a move for the 22-year-old prior to tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is Everton who are currently leading the race for the England international, with the transfer insider revealing in a post on Twitter that the Toffees have now submitted a bid totalling £45m for the midfielder – with the Blues undecided as to whether or not they will accept the proposal at present.

In his tweet, the Italian journalist said: “Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add-ons. Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher – and player has to decide his future too.”

Imagine him & Rice

While it is true that Gallagher has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Chelsea XI so far this season – starting just nine of his 18 Premier League appearances in 2022/23 – considering just how impressive the midfielder was during a season-long loan spell at Palace last time out, the argument that Moyes simply must launch a bid for the 22-year-old is an easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 34 top-flight fixtures for the Eagles last season, the £38.5m-rated talent was in sensational form going forwards, scoring eight goals, registering three assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.5 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing 1.3 dribbles – at a success rate of 57% – per game.

The £50k-per-week engine also caught the eye in more workmanlike metrics, making an average of 2.0 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and winning 5.9 duels – at a success rate of 47% – per match, as well as enjoying an average of 51.6 touches, finding his man with 1.4 long balls and completing 25.1 total passes – at a success rate of 81% – per fixture.

These returns saw the four-cap international who Mark Duffy dubbed both “unreal” and a “pressing machine” average a simply sensational Sofascore statistical rating of 7.08, ranking him as Palace’s best performer in the league last time out.

Rather unsurprisingly, the 22-year-old’s displays in south London saw him earn a considerable amount of praise, with former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel stating of the midfielder last April:

“His development is extraordinary and outstanding. He is one of the key players at Crystal Palace and he has made a huge step in his development. He was a pleasure to coach in pre-season – he has so much positive energy, so much energy in general and so much work rate to give that he can of course be a big help and a big influence.”

As such, with Declan Rice arguably being the sole West Ham midfielder to have enjoyed a solid campaign so far in 2022/23, it is clear to see that adding a player with the talent of Gallagher would provide the Hammers captain with an unreal partner in the middle of the park.

Indeed, the Chelsea ace’s aforementioned attacking prowess would appear to be the perfect tonic to Rice’s more defensive game with the pairing possessing the ability to be a match in heaven.

As such, Moyes simply must match Everton’s offer for the Chelsea starlet this month.

Everton have had a tumultuous Premier League season so far which has left them facing another relegation scrap yet and newly-appointed Sean Dyche will be hoping that he can save the side from a drop into the Championship over the remainder of the season.

Frank Lampard lost his job in January after leading the Toffees into serious trouble which has left them now in 18th and in serious contention to lose their top-flight status, however, the former Burnley boss is already showing glimpses of what could be possible with the current squad at Goodison Park.

Dyche led Everton to their first three-point victory since the 22nd October against league leaders Arsenal at the weekend which will give the Everton supporters something to believe in for the first time in months, but the club are certainly not out of the woods yet.

The Merseysiders still have the second-worst goal tally in the entire Premier League which has been caused by a lack of attacking threat in front of goal with Dominic Calvert-Lewin regularly injured and Richarlison’s exit two obvious factors.

Now Anthony Gordon has also fled from Goodison Park in a move to the North East with Newcastle United which has only further weakened the forward line, leaving Dyche with limited options in front of goal.

As a result, the Everton boss could save Farhad Moshiri millions by unleashing Tom Cannon in the team when he returns from his half-season loan at Preston North End next season.

The 20-year-old – who was hailed “very talented” by Kevin Thelwell – was given the opportunity to prove himself on loan over the second half of this campaign after impressing in the Everton academy, scoring 51 goals and registering 14 assists in the U21s and U18s so far.

Over three Championship appearances so far, Cannon has created one big chance and successfully completed 64% of his dribbles, as well as averaging one key pass, three shots on goal and 1.3 shots on target per game, indicating promising signs that he is becoming a player who could be valuable to Dyche.

He is held in high regard at Finch Farm already, having played twice in the Premier League this term, so perhaps some regular minutes for this exceptional young talent could go a long way to staking his claim.

After all, as their opponents last weekend have found, blooding youth can be the best way to generate success and an affinity with the fans. Dyche would be wise to heed that fact.

With that being said, the future is looking bright for Cannon and it surely won’t be too long before he becomes a first-team regular at Goodison Park.

Ewan Murray believes that not having control over signings would put Ange Postecoglou off the Leeds United move.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou not in the frame

While Sky Sports have indeed spoken about how long Leeds United have tracked Postecoglou, and believe he is ‘highly regarded’, it looks as though he isn’t featuring very prominently on their list of potential candidates.

This is because they have seemingly been interested in people such as Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot already, with very little success coming out of any of their pursuits.

However, Posetcoglou may not even be a suitable fit for Leeds as he clearly has the final say on all transfers given the number of players that have arrived from the J-League, a league in which he worked in for a decent amount of time, and it’s unclear if he’d get that control at Elland Road.

The Latest: Lack of control may put Postecoglou off

Murray has spoken on The Press Box podcast that Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani not relinquishing control over transfers could be why Postecoglou doesn’t leave Celtic for Leeds right now.

He said: (4:15) “He is the master of all before him at Celtic and Celtic sign players that he wants to sign, they don’t have a sporting director, they have a recruitment department obviously but the manager has his own knowledge of players that Celtic sign in conjunction with the chief executive that is what they do.

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“He wouldn’t get that element of control certainly not at a Premier League club in England where there are layers upon layers, of sporting directors and more interference for more of a better word from recruitment people, he wouldn’t get the scope he has at Celtic to do his job and he will know that.

“If you were him you’d be careful where you went to because there are not many clubs in major leagues in Europe that would give him that level of control.”

The Verdict: Leeds look to have other ideas

There hasn’t been much talk of Leeds going for someone such as Postecoglou but after being rejected by Slot from Feyenoord, they may well look towards the Australian as someone they could tempt.

With their next game on Sunday, it appears very clear that someone won’t be in the dugout on a permanent basis, but Orta and Radrizzani must get someone in at the beginning of next week as they have a huge game against Everton.

Whoever is going to be the next Leeds manager will want as much time as possible to look at what they will be working with as it’s a squad that was seemingly assembled for Jesse Marsch, only for the boss to be sacked a few days after the window closed, showing he probably had little say on the signings.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter will be forced to make alterations for the imminent Champions League knockout phase fixture against Borussia Dortmund, with several players unregistered due to the torrential influx of fresh faces under the ownership of Todd Boehly.

£35m January signing Benoit Badiashile was unable to be included, a damaging blow given his impressive start to life in west London, while the high-profile exclusion of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made headlines, with the Gabonese veteran among those making way for further new offensive additions Mykhaylo Mudryk and Joao Felix.

The Blues have been woeful this season, despite spending over £550m, and languish in tenth place in the Premier League after 22 matches, ten points away from top four.

But the Blues won their Champions League group and could look to alight the fire that was waned to a flicker this year with a surging run towards the coveted Champions League trophy, with many of the current squad victors in the 20/21 edition, when Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the final.

The hubbub at Stamford Bridge is louder than most, and with this in mind, just how will Potter field his team against the Yellow Wall? Here’s what Football FanCast predicts…

How will Chelsea line up vs Dortmund?

Potter could issue as many as five changes to the starting 11 that fell to a third successive draw in the Premier League against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.

Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue to deputise between the sticks, while Kalidou Koulibaly could return to the starting line-up with Badiashile unavailable.

£60m summer signing Marc Cucurella has been at the epicentre of criticism recently, with writer Jai McIntosh saying, “his lack of dynamism and willingness is incredibly frustrating”; Ben Chilwell could start in his stead.

Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount could return to their respective roles in Potter’s team, with Mount occupying a more offensive-centred role, while £29m January signing Noni Madueke’s absence from the European squad could allow Hakim Ziyech to return to his creative role down the right flank.

Up front, the out-of-form Kai Havertz might lose his talismanic spot to Joao Felix, who has looked positively electric since his loan arrival from Atletico Madrid.

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly laying the groundwork for four of their midfielders to leave Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Contracts expiring

Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack’s contracts are all set to expire in the summer, with no signs of any potential renewals from the club.

Malik Tillman is also set to return to Bayern Munich after his loan spell, while Glen Kamara reportedly has ‘question marks’ over his long-term future.

The Latest: Mass overhaul

As per Football Insider, Rangers are laying the groundwork for a mass overhaul of their midfield this summer, with four midfielders set to leave.

Davis, Arfield and Jack are not expected to be given contract extensions, while Kamara is another midfielder who could depart.

The Verdict: Needs freshening up

The midfield is certainly an area of the pitch that needs freshening up for Michael Beale’s side, with Davis, Arfield and Jack all in their 30s.

They have already acted on it in the January transfer window, bringing in 21-year-old Nicolas Raskin and 24-year-old Todd Cantwell, and could look to add one or two more in the summer.

The Gers are reportedly ‘expected’ to sign FCSB midfielder Darius Olaru, who would also fit the younger age profile being 24, as they look to kick on in Beale’s first full season in charge.