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Leeds United face their second test in the space of 96 hours on Tuesday night and they could use all the squad depth they can get, but Diego Llorente is still a doubt to make a return following his injury.

The latest on Llorente

The Spaniard has been trying to recover from a hamstring injury, but Sky Sports believe that although the defender is closing in on a return, Tuesday’s game comes too soon.

This will be frustrating for Bielsa and Leeds

The defender, who is valued at £18m on Transfermarkt, will be wanting to make his return as soon as possible, but you cannot afford to rush a hamstring injury. He has been on the sidelines for a while now and has only made two appearances in the division since joining because of his struggles.

Described as “fantastic”and as a “top player” in the past, supporters of the club should be excited to hear that he will be available in the near future, however to have such a player unavailable will be frustrating, especially when the club are trying to halt a two-game losing skid.

The good thing for Marcelo Bielsa is that he can use the same pairing that he used against Wolves with Luke Cooper and Pascal Struijk available to play for him at the back, but the Argentinian will definitely be wanting his depth back in the centre of defence as soon as possible with the games coming thick and fast.

In other news, a former Premier League star has tipped one player to be playing in the Euro’s!

With the transfer deadline on the horizon, West Brom have entered the running to secure a last-gasp loan move for Premier League wonderkid Billy Gilmour.

What’s the word?

According to reports in Spain (via the Mirror), the Baggies are one of several teams eyeing up a late swoop for the Chelsea midfielder, though it won’t be easy given the interest in him.

The likes of arch-rivals Wolves and Aston Villa as well as West Ham and Crystal Palace are all keen on securing him before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.

Forget Sawyers

Albion boss Sam Allardyce only has one more domestic loan space available. Given the club’s success with Conor Gallagher this term, he would be wise to pair up his former academy teammate in the middle of midfield.

Gilmour is a unique prospect with the world at his feet, as Roy Keane told Sky Sports last season (via talkSPORT):

“As the game started I literally got out of my seat, which I very rarely do, and I thought, ‘Who is this kid?’ There are certain traits you want from a midfielder, quality on the ball, football intelligence, composure. He had everything. It was one of the best performances I have seen in a long, long time.”

The 19-year-old, valued at £6.75m by Transfermarkt, can play various roles in central midfield. Against Liverpool and Everton, he thrived as an anchorman, but a record of 16 goals and 13 assists across the U23s and U18s suggests he can also contribute further forward.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-brom-news-and-transfer-rumours” title=”Read this week’s latest West Brom news, transfer rumours and more…”]

Indeed, the young Scottish starlet has taken inspiration from a plethora of midfield greats, namely Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets.

This sort of Spanish flair is something he’s been able to display in relatively short game time, and you’d struggle to liken that sort of profile to any of Allardyce’s current options.

“He’s so talented on the ball. He looks so comfortable; the minute he moves, he manipulates it,” said Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp. “He’s a big talent for Chelsea and Scotland going forward – and a really well-rounded kid.”

The only deep-lying playmaker in the squad right now is Romaine Sawyers, but he rates out as Albion’s second-worst player per WhoScored ratings (6.13).

He has struggled to have much of an influence at either end of the pitch – on average, he is dribbled past 1.8 times per 90 and only pulls off a successful tackle 50% of the time. The Hawthorns graduate provides the least number of key passes per 90 of all of the Baggies’ midfield options too, via WhoScored.

Gilmour, based on his ten competitive appearances, is only dribbled past 0.8 times per 90 and makes 71.4% of his tackles. Adding to the aforementioned creative aspect, the teenager has delivered two key passes per 90, on average, also via WhoScored.

West Brom sporting director Luke Dowling would be wise to make a move for Gilmour before the end of the day, as evident above, the £10k-per-week dynamo would alleviate some of those midfield struggles.

Allardyce can forget about Sawyers’ struggles by landing Gallagher’s Blues teammate in a last-gasp swoop. It could prove to be beneficial for all those involved.

AND in other news, Exclusive: West Brom backed to seal PL striker before deadline

Many Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been reacting to a tweet that was recently posted by The Athletic’s Wolves reporter Tim Spiers which shared Old Gold manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s injury update on Daniel Podence and Willy Boly. 

The Portuguese manager has revealed that the Old Gold duo are set to be sidelined “for some time,” with both the attacker and the centre-back sitting out Wolves’ 0-0 draw with Leicester City this past weekend. 

After Spiers took to Twitter to share this news, lots of Wolves supporters replied to his post to react to this revelation.

So, how have these Wolves fans been reacting? 

Many Old Gold supporters have been devastated by this news, indicating that they think this is a significant blow for their side, who are already on a poor run of form, having won just one of their last 10 top-flight fixtures.

“Spain but the S is silent”

Credit: @matthewashaww

“Gutted”

Credit: @HeadInTheSkies

“Oh dear, oh dear”

Credit: @FW90

“Calls for a round of applause for the Wolves sport science and fitness team. Shambles !”

Credit: @MrR1g4t

“Not what we need!”

Credit: @EssexWolvess

“That’s disgusting Tim, clean up your tweets, there are children on here”

Credit: @metalliam

“Ouch”

Credit: @richwolves41

In other news, lots of Wolves fans were disappointed with Willian Jose’s display versus Leicester City.

Southampton centre-back Jannik Vestergaard has established himself as a key player in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side so far this season and following Martin Keown’s comments on the Danish international, the Saints should prioritise tying him down to a new deal.

The pundit was full of praise for the former Borussia Monchengladbach man on talkSPORT recently, following his impressive start to the season, saying:

I’ve not seen a better central defender this season and I thought maybe that might be a player Jurgen Klopp might go after.”

“He reminds me of Van Dijk. If you look at the way they ping balls, the way he threads balls into midfield, he’s a big man. Of course, Southampton won’t want to let him go.”

Before picking up his injury, Vestergaard has been a mainstay in Southampton’s side this season, making 13 appearances in the top-flight and averaging a superb 7.27 rating, which is enough to rank him as their second-best performer in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old’s contract with the South Coast club is set to expire at the end of next season, so the Saints will surely be keen to ensure that he signs a new deal, otherwise, they potentially risk losing him for nothing in 2022.

It seemed impossible just six months ago, when Vestergaard was largely out of favour because of the flourishing partnership between Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens, that the giant centre-back would become so important to this Southampton team but he is well on track to surpass his number of performances from last season.

However, since Stephens has come in for the Dane at centre-back, Southampton have not conceded a goal, so if the Englishman continues to impress, Vestergaard may struggle to get back into the first-team.

Still, the 28-year-old has proven himself to be an important player in this Southampton team and they must therefore consider offering him a new deal in the near future, perhaps even ahead of the likes of Danny Ings, who the club have seemingly been in negotiations with over a new deal for some time now.

And, in other news… Southampton can unearth their next JWP in academy sensation once linked to Barca 

It’s the sign of the times that Aston Villa drawing 1-1 at Premier League title contenders Chelsea just doesn’t even seem that much of a surprise.

Dean Smith’s side have been a breath of fresh air this season, playing fantastic attacking football – they’ve already scored 28 goals in the top-flight – and picking up some big results against the division’s elite.

And whilst they may not have claimed all three points at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, they can be hugely proud of their efforts given they were in action just over 48 hours ago.

One man who put in an incredible shift for Smith, was John McGinn. The Scotland international hasn’t scored since early October when he netted in that famous 7-2 rout of Liverpool, and whilst he didn’t get on the score-sheet again against Chelsea, he looked in supreme touch in every other aspect.

Playing in that slightly deeper role, the 26-year-old went to war with the likes of N’golo Kante and Jorginho in the middle of the park, and came out on top.

As per Sofascore, he won a mammoth 13 of his 19 total duels on the night, by far the most of any Villa player on the pitch. As well as that, he also made three tackles and provided two key passes, whilst he was so unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal when he saw his thunderous long-range strike cannon off the crossbar.

His display led to Villa podcaster Ty Bracey to suggest that McGinn appears to be “back to his best”, and that’s surely something that could be a game-changer for the side going forward.

The likes of Ollie Watkins and Jack Grealish have carried a lot of the goal-scoring and creative burden this season, but if McGinn gets back to his usual self, then Smith will have another formidable weapon in his ranks.

The Scot’s display against Chelsea would surely have left his manager purring.

Said Benrahma has just six-weeks to prove to West Ham United that they do not need to sign AFC Bournemouth forward Joshua King amid reports of a potential new approach.

What’s the word?

According to Claret & Hugh, the Hammers are considering reviving David Moyes’ interest in King come the January window after opting to sign Benrahma over the Norway international this summer.

Moyes and the West Ham first-team had favoured the potential of adding King to the squad currently assembled at the London Stadium, with the feeling in east London that support for Michail Antonio up front would be vastly more beneficial than signing an additional winger.

Irons chiefs ultimately convinced Moyes to green light the initial £5million loan deal for Benrahma which features a £20m obligation to buy next summer. But with Sebastien Haller struggling to fill the void left by Antonio following his hamstring injury, could revisit King’s situation with the striker out of contract in 2020.

West Ham offered Bournemouth £13m in the hope of signing King this summer, yet saw the approach rejected as the Cherries held firm in demanding in excess of £17m.

It remains to be seen if West Ham do look fondly on King’s services when the winter market opens, and how open-minded Bournemouth are to selling a player who could be key to their promotion efforts after starting the Championship campaign with five wins in 11.

Benrahma has a point to prove

With West Ham chiefs backing Benrahma’s capture over Moyes’ wishes to sign King, the Algerian forward will have a point to prove over the next six weeks to show why the Hammers were not wrong to favour his arrival over the Norway international’s.

Benrahma penned his first assist in claret and blue at home to London rivals Fulham prior to the international break, but also conceded the late penalty Ademola Lookman wasted in the closing stages that could have allowed the Cottagers to steal a point.

King has hardly hit any lofty heights for Bournemouth this season, either, with the former Manchester United target yet to get off the mark for goals or assists after five Championship appearances following an early thigh injury.

Benrahma, no doubt, has the potential to shine at the London Stadium after striking 17 goals and 10 assists with Brentford last season, while former OGC Nice teammate Lorenzo Vinci lauds the Algerian as a true magician for his smooth and silky skills.

“For me, there’s no debate, it’s Said!” Vinci told Actufoot when asked who his most technical teammate has been. “He impressed me so much when we played together. He was able to do anything in any space. A real magician.”

Benrahma may have just six-weeks to prove his magic in east London, though, as King has frequently had his own admirers – including Moyes – while former Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe lauded the 28-year-old as a “complete” player during his time at the Vitality.

“Josh is outstanding physically, technically and mentally – he has the complete package, a little bit of everything,” Howe said, via quotes by The Football Faithful. “He wants goals to show that potential is so high with him.”

AND in other news, David Moyes can solve a West Ham dilemma by unleashing his plan for a £10.8m-rated dynamo.

Phil Parkinson must be livid with Lynden Gooch after the Sunderland winger’s lacklustre performance away to Doncaster Rovers in Saturday’s League One draw.

Gooch was key to the result by assisting Grant Leadbitter’s 43rd-minute screamer to open the scoring and could count himself unlucky to have not won a penalty, but often appeared off the pace and struggling to leave a positive impact on proceedings.

Parkinson has already urged Gooch to reach another level with his performances this year, as the Black Cats boss firmly believes there is more to come from the 24-year-old he has now started in 10 of the Stadium of Light natives’ 12 league fixtures this season.

“Gooch has produced a moment of real quality and he is a very good player and he has to keep taking his game to another level because he has the ability,” he said, via quotes by Bailiwick Express, following the winger’s match-winning goal at MK Dons in January.

Gooch responded to Parkinson’s plea by netting just three more of his 10 goals for the League One season and failing to record an assist before the season was called short in March.

He has since improved his creativity this term with Saturday’s assist his fifth of the campaign, while notching his second goal in October’s 2-0 win at Gillingham after opening his account from the bench at Oxford United to settle September’s encounter.

But Parkinson still needs to see more from Gooch, as his assist glossed over a lacklustre display this weekend and led to unwarranted praise with the Chronicle lauding the four-time United States international as Sunderland’s star man at Doncaster.

Gooch was far from Sunderland’s star man at The Keepmoat Stadium, though, as he lost six of his eight attempted ground duels, never contended for possession in the air, turned the ball over 15 times, offered no successful tackles, interceptions or clearances and misplaced 26% of his 31 attempted passes, per SofaScore.

He further failed to beat his marker with his only attempted dribble of the game, directed just one of four shots on target and took fewer touches (46) than all Sunderland players who started bar goalkeeper Remi Matthews (39), striker Charlie Wyke (26) and wing-back Denver Hume (45).

The only redeeming trait of Gooch’s display was through his assist from two key balls, which betters his per-game average of 0.9, but failing to better his record for successful dribbles (1.3) or duels won (32%) in League One this term.

AND in other news, Phil Parkinson risks the wrath of a £2k-p/w monster amid his recent Sunderland claim.

West Brom boast an impressive academy set-up, though very rarely does an elite talent break the surface and make it at the Hawthorns.

In 2013, the Baggies received category one status and pledged to contribute £3m-per-year into the youth system so that they can continue to produce the very best talent in the Midlands.

Only Dara O’Shea and Rekeem Harper are on the cusp of the first-team right now whilst names such as Nathan Ferguson, Tyler Roberts, Kemar Roofe and Izzy Brown have all gone on to teams at a similar or better level.

Unlike recent times, Albion managed to secure the long-term commitment of Rico Richards this summer, one of their most promising forwards since Saido Berahino.

According to The Sun, Premier League rivals Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City were all tracking the 17-year-old sensation last year but in August, he signed his first professional deal with a fresh three-year contract.

Academy manager Richard Stevens waxed lyrical about the young frontman, he said: “Rico is a creative player who can make things happen and we are looking forward to continuing his development.”

Richards has continued his impressive form this season, contributing to three goals in two appearances in the U18 Premier League, before finding himself promoted to the U23 set-up, where in back-to-back starts the young Albion side have picked up 1-0 victories.

It is also always a good sign when the youngster is recognised at an international level, and the Baggies starlet has picked up England caps for the U16s and has also played in a few friendlies for the U17s.

Slaven Bilic could have West Brom’s best talent since Berahino on their hands here and given their struggles in front of goal as the Premier League’s lowest scorers, he could well be called upon sooner rather than later.

Very much so as the club currently lack the presence of a Hal Robson-Kanu or Peter Odemwingie type that can play in a multitude of attacking positions, this combined with seemingly no attitude problems gives Richards the potential to eclipse their most controversial homegrown player of the modern era.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer tips “unplayable” WBA star to become a £40m+ player

Leeds United appear to be closing in on their fourth senior signing of the summer transfer window, according to emerging reports.

The Daily Mail claim that the Yorkshire giants have opened talks with Eredivisie side Utrecht over a deal to sign winger Gyrano Kerk before the deadline on October 5th.

It’s claimed that Leeds have been working on several deals in recent days, including a move for former target Dan James, who could leave Manchester United should they find cover in his position.

The Whites are leading the race to sign the 24-year-old as their £8m offer is better than what Utrecht have received from Cagliari and Verona.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side defeated Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon with summer arrivals Robin Koch and Rodrigo both featuring whilst latest signing Diego Llorente.

Kerk has been a rather prolific sensation for the Dutch side, last season he banged in ten goals and also provided seven assists, averaging three dribbles, 2.1 shots and 1.4 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

And since the 2016/17 season, he’s contributed to at least eight goals each campaign, seemingly increasing as each year goes on.

SciSports claim that the 5 foot 9 wide man is an inside-forward who “possesses the technical and dribbling skills and good acceleration to beat a defender in one-on-one duels.”

Whilst Voetbal International describe him as a “speed demon” who many defenders struggle to keep up without on the flanks.

“Kerk is not the most polished attacker in the Eredivisie. No, Kerk is a speed demon who always creates danger in the final third. When Kerk is on the moped, there is hardly any defender that can keep up with him. The big difference with last season is that he has become a bit sharper, more focused, so don’t be surprised if Utrecht actually hit the jackpot for Kerk ahead of next season.”

Perhaps it can be argued that further depth is needed in this position as Bielsa only has Jack Harrison, Helder Costa and Ian Poveda as viable options.

If they can’t secure James from the Red Devils, then taking a punt on the Dutchman could be wise, especially at just £8m. Andrea Radrizzani shouldn’t hesitate as it’s potentially low-risk, high-reward.

AND in other news, Leeds United have had an interest in striker likened to Robert Lewandowski…

Wolves have returned to winning ways after a narrow victory on home soil saw them come away with all three points against a struggling Fulham.

The newly promoted Cottagers put up a good fight to try and snatch a point, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side prevailed with a lone goal from Pedro Neto. This win will come as a relief for Wolves who came out fighting off the back of two league losses against Manchester City and West Ham.

The whole team pulled together to deliver a convincing performance and steady the ship, but one man stood out with his statement display.

Don’t drop Dendoncker

As highlighted in Football FanCast’s predicted XI for Wolves, Nuno opted to start Leander Dendoncker over Joao Moutinho, who has had a quiet few games as of late. Surely enough, the Belgium international showed the manager what he thought of being benched for the last two games.

According to Sofascore, Dendoncker completed 89% of his passes and contributed a strong performance both going forwards and defensively. He chipped in with four tackles and a block as well as making three key passes and completing 100% of his attempted crosses.

This win puts Wolves on six points, just one point behind the likes of Chelsea and Leeds. It’s bad news for Fulham though, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table, yet to get a result in the bank.

The Wanderers now shift their attention to Leeds at Elland Road, where they will hope to capitalise on this important victory.

In other news, Signing £18m-rated teenager would be seriously smart business from Wolves…