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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer shared his concerns over Chey Dunkley’s latest injury and its potential impact on manager Darren Moore.

Dunkley has been plagued by injury this season and is once again sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

The 29-year-old central defender joined the Owls from Wigan Athletic last summer, but he has yet to feature under Moore following his appointment at the start of March because of the above.

It is a far from ideal situation for the Wednesday boss, something Palmer was quick to mention as he stressed the importance of Moore having players fit ahead of a run of fixtures that could define the club’s future.

The retired England international told FFC in an exclusive interview:

“It’s difficult. Sometimes you go through these periods where you pick up injuries, there’s just nothing you can do about it. I mean, the problem you’ve got when you’re like this young lad, well, young… how old is he, 29? When you start picking up injuries like this, you can’t get any momentum going.”

On the same topic, Palmer added:

“For Darren it’s difficult now because the games they have left are all cup finals. So he needs people who are at their best and at their fittest to enable him to get the results to keep Sheffield Wednesday up.”

In their fight for Championship survival, next up for Moore and Wednesday is the visit of Watford, which is likely to be a tricky fixture against the division’s second-placed side.

Eddie Howe has been claimed to be eyeing up Newcastle United if Steve Bruce were to leave St James’ Park, according to Danny Mills.

The former Bournemouth manager has recently been linked with the northeast club should Bruce lose his job, and Mills has told Football Insider that he thinks that the 43-year-old will be looking at the Magpies if the job did become vacant, saying:

“He may be just waiting to see what other jobs he gets offered.

“He might be thinking ‘If Newcastle stay up, does the Newcastle job become available? Is that on offer?’ 

“That’s a big club, new owners potentially and a big budget.

“Only Eddie Howe will know what he wants to do next, unfortunately.”

Newcastle should hire Howe if Bruce leaves

Newcastle should look no further than to appoint Howe as their new coach if Bruce were to leave in the coming months.

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan described the 43-year-old as a ‘fantastic’ manager back in March, and his time at the Cherries goes a long way in showing just that, bringing them from League Two to the top flight and then keeping them there for five straight seasons before they were relegated last summer.

His previous experience of managing in the division could be valuable for the Toon, and his attractive style of play may go down very well with the fans.

Nonetheless, Newcastle should seriously consider appointing Howe as their next manager if Bruce were to leave, and at a relatively young age for the job, the ex-Cherries boss could build something on Tyneside for years to come.

In other news, find out what big relegation claim has been dropped on the potential takeover!

Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie believes that Mike Ashley will be satisfied with a 17th-placed finish for the club next season, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

The club looked to be in serious danger of dropping out of the Premier League just a few weeks ago, but eight points from their previous four matches has seen them move eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Nevertheless, Gillespie believes that Newcastle’s owner is fine with the club repeatedly surviving by the skin of their teeth.

In a way it’s lucky that Steve Bruce’s men got those points on the board as they now face Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City, before bringing the curtain down on their campaign with clashes against Fulham and Sheffield United.

And Gillespie thinks that Ashley is currently reaping what he has sown, with their current struggles a result of a general lack of investment in the squad at St James’ Park, and he insists the owner has absolutely no ambition, but he remains hopeful the club will progress, potentially under a new manager.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, the former Magpies winger said: “Absolutely. That is an owner of a club with no ambition, happy to finish 17th every year. That’s not what fans need.

“Newcastle are a club that have experienced Champions League football in the past. They’re a million miles away now. You just want an owner to come in and push the club forward because the club is stood still, going backwards at times.

“They haven’t invested in the squad as well, like other clubs have. If you don’t do that, you’re going to fall behind and you’re going to be in relegation battles.”

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has been lavishly praised for his work with the East Midlands club – and justifiably so.

The former Liverpool and Celtic manager has dragged the Foxes from the doldrums of mid-table mediocrity to consistent challengers for the UEFA Champions League positions and an FA Cup semi-final in just a couple of seasons.

The Northern Irishman has now received the ultimate compliment, with World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari saying that Rodgers in on track to be “one of the greatest managers in the world”.

Judging from his managerial CV so far and his immense experience within the game despite his tender years, it is hard to argue with that assessment.

But for a few tricky appointments in his formative years, Rodgers has established himself as an elite coach at every level.

He created a fantastic team at Swansea City, earning the Welsh outfit promotion to the Premier League for the first time with an attractive style of play which earned him the Liverpool job.

At Anfield, the 48-year-old developed the careers of Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling among many others, whilst also going so close to guiding the Reds to their first Premier League crown, only to miss out to Manchester City.

After his tenure on Merseyside ended, his long wait for silverware came to an end with Celtic. He masterminded two Scottish Premiership title wins, one of those being a stunning unbeaten campaign, whilst also scooping five cup wins.

Having celebrated his 100th match in charge of Leicester City, Rodgers’ influence at the King Power Stadium cannot be understated.

Whilst he may have to go some way to prove that he is one of the elite coaches in the world, a task which will certainly be helped with the addition of more silverware, Scolari’s assessment that the 48-year-old is firmly on the correct route to achieving that status is not far wrong, and it’s praise which is certainly justified.

AND in more news, read why Jamie Vardy’s England decision was absolutely correct…

Amid consistent transfer links to Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, with the most recent claim coming from reliable source ExWHUemployee – who claimed he is someone West Ham ‘will look at’ in the summer – plenty of Irons fans still want to see the Englishman come through the doors at the London Stadium. 

As he is reportedly at the centre of a contract dispute in west London, the Hammers have very recently been linked with Abraham by numerous outlets, with Ex, Eurosport’s Dean Jones and the Daily Star all saying that West Ham hold an interest in the 23-year-old.

The forward looks like a potentially serious transfer target for West Ham – and it’s safe to say that many supporters want to see him come through the door.

Flocking to Twitter in full debate over Abraham, one supporter claimed he would be a ‘fantastic signing’, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment given he bagged 15 goals in 25 Premier League starts last season (WhoScored).

Find some of the best verdicts below.

West Ham fans want Abraham amid transfer links

“I’d take him in a heartbeat”

Credit: @jackjooker

“Take him in a heartbeat, he would be a fantastic signing”

Credit: @Customhouseham1

“Take him all day long”

Credit: @MarkPer74361199

“Would be a good fit for our system…”

Credit: @mark9726

“Top player”

Credit: @miktol52

“Bonkers. One decent season and suddenly were too good for Abraham? He’d be class for us.”

Credit: @Hayds_

“If he’s a 100k a week player how much is Yarmolenko because he’s our highest earner with more than that. I’d say try to get him. Solid addition for me”

Credit: @bradley_eadon

“Would suit us perfect, can’t even believe the comparison to Haller. Chelsea’s main man last season and there’s a reason for that. I’d snap him up straight away”

Credit: @SamGaler1

In other news: West Ham fans loved this club announcement, find out more here.

According to a report by The Mirror, Leeds United are eyeing Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt and consider his capture on a potential free transfer as a ‘real coup’, with the Dutchman out of contract at Selhurst Park when this season concludes.

Van Aanholt – a hugely experienced Premier League figure having made 209 appearances in total, scoring 21 goals and assisting 15 others (Transfermarkt) – could leave Palace for nothing as there has been no development on a new deal for the 30-year-old.

Leeds eyeing potential ‘real coup’

This has prompted Leeds and, by extension, Victor Orta to take note of the situation, with a new left-back high on the priority list for Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

The defender has now emerged as a summer transfer target given his soon-to-be status as a free agent, and the Whites view his possible capture for no transfer fee as a ‘real coup’.

Transfer Tavern take

Bielsa is said to be keen on a swoop for Van Aanholt, coming after the Argentine previously hailed how ‘dangerous’ he was against his side during Leeds’ 4-1 mauling at the hands of Palace back in November (Leeds Live).

Indeed, he apparently fits the profile of an attacking full-back Bielsa wishes to bring in, but it remains to be seen whether Leeds manage to secure him this summer.

In other news: Leeds have been urged to sign ‘amazing’ striker, find out more here.

As per Football Insider, Glasgow Rangers will demand at least £6m to part ways with Filip Helander this summer.

Gers set Helander price-tag

In recent days, Champions League chasers Leicester City, as well as Aston Villa, have been linked with a move for Gers defender Helander (Sportbladet).

As per this latest report, it has been suggested the Gers will demand at least £6m to let the Sweden international leave. That would represent a minimum 42% profit on the £3.5m they paid for him in 2019 (The Scottish Sun).

Potential bargain

This is a potential bargain for any club looking to sign the 27-year-old. Incredibly, despite this now being his second season at Ibrox, he is yet to lose a single Premiership match (Transfermarkt). Injuries have reduced him to just 29 appearances in the Scottish top flight, but that is still an impressive record.

The former Bologna centre-back has two years left on his contract at Rangers and regularly appears for his country – he has started both of Sweden’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers this month. Although he plays in Scotland, the Gers could demand considerably more than £6m for him.

As such, Ross Wilson and co should perhaps revisit this demand. If they do not, it may send the wrong message to clubs who are interested in other talents at Ibrox.

In other news, some Rangers fans react to this bizarre news on an Ibrox hero.

A lot of the Crystal Palace fan base are gutted following Roy Hodgson’s injury update on key player Wilfried Zaha.

The attacker had to limp off in the second half of the 2-1 victory against Newcastle United during the week after attempting to win a 50/50.

Roy Hodgson provided the latest update in his press conference before the Eagles play Leeds on Monday night. He said: “He [Zaha] has got a hamstring injury so we don’t know how long it’s going to keep him out. It’s the early stage of the injury and he’s still being assessed. It’s totally unrealistic to suggest he’d be ready for this game.”

This is a big worry as hamstring injuries can see players on the sidelines for a long period, and can often reoccur if the player is rushed back – just look at across to Monday’s opponents, who have seen summer signing Diego Llorente constantly scuppered by issues in that area.

For the South London side, this is the worst player an injury could have happened to, leading one fan to call it a ‘huge blow’.

Zaha is their talisman and has managed nine goals and two assists in his 19 Premier League appearances this campaign. In the two games he has missed against Burnley and Newcastle this campaign, Palace looked to lack creativity and lost both the matches without scoring a single goal, so all associated with the club will be hoping he can return as soon as possible.

Here is how fans reacted to the news:

“Champagne but the Cham is silent…”

Credit: @DrizzyCPFC

“Pain”

Credit: @cpfcbailey

“Boooo”

Credit: @RoccoSeipel

“Wilf missing 2 or 3 games 3 times a season means we never train to a different way to manage without him as we know he’ll be back soon. Him being out longer might mean we shift focus as a team and get the best out of others. Obviously a huge blow, but also an opportunity.”

Credit: @liamb0117

“We’re Done for”

Credit: @cpfc_Sean

“Pain”

Credit: @CPFC_Harv

In other news, CPFC fans were fuming at one-star during a recent loss. Have a read who it was here!

Tony Pulis can end Sheffield Wednesday’s striker nightmare with one simple loan swoop this January…

What’s the word?

According to WalesOnline, the Owls are one of several Championship teams eyeing a move for Leeds sensation Sam Greenwood next month.

It’s claimed that the likes of Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth, two teams in and around the top ten, are also keen on securing his services.

The report suggests that the 18-year-old forward is highly-rated down the road in Yorkshire and isn’t far off breaking into the first-team, so it could be quite the coup for the Hillsborough-based side.

Striker solution?

It’s no secret that Pulis is absolutely crying out for a proper centre-forward.

Josh Windass is their top goalscorer on three goals for the season, and he’s primarily an attacking midfielder, leaving goal-shy Jordan Rhodes as, technically, their only centre-forward.

Indeed, Steven Fletcher was never truly replaced. A nightmare scenario.

Greenwood cost United £1.5m from Arsenal in the summer and has drawn plenty of raving endorsements throughout his short career to date.

His former coach at Sunderland, Paul Bryson, spoke very highly of the teenager, he said:

“He always had the ability to unlock defences. Very good technically and excellent from dead-ball situations. His delivery from corners and free-kicks was good and he scored some wonderful goals at Sunderland.”Whilst The Athletic’s Phil Hay claimed on his podcast (via This is Futbol): “From what we’ve seen of him so far, his movement and his finishing and everything else, he looks like a very natural striker.”Greenwood is yet to feature in the men’s game, but has proven to be a prolific and lethal marksman at youth level – this season he’s already bagged six goals in eight appearances in the Premier League 2, adding to his 15 goals and six assists for Arsenal U18s, per Transfermarkt.It’s no wonder he’s been likened to Robin van Persie before.Dejphon Chansiri must sanction this move in January. It’ll be a cheap deal with a very high ceiling for success – a risk well worth taking.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Windass drops huge revelation over Tony Pulis…

Everton must refrain from making a knee-jerk decision by signing Steven Nzonzi, amid doubt in the AS Roma midfielder’s future with loan side Stade Rennais.

What’s the word?

According to Foot Mercato, the Blues have continued to monitor Nzonzi’s situation since he departed the Stadio Olimpico for Roazhon Park on a temporary deal in the last January transfer window.

Rennes fought off Premier League interest in Nzonzi and signed the Frenchman to add depth in their engine room last winter, which proved a wise decision after the £9m-rated brute helped the Ligue 1 outfit to secure qualification to the Champions League last term.

But just months on, discussions between Roma and Nzonzi, about terminating his loan deal ,are now said to be ongoing, even though Rennes had hoped to retain the 32-year-old with the prospect of a two-year contract.

Arsenal and Everton are expected to pay close attention to Nzonzi’s situation having tracked his path previously, as Julien Stephan begins scouting alternatives in case the 20-cap France international decides to quit his side.

Nzonzi has been a key part of Stephan’s plans with starting roles in all 17 of his Ligue 1 appearances this term, while opening five of the Roazhon Park native’s Champions League Group Stage ties.

Brands must block a deal

However, Everton should not be tempted to pursue a deal for Nzonzi this month should the £93,000-per-week enforcer decide to end his first spell back in France since 2009, as the former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City enforcer will not be an upgrade on those already featuring at Goodison Park.

Nzonzi has hardly taken Ligue 1 by storm this season with the 32-year-old often failing to present a fierce defensive presence, with just 0.9 successful tackles, 0.3 interceptions and 1.7 ground duels won per a game, per SofaScore.

He rarely brings play forward either, with just 0.5 successful dribbles, nor does he really create chances with just 0.4 key balls.

In terms of defensive actions, the only current Everton players Nzonzi’s numbers from this season would eclipse are those of the rarely-seen Fabian Delph and the attack-minded duo Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who average 0.6, 0.83 and 0.88 successful tackles per Premier League appearance, respectively.

Andre Gomes is also the sole Toffees player to offer fewer interceptions (0.08), but he is seemingly now far from Ancelotti’s plans with no top-flight starts since early November.

Whilst Carlo Ancelotti awaits the return of Allan from a hamstring injury, he should trust his current players to get Everton the wins they desire, as a knee-jerk move for N’Zonzi would simply see them bring in a player whose numbers indicate that he’s not as good as the players in the Blues’ squad.

Allan is expected to return to holding down the defensive role in the Italian tactician’s unit soon, too, making it even less vital that Marcel Brands commits more financial resources on further midfield options, unless Everton anticipate moving on from those currently out of favour.

For now, Ancelotti should manage with what he’s got until Allan returns to full fitness.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti must cash-in on a £6.5m-rated outcast unfit for Everton.