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Rangers’ decision to cash in on left-back Declan John in August 2018 looks to have paid off, with the Welsh defender enduring a dramatic fall from grace since leaving Ibrox.

The former Welsh international was signed on a permanent basis from Cardiff City in January 2018, having spent the first half of the season on loan in Glasgow.

However, after making 31 appearances for the club, in which he contributed three goals and four assists, he was sold to Swansea City for £800k in the summer of 2018 following the arrival of Borna Barisic.

Since then, he has managed just 18 appearances for the Swans in all competitions and has quickly fallen down the pecking order at the South Wales club, whilst he also failed to make a single appearance on loan at Sunderland in League One last season, although the campaign was ended early as a result of the current viral outbreak.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read this week’s latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

After making no appearances in the first half of the season for Steve Cooper’s side in the current campaign, John was sent out on loan to League Two side Bolton Wanderers, which represents an unfortunate decline since his Ibrox exit.

Although the 25-year-old is impressing in Ian Evatt’s side and has been a big part of their upturn in form, contributing two goals in his 14 appearances so far and averaging a solid 6.83 rating, it seems clear that Steven Gerrard was right to allow him to leave in 2018 despite his brief spell at the club.

The left-back has unsurprisingly also seen his market value decline during the past few years, as having once been valued at £900k following his move to the Liberty Stadium, he is now valued at just £360k.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Therefore, you could definitely argue that Rangers did very well to sell him for as much as £800k in 2018 and his fall from grace since then emphasises that the Gers made the right decision in getting rid of him.

And, in other news… Rangers handed huge transfer boost over £2.7m-rated beast, Wilson must deliver

According to a report by reliable football.london correspondent Alasdair Gold, backing up previous claims, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is ‘held in high regard’ by some Tottenham Hotspur chiefs as a possible replacement for the under-fire Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham chiefs still eyeing Rodgers

Rodgers has been previously linked to the Tottenham job as pressure grows on Mourinho following a string of poor results, including a humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb last month.

Providing the latest on the managerial situation, Gold has claimed that there is a ‘growing belief’ that the Portuguese won’t be in charge at Spurs next season, subsequently listing the two most likely managers as candidates to possibly replace him.

Backing up previous claims, football.london reported that Rodgers is still held in high regard by some Tottenham chiefs within the club alongside RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Transfer Tavern take

Hailed as an ‘elite manager’ who could ‘manage any team in Europe’ by Robbie Savage on BT Sport recently (via Daily Mail), Rodgers was also allegedly ‘very keen’ to join Spurs back in 2012 according to Football Insider. However, Liverpool made a formal approach first and Rodgers opted to take over at Anfield instead.

While Rodgers has strong credentials (domestic dominance at Celtic, establishing Leicester in the Premier League top five), we believe that Nagelsmann should be first and foremost the top managerial priority if Mourinho is sacked.

At the tender age of 33, the German has already overseen 224 top-level matches with Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, taking the former into the Champions League and the latter to the semi-finals of that tournament along with challenging Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance.

He has been described as the most exciting coaching talent in Europe, but Daniel Levy and could face a battle for him after Fabrizio Romano’s update that Bayern look set to target him.

In other news: Journalist drops enticing Tottenham transfer claim, find out more here.

Many Everton fans have been left to slam an update from Patrick Boyland on the fitness of both Ben Godfrey and Tom Davies.

As per a tweet from The Athletic journalist, both players failed late fitness tests which meant that they could not play for the England U21s in their crucial game against Croatia on Wednesday evening.

Aidy Boothroyd’s team managed to win the match 2-1 in the end without them, but the Young Lions still went crashing out at the group stages of the European Championships.

Nonetheless, the fitness of both Godfrey and Davies has now become a big concern for several members of the Goodison Park faithful, as they play Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League on Monday evening.

Everton fans on Godfrey and Davies fitness update

These supporters of the Merseyside club slammed the update from Boyland on Twitter, with one Toffees fan even going as far as to claim that it was ‘unbelievable’:

“Hope that’s not true”

Credit: @nikkiharg

“No. Hope they are fit for our match especially Ben is a must”

Credit: @Efc_sai

“Oh no”

Credit: @jonesyefc

“Unbelievable how can that be at their age ?????????”

Credit: @brougham_kevin

“Eugh.”

Credit: @Phoenix20387

“:( Bad News Boyland”

Credit: @_lauraaj96

In other news, find out what Liverpool dig from one Blues star has been lauded by fans here!

The wait for a new manager at Celtic is growing ever longer. For now, it seems as though the hierarchy are poised to wait patiently and give John Kennedy the reins until the end of the season.

Considering the Hoops no longer have anything to play for, it’s a smart tactic. That being said, however good the job that Kennedy does, they must find a more established name in the game to succeed Neil Lennon.

A number of managers have been linked in the last couple of months from Roberto Martinez, Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez.

That being said, there is one name who has been talked about more than any other – Eddie Howe.

The former Bournemouth boss was first linked with taking over in November but nothing has materialised greatly since. That was until recent days, when Football Insider revealed that contact had been made with the 43-year-old in a bid to bring him to Parkhead.

Considering his little experience at the top level, it would be somewhat of a gamble from the Celtic hierarchy. However, if they’re looking for fresh ideas and a modern approach on football, he’d be the ideal man.

Certainly, if you heed the words of Alex McLeish, it would be a very exciting move. He commented this week: “Maybe a kind of Brendan Rodgers type of manager. Is Eddie Howe is seen as that kind of coach? Yes, and I would say that’s the type of name they should be linked with.”

Howe achieved impressive things with Bournemouth, taking them from League Two to the Premier League and, despite the fact that he hasn’t won a major trophy, he’s definitely someone the likes of Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell should be considering.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

Lennon’s coaching methods clearly didn’t go down well at Lennoxtown. He may have won the treble last season but this term has been a complete write-off. In fact, it was remarkable that he didn’t leave his post earlier.

They are 20 points behind Rangers and have surrendered their grasp on the Premiership title. You can understand, therefore, why they’d want to chase a manager of Rodgers’ ilk.

He won seven major honours at Parkhead, playing a pivotal part in their immense decade of success. It was his modern approach to training which undoubtedly benefited the Hoops. He was excellent on the training pitch, so much so that Lennon still used aspects of his approach.

Coincidentally, the training pitch is an area where Howe thrives too.

Speaking about the ex-Cherries manager in 2020, Brett Pitman remarked: “It wouldn’t just be ‘do you want to do a session’ and a coach would be there. He [Howe] would be the one taking it, with all his staff – that is special. People might think that is a norm in football but it really isn’t. It is what makes him different.”

The Celtic players need someone who is going to come in and grab them by the scruff of the neck and get them working harder in training. It could just prove game-changing, especially for a team who have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and have been lax defensively.

Howe’s record isn’t the best but his methods are meticulous. Celtic are right to step up their efforts to bring him to Glasgow.

AND in other news, Hammond could end Christie’s Celtic career by landing 20 y/o with “excellent” movement…

Southampton can get their season back on track with a win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side having struggled immensely in the league since the turn of the year.

The Saints have won just one of their last 12 Premier League fixtures but have triumphed in FA Cup ties against Shrewsbury Town, Arsenal and Wolves in that time.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton dragged Hasenhuttl’s side back into a relegation battle in the top flight but the Austrian will be hoping that his side put their league form behind them when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face the Cherries, who are challenging for a play-off position in the second tier.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up in the FA Cup, with three changes from the side which started against Brighton last time out…

Fraser Forster continues as first choice after Alex McCarthy’s poor recent form for the Saints, with the former Celtic loanee having kept clean sheets in all three of his appearances in the competition this season.

There’s one change in defence as Ryan Bertrand drops to the bench after some disappointing displays of late, with Mohammed Salisu replacing him at left-back, which should allow Kyle Walker-Peters to push further forward on the right.

Takumi Minamino is unfortunately cup-tied having featured in the competition for Liverpool earlier in the season, so Moussa Djenepo is likely to replace him on the left-hand side.

Finally, Nathan Redmond comes in for Nathan Tella in the attack, with the youngster ineffectual against Brighton following some strong performances, so the Austrian should go for the experience of the £16.2m-valued 27-year-old to partner Che Adams if he wants his side to go all-out for the FA Cup this season.

In other news… Southampton signing 11-goal beast could be bad news for 22 y/o gem Ralph loves

Speaking exclusively with Football FanCast, former England international Steve Howey has claimed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hamstring injury will be a “huge blow” for Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti has ruled Calvert-Lewin out for this Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, after being forced to withdraw the striker during the second-half of Wednesday night’s 5-4 FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The 23-year-old had scored the Toffees’ first of the game to draw his side level and mark his 18th goal in all competitions, before recording his third and fourth assists of the season.

Ancelotti has stated that he and the club believe the England international will be available for Everton’s next game, at home to title-chasers Manchester City, on Wednesday night.

But Howey says that the Blues must manage his return carefully, as losing Calvert-Lewin for a lengthy period of time will be devastating for the club’s hopes of a top-four finish.

“It will be a huge blow [losing Calvert-Lewin]. You have to be so careful with these injuries,” he told FFC. “He’s had a ridiculously good season. Started off on fire, kind of just quietened a tiny, tiny little bit and then he’s come [on form] again.

“I was at the game when Everton played Leeds and Calvert-Lewin scored the winner in that. [I’ve been] so impressed with his hold up play, every aspect of his game has improved. So, it will be a blow but Everton have just got to be careful on the management of that.

“Obviously, as a player, you want to be back as soon as possible. But I think sometimes you, well all the time, especially with these injuries, you’ve got to make sure that you’re right. Because it will just go again, it’ll go again, and it’ll go again.

“But Everton are doing really well under Ancelotti. Obviously, they’ve got Richarlison there, they’ve got [Alex] Iwobi, they’ve got [James] Rodriguez, [Gylfi] Sigurdsson’s doing quite well [but they’re not the same as Calvert-Lewin].”

Calvert-Lewin’s hamstring injury is his second of the season so far, after missing last month’s FA Cup tie with Rotherham and Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Cenk Tosun led the line in Calvert-Lewin’s place against Rotherham and scored the opening goal, but has since returned to Besiktas on loan and been replaced at Goodison Park by Joshua King who is yet to score a league goal this season.

Ancelotti opted against fielding an out-and-out striker against Wolves with Rodriguez and Sigurdsson instead tasked with playing as two false nines, in a decision that did not pan out perfectly with Iwobi relied on to provide much of his side’s attacking threat from the right-wing.

Meanwhile Richarlison, who only played the final quarter of an hour at Molineux having also missed the Rotherham tie, is Everton’s current second-best scorer with eight goals across all competitions after a brace against Spurs but is without a league strike in seven games.

AND in other news, Everton are monitoring an “exciting” teen prospect Carlo Ancelotti could sign for free…

According to the Express & Star’s Joseph Masi, new West Brom loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles is in line to make an instant impact at the Premier League strugglers when they head to Spurs this lunchtime.

The Baggies are sitting precariously in 19th position, some 11 points adrift of safety and now will have to face a side who will be looking for a reaction after a run of three straight league defeats.

And starting the versatile 23-year-old midfielder is a good way to go about business as he’s going to provide the much-needed quality that’s currently lacking from their engine room.

On the Chalkboard

Indeed, both Romaine Sawyers (6.13) and Jake Livermore (6.19), who have started the most games of any central midfield options, currently rank as Albion’s two worst players as per WhoScored ratings.

Maitland-Niles arrives at the Hawthorns with bags of experience having played 121 times for the Gunners across the likes of the Premier League, Europa League and the FA Cup.

Allardyce has also revealed that he was only able to secure the coveted three-time England international because he’ll be playing in his favoured central position, which means there’s a high chance that one of Sawyers or Livermore isn’t going to start in north London.

The £16.2m-rated maestro will offer an industrious presence in the heart of the pitch and one that is capable of influencing the game at either end of the pitch.

Throughout his career, as per WhoScored statistics, the Hale End youth product has averaged 2.5 tackles per 90 at a success rate just shy of 70%, proving his defensive capability and off-the-ball work rate whilst he has also averaged 1.5 dribbles and one key pass per 90, meaning he isn’t shy of breaking into the final third to deliver some creativity too.

By comparison, only Conor Gallagher and Grady Diangana have pulled off more successful tackles per 90 for Albion with Maitland-Niles tying the enigmatic Matheus Pereira for dribbles too, also via WhoScored.

Interestingly, the Englishman has had success against Spurs before – even though Arsenal came from behind to draw 2-2 with their rivals last season, Maitland-Niles haunted Heung-min Son all afternoon at right-back.

And in doing so, managed to stop him from having any major influence on the game. Per SofaScore, he made a match-high three interceptions, won 75% of his ground duels and made two tackles.

Son was hooked after 79 minutes by Mauricio Pochettino. He won only 40% of his ground duels and failed to provide an accurate cross past Maitland-Niles, so despite it being all-square, the new Albion loanee enjoyed a very good game.

If Big Sam needs to change it up at all, then his versatility could prove crucial too as he’s played in five different roles this season alone.

Maitland-Niles, who is thought to only be on around £35k-per-week at the Emirates, was dubbed a “Rolls-Royce of a player at times” by Martin Keown just two months ago when Arsenal defeated Rapid Wien 4-1 (BT Sport via football.london).

You can’t not start these sorts of players, his addition could well be a game-changer of a signing.

AND in other news, 20 y/o “real talent” could be Albion’s perfect Pereira heir…

Many Crystal Palace fans are reacting to the latest comments from manager Roy Hodgson in which he discusses not utilising striker Jean-Philippe Mateta against Fulham.

According to The Athletic journalist Matt Woosnam, Hodgson was asked about the decision not to bring on Mateta and said: “Benteke was doing an excellent job & plays a role for us defensively, especially from (set pieces) I didn’t see what JP could do to make a difference in us seeing the game through as we did”

No matter how well a defensive role Benteke was playing, he is a striker and the attacking players are really struggling under the manager this season.

This was highlighted in the game against Fulham at Selhurst Park by the fact that the South London side did not even manage one shot on target (SofaScore), while the Eagles have only managed 29 league goals this season. With the Frenchman scoring a delightful goal in the 2-1 win over Brighton last Monday, it seemed like a weird choice to not even give him a go against Fulham.

The games are coming thick and fast at the moment, and now the Eagles have a very tough week as they face Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Here is how Palace fans reacted to Hodgson’s comments on Mateta:

“Imagine being an emerging young player at Palace – hearing these carefully chosen words must really take the wind from your sails.”

Credit: @PalaceBySea

“It is little wonder that we struggle to attract new talent. There’s always going to be a more attractive proposition than participating in the ongoing decay that seems to the current game plan”

Credit: @AndyCamroux

“Beginning to wonder whether Roy is at the same games as we are”

Credit: @Paul_Romain

“He does know we are supposed to at least try and score occasionally, right”

Credit: @danofthesouth

“Says it all doesn’t it, but I don’t think the pundits do us any favors as they keep saying that Roy keeps you up playing boring football so not sure what else they expect really, without Wilf and Schlupp that’s how we play I’m afraid #CPFC”

Credit: @w9ole

“Seeing the game through, for a 0-0 draw with the team in 18th. Get this man out of my club.”

Credit: @_YTCP

“I hate the mentality Roy is sending the team out with. I miss us being exciting to watch.”

Credit: @LukeRemnant

In other news, Roy Hodgson discussed the contract situation at the club!

Leeds are incredibly unlikely to do any transfer business in January.

We hate to admit it, but this isn’t a period of the year that either Marcelo Bielsa or Victor Orta like. You only need to look at the deal for Jean-Kevin Augustin last year to understand that.

What’s the word?

Of course, that won’t stop the Whites from being linked with new faces. After all, if an exceptional circumstance reveals itself then Orta could be tempted to act.

The likes of Diego Costa and Julian Draxler have been touted with switches but the latest name on the block is someone rather unknown in comparison.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds and AC Milan are both interested in signing Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Kone.

If the 19-year-old departs then he could become the most expensive player in Ligue 2 history. The report claims that any willing suitor will have to pay €15m (£13m) in order to prise Kone away.

Leeds have supposedly been interested in the player for a while and now a move could materialise in the coming month.

Ronaldo Vieira 2.0

Kone is an unknown quantity on the biggest stages but the qualities he’s shown in his small career so far are exceptional.

The teenager has a tall frame and is mightily powerful both on the ball and off it. Detailing Kone’s finest qualities, journalist Marco Conterio said: “Alla Pogba, he is a dribbler with a great physique and long levers, with precision even in the shot on goal. At the moment he is one of the most interesting box-to-box on the international scene.”

That is a glowing review and you only need to look at the statistics to understand further what sort of player Leeds would be getting.

In Ligue 1 last term, the youngster won a colossal 2.7 tackles per game. On top of that, he managed 1.5 interceptions a match and 0.8 dribbles. Kone is a real nuisance when he strides forward, being fouled 2.2 times an outing.

Of course, these qualities are rather similar to Kalvin Phillips but we want to compare him to a former United man in Ronaldo Vieira. The midfielder is now playing his football in Italy but possessed very similar qualities.

During his final season at Elland Road, Vieira won 2.1 tackles and made 1.4 interceptions a match. In terms of his dribbling, the Brazilian managed 0.7 successful take-ons.

Evidently, they are incredibly alike. If Orta brings Kone to Yorkshire then he could well make up for the loss of Vieira in 2018.

AND in other news, Forget Rodrigo: Leeds must move for “extraordinary” £30m gem, Orta has found Pablo 2.0…

When Lee Johnson revealed earlier this month that Denver Hume had suffered a setback in his bid to return to fitness, it was a crushing blow to Sunderland.

The Mackems have hardly been a radiant picture of health in the last few months so it was disappointing to lose yet another player through injury.

Considering Calum McFadzean’s performances in recent times, Hume’s vacant spot at left-back has become a big problem for Johnson to negotiate.

McFadzean gave a penalty away against Wimbledon in December and was arguably at fault for two goals when the Black Cats played Plymouth earlier this week.

Both of their strikes came down his side as he failed to get close to the opposition or track their runs.

As a result, Kristjaan Speakman and Johnson are looking to exploit the transfer market in a bid to improve that third of their team. Recently, they have been linked with Brighton full-back Alex Cochrane but a new option on their radar is Wimbledon’s Paul Osew.

The left-sided player is capable of playing as a left midfielder or further back in a more defensive role, but he is yet to play at all in League One this season. That’s particularly strange when you consider his haul of 18 outings last term.

Though, it would be wrong to judge Sunderland’s chase of the 20-year-old purely based on his lack of minutes. After all, he terrorised Arsenal in the Papa John’s Trophy last month.

Playing in a left wing-back role, he was influential as his side defeated the Gunners’ U21 side 3-0. Though, among their defensive line that day was Sokratis and William Saliba, a duo who cost the north Londoners £17m and £27m respectively.

Osew clearly wasn’t fazed by that and turned in a virtuoso performance. Not only did he score, but he also provided two opportunities for his teammates – the joint-most of anyone on the field. Coincidentally, it was even more than Arsenal starlet Gabriel Martinelli who was also afforded a start.

Though, most importantly for Sunderland, his defensive play was also astute. The youngster completed three tackles which was the second-highest of anyone in the Wimbledon team.

On a day where he had the potential to be outshone by a trio of top-flight proven players, Osew was arguably the star.

He was good in the final third and was more than capable defensively. With Sunderland in desperate need of improving the left-hand side of their starting XI, it’s clear that the wing-back would add a great deal to Johnson’s side.

The manager has previously spoken about wanting to bring in players who can stretch the play and the Wimbledon man certainly fits the bill in that department. They simply have to sanction a deal before the window closes.

AND in other news, Speakman could find Sunderland’s new Wyke with swoop for “fantastic” 27 y/o…