All posts by z3u9t.icu

In a position of strength in the January transfer window, Aston Villa aren't backing down in the pursuit of an attacking reinforcement for Unai Emery before the end of the month. A top target now reportedly wants to complete a winter move.

Aston Villa transfer news

Competing for a place in the Premier League's top four, a move to Aston Villa is arguably one of the most attractive prospects around as things stand. The Midlands club are in the middle of a project that only looks likely to get better under Emery, and that has seen them linked with moves for the likes of Hakon Valdimarsson and Kosta Nedeljkovic in deals to reinforce Emery's backline. The Villans' main focus has also been on pursuing a deal to sign Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers, however, having seen offers knocked back already.

In the face of rejection, the Midlands club have not backed down though. According to Fabrizio Romano in the last 24 hours, NSWE and Aston Villa have submitted an "improved, significant new offer" for Rogers, who wants to complete a move to Villa Park this month. Romano posted the news on X, saying he is Emery's priority target.

With just over a week left until the window slams shut, it will be interesting to see whether Boro's resolve is finally broken by Villa's persistent pursuit of Rogers. Given that he now reportedly wants to complete a move too, Emery and co could be closer than ever to getting their man.

"Strong" Rogers can provide attacking depth

Whilst Rogers' goal involvements stand out this season, scoring six and assisting a further nine in all competitions, his versatility hands him the potential to become invaluable under Emery. Morgan can play in any position across the frontline, giving Villa added depth on either wing and for star striker Ollie Watkins. The forward has been at the centre of praise amid speculation over a potential Midlands switch, including from X account TalkinTactics, who posted:

As Villa push on to potentially secure a place in the Premier League's top four this season, depth could prove to be the key, and Rogers could be a huge part of that. The left-winger has already proved his ability to score against Premier League opposition, having found the back of the net in Middlesbrough's shock first-leg victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

After submitting another offer, it's clear that Villa are not backing down, creating for an interesting last 11 days in the January transfer window.

It's been nearly a fortnight now since Celtic sealed the signing of winger Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna for a fee of around £3m, a move Brendan Rodgers hoped would trigger a flurry of January incomings at Celtic.

The Hoops boss still intended to add a left-back and striker to his ranks, and the club initially chose to bide their time as their scouts conducted their due diligence. Now, though, that time is running out ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, and still only one position has been addressed. That's why the latest news from Italy should serve as a source of encouragement.

Van Hooijdonk entourage angle for Celtic move

According to Corriere di Bologna, via Sport Witness, Sydney van Hooijdonk could still join Celtic. Bologna are about to sign striker Santiago Castro from Argentine club Velez Sarsfield, and that should free up the Dutchman to leave.

As you can see in the table below, Van Hooijdonk has already found gametime hard to come by at the club, with nine-goal frontman Joshua Zirkzee very much sitting at the top of the pecking order. The arrival of another competitor in Castro will definitively leave him surplus to requirements.

Appearances

11

Starts

4

League minutes

207

Total minutes

382

Pierre van Hooijdonk, a former Celtic player, is unsurprisingly exerting a significant influence over his son's decision, and he isn't the only one around the player who want to take him to Glasgow in the final days of the window.

"Offers have arrived" from elsewhere, with clubs in Turkey, Spain and the Netherlands also keen, but his entourage is working on a transfer to Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic instead.

Vata off the table as Van Hooijdonk should interest Hoops

It's often the case in the January transfer window that clubs are reluctant to sell players until they've found a replacement, because they know they have less time than they would in the summer and may be charged a premium. That clearly won't be a problem here, with Van Hooijdonk simply free to go and his agents actively seeking a new destination.

The 23-year-old may have only scored one goal this season, but he shouldn't be written off on the basis of that output because, as we've seen, he's hardly had a kick at times. Celtic fans should instead look to his previous stint with Heerenveen, where the 6 foot 3 striker bagged 26 goals in 54 matches, very nearly a strike rate of one in two.

Celtic could land exciting Kyogo partner before deadline day

A Hoops deal for the impressive young centre-forward is said to be “on the cards”.

ByDan Emery Jan 28, 2024

Bologna have shown an interest in Rocco Vata this month, raising the prospect of a part-exchange amid Celtic's interest in Van Hooijdonk, but there doesn't appear to be any prospect of the teenager featuring in the deal as he instead gets closer to signing a new contract at Parkhead.

After signing Radu Dragusin to boost their centre-back options during the January transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur have already reportedly turned their attention towards the summer transfer window and another defensive reinforcement for Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham transfer news

By the end of the winter window, Spurs had secured the signatures of Timo Werner on loan, Dragusin and young talent Lucas Bergvall, who will arrive in the summer. Those in North London will hope that Werner and Dragusin are enough to push the Lilywhites into the Premier League's top four in Postecoglou's first season in charge.

Currently fifth and two points adrift of surprise contenders Aston Villa, Spurs' January business could yet prove to make all the difference.

Postecoglou's progress will not stop with Champions League qualification this season, however, with Spurs' transfer rumours showing signs of intent this summer already. Reports have already linked the North London club with moves for Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners in two deals that would only boost the current squad.

Tottenham in advanced talks to sign "incredible" versatile defender for Ange

The Lilywhites are already thinking about the summer…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 9, 2024

It certainly seems as though Daniel Levy trusts his new manager, having backed him in the summer with arrivals such as James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, before then backing him again in January and seemingly preparing to do the same again in a few months. And that could see a future star complete a move.

According to TuttoJuve, Spurs are ready to make an offer for Dean Huijsen from Juventus. The 18-year-old defender, who is currently on loan at AS Roma, has also attracted the interest of Manchester United after breaking into the team before former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was sacked.

The Red Devils and Spurs are reportedly prepared to bid €30m (£26m) to secure the teenager's signature this summer. Juventus, however, are unlikely to sanction a departure at this point. Rebuilding the Spurs backline with Dragusin and Van de Ven, Postecoglou could add the icing on the cake by welcoming a player for the future in Huijsen… if Levy can change their minds.

"Great" Huijsen is one for the future

A player who's already made his Juventus debut and enjoyed minutes on loan at Roma this season, Huijsen looks increasingly like a star in the making at just 18-years-old. It would be some coup if Spurs managed to secure his signature, with Postecoglou likely to deploy the Dutchman next to his countryman in Van de Ven to form what could finally be the centre-back partnership to one day end Spurs' wait for silverware.

Huijsen is a player who's already earned plenty of deserved praise, including from Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, who told DAZN, via JuventusNews24, after the defender's debut: "Huijsen came in serene and calm in playing, he never played difficult balls and never put his teammate in difficulty. He read like a great player, he did something like Ciro Ferrara.

"Gatti was booked, I said maybe he escapes once (Leao ed) and then Huijsen came on very well. We had three 2005s, two 2003s, one 2000. Fortunately, I found the 2005 players again, thanks to the work that went into it in the youth sector. He worked with the tranquillity and serenity of a thirty-year-old."

After failing to reinforce the squad during the January transfer window, Newcastle United could be gearing up for a summer of big-money arrivals once again under PIF. The Magpies were fearful of breaching the Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules last month due to their reported losses of £155m, but when the summer window swings open, they may be in a position to spend again.

Newcastle transfer news

With the summer transfer window only a matter of months away, Newcastle's attention away from the action at St James' Park has turned towards reinforcements. Already, names such as Amadou Onana have been mentioned again, alongside Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, who is set to be a free agent this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Magpies are keen to sign another top striker to compete with Alexander Isak and the injury-prone Callum Wilson, who has suffered another minor setback recently.

Given Wilson's increasing injury concerns, it's no surprise to see Newcastle linked with another forward. According to Calcio Mercato, Newcastle are in pole position to sign Albert Gudmundsson alongside fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, due to the lure of England's top flight and the duo's ability to meet higher salary demands.

"Hugely important” Newcastle hero could miss Bournemouth clash

Yet another fitness setback for Eddie Howe to contend with.

ByHenry Jackson Feb 13, 2024

Genoa manager Alberto Gilardino refused to sell Gudmundsson in the January window, but a €35m (£30m) offer could see the forward depart in the summer, amid interest from the aforementioned English clubs and Serie A giants Juventus. After an impressive season in Italy, Gudmundsson may well have done enough to earn a big move.

"Devastating" Gudmundsson can replace Wilson

With Wilson now 31-years-old and struggling to stay fit for prolonged periods, it won't be long before Newcastle will be forced to find a replacement. And that's where Gudmundsson could come in for Eddie Howe. The Genoa forward has enjoyed an unbelievably clinical campaign in front of goal and, at 26-years-old, still has plenty of time to step things up even more, especially if he completes a move to the Premier League.

Goals

9

7

Assists

2

1

Expected Goals

4.6

7.2

Key Passes

56

7

What stands out most from Gudmundsson's stats is his expected goals (xG). The Genoa man has overperformed his xG by nearly double, with nine goals from 4.6 expected, and he wasn't far off that sort of record last season either, nabbing 11 goals from 8.3 expected based on the quality of his chances. In fact, he ranks in the bottom one percent of players in Europe's big five leagues for non-penalty xG, but is in the 41st percentile for actually putting it in the net, suggesting his end product could explode in a superior team who create more chances.

The Newcastle target has also earned deserved praise from former AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, who told Il Secolo XIX via Football Italia: “They used to say that if Salah was more clinical, he would be playing for Liverpool, and that is exactly what happened. All joking aside, Gudmundsson is a devastating player and also an exemplary professional."

Tottenham have mapped out a first team plan for one teenage talent yet to make his debut, and Spurs apparently hold him in extremely high esteem.

Postecoglou breeds positivity at Spurs

Ever since manager Ange Postecoglou's arrival last summer, the north Londoners have undergone a very positive upward trajectory, both on and off the field.

Tottenham "expected" to sign "A-list" Harry Kane heir with 27 y/o available

Spurs are eyeing a new striker this year.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 14, 2024

Postecoglou's electric brand of high-pressing, aggressive football has won plenty of admirers as Spurs fiercely contend for a top-four place and subsequent Champions League qualification.

They sit among the English top fight's highest goal-scoring sides, losing just five times so far, and you could argue that a large part of that was down to Postecoglou losing the likes of Micky van de Ven and James Maddison to injury for months.

Pundits like Ian Wright have expressed their surprise at Spurs' sheer transformation under their popular manager, with Tottenham's head-turning form even helping them to beat the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona to January transfer targets.

Timo Werner

Arrival (loan)

Lucas Bergvall

Arrival (buy-to-loan-back)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival (permanent)

Djed Spence

Exit (loan)

Japhet Tanganga

Exit (loan)

Ashley Phillips

Exit (loan)

Sergio Reguilon

Exit (loan)

Alejo Veliz

Exit (loan)

Ivan Perisic

Exit (loan)

Eric Dier

Exit (loan)

Radu Dragusin was chased by Thomas Tuchel's side while the La Liga giants had their eyes firmly on young midfielder Lucas Bergvall. However, Spurs eventually beat both in races for each player, with Postecoglou's side hijacking Barca's deal for Bergvall on deadline day.

"It felt better in the stomach. They are both incredible clubs," said Bergvall on why he chose Spurs over Barca.

"It was a very difficult choice, it was 50-50 for a very long time, but it felt like the next step for me was Tottenham. It was not very easy to say no to Barcelona, it took a very long time to decide. It was a tough decision.

"We talked a little before. In general, how the club works, how they work, how they train, what the days look like. It wasn't a persuasive talk like that. He just said the club was great and I noticed that when I got there. I got an incredible reception, it's a very family club but incredible people."

Currently back out on loan at Djurgardens IF, the 18-year-old will link up with Spurs properly in the summer.

Tottenham map out first team Bergvall plan

Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey have an update on the youngster and how he could be utilised in north London.

Indeed, it is believed Tottenham are planning to integrate Bergvall straight into Postecoglou's first team later this year, and those within Spurs view him as a "generational talent".

The Swede penned a five-year deal worth around £8.5 million in the winter window, yet despite his tender age, there is a belief at the club that he's more-than capable of being thrusted straight into senior action.

Another one of David Moyes' crop could "become one of the highest-profile players to quit West Ham" in the summer alongside the exit links surrounding Lucas Paqueta.

Clubs circle Paqueta for summer 2024 transfer

According to recent reports, Paqueta may well follow former captain Declan Rice out the door later this year as another marquee West Ham sale becomes more and more possible.

West Ham want proven Moyes replacement as Steidten takes to South America

The Scotsman is out of contract at the end of the season.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 27, 2024

The Brazilian is currently subject to an investigation around gambling breaches, but once that clears, it is believed the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City have all made it clear they're interested in Paqueta (Claret & Hugh).

Last year, Man City were attempting to sign West Ham's star player but ultimately pulled the plug when he was accused of his betting charges.

"Following the recent betting-related allegations made against Lucas Paqueta, Manchester City are now internally discussing the Brazilian’s potential transfer," Fabrizio Romano wrote in his CaughtOffside substack last summer.

West Ham 3-0 Wolves

8.88

West Ham 3-2 Nottingham Forest

8.20

Luton Town 1-2 West Ham

8.02

Burnley 1-2 West Ham

7.86

Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham

7.79

"The deal between Manchester City and West Ham is currently off. We can say that is 99% collapsed and we’re just waiting for the final communication, but this is the feeling. The situation is very clear."

City could be back in again for Paqueta later this year, alongside other big English clubs, but he isn't the only West Ham mainstay who could well depart this year.

High profile exit could follow Paqueta

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke, writing for Football Insider, that player may be defender Nayef Aguerd. The Morocco international, who's started 19 league games this season, is subject to interest from Saudi Arabia and it is believed his departure from Rush Green is a distinct possibility this summer.

Aguerd could be one of the "highest profile players" to leave West Ham, according to O'Rourke, and it is something the club could green-light despite "extensive speculation" surrounding Kurt Zouma's future as well.

The 27-year-old, who went to AFCON mid-season, has made some defensive errors in big games this season but was praised as one of the "best defenders in Europe" by former teammate Achraf Sidki.

“West Ham have signed one of the best defenders in Europe,” Sidki told The Athletic. “I’m so proud that one of my former teammates will be playing in the Premier League. I’m surprised he didn’t move to England sooner. When we were younger we both had big dreams of becoming professional footballers. Nayef has done well, and I’m confident he will be a great signing for West Ham."

It is unclear yet as to how much West Ham will demand for the North African's services, or if they have a replacement plan, but this could be one to watch.

Tottenham coaches have now been left unconvinced by a member of Ange Postecoglou's squad, with the player himself making a big decision on his future.

Spurs players linked with 2024 summer exits

There are many members of Postecoglou's squad who face uncertain futures heading into the summer window.

Sarr says silent Tottenham hero plays such an important role within Spurs

He’s been a big influence on the young midfielder.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 11, 2024

Once a mainstay of Antonio Conte's midfield and guaranteed starter every week, midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been reduced to a bit-part, substitute role under Postecoglou since the Australian's arrival last summer.

Hojbjerg has contributed effectively when called upon for the most part, but you could be forgiven for thinking the Dane would be open to a new challenge and somewhere he can become a mainstay on the team sheet again.

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Luton Town (home)

March 30th

West Ham (away)

April 2nd

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 8th

Newcastle United (away)

April 13th

It is believed Hojbjerg is open to leaving Tottenham this summer and has been repeatedly tipped for the exit door as far back as last Autumn. His teammate, Giovani Lo Celso, is also struggling to play his way into Postecoglou's favour – so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Spurs' World Cup winner.

Postecoglou and the wider Spurs recruitment team have pending decisions to make on the futures of some senior loanees as well, with Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga, Joe Rodon and Troy Parrott all currently set to return this summer.

Signed in 2021 and having arrived with a glowing reputation, the future doesn't look particularly bright for Bryan Gil. The Spaniard has been on numerous loan spells since Fabio Paratici opted to bring him in from Sevilla, and he's never quite battled his way into becoming a regular starter.

He elected to stay in January and battle his way into Postecoglou's plans, but that hasn't quite worked out, with Gil starting just two league games all season and making eight appearances from the sub's bench.

Gil decided to leave Tottenham with staff unconvinced

Estadio Deportivo have shared an update on the midfielder and his future this week.

According to the Spanish news outlet, Tottenham coaches are unconvinced by Gil, and the 23-year-old has decided to pack his bags in the summer as he wants a return to La Liga.

His dream is a return to Sevilla, but Real Sociedad are also monitoring this situation closely ahead of a potential move. This is quite a sad end for Gil if he does opt to make a return to his homeland, as he arrived in north London with bags of potential.

"You know about Bryan Gil we are talking about a player who was born to play football," said Conte in 2023.

"He understands football quickly. He’s so clever, so intelligent to understand the situation. Then you know this league is difficult, because you have to be good in quality and be fast and to have good endurance, and he has this type of quality."

Daniel Farke could well find he's put on the same pedestal as Leeds United icon Marcelo Bielsa if the Whites lift the Championship title at the end of his enthralling season, with the West Yorkshire side sitting pretty currently at the top of the perch.

Bielsa did manage to propel Leeds into a mid-table spot in the Premier League after winning promotion however, with Farke having to break his stage fright when it comes to managing in the top-flight – where he has relegated Norwich City previously – if the Whites do end up back there.

Still, not everything that that cult Argentine figure touched turned to gold with this one-time Leeds prospect, who was openly admired by Bielsa, now struggling to revitalise his career at the very bottom of League One.

Alfie McCalmont's time at Leeds

Despite being studied extensively by the South American manager – with the meticulous ex-Leeds boss revealed to have "spent close to 20 hours watching" clips involving the player, according to the Athletic's Phil Hay – Alfie McCalmont would never quite make the grade at Elland Road as a skilful midfield spark.

The Northern Irish midfielder would only go on to make two appearances in the first team ranks in West Yorkshire, having excited those who had watched him light up U21 pitches for Leeds.

Still, the now 23-year-old would go on to make just eleven appearances in the youth set-up at Leeds despite being hyped up.

It would result in McCalmont being routinely loaned out to cut his teeth elsewhere instead of ever flourishing at his boyhood club, succeeding all the way down in League Two with the likes of Oldham Athletic and Morecambe in short stints before the Whites then allowed for their highly tipped wonderkid to walk away as a free agent in 2023.

Now, McCalmont, who was once talked up as being "immensely talented" by former Leeds player Noel Whelan, is really struggling to get his Carlisle United team going right at the foot of League One with anonymous displays centrally.

Alfie McCalmont's time at Carlisle in numbers

It did start brightly for the ex-Leeds man relocating to Cumbria, the 23-year-old bagging two goals from just 16 appearances for Paul Simpson's men last year towards the end of their promotion-winning campaign from League Two.

But, coinciding with Carlisle collectively struggling to navigate the step-up to the third tier, McCalmont's performances have become less impactful consequently for his doomed team.

The 23-year-old hasn't even helped himself to a single assist from 28 league games in the third tier, with his goal output drying up also.

McCalmont's last strike for the Cumbrians dates all the way back to the start of this year versus Oxford United, where Simpson's men were unsurprisingly beaten 3-1 having lost 11 of their 13 games this year in the division.

28 games (15 starts)

1 goal

0 assists

2 'big chances' created

0.4 key passes per game

0.4 interceptions per game

1 tackle per game

37% total duels won

6.3x possession lost per game

6.63 avg. match rating

Whilst faces such as Archie Gray and even Joe Gelhardt in his prime have made the jump up to the Leeds first team look almost effortless from the youth sides, McCalmont will now be remembered for being the nearly man who never quite lived up to his hype in West Yorkshire.

In another reality, McCalmont might have catapulted himself into Leeds stardom like Gray and would now be a key performer for the Whites as they eye an immediate return to the Premier League.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Instead, his lacklustre displays will see him back playing League Two football next campaign barring a miracle in Cumbria.

Manchester United are in desperate need for reinforcements, and may return to an old hunting ground to land one this summer, it has emerged.

Red Devils ship sinks at Chelsea

Two goals from Cole Palmer in the 99th and 101st minute saw Manchester United throw away a 3-2 lead against Chelsea to lose 4-3 on Thursday night, in a game that often resembled a League One clash from a quality standpoint, rather than a Premier League game.

United boss Erik ten Hag then claimed that he felt his side were 'fantastic' and 'dominated the game', but they conceded 28 shots (10 on target) and threw away another three points just days after conceding in the 97th minute against Brentford.

Man Utd keen to trigger £35m release clause to sign star new wide player

They see it as a “bargain”.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 5, 2024

It means that now no side in Europe's top five league has faced more shots in 2024 than the Red Devils' 225 (an average of 22.5 per game) and though there are certainly mitigating circumstances with two more defenders going off injured last night, it feels very much like Ten Hag's regime is nearing its end.

Manchester United in Premier League 2024

Games

10

Wins

5

Losses

3

Goals conceded

17

Goal difference

+4

Shots conceded

225

League position in 2024

5th

They sit sixth in the Premier League as things stand, but understat claim that going by expected points they could in fact be as low as 13th, between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, and that they have been riding their luck to even be in a European football spot for next season.

But despite all the woe on the pitch, the arrival of new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has brought hope off it, and this summer is his first chance to make his mark on a sleeping giant.

United eye marquee deal for Real Madrid star

Now, 90min claim he is planning to do just that, with the INEOS chief weighing up a move for Real Madrid sensation Rodrygo.

Unlike Casemiro and Raphael Varane, Rodrygo would be making the move from the Santiago Bernabeu to Old Trafford in the prime of his career, with the Brazilian having scored 15 times already this season, with his latest two strikes earning high praise from Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The impending arrivals of both Endrick and Kylian Mbappe to bolster the Real Madrid frontline has left plenty feeling that Rodrygo will be the man to miss out, and the Brazilian could see himself needing to leave the club to gain regular football once more.

As per reports in Spain [Via 90min], the Red Devils are "ready" to throw their hat in the ring for his services, and could offer up to 120m euros (£103m) to get the deal done and make the 23-year-old the crown jewel of their future project.

With plenty of work to do on the rest of the squad and a lack of Champions League football, a mega-money move looks unlikely in truth, with Liverpool and Arsenal both also thought to be keen on the Brazilian should he become available.

Leeds United could well err on the side of caution when it comes to playing Georginio Rutter today, the exciting Frenchman undergoing a hernia operation in the international break and could be deemed too fragile to start away at Watford consequently.

The Whites should still have enough explosive talent at their disposal to get the better of a Watford side now managed by Tom Cleverley on an interim basis regardless, with the Hornets dismissing yet another manager recently in the form of Valerien Ismael.

Daniel Farke could decide to chop and change his XI not just to accommodate for Rutter being rested however, with Daniel James clamouring for a place back in his manager's lineup after a lively cameo against Millwall last time out.

Daniel James' performance vs Millwall in numbers

James' goal late from off the bench ensured Leeds didn't fall victim to any late scares at Elland Road against Neil Harris' away side, cruising to a 2-0 win over the Lions in the end.

But, it wasn't just his strike in isolation that caught the eye from his impactful 21 minutes on the pitch.

James would manage to pull off two key passes from just six attempted when coming on in place of Wilfried Gnonto, on top of hitting the woodwork with another effort to nearly hand himself a brace from so little time in the thick of the action.

It feels like a no-brainer to give James a run-out from minute one away at Watford therefore, with Gnonto failing to impress against the Lions away from his blinding strike that opened the scoring.

The ex-FC Zurich man would just register 31 touches, eight fewer than Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the 2-0 win, and so could be axed for James to put in a lightning-quick shift against Watford to try and catch the Hornets out instead.

Joel Piroe could also have the reward of being drafted into Farke's XI for the trip to Hertfordshire, with the ex-Swansea City man fading into the background in recent weeks despite starring in patches this season for his title-chasing side.

Joel Piroe could be Georginio Rutter's replacement

If Rutter is told to sit out the trip down to Vicarage Road, Farke could do far worse than reintroducing Piroe into the first team fold in his place.

Surprisingly, despite having 11 goals next to his name for the season and boasting the tag of being "clinical" by football journalist Josh Bunting, the 6 foot 1 attacker has found himself out of his manager's first-team plans as of late owing to a revitalised Patrick Bamford becoming key again.

Yet, although his goal record suggests he's more of a prolific striker than a number ten, Piroe has excelled in this spot behind the striker this season for Farke's men away from being just a conventional centre-forward presence.

One of the last times the Dutchman played in this attacking midfield slot was against Ipswich Town in December, where Piroe got in on the goalscoring act in a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing of Kieran McKenna's men.

Away from that strike, Piroe was calm and measured on the ball at points too with one key pass managed in the big victory.

Position

Games played

Goals

Assists

CAM

21

8

1

ST

10

4

1

SS

2

0

0

Looking at the table above, despite the £15k-per-week man playing 74 of his 96 games predominantly as a striker at former employers Swansea, he excels being played in a more creative role for Farke's men.

With the season hurtling towards a number of crucial contests, every player will have to be at their peak for the run-in which could see Farke make changes accordingly to keep his impressive Whites side fresh and up for the task of returning straight back to the Premier League.