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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Paul Scholes has revealed David Gill’s departure cost Manchester United just as much as the exit of Sir Alex Ferguson.

What did he say?

Whilst Ferguson’s retirement dominated proceedings at Old Trafford in mid-2013, Gill stepping down from his role as chief executive around the same time also served to increase the problems at United. The man who stepped in to replace the latter? Ed Woodward.

Now, Scholes has bemoaned the departure of Gill and the impact that it has had, and insisted he “didn’t get the credit” he deserved in his time with the Red Devils.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

He said (as transcribed by Goal): “When you look five or six years ago, when Alex Ferguson left, the other person who probably didn’t get the credit he deserved was David Gill. He was a football man, he knew football. From the day he went, as well as Sir Alex, it’s been difficult.

“I think there were alarm bells straight away really when David (Moyes) took over and he signed Juan Mata and Fellaini for something like £70m, who are good players in their own right but I don’t think they were Man United players.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

“I don’t think Alex Ferguson or David Gill would have signed those type of players and I think from then on alarm bells have rang and we’re in the position we are now because of buying players who we don’t really think were Man United players, and Ole’s there now and he’s got the opportunity to put that right.”

Under-rated

As Woodward is proving, and the United faithful are bearing witness to, not everything comes down to the manager. The role of those on the board and amongst the upper echelons of the club’s hierarchy can be just as crucial, if not more. Whilst Ferguson dominated matters on-the-pitch, he could rely on Gill to mastermind things off it.

But since the duo’s respective exits, the Red Devils have lurched from one manager to the next, and from one player to the next too. There appears to be no coherent plan, and that comes down from the man with the decision-making powers – Woodward. As Scholes quite rightly points out, Ferguson leaving Old Trafford was massive. But Gill’s own departure simply exacerbated the issue.

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Loads of Tottenham Hotspur fans on Twitter are fuming with one Mauricio Pochettino comment in particular in the aftermath of his side’s Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Colchester United on Tuesday night.

Spurs should have had enough to see off their lower league opposition given they had a nice blend of youth and experience in the starting XI, but instead they were taken to penalties by the U’s, before Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura failed to convert their spot-kicks.

Speaking post-match, as reported by Football London’s Alasdair Gold on Twitter, the Argentine manager provided a bizarre view on his squad and transfers:

Given the summer transfer window only recently ended, it seems mad that the former Southampton boss is already looking ahead to January and suggesting that the problems they are currently encountering might not be sorted until then.

Presumably he is alluding to the futures of players like Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, whose contracts are due to expire next summer with no sign of any of them extending their stays with the north London outfit as things stand.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Tottenham supporters certainly weren’t impressed with their manager’s remark – understandable given their current form – with one saying “he’s lost the plot”, and another individual saying “never thought I’d hear Poch say this”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Settling into a new football club can be a daunting experience for any footballer.

New surroundings and new faces can be scary for anyone, even the most seasoned pros, but luckily for West Bromwich Albion, it seems as if Charlie Austin isn’t having any of those issues.

Despite the fact the striker is yet to net a league goal for the Baggies – he insists that he’s found it easy to settle in to life at The Hawthorns.

“As soon as I came through the door on deadline day I felt a part of the team and a part of the club, everyone at the club couldn’t do enough for me. I was delighted when the deal got done, and a couple months down the line I know I made the right decision.” Austin said.

It could have been a bit of a culture shock for Austin as he’s spent the last few years down south with QPR and then Southampton, but he seems to have adjusted to life in the Midlands quite well.

Baggies supporters have to be hoping that his first league goal comes sooner rather than later, and based off of this evidence it’s just a matter of Austin rediscovering his touch as his mindset at the club seems to be absolutely perfect.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Arsene Wenger was interested in signing Lionel Messi when he was manager of Arsenal, he told beIN Sports, via Marca.

What did he say?

Since leaving Arsenal last year, Arsene Wenger has had plenty of time on his hands to share his thoughts on the game as well as anecdotes from his reign at the north London outfit.

In a recent interview with beIN Sports, via Marca, he has been talking about the signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona, and has also confirmed he was in talks to sign Lionel Messi as well.

He said: “You have to live with regrets in life, you know.

“There’s only unachieved business in life and this is a big part of it.

“We were in discussions with [Messi] when we bought Fabregas because Messi played [with him].

“We were interested in him, but he was untouchable at the time.”

“They have the bigger mentality” – Spurs fans come to blows after the North London Derby in the video below…

Another one to add to the Wenger collection

The 69-year-old signed some fantastic players for Arsenal, but they are almost overshadowed by the ones that got away due to his constant comments about those he attempted to purchase.

If you look through the list, it really is a who’s who of football over the last 20 years. By his own admission, Wenger attempted to bring in N’Golo Kante when he was still playing for Caen, as well as Paul Pogba before he left Manchester United to join Juventus.

Gareth Bale, Yaya Toure and Zlatan Ibrahmovic were also all on Wenger’s radar, he has confirmed down the years, with the switches not going through often due to comical reasons. He even eyed Cristiano Ronaldo, who was shown around the club’s base by the Frenchman before moving to Old Trafford.

What a team Arsenal could have had! And clearly, what an eye for talent Wenger possesses, at least coming from the man himself. It is an awful lot easier to say he was interested when they had already proven themselves at the highest level, though.

How many more names should we expect to have been “close” to a move to the Emirates outfit down the years? If history tells us anything, Messi won’t be the last to be name-dropped.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to the Talking Shutt podcast this week, Adam Pope has laid down a huge claim about a potential takeover at Leeds, explaining how long Andrea Radrizzani may last at the club.

What’s he said?

The Leeds hierarchy have made some major plays this week in terms of extending the contracts of three of their key players.

Kalvin Phillips first put pen to paper, ending speculation that saw him linked with three Premier League sides over the summer. Meanwhile, Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper also extended their stays.

But investment of this type, certainly from Radrizzani may not last too much longer.

That’s according to BBC Radio Leeds commentator Pope who appearing on the Talking Shutt podcast explained he may be gone in the next year. He said:

“He [Angus Kinnear] said selling is not on the cards, but I believe they’re still looking for money to come in.

“My issue would be if you’re getting more investment you’re going to fracture the ownership. You’ve got the 49ers, Andrea, then somebody else. For me, ruling by committee doesn’t work.

“I thought there was potential he [Radrizzani] might have sold up last season but with being top of the league it was clear he wanted to stay.

“Leeds is a beast that needs feeding and it’s tough for them to make money. How long can he go on for? Another year maybe.”

Promotion or bust?

Radrizzani’s time at the club has come with success. Appointing Marcelo Bielsa last season was a masterstroke that saw Leeds end their time in mid-table obscurity and finish in the playoffs.

A similar sort of term appears to be on the cards in 2019/20. The Whites currently sit third in the table and that’s largely thanks to the increased wage bill that Kinnear spoke about with the BBC last week.

The fact is that if Leeds don’t get promoted this season then arguably, Radrizzani may either have to sell a percentage of his stake of leave completely.

Achieving a place in the Premier League comes with a huge financial gain, £170m in fact.

That would be a considerable boost to a club like Leeds, especially as Pope explains that it’s difficult for them to make money.

The fact they had to sell Pontus Jansson partly for financial fair play reasons in the summer is more evidence of that final claim.

Leeds would be wise to keep tabs on possible future investors but it would make sense if Radrizzani stays if they go up.

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West Ham United would send out a serious message to the rest of the Premier League if they manage to secure the services of Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo this month.

BBC Sport claim that the Hammers are considering whether to trigger the striker’s £43.3m release clause before the end of the January transfer window, at which point they would loan him back to the Spanish outfit for the rest of the campaign.

The Chalkboard

Gomez arrived at Celta from Uruguayan outfit Defensor Sporting in the summer of 2017 and the centre-forward has proved to be a fine addition for the La Liga club.

Check out the video below to see Pl>ymaker FC’s American Soccer Fan give his take on all six ‘field goals’ in West Ham v Burnley…

Indeed, Gomez has managed 27 goals and 10 assists in 58 appearances for Celta, including nine goals in 18 La Liga appearances this term.

Standing at 6ft 1in, Gomez can certainly handle himself and he could have a huge impact at West Ham moving forward.

Indeed, the thought of the Uruguay international operating alongside the likes of Felipe Anderson, Samir Nasri, Manuel Lanzini and potentially even Marko Arnautovic will be an extremely exciting one for the West Ham fans.

Breaking the club’s transfer record once again would also be another indication of the club’s intent moving forward, after an underwhelming start to life at the London Stadium.

Could Gomez play with Arnautovic?

Arnautovic has revealed that he will be staying at West Ham this month but his future beyond the end of the season – when Gomez would arrive should the Irons loan him back to Celta Viga – remains unclear.

Nonetheless, Arnautovic has played through the middle for West Ham but operated in a wider position for Stoke City and is capable of turning out in a number of areas in the final third. Gomez, although mainly a target man, also moves quite well and is clever enough to link with Arnautovic.

At the same time, Manuel Pellegrini has used a 4-4-2 formation eight times in the Premier League this season according to Whoscored and initially favoured a similar setup at Manchester City, utilising Alvaro Negredo as Sergio Aguero’s strike partner to great effect.

So, although there is an understandable assumption that Gomez is being targeted as Arnautovic’s replacement as claimed by The Guardian – which makes delaying his move to the summer convenient for both West Ham and Celta Vigo, who are fighting relegation – there is the potential for them to play alongside each other in what would be a fearsome strike partnership.

That, however, would appear to depend on Arnautovic staying beyond the summer. At this moment in time, that feels unlikely.

Loads of Sunderland fans have been reacting to the departure of Jack Baldwin, who has left the club on a season-long loan.

Black Cats fans were likely quite disappointed by their club’s business on deadline day.

Only Laurens De Bock arrived, while three players left on loan, and one of them looks to have been a mistake if the fans’ reactions are anything to go by.

Baldwin has joined Salford City on a season-long loan, following youngsters Ethan Robson and Jack Diamond out the door on deadline day.

The 26 year-old played 41 times in all competitions for Jack Ross’ side last season, and while he didn’t enjoy the greatest of campaigns, it does leave the club a little light in the heart of defence.

The arrivals of Joel Lynch and Jordan Willis improve the centre-back ranks, but after those two and Alim Ozturk, only Tom Flanagan is a natural central defender, and he was part of the problem alongside Baldwin last term.

You can find some of the fans’ concerns down below…

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Everton have been one of the most active Premier League clubs during the transfer window, and with good reason.

The Toffees are in desperate need to turn their season around after a disappointing first half to the campaign. In order to rectify that situation, they have made three signings already in the first two weeks of January, and Rafael Benitez and co may not be finished yet.

What’s the word?

The Everton manager took to his press conference ahead of today’s match against Norwich to give an update on the club’s next steps in the winter transfer window, teasing the potential of more signings to come.

Benitez revealed: “We are always looking to strengthen the squad. The reality is we’ve balanced the books, which I think is a positive. We are open to any good option.”

“At the moment we’re happy with the three we’ve brought. But we are open-minded.”

This week has been a busy one at Goodison Park, with fan favourite Lucas Digne sold to Aston Villa after three-and-a-half years with the Merseyside club, and Anwar El Ghazi signing on loan until the end of the season, and Benitez isn’t ruling out further business yet.

Fans will be buzzing

Everton fans haven’t had an easy ride supporting their team this season, and many have definitely made no secret of their disappointment over poor performances, walking out of matches at Goodison Park and planning protests against the owners and the manager.

This transfer window has provided Benitez with the opportunity to change the trajectory of the club by signing new players and freshening up the squad, in the hope that a fresh perspective will help the Toffees climb back into the top half of the table, where they are expected to finish this season.

It is important that Everton start to pick up results, as they have a run of winnable games against bottom half teams such as Leeds United, Brentford, Aston Villa and Newcastle coming up over the next few weeks. That should give them the ideal opportunity to ascend to a much more comfortable position in the Premier League if they can capitalise.

For now, the manager’s claim that the Toffees are “open” to making further additions this month should bring some overdue happiness to the Goodison Park fan base, as the current squad just haven’t been delivering the goods.

In other news: Alan Myers makes January transfer window prediction regarding Everton

West Ham United manager David Moyes could finally axe Issa Diop by signing Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall in this final week of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, the Hammers remain interested in signing the 25-year-old before transfer deadline day next Monday as Moyes looks to bolster his centre-back options.

Bye-bye Diop

Were Worrall to arrive at the London Stadium, it would allow Moyes to call time on Diop’s career at the club amid recent speculation that fellow Premier League side Newcastle are interested in signing the 25-year-old.

The Frenchman’s performance in recent weeks amid the Hammers’ injury troubles in defence have left a lot to be desired – not least his display against Leeds United earlier this month when the London side lost 2-3.

As per Sofascore, Diop was dribbled past twice over the course of the 90 minutes, the most of any player on the pitch, while he also looked extremely shaky on the ball, losing possession ten times and completing just one of his four attempted long passes.

It was no surprise that he duly came in for some big criticism from some sections of the Hammers’ fanbase, with a few calling for him to be dropped and pining for the return of his fellow Frenchman Kurt Zouma.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Football.London, Tom Clark gave Diop a three, saying: “Should have done better with Leeds’ second goal where Luke Ayling ran off him and nodded down an assist for Harrison. Fortunate Mateusz Klich’s goal was disallowed after letting Raphinha get away from him too easily.”

In fact, his 6.45 average match rating from WhoScored in the Premier League this year ranks him as the worst-performing West Ham player of those who have started more than five games for the club.

In Worrall, the Hammers would be getting someone who is very much an old-school rugged and reliable defender who looks a perfect fit for the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.

As per Whoscored, Worrall has averaged two interceptions and two tackles per game in the Championship this season, while he is also making a whopping 3.7 clearances and one block per match too, placing him in the top five for each metric when compared to his teammates.

During his time at Rangers, then-Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard was a big fan of the defender and waxed lyrical about him in 2019, saying: “I thought Joe Worrall was outstanding. What a big goal to keep his team in the cup. It was a Man of the Match performance, and he will be a captain of whatever team he plays for. He is a leader and he stepped up today.”

The 6 foot 4 beast’s arrival could finally signal the end of Diop’s time at the London Stadium.

Meanwhile, ExWHUEmployee has dropped a transfer update on this West Ham target…

Leeds United are heading into January in dire straits.

They are just five points above the relegation zone, with several teams below them having a game or two in hand, and there’s a mounting injury crisis amongst Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team squad.

As many as 11 players missed the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend – their third successive thrashing in the Premier League.

It means Bielsa, director of football Victor Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani will surely go against their usual mid-season transfer window plans to actually sign someone.

Of course, the Argentinian head coach needs widespread additions across the team but there is one role that he may already have a solution to.

It’s no secret that United have missed a creative influence in the final third, having waved goodbye to Pablo Herandez in the summer. Only five teams have scored fewer goals than Leeds (18), two of which occupy a place in the bottom three, whilst a little over 44% of their goals have come from set pieces alone.

Although Bielsa could well discover a new Hernandez in the form of academy gem Stuart McKinstry, who seems primed to save Radrizzani and co millions in the upcoming window.

The 19-year-old dynamo has already made his senior bow, coming on as a substitute during a Carabao Cup clash with Fulham in September this year, where he scored the winning penalty to see the Whites into the next round.

Meanwhile, for the U23s in the Premier League 2, he has provided three assists from 11 appearances, whilst playing anywhere in midfield.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay once labelled McKinstry as Leeds’ ‘next big thing’.

“He’s a very confident ball carrier, he’s physically strong, good upper body strength, excellent feet, good at beating his man and creative. In his head, he probably feels he can play in other positions up front as well,” he said.

That very much sounds like Hernandez and in his hay day, he too was able to play on the wing, as well as centrally.

Elsewhere, McKinstry’s former academy director at Motherwell, Steven Hammell, lauded him as a “fabulous young player” who “will do wonderful things and become a household name in the next three or four years” to the Lanarkshire Live Sport Podcast.

Even some of his academy teammates have spotted his massive potential, likening him to Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi, so the Elland Road faithful also have plenty to be excited about when it comes to their promising Scottish gem.

As such, Bielsa should turn to the teenage sensation in 2022 because he could well emerge as a solid candidate to replace Hernandez in attacking midfield.

AND in other news, Leeds could sign Bielsa’s next Ben White in swoop for “flawless” £18m-rated colossus…