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Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he can understand why the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Julian Nagelsmann have no interest in joining Tottenham.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has started his search for a new manager after dismissing Jose Mourinho, and that search had reportedly taken him to Rodgers and Nagelsmann.

However, the former has made it clear that he wants to stay at Leicester City, while the latter has agreed to join Bayern Munich this summer.

Undoubtedly disappointing developments for Levy, but Hendrie can fully understand why managers are choosing to snub Spurs in the north London club’s quest to replace Mourinho.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about the matter, the retired Premier League footballer said:

“The likes of Brendan Rodgers and Nagelsmann, why on earth would you want to leave a football club for one that’s not playing Champions League football? That’s the big question.

“Why would that [Tottenham] attract someone, unless you’re going to have that fact that we’re keeping Harry Kane, we’re going to build, we’re going to bring more players in, better players, and we’re going to be a better football club.”

There could be life in this saga yet, though, with the MailOnline reporting that Levy and Tottenham have not yet given up on luring Rodgers away from the King Power.

Responding to a West Ham supporter’s question on Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has dropped an enticing injury claim involving Declan Rice, Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell, believing that the trio are likely to be available again before the end of the season.

ExWHUemployee drops enticing injury claim

Currently beset with injuries throughout the squad in key positions, David Moyes has remained cryptic regarding the timescale of the trio’s respective returns.

West Ham are also missing Michail Antonio, and while Ex doubts whether the 31-year-old will be able to feature before the end of the campaign, he is more optimistic regarding Rice, Masuaku and Cresswell. When asked as to the likelihood of the Irons’ injured contingent being available for their Champions League push, the insider replied: “Yes I think so! Only one I doubt is Antonio”.

ExWHUemployee’s belief comes as an encouraging one despite his rather pessimistic claim on Antonio, with Moyes needing to get the likes of Rice and Cresswell back as soon as possible.

Transfer Tavern take

Both Englishmen have been mainstays for the Hammers this season, especially the 22-year-old midfielder, and West Ham’s fragility in defence without them has been obvious for all to see. Moyes’ men have conceded eight goals in their last four Premier League matches without Rice protecting the back four in defensive midfield alongside Tomas Soucek.

Meanwhile, Masuaku has been a constant starter whenever he has been fit to feature during a disrupted 2020/21 campaign.

As a result, Irons supporters will be praying that he and Cresswell are back as soon as possible, and could be encouraged by this suggestion that they should play a part before the end of the season.

In other news: Expert backs Bundesliga ace to join West Ham, find out more here.

Southampton fans are far from happy with comments from Nathan Redmond ahead of their F.A Cup semi-final this weekend.

The Saints will travel to Wembley on Sunday to play Leicester City for a place in the final. Despite losing 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion on Monday, the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit will at least be happy to be playing a side who themselves are struggling for form in the Foxes – they have lost their last two games (lcfc.co.uk).

Redmond was speaking ahead of the clash, and he was discussing the contrast with Southampton’s last semi-final appearance in 2018. On that occasion, they were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea, and the £16.2m-valued 27-year-old (Transfermarkt) said that at the time there was no aspiration for success amongst the Saints players, although now they are in a far better position to prevail.

These comments were shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it is fair to say the fans were disappointed. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Redmond below

“Appreciate his honesty but what a disgrace. In a semi final and no aspiration to succeed?!!”

Credit: @saintdansmith

“Behave”

Credit: @BuildABonfire

“This is throwing it on the line. Saying how up for it everyone is and how good the atmosphere is after a 3-0 spanking by a poor team means if we don’t turn up then we have some very big questions to answer.”

Credit: @Andrew_Stokes_

“He knows people actually watched the West Brom match right!?”

Credit: @JamesBrooksAP

“Imagine saying that out loud in any other job? Let alone a well paid one.”

Credit: @papaschmoo

“how can he say this after the wba game”

Credit: @jahgsvlayso

In other news, Southampton fans slammed this man against West Brom.

بدأ لاعبو فريق تشيلسي تدريباته في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة استعدادًا للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

ويشارك تشيلسي في كأس العالم للأندية باعتباره بطلًا لدوري أبطال أوروبا، الموسم الماضي.

ويخوض تشيلسي مباراة يوم الأربعاء المقبل في نصف نهائي مونديال الأندية، مع الفائز من المباراة الجارية حاليًا بين الهلال السعودي والجزيرة الإماراتي.

وذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية إنه تم تصوير لاعبي تشيلسي وهم يتدربون في أبو ظبي استعدادًا لبداية مشوارهم في كأس العالم للأندية هذا الأسبوع.

Training with a view. 🤩#ClubWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QYezZc6ACs — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 6, 2022

بعد 24 ساعة فقط من انتهاء مباراة الدور الرابع لكأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي ضد بليموث، تدرب الفريق وفي الخلفية مسجد الشيخ زايد الكبير.

وأوضحت أن الفريق قطع مسافة 3500 ميل يوم السبت، بعدما فاز على بليموث في الأشواط الإضافية في دور الـ32 من كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

ولم يسافر توماس توخيل رفقة تشيلسي حيث يعاني من فيروس كورونا، حسبما أعلن النادي اللندني أمس.

اقرأ أيضًا.. شكوك حول مشاركة حكيم زياش مع تشيلسي في كأس العالم للأندية

يأمل الألماني في الخروج والانضمام إلى الفريق في الإمارات الأسبوع المقبل، إذا استمر تشيلسي في المنافسة.

لم يفز تشيلسي بكأس العالم للأندية مطلقًا، بعدما خاضها لمرة واحدة فقط في عام 2012، حيث خسر في النهائي آنذاك أمام كورينثانز بهدف دون رد.

وإذا فاز تشيلسي في مباراة نصف النهائي، سيواجه الفائز من مباراة الأهلي وبالميراس المقررة يوم الثلاثاء، في لقاء النهائي يوم السبت القادم.

أعلن البرتغالي ليوناردو جارديم المدير الفنى للهلال السعودى قائمة فريقه التي ستشارك في منافسات كأس العالم للأندية 2021 بالإمارات.

وتنطلق منافسات كأس العالم للأندية يوم 3 فبراير المقبل وتستمر حتى الثاني عشر من الشهر ذاته.

ويشارك الهلال السعودي في كأس العالم للأندية نظرًا لتتويجه في عام 2021 بلقب دوري أبطال آسيا بعد انتصاره على وهانج ستيلرز بهدفين دون رد.

ويستعد الهلال السعودي لاستهلال مشواره في مونديال الأندية بمواجهة فريق بيراي من تاهيتي أو الجزيرة الإماراتي. قائمة الهلال السعودي في كأس العالم للأندية

حراسة المرمى: عبد الله المعيوف – محمد العويس – عبد الله الجدعاني – أحمد آل جبيع.

خط الدفاع: على آل بليهي – محمد جحفلي – جافي هيون سو – ياسر الشهراني – محمد البريك – عبد الرحمن العبيد – متعب المفرج – حمد اليامي – سعود عبد الحميد.

طالع | بديل جوميز.. الهلال السعودي يُعلن ضم هداف برازيلي قبل كأس العالم للأندية

خط الوسط: سلمان الفرج – مصعب الجوير – ميشيل ديلغادو – أندري كاريلو – سالم الدوسري – عبد الله عطيف – جوستافو كويلار – محمد كنو – عبد الإله المالكي – ماثيوس بيريرا – ناصر الدوسري – محمد القحطاني.

خط الهجوم: صالح الشهري – عبد الله الحمدان – عبد الله رديف – موسمى ماريجا – أوديون إيجالو.

يذكر أن الأهلي يشارك في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، بصفته بطل دوري أبطال إفريقيا، ويستهل مبارياته بمواجهة مونتيري المكسيكي يوم السبت المقبل.

📋 ضمّت 30 لاعبًا.. هُنـا قائمة #كبير_آسيا في 2022م 💙#الهلال pic.twitter.com/wc1V613Sbs

— نادي الهلال السعودي (@Alhilal_FC) January 31, 2022

Alan Hutton believes Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier may have sacrificed his last chance of moving to the Premier League after signing a new contract at Ibrox.

Hutton discusses Tavernier

29-year-old Tavernier signed a new contract at Rangers over the past few days that will keep him at the club until 2024 (rangers.co.uk), when he will be 32.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton believes this decision has all but ended his chances of moving south of the border to the English top flight. He said:

“At 29, if you’re looking to go down south, I think this is, this would be the only opportunity.

“When you start going into your 30s, it’s very unlikely that it’s going to happen.

“He’s played that well this season that I’m pretty sure there’ll have been Premier League admirers out there watching.

“If anybody is willing to pay for him, what would the price be?

“For Rangers, it’d have to be a high value because he’s one of the top performers. He’s the captain, one of the best players.

“If Rangers don’t see the fee as suitable, then there’s no reason for them to accept it. He seems like he’s happy to stay and play for Rangers so that’s the most important thing.”

Gers legend

Of course, a move to England would lead to a higher weekly wage and perhaps more competition than he would have at Rangers. However, £7.2m-valued Tavernier (Transfermarkt) has now spent six years at Ibrox, helping them climb back to the top flight and leading them to their first major trophy in a decade. What he may have sacrificed in money will continue to be repaid in adulation.

By committing his future to the 55-time Scottish champions, he has given himself the chance to become a bona fide club legend. Champions League football, as well, could be a reward for his decision. Quite frankly, this appears to be the right call.

In other news, Rangers fans slam this broadcaster’s comments.

Numerous fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed a report regarding the future of Riyad Mahrez.

According to the report by The Telegraph, European clubs have “been alerted” to the potential availability of the Algerian this summer, as the 30-year-old is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at City with two seasons left to run his current contract.

The report continues by claiming that the £160,000-a-week winger is approaching a time when City players would typically open talks regarding an extension to their contract, but no offer has yet been made by the club.

After City Xtra relayed the report on Twitter, many fans of Manchester City flocked to have their say on the matter, with plenty appearing to be delighted at the prospect of their club selling the £37.8m-rated Algerian at the end of the season during which he has received some strong criticism from a section of supporters.

So, what exactly did these Manchester City fans have to say in reaction to the report regarding Mahrez?

“Sell him and get Grealish. Problem solved.”

@MCFCAJ10

“Sell him.”

@not_aguero

“Would sell this summer, personally, if we can.”

@AndrewWolf88

“He’s good but when a winger’s age is starting to be over 30 it can be a good time to cash in on and get Grealish.”

@0ctaneMain

“Mahrez can go! Thank you for your service!”

@Conversator

“Oh well doesn’t want a new contract he can leave then.”

@emperor_teejhay

“Thanks for everything, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

@TomYates9816

In other news: these Manchester City fans were left ecstatic by Sam Lee’s transfer update – find out more here!

Both the Leeds United players and fans will be reeling from their latest Premier League result. A trip to the Emirates ended in disaster for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who were handed a 4-2 defeat thanks to a relentless Arsenal.

Whilst this hasn’t dented their season too much, slipping down a spot in the league table will have definitely rubbed Leeds up the wrong way.

They will aim to come back with a vengeance in their next challenge which will see them take on Wolves on Friday – just two points separate the two teams at the moment, so the Whites won’t want to take another loss and slip further down the table.

Bielsa’s team has been hammered with injuries this season, and they are currently missing summer signings Diego Llorente and Robin Koch. They have also lost the likes of Kalvin Phillips on multiple occasions and are without Rodrigo at this point as well.

The Whites have been without his influence in midfield for the last three fixtures, after he picked up a muscle problem against Leicester in their 3-1 win.

According to Sky Sports, Ian Poveda was similarly forced out of action after an ankle injury caused him problems during an U23s clash.

However, fresh ahead of the looming fixture against Wolves, Rodrigo has given his teammates and fans a beacon of hope. The midfielder, dubbed a “class act” by Phil Hay for his impact on the team already, has taken to Instagram to post a positive message regarding his fitness.

The £57k-per-week summer recruit has posed at Thorp Arch with the caption ‘Day by day’. Fans have naturally flooded the comments section with their excitement as he could potentially be available for the upcoming clash at Molineux.

It could be a potentially huge boost for Leeds if they can include Rodrigo in their matchday squad this weekend.

They heavily missed his creative spark against Arsenal – averaging a joint-third number of key passes per game (1.3) – and could pose serious problems for the Wolves backline, who have leaked 25 goals from 24 games this term.

In other news, Ezgjan Alioski’s performance vs Arsenal may have sealed his fate…

Many Aston Villa fans are loving an “exceptional” statistic which has been revealed and also retweeted by The Athletic journalist Gregg Evans highlighting how good they have been this season.

The stat was originally from @WhoScored, before Evans also tweeted his opinion. It shows that, in 11 of their 12 wins in the Premier League this season, they have kept a clean sheet. The exception was their 7-2 romp over Liverpool in October.

The club have the second-most clean sheets in the division with 13 (Premier League) and this was already a remarkable achievement based on the fact that they barely stayed in the division last year.

However, it is even more amazing to see how efficient they are at keeping hold of a victory, and it is testament to the defence and goalkeeper as well as John Terry, who has clearly improved massively as a defensive coach.

Hopefully this remarkable feat continues and, if it does, then there is no doubt they could finish in the top half, or even perhaps manage to end up in a European spot.

Here is how Villa fans reacted to the stat:

“This is fantastic, but also shows that when we go behind we never recover. We’ve picked up 2 points in the last 19 games we’ve gone behind. Our last comeback win was Watford 14 months ago. Bit of a mental block we need to overcome soon!”

Credit: @notawelshsinger

“Exceptional! we have come so far in such a short space of time”

Credit: @lockleyps3

“Quite a remarkable statistic!”

Credit: @TheVillaHome

“Wow.”

Credit: @futurefilm1

“Pretty remarkable this”

Credit: @Liam_ODwyer

“I love a good stat and this is a real good one”

Credit: @SteG613

In other news, some Villa fans discussed one player who impressed against Leeds

Ross Wilson must answer Steven Gerrard’s call to action and secure Steven Davis’ future at Ibrox with a new contract for the Glasgow Rangers midfielder.

What’s the word?

As it stands, Rangers are heading for a king-sized change of the guard in the summer, with seven players set to be out of contract, including Leon Balogun, Jermain Defoe and Davis.

Davis is in the final year of his contract at Ibrox and they reportedly have yet to offer him a contract extension.

But Gerrard has urged the board to tie the 36-year-old down to a new deal.

Speaking before the Premiership clash with Motherwell at Fir Park, Gerrard told Sky Sports: “He’s extremely important both on and off the pitch. He sets standards that we try and match on a daily basis.

“The level he’s playing at, his consistency, his hunger for the game is still there.

“He’s a top professional so a lot of people look up to him and follow what he does.

“For me, it’s an absolute must that he’s here beyond this season.

“But now is not the time to talk about that.

“We’ve got three points to win and we’ll come to that at a later date.”

Keep Steven Davis at all costs

Gerrard’s latest comments should be words of encouragement for Rangers fans at a time when they risk losing the Northern Irishman for free.

Despite his age, Davis has been a vital cog in Gerrard’s side since regaining his place in the starting line-up last season, having made 21 top-flight appearances this term, the same amount as the ever-reliable left-back Borna Barisic.

Just like Barisic, Davis – who earns around £18,000-per-week at Ibrox – has become one of the club’s most consistent performers, as his performance levels have barely dropped below a 7.0 rating this season so far.

Only Barisic (8.0), Glen Kamara (7.6) and James Tavernier (7.5) scored a higher SofaScore rating for Rangers during the 1-1 draw with Motherwell last Sunday, as Davis was a holding presence in the midfield, winning five out of his seven duels overall (71%) with two tackles and two clearances as well.

His performances this season have overshadowed many of his teammates, too, as he ranks the ninth-highest among all of the Rangers players, averaging the third-highest amount of tackles and interceptions per game, as per WhoScored.

If you take a closer look at the numbers, Davis overshadows both his rivals in Ryan Jack and Bongani Zungu in almost every area, whilst he is often tasked with dropping deep to pick up the ball and bring others into play.

It would be a big blow for Gerrard, and for Rangers in general, should he depart Ibrox in the summer as a free agent, which is precisely why Wilson shouldn’t think twice about offering him a contract extension to fend off any potential suitors.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must swoop for Siriki Dembele after his latest masterclass…