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According to a recent report from The Northern Echo, Britt Assombalonga could be let go by Middlesbrough this month. The striker made the move to the Riverside Stadium back in 2017 after three years at fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest, but with money seemingly something of a problem for the Teessiders this month, the club may seek to cash in on some stars in the January window.

And reports suggest that 26-year-old Assombalonga is one man who could be let go by manager Tony Pulis, which should be of keen interest to Stoke City manager Nathan Jones, as raiding Boro for the linked-away ace would seriously strengthen his goal-shy side.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, Welshman Jones left Luton Town to take over at the bet365 Stadium earlier this month following the departure of Gary Rowett, what with the Potters well off the promotion pace in the Championship, and thus facing the prospect of failing to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

And part of the problem under the stewardship of Rowett was the lack of goals his team scored, with his Potters side netting only 30 times in their opening 26 league matches, after which the Englishman was relieved of his duties.

And with no players having yet to reach double figures in all competitions for Stoke this term, with Benik Afobe the closest with eight (which itself is remarkable given he embarked on a 12-match goalless run between September and November), it’s pretty evident that greater potency is needed in the final third of the pitch – Assombalonga has that in abundance.

The 26-year-old made the move to Boro as a result of impressing greatly during his time at Nottingham Forest, what with the striker netting 30 goals in just 69 appearances for the East Midlands giants, all of which coming in the second tier.

Yes, injuries certainly held him back during his stint at the City Ground, but his tally of 15 goals in his first season and 14 in his last underlined just how prolific he could be when fit, and he has taken that into his Middlesbrough career as well with 15 goals for the club last term as they finished inside the top six.

And with seven goals this time round, which isn’t a bad return given he has only started on 15 occasions under Pulis, Assombalonga continues to emphasise just why Boro spent big money on him back in 2017 – there are few better and more prolific strikers than the DR Congo international at second tier level.

And with Stoke seemingly crying out for further reinforcements in that area of the pitch, having failed to score more than two goals in any Championship match so far this season, they should be keenly keeping tabs on Assombalonga’s ongoing situation at Boro.

In fact, moving for the linked-away ace would go some way to seriously strengthening Jones’ goal-shy side as they seek to mount a promotion charge in 2019.

Stoke and Middlesbrough fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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According to Radio Galega presenter Victor Lopez – since reported on Monday by Spanish media outlet Faro de Vigo – Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt is closing in on a move to Spanish side Celta Vigo, and Saints fans have been quick to react to the rumour on Twitter.

Hopes were high when the Netherlands international arrived at St Mary’s from Lazio in the summer of 2017 that he could be a partner for Virgil van Dijk in the short term and potentially replace his compatriot in the future.

However, the 24-year-old has struggled to make the transition to Premier League football and despite being a regular under Mauricio Pellegrino and Mark Hughes, he has been completely frozen out by current manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Hoedt has failed to make the previous eight matchday squads and he would leave having scored two own goals – against Manchester City and Liverpool – in 13 Premier League appearances this term.

It is reported by Faro de Vigo that the Dutchman will become a Vigo player once an agreement with the south coast outfit is finalised and could even be presented on Tuesday.

Southampton supporters have taken to social media to give their thoughts on the potential exit, with some even expressing their condolences for the Celta Vigo fans.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction to Hoedt’s potential departure…

Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…

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Some Celtic fans reckon that the lure of Netflix played a role in taking Lewis Morgan to Sunderland.

The winger completed a loan move on Deadline Day, as reported by BBC Sport, that will see him join the League One outfit until the end of the season.

Netflix are currently filming events at the Stadium of Light as a follow up to ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’, which proved to be a massive hit for the digital broadcaster.

After just one start and a dozen appearances off the bench in the first part of the season it was obvious that Morgan would be moving out on loan in search of game-time.

A reunion with former Saints boss Jack Ross and the chance to play at the Stadium of Light has seemingly convinced the 22-year-old to head south of the border.

Morgan joined Celtic a year ago from St Mirren, with Ross insisting that he was instantly returned on loan. After promotion to the Premiership was secured the two men went their separate ways only to be reunited on the last day of the transfer window.

Sunderland are sitting in fifth place in League One – a play off slot – but have three games in hand over leaders Luton Town who are nine points ahead.

Here’s a look at how Celtic fans have reacted to the news on Twitter…

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Prior to the January 2018 arrival of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to the Emirates Stadium, it could easily be argued that Arsenal had been without a truly world class striker since the 2011/12 campaign, when Robin van Persie struck 30 times in 38 Premier League games.

Of course, at the end of that season, the prolific Dutch hitman controversially joined the Gunners’ rivals Manchester United in a £24 million deal, before promptly firing the Red Devils to the title.

Back at the Emirates Stadium, Arsene Wenger toiled to replace van Persie. Ultimately, Olivier Giroud did a very decent job for the north London club for a number of years, but he never hit the heights van Persie had. The likes of Marouane Chamakh, Park Chu Young and Yaya Sanogo all flopped.

To make things worse for the Arsenal faithful, in 2014, Harry Kane burst onto the scene at Tottenham Hotspur. The England captain has since struck 122 Premier League goals in just 175 appearances. He spent a year in the Arsenal academy as a young boy, but was let go in the early 2000s – a decision that could be considered catastrophic now.

Football FanCast’s Harry Sherlock and Will Jones have debated whether or not the Gunners’ post-van Persie woes could have been averted had Kane been kept in the red half of north London.

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

Sherlock: For

Harry Kane could have filled a Robin van Persie-sized hole very nicely indeed for Arsenal.

Arsenal have lurched from one disaster to the next when it comes to buying strikers, bringing in the likes of Yaya Sanogo and Lucas Perez in an attempt to fill the gap left by the Dutchman.

It must be noted that the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud, plus Theo Walcott, have done their bit to help carry the goalscoring burden but none have begun to approach the levels Kane has reached in recent seasons.

Indeed, since 2012-13, the top scorer at Arsenal in the Premier League has topped 20 goals once – Alexis in 2016-17 scored 24 times.

Kane has netted over 20 in each of the past four seasons, and has actually outscored Arsenal’s top scorers since Van Persie’s departure. When added together, Arsenal’s combined top scorers netted 100 goals exactly (not counting this season). Kane has scored 108 by himself.

He is a goalscoring phenomenon and would have eased the burden on Arsene Wenger, too, who could not find a 20-goal-a-season striker for the life of him.

Unai Emery appears to have two, now, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Arsenal fans are right to wonder what might have been whenever they see that famed picture of Kane in an Arsenal shirt.

Jones: Against

Kane’s emergence at White Hart Lane came as a result of a serendipitous series of events. Had, for instance, Roberto Soldado lived up to his £26 million price tag, Kane may never have been called upon.

Certainly, the English forward’s exploits across his numerous loan spells did not suggest he was on the cusp of becoming one of the top flight’s finest goalscorers. In spells with Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City, he was never able to reach double figures in terms of goals.

As it happened, Kane got a break in the first team and emphatically took that opportunity with both hands and hasn’t looked back since. It could so easily have been very different, and had he stayed at Arsenal it almost certainly would have been as Giroud would not have been so easily displaced.

Arsenal fans may well be jealous of their neighbours’ talisman but the idea that his career path would have followed the same remarkable trajectory at the Emirates Stadium is fanciful.

Rafa Benitez’s successfully managed to turn things around for Newcastle United this year.

Not only are the Magpies save from relegation, but they’re also playing good football again despite criticism of the Spaniard’s style of play in the past. However, their parties have been spoiled in the last two matches due to the disastrous showing from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The Slovenian keeper isn’t really horrendous all the time, but his error-prone manner’s haunted both him and the Magpies as a whole in the last couple of weeks.

First, it was at Wembley, where Newcastle look set to steal a point from Tottenham Hotspur. Yet, Dubravka’s couldn’t keep Son Heung Min’s powerful shot at bay and let it glide past him too easily.

The horror show wouldn’t end there. The Magpies were cruising to a crucial 1-0 away win against Wolves when disaster struck in stoppage time. A floating cross should’ve easily been latched onto by Dubravka, but the Slovenian almost amateurishly let Willy Boly head it from the cusp of his arms.

Rafa Benitez’s side were left frustrated, as their commendable efforts were undone by two forgettable errors. Ironically, he was actually pretty good against Wolves, making five saves! While he’s a decent shot-stopper and has kept seven clean sheets this season, Dubravka’s error-prone manner cost Newcastle four points, which could’ve seen them move up to 13th place.

With Rob Elliot out and youngster Freddie Woodman as the only cover, Benitez doesn’t have many options to replace him with.

However, if Newcastle wants to maintain consistency, they need to phase out Dubravka from their team soon.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Serge Aurier is blossoming into a truly excellent full-back under the management of Jose Mourinho.

On the chalkboard

The 26-year-old has played in all four of the Portuguese’s Premier League games as manager, while he also featured in the 4-2 Champions League win over Olympiacos.

Indeed, in that game, the Ivory Coast international scored once and also registered one assist.

Per WhoScored, Aurier has averaged a rating of 7.72 in the league under Mourinho, having averaged a rating of 6.87 under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Throughout the four games, the Ivorian has made a minimum of two tackles and a maximum of five, along with as many as six interceptions, and five clearances.

Offensively, he has laid on four key passes in total along with eight dribbles and three crosses.

This is a player who can push forward and make an impact in the final third, along with being an assiduous defensive presence.

Money talks: How much did Levy pay for each of these Spurs stars?

A turnaround

Aurier could complete a remarkable turnaround if he manages to become a key player for Spurs under Mourinho.

Previously, he has appeared something of a liability, picking up a red card against Southampton and conceding a decisive penalty against Liverpool at Anfield this term.

But Mourinho appears to have helped him discover his disciplined side, with Aurier now an attacking weapon as well as a smart defensive presence.

It remains to be seen, of course, if this is simply a purple patch or a proper transformation.

But if he can keep this form up, he could be a completely different player under Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans have been reacting to a tweet from the club’s official account. 

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…

Manuel Pellegrini has subtly suggested that West Ham United’s issues run deeper than his tactics, as reported by the club’s official website.

In the process, he revealed what he’s hoping will turn around their current misfortune.

What did he say?

The Hammers have been in shocking form in recent times, winning just one game in their last 11 across all competitions.

This has seen the Chilean come under pressure regarding his job security, with it now being suggested that he only has the Southampton game to avoid the sack.

However, when speaking ahead of that match, he has indicated that he feels the club’s issues run deeper than his tactics:

“I always think as a manager that the results of the team depends on the individual performance of a player. After that you can work on tactical, physical and technical work but the performance of the players decide the games.

“We must find why they are in that moment and we must try to work with them and give them confidence, and I hope that most of them will return as soon as possible to their normal performances.”

Watch West Ham United Videos With StreamFootball.tv BelowRuns deeper than tacticsHe is correct in that suggestion, as there has been a mental fragility on show from the men in claret and blue, as was highlighted in the most obvious way against Arsenal.For West Ham to go from 1-0 up to 3-1 down in a ten-minute capitulation is simply not good enough, offering an indication that there is a weakness in the minds of West Ham players that can be easily revealed.Pellegrini is very set in his ways, as he highlighted when speaking about climbing the table, saying: “We know a couple of wins can raise our team up the table. We are always talking in the way we must try to do it and not to change all that we are doing.”Did he really play for us?! No West Ham fan has managed to name all of these obscure Irons signings….However, there is a chance that he could get the team out of the rut without altering his formation and philosophy, but he does need to address the other side of the game.Focusing on the individual performances is certainly a starting point, however, as there’s no point changing the formation if the players won’t respond to it with positive displays. They must find a way to reach a higher level.In other news, the potential sale of a West Ham flop indicates how shambolic the club have been so far this campaign.

Lille are prepared to sell Tottenham Hotspur target Boubakary Soumare in the January transfer window, per L’Equipe via Sport Witness.

What’s the word?

Soumare is said to be wanted by a number of clubs, including Real Madrid, Valencia and Napoli.

However, the report states that the Ligue 1 outfit are ready to sanction his sale due to Renato Sanches’ emergence in the centre of the club’s midfield.

Soumare will cost between €50m (£42.8m) and €60m (£51.4m) in the winter window and Spurs are said to be “waiting” for his arrival.

Watch Spurs vs Brighton Live and Free with Amazon Prime on Boxing Day

Jose Mourinho, of course, raided Lille after his appointment at Spurs, bringing in Joao Sacramento and Nuno Santos from the French club.

Dier upgrade

Soumare is a defensive midfielder by trade and one feels that he would instantly improve Mourinho’s team.

At the moment, he is relying on Eric Dier to provide the steel in midfield but he is not doing the best job of it; against Chelsea, at the weekend, he was hooked at half-time.

Soumare, though, has the attributes to be a star in the position.

Forever a Spurs legend: Honour Pochettino by getting 100% on this all-Poch quiz…

Per WhoScored, he averages 1.2 tackles per game and 0.9 interceptions in Ligue 1, across 17 appearances.

The 6 foot 2 player also averages 1.2 dribbles per game and, at the age of 20, has room to grow and improve, and has the raw tools to potentially improve while playing alongside the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele.

It is a steep asking price, that is to be sure, but he could well become a first-team player in north London.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans have reacted to a link with a PSG ace. 

It’s been inevitable for some time now, but this week we finally had it confirmed that Jack Clarke would be returning to Tottenham once the January transfer window opens.

The winger was impressive enough during his first season at Elland Road to earn an £10m move to Spurs, but for one reason or another, Marcelo Bielsa hasn’t fancied him this time around.

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Indeed, the winger has appeared in just one league game this term, and it seems Spurs weren’t too happy with how that arrangement was going.

Losing a £10m player would usually be a big loss for any Championship side, but for the Whites it may actually be a positive.

Clarke going back to Spurs cuts the number of loanees Leeds have in their squad down to five, and that means that there may be space for United to bring in another player on a temporary basis.

United have been skating around the EFL’s rules regarding loanees that state they’re only allowed five loan players in a matchday squad. However, due to injuries and rotation, Leeds have been able to hand Clarke a spot on the bench in 16 games this term despite only appearing once.

Therefore, it’s plausible for Leeds to sign another loanee who Bielsa thinks more of and give him enough gametime to keep his parent club happy while also complying with the EFL’s rules on these types of deals.

In other news, Leeds shouldn’t be too disheartened if they miss out on one of their January targets.

West Bromwich Albion eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup following a 1-0 victory over Championship rivals Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

Snapshot

Baggies boss Slaven Bilic named an entirely new starting XI from the one that drew to Leeds United on New Year’s Day with the Croatian clearly valuing their promotion push in the league more than any other competition.

It meant the likes of Kenneth Zohore, Rekeem Harper, Chris Brunt and Jonathan Bond were all handed a rare opportunity while youngster Jack Fitzwater made his senior debut at centre-back alongside Ahmed Hegazi.

Highly-rated academy forwards Rayhaan Tulloch, Jamie Soule and Rico Richards were named on the bench.

Off the Bench

As was Chris Willock for the very first time since joining on deadline day in a temporary switch from Benfica, although, the former Arsenal winger wasn’t able to even come off the bench to feature.

It comes as another insulting blow to his Albion career so far as the 21-year-old is yet to be handed an opportunity in the first-team despite joining the club alongside both Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana in the summer.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Even in the absence of the West Ham protagonist through injury and during Kyle Edwards’ recent struggles, Willock hasn’t yet been able to play for the senior side.

To not feature despite a vast array of changes only speaks volumes on his potential credentials at the Hawthorns, he’s done everything asked of him for the U23 squad by scoring four goals and assisting five more this season, but that clearly isn’t enough to tempt Bilic into playing him.

There has been plenty of talk in the media about Benfica cutting his loan spell short and shipping him out on loan to a rival club via the Daily Mail, which could come back to hurt the Baggies in the long-run.

How much do you remember about football in 2019? Our quiz will test your knowledge…

Willock not even coming off the bench against Charlton was a bizarre call from the Croatian chief and one that is ultimately damning on the attacking midfielder’s future chances.

While in other Baggies news, Bilic faces a fierce battle in the race to sign an unlikely transfer target this month…