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Newcastle United face off against Crystal Palace in the Premier League today as they go in search of their first win of the campaign.

The Magpies are yet to pick up a victory in the top flight and are currently 19th in the table, with Norwich the only team below them as it stands. They now face a Palace side who are 14th after winning one, drawing five and losing two of their eight Premier League games.

Graeme Jones has taken over as interim boss following Steve Bruce’s dismissal and he could make some changes to the side which lost to Tottenham last weekend.

In his pre-match press conference, the 51-year-old hinted that some players had trained their way out of his thoughts for the starting line-up.

He said: “I spoke to the players on Wednesday, after it was announced, and told them it’s a clean slate. ‘Everything that’s gone on before, we start again, I’ll assess you on your actions in the next three days’. Football makes the decisions, not me, I’m just the executor of those decisions. The line-up and tactics will be based on the interpretation of that. The players have picked themselves – or not in some cases.”

One change he could make is bringing Jamal Lewis in at left-back for Matt Ritchie. The ex-Norwich defender has been rarely-seen this season, with only nine minutes of Premier League football, and will surely have been busting a gut in training to impress Jones and ensure that he adds to his tally of minutes this weekend.

Ritchie endured a difficult afternoon against Spurs last Sunday. As per SofaScore, he lost possession of the ball 22 times, lost five of his nine duels, was dribbled past twice and only completed one of his six attempted crosses in 90 minutes. The full-back also ended the match with a passing success rate of 71%, with these statistics showing that he was dreadful at both ends of the pitch and in transition.

This suggests that it could be an ideal opportunity to bring Lewis, who was previously hailed as “underrated” by Darren Bent, into the starting XI. It could be his time to show that he deserves to be the first-choice left-back at Newcastle and prove that he is worth the £14.85m they paid for him in 2020.

If he can put in a similar performance to the one he produced in the Carabao Cup against Burnley earlier this season, he could be a marked improvement on Ritchie. He achieved a WhoScored rating of 7.15 as he completed two key passes, three dribbles, one tackle and 86.3% of his attempted passes. The Magpies also kept a clean sheet in this game, with Lewis showing that he can be a solid defender whilst also adding quality in the attacking third.

Today could be the right time to give him his first Premier League start of the season. After all, it’s not as if Newcastle’s preferred back four in Bruce’s final few games provided an impenetrable barrier of solidity, with no top-flight team conceding more than their 19 goals.

AND in other news, Jones must ruthlessly axe £80k-p/w NUFC flop who’s “offering nothing”, he’s dreadful…

Rumoured Leeds United transfer target Noa Lang could leave Club Brugge in the January transfer window, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Lang move

Lang, who has been likened to Neymar due to his close control and finishing, was linked with a move to Elland Road a number of times during the summer, but he ended up staying put at Brugge.

The 22-year-old has made a superb start to the 2021/22 season, already chipping in with three goals and four assists in the Jupiler Pro League, while winning the man of the match award in a 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League group stages.

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The Latest: Fresh update emerges

Leeds have been boosted in their potential efforts to sign Lang, with Voetbal International [via Sport Witness] claiming that he could move on in January.

Brugge are thought to be ‘realistic’ about the interest in the attacker, with the report adding that he could leave ‘as early as this winter’.

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The Verdict: Ideal attacking addition

Lang is a player with a huge amount of promise, having been described as a ‘phenomenon’ by Belgian sports journalist Peter Vandenbempt in the past.

His start to this season shows how much attacking quality he could bring to Leeds’ team, giving them extra guile in central areas but also capable of thriving out wide.

If the Whites managed to snap up the young Dutchman in January, it could give the squad a much-needed injection of class midway through the campaign.

In other news, Leeds could make a move for a defender, according to one report. Read more here.

Newcastle United have now been dealt a blow in their race to sign Brandon Williams before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: Williams eyed

There have been a number of reports throughout the window claiming that the St. James’ Park faithful have been eyeing up a move to sign Williams on loan from Manchester United.

However, no deal has ever materialised, and with less than two weeks until the window closes, they need to step up their interest if they are serious about bringing him to the North East.

The Latest: Williams update

As per Football Insider, Norwich City are about to beat the Tyneside club, as well as Southampton, to Williams’ signature, and have struck an agreement with the Red Devils.

He has reportedly been told that he can join the Canaries once Alex Telles recovers from his injury, despite Steve Bruce being keen to bring him to the Magpies.

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow for the Toon that they look set to miss out on signing Williams, as he could have been a valuable addition to the squad.

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He already has experience in playing in the Premier League and can play on both sides of the defence, offering Bruce depth in both wing-back positions.

Once dubbed ‘outstanding’ by his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an impressive individual performance despite defeat to Chelsea back in July of last year, Williams is still only 20 years of age, and so still holds a lot of potential.

Nonetheless, NUFC may have to start looking at other targets now with Transfer Deadline Day edging nearer.

In other news, find out what worrying insight from takeover sources Liam Kennedy has dropped here!

Tottenham insider John Wenham believes ‘we could hear some movement’ on AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie in January, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Kessie links

Spurs were thought to be in advanced talks with the 24-year-old just last month, with the Ivorian’s contract at the San Siro set to expire in six months’ time.

Labelled as ‘devastating’ by former Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi, the tough-tackling midfield colossus is valued at £49.5m by Transfermarkt and has made over 200 appearances for his current employers.

A Tottenham source has recently revealed that groundwork is being laid by Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici for the “biggest January window in the club’s history”.

And it seems as if Kessie could be one winter window arrival in north London.

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The Latest: Wenham’s comments

Wenham was talking to Football Insider following that source’s claim. The N17 insider believes that there could be movement in regards to Kessie soon, backing Paratici to seal a pre-contract agreement.

“I think we could hear some movement on the Kessie deal.

“I can see us agreeing a pre-contract deal then maybe offering AC Milan a small fee to take him straight away.

“That would probably appeal to them because they would at least get something out of the deal.

“We need players in now so it would surprise me if we only signed Kessie for him to come at the end of the season.

“That’s one I can see happening and I have spoken about it before.

“I am willing to trust Paratici and Conte on these things so if he did come in it would be exciting.”

The Verdict: ‘Exciting’ times

As Wenham mentions, bringing Kessie to the club could prove to be an ‘exciting’ piece of business, especially if it is for free or in a cut-price January move.

He can play in a defensive or central midfield role and has plenty of international and Serie A experience.

Conte currently has five defensive or central midfield options at Spurs, however, he could move on two in January with Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks linked with exits.

Should departures materialise, then reinforcements would be needed, and bringing in a £49.5m-rated player in a cut-price transfer could be an excellent move.

In other news: Sky Sports journalist shares Spurs exit update from ‘very good sources’. 

Many Southampton fans do not want the club to sign Nathaniel Phillips from Liverpool this summer after they were linked with a move for the centre-back.

The Saints will kick off their Premier League season against Everton at St Mary’s on Saturday. Ralph Hasenhuttl and co will be looking to improve on their 15th-placed finish from last term and they will be hoping that the three signings they have made will provide a boost.

According to The Athletic, the Saints are interested in signing Phillips from the Reds and have made contact with the Merseyside club. As Jurgen Klopp’s side were hit with several defensive injuries last season, Phillips ended up making 20 appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt) – the Anfield outfit are now said to be looking for between £12m and £15m to part with the 24-year-old, who had played just once for their first team prior to 2020/21.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, with many unconvinced by Phillips, perhaps given his relative inexperience at 24.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the Phillips link

“Relegate us now”

Credit: @IsaacPollard12

“Pain”

Credit: @PieterJCL

“Please no and please no to Sorloth”

Credit: @jamesalexwhite7

“Another duffer. The links to the PSV kid and Tammy A just sound like pandering to the fans with little chance of them coming off. Another disappointing pre season”

Credit: @Stumando28

“I’d be livid if we spent anything more than £5m. I don’t rate him at all. Would be a waste of money”

Credit: @SFCMart

“Things just get worse at this club day by day”

Credit: @SaintLiam02

In other news, Southampton want to sign this Ligue 1 defender.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting positively to the news that the Anfield Road expansion has been given the go-ahead.

The Reds ended up salvaging a season that threatened to be a disaster in 2020/21, securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.

It was a campaign that no Reds supporters will have particularly fond memories of, with empty stadiums, VAR and talk of a European Super League all low points.

Liverpool’s owners, FSG, rightly received criticism for their involvement in the Super League and they have also often been accused of not spending enough money of taking the Reds forward.

They financed the impressive new Main Stand, however, and according to the Liverpool Echo, the club’s plans to expand the Anfield Road end too have now been approved.

The £60million plan will see Anfield’s attendance rise a further 7,000 to 61,000, making Liverpool’s world-famous ground even more formidable.

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Liverpool fans react to Anfield Road expansion news

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to react to the news, with one supporter calling it ‘awesome’.

“Nice, now it’s time to sign some players for that extra 7k to watch”

Credit: @TheHendoEffect

“Love that, can’t wait to be back!”

Credit: @LFCVik2

“So glad we stayed at Anfield instead of going to a new stadium”

Credit: @Sean_PD

“This is so awesome! We are so lucky to have FSG! Where are all the haters now??!!”

Credit: @Greg_YNWA1

“Ain’t no one stopping us next season”

Credit: @conradbeckham

“Yessssss bois, criticise FSG if you want but at least they invest in the infrastructure”

Credit: @RobintheRed598

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted after a key update regarding a Reds star. Find out who it is here. 

Kevin Campbell has given his reaction to the transfer statement which was released by Newcastle United last week.

The Lowdown: Transfer statement

The St. James’ Park faithful released a statement shortly after the summer transfer window shut, highlighting what their intentions were.

They claimed that they wanted to take a ‘sustainable’ approach, and so any money spent on transfers would have to be generated either from player sales or through matchday and non-matchday activities.

The Latest: Campbell reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Everton and Arsenal striker Campbell has now claimed that the statement will only increase tensions with the fanbase:

“I think the fans have had enough.

“I say that with the utmost respect because I do respect that club a lot. They deserve better.

“They have brought one player in, Willock, and they are not improving in anything. Then a statement comes out like that, unbelievable.

“The fans have had it up to here. They just want a change, new owners and a fresh start.

“They aren’t getting that at the moment, and that’s the frustrating thing.”

The Verdict: Frustrating

It certainly is frustrating that the North East club were only able to sign one player on a permanent deal of note in Joe Willock from Arsenal, who was there on loan last season anyway.

One has to question whether the sustainability model will work out in the long-term, given that other clubs in the Premier League will no doubt be looking to strengthen their squads further over the next few seasons.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army just want to see some sort of progression, ambition and direction, and it will be difficult to get that unless they are able to sign more players to strengthen the team when the January window comes around.

In other news, find out which £25.8m-rated ace NUFC made a ‘verbal offer’ for here!

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge believes Emerson Royal fits the bill of what Tottenham were looking for. 

Spurs signed Royal on deadline day from Barcelona, with the right-back signing a contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2026. BBC Sport reported that the agreed fee for the right-back was €30m (£25.8m).

Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo added five new faces to his squad this summer, with Cristian Romero, Pierluigi Gollini, Bryan Gil, Pape Matar Sarr and Emerson Royal all penning deals with Spurs.

Michael Bridge believes the latter ticks a lot of boxes for Tottenham, telling Football FanCast: “Nuno knows him quite well. He’s had a very good reputation from Real Betis, sort of fits the bill of what Tottenham are looking for – good defender, but can bomb forward, he’s six foot as well so quiet a decent height. He’s 22 which is a fantastic age, so he ticks a lot of boxes.”

It’s been a good summer transfer window for Spurs and they’ve also had the perfect start to the Premier League campaign, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently sit top of the league and are the only team with maximum points from their opening three matches.

Alongside being successful domestically, Spurs have also progressed to the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League, after beating Pacos de Ferreira 3-1 on aggregate over two legs and have been drawn to face Rennes, Muta and Vitesse in Group G.

Many West Ham United fans are delighted after it was revealed that David Moyes is set to put pen to paper on a new contract at the club.

The Hammers enjoyed a fantastic campaign in 2020/21, finishing sixth in the Premier League, which means they will be playing in the Europa League next term. Moyes has had a huge part to play in that success, keeping the Irons up the previous season as well.

With Carlo Ancelotti reportedly set to join Real Madrid (Fabrizio Romano), there had been rumours that Moyes could return to Everton to take the Italian’s place at Goodison Park (The Times). However, according to Claret & Hugh, the Scot has already signed a new deal which will be confirmed by the club soon.

The news was shared on Twitter by @WestHam_Central, and it attracted plenty of attention from Hammers supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the news on Moyes

“Yessss”

Credit: @JshWHU

“Class news”

Credit: @CameronWHU

“SIUUUUUUU”

Credit: @BennnWHU

“Europa League winners 2021/22 confirmed”

Credit: @whuabz

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @FornalsFluency

“Siuuuuuuuuuuu”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

In other news, many West Ham fans want the Irons to sign this striker in the summer.

A ‘substantial’ new kit deal for Liverpool would allow even more money to be generated for new signings, according to Leeds United employee and club ambassador and Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: New kit deal coming?

The Reds’ kit is currently sponsored by Standard Chartered, with their deal running out at the end of the next season and bringing them around £40million a year at the moment.

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Recent reports have claimed that Liverpool are on the lookout for an even bigger deal, however – one that could earn them as much as £50 million every 12 months.

With Jurgen Klopp’s men flying on the pitch, it would be a surprise if the Reds weren’t without suitors, as they look to continue battling for Premier League titles.

The Latest: Whelan makes claim

Speaking to Football Insider, reacting to recent news that Liverpool are currently in talks with multiple companies over a possible big money off-field agreement worth around £50million-per-year, Whelan got behind the idea of a new kit sponsor.

He claims that it’s a ‘no-brainer’ for companies to be attached to the Anfield club and Klopp’s side will ‘for sure’ never be short of options.

“Look, they’re a very marketable football club. One that many, many businesses would want to be attached to.

“Liverpool is a club that pretty much sells itself. It’s like Man United, Man City these days, Chelsea. Those big four sell themselves to companies because they want to be attached to that brand.

“They’re never going to be without a sponsor, that’s for sure, because of how successful they are. Because of the history behind the club, because of the demand worldwide support that they have.

“It’s a no brainer for a company to be attached and have a logo on the Liverpool shirt. It’s one of the biggest selling shirts in the world, not just in the country.

“That is going to be something substantial to the football club that’s going to help bring players in and give them the finances to push further and stay right there at the top of world football.”

The Verdict: Reds in a great place

There was a time when a £50million-a-year deal felt like a pipe dream for Liverpool but Klopp has transformed the club since arriving as manager back in October 2015.

The German has turned them into one of Europe’s best teams on current form, creating a team spirit and togetherness that should appeal to any possible sponsor.

It could be a case of Liverpool taking their pick from those interested in sponsoring their kit from 2023 onwards, such is their position of strength these days.

In other news, a pundit has backed one Liverpool player to sign a new deal. Find out who it is here.