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On-loan Aston Villa youngster Brad Young netted twice for Carlisle United against Everton’s under-21s on Tuesday evening, and a number of Villa supporters have heaped praise on the 18-year-old on social media.

Young, who helped Villa lift the FA Youth Cup last season, was among a number of academy players sent out on loan over the summer to gain some first-team experience.

He is yet to start a League Two game for Carlisle, but the forward staked his claim to manager Chris Beech with a brace in a 2-0 win in the EFL Trophy during the week. The Villa loanee proved to be the difference at Brunton Park with a goal in each half, taking Carlisle to the top of Group A.

Villa fans react

Footage of Young’s second goal of the evening was shared on Twitter by Carlisle during their live commentary of the game. These Villa fans were quick to react to the forward’s strike, with many heaping praise on the youngster.

“Yessssss”

Credit: @jmxavfc

“2 goals from Brad Young. Tearing it up”

Credit: @will_avfc

“BRAD YOUNG’S ON FIRE, YOUR DEFENCE IS TERRIFIED!!!”

Credit: @JackJenningss_

“Go on Braddy Boy!”

Credit: @TheVillaDecree

“Perhaps you might start playing him more regularly now”

Credit: @pudshack72

“Go on son”

Credit: @Reece_AV

In other news: ‘Believe it or not’ – Preece shares worrying under-the-radar update on Villa ace who Smith loves

Newcastle United are poised to make a bid for Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer this summer.

What’s the word?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Magpies are lining up a bid for the Torino defender, with the report suggesting an offer would need to be around €50m (£41m).

However, further reports suggest that Newcastle will have competition from at least one other Premier League club, with Arsenal also thought to be interested in securing the signature of the 25-year-old this summer.

A big upgrade

Eddie Howe kicked his work in rebuilding and improving the Newcastle squad with key signings in January – with the likes of Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier making an instant impact on the team following their arrival during the winter window.

However, there is still work to be done in making sure that the Magpies continue to push further up the Premier League next season, and a quality centre-back signing would surely be the key to a better defensive record.

And, considering just how impressive Bremer – who was hailed an “animal” by Torino winger Mergim Vojvoda – has been in Serie A this season – winning 51% of his ground duels, as well as making an average of 3.4 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, and 3.9 clearances per game – it is clear to see the defender would be a fantastic signing for PIF to get over the line.

Indeed, these statistics prove that Bremer is an absolute nightmare for opponents trying to break down Torino’s defence.

And, with the Brazilian’s former teammate, Luca Mezzano, stating his belief that “he can play in any team” in the world, the £18k-per-week defender would surely not find it difficult to fit into Howe’s backline at St James’ Park.

Despite contract talks reportedly being opened with Fabian Schar, the Switzerland international is currently set to be out of contract in June, meaning there is still a chance he doesn’t commit to a new deal.

This would represent a great opportunity for the club to make a move for the 6ft 1 Bremer, whose signing, aside from being a huge upgrade on Schar, could see Howe form a deadly centre-back pairing alongside Burn next season.

Newcastle will need to make the defender a solid offer in order to tempt him away from the stern competition for his services this summer, and the promising ongoing project at the club could be enough to convince Bremer to become a part of it.

AND in other news: Bid made: PIF in negotiations for £83m “diamond”, he’d be a huge coup for Newcastle

Antonio Conte’s side finally return to Premier League action this evening as they host Brentford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs’ trip to Burnley was postponed an hour before kick-off on Sunday, leaving the north London outfit without a match for the past seven days, meaning last time out, they were humiliated by NS Mura in the Europa Conference League.

We had the benefit of seeing the lineup that the Italian would’ve selected at Turf Moor but after several days of training back in N17, it will be interesting to see if he has had any second thoughts over the team.

So, here’s the XI we’re predicting tonight…

There could be eight changes from last week’s embarrassing defeat in Slovenia.

Between the sticks, club captain Hugo Lloris should resume his no.1 duties over Pierluigi Gollini but Conte has a decision to make in defence with Cristian Romero still absent through injury.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-hotspur-latest-team-injury-team-news-updates-transfers-gossip-rumours-antonio-conte-thfc” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

Ben Davies and Eric Dier are likely to return and they could be joined by Japhet Tanganga, who remains from last Thursday and is selected over Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon.

In midfield, Oliver Skipp should also remain and he’ll have Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg back alongside him, meaning £25m-rated Tanguy Ndombele, once dubbed “unplayable” by Joe Hart, is axed.

Conte’s usual first-choice wing-back duo Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal are set to return on either flank, so Ryan Sessegnon – who was sent off against Mura – and Matt Doherty drop to the bench.

Keeping with his 3-4-3 system, the Italian may turn to Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura to support Harry Kane as he often has done in the league.

Predicted Spurs XI (3-4-3): Lloris; Davies, Dier, Tanganga; Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Emerson; Son, Moura, Kane

AND in other news, Conte must axe “shocking” £14.4m-rated Spurs flop v Brentford, he’s a walking disaster…

Tottenham Hotspur could form a frightening frontline amid interest in Adama Traore this January…

What’s the word?

The north London outfit have once again been linked with a move for the powerful Wolverhampton Wanderers winger ahead of next month’s transfer window.

According to the Telegraph’s Matt Law, Spurs boss Antonio Conte is a huge fan of the Spain international and the club could be set to revisit their interest in signing him.

‘The speed-king was identified as a target while Nuno [Santo] was in charge during the summer, but Spurs only made an offer to take him on loan. Conte is also a fan of the player and would no doubt see a similar bid as a waste of time. He will want Levy to commit to the kind of offer that might make Wolves think,’ he wrote.

Earlier this month, it was suggested that Wolves would accept a bid as low as £18m for the 25-year-old, as per ESPN.

Imagine him and Son

Not only would Traore be a perfect fit for Conte’s wing-back system in N17 but he could give Spurs another standout option in the final third, one that would send fear into many a Premier League defence.

He’s capable of playing as a winger, more centrally as an inside-forward and at wing-back, so there is plenty of room for the Italian to fit him into the team.

Traore has long been a nuisance in the top-flight and alongside a player like Heung-min Son, Conte could have a frightening duo to play in behind Harry Kane.

As he did last season, the Wolves star leads the division for dribbles per game (4.7). Of course, his end product has always been brought into question but Kane and Son are there to take up the brunt of the goalscoring duties.

He’s still averaging 1.1 key passes per game, proving to be quite the creative option, too.

Aside from his ball-carrying ability, Traore is also built like a brick wall and his physicality is another reason why so many full-backs struggle to combat him.

Southampton forward Che Adams dubbed him a “monster” to the Premier League’s official YouTube channel, whilst Jurgen Klopp has often deemed him to be “unplayable.”

On the above evidence, sporting director Fabio Paratici must look to seal a move for Traore, especially for as little as £18m, in January.

AND in other news, Spurs can sign their next Mousa Dembele in “devastating” £26m-rated machine who won’t cost a penny…

Aston Villa are keen on signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma, according to Sky Sports.

As to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the news on social media.

The Midlands club have already finalised their first marquee addition of the January transfer window by agreeing on a loan deal with Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho.

Steven Gerrard and Johan Lange now appear to be turning their attention to a holding midfielder, with Marvelous Nakamba recently undergoing knee surgery.

Bissouma has just 18 months remaining on his contract with the Seagulls, with Villa seemingly willing to take advantage of that situation this month. The 25-year-old has been with Brighton since 2018 and has made 111 appearances for the club, 15 of which have come in the current campaign.

The Mali international is renowned for his effective distribution of the ball and his tough-tackling nature. No player who has started a top-flight match for Villa this season can better his 88.8% passing success rate, while his match average of 3.6 tackles is well clear of anyone in Gerrard’s squad (John McGinn leads the way with 2.7 per game).

Villa fans react

Well-known Twitter feed @villareport shared Sky Sports’ claim regarding Villa’s interest in Bissouma on the social media website.

Here is what these supporters had to say in reply, with many buzzing over the development and one describing a potential deal as ‘huge’.

“OH MY, STEVIE IS GOING CRAZY.”

Credit: @Jack_Hurley_R

“If we get him, wow”

Credit: @GW_94

“We are huge, man”

Credit: @TommmForddd

“Incredible if we pull this off as well”

Credit: @jack_gatehouse

“PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Would have a bigger impact on the team overall than Coutinho”

Credit: @trading2b3

“DON GERRARD WHAT IS GOING ON”

Credit: @Finleysurrell1

In other news: ‘Oh my god’ – Many Villa fans erupt at who West Ham now want to sign

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Brendan Rodgers has jumped the gun in relation to the signing of Maryan Shved.

What’s the word?

The Karpaty Lviv winger watched Wednesday’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone after undergoing his medical.

Since presenting Maurice Johnston as a signing in 1989, two months before he turned up on the other side of the city, Celtic have been cautious over the timing of signings.

The Hoops completed three deals in the first fortnight of the transfer window but with just a few hours remaining there has been no further additions to the first team squad.

Perhaps caught a little off guard, Rodgers said as quoted by The Evening Times: “Marian Shved was at the game and I spoke to him beforehand.

“He is delighted to be here and his medical is all complete. Marian will go back to Ukraine and finish off his season there with his club.

“He will then come back to Scotland around April and get involved with the training, before being ready to go in the summer.”

These days any signing requires a social media introduction, with a brief video clip usually the way to make an announcement.

Shved has already spent a season and a half in Spain with Sevilla’s youth side but all of his effective playing days have been in the Ukraine.

Stockpiling wingers

On the surface it seems that Celtic are stockpiling wingers. Scott Sinclair and James Forrest are clearly the men in possession with Mikey Johnston and Jonny Hayes both waiting patiently for the chance to deputise.

Shved has an impressive reputation and decent first team experience for a 21-year-old but adapting to the Scottish game, coming to terms with the demands on Celtic players and breaking into a highly successful first team is a tall order. Just ask Lewis Morgan.

Taking into account how Southampton currently have three players in their squad that predominantly play in the right-back position with Kyle Walker-Peters, Valentino Livramento and Yan Valery who are all relatively young, it would seem as though Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has enough options in that area for the time being.

However, it looks as though the club have another individual that could potentially give Hasenhuttl a big headache as to who he plays in that position for the foreseeable future.

21-year-old right-back Kayne Ramsay is currently on a season-long loan deal at League One side Crewe Alexandra.

During his time at the club, Ramsay has managed to make 14 appearances for Crewe across all competitions so far this season, predominantly playing as a right-back but also as a centre-back and right-midfielder on the odd occasion.

That shows that not only is he a versatile player that has been very useful for Crewe, but also that he’s getting a lot of minutes under his belt, which should be pleasing for everyone at Southampton.

Specifically, Ramsay has managed to rack up an average of 2.2 clearances and tackles per game in League One so far this season, which is similar to Livramento who has managed to make 2.4 tackles per game in the Premier League this season.

After joining Southampton’s U18 side back in 2017 from Chelsea’s youth academy on a free transfer, the defender, who is currently valued at £225k according to Transfermarkt, has made 27 appearances for Southampton’s U18 side, scoring three goals and providing four assists in the process.

Ramsay has also made 42 appearances for Southampton’s B team and four for the senior side as well as spending a previous loan spell with Shrewsbury Town.

Moving forward, if Ramsay, who has been described as an “athletic” player by former Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts, continues to impress for Crewe, he could well find himself in the running to be a regular figure for the Saints when he returns, giving Hasenhuttl a big choice to make over who plays in the right-back position.

In our view, with Southampton signing Livramento last summer and having had him play in all of their league games so far this season, it seems that he could possibly be Ramsay’s biggest competition for the right-back spot at St. Mary’s in the future.

In other news: Ralph masterclass: Saints struck dream deal over “very special” £10.8m-rated gem – opinion

Celtic have come back fighting this season after a campaign in 2020/21 that was plagued with issues at Parkhead.

The Hoops relinquished their control of Scottish football to their arch enemy but Ange Postecoglou has arrived at Celtic Park and reinvigorated a club that looked rather lost.

He has brought in a number of new signings, completely revamping the playing squad and changing the way they play.

The quadrant of Jota, Kyogo, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis have contributed to 79 goals between them while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josip Juranovic and Carl Starfelt have all made themselves at home in the heart of the defence.

Matt O’Riley, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate also made an instant impact after arriving in January, all scoring already in the famous green and white.

However, there are a couple of purchases that have to be questioned. Yosuke Ideguchi has spent plenty of time on the treatment table since penning terms over the winter but the biggest concern has to be James McCarthy.

Indeed, RTÉ analyst Eamon Dunphy dubbed him a “terrible flop” earlier this season and it’s rather hard to argue with that assessment.

The Irishman arrived on big wages, £14k-per-week in fact, and he’s not done a lot to justify that salary. Hailing from Ireland, he appears to be cut from the same cloth as his international colleague, Shane Duffy.

He arrived from Brighton on a season-long loan deal last term and picked up a sizeable wage. However, like McCarthy, he had a torrid time in Glasgow despite previously thriving in the Premier League.

It’s difficult to grasp why the duo have both struggled so much, but one theory puts it down to the intensity of Postecoglou’s training sessions.

The Athletic reported last year that the former Crystal Palace midfielder had been finding life difficult in training as the pace of the manager’s sessions and the demands he placed on his players were simply too much for him to cope with.

As a result, it’s hardly a surprise that McCarthy has barely featured this campaign. The central midfielder has played 20 times in total, of which only eight appearances have come in the Premiership.

Consequently, there have been hints for him to be axed from the squad this summer. Alan Hutton told Football Insider: “You look at the ground Hatate covers, even McGregor. They’re workhorses. They get up and down the pitch, they make things happen and that question mark is over James McCarthy.

“Is he capable of doing that for 90 minutes? At the moment, I’m not so sure.”

He has only been at Celtic for just under a year but when you consider the sheer number of options Postecoglou boasts in his engine room, it’s tough to see McCarthy ever making it at Celtic.

It might just be time to cut ties with the Irishman.

AND in other news, Sources: Deal now agreed for potential “£20m-plus” talent, it’s bad news for Celtic…

Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Hugo Lloris regarding the extension of the goalkeeper’s contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, with the journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Spurs are confident the 35-year-old will put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension, keeping him in north London until at least the summer of 2023 – with the deal having been approved by Antonio Conte.

In his post, the transfer insider said: “Tottenham are in talks with Hugo Lloris and ‘confident’ to extend his contract until June 2023. One more season approved by Antonio Conte.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive Lloris has been for Tottenham this season, the news that the club captain looks set to extend his current contract for a further year is sure to have left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 18 Premier League appearances in the current campaign, the £6.3m-rated shot-stopper has kept eight clean sheets and made an average of 2.7 saves per game, with these returns seeing the France international average a SofaScore match rating of 7.06 – ranking him as Conte’s sixth-best performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, it is perhaps unsurprising that the 52-year-old Italian manager went on record to state his hope that Spurs can find an agreement with the 35-year-old regarding his contract, stating: “He’s top-level – I’m sure in a short time the club will find a solution with Lloris because he loves Tottenham.”

And, following Romano’s latest update, it would appear as if a solution has been found with the World Cup winner, something that considering his impressive level of performance so far this term is undoubtedly fantastic news for everyone involved with Spurs.

In other news: Major boost: Antonio Conte drops fresh injury update that will have Spurs fans buzzing

Newcastle United saw many players come and go from the club during Mike Ashley’s tumultuous reign in charge of the Magpies.

However, one player who was mentioned with a move to St James’ Park but didn’t end up joining the Tyneside club that many fans may now be wishing had signed on the dotted line is Mohamed Salah.

Back in 2011, the then-19-year-old Egyptian apparently expected to see himself make the move to Newcastle on loan after impressing in the Under-20 World Cup.

On the potential move to Tyneside, Salah said: “Newcastle will soon make an official offer to sign me for one season. I don’t think Contractors will refuse to let me play in the English Premier League. It’s a dream for any player to play in one of the strongest league competitions in the world.”

As many Toon fans will be aware, the winger didn’t end up joining the club and instead made the move to Basel in the 2012 summer transfer window.

In 2017, after having spells with Chelsea, Fiorentina and Roma once his stint in Switzerland came to an end, the attacker joined his current club Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £34m.

Since joining the Merseyside club, the 29-year-old has gone on to become a certified superstar by racking up 153 goals and 57 assists in 239 appearances across all competitions, prior to the Reds’ Premier League match against Watford this afternoon.

Labelled a “ridiculous” player in terms of his attacking output by Rio Ferdinand, and a “physical monster” by Jurgen Klopp, the £90m-rated winger has won the Premier League, Champions League and an assortment of individual awards throughout his career.

To further highlight how much of a standout player the Egypt international has become in England, he is currently listed as the highest-rated player in the Premier League based on his performances this season according to WhoScored, with an overall rating of 7.71/10.

Taking all this into account, as if the Newcastle fans needed any more excuses to dislike Ashley, not securing a deal which would have seen Salah join the Magpies has turned out to be a major howler from the club, and one over which they will now be having nightmares.

In other news: NUFC can finally replace Cabaye with “phenomenal” £34m gem, he has “magical powers”…