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Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Crossley believes Oliver Burke and his old side could have been a good match.

According to The Northern Echo, Middlesbrough were keen on doing a deal with Sheffield United for Burke, with manager Neil Warnock coming out to state that he likes the player.

Boro’s interest failed to materialise into anything, though, with Burke remaining a part of Slavisa Jokanovic’s squad.

For Crossley, had they got a deal over the line, it could have been a good move for both parties. On his former club’s interest in the United attacker, he told TT:

“He’s still a young lad and he needs to be playing football. Maybe a loan spell at Middlesbrough could’ve been the answer, which would’ve been good for Middlesbrough.

“He’s a good player, got loads of pace, loads of power. He’s definitely a talented player. He’s got pace to burn.” 

Burke was not an automatic starter for United last season and has already been left out of his side’s starting XI a few times this term.

If the 24-year-old Scotland international does not manage to nail down a spot in the team before January, then perhaps a move to another Championship outfit like Middlesbrough is something he considers in the next transfer window.

A source from Football Insider on Tuesday morning has claimed that Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is ‘fighting for his job’.

And, as to be expected, the update from a Villa source has had plenty of supporters talking on social media.

According to the recent report, Smith will come under increasing pressure if Villa’s results don’t improve prior to the next international break.

Villa currently sit 12th in the Premier League after four rounds of fixtures with four points. They have just come off the back of a defeat to Chelsea and take on Everton, Manchester United and Tottenham before the next international break.

Should results not improve and Villa remain in their current position or below, the Villa hierarchy won’t hesitate in their search for a new manager.

Villa fans react

@AvfcEnthusiast shared a snipped of Football Insider’s report on Smith on Twitter. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with a selection of responses available below.

“If he gets sacked we’re done out here”

Credit: @stupidbii

“DEAN SMITH GARNN TEARS IN MY EYES”

Credit: @SurfaceOfTruth

“It was coming”

Credit: @LOCKEYAVFC

“Utter nonsense”

Credit: @markyoneillu2

“We can’t get on his back with this hard run of games coming up. We’ve had a terrible pre season with games being cancelled, players getting injured and having to replace Grealish. We just need to settle”

Credit: @18AVFC74

“Lots of our recent problems are out of smith’s hands. Nevertheless, our owners are achievers. If we’re still at a point a game by Christmas, doubt he’ll keep his job.”

Credit: @B6Utfv

In other news: ‘Bad attitude’ – Aston Villa ace’s comments have got loads of fans talking. 

Giovani Lo Celso endured another frustrating display in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt this weekend.

After joining in a £55m deal from Real Betis in the summer of 2019, the Argentinian playmaker is yet to truly hit the ground running in north London.

And his disappointing showing against Chelsea on Sunday will have surely added more cause for concern.

Spurs boss Nuno Santo turned to the 25-year-old in a bid to resolve their recent midfield problems but he was hooked after just 62 minutes, having failed to have much of an impact at all.

In 70 appearances for the Lilywhites, Lo Celso has only provided seven goals and four assists at a rate of one contribution every 359 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

For someone who’s supposed to be helping the side with creativity, it’s hugely underwhelming.

By comparison, Christian Eriksen managed to provide a goal or assist every 159 minutes across 305 appearances – a completely different level and one that you’d expect your second-biggest signing to be at after two years.

He is also yet to average more than one key pass per Premier League game since his arrival, meaning Nuno has had to rely on the likes of Heung-min Son and Harry Kane to create for themselves, having combined for 40 goals and 24 assists last term.

As a result of this, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has seen his transfer value plummet at an alarming rate.

Lo Celso’s worth now sits at just £24.3m, as per Transfermarkt, and has been on a rapid decline since chairman Daniel Levy forked out a near club-record for his signature. In fact, in the space of just two years, it has dropped by 55% and that’ll only continue the longer he underperforms.

Once lauded as a “technically gifted” talent by Spurs teammate Harry Winks, Lo Celso just has not lived up to expectations in N17. Levy must be reeling considering his big investment in his signature.

His performance against Chelsea was just another reminder that Spurs could do so much better in that specific role.

AND in other news, Nuno set for Spurs boost as major Hotspur Way development emerges, fans surely buzzing…

Leicester City will be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Millwall in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight.

The Foxes fell to successive Premier League defeats over the weekend after losing 2-1 against a much-improved Brighton and Hove Albion side, but they’ll be confident of getting a positive result this time around.

It has been a slow start to the new season for Leicester, who have now lost three of their opening seven games in all competitions, and Brendan Rodgers will be keen to get his side back on form as quickly as possible.

Nevertheless, their participation in the Europa League means that the Midlands outfit have a hectic schedule this season, meaning that several fringe players could get their chance to impress at The Den tonight.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the Foxes to line up against Millwall, with nine changes from side which started on the south coast on Sunday…

Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward is expected to replace club captain Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks after impressing while on international duty.

Ahead of him is likely to be a much-changed back four, with Luke Thomas, Daniel Amartey and Timothy Castagne all coming into the starting XI. Caglar Soyuncu should keep his place in the side despite a tricky start to 2021/22 for both club and country.

The engine room will also have a rather unfamiliar feel to it as Hamza Choudhury and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall partner summer signing Boubakary Soumare in the middle of the park, allowing Wilfried Ndidi and Youri Tielemans a well-earned rest.

Rodgers could decide to rotate his forward line as well. The £49.5m-rated James Maddison is currently enduring a desperate run of poor form, so Marc Albrighton could partner Ademola Lookman and the exciting Patson Daka in attack.

In other news… Leicester liability who had just 62% passing accuracy had a nightmare against Brighton 

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith must avoid a repeat of Jack Grealish’s summer exit as news emerges on Manchester City’s interest in Jacob Ramsey.

What’s the story?

With 22 appearances to his name in the Premier League last season, the 20-year-old enjoyed a real breakthrough campaign at Villa Park, establishing himself as a key part of Dean Smith’s first-team squad.

Now, Spanish outlet Fichajes have claimed that Pep Guardiola’s side have earmarked Ramsey as a potential target, and that they are keeping a close eye on his situation at Villa Park.

Villa fans would be fuming

Villa’s former academy manager Sean Kimberley has previously raved about Ramsey, saying: “If he continues to match his undoubted technical ability and eye for a goal with the desire and energy to reach the next level, he will have a bright future in the game.”

Smith himself has gone on record to say that the youngster has an “awful lot of potential”, while former Villa man Alan Hutton simply dubbed him as a “class player”.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece recently lauded the midfielder’s start to the new Premier League season, saying: “I think Jacob Ramsey could save Villa a fortune. I did note down in pre-season that he looked much bigger in stature, he’s really a size now like a boxer. Glided past Chelsea at the Bridge, and that will build his confidence. He can go to Stamford Bridge and give Saul the runaround like he did, and that will bode well.

“He backed up his Newcastle performance with another one at Chelsea, and let’s see what he can do this season. A really good start for Ramsey. He could save Villa millions.”

Having already seen Grealish make that switch to Etihad, it would surely leave Villa fans fuming to see their next breakout star from the academy also follow that same path in the near future.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans drops an Aston Villa update on this star…

Leeds United have been dealt a double injury boost ahead of their clash with Watford this weekend, with Diego Llorente and Raphinha both passed fit for the game.

The Lowdown: Must-win game for Leeds

The Whites face a vital Premier League match on Saturday afternoon, with the Hornets making the trip to Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are still without a win in the league after six matches this season and it is imperative that their poor form ends soon.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Key duo available

There has been a big boost for Leeds in the lead-up to the game, though, with Phil Hay taking to Twitter to confirm in an 11-word update that Llorente and Raphinha are available, reiterating Bielsa’s comments in his press conference.

The journalist tweeted the manager’s revelation that: “Raphinha is fit to play against Watford. Llorente is also available.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-18/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Massive boost for Whites

This is a huge positive for Leeds ahead of what is such an important game for them and at a time when talk of a potential relegation fight is gathering momentum.

Llorente has been a top-class performer for the Whites when fit – he has averaged two tackles per game in the league this season – and he will surely firm things up in defence if he starts this weekend.

Whether or not he plays remains to be seen – Pascal Struijk is back after suspension and could feature – but Raphinha looks an almost certain starter given his quality on the right-hand side, with three league goals to his name already this term despite Leeds’ struggles.

Given the plethora of injuries to have struck the Whites recently, having these two back will come as a huge boon to Bielsa as the Hornets come to town.

In other news, Beren Cross has made a claim over potential Leeds signings in January. Read more here.

Rangers forward Fashion Sakala was on target for Zambia as they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier. 

The 24-year-old broke the deadlock on 65 minutes before Federico Bikoro pegged Zambia back late on. The point leaves Sakala’s nation third in Group B with four points from their four matches so far.

Recapping the Rangers man’s goal

The Rangers forward received the ball on the left side, powered past one defender with a quick change of pace and cut inside another before firing the ball in at the near post.

Ahead of a top-of-the-table clash with Hearts on Saturday, Gers fans will hope the goal boosts the confidence of a player who has only scored once in 10 club appearances so far this season since arriving in the summer on a free transfer from Jupiler Pro League outfit KV Oostende.

This was a more positive development for Steven Gerrard’s side after they were dealt a blow elsewhere on Sunday. Nigeria defender Leon Balogun was forced off with injury in their match against the Central African Republic.

Fan feed ChipolopoloDieHards posted an update about Sakala’s goal, and here’s what some Rangers supporters had to say.

Many Rangers fans buzzing over Sakala goal

“Get in”

Credit: @BillyBo06954014

“Go on Fashion”

Credit: @Odiepops

“Love that Fashion”

Credit: @Promthues2

“Mon the boy”

Credit: @LeeHold14353571

“I can’t wait until this guy finds his form at Rangers. He’ll be great.”

Credit: @LiverpoolGer

“C’mon yerself Sakala”

Credit: @RangersRobbie83

In other news, many Gers fans were also buzzing over this international goal

Many Aston Villa fans have been left slamming some news involving changes to their fixture schedule.

As per the official website of the Villa Park faithful, no fewer than six of their games over the busy December and January period have been selected for live TV broadcast, which means that their kick-off times have all changed.

AVFC supporters are particularly unhappy with the new Boxing Day time, with which they will now host Chelsea at 5:30pm – travelling will be difficult around that time in the evening, likely leaving fans with a choice of being able to enjoy family time or attend the match.

Dean Smith’s side also host Manchester City at 8:15pm midweek, which is another awkward time, particularly for fans who have work the next day.

Aston Villa fans on fixture changes

These Villa fans were left slamming the news of the fixture changes as they were shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that they were ‘disappointing’:

“8:15pm on a weekday and 5:30pm on Boxing Day feels like an attack tbh”

Credit: @victoriaabigail

“Leeds change and Chelsea is a right inconvenience”

Credit: @turland080694

“The fans don’t matter anymore.”

Credit: @Dannybarker1981

“Disappointing changes looks like my seat will be empty for 2 games”

Credit: @spartan888

“Ignorance is bliss”

Credit: @Jannetts_

“Half 5 Boxing Day, getting home last time was crazy…this is going to be a long walk home!”

Credit: @Hotwheels_1978

In other news, find out which Villa talent is set for a new deal here!

Celtic chiefs have been left unimpressed at the Republic of Ireland’s treatment of Hoops defender Liam Scales, according to Extra.ie.

The Lowdown: Scales’ international break

Scales was a late inclusion in Stephen Kenny’s squad for a World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan and a friendly with Qatar after replacing Swansea City’s Ryan Manning who withdrew through injury.

Ireland won both games without conceding, however, Scales didn’t feature in either.

He made the 6,400-mile round-trip from Dublin to Baku for the meeting with Azerbaijan but was left out of the squad and also didn’t make the team sheet at home to Qatar.

The Latest: Hoops not happy

Extra.ie shared a story on Thursday, looking at Kenny’s future as manager.

Towards the end of their report, they suggested that Celtic aren’t happy with the FAI with their treatment of Scales after not using him in a matchday squad following a late call-up.

The Verdict: Not ideal

Scales has made just one Celtic appearance following his £540,000 move from Shamrock Rovers in the summer, so his international break appears to have been a waste of time.

He’s made a long journey to sit around and is still awaiting his first cap for Ireland. It would’ve made more sense for Scales to have remained at Lennoxtown to work with Ange Postecoglou ahead of the first game back against Motherwell, which could have helped him force his way into the manager’s Parkhead plans.

In other news: BBC man thinks Ange will now axe big earner who’s been a regular after update from Celtic source. 

Having made a £17m move to Aston Villa in the summer of 2020, Emiliano Martinez wasted no time installing himself as a fan favourite at Villa Park, with the goalkeeper starring between the Villa sticks in the club’s 2020/21 campaign.

Indeed, over his 38 Premier League appearances last season, the 29-year-old kept a whopping 15 clean sheets and made an average of 3.7 saves per game – statistics which ranked him third and fourth respectively out of all the shot-stoppers in the top flight.

These returns also saw the £47k-per-week ‘keeper earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.18, ranking him as Dean Smith’s third-best performer in the league last term.

As a result, it is hardly surprising that Smith has praised the Argentina international’s impact within his first-team squad, with the 50-year-old stating back in February: “I think Emi has probably exceeded what I thought he would bring to the team, certainly in terms of his calmness and personality.”

And, the goalkeeper has continued his impressive form last time out into the current campaign, so far keeping three clean sheets and making an average of three saves over his eight top-flight appearances.

This has seen the player who Birmingham Live journalist Dan Rolinson dubbed an “unreal” talent average a SofaScore match rating of 7.01, ranking him as Villa’s fifth-best performer in the Premier League.

As such, the £17m fee Aston Villa’s director of football Johan Lange coughed up for the 29-year-old now appears to have been something of a bargain, particularly considering Martinez’s Transfermarkt valuation is sitting at a very healthy £31.5m.

However, in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield stated his belief that the Argentine is actually worth a great deal more than this Tranfsermarkt figure, suggesting a potential buyer would need nearly £70m to land the shot-stopper.

On Martinez’s value, Hatfield said: “In terms of a fee, Villa are in a very good position. He only joined the club less than two years ago, and the fee they paid, almost £20m for him. He’s worth triple that, maybe even quadruple now, just because of the performances he’s been putting in.”

So, while it would appear a highly unlikely scenario in which Aston Villa decide to cash in on the ‘keeper any time soon, it would nevertheless seem as if Lange struck oil when signing the 29-year-old.

In other news: Lange must ruthlessly axe “inconsistent” £38k-p/w AVFC dud, he’s stealing a living