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Sunderland fans have been reacting after Chris Maguire scored for the club’s U23 side against Burnley on Monday.

The Black Cats hosted the Clarets in the Premier League 2. The score ended up being 3-0 to the home side, and Maguire was on the scoresheet. The victory now means the Wearside outfit are up to ninth in the Group 2 table with 24 points from 18 matches (flashscore.com).

To see Maguire playing at this level may seem unusual. After all, he is 32 years of age and has appeared 29 times in League One already this term, scoring four times and providing five assists (Transfermarkt). However, he has not started a match in the third tier since December 12th of last year, against Wigan, and he is therefore clearly in need of some match practice as we approach the end of the campaign.

The news of his goal was shared on Sunderland’s official Twitter account, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Maguire below

“Imagine my shock”

Credit: @RyanC2408

“The king has spoken”

Credit: @SAFCAcademy

“shock”

Credit: @kylesafc_73

“THE KING IS BACK”

Credit: @KINGMAGUIRE1

“Fantastic Chris but please save one for an important league game!”

Credit: @Squealer66

“Baffles me why he’s even playing in this game. He should be in the first team.”

Credit: @CameraChris79

In other news, Sunderland fans love this club video.

According to recent reports, Leeds United are one of many clubs interested in the signing of Torino centre-back, Nicolas N’koulou, this summer.

The report by Italian outlet Torino Granata (via Sport Witness) claims that, should Leeds indeed make a move for N’koulou in the summer market, they will face significant competition, as the French trio of Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyon, as well as FC Porto, are all also interested in the £6.3 million-rated 30-year-old.

So far this season, the £48,000 per week Cameroon international has struggled for game time under Davide Nicola, largely down to a number of injury problems. However, over the 11 Serie A games in which the defender has featured, he has impressed, making an average of 2.4 interceptions, one tackle and 3.8 clearances per match, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.81.

Transfer Tavern Take

With Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta having invested rather heavily in Leeds’ centre-back position last summer, spending £18 million on Diego Llorente and £15.3 million on Robin Koch, the centre of the Argentine’s defence would not appear to be an immediate priority again this summer.

However, with N’Koulou’s contract at Torino set to expire at the end of the season, should Orta feel that a financially attractive deal could be struck with the centre-back, perhaps Bielsa would appreciate the addition of further experience in his defence, as well as a player he has previously managed, regardless of his current options.

And, with Tuttosport (via Yorkshire Evening Post) also claiming that the 65-year-old wants to sign N’Koulou “at all costs” this summer, perhaps there is indeed something to this story.

In other news: Leeds are ‘thinking seriously’ about making this key addition – find out more here!

According to reports, Aston Villa are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill in the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Despite signing Morgan Sanson back in January from Ligue 1 side Marseille, it appears Dean Smith isn’t done with reinforcing Villa’s midfield options ahead of next season.

Now, TEAMtalk claim that the Midlands club have got their sights set on Brownhill, with the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Wolves also having scouted him over the past few months.

The report adds that Burnley are facing a battle to keep hold of the 25-year-old after a “hugely impressive campaign”.

He silenced Jack Grealish

Having only joined Burnley last year, Brownhill has already established himself as a key part of Sean Dyche’s side, making 23 appearances in the Premier League already.

One of his best performances in a Clarets shirt came in a 0-0 draw against Villa back in December, with the 25-year-old just overpowering Jack Grealish on the day – the Villa talisman lined up in the number ten role, with Brownhill part of the Burnley engine room.

While Grealish still tried to work his magic, the Burnley man looked to get tight to him all the time, making the contest as physical as possible.

The £17m-rated Brownhill made a mammoth five interceptions, which was comfortably more than any other player on the pitch, and double that of his impressive season average of 2.4 per game in the Premier League.

As well as constantly trying to stop Grealish getting the ball in dangerous areas, Brownhill was also strong in the challenge, winning seven of his 11 total duels – he’s won 4.9 per match this season.

It was no surprise then that Grealish ended up losing the ball on 11 occasions, while none of his six attempts on goal found the target. Brownhill was an absolute machine in the middle of the park for Burnley and completely silenced Villa’s main man.

If Johan Lange was watching the midfielder, it’s no surprise that he appears to be interested in making a move for him in the summer.

Meanwhile, this Villa target delivered a masterclass at the weekend…

With no starts in 2021 whatsoever, it’s time for Aston Villa boss Dean Smith to finally bring Trezeguet back into the starting line-up.

The Egyptian suffered a torrid December, missing seven consecutive games in the Premier League through injury, and Smith has tried to ease him back into action over these past few weeks.

Bertrand Traore appeared to pick up his form too, following his summer arrival from Lyon – he went on a run of four goals in six games – but it may be time for the Villa boss to consider some rotation ahead of the clash against Brighton on Saturday night.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans spoke glowingly about the sheer hard work that Trezeguet puts in to each game just last summer, and admitted that his performances had made him change his mind about him.

He said: “The amount of energy that Trezeguet puts in, it’s natural that he’s going to be tiring when it gets to like 65, 70, 75 minutes. (It’s) an incredible turnaround from that player as well, somebody who, admittedly I thought wasn’t cut out to be a Villa player, wasn’t cut out for the Premier League.

“He was probably the scapegoat in the winter months of last season where things weren’t going well. I mean fair play to him for knuckling down and working so hard and actually realising that sometimes hard work beats talent.”

The £9m-rated ace has slowly built up his fitness once again, and with Villa trying to chase a European spot for next season, bringing Trezeguet back into the fold could give Smith’s side an added edge for the rest of the campaign.

The Villa boss has made the fewest changes of any Premier League boss this campaign, and that’s an unsurprising fact given how well his players have done week-in and week-out for him.

But with plenty of games still to go, it’s important that Villa don’t suffer from burnout ahead of the business end of the season, and giving players like Trezeguet the chance to come in and freshen things up could be key.

Dubbed as “perfect” by his own manager, Trezeguet should start against Brighton on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Villa are facing transfer disaster over yet another academy starlet…

David Sullivan must strive to beat Manchester United and Hertha Berlin to hire Eintracht Frankfurt’s Fredi Bobic as West Ham’s new Director of Football.

What’s the word?

According to Sport BILD, via Sport Witness, the Irons and Red Devils have shortlisted Bobic as an option to be their new Sporting Director after the Eintracht chief announced that he intends to leave Frankfurt at the end of the season.

The 49-year-old has decided to step down from his role at the Deutsche Bank Park two years early, having remained at the club for the 2020/21 campaign to help Die Adler manage through the situation caused by the pandemic after first expressing intentions to leave last summer.

Eintracht had sought to change the former Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart striker’s mind with the offer of a more lucrative contract, but they are now resigned to losing him.

Bobic believes his time at Frankfurt has reached its end and will now possibly take on a new challenge with Hertha BSC, a club he supports and enjoys a good working relationship with CEO Carsten Schmidt.

West Ham, Manchester United and RB Leipzig are also interested in hiring the 2001/02 Bundesliga champion, as they look to appoint a new Director of Football to fill the currently vacant roles at the London Stadium and Old Trafford.

Frankfurt are noted to have been irritated, both privately and publicly, by the manner at which Bobic announced his departure, and are expected to hold out for compensation in the region of €5m (£4.5m) should any side look to hire the former Germany international.

Bobic is to stand before the Eintracht leadership at a crunch board meeting on March 10th to discuss his exit and actions, at which poin,t Die Adler will decide how best to handle his situation with the club chief believed to be keen on finalising a deal to join Hertha.

Should West Ham hire Bobic?

While £4.5m may seem like a lot of money to pay for the release of Bobic from his Eintracht Frankfurt contract, Sullivan should not baulk at the fee as the German has established a phenomenal record for discovering top talents at bargain fees in the Bundesliga.

Bobic is a hot commodity in Europe for the success Eintracht have built on the pitch during his four-and-a-half-years at the Deutsche Bank Park, having gone from a side that narrowly avoided relegation to one eying regular Champions League football.

He has also rejected offers to take up a Director of Football role at VfL Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig and AC Milan in recent years, and was even once suggested to be in the running to replace Christian Seifert at the head of the German Football League (DFL).

Now, with Bobic feeling like he is at the end of the road in Frankfurt, Sullivan should be doing all he can to tempt the transfer wizard to try his hand in the Premier League and hope to see players of the same calibre work wonders for West Ham.

Bobic has been at the Eintracht helm while Ante Rebic, Luka Jovic, Filip Kostic and Andre Silva all agreed to join Die Adler.

Rebic joined Frankfurt from Fiorentina for just €2m (£1.5m) in 2018 and provided 25 goals plus 12 assists in 100 games before leaving Germany for AC Milan in a €32m (£27.5m) deal in 2020.

Jovic left Die Adler in 2019 by sealing a €60m (£52.5m) move to Real Madrid, netting the Bundesliga outfit £42m in profit after the forward – who Kostic describes as “unbelievable” – struck 27 goals and provided seven assists in 48 games across all competitions.

The Serbian was replaced by Silva, who moved to the Deutsche Bank Park from AC for just €9m (£8m), and has since attracted a €30m (£26m) valuation amid interest from West Ham and Atletico Madrid after hitting 16 goals in 38 games this season.

West Ham would surely love to have the man responsible for those deals in charge of their transfer activity, making Bobic a dream hire if Sullivan does whatever it takes to get him.

AND in other news, West Ham have been dealt a huge blow with a David Moyes favourite ruled out until mid-April…

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United are among a host of clubs keeping tabs on Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy ahead of a potential summer move – with the Irishman out of contract at the end of this season.

McCarthy is still to discuss a new deal at Selhurst Park, leading to many sides including West Ham taking an interest in snapping up the 30-year-old as they keep close eye on developments across London.

Starting just five Premier League games this season (WhoScored), it’s difficult to see what he could add for the Irons given their needs don’t really lie in central midfield, but up front.

Erupting at GSB’s alleged transfer plan, as relayed by West Ham News, many Irons flocked to have their say on what they believe to be an awful potential move – find all of their verdicts from social media down below, where one supporter said the move would be “shocking”.

West Ham fans blast McCarthy interest

“Oh please no”

Credit: @SteveClarke005

“At his best bang average .”

Credit: @mikewarren66

“No no no”

Credit: @StuartDillon1

“Do me a favour”

Credit: @richardduffin1

“Yikessssss”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“G&S love a freebie, it’s the best price going”

Credit: @Happyha87989654

“Shocking if this happens. Surely someone younger and hungrier with potential?”

Credit: @bartong2011

“Wow that’s like looking at Mercedes cars and then going no I want a fiat punto”

Credit: @grimmer1895

In other news: ExWHUemployee’s claim also has many Hammers talking, find out more here.

Celtic continue to find themselves linked to potential new managers as, with the Hoops struggling this season and looking like they will be surrendering their title to arch rivals Rangers, Neil Lennon could soon find himself out of a job.

Their Glasgow neighbours are running away with this season’s Premiership, leading the reigning champions by a mammoth 23 points. Celtic have struggled to climb through the gears as the campaign has ticked by and now change could be on the horizon.

Speculation around Lennon’s future continues to be rifeand one man who could, reportedly, come in and take his place is Rafael Benitez. According to The Mirror, the former Liverpool and Newcastle boss is in the picture to take over at Celtic after leaving his position in China and even at the age of 60, Benitez is reportedly still keen to find a new role.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer gave his thoughts on whether he could picture Benitez at the hilt of the Scottish outfit.

“Well he’s gone to China, so I could see him going anywhere,” the pundit said. “So yeah, of course, Celtic is a massive club.”

Indeed, the Premiership heavyweights have had an uncharacteristically poor season and are in need of a boost. Not only have they seemingly thrown away their chances of a tenth consecutive league title, but they also had an early exit from the Europa League.

The Hoops were dumped out of the competition following a disappointing group stage, which saw them finish bottom of their group having accumulated just four points. They also conceded the joint most goals (19) of the group stages, with only Ludogorets and Dundalk shipping as many.

“I suppose Benitez would want to know what funds he would have available in the transfer market,” Palmer continued. “I think he found it very difficult with the owners at Newcastle in trying to progress the club forward. But I could see that [move to Celtic] being a fit.”

The former midfielder went on to discuss Lennon’s position at the club, praising his stature as a “top manager”, but ultimately admitting his days are numbered.

“He’s done great things at Celtic, but once you’re fighting the tide, you’re fighting the tide. You’re never going to get out of it again.”

It remains to be seen if Lennon is sacked, and if Benitez ends up in the Parkhead hotseat but if those things do happen, it seems that Carlton Palmer would not be shocked.

In other news, Lennon has sealed his own Celtic fate by not bolstering his squad…

David Sullivan and David Moyes must take action in the January window to resolve Felipe Anderson’s continued nightmare with the West Ham United winger still frozen out at FC Porto.

What’s the word?

Anderson moved to the Estadio do Dragao on a season-long loan this summer but has featured only three times for the Liga NOS giants, with Sergio Conceicao awarding the Brazilian just 110 minutes of action to date.

Conceicao handed Anderson his full Porto debut against third-tier minnows Fabril Barreiro in the Taca de Portugal last month, only to then omit the 27-year-old from his following two league fixtures.

Anderson has not featured in one of Conceicao’s Liga NOS squads since serving as a late substitute in a 3-2 loss to Pacos Ferreira in October, sparking the Irons’ former club-record £36million signing’s sister to hit out at Porto.

“Felipe was brought to Portugal by agents who are no longer part of his career. Only I can I speak officially on his behalf,” Juliana Gomes, who is also Anderson’s agent, said, via quotes by Record.

“I will have a meeting with the club to inform them of this new scenario and also to try to understand if we can do something so that Felipe can do as quickly as possible what he came to do in Portugal, which is to play his football and help FC Porto.”

Conceicao responded to Anderson’s agent by stating, via quotes by O Jogo: “Nobody spoke to me, now what they [want to] talk to the Board.

“I am not going to ask the President what he said to Felipe Anderson’s sister. Why his sister says she needs a meeting, I don’t know, he has to ask, she is not me. If it’s about adapting Felipe, it’s up to me, I can talk, it’s up to me. There are some who adapt faster than others, it’s normal.”

Action needed

With Anderson’s nightmare situation only continuing with a third straight omission from Porto’s Liga NOS squad, tensions must be on the rise in east London fearing that the winger may never establish himself at the Estadio do Dragao in the manner that will support their cause.

Anderson, who his former SS Lazio teammate Bruno Pereirinha describes as “an extremely unbalanced and explosive player”, will return to West Ham at the end of the season with just a year remaining on his £85,000-per-week contract.

The Irons will find it hard to see a reason to offer the forward an extension to his terms after falling out of favour under Moyes last term, making just eight appearances, but may struggle to secure a representative fee in the transfer market unless they find a new home for the £22.5m-rated outcast this winter.

It is not expected that Anderson will return to the London Stadium in January with the Hammers holding no interest in a mid-season reunion, though a move away from Porto simply has to be on the cards amid his crisis.

AND in other news, a “powerful” West Ham dud has given David Moyes all the evidence in the world to why he will never be trusted.

Crystal Palace are back in action this afternoon, as they travel to take on Premier League rivals Aston Villa in their penultimate game of the year on Boxing Day.

Roy Hodgson is expected to ring wholesale changes after his side suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of league leaders Liverpool at home last time out.

Hodgson has confirmed that Gary Cahill has been ruled out of the clash with Villa due to injury, although he will be boosted by the return of Christian Benteke, who has served a one-match ban after being sent off during the draw with West Ham United.

Here at Football Fancast, we’ve worked on a predicted starting lineup, which sees Hodgson make five changes to the side that were routed by the Reds at Selhurst Park.

Despite shipping seven goals against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Vicente Guiata will keep his place in goal, which means Jack Butland will be forced to settle for a place on the bench once again.

However, it’s hard to imagine Hodgson will stick with the same back four after an abysmal display by all accounts, so Joel Ward should be back at right-back today, whilst the same can be said for Tyrick Mitchell, who comes back in for Patrick van Aanholt.

Cahill’s injury has somewhat forced his hand, as Mamadou Sakho seems destined for the Selhurst Park exit, with Scott Dann expected to step up in Cahill’s enforced absence.

Jairo Riedewald has yet to start for the first team since the 1-0 defeat to Burnley back in November, but we reckon he will be back in today at the expense of James McArthur, joining club captain Luka Milivojevic in the Palace engine room.

Not that we’d like to admit it, but Palace have by and large been unable to cope without Benteke, who should be back this afternoon.

This means that Jordan Ayew will have to drop to the bench to make room for the Belgian striker, who has scored three goals in his past three games in the Premier League, via Transfermarkt.

AND in other news, Steve Parish must look to cash in on Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins in January…

Phil Parkinson has been met with an injury crisis ahead of facing MK Dons at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as several Sunderland players nurse issues.

The Black Cats will also be without Northern Irish duo Conor McLaughlin and Tom Flanagan, with the pair away on international duty as Sunderland aim to maintain their Play-Off position and reduce the four-point margin to League One leaders Peterborough.

MK Dons are facing their own injury blows, too, as boss Russell Martin has confirmed two further names have joined George Williams, Joe Mason and Kieran Agard on the sidelines while Regan Poole and Daniel Harvie are away on international duty.

Sunderland won their last League One meeting with a 2-1 victory at home to Ipswich Town thanks to goals from Charlie Wyke and Grant Leadbitter, while the Dons were held to a goalless draw with Northampton Town to sit just a point above the relegation zone.

Parkinson will be eager to see his men emerge triumphant this weekend but with injuries across the field, here’s a predicted XI the Black Cats could favour to avoid only a second loss of the league campaign…

Goalkeeper Lee Burge has now opened all 10 of Sunderland’s League One fixtures this term and will be expected to maintain his 100% record at home to MK Dons, having registered the second-most clean sheets (six) in the third-tier thanks to 16 saves, two punches, five high claims and two successful runs out, per SofaScore.

The first of Parkinson’s selection dilemmas comes in defence, though, with McLaughlin and Flanagan both unavailable.

Parkinson has been full of praise for Flanagan this year, having lauded the 7-cap international for taking his game to another level.

“Tommy in the last month or so has taken his game to another level,” Parkinson said, via quotes by the Chronicle in February. “That is by identifying what he needs to do to have a good game, and training properly.

“His standard of training has gone up and he is reaping the benefits of that on a match day. He is desperate to do well, he is a good professional and I am pleased with his performances.”

Jordan Willis is expected to make his return to the starting line-up before receiving an injection to help control his ongoing knee problem, while Bailey Wright is the sole defensive starter of the Ipswich win set to be on hand.

Dion Sanderson could start alongside Willis and Wright in place of McLaughlin and Flanagan, with Olivier Younger also at risk of being unavailable after being withdrawn from the Fleetwood game.

Midfielders Denver Hume and Luke O’Nien both sustained minor knocks last week that prevented their involvement in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie, and will see their respective knee and medial ligament issues continue to be monitored ahead of facing MK Dons.

Parkinson has been impressed with Hume’s efforts since returning from lockdown earlier in the year, noting via quotes by the Chronicle: “Denver is an improving player and I think there is still more to come from him, but he knows that himself.

“To be a top player, you have to be able to do everything. There were elements of Denver’s game that he needed to improve on, but I feel that after the lockdown he came back like a man and he has shown that with his performances.”

Should neither be passed fit to start, Parkinson will be left in a mix with Callum McFadzean a major doubt with a hamstring injury, while Lynden Gooch and youth winger Cieran Dunne are also questionable to feature.

With a lack of viable options, Parkinson could be forced into handing Aiden O’Brien only his fifth start of the League One campaign and returning Chris Maguire to a wide-right role after playing centrally at home to Ipswich.

Josh Scowen could make his return in the centre of midfield to partner Leadbitter, having sat out the Black Cats’ EFL Trophy and FA Cup ties over the past week after sustaining a concussion in the Ipswich win.

Gooch’s questionable status may also open the door for Max Power to make his first league start since October’s 2-2 draw with Rochdale, having been benched against Gillingham and Ipswich before replacing Scowen following his concussion.

Parkinson will be glad to have leading goalscorer Wyke available for Saturday’s meeting with MK Dons, having struck each of his four goals in Sunderland’s last six League One fixtures.

But the Black Cats boss will have a decision to make over who to partner Wyke with, having called on Maguire to start against Ipswich and O’Brien against Gillingham but requiring both to play wide roles against the Dons.

Parkinson has two options to call on in Will Grigg and Danny Graham, though Grigg has failed to score in any of his five appearances across all competitions this term while Graham has netted once in 11 outings and started two of his eight League One appearances.

AND in other news, Phil Parkinson must unleash a “tremendous” Sunderland gem who’s played just 136 mins all season.