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Celtic have already encountered some bumps in the road on their path to a tenth title in a row but a 6-0 thrashing to KR Reykjavik in midweek provides cause for optimism.

Neil Lennon’s side were last seen in the Scottish Premiership drawing 1-1 with Kilmarnock before Boli Bolingoli’s breach of lockdown regulations sparked a postponement to the next two fixtures on the list.

It seen the Hoops drift to six points adrift of the league-leading Rangers, who are yet to concede themselves.

Despite not playing a competitive match in over a week, the Bhoys romped to victory in their opening Champions League qualifier with five different names getting on the scoresheet.

But what was most interesting was the introduction of in-demand star Olivier Ntcham, who still sits as the third-choice central midfield option.

He came on and provided a sublime assist for Mohamed Elyounoussi’s second and Celtic’s final goal in injury time and it was merely a glimpse into the quality the 24-year-old Frenchman has at his disposal.

Might it finally be time for the baton to be passed down?

Scott Brown isn’t getting any younger at 35 and whilst he can still give the Scottish Premiership a run for their money, it’s time to give Ntcham a shot at being the starter.

The Parkhead veteran has only been able to average 0.4 key passes so far this season and his 6.27 rating by WhoScored in the SPFL is hardly inspiring either.

Premier League duo Southampton and Everton have been linked to Ntcham this summer whilst Lille nearly made an £8m ploy for him back in January, so he could be tempted to leave Celtic Park if he doesn’t earn a starting place anytime soon.

We know Lennon is a fan of his, calling him “unbelievable” in their defeat to Cluj and “excellent” amidst his uncertain future this summer.

Don’t bin off Brown completely, but at least give the coveted Frenchman a regular place as the club starts that transition into the future of that midfield position where the 35-year-old has been a mainstay for what seems like an eternity.

AND in other news, Hoops step up their scouting of gifted playmaker…

Leeds United are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2004 after they claimed the Championship title last weekend, with this bringing an end to their 10-year stint in the division.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side sealed their long-awaited promotion following West Brom’s 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield last week while the title was then confirmed after Brentford’s shock 1-0 loss against Stoke the following day.

The Whites then concluded their season in style with a 3-1 victory over ‘Spygate’ rivals Derby County before an emphatic 4-0 success over Charlton on the final day, with Leeds United lifting the Championship title following this match.

It has been a long road to glory for the Elland Road outfit who suffered play-off heartache at the hands of Derby last May, but they overcame this bitter disappointment to produce a historic campaign, which has sealed their return to the big time.

So, how much can you remember about Leeds’ 2019/20 season? Test yourself in our latest quiz…

Villa Park once represented one of the most intimidating grounds in the country.

It still has its moments. of course, particularly when Birmingham City are in attendance. However, it has seemingly lost some of its passion over the past few years, which may have seen referees give them the benefit of the doubt over 50-50 decisions, as they did in the 90s and early noughties.

Having watched the Villa over the past few years it is hard not to feel that the club gets the wrong end of the deal with contentious decisions these days, apart from an obvious one behind closed doors on Wednesday night.

Whilst historically it is believed that referees and linesmen tend to favour the big clubs, the lack of consistency is incredibly frustrating and even with VAR intervention, there still doesn’t appear to be parity with big calls within the game. Conspiracy? Who knows?

So, which referees really have it in for Aston Villa and who dishes out the most cards against them? The good people at TOFFS have compiled some top-line research that analyses the data from officials and gives football fans a definitive overview of which refs have it in for their clubs.

Will the Villa be surprised at the results?

You can see the full report compiled by Abbey Green at TOFFS here.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVERY PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB’S REFEREE HISTORY

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti appears to be eyeing his first major splash as Toffees boss by landing a Serie A star this summer.According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, the Merseyside outfit are keen on paying the release clause of AS Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, thought to be €30m (£27m) which would be paid in two installments.

And it could be an absolute bargain considering the £45m fee they paid for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who fans are quickly becoming disillusioned with after a string of poor performances as seen here.

Pellegrini has been likened to Roma legend Francesco Totti and is the sort of box-to-box midfielder that can grant Ancelotti’s engine room the ability to thrive – arguably the weakest position at the minute.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

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Sigurdsson, typically the number ten for the Toffees, has struggled this term after contributing to just three goals whilst also averaging 1.8 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game as well as recording 1.3 unsuccessful touches, via WhoScored.

Pellegrini, on the other hand, has recorded numbers off the charts this season – the 23-year-old is managing a whopping 2.9 key passes, 2.7 shots, 1.3 dribbles and 1.1 tackles each match, proving he’s contributing just about everywhere on the pitch – and more so than the Icelandic international.

The Italian has also been lauded as a “strong character” who could one day hold the captain’s armband at the Serie A side just like one former predecessor, Totti.

Earlier this year, FootballBH waxed lyrical about the midfielder in a scout report whereby he was talked up to be one of the most creative players in Europe, being involved in a goal every 109 minutes.

By comparison, Sigurdsson is involved in a goal every 676 minutes – quite the contrast. Which is maybe why Everton have only scored 37 goals this campaign.

Pellegrini solves a lot of that.

AND in other news,ÂFive players Everton must try to sign this summer…

With Odion Ighalo’s long-term future at Manchester United up in the air, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will certainly need to be on the look-out for a new striker this summer.

The Red Devils started the campaign with just Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood as their front-line options, before Ighalo arrived from Shanghai Shenhua on a loan deal in the January transfer window.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

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But reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Chinese Super League side are intent on seeing Ighalo return to them for the start of their new season, and now, it appears United have set their sights on another centre-forward.

According to French publication Foot Mercato, Solskjaer’s team have entered the race to sign Inter star Lautaro Martinez, and that they are set to face stiff competition for his signing from Barcelona.

And after hearing about their links to the Argentina international, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their latest transfer target.

A couple of United fans talked up how he could be the “perfect forward” for them, with one supporter even suggesting he is going to be “the best striker in the world”.

With 16 goals in 31 games for Inter, Martinez has enjoyed an impressive campaign with the Nerazzurri this year.

He netted five times in the Champions League group stages, including scoring in both home and away fixtures against Borussia Dortmund, and once against Barcelona.

And at 22, he’s at the age that would fit in well with United’s current crop of young forwards.

According to a recent report, Liverpool could look to sign Adam Traore this summer if Sadio Mané or Mohamed Salah are to depart the club.

Football Insider have reported that the Wolves winger could be in-line to be a replacement for either of Liverpool’s wingers if another club is to come knocking.

Fears are heightening over the departure of Mané who has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane claiming he is making him a summer priority.

A recent report from David Maddock has claimed Liverpool are not – and never have been – interested in acquiring the services of Jadon Sancho. Traore is now on the club’s shortlist of attacking options should they look or need to expand their personnel.

The Spanish powerhouse averages 5.1 successful dribbles per game whilst also winning 9.8 duels per 90 minutes (via Sofascore).

Reds fans are head over heels with the idea of bringing the 24-year-old to Anfield, with one supporter saying ‘he would destroy’ under Jurgen Klopp’s system. Others are simply appreciating being linked with such a ‘beast’.

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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…

Gabriel Jesus has told The National that Mohamed Salah is “quality”.

What did he say?

The Brazil international was speaking to the UAE outlet ahead of Brazil’s friendly in Abu Dhabi against South Korea.

The 22-year-old was quizzed on a number of subjects, including what he thought of forwards Salah and Riyad Mahrez. Talking about the former, he said:

“Salah has showed his quality in the last two seasons, he has scored a lot. I don’t train with him, but I know he is quality.”

Game recognises Game

Salah has been in fantastic form ever since he moved to Anfield from AS Roma in 2017. In each of the two full seasons he has been in Merseyside, he has finished as the Premier League’s top scorer. He bagged 32 goals in his first campaign, before scoring 22 last year.

So far, Jesus has had to make do with a rotation role in Manchester City’s squad. In just under three years, the former Palmeiras striker has started just 68 matches in all competitions for the Citizens, but has still managed to score 50 goals and provide 19 assists during that time.

He has been a regular goalscorer, and his record of 18 in 38 games for the Selecao again shows just how much quality he has up front.

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His guaranteed starting spot is currently blocked by Sergio Aguero. The Argentina international has started eight Premier League games so far this term, scoring nine goals during that time. But at 31 years of age and with less than two years left on his contract, he probably doesn’t have too many terms left with Pep Guardiola’s side.

When he eventually does depart, £63m-valued Jesus will surely be primed to take his place.

When he does, Salah and Jesus could start off a rivalry for the top tier’s Golden Boot. The Egypt international is currently contracted until 2023 and, with a Transfermarkt market value of £135m, many clubs could be put off by the potentially huge fee they would need to pay to purchase him.

As such, his future looks to be secure at Liverpool, and he has proven he will be the man to beat as the number one marksmen. Jesus’ record so far, though, shows he has what it takes. Time will tell whether he can actually do it.

Aston Villa’s promotion-winning season from the Championship saw a number of loan players play a vital role in Dean Smith’s side returning to the Premier League.

The likes of Tyrone Mings, Anwar El Ghazi and Kourtney Hause have all signed permanent terms since, but one loanee who returned to their parent club has just been given a wave of appreciation from a number of Villa’s fanbase.

Axel Tuanzebe, 22, made 27 league starts for the West Midlands side during the 2018/19 campaign, playing a highly influential role in their promotion via the Championship play-off final.Â

Thursday witnessed the birthday of the Manchester United defender and that led to many Villa supporters praising his contribution to their current status as a top-flight team.

Although Tuanzebe may not currently be plying his trade in B6, these fans have certainly not forgotten his influence over their promotion-winning season.

Here are some of the best reactions following an official club tweet from Villa wishing the former loanee well on his 22nd birthday.Â

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Ben Davies was given the captain’s armband for Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Everton at the weekend.

That’s the Ben Davies who had made three Premier League appearances prior to the game, with two of those adding up to 16 minutes of action.

Of course, one can argue that Mauricio Pochettino’s hands were tied. Hugo Lloris is injured and ruled out until 2020 while Harry Kane suffered from a virus that ruled him out of the game at Goodison Park.

Nevertheless, Davies’ pick shines a rather unfortunate light on the depth at the club and the lack of alternative leaders.

Paulo Gazzaniga has only just come into the team; Serge Aurier would have been a disgrace of a selection due to his spate of Spurs calamities; Davinson Sanchez is perhaps too young while Toby Alderweireld’s contract expires in the summer and handing him the armband could have been seen as a message of acquiescence; Tanguy Ndombele is a new signing; Moussa Sissoko is excellent but perhaps too erratic; Christian Eriksen hasn’t been at the races this term with just one goal and one assist to his name in the Premier League.

That leaves Heung-Min Son, Dele Alli and Lucas Moura. Son is the captain of South Korea and even wore the armband as his country beat Germany in the 2018 World Cup. He has worn that armband on 16 occasions, most recently in the 0-0 draw with bitter rivals North Korea.

Alli is an excellent player and has a mature head on his shoulders so he could well have worn the armband; so too could Lucas, who is 27 and has won multiple trophies throughout a storied career.

To pick Davies, though, is almost a dereliction of Pochettino’s duty. The armband is symbolic, of course, and this is not to say that a different selection could have changed the result as Spurs again dropped points on the road. They haven’t won away from home since January.

But picking Davies, a player who has never once captained either Spurs or Wales, ahead of someone like Son, a leader, a player who is also a game-changer, corrodes the meaning of the captaincy by suggesting anyone within the squad can wear the armband.

That could be seen as a meritocratic message but really, Pochettino has given the responsibility to a player who was woefully unequipped for it and it is little surprise that, as soon as Son was sent off after that horrendous injury to Andre Gomes, Spurs wilted.

Per WhoScored, Davies had 60 touches of the ball, had a pass success rate of just 50%, failed to win a tackle and was dispossessed on three occasions.

Spurs simply didn’t have a leader on the pitch; least of all Davies.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Liverpool have taken a massive step towards a maiden Premier League title win after beating Manchester City 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. The defeat leaves the champions nine points behind the Reds in the table after just 12 games and places their credentials this season into serious doubt.

Throughout the game, Pep Guardiola’s men were second best across the pitch, but one area which was exposed in particular was central defence. The injury to Aymeric Laporte has caused problems at the back for City, with the club immediately losing to Norwich and then falling to defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers not long after.

Now, after the loss to Liverpool, it is clear – if it wasn’t already – that the champions made a massive error in not recruiting at the back in the summer window. The loss of Vincent Kompany was always going to be a miss, with the City legend’s 360 appearances helping collect four Premier League titles.

This has left Guardiola with only Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and Laporte as his natural central defensive options, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis only just being promoted and Eric Garcia hugely inexperienced at 18.

Otamendi has struggled this season and was largely at fault for the defeat to Norwich, whilst Stones has looked lost without the Frenchman beside him. Last season at Anfield both Stones and Laporte were in incredible form and managed to keep the Reds at bay.

This time around, however, Stones’ performance simply shined a light on why City should have signed a centre-back in the summer.

The club’s failure to recruit a new defensive talent could ultimately prove to be their downfall as they bid to secure a hat-trick of Premier League titles.

Injuries happen all the time and as unfortunate as Laporte’s injury is, it is not exactly a surprise. Simply put, it is poor anticipation from City in that regard, who have clearly shown down the years that money is not an issue.

Whether the manager will spend in the January window remains to be seen.

However, he most definitely needs to open conversations with Txiki Begiristain about signing a new man at the back, regardless of whether he arrives in the mid-season window or next summer.