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Gone are the days of Phil Parkinson’s timid football and Stewart Donald’s tired ownership at Sunderland and under Lee Johnson, the Mackems look a completely different outfit.

They are reinvigorated and are playing with a swagger rarely seen at the Stadium of Light over the last couple of years. For once, there are reasons to be positive.

On the chalkboard

Sunderland currently sit fourth in League One and now stand a real chance of achieving promotion back to the Championship.

A large factor has been the attacking football that Johnson has been intent on having his players play with.

Aiden McGeady has come back into the fray after being alienated by Parkinson and has been game-changing. No player has recorded more than his 11 assists in the division this term, a tally he’s accomplished in just 17 outings.

He has been different gravy and alongside Charlie Wyke, Johnson has conjured up one of the most feared partnerships in League One.

Wyke has racked up 25 strikes in all competitions and a large portion of them have been supplied by McGeady; the Irishman assisted all four of his goals against Doncaster for instance.

Though, what if another mouth-watering partnership is on the horizon?

Defoe heading back?

The name on the lips of Sunderland supporters over the last few days has been that of Jermain Defoe. The striker is out of contract at Rangers in the summer and he’s now widely expected to leave on a free transfer.

Kevin Phillips isn’t convinced a move could happen but speaking to Football Insider, Kevin Campbell was a little more hopeful. For the deal to happen, however, Sunderland need to achieve one thing.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-sunderland-news-and-gossip” title=” Latest Sunderland news and gossip!”]

Campbell commented: “The key is Sunderland getting promoted. That’s the spanner in the works. But if that is the case, I’m sure it’s an offer Jermaine will entertain.”

Defoe might be 38 years of age but in the words of David Moyes, he is a “priceless” entity. The fact of the matter is that the striker scores goals wherever he goes and even if he didn’t play a major part in Rangers’ title win this season, he was still finding the back of the net.

The former England international has scored 29 times for the Gers during his two seasons at the club, a tally that demonstrates he’s still got what it takes.

Indeed, if he features alongside a player like McGeady, it could be phenomenal. The Irish winger has been a revelation this term and has been laying balls on a plate for Wyke with great regularity.

Add a first-class poacher like Defoe into the equation and his assist tally may get even greater.

The duo are both in the twilight of their careers but this partnership has the potential to be devastating. McGeady has a wand of a left foot while Defoe’s finishing ability is second to very few.

For those reasons alone, they must try and tempt him back to the Stadium of Light.

AND in other news, Forget O’Brien: Sunderland gem who made just 16 passes fast becoming a “joy to watch”…

Liverpool are reportedly considering including Marko Grujic in a swap deal next summer, which would see him leave Liverpool after five years with the Merseyside club.

The Serbian was Jurgen Klopp’s first signing as Liverpool boss when he joined in January 2016, although he stayed with Red Star Belgrade on loan until the end of the season.

In the time since, the midfielder has failed to ever really establish himself as a first-team player with the Reds, having made just 16 appearances for the first-team, in which he has contributed one goal and one assist.

In an interview with Anfield Watch, Sky Sports reporter Fabrizio Romano has suggested that:

“Marko Grujic, I’m told, could be involved in some possible swap deals next summer if Liverpool have some good opportunities to add in midfield or in defence.

“He could be an interesting player to offer so they will try to do something smart again, as they have previously with the Diogo Jota deal for example.”

Therefore, it seems likely that the 24-year-old could depart Anfield in the summer, after what has been an extremely underwhelming spell with the Merseyside club.

Grujic has spent each of the last four seasons on loan, spending time with Cardiff City, Hertha Berlin and FC Porto in that time, suggesting that his five years with Liverpool have been something of a nightmare for the young midfielder, as he has never really been able to settle and force his way into the starting XI.

He is currently with the Portuguese side and has endured a pretty poor season so far, averaging a disappointing 6.46 rating for his performances in the Liga NOS, with the majority of his appearances for Sérgio Conceição’s side coming from the bench.

Therefore, it seems unlikely that the Serbian international is going to return and become a first-team regular under Klopp, so offering him out in a swap deal could be the ideal way for Michael Edwards to get rid of the midfielder, who reportedly earns £25k per week at Anfield, in a decision that would bring an end to his five-year nightmare stay with the Reds.

And, in other news… Time is running out for FSG: Liverpool development on £100k-p/w beast is bad news for Klopp

Leeds United have been linked with central defender Nicolas N’Koulou as they head into the summer transfer window. The Whites are browsing for new defensive personnel to stack up their options after injury woes have left them short this season.

For a large chunk of the 2020/21 campaign, Marcelo Bielsa has been without summer recruits Robin Koch and Diego Llorente due to their respective fitness problems. This has forced the boss to deploy Luke Ayling at centre-back and whilst he has been reliable in an unfamiliar role, Bielsa cannot rely on him for the inevitable. It’s paramount that Leeds assert their dominance once again on the transfer market and make sure that they are fully prepared for another exciting season in the Premier League.

Calciomercato reports that N’Koulou is on Bielsa’s radar, having already worked with him in Marseille (via TEAMtalk). Currently at Torino, the defender is close to running down his current contract and will become a free agent in the summer, nulling his £6.3million valuation. Despite racking up a total of 128 appearances for his current club, he has somewhat struggled for game time this season, being demoted to the bench for 11 Serie A fixtures, as per Transfermarkt.

Should Leeds sign Nicolas N’Koulou?

With Bielsa already clued up on N’Koulou’s attitude and style of play, he is an ideal scoop for Leeds. With 72 caps for his native Cameroon as well, he is a typical veteran of the game both domestically and internationally.

Looking closer at his stats, WhoScored shows that the 30-year-old has averaged more interceptions and clearances than both Liam Cooper and Koch this season, as well as giving away the least amount of fouls per game. He averages the same amount of blocks as Koch and N’Koulou also boasts a higher passing accuracy out of the three.

For Andrea Radrizzani, it should be an easy decision when looking at a proven international who has already worked with Bielsa and won’t cost him a penny come the summer. The Whites need to add depth to their squad and it should be easy work to entice a free agent to the Premier League to play for a very exciting club that could push for Europa League football.

In other news, Leeds must prepare to sign replacement for exit-linked Struijk…

Christmas is upon us and what a year it’s been for everyone.

Tottenham Hotspur are firmly in the title race and have every chance of picking up silverware in the cup competitions having advanced into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the knockout stages of the Europa League.

It’s also been 12 months that signalled Jose Mourinho’s one-year anniversary of being in charge of Spurs. He took the reins from Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019.

The north Londoners endured a rough start to 2020, seeing the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son fall to injury problems, whilst they crashed out of the Champions League without a whimper.

Although things are finally looking up in N17 despite a bumpy ride involving all sorts of highs and lows – it was only last month that Spurs were sitting top of the tree in the Premier League, now they’re outside the top four looking in.

Everything is still to play for, so why not sit back and test your knowledge today? Can you remember these events that unfolded throughout the year?

We bet you cannot even get 60% right – go on, give it a go…

AND in other Spurs news, Spurs Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt drops huge claim over Arsenal misfit…

One of Daniel Levy’s summer transfer decisions has turned out to be an absolute stroke of genius for Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs needed a back-up striker to play second fiddle to Harry Kane before the 2020/21 season got underway and as a result, they were mooted with many names across Europe.

Indeed, the north London outfit suffered in the Englishman’s absence last term – following his injury on New Year’s Day, they crashed out of both the FA Cup and Champions League and only won three of eight matches in the Premier League.

On his return, he bagged seven goals, five of which coming in the final three matches to launch Spurs into European qualification.

So to ensure that didn’t happen again, a new forward was high on the agenda – eventually, they settled with a very wise loan-to-buy deal involving Benfica colossus Carlos Vinicius.

His hat-trick in the FA Cup last weekend showed exactly why they got the decision right. In resting Kane, the Brazilian powerhouse stepped up to the plate, making it six goals and three assists from only ten appearances this campaign, per Transfermarkt.

But it could’ve been so much different as Spurs were among the names linked with a move for former Gent talisman Jonathan David.

After scoring 23 times last term, it’s no surprise to see why so many teams were keen to sign him, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, though it would be Ligue 1 outfit Lille that won the race, splashing out a record €30m (£27m).

Levy can count his lucky stars that he didn’t sanction that sort of transfer as he’s quickly become a massive flop. David has clearly struggled with the difference in quality between the Belgian top-flight and one of Europe’s elite five leagues.

He has scored just twice all season and has failed to bag in the Europa League despite starting all six group games, per Transfermarkt. The 21-year-old has seen a decrease in shots and dribbles per game in the competition too, which reinforces the above viewpoint.

We’ve seen in recent windows that the likes of Wesley and Mbwana Samatta struggled to hit the ground running in the Premier League, so it is certainly a bullet dodged for Spurs.

Despite being dubbed a “phenomenon” by former coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck, David has cost Lille around £14m per goal, when also factoring in his reported £46.5k-per-week wages.

A total waste of money.

Even Vincent Janssen was more worth his salt despite a tumultuous stint in N17 – in a largely bit-part role, he scored six goals in 42 appearances having cost a fraction of the price at £17m.

Could you imagine if Levy pulled the trigger at £27m only for him to struggle behind Kane?

That would have been devastating, all in comparison to the shrewd acquisition of Vinicius, who is only costing a €3m (£2.7m) loan fee upfront with an option of €45m (£40m) as per Benfica’s official statement, via The Sun.

Six goals for just £2.7m upfront looks a masterstroke in comparison to David costing Lille £14m per goal thus far.

Levy certainly dodged a massive bullet in not following through with Spurs’ interest in the Canadian flop this summer.

AND in other news, £140kp/w “revelation” was SO costly in Spurs’ draw with Fulham…

Crystal Palace have come away with their tail between their legs after being beaten by Burnley at Turf Moor in a result which has left Roy Hodgson to rue their squandered chances.

Clarets striker Chris Wood’s early strike proved to be the difference as Palace were without Wilfried Zaha, who had tested positive for coronavirus, and his presence was keenly felt.

It was the second time in the same year that Palace have been defeated by Sean Dyche’s side, although they lacked a cutting edge in attack at the weekend.

Up the other end, Michy Batshuayi wasted the Eagles’ best chance for a goal when he couldn’t reach a forward pass from James McArthur, before he failed to beat Nick Pope from close range after a mistake from Dwight McNeil.

You could pick many holes in Hodgson’s side, as Palace were without several first-team regular starters ranging from unused substitute Gary Cahill, club captain Luka Milivojevic, who is currently serving a three-match ban, and the club’s leading goalscorer Zaha at the top of the pitch.

But that doesn’t excuse the fact that several players were out of sorts, although arguably none more so than misfiring centre-forward Batshuayi, who has turned out to be a bit of a damp squib in his second spell at Selhurst Park.

SofaScore gave the 27-year-old the second-lowest grade out of the entire starting line-up with an abysmal 6.4 rating – he lost possession ten times, only won one ground duel out of six attempts, strayed offside once and conceded two fouls as well.

He received a rating of 5/10 from The Evening Standard, with Jack Rosser writing he ‘worked hard but really needs to get a run of goals together from somewhere, should have acted quicker when looking to get past Pope from McNeil’s backpass’, whilst 90min were equally scathing in their assessment, claiming ‘he couldn’t find a way past Pope when his golden chance arrived.’

Not only was the £10.8m-rated Belgian striker far from his very best, but he was largely anonymous as well with Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze making more than 20 passes each.

Given his disappointing display, it’s quite surprising Batshuayi played the full 90′ minutes, which will have no doubt left some fans scratching their heads, especially when you consider the fact that he has so far failed to find the back of the net on the past six occasions in the Premier League this season.

His fourth start of the campaign could be his last for some time if that performance is anything to go by as Hodgson may have to consider giving other options a chance. The Palace boss will be expected to ring several changes when his side face Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Friday night.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace should sign Jordan Amavi if Patrick van Aanholt leaves…

Former Southampton flop Sofiane Boufal has picked up a serious injury at his new club Angers.

The Morocco international made the permanent move to the French club during the summer transfer window after spending four years on the south coast. He had enjoyed a decent start to the new campaign, scoring once in his first five matches, ahead of this past weekend’s clash versus Lorient.

However, in the second half, he was stretchered off with a serious leg injury. It is so far unclear as to how long he will be out for, but it is the latest problem in a line of injuries that the 27-year-old has suffered throughout his career as a professional.

It was these injuries that meant he was unable to produce his best on a regular basis at St. Mary’s Stadium, although he seems quite popular amongst the Saints supporters as many were gutted in reaction to his latest issue.

The fans took to Twitter to show their support for Boufal upon hearing the news, sending their love to a player who scored just five goals in 84 games.

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

In other news, this Saints man is on the verge of a move to a Champions League club.

Tottenham Hotspur kick off their Europa League campaign later this evening as they welcome Group J rivals LASK Linz to north London.

Jose Mourinho will be looking for a response from his squad after they threw away a three-goal lead over West Ham on Sunday night, though they remain unbeaten since an opening day defeat to Everton.

It is the Lilywhite’s first venture into the Europa League since 2017 after they were knocked out by Gent in the last 32 round having failed to make it past the group stages in the Champions League.

The congested fixture list this season, much of which Spurs have already had to deal with, gives Mourinho plenty to consider – so here’s how he could line up his starting XI here tonight…

There could be as many as six changes to the side that squandered those two additional points at the weekend.

Gareth Bale is in line to make his full debut after his cameo in the second half against the Hammers, he had a golden chance to win it late on but he was evidently rusty, so an hour or so from the off tonight makes a ton of sense.

Another player who could make their maiden Spurs bow is Carlos Vinicius, though he may have to wait with Harry Kane likely to get the nod to start.

Both Harry Winks and Lucas Moura were also brought on off the bench by Mourinho on Sunday, so they will surely be named in the starting lineup this time around with Moussa Sissoko and Heung-min Son being dropped, the latter is worthy of some much-needed rest.

In defence, both Ben Davies and Matt Doherty could come back into the side with Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier making way.

Joe Rodon isn’t eligible to play this evening, so a central defensive pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez seems likely with both Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga injured.

Giovani Lo Celso was confirmed to be back in training this week and he may well be handed a starting role over the £36m-rated Tanguy Ndombele, but there is still no place for Dele Alli.

Whilst Spurs youngster Jack Clarke could feature from the bench late on.

AND in other news, Fresh Spurs contract for £18m-rated LIABILITY would be a DISASTER waiting to happen…

Aston Villa could have struck a hammer blow to rivals West Brom by landing Grady Diangana in the summer transfer window.

What was the story?

Despite the fact that West Brom had the youngster on loan at the Hawthorns last season during their promotion-winning campaign in the Championship, reports over the summer claimed that Villa were much interested in making a late swoop.

It was suggested that even when Diangana was holding a medical ahead of a proposed £18m move from West Ham, that Dean Smith’s side remained interested in completing a deal for the attacker.

In the end, Diangana did complete his switch to the Baggies, and Villa may feel like it was a missed opportunity.

Bilic in the mud

What better way to make a real statement in the transfer market, than simultaneously sign one of English football’s hottest prospects, as well as getting one over on your bitter rivals.

That could have been the case for Villa had they acted on their late interest in Diangana, and it would have sent a hammer blow to Baggies boss Slaven Bilic ahead of their first season back in the Premier League.

Not only would it have been a shot in the arm for Villa fans, but they also would have left West Brom considerably weaker given that they would have missed one of their stars of the Championship campaign.

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

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Last season, Diangana managed an impressive eight goals and seven assists in 31 games across all competitions, and that level of talent would have gone down a treat with Smith.

Instead, they chose to pass the chance over, and whilst Villa are unlikely to lose any sleep over it, they could have got a fine young player too.

Mark Douglas has relayed what one of the lawyers who will be fighting the Premier League in a court case has previously said about the proposed takeover of Newcastle United.

Nick de Marco QC and Shaheed Fatima QC are acting on behalf of the Tyneside club and Mike Ashley (instructed by Dentons) in a dispute against the top flight and it chief executive Richard Masters about the £300m takeover bid made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian (KSA) group, according to Blackstone Chambers.

Speaking on the prospective deal between Ashley and the Saudi-led consortium back in May, as per a tweet by Douglas, de Marco said:

“Unless there is a clear and obvious link between an individual and an offenceÂand that individual has been convicted in some court of law or tribunal, then it’s very difficult to see how they could fail the test.â€

“At this stage, given what’s in the public domain, I can’t see an obvious route for turning it down even though a lot of people may want that to happen.â€

Indeed, de Marco is highly regarded among the top sports lawyers available in the country as he has been branded as “the Lionel Messi of sport law,” according to Price Of Football.

His words a few months ago may bring some good news to members of the Toon Army, as de Marco seemed confident that the deal would go through and, judging by his statement, would be able to argue against England’s highest division and Masters himself over why the takeover was rejected by the EPL.

It is not yet known approximately how long the court case would be expected to take, but it may give some hope to fans at St. James’ Park that they will see a takeover happen in the northeast.

However, de Marco and indeed Fatima will both have to win the case first against the Premier League, which may not be so easy.

Geordies, do you think you can win the case? Comment below with your views!