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Reports emerging from France haven’t gone down well with the Tottenham Hotspur faithful this week.

According to beIN Sports, mooted director of football Luis Campos is now set to remain at his current club Lille following a couple of weeks of speculation linking him with an exit.

Many fans in north London were eager to see the Portuguese talent-spotter reunite with his former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.

Campos is the man responsible for unearthing this era’s stars such as Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe as well as several Premier League regulars like Nicolas Pepe, Anthony Martial and Fabinho amongst others.

Spurs have somewhat suffered in the transfer market for several years under the guidance of owner Daniel Levy. The club has not had someone in the director of football role since December 2016 when Paul Mitchell reportedly fell out with the chairman.

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He’s now at RB Leipzig helping find talents like Matheus Cunha, Nordi Mukiele and Dani Olmo.

Whilst it took until this summer for Levy to break their club-record transfer fee, signing Tanguy Ndombele for £55m from Lyon after a couple of years without spending a single penny.

Which is why a couple of supporters took aim at the British businessman.

The situation has also given some members of the Spurs faithful a disappointing sense of deja vu – remember the Paulo Dybala saga?

At one stage, the Argentine forward appeared set to swap Turin for north London as Sky Sports reported that a €70m (£62.3m) fee had been agreed.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein then claimed a few days later that Juventus had pulled the plug on the deal, thus no Dybala at Spurs.

In some ways, this has been mirrored here after Canal+ had suggested that Campos was heading to Spurs – but now fresh claims counter that this week.

For now, it appears unlikely that Campos will become a member of Mourinho’s staff just yet.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold denies Spurs interest in reported striker target…

Celtic fans have been debating the future of midfielder Tom Rogic on social media after one fan account posed the question: “keep or sell?”

It has divided the Bhoys faithful with some brushing off the suggestion that the Aussie should even be sold whilst others would get rid for the right price.

Rogic has been at Celtic Park since January 2013 having joined from Central Coast Mariners and has gone on to feature 189 times in the green and white hoops. He’s scored 38 goals and provided 34 assists in that run, via Transfermarkt, which is pretty good going for a midfielder.

Although this season the 27-year-old has found considerable playing time hard to come by, recording a total of just 600 minutes in the Scottish Premiership.

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Rogic is under contract in Glasgow until the summer of 2023 and is currently valued at £1.8m by Transfermarkt.

But will he become a more regular feature under Neil Lennon in the future? That remains to be seen.

Here’s what fans have been saying…

AND in other news, Celtic fans react to Odsonne Edouard nomination…

Having arrived from Premier League rivals Chelsea back in January 2014 for a reported fee in the region of £37.1m, Juan Mata has established himself as a true veteran of English football. As per Transfermarkt, the Spaniard has racked up an incredible 252 appearances in just the Premier League, scoring 50 goals and providing 60 assists.Watch Manchester United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Unfortunately for him, the 31-year-old is seeing his influence gradually diminish by the week, and this season alone has seen him play 15 times across all competitions – it may seem like a lot, but that only equates to 761 minutes of football in total, with many of those appearances coming as a substitute.

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But on Wednesday night against Colchester in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, he was given a rare chance to start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. Whilst the Red Devils recorded a relatively straight-forward 3-0 victory over the ninth-placed League Two side, Mata himself didn’t exactly enjoy a night to remember. As per Sofascore, his 7.2 match rating was only better than Mason Greenwood in terms of his teammates who completed the full 90 minutes. And when looking at the underlying numbers it is easy to see why.

He managed no shots on target, no tackles, won just two of his five ground duels, and lost possession 14 times (only Anthony Martial and Andreas Pereira conceded it more). And after seeing his display, United fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the midfielder.

Many fans of the Manchester side also brought up United starlet Angel Gomes, and questioned why Mata is starting over him.

At 31 years of age, Mata remains a vitally experienced option for the Red Devils, even if his performances may not be up to scratch. As United look to give more youngsters like Mason Greenwood their chance to shine, players like the Spaniard can help with the integration process and act as a role model for them to fully learn and develop. On-the-pitch displays may not necessarily be the be-all and end-all.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have a surprising reaction to reports this man could leave next summer.

Manchester United fans are feeling happy after Scott McTominay pulled out of the Scotland squad for the upcoming internationals against Cyprus and Kazakhstan.

The midfielder was taken off in the 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion after suffering an ankle injury (via BBC).

McTominay has proved a vital player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this campaign, starting every single Premier League game for the north-west side (via Transfermarkt).

His form has taken off in recent weeks with the Scotsman scoring two goals in his last six top-flight games for the Old Trafford giants. McTominay has also shown his ability on the ball, being the most fouled player out of any of the United squad (2.7) (via WhoScored).

Fans were thrilled after the midfielder was released from the Scotland squad ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Sheffield United in their next Premier League game.

Here is a selection of tweets from the Old Trafford faithful:

Manchester United fans, do you think McTominay will return for the Sheffield United game? Let us know your thoughts!

تعرض صلاح محسن لاعب الأهلي إلى الإصابة في المباراة المقامة حاليًا مع الاتحاد السكندري، في إطار مباريات الدوري المصري الممتاز.

الأهلي يواجه نظيره الاتحاد السكندري، في المباراة التي تقام على ملعب الإسكندرية في الجولة العشرون من المسابقة الأكبر محليًا.

وخرج صلاح محسن من المباراة متأثرًا بالإصابة في الدقيقة 78، وحل وليد سليمان زميله بديلًا له في الدقيقة 80. إصابة صلاح محسن في مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد

ويتقدم الأهلي بهدفين على الاتحاد بهدفين مقابل لاشئ، بانون سجل هدف الأهلي الأول في الدقيقة 50، قبل أن يعزز زميله محمد مجدي أفشة تقدم الأهلي بالهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 55.

Aston Villa will aim to get their 2019/20 campaign back on track when they visit Molineux on Sunday for a West Midlands derby clash with Wolves.

Villa, who sit 16th in the league table, have suffered consecutive losses at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool having won successive top-flight games against Norwich City and Brighton. 

Dean Smith’s side will come up against a Wolves side who have experienced something of a resurgence under Nuno Espirito Santo after an inconsistent start to the season, with the Wanderers currently on an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions. 

This West Midlands derby is likely to produce an interesting affair between two teams who faced off only two weeks ago in the Carabao Cup, though Wolves’ weakened squad for the last-16 tie is likely to have produced an inaccurate reflection of how tight Sunday’s contest is likely to be. 

Here is a potential starting XI that Dean Smith could line up with for the encounter with Nuno’s side. 

Smith can be expected to name an unchanged defence to the team who narrowly lost out to Liverpool at Villa Park, with Tom Heaton marshalling a back-four consisting of Matt Targett, Tyrone Mings, Bjorn Engels and Frederic Guilbert. 

In midfield, the Villa manager will have a number of big decisions to make, largely determined by how much damage he believes Wolves’ attack could cause. 

Marvellous Nakamba’s form makes him a definite selection for Villa, although Conor Hourihane could earn a starting berth at the expense of Douglas Luiz if Smith opts to deploy a more attacking combination of midfielders.

That would see the Irishman sitting behind the duo of John McGinn and Jack Grealish.

Despite scoring last weekend, Trézéguet could drop to the bench to make way for the returning Grealish, who will be keen to put in an impressive performance having not been selected by Gareth Southgate for England’s upcoming international fixtures.

Wesley is likely to start for Smith’s side, as the Brazilian bids to build on his four Premier League goals so far this season.

Liverpool fans have been reacting to the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be available for selection against Tottenham on Sunday.

The 21-year-old did not travel to Belgium as the Reds beat Genk 4-1 in the Champions League as he was suffering from a virus.

The England international has become an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s side since his introduction to the side in 2016. He is two appearances off making his century of appearances in the first team, having scored five goals and provided 23 assists in 98 games for the Reds.

After the 2018/19 campaign, himself and Andy Robertson became the first set of defenders from the same team to record double figures for assists in the same season.

Alexander-Arnold last featured during the 1-1 draw against Manchester United but manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he should be ready to come straight back into the team.

“Trent is fine. Or looked fine, if there is no setback,” said Klopp during his pre-match press conference.

“He was ill – ill enough to not travel with us, which is not a good sign, but yesterday he had a clearing session and if it is as it was yesterday then he should be fine.”

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James Milner filled in at right-back for the absent youngster in Genk and supporters have been excited about the news that Alexander-Arnold will come back into the first team. One fan said that it was the “best news he had heard all day”.

Here you will find some of the best reactions from Liverpool fans:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

West Brom venture north of the wall to face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, hoping they’ll be able to still reign supreme as Championship kings by the end of the evening.

The north-east has very much mirrored that of Westeros this season as many teams in this division have gone there and picked up a result, living up to the name of the ‘free folk,’ with Boro sitting 20th in the table currently.

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Jonathan Woodgate’s side sit just two points from the relegation zone and have won only the two games on their own patch this term.

Albion come into the game full of confidence, knowing they defeated Cardiff City 4-2 last time out.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult as Boro have individuals that could cause Slaven Bilic and his side a problem.

On the Chalkboard

Paddy McNair has all the qualities to knock West Brom off their iron throne as he interestingly offers up a threat in all aspects of the midfield game.

The former Manchester United man can play at centre-back, but he’s been deployed in a defensive midfield role under Woodgate, very much in the mould of his ex-teammate Scott McTominay.

McNair is averaging 1.1 tackles, 1.5 clearances, and 0.7 interceptions per game, which suggests he holds some authority in the centre of the park, but he also offers up danger at the other end of the pitch having bagged two goals this season – only bettered by Britt Assombalonga, per WhoScored.

No player in the side averages more shots per game than him either, which is bizarre for a defensive-minded player.

This means Romaine Sawyers will need to keep him in check on Saturday afternoon as the Northern Irishman has the ability to influence the match in all three-thirds of the field.

The Baggies academy graduate averages 1.6 tackles per game, which suggests he will be able to capitalise on McNair’s high dispossession rate.

Sawyers is the engine in Bilic’s midfield, recording the second-highest average passing accuracy in the league with 92.1% on top of providing 1.3 key passes per game.

Whoever comes out on top in this enthralling duel will undoubtedly help their side to a positive result.

For Albion’s sake, let’s hope the 27-year-old doesn’t follow the inexorable fate of the Night King.

Some Charlton fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was confirmed that Sunderland had sacked their manager, Jack Ross.

Why does this concern Charlton, you might ask?

Well, it was the Black Cats who were defeated by the Addicks at Wembley back in May, as Lee Bowyer oversaw a League One playoff final win over Ross’ Sunderland side thanks to a last-minute winner from Patrick Bauer.

An own goal from Naby Sarr in the 5th minute – after Dillon Phillips had a nightmare moment – opened the scoring at Wembley, before Ben Purrington equalised with a good finish at the back post.

One fan paid a big thank you to Ross and Sunderland for handing him a memory that he’ll “never forget”, while another supporter on Twitter said that without Ross’ negative tactics at Wembley, he’d never have seen Charlton score their stoppage time winner.

Let’s take a look at some more of the Twitter reaction…

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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…

Former West Brom star Romelu Lukaku has given surprise praise to one of the Baggies’ contracted players following Belgium’s thrashing of Scotland on Monday night.

What’s he said?

The nation’s Euro 2020 hopes were obliterated as Belgium smashed them 4-0 at Hampden Park.

Lukaku was one of four different goalscorers as he opened the scoring with a ninth-minute strike against Steve Clarke’s side to practically end their chances of making next summer’s tournament with them sitting some nine points off second spot in Group I.

The Inter Milan striker has since leapt to the defence of his former boss following the brutal defeat and in the process also handed out praise to Oliver Burke, who left West Brom on loan this summer but didn’t even feature in the match.

Lukaku, who bagged 17 goals in 38 appearances at Albion, said:

“I worked with Steve at West Brom and he will get it right for Scotland.

“When we were there together, a lot of people didn’t think we would get to the position we did, but we did it.

“If you give Steve time, he will get it right. He is the right man to give young players a chance and to test them.

“[Ryan Fraser and] Oliver Burke. He was at West Brom and is a good player with a lot of pace.

“You just have to develop them and work hard. If you do that, things will improve.”

A surprise or just daft?

Lukaku wasn’t at the Hawthorns when £15m club-record man Burke walked through the door, so it is surprising to see him name him as a player he rates.

The winger has been quite the flop in the west Midlands since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2017, scoring just once in 24 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Burke has recently joined Alaves on loan after being unable to fit in manager Slaven Bilic’s plans this season and towards the end of the last campaign he was sent out on loan to Celtic. Thus, his time at Albion has been far from fantastic.

Lukaku may have been trying to back the man who brought him to the Hawthorns on loan all those years ago but to throw Burke’s name out there as a potentially good player is a little far-fetched.

However, at 22, he still has plenty of time to prove his critics wrong, no matter how unlikely that may seem at Albion.

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