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With Kieran Trippier firmly established as Tottenham’s first-choice right-back and both Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters providing quality back up, it would be fair to assume that Mauricio Pochettino is not in the market for a new full-back, but a recent report from Milan News suggests that is far from the case. 

Indeed, according to the report, Spurs are one on a handful of clubs monitoring Raoul Bellanova’s situation at AC Milan, with his contract situation giving interested parties reason to believe he could be available in 2019.

The report claims Bellanova is some distance off agreeing an extension on his current deal, which is due to expire in June this year, and Spurs, Manchester City, Juventus, Bologna and Sassuolo are all hoping to steal the 18-year-old away from the San Siro.

Bellanova is a product of Milan’s academy and a natural marauding full-back, and the fact he has generated so much interest from outside the club suggests he is a talent to watch in the future.

Pochettino has proven his willingness to invest in the long-term strategy through the promotion of youth, and a deal which saw Bellanova move to north London would hand him another wonderkid to nurture.

At just 18-years-old, Bellanova is far from ready to step up into the first-team at Spurs, but in an ideal world he will be ready to replace Trippier when he comes of age in a few years time.

Trippier’s slight downturn in form since his reputation spiked at the World Cup has, often unfairly, resulted in scathing criticism from Spurs supporters. Those who have been eager to criticise the full-back may be willing Pochettino to replace him in the summer, but the arrival of Bellanova would certainly not be designed to satisfy those demands.

Bellanova would be signed as a long-term project for Pochettino, working closely alongside him on the training ground and embedding him slowly into the side to prepare him for a role as the club’s first-choice full-back.

Daniel Levy’s shrewd negotiating skills have been a consistent feature of Tottenham’s activity in the transfer market in recent years and the decision to sign the AC Milan prodigy would represent another cunning swoop to add to his collection.

With Bellanova’s current deal set to expire in the summer, Spurs can approach him regarding a pre-contract agreement this month, and if Levy manages to fend off competition to secure his signature he could hand Pochettino a perfect long-term replacement for Trippier.

Tottenham Hotspur fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

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Since boss Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived to replace Mark Hughes, the entire Southampton team has had their spirits lifted and seen results rapidly improve, but one player in particular is enjoying the new man’s impact more than most.

The former RB Leipzig manager has transformed Nathan Redmond into a more central supporting forward, as opposed to playing him as out wide where he has spent most of his career – the Englishman, and the Saints, are reaping the rewards of this genius tactical move.

How has he done up top?

Incredibly, the former Birmingham winger failed to score or assist a single goal under Hughes this season, which amounts to a grand total of 18 games in all competitions before Hasenhuttl’s arrival.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

In stark contrast, the 24-year-old attacker has since hit six goals and recorded two assists under the Austrian manager, which is largely down to the positional change that Redmond has taken to like a duck to water. It also highlights how, embarrassingly for the Welsh gaffer, Hughes failed to identify ways of getting the absolute best out of Southampton’s most talented players.

Hasenhuttl has deployed the Englishman alongside either Danny Ings or Charlie Austin, and Redmond appears to enjoy using his pace to run off his strike partner and look to get in behind and one-on-one with the goalkeeper – his notable upturn in efficiency and output can also be put down to the confidence instilled in him from his manager.

Faith in him for the long haul

Such is Redmond’s huge impact in a central role that Saints sold Manolo Gabbiadini and granted Charlie Austin’s request to leave the club last month, which suggests Hasenhuttl is intent on keeping Redmond as a more central attacker for the long term.

Whilst Austin remained on the South Coast, it was particularly bold of Hasenhuttl to risk losing two first-team strikers in favour of keeping faith with a natural winger in that position instead.

However, you can’t really argue with his decision given Redmond’s stunning form. At 24 years of age, the diminutive forward hasn’t even hit his peak years yet, which can only be an exciting thing for supporters of the Saints.

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The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay, covering Marcelo Bielsa’s press conference on Thursday, has given some interesting updates concerning the Argentine’s lineup for the Middlesbrough clash this weekend.

Bielsa’s bizarre strategy of revealing his starting XI during press conferences has come under the spotlight during the Whites’ difficult run of form. Contrary to what many would say though, the 63-year-old feels that doing so gives the opposition no advantage.

Hay reports that the former Lazio manager will give both Jamie Shackleton and Luke Ayling the nod on Saturday at the Riverside. The former has deputised for the latter at right-back while he was out with a knee injury earlier this season.

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This indicates that Ayling will slot into the back four while Shackleton will be returning to his preferred role in midfield, likely at the expense of Mateusz Klich, who has hit a poor run of form and is also an injury doubt.

He isn’t the only one, though; The Whites have lost to Stoke and title-rivals Norwich in recent weeks and have consequently surrendered their advantage to the Canaries, who now lead.

The six-pointer with Boro this weekend is a must-win for Bielsa’s men, who risk falling further down the table if they drop points to another promotion rival.

The Elland Road faithful are looking forward to it, though, with the knowledge that 19-year-old Shackleton will be returning to the midfield…

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Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton recently wrote a piece in the Yorkshire Evening Post singing the praises of current Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has improved dramatically this season.

What he said

Philips has silenced plenty of doubters at Elland Road this season with his performances. The 23-year-old has improved dramatically under the guidance of Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa, whilst Phillips’ endeavour, work rate and commitment has seen him become a key figure in the Argentine coach’s plans.

So impressive has the academy product’s development this season been that Prutton stated “Phillips has become a player who Leeds need to build their team around.”

Also noting Phillips’ humility, character, and willingness to learn, Prutton further asked, “does anybody else think he’s starting to look like a club captain of the future?”

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Considering so many Leeds fans were willing to give up on Phillips only a year ago, it’s remarkable that the tide of opinion on the midfielder has changed to such an extent in such a short time.

On the rise

Now, Phillips must maintain the application and dedication he is currently demonstrating at Elland Road. If he can do that, then the sky is the limit for the young Englishman. 

With Leeds currently flying high in the Championship and in the thick of the title hunt, Phillips may well be playing Premier League football next season. He has shown this season that he has the capacity to take strides forward in his game and few would bet against him being able to rise to the challenge of the top flight now.

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Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has told The Daily Echo that he believes the Premier League strugglers have an advantage over weekend opponents Arsenal following the Gunners’ Europa League clash on Thursday night, but he is playing a dangerous game.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the England international has been speaking ahead of his side’s trip to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, as they look to bounce back from the disappointment of dropping back into the relegation zone following their 2-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Cardiff City last time out.

Saints picked up their first win under Ralph Hasenhuttl against Unai Emery’s men back in December when they ran out 3-2 victors, and they could do with a similar performance and result in the return fixture given they also face Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their next four matches.

McCarthy feels that the visitors do hold one major advantage over Arsenal, telling The Daily Echo: “Beating them earlier in the season definitely gives us the confidence going into Sunday’s game that we can beat them and hopefully do the double.

“With mid-week games going into a weekend game, it definitely takes its toll.

“I’m sure they will freshen the team up but I’m sure it gives us the advantage.”

Playing a dangerous game

While it can be good to show come confidence in situations such as a relegation battle, it perhaps wasn’t the cleverest thing to say.

Should Arsenal see the comments it will only motivate a team that will want revenge for the December defeat already, and it’s not as though they don’t have the squad and the quality to deal with two games in a short space of time anyway.

In addition, despite their struggles at times the Gunners still have the third-best home record in the Premier League having won 10 and drawn two of the 13 top flight encounters on their own turf, and it will be a shock if Southampton take anything from the game.

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Since his summer arrival at the London Stadium on a free transfer from Fulham, right-back Ryan Fredericks has failed to have the kind of impact at West Ham United that he’d have been hoping for. 

On the chalkboard

As per Transfermarkt’s stats, the 26-year-old has only made six league appearances for the Irons, of which only five have been starts. Whilst an ankle injury is partly due to this, for a long time Manuel Pellegrini also appeared to simply have greater faith in 34-year-old Pablo Zabaleta. 

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However, Fredericks has started the last two Premier League games, against Liverpool and Crystal Palace. Whilst his performances have been fairly average, and he’s looked nervy at times, it is vital that he retains his place for the visit of strugglers Fulham on Friday.

Right man for the job

The west London club pose an attacking threat that Fredericks is far better equipped than Zabaleta to deal with. Despite being a modern day fan favourite at the London Stadium, the veteran Argentine no longer has the pace to deal with the speed of Ryan Babel, Luciano Vietto and Ryan Sessegnon.

Fredericks, however, has the athletic qualities required to marshal his former club’s forwards. Not only that, but Pellegrini must be thinking of the future. Fredericks is likely to be the Hammers’ first choice right-back next season. The Englishman has some way to go, though, to prove that he is capable of thriving with that responsibility.

Fredericks needs all the football he can get in what remains of this season, in order to build up his match fitness and his confidence. Zabaleta is the past, and someone who Pellegrini should only call upon when necessity dictates. 

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Manchester United take on Liverpool this weekend with ambitions of denting the title charge of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

Liverpool have lost just once all season and sit second in the Premier League table, level on points with Manchester City but with a worse goal difference.

The two sides meet at a crunch time in a season that has been full of unpredictable twists and turns.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken United back into the top four and has yet to lose in the Premier League, while Liverpool are perhaps the most well-drilled unit in the division. They have conceded a mere 15 goals – five fewer than Manchester City – and have made a habit of winning without playing particularly well.

Football FanCast takes a look at where this mouthwatering clash will be won and lost…

The key battle – Paul Pogba vs Jordan Henderson

The midfield battle will be integral to determining which side has the territorial advantage this weekend.

Paul Pogba is a flashy central midfielder, capable of the sublime, while Jordan Henderson has no frills and goes about his job with a minimum of fuss.

Yet both are absolutely integral to the way in which their sides play – they each set the tempo and drive their sides forward.

Pogba did not even play the last time these two sides met, when Liverpool won 3-1 at Anfield, but he will be chomping at the bit to get out there on Sunday.

He has been in electric form under Solskjaer, scoring eight goals and laying on five assists since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford dugout.

Henderson will have to keep him quiet if Liverpool are to play their brand of football and ultimately pick up three vital points.

The key dynamic – United’s counter-attacks

It remains to be seen if United will willingly cede possession at home.

Against Chelsea, in the FA Cup, United had just 33% possession and won 2-o, twice executing pitch-perfect counter attacks that left the Blues vulnerable at the back.

It was a similar story when the Red Devils dumped Arsenal out of the competition, as they allowed the Gunners 75% possession, and yet won 3-1.

It has been a key hallmark of the way Solskjaer has set his sides up away from home and it may be wise to replicate it at Old Trafford.

It would nullify the danger of Liverpool breaking, too, with the pace of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah likely to terrify United’s defenders.

The deciding factor – Will Liverpool be clinical?

Liverpool fired a blank in the Champions League in midweek and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich at Anfield.

The Reds managed just two shots on target from 15 attempts and they will have to be more accurate if they hope to breach United’s defence this weekend.

Scoring goals has not normally been an issue for Klopp’s men, such is the ferocity of their forward three, but they have run into difficulty in recent weeks, scoring once against Leicester City and West Ham United in 1-1 draws, before bouncing back with a 3-0 thumping of AFC Bournemouth.

It will not help their cause that Liverpool are facing perhaps the best goalkeeper on the planet in David De Gea, but they have the ability to create chances throughout the 90 minutes.

The match may well hinge on whether they can take them.

The impact subs – Alexis Sanchez vs Xherdan Shaqiri

Alexis Sanchez has struggled to get into the United team of late – he has yet to play 90 minutes under Solskjaer in the Premier League – and he is again likely to start on the bench against Liverpool.

However, the 124-cap Chilean has the ability to change a game as a substitute with his direct running and indefatigable efforts down the left flank.

Xherdan Shaqiri, who Transfermarkt value at £22.5million, has been a substitute three times in Liverpool’s last five games and he too has the potential to change matters from the bench.

A strong, composed dribbler, he is unlikely to usurp Salah in the starting XI but offers a different option as a substitute.

Matching him up with Ashley Young, while Alexis goes head-to-head with Trent Alexander-Arnold, would be an interesting dynamic, and may well go a long way to deciding which side comes out of the game with all three points.

Merseyside ended up being divided with polarizing emotions on Sunday afternoon, as it so often is. However, this time, it felt different. 

While Everton were delighted at being able to grind through a home draw, Liverpool could feel that sinking feeling once again.

After being at the top for thirteen game-weeks, the Reds are now a point behind Manchester City.

While the whole team is underperforming under pressure, the most glaring player to do so is Mohamed Salah. Liverpool’s main man last season has now only scored one goal in his last six Premier League games, having notched 16 in the 23 before that.

With his own drop in form mirroring Liverpool’s, he had a point to make in the Merseyside derby.

The Egyptian winger tried his best to get into the thick of things, making some clever run forwards, but scuffing when he had an eye on the goal. Be it being ousted by Everton’s defending or his own touch letting him down, Salah had another underwhelming game, in which he missed two big chances.

The notable miss in the second half- when he went through on goal only for his bad touch to allow Michael Keane to clear the ball- summed up his performance.

In “big match” scenarios, he’s only scored one goal against top six Premier League teams this season, a significant drop from the sort of form he showed against the likes of Manchester City last season in both the Premier League and Champions League.

He ends up getting into promising positions, but is horribly misfiring in the final third and, while his form last season should afford him some patience, it’s coming at the worst time possible.

Salah is crumbling to the heated intensity of the Premier League title race and unless he improves soon, Liverpool could end up losing out on the title once again.

A storm lies ahead for Arsenal on Thursday night.

Coming off an inspired win over Manchester United in the weekend, they need to replicate something similar to defeat a dangerous Rennes side, who dented their Europa League ambitions with a crushing loss in France.

However, to tame the French side, a Frenchman is coming to Arsenal’s rescue. Alexandre Lacazette is available for the Gunners after having his ban overturned thanks to a successful appeal, meaning Unai Emery will have his strongest unit available.

In need of a big win, Lacazette could be their make-or-break factor at the Emirates.

The French striker’s coming into the game in hot form after playing a big part in breaking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s perfect record at Manchester United. Lacazette tormented Victor Lindelof and co with his movement, while getting a few swipes at goal. Furthermore, he even assisted Granit Xhaka’s surprising opener and earned the penalty which sealed the deal.

Countryman Thierry Henry once inspired Arsenal comeback against Inter Milan back in 2003, scoring twice and setting up another to briefly stop an embarrassing Champions League exit. While Lacazette clearly has a lot to do in order to be considered on a similar sort of level than the legendary ‘Titi’, that type of performance would be huge.

As Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slowly finds back his lethal touch, Lacazette is Arsenal’s prized asset in the final third. He’s only made four Europa League appearances this season, one which included a dreadful sending off against BATE Borisov. However, he’s scored one and assisted another in the other three and will look to redeem himself in front of his adoring fans.

Indeed, the Gunners can take heart from the fact that the Champions League has seen many scintillating turnarounds in recent weeks, so things are possible in the Europa League.

Gunners, do you think Lacazette can make the difference to complete the comeback? Join the discussion by commenting below.

[ad_pod ]Many Leeds United fans have paid tribute to, and shared their memories of, Bill Fotherby, who was the Elland Road club’s managing director in the late 70s, 80s and 90s.Fotherby passed away in Tenerife on Tuesday night, at the age of 88. He is well-remembered by the Whites for the instrumental role he played in bringing success and silverware to the club in the early 90s.Fotherby joined the board of the Yorkshire club in 1978 and eventually became chairman Leslie Silver’s partner in crime. He went on to revolutionise the way the club was run.

In 1988, following the sacking of Billy Bremner, Fotherby convinced Howard Wilkinson to leave Hillsborough and take up the hot seat at Elland Road. With the support of Silver and Fotherby, Wilkinson was able to get Leeds promoted into the top tier in 1990.

The crowning glory came in 1992, when the manager’s side won the top flight title – he remains the last English manager to achieve the feat, which was only made possible by Fotherby.

His influence cannot be overstated, and he has earned the mantle of legend at Leeds. Following his passing, many supporters have taken to Twitter to pay their respects…