Manchester United have been a club in transition over the last 12 months, after Ruben Amorim was appointed as their new manager back in November 2024.

The 40-year-old arrived with huge expectations after his spell in Portugal with Sporting CP, which saw him claim the Liga Portugal title on two separate occasions.

However, his 3-4-2-1 system has failed to have the desired impact at Old Trafford, which has often led to supporters getting frustrated with his stubbornness to change shape.

The fanbase have also been crying out for the likes of Kobbie Mainoo to gain more game time, with the Englishman often having to settle for a place on the bench in every Premier League game this campaign.

He may have opened up a new can of worms over the last couple of weeks, after making some unpopular comments about multiple players on the books at Old Trafford.

Why Chido Obi and Harry Amass are unlucky to play under Amorim

The academy has often played a huge part in United’s success in years gone by, but Amorim has done himself no favours with his comments over recent weeks.

He was asked about the potential of utilising some youngsters within the first-team ranks in the near future, with Chido Obi and Harry Amass two of the names suggested to the boss.

He stated that the left-back was struggling in the Championship during his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, but he’s been one of the standout players for the Owls.

The 18-year-old has already featured on 16 occasions in England’s second tier, and even managed to score his first senior goal against Southampton.

As for Obi, Amorim claimed he’s struggled to start in the U21s side this campaign, but the 18-year-old has already racked up a total of 13 appearances across all competitions.

The Danish youngster has already scored on five occasions, including three in three starts in the U21 Premier League, subsequently demonstrating his clinical nature in front of goal.

However, the manager’s recent comments highlight the lack of faith he currently has in the youth players at United to make the step up and feature in the first-team.

The United star who’ll never play for the club again

The aforementioned academy duo aren’t the only ones who have struggled to make their impact at United over the last couple of months, with Mainoo unable to get into Amorim’s plans.

Like Amass, he’s a product of the Red Devils’ academy, but he’s been restricted to 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, with none of which coming from a starting role.

The player himself has covered his displeasure over his lack of first-team action, subsequently leading to the youngster asking for a move away from his boyhood club.

However, such a move has been rejected, with the Red Devils wanting to keep hold of the youngster despite his lack of action throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

He’s not alone in struggling to make an impact, with centre-back Tyler Fredricson potentially already playing his last game for his boyhood club under Amorim.

The 20-year-old managed to break into the senior ranks last season, subsequently making two appearances in the defeats against Brentford and Wolves.

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He’s also only made one senior appearance this time around, featuring for just 45 minutes in the now infamous Carabao Cup Second Round defeat against League Two outfit Grimsby Town.

Fredricson may have appeared on the bench against Bournemouth on Monday night, but unfortunately for his sake, he’s been overtaken by Ayden Heaven in the pecking order.

Such a situation, coupled with the manager’s lack of faith in the youngsters at his disposal, could well spell the end of his career at Old Trafford – under Amorim at the very least.

Tyler Fredricson – stats against Grimsby

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Minutes played

45

Touches

50

Passes completed

37

Tackles won

1

Blocks made

0

Interceptions

0

Fouls committed

1

Yellow cards

1

Stats via FotMob

His showing against Grimsby at the start of the season is evidence that, unfortunately, he’s not up to the standard required in the Premier League, given the current situation.

It’s a real shame to see the club’s academy setup going to waste at present, with such a decision potentially being a deciding factor in his spell at the club.

However, for the players currently on the books, it will no doubt spell bad news, which could lead to the departure of Fredricson alongside Amass and Obi.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has certainly had problems at centre-forward this season. The Lilywhites have not been at their best in attack very often under their new manager, having only scored 27 times in the Premier League this term.

Their options at number nine have not been in the best form, which has certainly not helped. Richarlison is their top goalscorer this term with seven, with Mathys Tel, the other option up front to have scored.

Despite his talent, Randall Kolo Muani has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and has yet to score.

Dominic Solanke has also been missing for much of the season, but Spurs might hope his return will improve their fortunes.

Why Solanke’s return can help Spurs

Life under Frank has not really got going yet for Spurs’ number 19, Solanke.

He picked up a serious ankle injury at the beginning of the season and has been out injured since, having made just two appearances in the new campaign.

It is frustrating because the former Bournemouth man, who cost Spurs £65m including add-ons, would have been desperate to build on his 2024/25 form.

His debut campaign in North London saw him bag 16 goals and assist eight in 45 games in all competitions.

The three-cap England star will certainly add a new level of dynamism to the Lilywhites’ attack.

He is an excellent penalty box number nine, with good movement in the area and instinct to pounce on any loose balls, as this goal shows.

That is certainly a different profile to the ones which Frank’s side have up front now.

Richarlison has his merits in the penalty area, but he and Kolo Muani are players who both operate well with space to run into.

Solanke’s return will be a massive boost, but if he struggles to rediscover his best form at Spurs, they can always turn to a young star to solve their centre-forward issues.

Spurs youngster who can soon rival Solanke

There are certainly some talented youngsters in the Lilywhites academy. Mikey Moore has shone at first-team level in the past, and Archie Gray recently scored his first professional goal after locking down a spot in the midfield.

Next up could be 18-year-old centre-forward Mason Melia. Described as the “Irish Harry Kane” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, he is set to move to the club in January after signing from St Patrick’s Athletic for just £3.2m including add-ons.

It has been a quick rise to the top for the striker, who hails from Newtownmountkennedy in Ireland. He made his debut at just 15 years of age and has since gone on to develop a reputation as a clinical striker.

When you consider that, it is easy to see where the comparison to Spurs legend Kane comes from. In 35 Irish top-flight games this season, he’s found the back of the net on 13 occasions and has chipped in with four assists.

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Some of his underlying numbers from the 2025 season in a St Pat’s shirt show just how good he can be. For example, Melia is averaging 0.5 goals and 1.4 shots on target per 90 minutes this calendar year.

Melia key stats in 2025

Stat

Per 90 mins

Season total

Goals

0.5

13

Shots on target

1.4

41

Key passes

0.8

22

Dribbles completed

0.8

23

Aerial duels won

1.3

38

Stats from Sofascore

Described as an “instinctive” number nine by analyst Ben Mattinson, the teenager is brilliant at scoring all types of goals.

He has great movement in the box, but can also strike a ball from range with great success.

Despite being just 18 years of age, Melia already has an impressive goal catalogue and has built up a brilliant pedigree outside of that.

Spurs are having issues up front, and if Solanke’s return does not have the impact they would hope, it could be the 18-year-old’s chance to make a real name for himself.

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Newcastle United have now reportedly sent scouts to watch a Serie A defender that they’re looking to sign ahead of Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Eddie Howe confirms Schar injury blow

Whilst much of the focus was on the dramatics of Harvey Barnes’ late winner against Leeds United in midweek, it’s worth noting that Fabian Schar’s injury has dealt Newcastle a frustrating blow.

The defender was forced to depart deep into the second-half and Eddie Howe has now confirmed the extent of his injury blow – telling reporters: “Hopefully not too bad, or maybe not as bad as it first looked. That’s the initial sort of assessment.

“He’s got an injury there, but no break – we think it’s just ligament damage. He’s seeing a specialist in the next few days to get some definitive answers, but (it’s) maybe more positive than the initial assessment.”

Everyone at St James’ Park will be relieved that the defender hasn’t broken anything, but Schar’s absence should still send them a timely reminder about the importance of squad depth.

Even with PSR still hanging over their head, Newcastle would be wise to add to their squad this month and finish the business that they started last summer.

That could mean moves for the likes of Kees Smit, who is on the radar of several top European clubs. The midfield star is enjoying an excellent rise at AZ Alkmaar and could land a big move in the near future.

The same can be said about Jacobo Ramon. According to TeamTalk, Newcastle have now dispatched their scouts in the race to sign Ramon, rivalling former club Real Madrid in the process.

Newcastle battling Real Madrid to sign Ramon

The Magpies signed Malick Thiaw last summer and he’s very much made the centre-back role his own for years to come since arriving. Now, however, he needs a long-term partner and that’s where Ramon could arrive.

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The 21-year-old has been excellent for Como since arriving from Real Madrid in the summer. So much so that he’s back on the radar of the Spanish giants, who could trigger their buy-back clause.

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Newcastle, alongside Premier League rivals like Liverpool, will be hoping that Los Blancos steer clear of their former defender and simply allow a transfer fight to commence.

Dubbed a “complete young centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, it’s easy to see why so many clubs are chasing 21-year-old Ramon, who could be on his way to the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements during the current transfer window, especially if Thomas Frank is to be a success in North London.

The Dane has certainly struggled in the role since taking the reins in the summer, as seen by the Lilywhites currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

However, his attacking department has become somewhat depleted in recent weeks, with a solution needed to the issues before the end of the transfer window.

Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of action for a couple of months after limping off against Sunderland, whilst Brennan Johnson has left the club to join Crystal Palace.

As a result, numerous players have been identified as potential reinforcements, but it remains to be seen how much the hierarchy would splash on new additions.

Spurs want move to land £87m talisman this January

In an attempt to bolster the attacking department, Spurs have identified Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen as a potential addition before the January window closes.

The Norwegian international has also been on the radar of numerous other Premier League clubs this month, with the likes of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest also keen on the 25-year-old.

However, any deal would likely cost a pretty penny, with Rob Edwards’ side currently demanding a fee in the region of £40m to offload their talisman during the ongoing window.

Strand Larsen isn’t the only number nine currently in the Lilywhites’ sights at present, with Porto sensation Samu another star that’s currently admired by the hierarchy.

According to A Bola via Sport Witness, the Spurs hierarchy have consistently monitored his progress over recent months, even being spotted watching the Spaniard earlier this week.

The report also states that Frank’s men would be open to making a potential move, but it would be an expensive addition, with the 21-year-old costing as much as €100m (£87m).

Why Samu would be the perfect Richarlison upgrade

Since Frank’s appointment during the summer, Brazilian forward Richarlison has been the club’s starting number nine with Dominic Solanke missing the majority of the campaign through injury.

The 28-year-old has racked up 21 appearances in the league to date, scoring seven times – the highest of any player the squad – but it appears as though he’s set to miss an extended period of action.

He limped off in the 31st minute of the FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa, with Frank confirming the striker is set to miss the next two months after tests were conducted.

Randal Kolo Muani will likely inherit the starting role until Solanke gets up to full fitness, which showcases the lack of depth in the centre-forward position.

As a result, it’s no doubt fuelled a potential move for Samu before the end of the January market, with the Porto star offering an end to the current number nine issues.

He’s been in tremendous form in the Liga Portugal, catapulting the side to the top of the table, subsequently creating a seven-point gap to second-placed Sporting CP.

When comparing his subsequent stats to those of Richarlison in 2025/26, Samu has dominated in various key areas, which highlight why he’d be able to solve the current issue in the final third.

Samu, who’s been dubbed a “monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored more goals than the Brazilian this season, whilst also achieving a better shot on target accuracy rate.

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Such numbers showcase his incredible ability to trouble the opposition in front of goal, with his figures handing Frank the clinical nature he’s lacked since taking the reins.

How Samu & Richarlison compare in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Samu

Richarlison

Games played

16

21

Goals scored

12

7

Shot on target accuracy

54%

36%

Pass accuracy

71%

60%

Shot-creating actions

2.6

1.4

Take-on success

45%

43%

Aerials won

47%

37%

Goals per 90

0.96

0.47

Stats via FBref

The Spaniard has also posted a better goal per 90 record this campaign, nearly managing to score a goal per game at present, with such a tally nearly two times higher than Richarlison’s.

However, away from his goalscoring record, the Porto star has further demonstrated his all-round quality, as seen by his higher tally of passes completed and aerials won.

The aforementioned areas would allow the Lilywhites to have a focal point to play off, which in turn could allow other forwards to improve their own tallies.

£87m would be a mammoth sum – subsequently breaking the club’s record – but it’s one that would hand them an elite-level talisman for at least the next decade.

If he can replicate such levels in North London, Samu could easily end the career of Richarlison at the club, with the Brazilian having no chance of returning to the role upon his return to action.

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It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to suggest that West Ham United are in the midst of a crisis.

What little hope emerged before Christmas has all but disappeared, as Nuno Espírito Santo seems incapable of getting a positive result with this team.

The Portuguese manager has overseen one win in the last nine games, and worse than that, handed Wolverhampton Wanderers their first win of the Premier League season last time out.

Fortunately, the powers that be are seemingly trying to save the season by going big in the transfer market, and if reports are to be believed, West Ham could still bring in someone who’d be an even better addition than Taty Castellanos.

West Ham target better signing than Castellanos

While some fans might argue that it’s too little too late, West Ham are doing what they can to avoid relegation this season by going big in the January transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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So far, the Hammers have signed Pablo Felipe from Portuguese club Gil Vicente on a four-and-a-half-year deal and Lazio striker Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

There is no denying that the club needed reinforcements, and the two forwards could certainly make a difference in the second half of the season.

However, other areas of the team feel more in need of reinforcing, which might explain why the club continue to be interested in another potential star, someone who’d be an even better addition to the team than at least the former Lazio ace.

At least that is according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who claims that West Ham are still interested in English defender Charlie Cresswell.

The £17k-per-week 23-year-old has been impressing for French outfit Toulouse, and while no contact has been made between the two clubs, the Hammers “are keeping a close eye” on the promising talent.

Were the East Londoners to make a move before the window slammed shut, then, according to older reports, they might have to cough up around £18m for the former Leeds United ace.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Cresswell’s ability and potential, it’s one West Ham should pursue, especially as he’d be a better signing than Castellanos.

Why Cresswell would be a better signing than Castellanos

Okay, fundamentally, there are two key reasons why Cresswell would be a better signing than Castellanos, and the first is what the team needs.

While they certainly haven’t been great, West Ham have not been dire in attack this season.

As things stand, the Hammers have scored 21 goals in the league, which is as many as Sunderland and just one fewer than Crystal Palace and Everton.

Moreover, new signing Pablo has already scored ten goals and provided one assist in 14 games this season.

Therefore, with the former Gil Vicente ace now in the team as well, it seems bizarre to spend so much on the Lazio star who has just two goals and three assists to his name in 12 games this year.

Now, in contrast to the attack, the Irons’ defence has been diabolical so far this year.

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For example, as things stand, the club have conceded a whopping 41 goals, which is unsurprisingly the worst record in the league bar none.

That brings us to the second reason Cresswell would be a better signing: in addition to simply reinforcing a weak point in the team, the Englishman also appears to be a quality player.

Don’t just take our word for it, though, as respected analyst Ben Mattinson described the 23-year-old as a “proper leader at the back” during the summer when he helped England win the U21 Euros.

Moreover, as his underlying numbers make clear, the 23-year-old is a brilliant combination of a modern ball-playing and no-nonsense old-school defender who isn’t afraid to get stuck in.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for actual and expected non-penalty goals and for touches in the opposition’s penalty area; the top 5% for aerial duels won; the top 12% for clearances; and more, all per 90.

Cresswell’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Non-Penalty Goals

0.18

Top 1%

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.12

Top 1%

Shots Total

1.21

Top 1%

Touches (Att Pen)

2.44

Top 1%

Aerials Won

3.71

Top 5%

Clearances

7.03

Top 12%

Assists

0.06

Top 16%

Blocks

1.50

Top 17%

All Stats via FBref

Ultimately, while their attacking additions might prove helpful, West Ham should go all out to sign Cresswell, as he would be the most crucial bit of business they do this month.

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Manchester United are now reportedly eyeing a deal to sign a 19-year-old midfielder who’s been compared to Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

Man Utd plotting key midfield addition

It’s becoming an open secret that Man United are after a key midfield reinforcement this month and potentially in the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have been caught short in the middle of the park in recent weeks, leaving Ruben Amorim with little choice but to play Lisandro Martinez out of position.

Now, with the winter window open, they’ve already reportedly made enquiries over the possibility of signing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba. The Cameroon star was a summer target and United’s interest has not gone away. Brighton, however, are not keen on selling the 22-year-old midway through the campaign.

Brighton’s stance could force United to look elsewhere if they want to strengthen this month and that could see them turn towards the likes of Ruben Neves.

The Al-Hilal star is likely to be on the move this year after opting out of signing a new deal in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to complete a return to the Premier League.

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With Man United reportedly among the clubs lying in wait, Neves could provide Amorim with a much-needed solution for his midfield problems. Although, it must be said that United would need to find a way past his potential salary demands fresh from Saudi luxury.

There’s also a number of younger stars on United’s reported shortlist, who would offer more long-term solutions either this month or in the summer.

Man United eyeing move to sign Christos Mouzakitis

According to Sky Sports, Man United are now eyeing a move to sign Christon Mouzakitis. The 19-year-old Olympiacos star may well be a cheaper alternative to the likes of Wharton this year, whilst providing a similar solution at the heart of Amorim’s side.

Como scout Ben Mattinson even went as far as to compare Mouzakitis to Wharton last February in what should only be seen as good news for those at Old Trafford.

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The scout described the teenage star as “powerful” and “tenacious” in a raving review of one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe.

If INEOS can avoid splashing out on Wharton and still sign a similar profile this year, then it would be incredibly solid business. Whether Mouzakitis emerges as their leading target remains to be seen, however.

Following on from the recent January transfer window that saw Newcastle United spend a substantial amount of money and add a handful of new players to their squad, it seems as though rumours for the next summer transfer window have already begun.

According to a recent report from Tuttomercato, Newcastle are one of the clubs interested in making a summer move for Lille striker Jonathan David.

In 164 senior appearances for Lille and Gent combined, prior to the French club’s Champions League clash against Chelsea tonight, the 22-year-old has managed to rack up 66 goals and 20 assists along the way, showing that he certainly knows how to find the back of the net.

If Newcastle were able to secure the Canadian’s signature when the summer transfer window opens for business, this could give the Magpies the opportunity to get one of their current attacking players off their wage bill and out of the club.

Despite manager Eddie Howe claiming that he will have an important role at the club this season, Toon striker Dwight Gayle has only played eight minutes of Premier League action from two appearances since the Magpies appointed their new manager back in November.

Even though he has been described as a “weapon” in the past by Noel Whelan in terms of his attacking capabilities, it seems as though the 32-year-old has been surplus to requirements this season.

With that in mind, the upcoming summer transfer window could give Newcastle a great opportunity to finally get rid of Gayle and free up a space in their squad for someone like David, who has been described as a “phenomenon” by Hein Vanhaezebrouck, to come in and fight for a spot in the team.

Given how much younger the Lille star is than the current Magpies attacker and his clear knack for scoring goals, he could be a great investment from the Tyneside club, especially if he can be their long-term consistent goalscorer for the foreseeable future.

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However, while Howe’s side are currently out of the relegation zone at the moment, they are not fully out of the woods yet in terms of securing their league safety for next season, which should be the club’s main focus before any transfer plans get put into place for the summer.

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Yerson Mosquera could finally be ready to return the Wolves squad and provide competition to the likes of Romain Saiss and Willy Boly – who himself has just returned from injury, bolstering an already solid defence.

The West Midlands club have conceded the fourth-least goals in the league this season, but with Saiss turning 32 this month and Boly turning 31 last month, 20-year-old Mosquera could receive plenty of playing time alongside Max Kilman, with Conor Coady between the two, towards the end of this season to develop him further.

Having experienced pros all around him will only benefit him going forward, but it might not be long before he leaves them in his dust in the centre-back pecking order, with just Coady and Kilman nailed on starters right now – despite Saiss’ excellent form this season.

Mosquera, a centre-back who is “very fast” and has been described as a “wonderkid” by Carlos Aleman, a Colombian football expert to The Athletic, suffered an unfortunate ‘high-grade’ hamstring injury during their Carabao Cup defeat at home to Tottenham, and has only just started playing football again at youth team level.

On Monday, the Colombian, who was signed from Atletico Nacional for £4.6m, leapt highest to head home a Luke Cundle corner against Reading for the U23 team, in the same Premier League 2 match that promising forward Chem Campbell bagged a perfect hat-trick.

Wolves boss Bruno Lage spoke highly of him as he was stepping up his recovery from injury, saying: “We believe a lot in him. Even in pre-season, the fans and I knew we had the right player with us.

“We believe a lot in him. Even in pre-season, the fans and I knew we had the right player with us.

“After that injury, he came back and everything was good. We thought Tottenham could be a good challenge for him to start playing for us and he picked up another injury, so it was very hard.

“He has a big spirit. He’s always happy and the club is helping him to return stronger. We are now waiting for him, and when he comes [back], he comes without problems.”

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When Mosquera does come back to the Wolves first team, what is for sure is that he will bring energy, pace and intensity to that wide centre back spot on the right-hand side of defence, slotting in well for whoever drops out should he get the opportunity to start.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers right-wing-back Nelson Semedo could face a longer spell on the sidelines than originally feared after the Portugal international picked up a hamstring injury in Wolves’ 2-1 defeat away at Arsenal last month.

What’s the story?

According to injury expert Ben Dinnery, the 28-year-old may be unavailable for selection until mid to late April as he continues rehabilitation.

Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery said: “My understanding is that it will probably be slightly longer. It is extremely optimistic to expect a return to play within that month. I would expect that it’s more likely to be mid to late April, in all honesty.

“I presume that Bruno Lage was maybe hoping for a return after the international break. It might well have been a case of wishful thinking. But my understanding is that it will more likely be around the six to eight-week mark, so it’s a significant setback.”

Wolves will suffer as a result

With Wolves still within a good shout of finishing in a European place, manager Bruno Lage will be desperate to have every one of his players available, with Semedo’s absence a harsh blow.

The right-wing-back has played in 23 of the Wanderers’ 28 league matches this term and is a major asset for Lage’s squad.

Having joined from Barcelona in September 2020 for a fee believed to be around £37m, the Portuguese has been vital for Wolves, racking up 61 appearances already.

Lage’s side have been rightly applauded all season for their solidity at the back with the West Midlands outfit the top-flight’s fourth-best defenders, having conceded just 23 goals in 28 games. Semedo has proven to be a major contributor to that feat.

What makes the predicament even more frustrating is the fact that reserve right-wing-back Ki-Jana Hoever is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, meaning that left-sided wing-back Jonny Otto has to make do on the right.

Sat in eighth ahead of their trip to Everton this afternoon, Wolves can go seventh with a victory after Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United yesterday. Moreover, if West Ham lose to Aston Villa and Lage’s side win at Goodison Park, the Portuguese manager will see his team break into the top-six.

Yet, a defeat in the continued absence of Semedo could see them continue to lose their grasp on European football; a dire consequence for everyone at Molineux.

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There is still so much to play for as the Black Country club look to secure a European spot, however, with the trip to Everton the first of their final ten matches of the season.

Wolves still have to play the current top-three in Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, however, the trio are the only sides from the current top-eight Lage’s side still have to face, meaning that the remaining fixture run certainly favours the Golden Boys which could arguably make the Semedo blow softer.

In other news: Fosun must surely regret huge Wolves howler over £67.5m-rated title-winning “rock”

Frank Lampard is facing arguably the biggest challenge of his managerial career thus far as he tries to steer Everton away from the Premier League relegation zone, with a number of financial and political issues going on in the background.

It’s not helping matters that two of his star players, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, are enduring a bad patch of form at a difficult, high-pressure stage of the season.

Richarlison is in a particular poor run, registering just two goals and one assist in all competitions since the start of 2022.

Despite averaging a solid 6.82 match rating across the season in the Premier League, the Brazilian has scored just four goals and created three more, working out at a scoring frequency of one every 365 minutes. That’s not good enough for a player worth £49.5m (as per Transfermarkt) who’s playing for a team fighting for their top-flight lives.

He can still be a hit with fans and critics, with journalist David Prentice once suggesting that the forward “makes things happen” for the Toffees.

Club and international team-mate Allan also heaped praise on him last month, saying: “He’s very hard-working and I try to pass on my experience as I get older to help and guide him. I’m sure he will have a great career here at Everton and for the Brazilian national team.”

However, Lampard’s patience with Richarlison must be running out after averaging a 6.45 Sofascore match rating in his last four Premier League games, failing to find the net and missing two big chances in total during that time.

In the Toffees’ last outing, a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of an inconsistent Tottenham, the 24-year-old completed just nine passes in 90 minutes, had zero shots on target, completed zero crosses and won just 43% of his duels.

Recently, there seems to be no fight in the Brazilian. By comparison, 21-year-old Anthony Gordon won 57% of his duels, completed two crosses, made four tackles and two key passes on Monday night despite ending up on the losing team.

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Everton need more fight, particularly up top, and more players need to take it upon themselves to follow in Gordon’s lead and give everything they have for the team. While Richarlison is failing to do just that, it might be time for Lampard to make a statement and axe the 24-year-old from the starting line-up for the time being.

In other news – Imagine him and DCL: Everton surely fuming over record-breaking £16.2m-rated “animal”