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Newcastle United ‘remain keen’ on signing Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s interest in Fresneda

Journalist Lee Ryder has claimed that the Tyneside club have been in contact with the 18-year-old’s agent as they seek to win the race for the right-back’s signature ahead of the likes of Premier League trio Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea, who are also credited with an interest.

The Daily Mail recently reported that the Magpies have turned their attentions to West Ham United’s Harrison Ashby after hitherto failing in their attempts to sign the Spaniard last week, although a new update from Romano seems to contradict that report.

The Latest: Romano’s update

Romano took to Twitter on Sunday morning to provide some clarity on the situation.

He claimed: “Arsenal have planned for new round of talks for Ivan Fresneda next week after opening negotiations with both player and club side – Newcastle remain keen on signing Spanish right back. Fresneda would be open to Premier League move.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

The aforementioned report from the Daily Mail claims that the 18-year-old’s buyout clause is set at £8.8m, and for a player with the potential that Fresneda possesses, that fee would be an absolute steal.

Matt Clark of La Liga Lowdown has lauded the youngster as being ‘remarkably complete’, adding that he ‘reads the game very well’. That is evidenced by the Spaniard’s knack for making interceptions, averaging 1.52 per 90 in the past year, which places him in the 91st percentile compared to other right-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.

Despite still being at such a young age, the starlet already has first-team experience under his belt with Valladolid, making 12 appearances in all competitions this season and ranking as the squad’s second-best performer with an average SofaScore rating of 6.99.

While Kieran Trippier has been vital for Newcastle this season, starting in all 20 of their Premier League games, he is now 32 and needs a long-term successor. Eddie Howe appears to have identified that in Fresneda, who would appear to be an exceptional signing if the Magpies can win the race for him.

Leeds United return to action later today, as they return to FA Cup action with a fourth-round trip to Accrington Stanley.

Many questions arose after manager Jesse Marsch opted against handing their club-record signing Georginio Rutter any minutes in either of their clashes since his move.

The Frenchman joined in a £35.5m deal and is expected to uphold the goalscoring burden for the foreseeable future. Despite this, there seems to clearly be no rush in integrating the 20-year-old into the first-team squad.

However, this latest cup match could represent the perfect opportunity to finally hand him his first start for the Whites, with his quality sure to tell against League One strugglers.

His acclimatisation to English football is likely more of a priority to the Leeds boss than reintegrating a returning Patrick Bamford at this stage, but the 29-year-old will likely maintain his place in the starting squad for the next few years. 

Before making his move to Elland Road Rutter had recorded four goal contributions in the Bundesliga but was truly shining due to his work rate and ability on the ball.

When compared to other forwards across Europe, Rutter ranks in the top 1% for dribbles completed. He truly is unparalleled in the way he ghosts past defenders, and against lower-league opposition, it should be made even easier.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig even took to Twitter to label the forward a “clinical finisher” with “blistering pace”.

With quality in creativity as well, showcased in an admirable 0.7 key passes per game too, this suggestion is only furthered.

However, to pair this with the fact that the £70k-per-week marksman also sits in the top 3% for blocks and the top 9% for interceptions suggests that he will graft too.

When handed opportunities in games that are ‘deemed’ easier, such as within a cup competition, these represent the perfect chance to imbed some unproven talent.

Rutter must finally start, and with an important clash against Nottingham Forest on the horizon it will hopefully leave the more important Bamford fresh for that must-win clash.

Today’s game will likely not be easy, but it should be made that way by the inclusion of someone as technically proficient as the new man.

Everton are reportedly ‘in talks’ to sign Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres before the end of the month.

The Lowdown: New signings ‘likely’

90min journalist Chris Smith says that the Toffees are ‘likely’ to sign a couple of players before the transfer window closes, with Sean Dyche set to be announced as the new manager at Goodison Park.

The former Burnley boss will need more help in the attacking third especially, given the departure of winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United.

They have been reportedly interested in signing Gyokeres, of whom Dyche is thought to be an admirer.

The Latest: Gyokeres in ‘talks’ over Everton move

As per Football Insider, Everton are now ‘in talks’ over signing the Sweden international, and they want two attacking signings.

They scouted the striker on Saturday playing for Coventry, when he grabbed both assists in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town, and are lining up a £15m bid for him.

However, journalist Alan Nixon has since claimed that it will take £25m to sign Gyokeres before Tuesday night’s transfer deadline.

The Verdict: Desperate times…

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Everton will likely have to pay over the odds to sign Gyokeres before the deadline.

Hailed by his manager Mark Robins for his “unbelievable” power and technique , Gyokeres’ two assists at the weekend brought him up to a respectable tally of four in the Championship so far this season, but it is his 12 goals which show that he is a real poacher in the penalty box (Transfermarkt).

The Toffees are struggling to score with just 15 goals all season in the Premier League, and with Dyche’s added approval, Gyokeres would add some much-needed firepower up front which could help them massively in their relegation battle.

Chelsea were beset with further misery in the Premier League last night despite the lucrative influx on the transfer front last month, labouring to a 0-0 draw against west London rivals Fulham in a result which compounded their struggles this season.

The result now leaves Graham Potter’s Blues with just three victories from their past 13 matches across all competitions, ninth in the league with just 30 points from 21 matches played.

With Liverpool and Aston Villa holding games in hand on their west London counterparts, Chelsea could even find themselves as low as 11th in the table by 5pm this evening.

£107m January signing Enzo Fernandez impressed with his ball-playing prowess and all-embracing central work, but £88.5m acquisition Mykhailo Mudryk – who was making his full debut for the club – certainly had a match to forget along the left flank.

Substituted at half-time, the fleet-footed winger was startlingly subpar after glistening during his cameo appearance against Liverpool in his other Premier League outing. Against Marco Silva’s Fulham, though the winger was indeed “swallowed”, as remarked by FIFA journalist Sulaiman Pooja Adebayo.

As per Sofascore, the 22-year-old’s 6.4 match rating was an encapsulation of his woes on the night, with a dreadful display from Kai Havertz the only lower rating for the Blues. Indeed, Mudryk managed only 19 touches during his 45 minutes of action, completing 11 of his 16 passes (69%), winning just one of his six duels and failing to register a single shot or create a big chance.

In the few moments where play fell promisingly to Mudryk, he failed to utilise the opportunities. In one instance, he thumped a threaded pass to Havertz – who had drifted into space between the resolute Fulham backline – with far too much power, leaving the German with little chance of controlling the ball gliding into an area of direct threat.

Match co-commentator Gary Neville was certainly left unimpressed with the £97k-per-week Ukrainian’s performance, remarking during the contest, via Sky Sports Live Blog (21:02), that “Mudryk has had a poor first half and he’s off – that’s what you can do when have so many riches on the bench.”

Chelsea’s expansive pool of talent is brimming with quality unrivalled by all but a select few prestigious clubs across Europe, which will only enhance the frustration as the Blues failed to beat their local rivals yet again this season.

While the prospect of Champions League football next term appears more forlorn with each passing week, it seems a matter of when and not if the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place and Chelsea will finally unleash their full might ahead of the new era under Todd Boehly’s ownership.

Mudryk let his manager down with a tepid performance last night, but hopefully that will make him even more determined to atone for it against West Ham next weekend.

Journalist Lewis Cox has been left thrilled by some ‘massive news’ out of West Brom involving manager Carlos Corberan.

The Lowdown: Corberan linked with Leeds…

Amid Leeds United’s search for a new manager after the Whites sacked Jesse Marsch, Baggies boss Corberan was linked with the vacancy.

Reports suggested that the 39-year-old was a leading candidate to succeed Marsch at Elland Road with Leeds then dealt a hammer blow by news out of West Brom.

The Midlands side announced Corberan has signed a contract extension, keeping him with the Championship club until the summer of 2027.

The Latest: Cox reacts to ‘massive’ Corberan news…

Cox, a reporter for The Express and Star, has called this development ‘massive’ and ‘huge’ for West Brom – sharing his excitement over the news on Twitter.

He explained:

“Massive news for West Bromwich Albion. Carlos Corberan pens two-year contract extension on existing deal until summer 2027 amid reported Leeds interest. Huge. Vamos!”

The Verdict: Big…

The Spaniard has almost single-handedly resurrected West Brom’s season after the sacking of former manager Steve Bruce.

Corberan, since being appointed in late October 2022, has guided his side to a sensational run of ten wins in their last 12 games – including a phenomenal nine-game winning streak from early November to mid-January (Transfermarkt).

The former Huddersfield Town and Olympiacos head coach had all rights to attract interest from Premier League sides like Leeds given his brilliant record since coming to the Hawthorns.

Keeping hold of Corberan amid that previous interest comes as a potentially monumental bit of good news for West Brom supporters as they continue their battle for promotion this season.

Chelsea are ‘desperate’ to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and are expected to offer players as part of the exchange.

The Lowdown: Blues busy…

The Stamford Bridge side have been one of Premier League football’s busiest sides in terms of making transfers, spending a grand total of £488 million since Todd Boehly’s arrival.

Graham Potter is yet to realise the full potential of this star-studded Chelsea squad but could need more time to truly assemble them to a real winning force.

Chelsea chiefs, despite their lavish spending thus far, appear set to make more moves this summer with the Blues now listing Osimhen as a top target.

The Latest: Chelsea ‘desperate’ to win Osimhen race…

According to 90min, Chelsea have the Napoli star at the very top of their wish list, with this report claiming they are ‘desperate to win the race’ for his signature.

It is believed he is valued at a staggering €150 million (£133m) but the west Londoners are planning to whittle down this price by offering a ‘number of players’ in exchange.

Romelu Lukaku is a possibility in this regard, provided the player doesn’t return to Inter permanently.

The Verdict: Perfect player…

Chelsea will face serious competition for Osimhen this summer given Man United are also on the hunt for a world class striking option.

The Red Devils have been credited with serious interest in Nigeria’s international gem, but if Chelsea can tempt him to London instead, there is little denying he will upgrade Potter’s forward options.

Called a ‘monster’ by members of the press, Osimhen has lead Napoli’s charge to a potential Serie A title this season – standing out as a real key player.

According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old has racked up a pretty incredible 16 goals in 16 starts for Napoli with the threatening forward also averaging a seismic 4.1 attempts at goal per 90.

It’s hardly surprising Napoli and chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis have slapped such a mammoth valuation on Osimhen’s head. If the club chief is open to discussing part-exchange offers, Chelsea may be set to attempt one of the summer’s biggest moves.

Sunderland man Patrick Roberts has been thriving due to his change of role at the club, according to Josh Bunting.

The Lowdown: Reading winner

Tony Mowbray’s side continued on their march towards the Championship play-off positions with a 1-0 win over Reading thanks to a late Roberts winner just six minutes from time.

Sunderland finally got their reward that the possession and attempts show with the hosts dominating 66% of the ball whilst firing off four more shots and shots on target than their visitors (BBC), as Sunderland moved just a point behind the top six.

The Latest: Bunting’s comments

Taking to Twitter after the game, Sunderland fan and journalist Bunting raved over Roberts’ performance which saw him operate from right-midfield and awarded the freedom to drift inside on his favoured left-foot, Bunting tweeted:

“Patrick Roberts has been very good and important for weeks now, Amad moving into the 10 role has allowed him to find this form. The goal he’s alert to take advantage of the Reading mistake and the finish he’s just so confident. So strong at carrying the ball and drawing players in.”

The Verdict: Difference maker

The 26-year-old was central to the Mackem’s win with him almost picking up two assists before he opened the scoring late on, to make it eight goal involvements for the season.

His first major opening created came from a sublime chipped ball over the Reading defence, which found Aji Alese’s run in behind but the 22-year-old was unable to take his chance.

He should’ve had a second assist later on as his perfectly weighted through ball from roughly a similar position after cutting onto his left-foot, found Trai Hume who was denied by Joe Lumley, the second of four key passes on the afternoon, as well as winning five duels (via Sofascore).

The former Manchester City man was at the heart of everything as his stinging shot forced Lumley into a difficult stop from distance, the first of his two shots on target.

His second was the winner which he thumped home from close range after stealing possession in the penalty box, one of the five duels he won on the afternoon with his performance earning him an 8.4 rating, significantly higher than anyone else on the pitch.

New Everton manager Sean Dyche already appears to be getting a tune out of his previously struggling squad after picking up two wins from his opening three Premier League games in charge, with that solid start to life in the dugout having come despite the club failing to sign any new players in January.

That lack of incomings has ensured that the focus is already on who could be coming in the door in the summer transfer window – provided that the Toffees stay up – with a squad overhaul likely to be needed to break from the recent cycle of merely scrapping for survival.

It does appear that the Merseysiders are already keeping a close eye on potential new recruits ahead of next season, with recent reports claiming that Benfica midfielder Florentino is one such potential target.

What’s the latest on Florentino to Everton?

According to Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), the Goodison Park outfit are said to have sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old in action in the recent Champions League win over Club Brugge, with Dyche and co seemingly ‘in love’ with the Lisbon native.

The report outlines that any deal could well prove difficult as the player has a €120m (£105m) release clause in his existing deal, albeit with the midfield machine said to be valued at closer to €18m (£16m) by Football Transfers.

The Primeira Liga club will no doubt be reluctant to sell having only recently allowed another playmaking star in Enzo Fernandez to make the move to England, with the World Cup winner having joined Chelsea last month in a mammoth £107m deal.

Could Florentino be the next Enzo Fernandez?

Like Fernandez – who swooped the Best Young Player award in Qatar – it would appear that Florentino has the quality to be able to perform at the elite level.

He was praised by his former coach Joao Tralhao, who stated: “He is the kind of player every coach would like to have in their squad. He’s an amazing boy, a hard worker, calm, professional, always prepared to listen and he is a proper team player. He doesn’t think only of himself.

“Technically speaking, it’s not easy to find a midfielder with the defensive qualities he has. I used to joke with him and say that he saw the game two seconds before everyone else. It’s amazing the amount of interceptions he makes, the way he can be in the right position all the time.

“He is always in the right space to regain the ball and he has improved so much in terms of duels, using his body, protecting the ball in contact and so on. He has the talent and quality to play in elite teams.”

Also like his former team-mate – who has averaged 3.5 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in the Champions League this season – the former Portugal U21 international has shone on the European stage this term, having averaged 3.1 tackles and 3.4 interceptions per 90 from his seven outings in the competition.

Such ball-winning prowess has ensured that the 6 foot 1 monster ranks in the top 1% for interceptions, the top 6% for tackles and the top 13% for aerial duels won among those in his position in the ‘Men’s next eight competitions’, as per FBref, having proven himself a truly effective screen in front of the back four.

That doesn’t mean that the “exquisite” gem – as lauded by writer Zach Lowy – can’t also make an impact in an attacking sense, as he ranks in the top 9% for progressive passes and the top 1% for attempted passes, while Fernandez ranks in the top 1% for both those metrics respectively.

It would no doubt bode well for Dyche and co to be able to snap up their answer to the latter, as the Argentine starlet having already made a fine start to life at Stamford Bridge, having looked “very accomplished” according to talkSPORT commentator Clive Tyldesley.

While Florentino had endured a difficult few seasons out on loan prior to the current campaign – notably making just nine Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco in 2020/21 – it has been a real breakout last few months back at his parent club, ensuring that the defensive-minded asset is perhaps destined for a big move sooner rather than later.

Whether it is Everton who can win any potential race for his signature remains to be seen, although if the relegation strugglers can strike a deal in the summer, it could well prove a notable coup for the club.

Newcastle United are bidding to end a staggering 68-year wait for a major domestic trophy as they take on Manchester United in the League Cup final this evening.

Their last one came in 1955, when they lifted the FA Cup, and Eddie Howe and his team now have a chance to etch their names into the history books with a win today.

The Magpies do, however, come into the match off the back of three matches without a win in the Premier League and lost their last outing, 2-0, to Liverpool at St. James’ Park.

This could be Howe’s most important team selection since he arrived at the club in 2021 and one player who must be unleashed from the start is centre-forward Callum Wilson.

Should Callum Wilson start in the League Cup final for Newcastle?

The England international was a substitute against the Reds last time out but should be brought back into the XI for this clash as the marksman is a proven goalscorer for the club and Alexander Isak could provide a huge threat off the bench.

Isak has scored once in his last five starts for the Magpies but has produced one goal and one assist in his last four appearances off the bench, which suggests that the Sweden international has the ability to make a significant impact as a substitute.

Wilson, meanwhile, scored in his last start – against West Ham – for Newcastle with the gem having been a prolific scorer for the club for many years.

The £46k-per-week dynamo has delivered seven goals and three assists in 14 Premier League starts this season. Last term, the forward managed eight goals in 16 starts and that came after he plundered 12 strikes and five assists in 23 starts during his debut campaign with the club after joining from Bournemouth in 2020.

These statistics show that the striker, who teammate Kieran Trippier dubbed “non-stop”, is a reliable scorer and creator for Newcastle at the top level.

Reach PLC editor Andrew Musgrove once hailed the Englishman’s “clinical edge” and his record in the Premier League since arriving from the Cherries backs that up, as the 30-year-old has 27 strikes to his name in 53 starts – more than a goal every other match.

The ex-Bournemouth man has proven his quality and his reliability over the course of his three seasons on Tyneside and Howe must reward the talent by unleashing him from the start at Wembley, which also allows Isak to be utilised as a super-sub off the bench.

Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that Chelsea’s large squad is causing a problem for Graham Potter as training sessions are now too crowded.

What’s going on with Potter at Chelsea?

The Englishman is under heavy pressure after a disastrous run of form, which has seen them win just three of their last 16 matches in all competitions.

Chelsea recorded a 1-0 victory over Leeds, in a match that Potter could not afford to lose, but despite heavy spending in the last two transfer windows, the club look set to miss out on a Champions League spot.

The club recruited 16 new players in the last two windows, and the squad is so large that a number of senior players including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not be registered for the Champions League matches.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Sheth revealed that Potter would like to set up 11 vs 11 games in training, but cannot due to the size of the squad.

“I know it’s sometimes very difficult to have sympathy for a club that spent nearly £600m pounds in two transfer windows, but I think there is a little bit of sympathy towards Graham Potter, simply because nearly half of that money was spent when he wasn’t even the manager,” he stated.

“How many of those players would he have actually signed, had he been in situ at Stamford Bridge at the start of the summer?

“People say ‘he’s got some great players there,’ yes, he has, but he’s going to be working and wanting to work in a particular way. I’ve heard stories that he wants to do 11 v 11 in training, but he can’t do that because there’s like 11 V 11 V 11. V 11. How is he supposed to?

“It’s so difficult to have sympathy for a club that spent that much money but I think you don’t have to go too far to have a bit of sympathy for Graham Potter in this situation.”

Is Potter entirely to blame?

Potter has received a lot of criticism for Chelsea’s run of form, but he has landed in a difficult situation to manage.

He joined the club during the first half of the season after Thomas Tuchel was dismissed, taking over a squad that had already been through a lot of changes, before a crazy January window in which eight players were recruited, whilst outgoings were minimal.

Hakim Ziyech, for example, saw a loan move to PSG collapse, meaning the Moroccan was forced to remain at Chelsea despite wanting to leave for game time. Having so many players in one squad makes man-management more difficult, as players will have less opportunities for minutes.

Whilst he does deserve a lot of the criticism, any manager coming into the same situation will have faced the same issues given the club’s squad building tactics under owner Todd Boehly.