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Well, Crystal Palace truly are down to the bare bones.

Roy Hodgson’s side have been the walking wounded for much of this hectic festive period, with as many as eight first-team players missing in recent weeks.

Joel Ward, Gary Cahill, Scott Dann, Van Aanholt, Andros Townsend, Jeffrey Schlupp and Christian Benteke have been absent through injury, while Mamadou Sakho only returned from a three-match suspension in the 2-1 win over West Ham on Boxing Day.

Despite that, the Eagles have still only lost just once in their last seven Premier League outings, although with another game against Norwich to come on New Year’s Day – Palace’s fourth game in 11 days – Hodgson’s thin squad will be tested.

In that respect, here’s the XI that we think the 72-year-old should deploy against the Canaries…

Compared to the Eagles’ starting XI against Southampton last time out, we think Hodgson should make just one change – to be honest, there aren’t too many changes that the former England manager could make anyway.

Cheikhou Kouyate was carrying a knock in the win over West Ham on Boxing Day, and was afforded 84 minutes of rest against the Saints before replacing Max Meyer – we think that the Senegal international deserves a bit more rest and should also sit out against Norwich.

Speaking of Meyer, it felt like Hodgson set the German up to fail against Southampton by starting him on the right of midfield, where the former Schalke man had just 19 touches and made nine passes – as a result, we think he should move into the centre and replace James McCarthy.

Elsewhere, with Meyer moving into the centre and no senior candidates to replace him on the right, we think Hodgson should hand a Premier League debut to the tricky academy graduate Brandon Pierrick, who recently signed his first professional contract with the club and looks to be a real live-wire – the 18-year-old recently netted a hat-trick against Millwall’s U23 side.

In other news, these Crystal Palace fans have reacted to a transfer update on the January window from Sky Sports…

Dele Alli was anonymous as Tottenham Hotspur fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Wednesday.

On the chalkboard

Spurs were poor in pretty much every position as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men beat them at St Mary’s.

Alli, though, was particularly awful throughout the 90 minutes.

Deployed in attacking midfield in a 4-3-2-1 formation, the England international had a total of 56 touches of the ball.

However, per WhoScored, he had just one shot on goal, and failed to complete a dribble or make a single tackle.

In fact, he was dispossessed on three separate occasions throughout the game and also committed two fouls.

He did manage one key pass but, after appearing to get back to his best at the start of Jose Mourinho’s reign as manager, he regressed on Wednesday.

No clues whatsoever: Which seasons do these iconic Spurs images belong to?

Slipping

In his first four league games as manager, Mourinho watched Alli score three goals and register three more assists.

In his last four, the England international has scored once and failed to provide an assist and his average rating has fallen off a cliff too.

Those first four matches, against West Ham United, AFC Bournemouth, Manchester United and Burnley, drew a rating of 8.04. His last four, against Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City and Southampton, have drawn a rating of 6.4.

That is quite some dip and it is a problem that Mourinho needs to solve.

We are all aware of how good Alli can be – against Bournemouth he scored twice and was genuinely unplayable – but it makes these sorts of days, when he is appalling, all the more frustrating.

With Harry Kane suffering an injury against the Saints, Spurs will have to rely on the striker’s compatriot if they are to get back to winning ways.

He can ill-afford any more displays like this.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans have reacted to a stat that has seen them best some bitter rivals. 

According to a recent report from Calciomercato, a number of clubs are interested in the services of Krzysztof Piatek – but Milan would be wise to keep him at the club.

What’s the word, then?

The Italian outlet confirmed that there are three clubs currently fighting for the signature of the young Polish centre-forward: Bayern Leverkusen, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Piatek has been struggling in the ongoing campaign and with only four goals to his name in 18 Serie A appearances, he’s not exactly firing on all cylinders.

For that reason, and with the recent incorporation of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, his place in the team very much feels under threat and it remains to be seen what the Rossoneri have planned for him.

But they should put some faith into the 24-year-old and keep him around.

A rough patch

Piatek is a classic fox in the box type of player. He will bring you goals if you surround him with the right players that can assist him and create opportunities.

The stats do confirm that thesis – as per Whoscored, Piatek is averaging 2.7 shots per game in the ongoing campaign and has four goals to his name. But he is not much of a link-up player or a creator – only 0.9 key passes and 0.3 dribbles per game with no assists can attest to that.

So Milan’s ultimate problem isn’t the striker’s current rough patch, because when given the right service, Piatek will, more often than not, meet expectations.

Red Herring or Real Hero: Only hardcore Villa fans will get all of them right….

That much was seen when he scored 19 goals in 21 games for Genoa or his total of 30 goals in 42 games across all competitions when shifting between Milan and his former side in 2018/19.

The bigger issue is the amount of creativity surrounding him – tellingly, no Milan player has made more than two assists in Serie A this season.

It remains to be seen what kind of an impact Ibrahimovic ends up having at the club but his arrival should not signal the end of Piatek’s time there.

After all, how long can the 38-year-old Swede actually last and perform on the top level? The Polish international, on the other hand, is 14 years his junior.

Aston Villa, Newcastle and Bayer appear to appreciate that and their interest does show that they aspire to add some reliable firepower into their squad.

But if Piatek’s current struggles prove anything, it’s that those clubs will need the creativity to match his predatory instincts.

Meanwhile, many Aston Villa fans were not really happy with recent links with a man who’s “way past his prime”…

It’s easy to see why Borna Barisic would be attracted by the prospect of a move to AS Roma.

The thriving full-back has emerged as a target for the Serie A giants, per Sunday Post, and the club are willing to dig deep to secure his signature.

Roma are one of the most prestigious clubs in Italy, boasting a rich history of success and regular involvement in Europe’s elite knockout competition, while the attraction of the capital city speaks for itself.

But from Rangers’ perspective a mid-season sale of a vital cog in their machine is bordering on unthinkable with an SPFL title firmly in Steven Gerrard’s sights.

In response to the report, Charlie Nicholas has suggested a deal worth £7m or £8m “wouldn’t be a bad return”, per Daily Express (via Daily Record). A sale in that region, however, would be a gross undervaluation under the circumstances.

From Barisic’s electric form this season, which has seen him provide 13 assists across all competitions, to Rangers’ need for stability at a crucial juncture in their perpetual progress under Gerrard, there are a multitude of reasons to suggest the club would be well within their rights to demand a record-breaking fee for the Croatia international.

But perhaps the most pertinent slice of evidence lies within Celtic’s transfer business in the 2019 summer window, with the £25m sale of Kieran Tierney setting a benchmark for Scotland’s behemoth clubs.

The largest fee Rangers have ever received for a player was back in 2008 when Tottenham Hotspur swooped to secure Alan Hutton in a £9m deal. Twelve years later, however, it’s fair to say Rangers are in a commanding position to receive a fee well in excess of that.

In the Premier League we have already seen Manchester City’s transfer exploits setting the benchmark.

The signing of Kyle Walker for £50m in 2016 set a new standard in English football which has since seen Manchester United also fork out £50m to secure Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

One deal can put the power into the selling team’s hands, and Celtic’s sale of Tierney could do exactly that for the Gers. After all, Barisic, like Tierney, is also a full international and a stark defensive player who can also influence the game in the final third.

The 27-year-old’s struggle to hit the ground running last season suggests he hasn’t proven his credentials over a lengthy period of time, but add in a January premium and it’s fair to say Rangers have every right to point to the activity of their Glasgow rivals as justification to command a massive fee for Barisic.

Everyone at Ibrox will be eager to hold onto a player who has been transformed in the 2019/20 season, but if they are forced onto the negotiating table the sale of Celtic’s formerly cherished left-back should enable them to leverage a record fee.

It will be intriguing to see exactly how deep Paulo Foncesca is willing to dig in this emerging pursuit.

Speaking on BT Sport after Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Tuesday night, Martin Keown waxed lyrical over Gabriel Martinelli.

What did he say?

The Gunners’ summer signing helped inspire a comeback, scoring a wonderful solo goal to level things up at 1-1 at Stamford Bridge. The strike took him to ten goals across all competitions in his debut campaign in English football, and Keown was quick to laud the Brazilian’s display.

He said (as quoted by The Daily Mail): “That young man, he has the club in the palm of his hands. He can take it wherever he wants. He was the youngest player on the pitch out there for Arsenal and he showed the experienced players how it was done. I was here in ’99 when Kanu scored three goals and that looked dead and buried tonight when they were 1-0 down.

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“He really is absolutely outstanding. He was certain he was going to put it away (his goal). His instinct for goal, his movement off the ball, show me another 18-year-old in Europe doing this? Manchester United had him on trial and didn’t take him… that raises questions.”

Setting the tone

Martinelli’s performance was something to behold. Playing in front of a teenage left-back in Bukayo Saka, and having seen his side go down to ten men after David Luiz’s sending off, the Brazilian could quite easily have downed tools or simply gone through the motions. Just doing the bare minimum, and escaping from a cold winter’s night at Stamford Bridge with no energy wasted.

Can you name all of these obscure Arsenal signings? Give it a go now!

Instead, the 18-year-old set the tone for the Gunners with his hard work, always showing a willingness to help out his side defensively. As per Sofascore, he made three tackles, two interceptions and won seven total duels too. And his lung-bursting run to score his side’s first goal typified his work-rate and commitment to the cause, sprinting with the ball for almost the entirety of the pitch, before showing some composure to finish things off. As Keown alludes to, the world really is at Martinelli’s feet.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have lauded this man as the “future Tony Adams” after his performance against Chelsea.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton have made Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg their primary transfer target this month.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Toffees are believed to be keen on the Denmark international, although they may have to shell out £35m for his services – something that they are reluctant to do according to Di Marzio.

The former Bayern Munich man has emerged as a key player for the Saints since his £12.8m move from Bayern Munich in 2016, making over 120 appearances while also becoming captain of the south coast side.

Højbjerg’s importance to Ralph Hasenhuttl is evidenced through the fact that he has made 22 Premier League starts this term out of a possible 24, helping Southampton into ninth place with 31 points to their name as things stand.

Transfer talk like this may be inevitable 

Rumours over an exit for Højbjerg may be inevitable until Southampton sort out the 24-year-old’s contract situation.

The Dane’s current terms at St Mary’s expire in the summer of 2021, and it was confirmed by Carl Anka in a recent Q&A that discussions over contract renewals will not be taking place until the Saints reach 36 points.

However, until these talks do commence and Højbjerg puts pen to paper on fresh terms, Southampton should probably get used to stories like these given the midfielder’s obvious qualities.

The Southampton No.23 is a Champions League winner and a four-time Bundesliga champion, while he has also won the German Cup on three occasions.

Idiots Abroad: Do you know where these famous Brits are playing now?

There is no doubting Højbjerg’s pedigree in the game at such a young age, and for all the time that his future at St Mary’s isn’t set in stone, clubs will presumably be sniffing around with stories like the aforementioned one cropping up from time to time.

Southampton better get used to it until a new contract for their skipper is officially done and dusted.

In other news, this Daily Echo journalist reveals how much it would cost to convince Southampton to sell Jannik Vestergaard…

Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with a January move for Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose.

On the chalkboard

Sky Sports News have reported that Spurs have held talks with the Spanish club over the possible acquisition of the forward this month.

Of course, Jose Mourinho’s squad is thin on firepower following the hamstring injury sustained by Harry Kane; teenager Troy Parrott is the only other out-and-out option in the position.

A move for Jose, then, could solve something of a headache for the Portuguese but how good is he, exactly?

Per WhoScored, he has made 20 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring eight goals.

While he is yet to provide an assist, he averages 1.9 shots per game, 0.4 key passes, 0.2 dribbles, along with 0.2 tackles and 0.8 fouls.

These are not promising numbers.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

A lump

While Jose has an eye for goal, his statistics point towards a lumbering centre-forward with nothing else to his game.

Physicality is all well and good if it is emphasised but, even so, this is not a striker who can bring others into play and provide assists as well as goals.

Marketing him as a target man is all well and good – he is 6 foot 2 – but one needs to have the ability to get the ball on the floor as well, particularly at Spurs.

Judging by the stats, Jose cannot do that.

Of course, were he coming in to be a plan B and an alternative to Kane, it might well work, but he isn’t; Mourinho will need to get him in the team and have him firing from day one.

The numbers do not point to him being able to do that.

Meanwhile, Daniel Levy has to dip into the transfer market after one major picture!

Plenty of Leeds fans have been reacting to a tweet from The Athletic writer Phil Hay (via @PhilHay_) in which he commended the interpretation work of freelance translator Phil Dickinson.

In his tweet, Hay also made reference to recent signing Jean-Kevin Augustin, who joined the Whites on loan this week and could make his Leeds debut against Wigan on Saturday. Speaking ahead of the game at Elland Road, the 22-year-old striker said: “I’ve had a great welcome from all the fans, the staff and the players. It makes me want to die for the club and give everything I can.” [via leedsunited.com]

Upon completing his loan move from RB Leipzig on Monday, Augustin said that the presence of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds was an influential factor in his decision to move to Yorkshire, saying: “Everyone knows him in the football world, he’s a real big tactician. I didn’t have to think long when Leeds wanted me and that he wanted me to come.” [via leedsunited.com]

Dickinson, who owns the Premier Language Solutions agency, is fluent in Augustin’s native French tongue as well as Spanish and performed the interpretative work at Manchester United’s unveiling of ex-Leeds striker Eric Cantona, as well as translating the autobiography of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero. [via The Blizzard]

After seeing Hay’s tweet acknowledging Dickinson, these fans of the Whites also praised the interpreter, with one supporter calling him “top notch” and some asking for him to perform such duties for Bielsa, who still calls upon a translator at Elland Road:

What did you make of Hay’s tweet about Dickinson’s translation of the comments from Augustin? Give us your thoughts by commenting below!

Sheffield Wednesday face the short trip across south Yorkshire in this afternoon’s early Championship kickoff as the Owls head to Oakwell to face Barnsley.

Garry Monk’s side will be looking for just their second win in their last eight league games if they can snatch all three points against their local rivals.

But what sort of side will the 40-year-old opt for today? Here’s what we are predicting…

We expect there to be two changes as Monk is able to call upon his new January additions and may also be able to reintroduce a few players coming back from injury.

His defence remains very the same as last time out after picking up a clean sheet against Millwall – that means Moses Odubajo stays at left-back as Morgan Fox was only rated 50/50 to feature this afternoon and Monk has often been careful with injuries.

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Julian Borner and Dom Iorfa make up the centre-back pairing with Liam Palmer on the right. They are sat in front of goalkeeper Cameron Dawson once again.

In midfield, Barry Bannan keeps his place whilst Joey Pelupessy drops to the bench and is replaced by the returning Massimo Luongo.

Both wingers, Jacob Murphy and Adam Reach also remain in the starting lineup but Alessio Da Cruz has earned a start in the number ten role just behind the striker after an impressive cameo performance last weekend.

Calling all EFL experts: Can you get full marks on this stadiums quiz?

Wigan loanee Josh Windass has to settle for the bench as a result as he waits for his debut whilst Palace striker Connor Wickham earns his maiden Owls bow for the third time in his career. He replaces Atdhe Nuhiu.

And in other news, Wednesday fans have been raving over one man after he was surprisingly spotted in training… 

It has been a topsy-turvy campaign so far for Yan Valery.

The Frenchman began the season high up in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s thinking, starting the first three games of the Premier League schedule before drastically finding himself out of the side.

Since the 9-0 defeat to Leicester in October, Valery has only made two Premier League appearances – a ‘nasty viral infection’ has kept him out for many weeks, although Cedric became the former RB Leipzig boss’ undisputed first-choice in that time.

However, the Portugal international left the club for Arsenal in January, before his contract expires in the summer.

Now, Cedric’s departure gives Valery a great chance to make the right-back spot his own, something that he has previously failed to do even when the former Sporting Lisbon man was on loan with Inter Milan last season.

As things stand, the 20-year-old is the only permanent option at Hasenhuttl’s disposal in the right-back department, and the conditions of Kyle Walker-Peters’ loan deal are another reason why Valery should be more motivated to nail down that position once and for all.

The on-loan Tottenham man has joined on a deal until the end of the campaign, although there is no option or obligation to buy the 22-year-old upon its expiry – no matter how well he plays, he will be returning to north London in the summer.

In that respect, Valery has a job on his hands, but also an opportunity. With some solid displays in the second half of the season, he could potentially convince the club not to enter the market and sign a new first-choice right-back – the academy graduate hasn’t had as good a chance as this since breaking into the first-team to really make the position his own.

For away day veterans only: Can you name all of these defunct stadiums?

He has shown bright flashes of his promise – a screamer at Old Trafford against Manchester United and a back-post finish against Tottenham last season are undoubtedly his best moments – although Hasenhuttl revealed that he was making mistakes in training and was also struggling back in October, so there is still plenty to work on.

“As you know I really trust in the young players and I gave a lot of young players the chance to play so far and it’s normal that you come maybe then in a situation where you are a little bit struggling and your performance is not the best one.”

Now though, because of Cedric’s exit and the terms of Walker-Peters’ loan deal, he must knuckle down and prove himself to Hasenhuttl at this time more than ever before.

In other news, Tom Barclay has revealed the length of contract Shane Long is set to sign…