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A number of West Ham supporters have hailed exciting Hammers youngster Pierre Ekwah, following footage of his brilliant goal for the Under-23s on Monday night.

David Moyes’ first team are enjoying another impressive season in the Premier League to date, winning 1-0 away to Everton on Sunday afternoon.

The victory leaves West Ham sitting seventh in the table and again looking likely to compete for a European finish.

Away from the senior side, however, the young Hammers enjoyed a memorable win on Monday, picking up a 4-3 victory away to Tottenham U23s.

One player who shone on the night was 19-year-old Ekwah, who scored a stunning left-footed half-volley [via the club’s official Twitter update] to put West Ham 1-0 up.

The midfielder joined from Chelsea in the summer and already appears to be making a positive impression in east London.

West Ham fans laud Ekwah

These West Ham fans took to Twitter to laud Ekwah’s moment of brilliance.

“This lad looks decent to be fair”

Credit: @JoeyTalksFooty

“He’s a beast! Heard he’s very highly rated. New Declan perhaps if he goes? If so, great vision by the club to bring him in”

Credit: @pwhitters

“Ping!”

Credit: @beewestwood

“GOOOAAALLLL! Pierre Ekwah scores a brilliant goal from 20 yards out to make it 1-0 to West Ham”

Credit: @RoshaneSport

“Great goal”

Credit: @RoshaneSport

“Great backup”

Credit: @Caseynewsonnn

In other news, some West Ham fans have reacted to a gruesome injury update. Read more here.

Wolves’ midfield could look completely different next season, with both Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho possibly leaving the club at the end of the season.

Youngster Luke Cundle is expected to feature more for the first team next season after impressing in the limited appearances he has made so far, while fans will be hoping Morgan Gibbs-White is given a chance next campaign after impressing on-loan at Sheffield United in the Championship.

Meanwhile, Leander Dendoncker could be the club’s most senior midfielder – having been a regular at the club since 2018, when he initially joined on-loan from Anderlecht, before signing permanently for £12.42m the summer afterwards.

However, Bruno Lage might be nervous about deploying the Belgian in place of Ruben Neves, given he has averaged just a 6.79 match rating this season, compared to the 7.20 match rating that the Portuguese star has averaged in the Premier League this season.

If the West Midlands club went down an alternate route back in 2018, they could have had Cameroon international Andre-Franck Zambo-Anguissa already in place to step up and replace Neves – and have had him to start alongside the Barcelona target.

According to French news outlet Espoirs du Foot, via Get French Football News, Wolves were interested in bringing  Zambo-Anguissa to Molineux for their first season back in the Premier League, back in 2018. However, he joined Fulham instead for £22.3m.

The Cottagers star, currently on-loan with Serie A giants Napoli, was labelled “first-class” by former manager Scott Parker during the club’s Premier League campaign back in the 2018/19 season, and he has gone from strength-to-strength in Italy – with his value increasing to £27m according to Transfermarkt.

His manager in Italy, Luciano Spalletti, has admitted he is a huge fan of the former Stade Reims and Marseille youngster, saying earlier in the season: “He always comes into the locker room and talks about what happened in the first half, what was going on around his position, paying close attention to the movements that the opposition do. He is very tactically intelligent.”

The 26-year-old has proven himself as not just a physical brute in the defensive third to get past, but also a progressive midfielder like Neves, ranking among players in his position across Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions in the top 3% for both dribbles completed per 90 (1.77) and tackles in the attacking third per 90 (0.56), as well as ranking in the top 8% for carries into the final third per 90 (2.42).

Described as a “machine” by Joachim Andersen, his development since first arriving in England four years ago has been significant, having spent time on loan at La Liga giants Villarreal too – and he is now proving Wolves wrong for not taking a chance on him.

Chairman Jeff Shi will likely rue that decision in the summer if they do lose Moutinho and Neves.

In other news: Lage can find Wolves’ next Traore in rarely-seen teen who does “things out of nothing”

Dean Smith may have just suffered an Aston Villa howler on transfer deadline day after allowing Frederic Guilbert to join Strasbourg on loan.

What’s the story?

Reports emerged early on Tuesday that the Frenchman could be set for a return to the side he spent the second-half of last season on loan at, and that news was then later confirmed by the Midlands club themselves.

The Express and Star’s Matt Maher added: “Guilbert has not featured in the Premier League for Villa since the 2019-20 season and has been allowed to leave in order to find more game-time.

“Though his exit leaves Matty Cash as Villa’s only recognised right-back but with Ezri Konsa and Axel Tuanzene both able to play the position, boss Dean Smith is confident he has ample cover.”Deadline day howler from SmithSeeing a second-choice right-back leave on loan doesn’t seem like the most worrying thing to happen, but given the genuine lack of natural cover for Matty Cash, the decision to let Guilbert leave is a worrying one for fans.The Frenchman enjoyed a fine half-a-campaign at Strasbourg earlier this year, scoring once and providing another four assists in just 13 games for the club.As well as looking a dangerous threat going forward, he also averaged an impressive 2.8 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in Ligue 1 – to put that into context, no Villa player got even close to matching those numbers in the top-flight.Guilbert also took his only real chance of this season with both hands against Barrow in the Carabao Cup, scoring one and making one en route to a very fine performance.Writing in his post-match player ratings for The Birmingham Mail that night, Preece gave him an eight, saying: “Always keen to provide an outlet down the right, Guilbert didn’t always get it right – but when he did, the goods followed. One low cross in the first half was too close to the keeper, but his stood up ball for El Ghazi’s second goal was on the money. Took his goal superbly.”Guilbert showed in that game and on loan at Strasbourg last season the real benefits of having a natural right-back playing in that role, something the likes of Ashley Young, Axel Tuanzebe and Ezri Konsa cannot really offer given their age and respective positions.Were Cash to get injured, and even miss a few games or even more than that, Smith’s decision to let Guilbert will be looked back upon with a real sense of frustration.It’s news that is sure to have Villa fans worried.Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has confirmed this Aston Villa starlet will sign a new contract…

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has confirmed that Leon Bailey will miss the Premier League clash against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.

What’s the story?

The Jamaica international came on as a second half substitute to great effect against Everton last week, scoring one goal and essentially making another. However, his home debut ended under a cloud, with the winger forced off due to injury less than 15 minutes later.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against United today, Smith said: “Leon has a strain which is likely to keep him out until after the international break. We would be hopeful that he would be available for the Wolves game but we will need to assess him nearer the time and see how he progresses over the next ten days or so.”

Dean Smith will be devastated

The incredible impact that Bailey had on that game against the Toffees showed exactly why he might well turn out to be the best signing of the lot when it comes to Villa’s summer transfer business.

The searing pace and directness with which he took the game to the Merseysiders brought a much-needed energy to Villa, and to now be missing him for a number of matches is undoubtedly a major setback.

After initially seeing Bailey go down with injury, former Villa man Alan Hutton responded by saying: “He’s a little bit different to some players because he’s so explosive. That’s kind of a red flag. You need to be careful, especially if you’re coming back from a hamstring injury or things like that. He’s that quick off the mark that he needs to be right.

“The intensity of the Premier League is massive so it’s always going to put strain on your body. They’re going to have to be careful with him, he is playing catch up. I’m sure over the coming weeks, depending on how bad he is, they’ll take their time with him and try bed him in really slowly.”

Make no mistake about it, Smith will be devastated to discover that Bailey will not only miss today’s game against United, but a few more after that as well, given the enormous impact that he can bring (and has already brought) to Villa’s team.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has delivered some transfer insight into this Villa academy starlet…

When West Bromwich Albion resigned Romaine Sawyers for around £2.88m back in 2019, hopes at The Hawthorns were extremely high for the Baggies academy product.

Indeed, the 29-year-old had just enjoyed an impressive season with Brentford, providing six assists, creating two big chances and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.89 over his 42 Championship appearances for the Bees.

This initially appeared to be form that Sawyers would continue for Albion, with the midfielder turning in a number of solid performances during his first season back in the West Midlands, scoring one goal, registering one assist and averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.80 over his 42 Championship fixtures in 2019/20.

The Saint Kitts and Nevis international’s partner in the middle of the pitch, Jake Livermore, also seemed to be extremely impressed with the ability of Sawyers, with the West Brom captain stating back in 2019: “He is fantastic. I love the boy as a kid and I love him as a player. I love playing alongside him. He is a nice calming influence. I think we bounce off each other quite well.

“He was at West Brom as a kid and credit to them because he has been fantastic since he has come back. I back him to be a real, real top player and I have played with a few. But I back him to be as good as anyone I have played with, to be honest. And I mean that.”

However, upon the Baggies’ promotion to the top flight, things started to take a turn for the worst for the £1.8m-rated midfielder.

Indeed, over his 19 Premier League appearances the following season, Sawyers failed to have any real impact for Albion, scoring no goals, registering no assists and earning an extremely disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of just 6.47 – ranking him as the club’s joint-worst performer in the league.

This is a trend that has continued for the £10k-per-week man in the current campaign, as, after being bombed out of the Albion side by Valerien Ismael this summer, the 29-year-old has failed to impress over his eight Championship appearances while on loan at Stoke City, scoring no goals, registering just one assist and averaging an extremely shoddy SofaScore match rating of 6.58.

As such, despite signs of early promise upon his return to West Bromwich a little over two years ago, Sawyers’ poor displays at the bet365 Stadium, coupled with the fact that his contract at The Hawthorns expires next summer, could well indicate that the academy product has played his final game for the club.

In other news: Forget Bartley: WBA’s £36k-p/w “leader” who made just 4 passes failed Ismael once more

French football expert believes that if Maxwel Cornet makes a move to the Premier League it will be to Burnley. 

Football Insider have reported that the Clarets are in advanced talks to sign the Lyon player, in a deal worth £14m and are hopeful of beating Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin to his signature.

Leeds United were also reportedly interested in Cornet and according to Olympique-et-Lyonnais, the Whites had an offer of €12m rejected last month.

But White believes that if Cornet was to make the switch to the Premier League then it would be to Burnley, telling Transfer Tavern: “Burnley are the ones that we’re hearing are the closest or the most interested, alongside Hertha Berlin.

“So, yeah, Premier League very possible if Leeds are still hanging around, I’m sure they’re still keeping tabs, but Burnley are more likely as far as we understand.”

Cornet featured mostly as a left-back last season but did also feature on both wings for Lyon, scoring 252 times, scoring 51 goals and providing 29 assists.

If Cornet does make the switch to Burnley, it would be their third signing of the summer, having made two already, with Nathan Collins and Wayne Hennessey both arriving at Turf Moor from Stoke and Crystal Palace respectively.

Plenty of Manchester United fans have hit out at right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka on social media for his performance at Old Trafford against Wolves on Monday.

Ralf Rangnick made two changes from the side which beat Burnley 3-1 last time out, with Phil Jones and Raphael Varane coming in for Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly.

However, it was another defender in Wan-Bissaka who had fans talking, and not for the right reasons either. The 24-year-old was making his 15th Premier League start of the campaign, continuing to re-establish himself back in the side at the expense of Diogo Dalot.

As per SofaScore, the Englishman failed to make a successful tackle all evening, came out second best in five of his seven duels and lost possession 12 times.

United fans react

Here is what these United fans had to say about Wan-Bissaka on Twitter during the game, with one believing that he is the worst player to ever feature for United and another labelling him a ‘donkey’.

“AWB is dreadful truly abysmal, he constantly gives away chances and can’t attack”

Credit: @mufc4thefans

“AWB is the worst player on the pitch as per”

Credit: @LtyeBurns

“AWB get back into position you donkey. You’re leaving Big Phil exposed”

Credit: @SteveLUHG

“AWB is the worst player to ever play for United”

Credit: @_BradHarris

“AWB is an absolute fraud, jogging about the place!”

Credit: @CormieD123

“Wan-Bissaka isn’t good enough and never will be”

Credit: @bkguinness

“AWB, Maguire and McTom probably the 3 players I’d sell my organs to get rid of”

Credit: @redchristian23

In other news: ‘Wow’ – Many MUFC fans erupt over journalist’s swap transfer news

Liverpool have been mentioned in the same breath as some phenomenal players of late.

Of course, the Reds are currently in danger of losing Mohamed Salah but the likes of Alexander Isak and Serge Gnabry have been tipped to potentially fill the offensive void.

What’s the word?

Well, the club have now been touted with possibly making a swoop for a certain Kylian Mbappe.

The Frenchman has been linked with Liverpool before but now there are fresh rumours suggesting a move could be on the cards.

That’s according to reports who suggest a club is ‘moving in the shadows’ to sign the elite PSG star.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-salah-gnabry-isak-romano” title= “Read the latest Liverpool news!”]

It’s then claimed that it isn’t Barcelona but it could be title rivals Manchester City or Liverpool who are plotting a bid.

Mbappe isn’t currently rated at a whopping £144m by Transfermarkt but can be signed for nothing in the summer with his contract in the French capital expiring in a few months’ time.

Even better than Salah?

Mbappe needs absolutely no introduction.

Described as a “phenomenon” by Noel le Graet, French Football Federation President and as “another Thierry Henry” by Arsene Wenger, he is a player capable of starring on the biggest of stages and in the most eclectic of cauldrons in world football.

Time and time again we see the France international demolishing teams and if Liverpool can pen Salah to fresh terms, as well as signing Mbappe it would be special.

That said, it is evident that the latter possesses even more potential than their frightening Egyptian forward.

Salah is a classic late bloomer but as we can see from the Liverpool target’s 28 goals and 20 assists this season, he can certainly be classified in the same generational bracket.

What’s staggering is that despite the 23-year-old’s young age, he has still found the net on 160 occasions for PSG.

A tally of 26 goals for his country is also fine evidence of the mesmerising talent Mbappe has in his locker and should he join Liverpool, he may just dislodge Salah and become an even bigger hero in Merseyside.

Wouldn’t that be something?

AND in other news, Source: Liverpool now reach agreement to sign 42-goal “demon”, he’s their new Jota…

Leeds United’s latest Premier League outing saw them secure a 2-2 draw at home to Brentford thanks to a late equalising goal from striker Patrick Bamford.

One player that did not feature in the match against Thomas Frank’s side after picking up an injury in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last week was defender Pascal Struijk.

However, it seems as though there has been a fresh update on the matter that should have a lot of Leeds fans thrilled.

What’s the news?

Leeds journalist Phil Hay shared a post on his official Twitter page sharing news after the Brentford draw that Struijk has a hip problem and is finishing his recovery.

The fact that Struijk is finishing his recovery should leave plenty of Leeds fans buzzing ahead of their next league match against Chelsea at the weekend. After all, if fellow defender Liam Cooper is unable to play after being forced off the pitch with an injury against Brentford, it will be a seismic boost to get the 22-year-old back.

In the 12 Premier League games he’s appeared in so far this season, Struijk has shown just what an important defensive unit he is for Leeds by racking up an average of 2.3 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game as well. For context, that tally of tackles is the highest by an out and out defender in Bielsa’s squad this term.

Labelled as a player that has “got it all” by former Leeds star Dominic Matteo, Struijk has certainly proved himself as an important player for the Whites after making his Premier League debut in their opening game of last season against Liverpool at Anfield.

If the Dutchman can be fit enough to play in the game against Chelsea, this would surely give the Yorkshire club a better chance of securing a positive result against Thomas Tuchel’s side, especially after they conceded three goals in their latest league game against West Ham United.

With Leeds having games against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the league before the end of the current calendar year, everyone at the Yorkshire club will undoubtedly be hoping that Struijk will be able to stay fit and available for those tough games to give his side the best chance of getting some more points on the board.

He has been vitally important to their cause this term so fans will undoubtedly be elated to see that he’s well on the recovery trail.

In other news: Huge setback: Leeds struck with double injury blow that’ll surely have Bielsa fuming – opinion

Journalist Toby Giles has been reacting to comments made by Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch live on talkSPORT.

The Lowdown: Marsch’s comments

The 48-year-old spoke to Natalie Sawyer, Darren Bent and Ally McCoist on Tuesday morning on a number of Leeds-related topics, one of which was injuries.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-04-02T155252Z_391313781_UP1EI421841M9_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-SOU-REPORT.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The American felt that he inherited a squad which was ‘over-trained’, which resulted in a number of long-term injuries for the Whites this season.

Junior Firpo suffered a serious knee issue last month in Marsch’s second game in charge, with the Leeds boss revealing that he was expecting the left-back to make a return to training.

The Latest: Giles reacts to Marsch outburst

Giles took to Twitter to react to Marsch’s comments on the injury issues. He believed that the current Whites manager was putting the blame with Marcelo Bielsa, adding that it is a ‘big claim’ to make, saying:

“What a news line talkSPORT’s Natalie Sawyer, Darren Bent & Ally McCoist got out of Jesse Marsch today. Blames their injury troubles on the players being “overtrained” – ie. publicly saying it’s Marcelo Bielsa’s fault. Big claim to make against his legendary predecessor.”

The Verdict: Just what Leeds needed

Marsch has been a breath of fresh air since arriving as Bielsa’s replacement at Leeds and is now starting to get a tune out of his players.

The Whites have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in recent weeks, taking them nine points clear of safety, with his approachable methods to the squad seemingly working wonders.

The small tweaks at Thorp Arch of lowering the workload also appear to be paying off, and hopefully Marsch will be preparing for a first full season in charge of the club in the Premier League.

In other news: Leeds keen: Marsch can land new favourite as Orta now plots move for 17-goal forward – opinion.