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Questions marks firmly remain over the future of Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace.

The current Eagles manager sees his contract expire at the end of the 2020/21 season and could soon draw his tenure at Selhurst Park to a close.

Naturally, a number of managers have been linked with the impending managerial vacancy at the club, with the likes of Eddie Howe and Valerien Ismael amongst the most prominent names believed to be interesting Steve Parish.

Former Crystal Palace forward Marcus Bent has thrown a new name into the ring in the form of Burnley’s Sean Dyche. Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said that the current Clarets boss is a “great” manager and would “level” Palace out in the Premier League.

Considering Dyche’s achievements with Burnley since 2012, his appointment would actually be clever by the club heading into the 2021/22 campaign. The former Watford coach has led the Lancashire outfit to two promotions to the Premier League and has gone on to oversee 221 matches so far in the top flight, winning 66.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-crystal-palace-news%2c-transfer-rumours-and-more-townsend-bayindir-butland-van-aanholt-parish” title=”Latest Crystal Palace news, transfer rumours and more…”]

That experience would lend itself very well to Palace, especially with them losing Hodgson, who has himself managed in 359 matches in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, it is Dyche who has continued to better Hodgson for the most part when Palace and Burnley face off. The Clarets have come out on top in each of the last three meetings in the Premier League between the two sides, not conceding a goal in any of those.

Burnley have also managed to achieve two top-ten finishes in the league in the last four seasons, even venturing into the Europa League during the 2018/19 campaign, whilst Palace have not earned a higher finish under Hodgson than 11th.

With the former Fulham and Liverpool boss set to depart Selhurst Park come the end of the campaign, Dyche would certainly seem the perfect appointment, as Bent has justifiably suggested.

AND in more news, find out why Palace have taken a blow in their pursuit of another potential managerial candidate…

Lukasz Fabianski was one of West Ham’s better performers in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday night.

The Polish international made four saves on the night, including two fine stops to deny Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes. There was nothing he could do to prevent the home side’s winning goal, however, as the ball struck Craig Dawson at the near post following a corner and rolled into the net.

SofaScore awarded him a rating of 7.3, bettered only by Declan Rice (7.6) in the Hammers’ ranks. The ‘keeper’s display was a positive on a night where West Ham carried little attacking threat, ending the game without a shot on target.

They remain in fifth place, but they have allowed Chelsea to gain a point over the weekend in the race for the top four. The tricky run of fixtures continues next Sunday when they meet Arsenal.

After the game, Fabianski tweeted ‘United take all three points’, accompanied by an image of a fist-bump with Fernandes.

The mood in the replies was split, with some praising the goalkeeper’s performance and others unimpressed with his relatively upbeat reflection on a defeat for West Ham.

How West Ham fans reacted to Fabianski tweet

“Well played LF, shame the manager let the team down tonight with his negative tactics”

Credit: @ScottVenn

“Great from you today mate. Shame we weren’t allowed to play our football until after they scored”

Credit: @jack_lipscombe

“You were brilliant again. Moyes team selection and tactics were very poor”

Credit: @artblockmusic

“Our MOTM”

Credit: @TiggerWHU

“Well played Fab, but we have to get rid of the small team mentality and giving the so called big teams too much respect they don’t deserve with a negative set up. We are better than last night.”

Credit: @darrell210474

“No, we lost Fabs.”

Credit: @Mozzer2015

“Awful team selection. Players let down by Moyes”

Credit: @Irons85858585

In other news, many Hammers weren’t happy with this journalist’s post-match transfer claim.

Despite their weekend defeat to Arsenal, Leeds still have a lot to be excited about in their returning Premier League season. They are currently 11th in the table and will be looking to keep banking points in order to vie for a spot in the Europa League next season.

Indeed, since the Whites returned to top flight football after 16 years away, they have been a solid unit. Leeds have upset big sides including Manchester City and Leicester with a 1-1 draw and 3-1 win respectively, and have been involved in some eye-catching games, not least the 4-2 defeat to the Gunners on Sunday afternoon.

Their transfer haul over the summer of 2020 saw Victor Orta snap up Raphinha among others, but there’s one man that he and Andrea Radrizzani will be eager to do business with.

Marcelo Bielsa is currently in the final six months of his contract at Elland Road and now, reports have emerged that he is finally ready to once again extend his stay with the Yorkshire outfit. According to Football Insider, the Argentine is set to pen a new one-year deal once talks with Radrizzani commence this summer, with the Leeds boss himself revealing in his pre-match press conference on Friday that “any needs the club has, I always respond to them with open arms”.

Bielsa has made huge waves in English football since his arrival to the then Championship side in 2018. He spearheaded Leeds to their historic title and promotion-winning season last year, ending their agonising Premier League drought.

Their stance in the table this season shows that they’re far from in trouble of entering a relegation scrap. Leeds have banked 32 points for the season so far, winning ten of their 23 games played.

With Bielsa set extend his stay in Yorkshire, the Whites could really fancy themselves as dark horses moving forwards.

“Bielsa is unique,” Kieran Maguire told Football Insider. “He ploughs his own furrow, he operates in his own way. We are living in Bielsa’s world and not the other way around.

“I don’t think there’s any concern from Leeds’ point of view because he is a man who works on the basis of a handshake and if he’s happy, the contract gets signed.

“Would bigger clubs be interested? I don’t know because he is unique in the way he operates and he’s got a fantastic relationship with the board and a fantastic relationship with the fans.

“I don’t see a problem. Radrizzani wants him to stay, the fans want him to stay, the players want him to stay, and he seems settled.”

Indeed, the Leeds players and fanbase have found a manager that fits their dynamic and they won’t be willing to let him go any time soon.

Maguire’s comments are a boost to Leeds and their desire to tie down Bielsa to a new deal, suggesting that the Argentine is a man of his word and is ready to put pen to paper on a new deal at Elland Road and that he is all “settled” in Yorkshire.

Simply put, a new contract for Bielsa must be Radrizzani’s priority given everything the manager has done in resurrecting the club over these past few seasons.

The Whites could splash out big money on new signings in the summer, but nothing will match the impact of getting Bielsa to stay for longer.

In other news, Ezgjan Alioski was a big disappointment against Arsenal…

Manchester City will be looking to extend their winning run and take a huge step towards the title by beating Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now won 21 games in a row in all competitions after beating Wolves 4-1 in their last fixture and the Citizens are currently 12 points clear of second-placed Leicester City, having played a game less than the Foxes.

Therefore, victory in the derby on Sunday would be another big result for Guardiola’s side in their hopes of securing the title this season, as if their current form continues, it is difficult to see any team catching them.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up against Manchester United, with three changes from the team that started against Wolves…

Ederson keeps his place in goal and will be looking to pick up another clean sheet, having conceded rare goals against West Ham and Wolves in the last two fixtures.

There’s one change in defence, as John Stones returns to resume his partnership with Ruben Dias at the back, with the pair having been superb so far this season.

Ilkay Gundogan is likely to return in midfield alongside Rodri after being rested for the game against Wolves, which allows Kevin De Bruyne more freedom to go forward.

Phil Foden also comes back into the side having not started either game against West Ham and Wolves, which moves Raheem Sterling up front in place of Gabriel Jesus, who despite his brace against Wolves, was again guilty of missing big chances.

Riyad Mahrez drops to the bench as a result, with Bernardo Silva moving to the right-wing as the Algerian’s replacement, however, the “special” former Leicester man, who earns £120k per week at City, can definitely be relied upon to make a difference from the bench if required.

And, in other news… Forget Zinchenko: Man City can sign their dream Mendy successor in £34.4m gem

What forms a recipe for a transfer at Molineux? Well, first of all, you have to be a fine cheese, a player capable of maturing over time and developing as each year passes by.

Secondly, you quite often have to hail from Iberia. Add a light sprinkling of Gestifute, Jorge Mendes’ agency, into the equation and you have a classic culmination.

Of course, Wolves do explore other areas but they have no fewer than eight of their players on the books of the so-called super agent. It’s hard to forget that Nuno Santo is also a client of Mendes.

Close ties to an agent as powerful as him leads to a lot of transfer rumours and one of the freshest to emerge regards Goncalo Guedes.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Wolves were trying to beat West Ham to the attacking midfielder’s signature. Again, he is a player with all the ingredients Jeff Shi loves.

He is Portuguese, he is young enough to develop at 24, and he’s a client of Mendes.

With seven goal involvements to his name in 2020/21, he’d be a shrewd addition for Wolves and crucially could give them a bit of added spice in the final third. After all, it’s something they’ve lacked enormously this term.

Fabio Silva has netted just twice while Willian Jose is yet to score for the Old Gold, something Steve Bull attributes to a lack of service.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said last week: “I can relate to where he’s [Jose] coming from because I’d be as frustrated as he is, and I’d want to get the wingers and strangle them and say get that ball in the box.”

Guedes is someone who can bring a bit of extra creativity to this Wolves side, possessing the ability to play on the wing and in behind the striker.

Though, as well as aiding Wolves’ frontline, he could make up for the loss of a certain Pedro Goncalves. The Portuguese sensation played a matter of minutes for the Molineux outfit before being sold to Sporting Lisbon with very little fanfare.

However, his development has been meteoric, now being linked with high-brow moves to clubs like Liverpool after scoring 15 goals and claiming five assists this term.

Guedes might not be as prolific as that, but he certainly knows where the net is and he comes with a glowing recommendation from none other than Luis Figo; “Guedes is a fast, irreverent and unpredictable player, who himself builds actions for his teammates and is also able to finish well,” the former Ballon d’Or winner said.

Building chances for others and finishing adeptly bears great similarity to Goncalves, a player Wolves must now be cursing their luck over.

Guedes has scored 20 times during his time at current club Valencia and due to the positions he occupies on the field, could be their inadvertent replacement.

AND in other news, Wolves must swoop for £74k-p/w beast this summer, Spiers once dubbed him “superb”…

Arsenal must desperately avoid repeating their Serge Gnabry mistake with Reiss Nelson in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Nelson has played just 69 minutes of Premier League football under Mikel Arteta this season, with injuries certainly not helping his cause in getting some more first-team action.

And speaking about a possible loan move away for Nelson in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon, Arteta himself said: “That’s a conversation that we are having with the players that are not having a lot of time.

“Obviously we want to keep their development going and we will make decision in the next three days with some of them on what the best thing is to do.  We try to be clear and transparent with what the plans are and their roles in the team and after that, we decide on the best thing for the players and the club.”Can’t afford another Gnabry/West Brom howlerEven to this day, Arsenal fans are probably haunted by the fact that Serge Gnabry was allowed to join Tony Pulis’ West Brom, where the German played just three times before returning to the Emirates.Since then of course, Gnabry has won the Champions League with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, and his career is a major reference point for the Gunners when it comes to picking the right club for Nelson this month.They simply cannot afford to waste away another promising young winger because they didn’t do their due diligence in what club would be best for their development, both in terms of guaranteeing first-team football for them, and the position and environment they would be playing in.It was only last season after Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Portsmouth, that Arteta said of the £15k-a-week earning ace: “We have pace in a few players up front. Reiss (Nelson) is a special player and can eliminate players one on one. He’s been out for a while but he’s back now and he showed what he’s capable of doing.”Whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been dominating the headlines as the likes of Southampton and West Brom battle over his services, Nelson’s short-term future and how Arsenal handle it is equally important.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could sign their perfect Lacazette successor in this striker…

Leeds United have somewhat stagnated in their returning Premier League season after winning just one of their last five matches. Whilst they currently sit in a respectable 14th place in the table, things could rapidly turn bad for the Whites unless they start getting some more points on the board.

If they continue to struggle, they run a very high risk of losing some of their key players.

The likes of Luke Ayling has seriously impressed so far this term, performing well not only in his usual position at right-back, but adapting to a more central role in Marcelo Bielsa’s hour of need.

His versatility and strength are key components that other clubs will be looking for in a defender.

Once the January transfer window opens up, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if a few offers are made for the Englishman.

Leeds could lose Luke Ayling

Ayling has been one of Leeds’ key players throughout the last two seasons, shining during their Championship-winning campaign and indeed impressing this term as well.

The 29-year-old has attracted a lot of praise, with Alex McLeish recently paying him a huge compliment by stating he is “an example to youngsters everywhere”. He also lauded Ayling as an “impeccable” player who has adapted well to England’s top-flight, via Football Insider.

As he nears his 30th birthday, Ayling will be sizing up just how high his career can go. If a top club shows interest in his services and Leeds struggle to re-establish themselves in the Premier League, he could be tempted to take a move and try for more silverware.

The defender’s £45,000 per week contract runs until 2023 but if a Premier League club comes knocking, Leeds could squeeze a pretty penny out of them for the sale of Ayling. But they cannot afford to let him want a move away or they will lose an extremely valuable member of the club.

However, unless Bielsa changes up his tactics from his usual lineups and repetitive 4-1-4-1 formation, the Whites will be easily found out and losses will become more and more of a regular occurrence.

Indeed, this could spell a potential exit for Leeds’ star defender should he become indemand.

In other news, Andrea Radrizzani update could spell huge news for the Whites…

Ross Wilson must secure a January loan move for Glasgow Rangers winger Josh McPake after he completed a successful spell on loan at Greenock Morton in the Championship.

What’s the word?

According to The Daily Record, English League Two outfit Harrogate Town have reached an agreement with the Scottish league leaders for McPake to move to The EnviroVent Stadium on loan until the end of the season.

It’s claimed Forest Green Rovers and Salford City are also interested in the highly-rated right-winger, so it remains to be seen if they will be able to get a deal over the line. He has been linked with loan moves to both teams so his short-term future is still up in the air.

McPake made his senior debut for Rangers in the Europa League qualifying game against St Joseph’s at Ibrox in 2019, coming on as a replacement for Greg Docherty in the second half.

Rangers coach Michael Beale heaped praise on his young charge after he earned his first cap for the club, saying he has “a very bright future” ahead of him.

When one door closes, another opens

Since then, however, the 19-year-old has found his chances both few and far between, having scored twice in three appearances for the reserves.

It’s been a difficult start to life at Ibrox for McPake so far and the fact he’s been privy to just 23′ minutes of first-team action should give him some cause for concern.

We’d gone so far as to suggest that he may be pushing for a recall with Rangers duo Brandon Barker and Jordan Jones in the firing line but upon reflection, he’d probably be better off going out and getting some game time elsewhere instead.

For the time being at least it’s fair to say that the long road back to Ibrox remains blocked, with Barker, Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent, Kemar Roofe, Jones and even Joe Aribo starting out wide so far this season and Steven Gerrard insisting Jones can still salvage his career at the club despite breaching COVID-19 rules.

“We’ll now move forward and try to get these players both back to where they need to be,” Gerrard said about Jones and George Edmundson, as quoted by The BBC.

“They’ve gone about it the right way since they’ve accepted their punishments.”

Both Hagi and Roofe have been in prolific form on the right wing over the past couple of weeks with a tally of seven goals between them, via Transfermarkt, while Gerrard will be hoping Kent can stay injury-free for the rest of the season.

With that in mind, he may feel like he has plenty of wide options available, and as such will likely sanction a loan exit for McPake in a matter of days.

As it stands, he faces an uphill struggle to climb the pecking order at Ibrox barring an injury crisis or a coronavirus outbreak, and will no doubt be reassessing his options.

Plenty of sides have already expressed their interest in signing McPake on a temporary basis but it’s now up to Wilson to work his magic and find the right fit for the talented teen.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard dealt huge blow as Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield ruled out of Old Firm clash…

Steve Bruce has revealed that Newcastle United will boast a near fully fit squad for their trip to Everton on Saturday, as he strives to get the Magpies back to winning ways.

The Toon were without defenders Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and DeAndre Yedlin for their 2-1 loss at home to Leeds United on Tuesday night, in which defeat made it 11-straight winless games for the Tyneside outfit across all competitions.

United have also lost their last six-in-a-row but saw Allan Saint-Maximin make an instant impact from the bench against Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites, and could opt to start the winger at Goodison Park following his recovery from coronavirus.

So, with changes on the cards, here’s a potential line-up Bruce could name when Newcastle visit Everton this Saturday lunchtime…

Karl Darlow was on hand to produce a couple of crucial stops in defeat to Leeds but was beaten by the visitors’ only two shots on target, yet will be expected to retain his place in goal having opened all 20 of Newcastle’s Premier League fixtures this term.

Bruce may also name a mostly unchanged backline at Goodison Park, despite Clark and Dummett’s returns to training, with Yedlin replacing Isaac Hayden at full-back now that the United States international’s visa issues are believed to have been resolved.

“Fede Fernandez won’t make it, unfortunately. Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett trained yesterday [Thursday] for the first time, so we’ll see how they are. It’s maybe a bit early for the two of them, but we’ll see how they are this morning,” Bruce said.

Hayden returning to midfield with Yedlin recalled will likely see the Arsenal product partner Jonjo Shelvey in the engine room, with Jeff Hendrick again not proving to be Bruce’s answer in the role after questionably being retained for the Leeds defeat after an anonymous showing at Aston Villa.

Jacob Murphy struggled at first against the Whites on Tuesday night and lost the ball in the lead up to the visitors’ opening goal, but rallied in the second period with a couple of inviting crosses before making way for Saint-Maximin.

Murphy may now be given a reprieve, as Ryan Fraser ghosted from wing to wing against Leeds whilst Bruce shifted the Scotland international across the pitch trying to find a role that would see the summer arrival prove the biggest threat.

Miguel Almiron looked his most dangerous after moving in centrally against Leeds and will hope to start in the role against Everton, with Saint-Maximin opening the action on the left. The £29m-rated French maestro has not started a league game since November after suffering with the long-term effects of Covid-19.

Callum Wilson will be expected to start as the sole centre-forward in the Newcastle line-up at Everton after a hard-working performance against Leeds, which failed to return the 28-year-old his first goal of 2021 after six consecutive fruitless outings.

AND in other news, Newcastle could part with a £30k-p/w dynamo before the end of the month…

Leeds United will fly over a "quality ball striker" for a medical ahead of late Elland Road transfer, according to Graham Smyth.

Leeds’ deadline day plans

The Whites have made six summer signings, but that could turn out to be nine if things go the club’s way on the final day of the window. Talking on Thursday in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Hull City on Saturday, Daniel Farke was inevitably asked about new signings, to which he said:

"I just speak about players who are under contract for us. As long as players are under contract with other clubs, I never speak about players from other clubs. We have confirmed two important signings with Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon. We've made clear what position we need to strengthen. There's not much time yet, I hope and expect there will be some business.

“I spoke quite extensively that we definitely need a midfield player and also a full-back addition and to stay awake in the offensive positions. But everything is done when it's confirmed, medicals are done and everything signed. I never speak about a player as long as he's not under our contract."

One of the deadline day signings is set to be midfielder Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf, who is on course to fill the void left by Glen Kamara earlier in the window.

After Tanaka, there has been plenty of speculation over full-back Isaac Schmidt, who emerged as a real target on Thursday. Now, a new update has emerged.

Leeds on course to sign Isaac Schmidt

According to reliable reporter Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds are planning to fly Schmidt to Yorkshire for a medical and to complete the paperwork ahead of a late transfer.

Smyth said Schmidt will follow Tanaka through the door and he will be able to provide competition to Junior Firpo, Jayden Bogle and Sam Byram at right-back and left-back.

Meanwhile, reporter Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express has since added on X: “St. Gallen have given full-back Isaac Schmidt permission to undergo medical ahead of proposed move to Leeds United. Deal believed to be worth in region of £4.6m inclusive of performance-related add-ons.”

Schmidt looks set to offer Farke a versatile defensive option and even a goal threat after he scored for St. Gallen on what look to be his final appearance on Thursday evening.

All Leeds TV presenter Oscar Marrio reacted to his goal against Trabzonspor, saying ahead of his proposed move to Leeds: “I won’t pretend to know anything about Schmidt but he’s a really interesting profile and his versatility means at the very least he’s good depth if we do sign him. And adding another quality ball striker would be nice as well to help break down the teams who sit in vs us."