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Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur has been hailed for his performances in a Lilywhites jersey as Sky reporter Michael Bridge shares his unseen ‘quality’.

The Lowdown: Cheap as chips…

The Uruguay international has proved a real bargain since his £20 million move from Juventus at the start of this year.

Bentancur has evolved into a midfield mainstay alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with both men starting nearly every week in manager Antonio Conte’s preferred 3-4-3 formation.

The South American and Hojbjerg played a key role in Spurs’ qualification for the Premier League top four last season and have continued to be imperative this campaign.

Referred to as an ‘undroppable’ in Conte’s eleven, Bentancur has only missed one top flight match so far, with Sky reporter Bridge now explaining why he is so important to the north Londoners.

The Latest: Bridge raves over Bentancur…

Speaking in an interview, the journalist says Tottenham’s winter signing differs to Hojbjerg for one key reason.

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Bridge explains that, while the Dane is ‘everywhere’, Bentancur’s contribution is the element of surprise.

He stated to GiveMeSport:

“I’m a fan, I’m a big fan, where you’ve got Hojbjerg, who is literally everywhere and will run around everywhere and you will see him run around, the quality of Bentancur is that you just don’t see him, he just gets the ball and you think, where’s he come from? His brain is everywhere, whereas Hojbjerg’s engine is everywhere, Bentancur’s brain is everywhere.”

The Verdict: Promising partnership…

Already, both Bentancur and Hojbjerg have been revered for their understanding and formidable partnership in front of Tottenham’s back four.

If the Lilywhites are to seal Champions League qualification again, the Spurs duo will need to remain fit and available, with the likes of Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp kept out largely thanks in part to their fine form.

Wolves’ decision to hand Steve Davis the reins until 2023 already looks to have backfired after recent defeats, but Jeff Shi could save the Old Gold’s season by bringing in Ruben Amorim.

Following Bruno Lage’s sacking in early October, Wolves have been turned down by both Julen Lopetegui and Michael Beale in their attempts to find a new head coach at Molineux.

After overseeing two defeats and one win in his first three games in charge, it was confirmed that Davis would be the main man at Molineux until after the World Cup, when Wolves’ managerial search would resume.

Unfortunately, the former Crewe Alexandra boss – who had never managed above League One before Lage’s departure – already looks well out of his depth at the Premier League club, with Wolves suffering an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat against Leicester City at the weekend, with Brendan Rodgers’ side bottom of the table before the rout at Molineux.

This leaves the Old Gold 19th in the league on just nine points, with their return of five goals by far the worst in the top flight, and it feels that a significant change is needed if they want to avoid relegation this season.

One man who has been linked with the vacancy is Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim. The 37-year-old is emerging as one of the top young managers in European football thanks to his work with the Green and Whites, who he led to their first Portuguese Liga title in 19 years in 2020/21.

While it was suggested earlier in the month that Amorim had snubbed Wolves, Shi has now been handed a boost in any potential pursuit of the Portuguese manager, as The Telegraph have reported that his release clause has dropped to just £10m.

The outlet claimed that it would be a boost to Aston Villa’s hopes of appointing the 37-year-old, but they have now hired Unai Emery, which opens the door for an approach from Wolves for the Sporting Lisbon boss.

Given that Amorim has averaged 2.24 points per game during his time with the Portuguese giants, he could instil a much-needed winning mentality at Wolves.

He definitely appears to have the potential to save the Old Gold’s season should Shi bring him to Molineux, with relegation looking like a distinct possibility under the current management team.

CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that there is ‘no chance’ that Bruno Guimaraes will leave Newcastle United in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Big interest

It has been reported by 90min this morning that a number of big clubs are monitoring Bruno’s situation at St. James’ Park as talks continue over the terms of a new contract.

Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are all interested in his signature, but his current deal does not expire until 2026.

The Latest: No January move

Taking to Twitter, Jacobs has revealed that there is ‘no chance’ that Bruno leaves the North East club in January, and they plan to offer him improved terms ahead of expected interest next summer:

“Newcastle are not worried about losing Bruno Guimaraes. He’s happy, settled and under contract until 2026. Told there is no chance the club will accept any offers in January. They do plan to offer him improved terms, knowing suitors will try to lure him away in summer 2023.”

He adds that Bruno is ‘only focused’ on the Tynesiders and trying to qualify them for European football this season:

“But even without them in place, and due to time left on his contract, told Bruno is only focused on Newcastle and trying to get them into Europe this season. Clubs chasing him are going to have the play the long game. He’s relishing being part of NUFC’s rise right now.”

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The Verdict: Relief

It will no doubt come as a relief to the Toon Army that Bruno is fully committed to the club, and that it looks as if he is going to stay beyond this campaign.

The Brazilian has been their third-best performing player in the Premier League so far, contributing two goals and two assists (WhoScored), helping the Magpies rise up to an impressive fourth spot in the table.

Very much part of the new regime, Bruno will help attract other big names the longer he stays, and at 24 years of age, the club will be hoping that he is a mainstay in the side for years to come.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte and sporting Fabio Paratici believe the club can sign Bari forward Walid Cheddira.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites make plans…

The Lilywhites are reportedly making transfer plans as we approach the mid-way point of this 2022/2023 Premier League season.

Spurs are currently third in the top flight table with seven wins from their opening 12 league matches but are arguably in need of a creative playmaker to link defence to attack.

Conte’s side have struggled to break down resolute sides in recent games and are without a win in all competitions since their 2-0 victory over Everton.

Much has been made of their links to Leicester City star James Maddison in this regard, yet according to a recent report, Spurs could also turn to the Italian second division for a fresh face.

The Latest: Conte and Paratici hold Cheddira belief at Spurs…

Indeed, a claim has emerged from Serie B linking the north Londoners with a move for Cheddira.

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The Morrocco international is now attracting interest from Tottenham, and more specifically both Conte and Paratici personally.

Serie B news state Cheddira has ‘entered the sights’ of Spurs with both Conte and Paratici believing they can sign the 24-year-old – having ‘smelled the deal’.

It’s added that Spurs are now ‘willing to bet seriously’ on the attacker.

The Verdict: Make the move?

Cheddira has been in absolutely scintillating form for Bari this season, scoring 13 goals in 13 matches already on top of five assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

While these performances and numbers have come in the Italian lower tier, this electric run of form cannot really go ignored, especially considering Cheddira is still fairly young and can only improve.

Moroccan reporters are excited about the player’s capabilities with verified journalist Hamza Hachlaf calling his recent showings ‘too good to be true’.

He is clearly an exciting player and may well be one to watch in the near future.

Speaking ahead of Leeds’ clash with Liverpool on Saturday evening, Jesse Marsch looked beaten.

His days as manager at Elland Road were seemingly numbered with segments of the stadium craving his exit from Yorkshire.

Usually such an upbeat character, the American admitted: “I’ve never lost this much in my career. I’m sick of it.”

Evidently, Marsch has the thirst to get Leeds out of their current predicament and we saw that at Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk hadn’t lost there in 70 Premier League matches, while the club as a whole had not tasted a league loss at home since March 2021.

With that in mind, there looked like there was little hope for the Whites going into that match. It’s what makes their 2-1 win even more staggering.

Leeds have been walking towards a relegation battle again but they looked revitalised against Liverpool, even if they did have to withstand a barrage of attacks. Rodrigo was gifted a goal early on and then Crysencio Summerville, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, popped up with a late winner that sparked incredible celebrations.

Although the Dutchman will take the plaudits, it was goalkeeper Illan Meslier that ensured Leeds won the game. Without the giant stopper, they’d have been dead and buried, with the Frenchman putting in arguably his best display in a Leeds shirt.

He made nine saves throughout the encounter, the most by a goalkeeper in a Premier League match this term and the highest number Meslier has made in a single game since he moved to English football.

One such save came from the boot of Darwin Nunez in the second half, as the 22-year-old raced out and smothered the attempt at goal. Another sharp stop from Jordan Henderson at his near post epitomised a remarkable performance between the sticks.

What makes it all the more incredible, is that during the game he completed zero passes from his 25 attempts. Leeds weren’t able to build from the back but it didn’t seem to matter, as the young ‘keeper put in a classic goalkeeping display, putting kicking to one side and instead relying on his hands, as one should when you don the number 1 jersey.

It was a performance late in the day that may well earn him a spot in France’s World Cup squad. Mike Maignan faces a race against time to be fit for the tournament and as the Athletic’s Adam Crafton suggests, the “potentially brilliant” goalkeeper will “be France’s no 1” in the future.

The 6 foot 6 behemoth is yet to be capped by his country at senior level but performances like this will only aid his cause. There could be a space in Didier Deschamp’s squad and Meslier should certainly be in with a chance of being Hugo Lloris’ understudy.

Having won 100% of his duels during the win over Liverpool, the youngster looked “shellshocked” at full-time, such was the performance. Dubbed “immense” by Leeds Live’s Will Jackson and “outstanding” by Graham Smyth, it was a display that will live long in his memory.

As statisticians SofaScore put it so well at full-time, he was well and truly their “Anfield hero” on Saturday night.

Manchester United have made an enquiry for Bayern Munch forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Choupo-Moting at Bayern

Previously of Stoke City, Choupo-Moting has been on the books with the Bundesliga champions since 2020. The 33-year-old has made 72 appearances for the German giants, scoring 28 goals and registering nine assists.

The Cameroon international, who could be at the World Cup later this month, has been in fine form in recent weeks, contributing to seven Bundesliga goals in his last four appearances.

He has been hailed as a ‘great striker’ by Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, and it looks as if Old Trafford chiefs are keen on Choupo-Moting’s services.

The Latest: Man United interested in Choupo-Moting

Plettenberg took to Twitter on Monday evening to provide an update on Choupo-Moting and United. He revealed that the Red Devils have made an enquiry over a winter move for the Cameroonian as they seek out replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Plettenberg added that Choupo-Moting ‘will stay’ in Munich, with talks over a new Bayern deal set to take place after the World Cup.

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The Verdict: One to watch?

Until a new deal is officially signed at Bayern, United may still attempt to bring the forward back to the Premier League.

Choupo-Moting’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that the Red Devils could be able to discuss a possible pre-contract agreement in January.

However, should Ronaldo leave in the New Year, as has been speculated, then you’d expect that Erik ten Hag will need a replacement straight away, so this link to Choupo-Moting could be one to watch.

Sky Sports’ northeast reporter Keith Downie has shared that Callum Wilson is ‘doubtful’ for Newcastle United this evening through illness.

The Lowdown: Feeling under the weather

The 30-year-old was substituted at half-time in the St James’ Park outfit’s 4-1 win at Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.

Eddie Howe confirmed after the match that Wilson was feeling “light-headed” after being unwell during the week, and he consequently did not make the squad for the penalty shootout win at home to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

The Latest: Wilson ‘doubtful’ for Chelsea clash

Taking to Twitter on Friday, Downie has stated that Wilson is ‘doubtful’ for Newcastle’s game at home to Chelsea this evening as he continues to battle illness, with Howe set to make a ‘late call’ on the striker.

Downie tweeted: “Callum Wilson doubtful for visit of Chelsea tomorrow. Wilson has been training away from the group following illness. Eddie Howe will make a late call on his World Cup striker.”

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The Verdict: Blow for Newcastle

It would certainly be a blow for Howe and Newcastle if Wilson is missing against the Blues through illness.

The Tynesiders have created a healthy gap between themselves and one of their top-four rivals in Chelsea, and they will not want it narrowed ahead of the break for the World Cup in Qatar.

Wilson is Newcastle’s second-highest scorer so far this season with six goals (Transfermarkt), and with Alexander Isak out injured as well, the Magpies will fear that they may lack a cutting edge up top.

Also, after being called up to the England squad for the World Cup, Gareth Southgate will be sweating over Wilson’s wellbeing, as he will not want the striker to bring a potential bug into the camp with the tournament set to kick off in just over a week’s time.

Liverpool have not had the best start to their Premier League campaign as the Reds currently sit sixth in the table, so it would be no surprise if the club look to the January transfer window to strengthen the team with a new update emerging from a reliable source.

What’s the latest?

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed some exciting details about Liverpool’s plans for the upcoming transfer window amid worries about the quality in the current squad.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT:

“In January, it will be about the opportunities. I think they need some fresh players to help Jurgen Klopp.

“They’re exploring the market. They’re having some contacts to see if there are some good opportunities, but the main focus will be on the new midfielder, a top midfielder, in the summer.”

Liverpool could finally fix their biggest issue

It is no secret that the Reds are in desperate need of a refresh in the centre of the pitch, especially with contracts shortly expiring and many of the midfielders coming to the latter stages of their career.

Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all be – as it stands – out of contract in June 2023, whilst Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are now well into their 30s, so injecting some new talent into the midfield would be hugely advantageous to the squad and the manager.

Jurgen Klopp could get his hands on some great talent in the January transfer window or next summer as he tries to get Liverpool back to where they belong; competing at the highest level in the Premier League.

Indeed, it has been revealed that FSG are now interested in either selling the club or finding a serious investor in the future so it will be interesting to see if the club is backed financially to the level that is desperately needed over the upcoming transfer window and beyond whilst it remains the American owners’ responsibility to do so.

With that being said, the signing of a midfielder must be the immediate priority at the very least for the powers at Anfield and doing so in January rather than the summer could put Liverpool in a great position to climb the Premier League table in the second half of the season.

Aston Villa are preparing to move for a player who Unai Emery has earmarked as his top target…

What’s the latest?

As per transfer insider Dean Jones, the Midlands outfit will battle to sign Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal this January, with a desperation to ensure he is not tempted to join another Premier League club.

He said to GIVEMESPORT on the potential deal: 

“It’s being played up a lot and it seems like he is a player that Emery has clearly got on his radar for January. 

“Managers always want to bring in somebody that they recognise and a game-changer is, obviously, something they all look for too. It comes hand-in-hand with an appointment like this, that they’ll be looking for someone like Chukwueze.

“He won’t want him to go anywhere else either. If he’s actually going to make a transfer, they want to be at the front of the queue.”

Meanwhile, reports in Spain seem to suggest he will be available for £35m.

He is Emery’s dream

At just 23 years old, the world really is at the feet of the young Chukwueze.

Already boasting vast Champions League experience as well as having played in La Liga for some time, with each passing year it seems the Nigerian’s pedigree has increased.

That could make now the perfect time to invest in him, and with Emery having already overseen his development before, he could play a big factor in bringing him to Villa Park.

This season the tricky winger boasts 11 goal contributions, having already surpassed his seven-goal and three-assist campaign just last year.

This stands as further proof that he only seems to keep on improving, with his talents now recognised across Europe.

FBref outlines just how dominant he has become as a winger – he ranks in the top 1% for dribbles completed and touches in the attacking penalty area, having converted those into chances enough to see him also sit in the top 6% for total shots and 12% for assists.

He was earning praise for his performances far back as 2020 too, with Samuel Eto’o willing him to add more goals to his game as “he has the quality and ability”.

It seems that since then Chukwueze has become a more consistent goal threat, with his wicked left foot making him an upgrade on Leon Bailey on the right wing, who has just six goal contributions this season.

This deal would mark a dream reunion that would only serve to strengthen Villa’s playing squad.

Liverpool would be making a ‘really exciting signing’ if they were to land West Ham United’s Declan Rice, according to former professional turned pundit Tam McManus.

The Lowdown: Reds monitoring Rice

The Premier League giants, according to a claim by Football Insider on Monday, are monitoring the midfielder at the World Cup after he was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad to represent England in Qatar.

The Reds have also held a long-term interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, though the Irons 23-year-old might be easier to secure given there isn’t the same number of competitors battling it out for his signature.

The Latest: McManus’ comments

Speaking to Football Insider, McManus claimed that Liverpool would be better off pursuing Rice and believes that he is a more realistic target than that of his Three Lions teammate. He said:

“Liverpool are lacking legs and energy in the middle of the park.

“Rice has that in spades. They are playing with Thiago and Fabinho in there, they are both good footballers but the game has changed now.

“You have to be able to get up and down the park quickly and I think Rice would be a really exciting signing for them.

“I know they have been linked with Jude Bellingham as well so it is clear they are in the market for a blockbuster midfield player.

“Whether it’s Bellingham or Rice, both of them would walk into that Liverpool team. It’s who is available. If Rice has a good World Cup, is he going to stay at West Ham in a relegation battle?

“If you are Rice, you want to play for a team in the Champions League, a team challenging for titles.

“I think Rice is more realistic than Bellingham.”

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The Verdict: Perfect for Klopp

Jurgen Klopp loves his midfielders to hold a major influence both going forward and defensively, so Rice’s reputation as a ‘dominator’ could mean he fits the profile of player required.

The Kingston-born talent has made 23 goal contributions during his time at the London Stadium and currently has a remarkable 90.4% pass success rate in the top flight.

Rice’s ability to remain calm in possession, alongside his natural ease to move up the pitch, makes him the ideal candidate to put pen to paper at Anfield in 2023.