This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…

Crystal Palace transfer target Hwang Hee-chan saw his and RB Salzburg’s Champions League campaign come to an end on Tuesday night following a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool, which meant that the Austrian side finished third in their group behind the Reds and Napoli.

The South Korean forward will now be playing Europa League football having at least finished above Genk in Group E, and while he might feel disappointed to have dropped out of Europe’s leading club competition, it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying on his part.

Hee-chan, who Palace are reportedly scouting alongside Arsenal, managed to get all of his three shots on target against Jurgen Klopp’s men, having more efforts which tested Alisson Becker than any of his teammates – in that respect, you could say that the 23-year-old was the biggest goal threat for his side on the night.

RB Salzburg’s No.9 could not add to his nine goals and 14 assists so far this season with a blank against the European champions, although having been so prominent in terms of getting shots off against such a formidable outfit, you can only praise him for his effort and determination to keep banging on the door.

Despite a goalless show, one would assume that Palace would still be impressed by the 32-cap South Korea international’s persistence to try and score a goal, especially seeing as Roy Hodgson’s side are the second-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with just 14 goals in 16 games.

In addition to his three shots on target, Hee-chan also completed one dribble – you may recall that he already netted against Liverpool at Anfield in the reverse fixture, putting Virgil van Dijk on his backside before finding the top corner.

Despite the South Korean failing to find the back of the net again, the fact that he was statistically his side’s biggest goal threat against a European giant will surely only encourage potential suitors.

In other news, Hodgson would be left with a selection dilemma if the Eagles moved to sign this Serie A attacker…

According to Italian media outlet La Repubblica, reported Everton transfer target Zlatan Ibrahimovic has gone off of the idea of returning to AC Milan, and as well as considering retirement he is also looking at proposals from the Toffees and Premier League rivals Watford.

ArenaNapoli reported earlier this month that the Merseyside outfit are keen on the former Manchester United striker and had contacted super-agent Mino Raiola about the possibility of bringing the 38-year-old to Goodison Park on a free.

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Now it appears their chances of getting him may have just increased with his reluctance to join Milan, with the report suggesting it currently could be a straight fight between the Toffees and the Hornets if he decides to carry on and other clubs don’t come in.

Watch Everton vs Burnley Live and Free with Amazon Prime on Boxing Day

Despite scoring 53 goals in 58 appearances for previous club LA Galaxy, there are those supporters who are sceptical about the deal – one below believes Ibrahimovic is using Everton to garner interest from other teams, while another says he would end up being worse than Samuel Eto’o was for them – the Cameroonian netted four times in 20 outings.

However, there were those who are clearly growing increasingly excited at the prospect of the former Sweden international arriving at Goodison, with one suggesting he could be great to have around the younger players because of his experience and the success he has had throughout his career.

That would surely have to be particularly relevant for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is very much in the same physical mould of the centre-forward, but still lacking those regular goals with 24 in 111 matches for Everton.

Others chose to focus on the story saying he could have a choice between the Toffees and Watford, who are of course currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

Did he play for Everton? Simple question but a lot tougher than you think…

It would have to be slightly embarrassing in the circumstances if he did end up turning the Merseyside outfit down to move to Vicarage Road instead.

In other Everton news, The Athletic have dropped a major bombshell about the Toffees and Moise Kean following Sunday’s controversial incident…

There are several key areas which could determine the outcome of Leeds vs Fulham on Saturday, but Marcelo Bielsa will likely be counting on a reliable figure to show his usual effectiveness.

Key battle

Patrick Bamford continuing his recent goalscoring prowess of five goals in seven games could be very useful, as will Ben White’s handling of Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the battle in the middle of the park is what is most important.

Both teams have been exceptional on the ball this season, with Fulham’s 61% average possession making them the only team to outclass Leeds in that department, who have managed 60%.

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Phillips will be pivotal to Leeds with and without the ball, as he has the ability to disrupt Fulham’s typical free-flowing style by getting in the face of their most creative players.

The Cottagers’ number 10 has been a very important player for Scott Parker and central to a lot of what Fulham do well, as his 90% pass accuracy and 1.9 key passes per game evidence, as per WhoScored.

That may be a worry for most teams, but not for Leeds and Phillips, who has the attributes to not only contain Cairney, but to put his team on the front foot also.

According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old has averaged 3.4 tackles per game, a rate bettered by only two players in the Championship.

His stats also evidence his brilliant ability on the ball, which is what makes him so important for Leeds and a big factor which could ensure his team picks up all three points.

Can you get full marks on the Ultimate Leeds Quiz? Test your knowledge below…

If he can help to dictate play and show his usual class in terms of completing key passes and long balls, then Fulham should struggle.

Cairney is not the type of midfielder who will be able to pressure Phillips and contain his influence, as his defensive attributes indicate, and that means there should be an opportunity for Leeds’ more creative players to influence the match.

If they manage that, and show better concentration then they did against Cardiff then they will be in a very strong position to extend their 11-game unbeaten run, and widen the gap between the other promotion contenders – including Fulham of course.

Here is how Leeds should line-up as they search for another valuable three points in West London.

West Bromwich Albion return to league action this afternoon looking to extend their time at the top of the Championship summit.

The Baggies face a trip to Oakwell to face Barnsley, who currently occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.

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Last time out, Slaven Bilic’s men settled for a draw against Brentford after Darnell Furlong’s glanced header soon cancelled out the visitor’s opener.

It means they still have lost only one match this season while it is now 13 games unbeaten in the league.

Here’s how we predict Albion will line up today…

Bilic could make as many as three changes after Albion failed to pick up a victory on their own turf, one of which will be enforced.

That’s in defence as Kyle Bartley’s ankle injury is enough to keep him out of this one, and in his place once again comes youngster Dara O’Shea, who is preferred to the experienced Ahmed Hegazi.

The Egyptian was left out of the entire matchday squad against the Bees due to a training ground incident, which doesn’t bode well for his starting chances going forward but the academy hopeful stepped up and impressed substantially.

One player who did the opposite and was actually quite underwhelming was Kyle Edwards out wide, so maybe it is now time we see Chris Willock in the senior side having made nine-goal contributions for the U23s since joining on loan in the summer.

The last change is also in an advanced position as Charlie Austin finally gets to start again with Hal Robson-Kanu dropping to the bench.

Bilic could rest players over the festive period, but the game against Middlesbrough is a better opportunity to do so.

And in other Baggies news, West Brom could be chasing Nathan Ferguson’s successor with this Ligue 1 regular… 

Tanguy Ndombele was right.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho appeared to suggest, after the fact, that the France international told him that he was unable to play against Brighton & Hove Albion on Boxing Day.

He was subsequently left out, with the Portuguese claiming that the midfielder was worried about the prospect of picking up an injury.

Ndombele then played 90 minutes against Norwich City and also started against Southampton on New Year’s Day. Spurs lost at St Mary’s, with the 23-year-old injured after just 25 minutes.

He was substituted and appeared to be complaining of a muscle problem.

Giovani Lo Celso replaced him but Spurs then appeared rudderless in midfield as the Saints took all three points.

It ultimately leaves egg on the face of his manager.

Money talks: How much did Levy pay for each of these Spurs stars?

Ndombele clearly knows his body better than anybody else, even those within the Spurs medical staff.

That he was injured here was perhaps inevitable after Mourinho went public but the ex-Inter Milan boss shouldn’t have been so blasé about keeping the Frenchman in the team.

Two games in four days require clever management and smart team selections. Mourinho has been adept at neither.

His insistence on making an example of Ndombele has led to an injury and an anxious wait to see how long he is set to be out for.

Whatever the answer, one has to feel that the Portuguese is at fault.

He should have listened to Ndombele when he had the chance but, instead, he has run him into the ground and he is now on the treatment table.

Quite simply, Mourinho has reaped what he sowed.

Meanwhile, take a look at one of Spurs’ January targets!

Tottenham Hotspur fans have reacted to news of the club’s interest in Ben White, who is currently on loan at Leeds United from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sky Sports reports that Spurs, along with Liverpool and Chelsea, are interested in securing the services of the defender.

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

The 22-year-old has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season under Marcelo Bielsa and played 90 minutes in the FA Cup third-round defeat to Arsenal on Monday evening.

However, some Spurs fans have been less than enthused about the prospect of securing the centre-back, with three actually claiming the club have targeted the wrong Brighton defender and should instead be looking at Lewis Dunk.

A number of other Tottenham supporters, though, are hopeful that a deal can be struck.

White has never played in the Premier League, making just two appearances for Brighton, and is valued at £2.25m by Transfermarkt.

The three top-flight clubs are said to be monitoring his progress but he may have to be loaned back to Leeds, given that there is no break clause in his short-term stay at Elland Road, per Sky, if he is bought in the January window.

Spurs, of course, have struggled defensively this season.

Jose Mourinho’s men have conceded 30 goals in the top-flight, the joint-highest of any club in the top half.

Meanwhile, Spurs have been urged to sign a player from their bitter rivals. 

There will be a lot of criticism aimed at Aston Villa’s players and management, which will be deserved after the shocking performance that saw them beaten 6-1 by Manchester City.

Riyad Mahrez’s brace, Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick and Gabriel Jesus’ goal are what secured the three points for Pep Guardiola’s side, but Villa certainly helped them out, with various mistakes such as those from Danny Drinkwater and Kortney Hause.

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However, one man who seems to be escaping a lot of the fans’ criticism is Trezeguet, who replaced Conor Hourihane in the 71st minute.

His biggest contribution was winning the penalty that led to Anwar El Ghazi’s goal, when he was fouled by Ilkay Gundogan – an event that was noteworthy, even if it was equally futile in the grand scheme of things.

The Egypt international’s spark can also be shown by the fact that he completed one key pass and two dribbles, as well as letting off a shot that was blocked.

Call yourself a Premier League expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?

It may not have done much to the embarrassing scoreline, but Trezeguet’s contribution did get some appreciation from Villa fans.

Questions were raised regarding the 25-year-old’s omission from the starting XI.

Trezeguet has only started two of Villa’s last seven Premier League games, including the City one, with the feeling being that he should be getting much more action than that.

With an important game against Brighton & Hove Albion on the horizon, it will be interesting to see whether Trezeguet is given the nod this time around after his latest showing.

Meanwhile, Villa fans have shown excitement about the prospect of one man leaving the club.

Roy Hodgson continues to work wonders with a limited squad as he picked up a great draw away at Manchester City, thanks in part to a last-minute equaliser via Fernandinho’s own goal.

The point means they remain ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Everton in the Premier League table as they stay ninth, but there will have been a real source of encouragement for Hodgson in the form of Cenk Tosun.

The striker was signed on loan earlier this month and it didn’t take him long for him to record his first goal for the Eagles, opening the scoring against the Citizens in what was only his second appearance for the club.

Did he really play for us?! No Palace fan has managed to name all of these obscure Eagles signings….

It hasn’t taken long for fans to endear themselves with the Turk either, as he reacted well to head the away side in front, though there has been praise for his all-round performance.

Palace have struggled for goals this season with 22 scored in 23 league games, so it is a little surprising that they struck twice at the Etihad.

However, with Jordan Ayew, Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke to choose from it is understandable why they have offered very little attack, as that trio have a combined total of 19 Premier League goals over the last two-and-a-half years.

Tosun’s arrival could, therefore, be a big boost for Hodgson’s side and if he can build on his first goal then he could be a good fit at Selhurst Park, with some supporters already suggesting he has been an improvement on what they had previously.

Meanwhile, there has been an update regarding another player who could improve Palace which should interest fans.

Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to mock Harry Maguire, after Virgil van Dijk dominated him in the air to net the opening goal in Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United.The physical Dutchman leapt highest in the 14th minute to put Jurgen Klopp’s side in the lead, jumping over Maguire and Brandon Williams to power the ball past David de Gea.

While, one presumes, a goal of this ilk might not usually get that much coverage given its simplicity, the fact that Maguire is the only defender in history to cost more than Van Dijk means that a reaction has been sparked amongst the Liverpool fans on Twitter.

As has been well documented, the England international cost the Red Devils a world-record £80m fee from Leicester, whereas Van Dijk cost £75m when arriving from Southampton.

As a result, it seems like the Liverpool fans on Twitter enjoyed seeing United’s No.5 get obliterated in the air by their huge No.4…

To kick off the reaction, these two supporters highlighted the difference in quality between the two centre-backs.

One fan – with the username ‘#6times’ said that the pair are “worlds apart” whereas the other supporter said “imagine paying £80m for this guy” before using a laughing emoji to mock the former Hull man.

An animal-related theme was on show from these two supporters, who mentioned a rat, lion and a mouse when comparing Maguire and Van Dijk.

One fan with the username ‘J45’ laughed at the United man for being beaten in the air, before – perhaps unnecessarily – calling the 26-year-old a “rat”.

Elsewhere, Scott said that he doesn’t want the two defenders uttered in the same sentence ever again, before saying that they have about “as much in common as a lion and mouse”.

Lastly, these two supporters continued to mock Maguire.

Call yourself a Liverpool expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?

One said that the world’s most expensive defender “can’t sniff Virgil’s shoes” whereas the other called him a “tiny little man” in comparison to the “titan” that is Van Dijk.

In other news, these Liverpool fans have been discussing “typical Ev behaviour” after this 28-year-old’s goal…

It is fair to say that Jordan Rhodes’ spell in South Yorkshire has been nothing short of a disappointment, and although he has scored a hat-trick this term, they remain his only goals from 13 appearances.

The striker has 13 goals in 68 games for Sheffield Wednesday despite arriving for £10m, and with his contract expiring in the summer he could make an exit this month, with Wigan the team showing interest.

According to the Sun’s Alan Nixon they are prepared to offer the Owls £500k to sign the player on loan until the end of the season, but it is being reported that Wednesday are looking for more than that.

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The club’s own pursuit of Connor Wickham – which Nixon also mentions – could be a factor in that, as they could be in need of further resources in order to persuade Crystal Palace to let the 26-year-old leave.

Many fans have called for Rhodes to be moved on upon hearing of the reported bid, and it is probably best for everyone that his poor spell at Hillsborough ends sooner rather than later.

Sheffield Wednesday are very much in the hunt for the play-offs and are now in the FA Cup fifth round after beating QPR 2-1 on Friday, so letting Rhodes go could be a step in enhancing their chances of success.

However, signing Wickham would be a gamble due to his injury record, and the fact he has made just 30 appearances in the last three-and-a-half years.

Nevertheless, the fact the Owls seem to be stalling Rhodes’ potential departure has created frustration with some, and they are criticising chairman Dejphon Chansiri as a result.

Who the heck is that?! Can you name all of these obscure Sheffield Wednesday players…

In other transfer news, a journalist has singled out one Wednesday player who could also be moved on before the end of the month.