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Newcastle failed to move out of the relegation zone as they were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool away from home in the Premier League on Thursday night.

Eddie Howe’s side did take the lead in the game early on as Jonjo Shelvey rifled in an effort from distance after a poor clearance on the edge of the box.

The Liverpool equaliser then came with a degree of controversy as Mike Dean allowed play to go on despite Fabian Schar and Isaac Hayden clashing in the box, with Diogo Jota eventually converting from close range with the latter sprawled out on the floor next to him.

Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold then scored goals either side of half-time to win the match for the home side, with the full-back’s strike almost taking the net off from long range.

Forget Shelvey

Whilst Shelvey scored Newcastle’s only goal in the game, the player who was the real shining light for the Magpies on the night was central defender Jamaal Lascelles. The ex-Nottingham Forest man worked his socks off to keep the score down and made a number of interventions to prevent the Reds from adding to their tally.

Liverpool enjoyed 74% possession of the ball and this meant that the defence had to constantly be on their toes and anticipating danger, with little time to rest in possession as the Toon Army struggled to hold onto the ball. Fabian Schar failed to show his best in this situation, winning one of his six duels and completing 59% of his passes, whilst also being dribbled past twice.

This meant that Lascelles, alongside him, had to step up to almost make up for two centre-backs as his teammate was off-colour. As per SofaScore, the giant won 100% of his ground and aerial duels in the match, whilst making six clearances, two blocks, three interceptions and one tackle. He also completed 75% of his attempted passes and was not dribbled past a single time.

Shelvey, meanwhile, completed 71% of his attempted passes and failed to make more than one interception or one tackle. He also made an error directly leading to a goal as his wayward backpass allowed Sadio Mane through on goal, with Salah scoring from the follow-up to the Senegal international’s shot.

Therefore, Lascelles was undoubtedly the standout performer Newcastle in this defeat as he was able to put in a fine display in spite of Liverpool’s dominance and eventual 3-1 win. He was strong in his defending and did not make any glaring errors, which will surely delight Howe heading into the remainder of the festive schedule – having the skipper back in top form could be the difference between relegation and survival come the end of the campaign.

AND in other news, NUFC liability who lost 83% duels badly betrayed Howe, Shearer thinks he’s a “danger”…

Mitchell Johnson has spoken for the first time of the personal turmoil that led to his stunning meltdown during the Lord’s Test

Alex Brown23-Nov-2009

Mitchell Johnson has spoken for the first time of the personal turmoil that led to his stunning meltdown during the Lord’s Test. In a frank and revealing interview, Johnson – the ICC’s player of the year – conceded that a tabloid spat between his mother and fiancee played on his mind throughout the match, culminating in a performance so awry as to convince him he would be demoted for the ensuing encounter at Edgbaston.Johnson’s match return of 3 for 200 from 38.4 overs in the second Test played a significant role in Australia’s eventual 115-run defeat to England. At the time, team-mates and staff sought to play down the link between Johnson’s delicate family situation and his errant bowling, however he has moved to set the record straight on the eve of this week’s Test against West Indies.”I’m probably going back on myself a little bit,” Johnson said. “I said in the past that I’d blocked things out. I guess it started off with the personal side of things. That probably really did get to me. I was denying it at the time, and copping it from the crowd didn’t help, but mentally I’ve probably learned to be a lot stronger and just concentrate on what I’m doing out in the middle. This is what I have to do for a living and I have to leave everything behind me when I’m out there.”I think that I block things out pretty well normally. It was just the Ashes: the whole hype of it and the personal things that came out. It was mostly through Lord’s where I felt that pressure. Obviously I was a little bit disappointed in some of the games I played in. I’m not always going to be at my best. I think I probably put a bit too much pressure on myself with how well I did in in South Africa. Coming into that series I probably relaxed a little bit as well.”Johnson flirted with the selectorial axe after Australia’s shock defeat at Lord’s, their first at the venue in 75 years. Stuart Clark’s precision appeared the ideal alternative to Johnson’s waywardness, but Andrew Hilditch’s panel pulled a major surprise by instead dropping Phillip Hughes and installing the relatively untried Shane Watson at the top of the order.The move to call-in an allrounder provided Ricky Ponting with insurance in the event of another Johnson blow-out, and underlined the lengths Australia’s selectors were prepared to go to accommodate their fragile fast bowler. That unexpected show of faith, Johnson said, went far to restoring his confidence for the final three Tests of the Ashes series and beyond.”I definitely thought I wasn’t going to play the Edgbaston Test,” he said. “I was quite nervous about it. I’m glad I got that opportunity again. You just can’t take anything for granted. I am glad I got that opportunity because who knows, I could have been back playing state cricket, which might not have been a bad thing. I could have been working on different things with my bowling. I’m glad I’ve been given that chance. I don’t know what the selectors were thinking, I don’t know what Ricky was thinking, if they were going to drop me or not. Just in my mind, I just thought that was going to happen.”For those guys to have that confidence in me just gave me confidence as well. It made me think a lot more positively about what my role was in the team, so it definitely helped. I had a lot more confidence in Egbaston and then Headingley. I think sometimes I think a bit negatively with my bowling, and it can get me in a bit of trouble, obviously.”Johnson also admitted to mechanical problems during the Ashes series – low arm height and awkward wrist position among them – but insisted all could be attributed to a clouded state of mind. “It got technical because I was thinking about it, but in the end it was more of a mental thing,” he said. “I had to concentrate on my bowling – where I wanted to bowl the ball and what I wanted to do, how I wanted to get these guys out. I just wasn’t doing that. Definitely in the Lord’s Test I was thinking about everything possible – I was thinking about my front arm, release point, swinging the ball, just everything. I probably concentrated more towards the end of the tour. I just forgot about off-field stuff.”The Australians are gearing for their first Test series since their Ashes disappointment, and Johnson is expected to headline an attack similar, if not identical, to that which slumped to defeat at Lord’s. He is convinced the chastening experiences of four months ago have hardened the resolve of Australia’s youthful bowling unit, all of whom are determined to re-establish themselves as an international force against West Indies from Thursday.The first Test at the Gabba represents an unusual homecoming for Johnson – he originally hails from Queensland, but these days makes his home in Perth. He hopes his previous experiences of the Gabba wicket for Queensland and Australia will convince Ponting to restore him to the new ball role taken away from him in England earlier this year.”I’m playing for my country, I’m a fast bowler and I’d love the new ball,” said Johnson, who has taken 13 wickets at 12.69 in two Tests at the Gabba, including a nine-wicket haul against New Zealand last summer. “That’s one of my goals: to open the bowling for Australia.”Hopefully I can bowl a little bit fuller than I probably have in the past if I get the new ball or whatever it may be. You’ve got to be a touch fuller, just like the WACA. That’s when you get your nicks and your lbws.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A derrota de 1 a 0 para o São Paulo, esta tarde no Serra Dourada, afundou ainda mais o Atlético Goianiense na lanterna do Campeonato Brasileiro. O Dragão se mantém com 27 pontos, sete atrás Coritiba, que é o primeiro fora da zona da degola.

A dificuldade em vencer é reconhecida pelos jogadores, que encontram dificuldade para justificar os maus resultados e quase admitem o rebaixamento.

– A gente está encontrando dificuldade para jogar em casa. Infelizmente tivemos mais uma derrota, mas não faltou empenho e luta. A gente sabe que é difícil, o torcedor vem e nos apoia, mas vamos continuar lutando – declarou o volante Paulinho.

صنع الدولي المصري، محمود حسن تريزيجيه، المُحترف في صفوف طرابزون سبور التركي، الهدف الأول لفريقه في شباك فريق النجم الأحمر بالدوري الأوروبي.

ويواجه طرابزون سبور نظيره النجم الأحمر، على ملعب “ميديكال بارك ستاديوم” معقل طرابزون، وذلك ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات بالدوري الأوروبي.

وجاء هدف طرابزون سبور في الدقيقة 16، بعد عرضية رائعة من تريزيجيه لداخل منطقة الجزاء، والدولي السلوفاكي ماريك هامشيك سدد الكرة بالرأس في شباك الحارس بورجان. شاهد هدف طرابزون سبور في مرمي النجم الاحمر اسيست تريزيجيه

MatériaMais Notícias

O momento do Botafogo não é dos melhores, e disso ninguém duvida. Mas o Alvinegro atravessa a pior fase na temporada? Alguns números mostram que sim. Outros negam. O LANCE! detalha.

A defesa é um exemplo. Ao ver Marquinhos balançar as redes na última quarta-feira, no empate em 1 a 1 com o Avaí, o time carioca sofreu gol pela sexta partida consecutiva na temporada e igualou a pior marca do ano, que aconteceu outras duas vezes (entre abril e maio e entre janeiro e fevereiro).

Na sequência atual, são nove tentos anotados contra o gol de Gatito Fernández.Se fosse um campeonato de pontos corridos, o Botafogo teria somado sete pontos no período. De longe, os números são piores do que a primeira sequência de seis jogos sofrendo gols. Naquela época, o Glorioso teve a defesa vazada em oito confrontos (teria um ponto a mais, oito) e não foi eliminado de nenhuma competição, algo que aconteceu agora (para o Grêmio, na Libertadores, quando sofreu o primeiro gol da nova sequência).

Por outro lado, a série negativa de agora é melhor do que a iniciada na final da Taça Rio, com o 2 a 0 para o Vasco. Naqueles seis jogos, o Glorioso sofreu onze gols, foi eliminado também no Campeonato Carioca e teria somado apenas quatro pontos.

Mas não é só este elemento que faz o Botafogo, talvez, atravessar o pior momento da temporada. O questionamento da torcida em cima do trabalho de Jair Ventura e de alguns jogadores também colabora. A recepção de cerca de 15 alvinegros no aeroporto, após o tropeço em Florianópolis, pode ser um indicativo de que os botafoguenses estão desacreditando do time?

Ataque em baixa?
Não só de contestações à defesa passa o clube. O ataque também parece estar em queda, sobretudo desde a saída de Roger. São quatro jogos sem o camisa 9 e cinco gols. A média é de 1,25 gol/jogo, levemente inferior à média da temporada de 1,29.

O artilheiro da temporada, com 17 gols, faz falta, mas o vice-artilheiro (Rodrigo Pimpão, com nove) e o terceiro goleador da temporada, Bruno Silva, com oito, não estão em paz com as redes. O atacante não marca há dez jogos e o volante vive um jejum de nove partidas sem fazer gols.

O que dizem os especialistas? O Botafogo atravessa a pior fase da temporada?

Leonardo Pereira, editor do LANCE!
​- Sem dúvida, é o pior momento. Em outras fases difíceis neste ano, o time e a torcida se apegavam à participação na Copa Libertadores. Agora, o Botafogo perdeu esse “porto seguro”. Parece-me também que o Glorioso ainda sente a eliminação nas quartas de final.

Eduardo Mansell, editor do LANCE!
– Não vejo assim. O Botafogo vem de uma derrota em clássico e um empate com atuação ruim, mas ainda é o vice-líder do returno (com 19 pontos, um a menos que o Cruzeiro), está no G7, com boas chances de ir à Libertadores. O pior momento foi no início da temporada. Começamos o ano perdendo para o Madureira e totalmente desacreditados na Libertadores.

Felippe Rocha, repórter doLANCE!
– ​É lógico que o momento no Campeonato Brasileiro não é bom. São quatro pontos em doze. Mas acho que o que pesa mais são as eliminações, que eram as grandes esperanças da torcida e que a motivaram por toda a temporada. O protesto da última quinta-feira me parece exagerado, contando que uma derrota foi em clássico. Vale lembrar que o Botafogo já tinha vacilado contra outras equipes da parte de baixo da tabela, o que faz parte também.
O protesto é desproporcional. O time segue no G7, assim como no ano passado, e na vice-liderança do returno. É um momento ruim, é, mas não é desesperador tendo em vista o investimento feito e os objetivos para a temporada.

Números da atual fase do Botafogo (últimos seis jogos)
​Grêmio 1 x 0 Botafogo (Libertadores)
Coritiba 2 x 3 Botafogo (Brasileiro)
Botafogo 2 x 3 Vitória (Brasileiro)
Botafogo 2 x 1 Chapecoense (Brasileiro
Vasco 1 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileiro)
Avaí 1 x 1 Botafogo (Brasileiro)

Nove gols sofridos/uma eliminação/ três derrotas, um empate e duas vitórias/sete pontos

Primeira sequência negativa (6 jogos):
Madureira 2 x 0 Botafogo (Carioca)
​Botafogo 1 x 1 Nova Iguaçu (Carioca)
​Botafogo 2 x 1 Colo Colo (Libertadores)
Botafogo 2 x 1 Macaé (Carioca)
​Colo Colo 1 x 1 Botafogo (Libertadores)
​Botafogo 1 x 2 Flamengo (Carioca)

Oito gols sofridos/ duas derrotas, duas vitórias e dois empates/ oito pontos

Segunda sequência negativa (6 jogos):
Vasco 2 x 0 Botafogo (Final da Taça Rio)
Barcelona – EQU 1 x 1 Botafogo (Libertadores)
Flamengo 2 x 1 Botafogo (Semifinal do Carioca)
Botafogo 2 x 1 Sport (Copa do Brasil)
Botafogo 0 x 2 Barcelona – EQU (Libertadores)
Grêmio 2 x 0 Botafogo (Brasileiro)

11 gols sofridos/ 4 derrotas, uma vitória e um empate/ 4 pontos/ duas eliminações

Média de gols na temporada: 1,296 (83 gols em 64 jogos)

Média de gols desde a saída de Roger: 1,250 (cinco em quatro jogos)

RelacionadasBotafogoMarcelo admite oscilação e crê no Botafogo forte na briga pela LibertaBotafogo19/10/2017BotafogoBlog do Mansell: ‘É preciso calma para não repetir erros do passado’Botafogo19/10/2017BotafogoProtesto: Botafogo retorna ao Rio sob cobrança de ‘postura’ e ‘Libertadores’Botafogo19/10/2017

MatériaMais Notícias

Após 56 dias de ausência, por conta de uma lesão muscular na coxa direita, Luan voltou a atuar pelo Grêmio no empate sem gols com o Corinthians, quarta-feira, em Itaquera, pelo Brasileirão. Ficou 75 minutos em campo, demonstrou esperada falta de ritmo de jogo e foi substituído por Everton. Por precaução, colocou uma bolsa de gelo na região que estava lesionada. Tudo para não comprometer sua participação nas semifinais da Copa Libertadores.

O retorno do camisa 7 aumentou a motivação gremista para o duelo de ida com o Barcelona de Guayaquil, na próxima quarta-feira, no Equador. Luan é o vice-artilheiro da equipe na temporada, com 14 gols. O número equivale a 13% dos 101 tentos tricolores em 2017. Na Libertadores, ele marcou cinco.

Peça importante tanto nas finalizações quanto na criação ofensiva, Luan forma com Lucas Barrios, Fernandinho e Ramiro um quarteto fundamental para o Grêmio seguir vivo no objetivo de conquistar a Libertadores pela terceira vez. Juntos, eles marcaram 52 gols – ou 51,4% dos tentos nesta temporada.

A perda de força no ataque foi a maior deficiência do Tricolor no período em que Luan ficou inativo. Em dez jogos pelo Brasileirão, a equipe marcou oito gols – o Grêmio tem o melhor ataque da competição. com 42 tentos.

– Claro que eu não estava no mesmo ritmo dos demais, senti um pouco o tempo de bola. Tentei dar o meu máximo para me preparar para quarta-feira, é um jogo difícil – resumiu o atacante ao fim da partida contra o Corinthians.

– No momento em que se machucou, Luan estava sendo o melhor jogador do futebol brasileiro e vinha nos ajudando bastante. Não foi o Luan das partidas anteriores, devido ao longo tempo parado, mas voltou bem. O mais importante é que está de volta. Já é outro Grêmio, a tendência é de crescer ainda mais – festejou o técnico Renato Gaúcho.

O dilema, agora, é definir se Luan entrará ou não em campo contra o Palmeiras, neste domingo, em Porto Alegre, pelo Brasileirão. A delegação gremista viaja ao Equador horas depois do fim do jogo.

Renato Gaúcho conta com o camisa 7, até para dar a ele mais ritmo de jogo, mas irá aguardar uma avaliação do departamento médico para definir por quantos minutos deixará Luan em campo. Há a possibilidade de o Grêmio ir a campo apenas com reservas diante do Verdão.

RelacionadasLibertadores AmstelBarcelona perde artilheiro para jogo de ida da semifinal contra o GrêmioLibertadores Amstel17/10/2017Libertadores AmstelBrasil já teve 28 participantes diferentes na LibertadoresLibertadores Amstel12/10/2017Libertadores AmstelAlgoz de equatorianos, Grohe pede Grêmio atento a rapidez do BarcelonaLibertadores Amstel04/10/2017

Writing for football.london, reliable reporter Alasdair Gold has made a behind-the-scenes claim involving Antonio Conte and young defender Ryan Sessegnon.

The Lowdown: Sessegnon rarely-used…

Since his arrival from Fulham in the summer of 2019 for £25m, it’s safe to say that Sessegnon has been rarely seen in the Spurs starting XI.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-5/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Two years on from his blockbuster move, a combination of injury issues and a spell on loan at Hoffenheim last season has seen him make just four Premier League starts in total (WhoScored).

He is yet to start an English top flight game for Spurs this season, with all of his nods coming in the Europa Conference League (WhoScored).

However, Sessegnon did come in to replace Sergio Reguilon midway through the first half of Tottenham’s 3-0 weekend win over Norwich City after the Spaniard picked up a knock, attracting praise for his brilliant display hugging the left touchline.

The Latest: Conte a ‘big fan’ of Sessegnon…

As per Gold, writing for football.london, Lilywhites boss Conte is a ‘big fan’ of the 21-year-old and has even backed him behind the scenes, explaining away his recent red card against NS Mura and putting it down to ‘youthful exuberance’.

The former Inter Milan manager apparently ‘believes’ in Sessegnon, who has ‘all the attributes’ to shine in the role that Conte has mapped out for him at Hotspur Way.

The Verdict: Crucial weeks ahead?

Following a return from his hamstring problem, we believe that the England under-21 international could certainly reignite his Spurs career under Conte and kick on to become a regular in N17.

Lauded as ‘outstanding’ and a potential ‘£50 million player in the making’ by former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan (Football Insider), his potential was there for all to see during his time across London at Craven Cottage.

The left-wing back could be tailor-made for Conte’s 3-4-2-1 formation, as he displayed against Norwich, coming on to offer a real threat going forward coupled with solidarity at the back when required (football.london).

At such a young age, Sessegnon will arguably only get better, with the only concern being how often he can stay fit and firing under his new manager.

In other news – Talks ongoing: Spurs in contact to sign ‘incredible’ £29.9m man, club open to temporary move…find out more here.

Graham Manou is putting off that chat with the Australia selectors over what might happen next

Peter English07-Oct-2009

Graham Manou is putting off that chat with the Australia selectors over what might happen next. He knows the answer: everything depends on Brad Haddin’s fingers and fitness.Manou was the last-minute replacement for Haddin in the third Ashes Test, had the best five days of his playing life, but ended the match with what would eventually be diagnosed as a fractured hand after being hit by Stuart Broad. In the next game Haddin came back and will have the spot as long as his bones stop breaking, which is a shame for Manou, who is by far the better keeper.Tasmania’s Tim Paine went over to England for the one-day series and has fitted in with bat and gloves ever since, leaving Manou in a tricky place. Being the understudy is always a worrying position, but Manou can avoid thinking about his international future by concentrating on the plight of South Australia, the unpredictable outfit he captains.”It’s nice to be home amongst family and friends, and to get back in the swing of things with the Redbacks,” he said. “An experience like the Test has certainly allowed my eyes to be opened even wider. More so to the realms of possibility of what our squad can achieve, not necessarily just this year, but over the next four years. This group certainly has the potential over the next little while to play some exciting and good cricket and hopefully in that next bracket of four years there’s a Shield victory in there somewhere.”The aim is as big as Manou hoping for a full series under the baggy green for South Australia haven’t reached a final since they won in 1995-96. One thing they have had during the off-season is a stable playing roster and the only major changes are the exit of Mike Deare, the SACA’s chief executive, and the batting coach Kim Harris, who was a strong ally for the top seven.”It certainly is nice,” Manou said of the lack of movement. “That’s what gives the group a bit of comfort in some ways. We always talk about playing our best cricket when we’re in a calm state, you certainly feel more in control of what you’re able to do individually and collectively.”Even in England Manou was thinking about what the squad needed to do when he came back. Only in the first week of October did he trust his hand enough to go on to the field, playing some practice games in Queensland. He knows that if the team has a strong season it will also help his claims.The misdiagnosis after the Test at Birmingham allowed him to stay with the squad for the entire tour, although he was unavailable for the final game when the fracture was finally revealed. “There obviously was always a break there,” he said. “It wasn’t until we went to Canterbury for the tour game [before the final Test] and I put my hand through a jumper and spread my fingers apart and it was quite painful. So then I had some scans and they eventually confirmed that there was a break in there. I was just wondering whether the English were trying to play some funny buggers with me.”He smiles as he says it, but after a Test taste he is desperate for more action, even though the road is going to be blocked by Haddin. Jamie Cox is the state’s high performance manager and doubles as a national selector. Manou will chat with him at some stage, but doesn’t want the answer to diminish his Ashes experience.”I haven’t really broached the subject, to be honest,” he said. “Just the emotion of the series as a group, and myself, being the first time I was away with the Australian guys, I just wanted to get away and let all that sink in.”It’s probably a subject I might get to sit down with Coxy or one of the selectors before the start of the season and just ask how I should continue to develop my cricket. To do that would be nice, but it’s still important that I continue to play the same role that I have over the past couple of years anyway.”

West Bromwich Albion are currently in a vulnerable position in the Championship table, after being comfortable in the top three for most of the season, they have now dropped to fourth with the potential of falling as far as seventh if they don’t win their game at the weekend.

A number of players have been linked to be signed by the club in the January transfer window, and now another potential signing has been added to the long list of Albion candidates that could save their season.

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic reporter, Steve Madeley, West Brom could potentially sign Aston Villa striker, Keinan Davis.

The 23-year-old striker has only started two games for Aston Villa this season and is struggling to get first-team football with the side, which could tempt him into a move to a team where he will get more match time, develop his game and gain more experience.

Madeley was asked in a Q&A which strikers Albion should sign in January, where he revealed he had heard that Keinan Davis could be a potential new addition for the Baggies.

“Honest answer is, I don’t know,” said Madeley, when he was asked about which strikers should sign.

“It’s hard to know who is available, who would be interested in signing and who Albion could afford.

“I’ve heard Keinan Davis at Villa mentioned, and that sounds like a pretty sensible suggestion.”

Will West Brom make the move for Davis?

It’s pretty clear that something needs to change at West Brom, with the attacking and finishing attributes of the team having the most to answer for and there needs to be a focus on getting the Baggies back to winning ways to secure Premier League promotion.

Davis could be the right man for the job if he is up for the difficult challenge of getting the side in a position to be promoted back to the top-flight next season, he’s still young and could really grow into the team with the right guidance and freedom to be creative in attack.

Former Aston Villa teammate, Jack Grealish hailed the £2.7m-rated forward as “unbelievable” when they played together, he said;

“He’s so, so strong. He’s one of the best hold-up players I’ve actually played with and that includes the likes of [Christian] Benteke. He is unbelievable.”

It’s clear to see why too, as the youngster has scored nine times and assisted as many strikes in 35 outings for Aston Villa U23s, proving that with regular minutes under his belt, he can score with great regularity. It’s that kind of goal-scoring prowess that Albion definitely need over the winter.

West Brom have now played almost five hours of football without a goal and have only had 30.3% of their shots on target so far this season, with only five other teams in the league having a lower shot on target percentage. Thus, signing Davis could help to fix that seismic issue.

Valerien Ismael will lead his side out on Saturday afternoon against Coventry City in a must-win game that could be the difference in them being third or seventh by the end of the weekend, depending on the results of those around them.

In other news: Valerien Ismael could be sacked before Christmas

Aston Villa’s new manager Steven Gerrard has sanctioned a move away for Bertrand Traore in January, according to Football Insider.

The lowdown

Traore only joined Villa last year in a £16.56million transfer from Olympique Lyon.

In his first season at the club, he was directly involved in 15 goals (eight scored, seven assisted) in 38 appearances in all competitions.

But the start of his second campaign has been disrupted by injury. He damaged his hamstring in August and then suffered another setback on international duty with Burkina Faso in October.

Traore, presently valued at £18million by Transfermarkt, still has two and a half years left to run on the £78,000-per-week contract he penned in 2020. That deal made him the third-highest earner at the club.

The latest

A source at Villa has told the publication that the club will listen to permanent offers and loan offers for Traore during the mid-season window.

Gerrard apparently believes he has ‘too many wide attacking players’ in his squad, and he’s identified Traore as dispensable.

The verdict

Gerrard’s predecessor Dean Smith issued a glowing assessment of Traore near the end of last season, describing him as a ‘marvellous technician’ and promising that there was more to come.

But clearly the new man doesn’t share that optimism, and perhaps views the sale of Traore as a means of raising as much as many possible to put his own imprint on the squad.

Traore is still only 26 years old and his value is protected by his contract, so Villa should in theory be able to get a decent return on their investment.

In other news, fans react to this Ashley Young reveal.