Sam Preston Archives: 12/2018

Claudio Ranieri may be tempted to engineer a reunion with the prolific striker he recently managed at Nantes but £15m is a hefty outlay for another striker when other areas of the side are in need of improvement.

Republic of Ireland international Shane Long may not be a particularly prolific striker but his constant energy and tireless workrate make him ideal for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s high-intensity style of play.

Rafa Benitez has claimed that Newcastle United’s January plans are not changed by talk of a potential takeover, and that means they could still land Miguel Almiron amid background uncertainty.

Jurgen Klopp spent big money during the summer to bring both Fabinho and Naby Keita to Anfield, but neither man has produced a performance as Andre Gomes’ display at Anfield on Sunday.

Rumblings that the popular Spaniard would return to Spain last summer were something of a surprise, but Monreal’s Arsenal departure would become a far more realistic possibility if Unai Emery spent big on the exciting Firpo.

Crystal Palace are reportedly battling with Fulham and West Ham in the hunt for Nantes striker Emiliano Sala and the arrival of a genuine goalscorer in January could give Roy Hodgson’s Selhurst Park reign an entirely new complexion.

Lille winger Nicolas Pepe is attracting attention from across Europe but if Arsenal can win the race for his signature, they will have the pace and directness they have lacked since Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott left in the same transfer window.

If Tottenham Hotspur can muscle in ahead of London rivals Chelsea to land a permanent deal for Mateo Kovacic, Mauricio Pochettino would have the ideal replacement for Mousa Dembele, who looks set to move to the Chinese Super League.

With a busy festive period coming up, Jurgen Klopp will not want to risk the foot injury Sadio Mane sustained against Everton and the poor form of Sean Dyche’s side may mean he doesn’t force the issue at Turf Moor tonight.

Matteo Guendouzi was outclassed against Manchester City on the opening day of the season but will deputise ably for Granit Xhaka at Old Trafford tonight if he heeds the lessons from that chastening debut.

This season has seen some young English talent take their chance to shine abroad as opportunities have dwindled domestically but Marcus Edwards has so far failed to follow suit.

Slavisa Jokanovic oversaw defensive disorganisation before he was eventually sacked by Fulham. Claudio Ranieri was brought in to rectify that and although he has changed Fulham’s approach, the goals have still been going in against them.

Andy Robertson is struggling to be fit for the trip to Turf Moor and despite Sean Dyche’s side’s current struggles, Aaron Lennon has the pace to trouble likely stand-in Alberto Moreno.

Richarlison was not able to get on the ball as much as he would like against Liverpool, and often found himself isolated up against Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk and that should offer his manager food for thought moving forward.

Yannick Bolasie could well have been lining up for Middlesbrough in Saturday’s crunch clash at the Riverside Stadium but his impressive performance shows why it was so important for Aston Villa’s promotion hopes that they got their man.