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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Roy Keane would find it difficult to be a success at Celtic.

The Glasgow club are, of course, searching for a new manager following Neil Lennon’s exit from Celtic Park last month, and Keane is one name currently being linked with the vacancy.

According to The Sun, the ex-Manchester United captain is keen on the job and would accept a proposal if offered. Palmer, however, is not convinced by the idea, concerned about Keane’s combative personality.

When asked whether appointing the former Celtic player would be a smart move, the retired England international told FFC:

“It’s a difficult one for me about Roy because the way Roy comes across, I just don’t see how he can be a successful manager. You can’t manage being the way that he is, so critical of everybody and he always seems to fall into that same kind of category all the time.”

Explaining further, Palmer went on to say: “When you want to get the best out of the players, you can’t keep criticising them, you can’t. [Jose] Mourinho’s found that out. You can’t publicly criticise the players because the players will throw you under the bus these days.”

With Keane having not managed a club since departing Ipswich Town 10 years ago, appointing the 49-year-old would be a bold move. And from Keane’s perspective, it would be a huge challenge.

Celtic have fallen miles behind Rangers this season, easily surrendering their SPFL title to their great rivals and missing out on ten in a row in the process. The Bhoys also endured a very poor campaign in Europe as they finished rock bottom of their Europa League group, showing the kind of rebuilding job the ex-Ipswich and Sunderland manager would have on his hands.

West Ham United may rue David Moyes’ decision to retain Andriy Yarmolenko last summer after reportedly placing the crocked Ukraine winger back on the transfer list.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Irons are planning to part ways with Yarmolenko at the end of the season, even at a substantial loss.

The 31-year-old moved to the London Stadium for £18m as the fifth signing of Manuel Pellegrini’s time at the helm back in 2018, but has struggled to live up to his billing.

West Ham now intend to listen to offers as they look for ways to raise funds that can be used to strengthen Moyes’ squad, with bids of around £5-6m expected to be enough.

Club chiefs are said to recognise the need to accept a sizeable hit on any fee received if the Irons are to offload Yarmolenko, who will have two years remaining on his contract come the summer.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund dynamo is also currently sidelined through injury, having sustained knee ligament damage during Tuesday night’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

Moyes is currently refusing to put a timescale on the forward’s rehabilitation, with the unwanted winger requiring further assessments.

“Yarmolenko has a got a little bit of a knee injury we’re going to assess so we know exactly what that is,” the West Ham boss noted on Friday.

A blunderous U-turn

West Ham placing Yarmolenko on the transfer list ahead of the summer market represents a blunderous U-turn by Moyes, who has rarely called upon the forward to feature since opting to retain the 31-year-old last summer.

Reports had claimed that the Hammers viewed Yarmolenko as a player they could live without amid efforts to raise funds to sign Said Benrahma, having given Moyes the green light to sell the costly failures of Pellegrini and former Director of Football Mario Husillos’ time at the club.

But Moyes later decided that he wished to retain the attacker, who has since gone on to start just one of his 14 Premier League appearances and play a total of 345 minutes in the top-flight thus far this term.

Yarmolenko at least offered Moyes an option to rotate in the cups, starting all six ties played across the EFL and FA Cups, although having that depth has only added to the vast millions West Ham have wasted on the 92-cap Ukraine international.

On top of the expected £12-13m hit on the fee paid to Borussia Dortmund, West Ham have handed over £15.5m and counting in wages across the 135 weeks that Yarmolenko has been earning £115k-p/w in east London.

Had Moyes sold Yarmolenko even on Deadline Day in October, he could have saved the Irons almost £2m in wages. But now, his decision to keep the forward for another year has only served to add further millions to the funds flushed down the drain.

AND in other news, West Ham may face added competition to sign a highly-rated 6 ft 7 titan…

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to make it three Premier League wins in a row when they take on Crystal Palace at home on Sunday evening, and Jose Mourinho should unleash Sergio Reguilon in his team.

The former Real Madrid man was left on the bench for Spurs’ win against Fulham in midweek, and whilst Ben Davies did a solid job from a defensive point of view, he simply doesn’t offer the attacking threat of his Spanish teammate.

Reguilon has three assists in just 15 Premier League appearances this season, whereas Davies has just one assist in 19 top-flight appearances.

The 24-year-old full-back has regularly shown in his time with Spurs that he can deliver quality crosses into the box, with Harry Kane often the beneficiary of this, as the England captain has scored twice from Reguilon assists so far this season, against West Ham and Fulham.

We have also seen Davies struggle when faced up against a pacey, tricky winger, as evidenced by his shocking display against Raheem Sterling in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is one of the best in the league at beating his full-back.

The Ivory Coast international has contributed nine goals and two assists in the top flight so far this season, averaging an impressive 6.96 WhoScored rating – which comfortably ranks him as Roy Hodgson’s best performer so far this season.

If Mourinho were to unleash Reguilon, he could shackle Zaha with his pace, whilst also forcing the former Manchester United man to track back and defend because of his willingness to make attacking runs, whereas Davies staying deep would allow Zaha to stay high up the pitch and run at the Welshman when Palace have the ball.

Earlier in the season, Gary Neville was full of praise for Reguilon, saying:

“Loads of energy, quick to the ball, aggressive in his defending and he flies forward at great pace.”

Therefore, he seems the ideal candidate to deal with Zaha on Sunday and he can also offer Spurs a lot going forward, so Mourinho should unleash the £25.2m-rated defender, as he can be Tottenham’s game-changer against the Eagles.

And, in other news… Dele Alli’s return to form could be bad news for £31.5m-rated Spurs outsider

Celtic have been handed a major boost in the race to sign QPR winger Bright Osayi-Samuel, as reports claim the Championship side are ready to sell him in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports back in December suggested that Neil Lennon had made the 23-year-old his priority target, and that whilst the winger’s contract is coming to an end when the season finishes, he is keen on bringing him in before then.

Now, TEAMtalk claim that QPR are ready to sell Osayi-Samuel after failing to tie him down to a new contract, and that they are willing to move him on in January in order to at least receive some kind of transfer fee for him.

Lawwell masterclass

Make no mistake about it, Peter Lawwell has got the perfect chance to deliver an absolute bargain for Celtic by signing Osayi-Samuel this month.

The 23-year-old has got tonnes of ability, and whilst his record of just three goals and three assists in the Championship this season doesn’t exactly reflect that, his manager at QPR knows exactly what he brings to the table.

Speaking after a 6-1 win over Cardiff, Mark Warburton said: “I’m not sure many teams have that blistering pace. As long as he knows how to use it and that’s the key for him learning the game. He’s working so hard. He’s got that sheer pace which terrifies defenders and when he uses it wisely like he did today he looks a real handful. I’m delighted for him and it’s good for the crowd to see a player who gets them off their seats which is what you want.”

With the fact his contract is running down, Lawwell should be confident of clinching a cut-price deal for Osayi-Samuel, and it’s one Lennon will be absolutely buzzing with given that he identified him as a major target for the club.

This hasn’t been the best of starts to 2021 for Leeds United.

They have lost all three of their outings this term but thankfully, Marcelo Bielsa has had over a week to reflect on where things are going wrong.

On the chalkboard

One of Leeds’ biggest problems this season has been their defence. They have shipped seven times in three outings this year and have the worst record when it comes to defending set-pieces in the Premier League.

Furthermore, they have conceded the second-highest volume of goals (34) in the top-flight. Only West Brom are worse than Bielsa’s side.

Therefore, change could be brewing among the backline. If that is the case then the first man to be axed from the XI simply has to be Gjanni Alioski. The North Macedonian has struggled this term and nothing epitomises that more than the battering he received at the hands of Dan James at Old Trafford.

Though, the left-back was also abject against Brighton. Alioski made a horrendous individual error and also surrendered possession as many as 17 times. That happened to be the fourth-worst tally recorded by any Leeds player on the pitch.

We shouldn’t be surprised by this form, though. After all, he’s previously been described as a “liability” by Leeds pundit Noel Whelan.

As a result, he simply has to be dropped.

The solution

Fortunately, Leeds have received a timely injury boost over the last fortnight. Diego Llorente returned to action for Leeds U23s last week and thus, is fit to be in the squad to face Brighton.

The Spaniard has played just once since penning terms last summer but such is Leeds’ poor defensive record that he should immediately come into the side to partner Liam Cooper.

That means that Luke Ayling would finally be able to shift over to his preferred position of right-back.

The former Yeovil man has played in the middle in each of his last seven outings so it will be a welcome return to the flanks.

Stuart Dallas has been deputising at right-back but Alioski’s inconsistent form gives the Northern Irishman an opportunity to keep his place in the team and move to the left.

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It’s an area Dallas is familiar with having playing in that role on 17 occasions last season. We know that the versatile defender is Mr Consistent at Elland Road and won last season’s Players’ Player of the Year for his displays at the back.

Unlike the £3.6m-rated Alioski, Bielsa can be assured that Dallas would do a capable job on the left this evening.

AND in other news, Leeds could end four-year-long problem with swoop for £25k-p/w beast…

DeAndre Yedlin was Steve Bruce’s true hero against Fulham on Saturday as the Newcastle United defender earned his first start of the Premier League season.

Bruce introduced a raft of changes to the Magpies’ line-up from the side that was humiliated at Leeds United during the week, with Jamal Lewis, Jacob Murphy, Jeff Hendrick, Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser all dropping out.

The alterations failed to do the trick in the most part, with Newcastle relying on a 64th-minute penalty from Callum Wilson to salvage a point at home to Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened Fulham, who played the final half-hour of the St. James’ Park affair with 10-men.

Wilson’s defeat-preventing goal, his eighth strike of the season and first in December, was not enough to see the £20million summer arrival from AFC Bournemouth end the game as Bruce’s hero, though, having seen Yedlin claim that honour.

Bruce has been opposed to fielding Yedlin for much of the season with the United States international omitted from nine of his side’s 12 Premier League matchday plans before facing Fulham, when he earned his first start of the campaign outside of the Carabao Cup.

Yedlin looked rusty having played only four minutes in the top-flight this term, yet the £30,000-per-week speedster, who could be sold in January to avoid him leaving for free next summer, offered plenty of positives to emerge as Bruce’s true hero.

The £4.5m-rated full-back consistently made himself available and called for the ball to show Bruce and Newcastle what he’s still capable of, while standing up defensively with three clearances and three interceptions, per SofaScore.

Yedlin’s final ball often let him down on Saturday with only one of his five crosses finding a teammate in the box, but that failed to dent his confidence as the 27-year-old continued to push forward and saw his efforts return one key ball and 60 touches.

He additionally connected with three of five long balls, 33 of his total 41 passes, won his sole aerial battle and contended three ground duels.

Yedlin was not at his best by any means given his limited game time this season, but his relentless work and willingness to challenge would have left Bruce with plenty to mull over ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final trip to Brentford.

AND in other news: “No point him going to Spurs” – Exclusive: Rob Lee drops huge claim on Newcastle star’s future.

West Brom are reportedly interested in bringing Demarai Gray to the Hawthorns, according to reports this week…

What’s the word?

The Daily Mirror (05/01, page 47) claim the 24-year-old winger, who has featured just once in the Premier League this term, is a target for Sam Allardyce amongst others.

Top-flight rivals Leeds United are thought to be leading the race with Southampton and Sheffield United also mentioned in the report.

It is thought that the Foxes ace feels he has no long-term future at the club as he enters the final six months of his current contract, which also means he’s free to join any foreign outfit with Ligue 1 side Marseille also linked.

Worse than Phillips

Albion are on the verge of securing Robert Snodgrass on a free transfer from West Ham, so a move for Gray doesn’t seem worthwhile.

He has failed to live up to expectations at the King Power Stadium, indeed it is a surprise to see that the wide man has made 133 appearances in the Premier League since Leicester activated his £3.7m release clause in January 2016.

In those matches, Gray has only been able to muster up ten goals and 11 assists, and evidently, current Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers is no longer a fan considering he’s played 459 minutes all season.

A stark contrast to September 2019 when Rodgers lauded the winger a “big talent”  and June 2020, emphasising this point, calling him a “wonderful talent” who “can do everything” even claiming he had been “exceptional” – though his lack of action on the pitch clearly tells another story.

Last season in the top-flight, Gray failed to average over 1.1 shots, 0.8 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

Which is far worse than what Matty Phillips conjured up despite being in and out of the side on the Baggies’ way to promotion.

Even though the former QPR man has been found out at this level, managing just 0.5 shots and 0.4 dribbles per game, the last thing Big Sam will want is another disastrous winger on his hands.

The Baggies must steer clear of the £55k-per-week flop this transfer window.

AND in other news, West Brom can find next Claudio Yacob in £13.5m powerhouse…

Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, former goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has spoken to Football FanCast about who he feels could start for Jurgen Klopp’s side against the Citizens.

After his hat-trick in midweek against Atalanta, Kirkland seems confident that Klopp will keep faith in Diogo Jota for the game against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Since joining from Wolves in the summer transfer window, the winger has been in superb form for the Reds, having scored seven goals in just 10 appearances for his new side, including six goals in his last four games (per WhoScored).

Following his signing from the Old Gold, Liverpool assistant manager Pep Ljinders described him as a “pressing monster” in training, which could prove effective against City on Sunday if he features.

Therefore, it is unsurprising that Kirkland feels Jota deserves to start in the game against City, perhaps in place of Roberto Firmino, who has had a much less impressive start to the 2020/21 season, having scored just once in all competitions so far this season.

In an exclusive interview, Chris Kirkland told Football FanCast:

“Well to leave somebody out that has scored the goals he has, obviously a hat-trick [on Tuesday]. I’d be amazed if he doesn’t start at the weekend. Whatever the decision Jurgen makes, the players will respect it. They won’t be happy about it but they will respect his decision and Jurgen has earned that, but yeah I’d be surprised if Jurgen does leave him out this weekend.”

Liverpool have struggled at the Etihad in recent seasons, having lost 4-0 there last season, albeit after they were already confirmed as league champions. They were also trounced 5-0 there in 2017, so they will no doubt have to be at their best if they want to take points off the 2018/19 champions on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if Klopp keeps faith in Firmino for the game, or whether Jota does get the start on Sunday, as Kirkland clearly feels he deserves.

When Tim Sherwood brought Jordan Veretout to Aston Villa back in the summer of 2015, he made it very clear just how big of a coup it had been for the club.

He said: “He has played over 140 games in Ligue 1 and is a really exciting young player. I know Veretout is very highly rated over in France, so we are delighted to get this deal over the line.”

Fast forward a year later, and things had turned upside down at Villa Park, with the club going through a tumultuous period of managerial changes and relegation from the Premier League to boot.

In the end, Veretout was sent out on loan, before sealing a more permanent move away from the club when he joined Serie A side Fiorentina for around £6.25m.

And since then, he has been nothing short of incredible, enjoying a remarkable rise that is now seeing him shine for one of Italian football’s biggest clubs, AS Roma.

This season has seen the £25.2m-rated central midfielder add a bit of a goal-scoring touch to his game, bagging four goals and providing another assist in just eight league games, including netting a brace in a 2-2 draw with Juventus.

The fact is however, that there were those within the inner circle at Villa who valued him very highly indeed. During his lone playing season at the club, caretaker manager Kevin McDonald hailed him, saying: “Jordan is a wonderful passer of the ball. He will get better. And he is looking to impose himself in training games. Now he has to do that over a period of time. If he does that, he will be a very, very good player.

“Glenn Hoddle didn’t have to run up and down the pitch. But he was the most wonderful passer this country had in a long, long time. It’s not about being a holding midfielder or an attacking midfielder – Jordan needs to be a midfielder who gets on the ball more than anybody else in the team.”

Sadly, not everyone seemed to echo those sentiments. A case of niggling injuries didn’t help his cause one bit, but he didn’t even take to the pitch for any of Villa’s last seven Premier League games of the 2015/2016 season, including not even making the match-day squad in four of them.

But the way he is shining now, there must surely be a tinge of regret that they couldn’t keep hold of Veretout or even get to see the best of him at Villa Park.

New Leeds United signing Raphinha has been tipped to take up a number 10 role when given the chance in Marcelo Bielsa’s starting XI by former Whites player Noel Whelan.

Bielsa decided upon a deadline day move for the Brazilian winger, paying £16.72m to Ligue 1 side Rennes and taking the Argentine’s summer spending close to the £100m mark.

The 23-year-old’s arrival offers Bielsa a potential attacking threat, with the forward having scored five goals and supplied three assists in 22 Ligue 1 appearances last term.

Expected to play a part when the international break is over, Raphinha’s role has now been discussed by Whelan.

Marcelo Bielsa could explore number 10 role with Raphinha

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Whelan predicted that Bielsa may opt to try the Brazilian in a number 10 role, saying:

“I don’t know too much about Raphinha but usually players with that amount of quality can play anywhere across that front three.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised if he does fit somewhere down the line into that number 10 role if need be.

“Generally these types of players off the wing into those central areas and link-up play with centre-forwards and the number 10 so to speak anyway.

“That’s what Marcelo Bielsa likes, he likes players that can adapt and play not just one role but two.

“He’s always gone into the market and got players who can play right-back and center-half. He looks for people can adapt.

“Even though very rarely will he change from plan A. If anything, all he does is drop somebody into a three at the back and that might be a right-back, generally Luke Ayling.

“He does look for players who can adapt across the line and Raphinha to me looks like he’s got a lot of ability and somebody who would not look like out of place if he does play as a number 10.”

Will it prove to be £16.72m well spent on Raphinha?

On paper, you couldn’t argue with Bielsa’s dealings in the transfer window. The Argentine tactician has done remarkably well to lure the likes of Spanish duo Rodrigo Moreno and Diego Llorente to the club, whilst the deadline day move for Raphinha seems a real transfer coup.

Raphinha now provides strong competition for the likes of Jack Harrison, Helder Costa and the emerging talent of Ian Poveda on the flanks at Leeds.

The former two have been Bielsa’s preferred options out wide in recent weeks and they may prove hard to budge, but as Whelan has said, Raphinha may not have to dislodge either of them if Bielsa opts to try a different tactic throughout the Premier League season. Indeed, the 23-year-old has played in a number 10 role on occasion during his career.

Will the Brazilian be worth the money paid for him? If he can frequently chip in with goals and assists, Leeds could very well have an exciting talent on their hands for years to come.

Do you think Raphinha is going to make a good signing for Leeds? Let us know in the comments section below…