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After arriving from Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2012, Christian Benteke set about trying to dominate Premier League defences up and down the country.

The towering centre-forward blended real power with some deceptive footwork, and it was little wonder that then Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was quick to hail his new number nine.

He said at the time: “Christian is only 21 but already he’s an established Belgian international and he’s had a terrific time at Genk. He’s something very different to what we have here and that added dimension will enhance the football club. A young lad he may be, but he’s definitely a handful. He’s tall, powerful, he has pace and we’ll be stronger with him in the side.”

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And in the 101 games that he ended up playing for Villa, he more than showed that he was worth every penny that the club spent on him. He scored a very impressive 49 times and even provided another twelve assists too, and was involved in some spectacular individual and team goals – the back-heel to set up Andreas Weimann’s strike in a 3-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield still lives long in the memory.

But after moving to the Reds in a big-money deal in 2015, Benteke’s career has sadly gone downhill. The Belgian never truly flourished at Liverpool, and looked out of sorts with the more counter-attacking and intricate style of play employed by the Merseyside club.

That eventually saw him leave to join fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace, where things have failed to work out once. In 117 games for the Eagles, he’s managed to find the back of the net just 23 times.

And if to emphasise just how much he has struggled, the striker has seen the most of his game-time in this new season with Palace’s U23s side, playing 45 minutes against West Brom at Premier League 2 level.

Make no mistake about it, former Villa owner Randy Lerner delivered a masterclass by cashing in on Benteke when his stock was at its highest.

Glasgow Rangers are set for an extra £4m investment after they launched 19 million shares.

Rangers launch shares

Only in October, the Gers received more than £8m after shares were purchased in the club. Businessman Stuart Gibson paid £5m, suggesting that he would try to bring in more investment from Asia.

Now, it has been revealed that the Gers are looking to bring in an extra £4m by the same method. Each share will cost 20p.

Important funds for the Ibrox outfit

On the pitch, things could hardly be going better for the 54-time Scottish champions. As it stands, they are top of the Premiership, nine points clear of the fierce city rivals Celtic, and they are also joint-top of their Europa League group with two wins from two. In fact, after the first 18 matches of the campaign, they are yet to suffer a single defeat in all competitions.

Off the pitch, things are generally going well too. Of course, the recent issues with George Edmundson and Jordan Jones flaunting coronavirus regulations has not helped, but the Gers recently signed a commercial deal with Cadbury, and are now bringing in plenty of funds during a difficult period. At Ibrox, the future certainly is looking bright, and they will hope they can return to good times as soon as possible.

In other news, this Rangers loanee suffered heartbreak within hours of his latest loan move.

Memphis Depay shined while on international duty for the Netherlands versus Spain in a friendly game last night.

The match finished 1-1 as Manchester United star Donny van de Beek cancelled out an opener from Sergio Canales, with Premier League players such as Nathan Ake, Gini Wijnaldum, Hector Bellerin and Rodri on show.

However, it was the performance of Depay that may have caught the eye for several members of the Goodison Park faithful.

Indeed, the Merseyside club were linked with a move for the Holland international back in June, and may well rekindle their interest in the January transfer window given that he seems to have opened the door to a possible move away from Lyon this week.

Depay shone for his country

Indeed, Depay shone for his country on the night, achieving a 100% shot accuracy and also an 86% pass success rate. The 26 year-old also won no fewer than five of his duels, and managed to record five crosses, three successful dribbles and one key pass in the game (Fotmob).

This is not the first time that he has impressed while on international duty either, as former Toffees boss Ronald Koeman once described him as ‘a joy to watch’ when he was manager of the Oranje.

Depay could be a good signing for Everton

Indeed, Depay could be a good signing for the Blues as he is more than capable of stepping in if the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison are injured or misfiring in front of goal.

He has already scored five goals and supplied a further three assists in ten appearances in Ligue 1 so far in the 2020/21 season (Transfermarkt), highlighting that he has an eye for both a goal and an assist.

Nonetheless, time will tell if Ancelotti opts to renew his summer interest when January rolls around.

In other news, find out which Everton player has been linked with a January exit here!

If Mikel Arteta had envisioned before the game of how his Arsenal master-plan would work out, then it came pretty close to perfection on Thursday night.

The Gunners boss rang the changes for the Europa League clash against Molde, and was rewarded with a fine team performance, including a couple of special individual displays from the likes of Reiss Nelson and Nicolas Pepe – the latter of course having the chance for redemption following his red card against Leeds United at the weekend.

But whilst the side’s last goal-scorer on the night, Folarin Balogun, may be the talk of the town after scoring almost immediately after coming on, it was another one of the club’s Hale End academy graduates that offered a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come: Emile Smith Rowe.

The Arsenal starlet has been unable to show Arteta his talents thus far, spending the second-half of last season on loan at Championship side Huddersfield, before starting the new campaign with a niggling injury.

But after making his return and finally getting onto the pitch on Thursday night, the 20-year-old showed exactly why he could be a key piece of the Arteta jigsaw moving forward.

Despite coming on for the final 15 minutes of the game, Smith Rowe was energetic and industrious, picking up pockets of space in the number ten role and showing a willingness to make those penetrating runs in behind too.

As per Sofascore, he had both a 100% pass and dribble success rates, and also won his only duel of the game too. And of course he was the man to supply Balogun for his goal too, collecting a sharp pass off fellow substitute Kieran Tierney before effortlessly picking out the Gunners striker to turn and fire home.

And speaking after the game, Arteta made it clear just how highly he rates him, saying: “Emi is a player with incredible talent who just needs time. He’s got the ability and the quality to play for this club,” he said.

“Mentally it’s always a challenge because the demands are so high and the pressure is high to play here. You need to hit those levels to become an Arsenal player. It’s down to him as well. I really like him and it’s a player that we had a little bit patient and we’ve got a great player there.”

It may have only been a cameo, but Smith Rowe really showed an exciting glimpse of what he can do for Arsenal.

Manchester City have already secured top spot in Group C ahead of their game against Marseille on Wednesday night and with the Citizens set to face Manchester United on Saturday, this could be the perfect opportunity for Pep Guardiola to rest some of his key players.

Although the Spanish manager suggested in his pre-match conference that he wasn’t going to rotate too much ahead of the derby, he could simply be playing mind games with Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas, and we expect him to ring the changes in his side.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up against Marseille, with nine changes from the side that comfortably beat Fulham last time out…

Zak Steffen makes his Champions League debut for the club by starting in goal for Guardiola’s side, replacing Ederson between the sticks.

There are three changes in the City defence, as Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko return on the left-hand side, whilst 18-year-old Taylor Harwood-Bellis is rewarded with a Champions League start after signing a new contract with the Citizens earlier this week.

Ilkay Gundogan keeps his place in midfield, with Fernandinho starting in the defensive-midfield role in place of Rodri, whilst Phil Foden starts ahead of Kevin De Bruyne, who is one player who should almost certainly be rested ahead of the Manchester derby.

The Belgian midfielder was heavily praised by Guardiola earlier this year, with the former Barcelona boss saying:

“He doesn’t feel much pressure, he likes to play in the big events, he’s an exceptional player.

“He’s able to see something special and you have the spaces no one else can see but even with that he’s improving and improving.”

Therefore, it may be sensible not to risk the former Chelsea midfielder on Wednesday, although he could perhaps have a place on the bench in case City aren’t performing.

Guardiola should also rotate his attack, with Ferran Torres and Bernardo Silva replacing Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling on the wings, with the Spanish youngster hoping to continue his impressive form in the Champions League so far this season with another strong performance against Les Olympiens.

Finally, Sergio Aguero can pick up some much-needed minutes by starting ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the attack, with the legendary striker having made just four appearances for the Citizens since injuring his knee in June, so hopefully, he can get himself back on the scoresheet against Marseille on Wednesday.

And, in other news… Garcia heir apparent: Guardiola can trust “exceptional” 18 y/o in his first-team 

Whilst Tottenham Hotspur will play out their final Group J game in the Europa League later this evening, their scouts will be scouring over another fixture in the early kickoff…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the north Londoners will be watching the performance of Leon Bailey as Bayer Leverkusen welcome Slavia Prague to the BayArena in Group C.

The Bundesliga outfit have already qualified for the knockout stages and are merely one point behind Bayern Munich in the German top-flight, in part largely down to the form of the tricky Jamaican winger.

Arch-rivals Arsenal as well as fellow Premier League teams Everton and Manchester United are also set to send scouts to watch the 23-year-old.

It’s claimed that Leverkusen values their key man at £36m and won’t necessarily budge over selling him after losing Kai Havertz in the summer.

Shades of Hazard?

A string of eye-catching performances has seen Bailey deliver five goals and six assists from 14 appearances in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

The right-sided speed demon is also averaging 2.4 shots, 1.4 key passes, 1.4 dribbles and 0.9 crosses per game, which only goes to show just how much of a nuisance he has become.

Perhaps the exit of Havertz has allowed the 5 foot 10 dynamo to shine finally. It’s led to manager Peter Bosz suggesting that his main man “gets better with every game” not just physically but in terms of a footballing brain too.

After being clocked at a whopping 21.4mph during his maiden campaign in the Bundesliga, he quickly drew comparisons to Arjen Robben, though he may well surpass that ability after claiming he does more than simply cut-inside: “I can go down [the outside], cut inside and shoot, but for me, it’s about more than that. I can make defenders think more.”

Jose Mourinho was the man that brought the enigmatic Dutchman to Stamford Bridge in 2004, but it is another Chelsea superstar that Bailey is even more comparable too – Eden Hazard.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Tony Cascarino suggested that current Blues maestro Christian Pulisic would become a hybrid of the two wing wizards, though maybe it’s actually Bailey instead.

“He’s so fast it’s not normal. His speed, combined with his technique, is very rare. Exceptional. He has no weak points,” once said former Ajax youth coach Ronald de Boer.

Indeed, these are all characteristics that pair Bailey and Hazard up in similar nature.

It is also true that Mourinho already has a plethora of wingers to choose from, but based on this season alone, the Leverkusen sensation eclipses that of the injured Erik Lamela, the struggling Lucas Moura and even Gareth Bale, who is truly yet to hit the ground running in his sensational return.

Daniel Levy must pull out all the stops this January, that £36m could be the steal that edges them closer towards genuine title contention. Get it done.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Spurs outcast tipped for SHOCK EXIT in January…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Sheffield United striker Dean Windass has dropped a bombshell over the future of Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane.

This afternoon, the Blades looked on course to achieve their first win of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion despite going down to ten men before Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score a late equaliser.

It means the Yorkshiremen remain rock-bottom having picked up two points from their opening 14 matches – the worst start of any top-flight English team in history.

Windass has urged the hierarchy at United to stick with him through the troubles, even though he claims that they will get relegated this season.

The ex-EFL talisman has backed the 53-year-old to bring them straight back up.

He told FFC:

“Sheffield United are finding it tough at the minute. Chris is finding it tough.

“What’s the point of sacking Chrissy Wilder? He’s done an unbelievable job, he’s a local lad, you know he’s played for the football club. There’s no point. There is no point sacking him. Who is going to come in and change it?

“I hope they keep hold of him. Yes, I think they’ll get relegated, and then hopefully next year he can bring them back up again but there’s no point sacking him now.”

Wilder has been in charge of the Blades since May 2016 having started his playing career as a right-back at the club in the late eighties.

In 209 matches, he’s guided United to 99 wins (47.3%) and has averaged an impressive 1.63 points per game, as per Transfermarkt.

It remains to be seen whether the long-serving manager is on the hot seat at all, although last month, he did admit he was feeling the pressure.

After all, even that Derby County side started their season better than this.

AND in other news, Chris Wilder admits ex-West Ham target could leave Sheffield United…

Finally, things have started to look a little rosier for the Red Devils. After all, Manchester United are unbeaten in their past six games in the Premier League, including a stunning 6-2 victory over newly-promoted Leeds United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side find themselves in and amongst the title race and it seems like the manager will look to make additions in January to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

What’s the word?

According to Le10 Sport, United are reportedly eyeing up a move for RC Lens centre-back Facundo Medina.

Solskjaer placed the Argentina defender on his list of targets ahead of January and it’s believed that they’ve been watching him for some time now.

The 21-year-old has been a colossus at the back for Lens since the start of this season, providing one goal in 11 top-flight appearances in Ligue 1 so far, via Transfermarkt.

RMC’s Sacha Tavolieri via Le 10 Sport noted United are interested in Medina in their ‘search of reinforcements in central defence.’

Marcos Rojo 2.0

This could turn out to be a shrewd move from Messrs. Ed Woodward and Co.

United signed English defender Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers for £17m with an initial five-year contract back in 2011 but it’s fair to say that he has turned out to be something of a disappointment, to say the least.

He has yet to feature for Solskjaer’s side so far this season and has suffered the ignominy of being snubbed from the matchday squads, to sum up his torrid time at Old Trafford.

With Jones heavily linked with an exit, United could do with finding the perfect replacement sooner rather than later. In Medina, they may find a player who can be precisely just that.

Standing at 1.84m tall, the £7.2m-rated Argentina international is cut from a similar cloth to his compatriot Marcos Rojo, and the similarities don’t stop there, either.

Rojo’s reputation precedes him, as he has become known for his crunching tackles. Similarly, WhoScored lists one of Medina’s strengths as his ability to tackle, which suggests that he could be a significant upgrade on the likes of Jones and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

The left-sided centre-back has played 11 games in Ligue 1 this season, scoring one goal, while he is averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game, via WhoScored.

United have been crying out for a centre-half who won’t shy away from throwing himself into a tackle and Medina may be the unsung hero they need to usurp Liverpool in the title race.

AND in other news, Ed Woodward must secure Man Utd transfer swoop for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho…

After picking up three wins in a row in the Premier League, Arsenal were brought somewhat back to a grinding halt with a drab 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Thursday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side just didn’t look like the free-flowing side that thrashed West Brom 4-0 last time out in the top-flight, with the Eagles’ defence restricting them to just four shots on target.

Before the game, the Gunners were handed a major blow when Kieran Tierney was ruled out due to muscle soreness, and that meant Ainsley Maitland-Niles was brought back in from the cold to start at left-back.

It was the perfect opportunity for the England international to stake his claim and show Arteta why he needs to be in his thinking, but he completely fluffed his lines.

As per Sofascore, he lost possession 13 times over the course of the game, but had a particularly shocking start to the beginning of the match that arguably set the tone for the rest of his night – via Squawka, he misplaced six of his 17 passes in the opening 20 minutes, including one inexplicable one that cost his side a corner.

The Gunners desperately needed a fast start to ensure Palace couldn’t just sit back, but Maitland-Niles’ sloppiness and casualness on the ball cost Arsenal repeatedly as they looked to launch forward.

He failed to provide any of the thrust that Tierney usually brings down that left-hand side, making no accurate crosses whatsoever and providing no key passes – compare that to the Scotland international recently, who has provided a whopping 11 key passes and six accurate crosses in his last four games.

Andrew Allen, deputy editor for Arseblognews, described Maitland-Niles as having an “absolute stinker”, whilst Dan Critchlow, senior writer for The Daily Cannon, simply said his passing was “disastrous”.

Such was his performance, that some Arsenal fans took to Twitter wanting him to be sold immediately.

Tierney’s importance to the team has been seen over these past few weeks with his own collection of goals and assists. But his stock rose even higher on Thursday thanks to Maitland-Niles’ shocker, and Arteta simply has to axe him from the starting line-up for the clash against Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s interest in this Eden Hazard-like star could spell bad news for Nicolas Pepe…

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Dean Windass has touted Brentford striker Ivan Toney as someone Aston Villa should look to be signing.

The 24-year-old has proven to be a striking revelation over the past couple of seasons, bagging an incredible 24 times in just 32 matches for Peterborough.

And, after making the move to Brentford in the summer, Toney has just hit the ground running at his new club, and he’s already fired in an impressive 16 goals in just 23 games for the Championship side.

Now, speaking to FFC, Windass has suggested that Dean Smith’s Villa could be a perfect destination for the centre-forward.

He said: “He’s a prolific goal-scorer. He’d fit Villa. He’s got the other boy from Brentford obviously (Ollie Watkins) who’s done well. It’ll be interesting to see the transfer window this year, in the sense of how many teams are going to pay big money. But yeah, he would be good for Villa.”

Given how well he has already made one big step up from League One to the Championship, the £9m-rated Toney himself would surely be confident of taking that final leap to Premier League level.

And judging by how Villa’s own former Brentford striker Watkins has done in his short time at Villa Park thus far, there’s no reason why Toney wouldn’t be able to follow suit.

The 24-year-old is supremely confident in his own abilities, even going so far as to saying that he’s got similarities with former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He said: “I’ve always liked Zlatan. I just love his confidence.  Some people see it as arrogance but you must be like that to succeed. I’m similar to Zlatan in both my confidence and the way I play. When he wants to do something, he just does it. I have some of that in my game and personality. And I believe I’ll be a Premier League striker.”

If Toney develops into half as good of a centre-forward as the mercurial Swede, then Villa absolutely would do well to heed Windass’ suggestion and make a move for the Brentford man.

Meanwhile, Villa are making a major transfer mistake…