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After slipping to a disappointing defeat to fellow relegation battlers Rotherham in midweek, Sheffield Wednesday are back in action in the Championship when they take on Reading on Saturday afternoon.

Darren Moore’s side are on a run of five consecutive defeats in the league, and it’s left them with a real fight to stay up in the Championship this season.

With injuries taking their toll on the Owls’ squad, Moore hasn’t got too many options to play around with, and it’s likely he’ll stick with a similar starting line-up to the one against Rotherham.

With that in mind, below is a look at how Sheffield Wednesday might line up when they face Reading on Saturday.

In goal, Joe Wildsmith should keep his place, with Wednesday’s Kieran Westwood and Cameron Dawson both out of action with injuries.

The back four should also remain unchanged from the midweek clash against Rotherham, so Tom Lees and Julian Borner will continue as Moore’s choice of centre-back pairing.

Further ahead, Moore could ring the changes in a bid to freshen up his side’s attack, and that could start with replacing both wide men.

Along with Josh Windass, the £20,000-a-week earning Adam Reach was in the starting line-up, but both were substituted midway through the game, and that could see their two replacements on the night, Kadeem Harris and Elias Kachunga, come in to start.

It would certainly be a pair of big calls to make for Moore to change his starting line-up after just one game, but it could give them some fresh legs and impetus going forward.

Predicted XI: Wildsmith; Palmer, Lees, Borner, Penney; Kachunga, Hutchinson, Shaw, Harris; Bannan, Paterson.

Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has suggested that Steve Bruce could be in big trouble due to the struggles of Newcastle striker Joelinton.

Joelinton causing Bruce problems

Stelling was speaking on Soccer Saturday after the Magpies had drawn 1-1 with Aston Villa on Friday night, when the £18m-valued Brazilian played the full 90 minutes but failed to get a shot on target.

The broadcaster believes Bruce has a big problem with the former Hoffenheim forward, saying (via Sunderland Echo):

“Steve Bruce afterwards said you’re only as good as your strikers, in which case he’s in big trouble, isn’t he?

“I thought Joelinton actually did have a decent game but he’s afraid to pull the trigger. He’s afraid to shoot.

“He’s so lacking in confidence.”

Needs Wilson back soonIt is still incredible to think that Newcastle parted with £40m to take the Brazilian to the Premier League, smashing their transfer record in the process (The Guardian). In 71 games for the Toon, he has managed just seven goals (Transfermarkt) and, as Stelling said, he has regularly looked devoid of confidence.In the aftermath of the Villa clash, Bruce revealed that Callum Wilson will not be available for next weekend’s game against Brighton (Shields Gazette). With 10 goals to his name this term, the England international has twice as many strikes as Newcastle’s second-top goalscorer Miguel Almiron (BBC). As the Toon fight for survival, there is no doubt they need the former Bournemouth striker back as soon as possible.Otherwise, as Stelling has warned, the Newcastle boss could be in for some sleepless nights over the next two months.In other news, Newcastle face competition to sign this Europa League star.

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Sassuolo midfielder Filip Djuricic.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Eagles are interested in the 29-year-old Serbian international in the hope of bringing him to Selhurst Park in the summer transfer window.

Whilst he is a solid player, he is not the kind of midfield option that the Premier League outfit need at the current time.

Despite having scored an impressive five goals and two assists in all competitions for his current employers this season, it could be argued that such form is simply not sustainable for the midfielder.

It is just the second time he has scored as many goals in a major European league since departing Heerenveen in 2013.

Since then, Djuricic has taken in underwhelming spells at Benfica, Mainz 05, Anderlecht, Sampdoria and Benevento.

That does not even mention the last time he ventured into the Premier League on a loan move to Southampton, where he played just nine games for the Saints before departing.

Whilst it would be harsh to judge him on a temporary switch seven years ago, his past is certainly not the career path that would inspire much confidence ahead of a move.

It could, however, be argued that Djuricic is reaching his peak, which could see him replicate his current numbers at Selhurst Park, but he is surely not the right age for the Eagles.

At the age of 29, the Serbian would do little to reduce the current average age of Crystal Palace’s current squad which is the highest in the Premier League.

Valued at £9m, it might well be suggested that the club’s transfer budget could be spent on bringing some younger faces into the squad, especially those who haven’t already failed spectacularly in the Premier League.

Steve Parish should certainly move on.

AND in more news, the Eagles should go all out for the signing of Aaron Boupendza…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 280 Premier League appearances, claims that the West Ham board now have faith in David Moyes after his signings have propelled the Hammers into Champions League contention.

In the last 12 months, signings such as Tomas Soucek, Craig Dawson, Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen have taken West Ham to the next level after fighting off relegation last season.

With numerous big-name signings falling to work out such as Sebastien Haller, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson, Moyes went for under the radar signings which would provide competition for places and be hard working.

Speaking on how some of Moyes’ signings have done since they joined the club and what the board now think of their manager, after letting him go in 2018, Lee told FFC:

“Jesse Lingard has been a great signing by David Moyes as well as Jarrod Bowen who came from the Championship, and seeing what he’s done has been great. I still think he doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done really.

“Bowen arrived from Hull and has continued to score goals. I think he’s done really well and David Moyes has proved he signs good players.

“I think the West Ham board have probably got a little bit of confidence in David Moyes now. They’ve allowed him to get the players he wants to sign for the club.”

West Ham let Moyes go at the end of the 2017/18 season despite him guiding the club to safety from a tough position in the table when he took over from Slaven Bilic.

After just 64 games in charge Manuel Pelligrini was sacked by West Ham, and the board decided to go against their previous judgement and hand Moyes another contract at the London Stadium.

Leeds United must reignite their pursuit of Rangers winger Ryan Kent in this upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

It was confirmed last summer by Gers boss Steven Gerrard that the Premier League side had a bid rejected by the Ibrox outfit, and that Leeds’ initial bid was nowhere near their valuation.

While a deal failed to materialise before the end of the transfer deadline, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has now suggested that, with Rangers’ title success this season, Leeds may be back in for the £20,000-a-week ace this time around.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips said: “I think there will be a few teams sniffing around a few of the Rangers players. It’s just natural. How many times have we seen it over the years? If you go up there and do well then your next move is to the Premier League.

“Ryan Kent, Leeds have obviously been linked with him and made moves for him before. He’s a Scottish champion now so why would Leeds not look at it again? He’s certainly a player that a lot of Premier League teams will be looking at. The big job for Stevie G is to convince him to stay and go again.”

Imagine him and Raphinha

One of the shining lights of Leeds’ return to the Premier League has been Raphinha, with the Brazilian lighting up Elland Road with a series of eye-catching displays in his debut campaign in English football – he’s already managed six goals and five assists in the top flight alone.

The winger has been a real livewire down the flank, but one thing Marcelo Bielsa could surely do with is having someone similarly as explosive and exciting on the opposite wing, especially with question marks over the form of Helder Costa and Jack Harrison.

In Kent, Leeds could find exactly that.

Neil Dewsnip, his former coach at England under-17 level, said: “What he was, is what he still is. Very attack-minded, aggressive with the ball running at people, very effective cutting in onto his right foot. Although he was a late developer physically, he had great balance and co-ordination to go past players, so those skills were already embedded from an early age. What he’s done is add a bit of power to that.”He seems to relish the atmosphere, so I think he’s in the bracket of players who think ‘the bigger the better’. Ryan is very exciting so, when he’s good he’s devastatingly good. But that’s a trait of a lot of wide players. The challenge is to be consistent and I’m sure that’s what Steven and his staff will be working to achieve.”With a truly impressive total of 11 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season for the Gers, Kent has been a real success for Gerrard’s men as they wrestled the league title away from Celtic.If Leeds are looking for someone who like Raphinha, is as exciting as they come but also has a real end product to his game, then they should look no further than going after Kent once again this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds could find a Pablo Hernandez replacement in this ace…

Former Manchester United star Keith Gillespie has told Football FanCast that the club should sell Anthony Martial as he “doesn’t really offer the team anything”.

The France international has somewhat struggled in front of goal this season.

Across 22 Premier League games this season, Martial has scored just four goals and has not been on the scoresheet in the league since the 9-0 win over Southampton in February.

His dip in form has coincided with United dropping points against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men now 14 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Martial had an excellent season in 2019/20, when he scored 17 times in 32 games in the league.

But Gillespie is tired of watching the striker struggle this season and has urged the club to cash in, because he simply doesn’t have the requisite desire to be a United player.

The former Northern Ireland international spent two years in United’s first-team, having broken through at the same time as the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Gary Neville.

Asked who he would sell while speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “Martial, without a shadow of a doubt, I would let him go.

“His whole body language just, there’s nothing there, his workrate, there’s nothing. He wants to play centre-forward but you’re judged on goals. He’s got three or four goals in the league, it’s just not good enough.

“You’d like to see, at times, just a reaction from him. You never see it where he loses the ball and it’s a sprint back. You see Bruno Fernandes lose the ball, he can’t get it back quick enough, or chase back quick enough.

“That sort of thing for a striker, Martial, he needs to do that, but I would certainly get rid of him because, for me, he doesn’t offer United anything.”

Martial is valued at £45m by Transfermarkt and he has a contract until 2024.

Aston Villa must get rid of Keinan Davis this summer amid Ashley Preece’s update on his future at the club.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old has barely featured for Dean Smith’s side this season, playing just 80 minutes of Premier League football spread out over eight appearances.

Now, The Birmingham Mail’s Preece has raised questions about Davis’ future at Villa Park, and insisted that he needs to be playing week-in and week-out, wherever that might be.

In a conversation with The Birmingham Mail, he said: “They will look to improve the attack and a lot of players could have uncertain futures. What next for the likes of Keinan Davis?

“He doesn’t seem to be getting the starts we want to see him in and hasn’t had that much chance to impress. Perhaps he will seek a loan move? He needs first team football and he needs to be playing every week and we just haven’t seen that.”

Get rid

Reports back in the January transfer window suggested that the likes of Bristol City, Stoke and Swansea were all eyeing up a move for Davis, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Speaking just last month, former Villa man Gabby Agbonlahor questioned whether Davis is needed at the club, saying: “Keinan Davis has been available and not been brought on. You look it and think ‘he’s not coming on when there are no other strikers on the bench, when Wesley comes back is he even going to make the bench? Is he going to be needed?'”

With a paltry record of just five goals in a whopping 78 games for the club, Davis just isn’t at the required level to be offering Smith a genuine option in the Premier League.

As Agbonlahor says, it’s been quite telling that Smith has been reluctant to throw the 23-year-old on even if Villa have needed a goal. While Preece suggests a potential loan move away, the club would surely be better off just calling time on his career at the club and selling him permanently this summer.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy” title=”Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news”]

Villa must surely get rid of the £45k-a-week man, who’s simply been rinsing Nassef Sawiris dry by not playing.

Meanwhile, Villa could strike gold by signing this Championship sensation…

Dean Windass has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that if Harry Kane leaves Tottenham this summer, Heung-Min Son might start to consider his future at the club.

The duo, who’ve enjoyed an incredible campaign up alongside each other for Jose Mourinho’s team, have been linked with respective moves away from north London this season, with Spurs currently facing the prospect of no Champions League football once again.

Both are tied down to long-term contracts, but Son, who’s been in talks over extending his deal for some time, has emerged as a transfer target for Bayern Munich, whilst there’s no secret about Manchester City’s ongoing interest in Kane.

It’s going to take a monumental effort to prize either player away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, but Windass thinks that Kane’s potential departure could start a domino effect in the Spurs squad – with Son following the England captain through the exit door.

He told the Transfer Tavern:

“Money talks. I’ve heard many chairmans and managers over the years say ‘he’s not leaving’ and then three weeks later he’s gone. Players have got the power to put in a transfer request.

“If Harry Kane goes to Man City, if you were Son what would you be thinking? You lose your top striker, then where are you going to go from there?

“If Tottenham reach the Champions League this year that might entice Harry to stay, but I think if Harry does leave then he [Son] might be sat at home thinking, ‘well’. And then all of a sudden the manager and owners have got a problem, if you lose them two players – it’s like a pack of cards.”

Pundit Noel Whelan has recently delivered his verdict on Patryk Klimala, making his views clear about his potential exit.

Klimala was linked with a move to MLS side NY Red Bulls in recent weeks, with the American side eyeing a permanent transfer for the young forward.

Klimala might have burnt his bridges with Celtic

Whelan was recently talking to Football Insider and he gave his views about the potential exit of Klimala. He believes that irrespective of who the next Celtic manager is, Klimala will depart Parkhead. The pundit feels that it is time for the forward to move on as the bridges have been burnt already.

The pundit stated: “I think regardless of who comes in, Klimala’s time is up. I think bridges have been burnt. It is time for him to move on.

“You need to be strong with players and Kennedy has done that. Klimala is not needed. He is surplus to requirements so you have got to try and get rid of him this summer.

“If you are not showing significant signs of improvement then you have to move on, especially at a big club like Celtic. This is the footballing world.”

Klimala had arrived at Parkhead from Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok for a fee of £3.60 million. Since joining the club in January 2020, the striker has played 28 times in all competitions only, scoring three times for the side (as per Transfermarkt).

Klimala would still need replacing

Klimala has come on from the bench 14 times in the Premiership this season, starting three games. He also made four appearances in the Europa League, which shows that even if he isn’t a regular for the Hoops, he does add depth to the side (as per Whoscored).

Leigh Griffiths has been linked with a move to Aberdeen and Odsonne Edouard has drawn interest from Leicester and Arsenal, which shows that the Hoops could be losing multiple forwards in the summer.

In a situation like that, losing Klimala could be another big loss to the side even despite his less than impressive goalscoring exploits. If he does go, it is critical the Bhoys bring more depth in to replace him.

In other news, ‘It’s as simple as that’ – Pundit suggests why Howe may have had second thoughts on Celtic job

Former Crystal Palace striker Marcus Bent has told Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that his old side need to replace Christian Benteke.

Benteke’s contract is up in the summer and Bent believes letting him go and buying a new No.9 would be the right move for Palace.

The 6 ft 3 Belgian initially made a great start to life at Selhurst Park, scoring 15 Premier League goals in his debut season for the club.

However, it has been downhill ever since for Benteke, who scored just six league goals combined across the following three campaigns.

For Bent, it is now time for the Belgium international to move on and for Palace to try something new up front.

“Benteke needs 20 chances to score two goals,” the ex-Palace player said in an interview with TT. “That’s how I see him. He’s strong, he’s big, but he’s not a clinical finisher. I think they need to replace him.

“No disrespect to him. He is a good player. He’s a good player on superstar money [£120,000-a-week, according to Spotrac], which could probably go to two or three other players and make the squad and the team a little bit better.”

Another Crystal Palace striker who is set for the exit door is Michy Batshuayi, who will return to Chelsea when his loan deal expires at the end of the season. Bearing that in mind, bringing in a new centre-forward could indeed be a priority for the Eagles this summer.