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The SPFL have confirmed the 2021/22 Premiership season will start on July 31st, just a few days before Glasgow Rangers’ appearance in the Champions League third qualifying round.

Rangers find out season start

The SPFL confirmed on Thursday that the new season will start on Saturday July 31st. There will also be a winter break from January 3rd 2022 until January 21st (spfl.co.uk).

The start of the league campaign will come a matter of days before the Gers’ Champions League campaign is set to start. The third qualifying round for that competition will be played on August 3rd/4th.

Potentially damaging

The upcoming Champions League campaign for Rangers is an important one. They have not appeared in the competition’s group stage since the 2010/11 season. To make it next term, they will need to go through two rounds beforehand, and they will need to prepare perfectly to be in the best possible shape.

To start the campaign a few days before the first qualifying round is unlikely to help the Gers in their quest. Hopefully, they will play on the Saturday so they have the most time possible to recover – a strong performance for Rangers in European competition will also see Scotland reap the rewards in terms of UEFA coefficient points.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this injury news.

Leeds United had a noticeable name missing from the squad on Monday night in Pascal Struijk, and Phil Hay has revealed why he was not involved against West Ham United.

The latest on Struijk

The Athletic journalist spoke to Whites manager Marcelo Bielsa following the defeat at London Stadium and updated followers on Twitter that “Struijk had a knock”.

This is a worrying update from Bielsa

Struijk brings versatility to the squad and we saw this during a time when Diego Llorente and Robin Koch both suffered injuries (the latter is not back yet), as the young Dutchman provided Leeds with cover and showed he could do a job in the back line. He has also played in defensive midfield when Kalvin Phillips was injured (Transfermarkt).

In his 17 appearances in the Premier League this term, he has been a solid defensive-minded player as he has averaged two successful tackles, two interceptions and 2.7 clearances per game (WhoScored). His averages for the latter two metrics are beaten only by Liam Cooper among his team-mates (WhoScored).

Gerry McNamee from the LS11 podcast piled praise on Struijk a few weeks ago as he said: “I think with [Marcelo] Bielsa, you’ve got to earn your place back and we probably don’t mention him so much because he doesn’t put a foot wrong, his passing, his interceptions everything else in the last two games, he’s been excellent.”

With the Dutch youngster impressing so highly, it is worrying to hear Hay’s update about him having a knock, with no indication of the nature or duration of the injury. Hopefully it does not see him ruled out for a lengthy period.

In other news, one Leeds prospect has seen his good performances receive notable recognition – have a read here!

There may have been a lot of concerned Tottenham fans when Harry Kane limped off against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek before having an ice pack applied to his knee, but Jose Mourinho has now confirmed that he will be fit to face Arsenal in the North London derby at the weekend.

After adding another two goals to his tally for the season on Thursday, the England captain was forced off with around ten minutes remaining after landing heavily on his knee, but Mourinho has said he is sure that the 27-year-old will be fine for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Considering the striker’s impressive form this season, which has arguably exploded again in recent weeks, it is a huge boost for the Portuguese manager to have him available as they look to do the double over Mikel Arteta’s side.

So far this season, Kane has contributed 16 goals and 13 assists in 25 top-flight appearances, which includes 10 man-of-the-match awards, culminating in a superb WhoScored average rating of 7.81/10 – the best of any player in the Premier League.

The striker also has a superb record against Arsenal in his career thus far, having scored his 11th North London derby goal in the 2-0 win against the Gunners earlier in the season.

Spurs’ best performances this campaign have been when Kane and Heung-Min Son have been on top form, so it would have been a huge blow for Mourinho if the Englishman had been ruled out with the knee problem he suffered earlier this week.

Earlier in the season, the Portuguese manager dubbed the Englishman “fantastic” after Spurs went top of the league, and his form will be imperative if the Lilywhites are to push on from their current position and secure Champions League football for next season through their domestic placing.

Therefore, the former Manchester United boss is undoubtedly delighted that Kane is fit for the derby, as if he continues his recent form, then Spurs have a great chance of picking up three points.

In other news… Bye-bye Sissoko: Levy should swoop for £16.2m-rated beast who Klopp loves

According to talkSPORT, West Ham United have made Josh King their top target before Monday’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

Ian Abrahams, affectionately known as Broadcast Moose on Twitter, told supporters on Friday morning that the AFC Bournemouth forward was atop David Moyes’ priorities.

He said:

“My sources tell me despite all the talk about foreign strikers, West Ham still have Josh King as top target and moves are afoot to approach Bournemouth. I’m led to believe reports about his huge wage demands are misguided.”

The 27-year-old is thought to be on around £45k-per-week at the Vitality Stadium.

Shades of Di Canio?

While recent links to the likes of Hwang Hee-chan and Patson Daka are hugely exciting and would certainly help bolster potential ambitions of a shock qualification to Europe this season, adding King instead is no mere downgrade.

The 51-time Norway international is vastly experienced in the Premier League having hit at least six goals in five successive top-flight campaigns with his best tally of 16 coming in 2016/17, via Transfermarkt.

But it is his other characteristics that make him an even-more desired addition and you could argue, he’s displayed shades of a Hammers great in Paolo Di Canio too.

The Italian sensation was absolutely one of a kind, but was also known for his versatility across the frontline, his technical ability, creativity, eye for goal and dribbling skills.

King covers a lot of these; as seen above, he’s been a prolific option in the Premier League and just like Di Canio at Sheffield Wednesday, he’s been tried and tested prior to a move to east London.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Read this week’s latest West Ham news, transfer rumours and more…”]

In addition to that, only ten other players across the top-flight attempted more dribbles than King (122) last season, as per FBRef. By comparison, Michail Antonio topped the Irons’ charts with 107 attempts. If anything, that shows why King would be a decent fit for Moyes.

The Cherries frontman also attempted more carries into the final third of the pitch, averaging 1.66 times per 90, compared to Antonio’s 1.02 average, also via FBRef.

What makes King technically-gifted is his relentless energy to press the opposition’s backline. Again, only 14 other players across the whole division managed to win possession more times than the Norweigen dynamo (9.4 per 90).

It means his ruthless consistency in front of goal, ball-carrying skills and clinical finishing coupled with his dynamic versatility means West Ham could land the closest thing they’ve had to Di Canio, ever.

When speaking about King to Match of the Day, former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe dubbed him the “complete package” as he is “outstanding physically, technically and mentally” (via The Football Faithful).

Again, those words are cut from the same cloth as the Hammers legend.

It’s thought that King could be available for just £10m before Monday’s deadline, according to The Athletic’s Wolves reporter Tim Spiers (5th Jan Molineux View), so that would certainly present good value considering Salzburg would want €25m (£22.5m) for Daka.

Getting all the aforementioned attributes for half the price the club sold Sebastian Haller for would be an absolute bargain for Moyes. The Hammers’ hierarchy, namely David Sullivan, needs to get this done in the next few days.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Lingard: Why Hammers need to clinch this prolific machine…

West Ham United fans are eager to sign Danny Ings after it was revealed by ExWHUemployee that the Hammers are interested in the striker.

Ings is out of contract at Southampton at end of next season (Transfermarkt) and the 28-year-old is reportedly reluctant to put pen to paper on a new deal at St. Mary’s Stadium (Dan Sheldon) – he is said to be looking for European football. As it stands, West Ham are fifth in the Premier League table and just two points off the Champions League places (Sky Sports).

According to ExWHUemployee (via the West Ham Way podcast), the Hammers are interested in the forward. Ings has a fantastic track record, having scored 22 goals for the Saints in the top flight last term, while he has seven in 16 matches this time around. Throughout his career, he has 96 goals.

The news was relayed by Twitter account @WHUFC_News, and it seems the club’s supporters want him at the London stadium. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Ings news below

“I’m on my knees”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“This would be a dream absolutely love Ingsy great ST seems like such a good bloke too”

Credit: @olliebruton

“Throw every cheque book we have at him”

Credit: @NickMarrable

“I would take him in a heartbeat mate? I think he would be a great signing for West Ham.”

Credit: @richpickering4

“What a signing it would be if we can keep him fit”

Credit: @ScoutSoucek

“Would love him at West Ham. Him or Bamford.”

Credit: @mitchelchilds

In other news, ExWHUemployee has revealed another of West Ham’s summer transfer targets.

It has been reported recently in The Athletic that Southampton are willing to let Michael Obafemi leave in the January transfer window, should they agree a deal which suits both parties, meaning he could be allowed to leave on loan or permanently.

The Irishman has struggled for game time for the Saints this season, with Ralph Hasenhuttl rarely deviating from his front two of Che Adams and Danny Ings.

Even when Ings has been sidelined through injury, the Austrian manager has preferred loan signing Theo Walcott up front, whilst it seems as if youngsters Dan N’Lundulu and Nathan Tella have both moved ahead of Obafemi in the Saints pecking order.

As a result, he has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League so far this season, which will undoubtedly be disappointing for the 20-year-old when you consider that last season saw him make 21 appearances in the top-flight.

Hasenhuttl has criticised the youngster’s professionalism in the past, saying:

“The problem with Michael was always he would play one good game and then fall back a little bit and was not professional enough to force or keep his position in the team or in the squad.”

However, he has still shown himself as capable of being a threat in the Premier League, having contributed four goals and three assists in 29 appearances in the top-flight.

With Ings now sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury, you would hope that Obafemi would be given an opportunity to impress in the Saints’ upcoming fixtures, instead of goal-shy 33-year-old Shane Long, who started the Boxing Day fixture against Fulham.

Unless Obafemi can impress Hasenhuttl with his work rate in training, however, he is unlikely to be selected to replace Ings. The England international has proved to be a constant threat with his pressing in recent seasons, something which Obafemi hasn’t really shown so far in his time with the club.

The Republic of Ireland international is still just 20-years-old though and considering his contract is set to run until 2022, Martin Semmens and the Southampton board shouldn’t rush into a decision on the youngster in January, simply because he isn’t featuring as much in the first-team this season.

A loan move would perhaps be sensible, to ensure that Obafemi’s progress isn’t stifled too much, as they could definitely end up regretting selling the £4.05 million rated forward, as he showed enough last season to prove he can be a part of this Saints squad in the future.

Certainly, with Ings’ future still hanging in the balance, with the former Liverpool man yet to agree a new contract with the club, it would make even less sense to let Obafemi leave permanently, as the youngster could well prove to be the natural successor to Ings, provided he can start to show a bit more professionalism and prove to Hasenhuttl that he deserves to start.

It will be interesting to see whether the 20-year-old gets his chance in the Southampton first-team in the coming weeks but even if he doesn’t, the South Coast club shouldn’t allow him to leave permanently in the January transfer window.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl must make a brutal decision on “unbelievable” ace not good enough for the PL…

If the transfer window slams shut with Wolves doing no business, it will frustrate supporters.

The club have won just two of their last nine outings so arrivals need to be forthcoming. Fortunately, they have at least bolstered squad numbers by recalling Patrick Cutrone and Morgan Gibbs-White.

On the chalkboard

Gibbs-White spent the first half of the season on loan at Swansea but after playing just five games for the Championship outfit, he spent a period out injured.

It wasn’t the most profitable experience for the young attacking midfielder but it’s clear that Nuno Santo has trust in him.

He came off the bench in the club’s FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace last Friday but then started against Everton in an advanced role. Nuno will now be hoping that he can improve a lacklustre attack that has wilted since Raul Jimenez fractured his skull.

However, just as the Englishman has returned, could he already be in trouble? Considering Gibbs-White’s Wolves career to date, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he suffered another setback.

Tavernier to the rescue

According to TEAMtalk, Wolves are one of a number of Premier League sides to have registered an interest in Middlesbrough attacker Marcus Tavernier.

The 21-year-old is a rather versatile individual and as well as having the ability to play on the flanks, can also play in a central role just behind the striker.

Therefore, Gibbs-White clearly needs to watch out, especially when the Boro star has been challenged to replicate a current England international.

Speaking about Tavernier last summer, Neil Warnock said: “I think he’s got a few strings to his bow if I’m honest. I looked at Mason Mount the other night and how he’s come on in 12 months.

“There’s no reason why Tav can’t do that in the next 12 months if he motivates himself and listens. He’s got some great attributes and good habits. All being well we can put him in the right direction and he can become a very good player.”

You just need to assess the stats of the pairing in the Championship this season to understand why Wolves have to sign him.

In 2020/21, Tavernier has scored two goals and registered three assists, performing 1.8 shots per game. With that in mind, he’s a bigger goal threat than Gibbs-White, someone who managed one goal and only 1.4 shots a match for Swansea in comparison.

Tavernier, who earns £8k-per-week at the Riverside, is clearly a very talented player and given his age, could very quickly usurp Gibbs-White at Wolves.

After all, he’s receiving regular first-team football on a more consistent basis than his potential new teammate.

The Wolves youngster, for instance, only has 17 league starts to his name in his entire career. Tavernier has surpassed that in this season alone.

Considering Nuno loves developing new arrivals, he would be a brilliant addition. That being said, it could spell the end of the road for Gibbs-White’s progression.

AND in other news, Shi heading for costly error on 105-cap Wolves target once dubbed “out of this world”…

Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent has changed his agent, Football Insider has revealed.

Kent makes big change

The former Liverpool star was previously represented by the Crown Football agency, but it has now been revealed that his family, including his brother Casper Kent, will act as his agents from now on.

This comes after it was recently revealed the Gers were looking to extend the contract of the £3.15m-valued 24-year-old (Transfermarkt), with him potentially set to move into the top pay bracket of over £28,000 a week.

Could affect new deal

Changing agents is not uncommon in football, but the timing of this switch is interesting. These contract rumours have just emerged, a few months after the Oldham native was linked with a move to Leeds United in the Premier League.

The Gers will have to hope that Kent does not decide to change his demands as a result of this switch. Given that his family are now taking over, it would suggest that they are only asking for the best deal for Kent himself rather than worrying about huge commission for an agent or a representative. Called “wonderful” by Jurgen Klopp during his time at Liverpool, it would be a huge blow if Kent were to leave Ibrox any time soon.

In other news, this Rangers summer target impressed whilst on international duty.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Juventus are interested in swapping Paulo Dybala for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

What’s the word?

The Italian publication claims the Juventus striker is still of interest to the Red Devils and Andrea Pirlo’s side are open to offloading the 27-year-old at the earliest opportunity.

Reports in recent times revealed Premier League rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen to land the former Argentina international, who won 29 caps for his country.

It’s suggested that the Serie A giants want to secure the services of Pogba without paying a fee, with Dybala as part of negotiations in an attempt to sweeten the deal.

As we mentioned earlier, the board shouldn’t even begin to consider parting ways with Pogba, but they could be onto something with the £45m-rated maestro, who has established himself as one of the best strikers of his generation in Europe over the past couple of years or so.

Dybala could transform their fortunes

It’s no secret Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice striker Anthony Martial has struggled for consistency so far this season, with a tally of just two goals and two assists in total to his name.

Dybala would provide competition with Martial, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, and the Argentine could come in as the No. 1 second striker as the Frenchman faces an uncertain future.

The versatile forward, who can play in the midfield as well, could also be seen as an attractive option for the Red Devils if they fail to sign Erling Braut Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

In 239 appearances for the Old Lady, Dybala has bagged 96 times and 38 assists in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

Last season, he played 33 games in Serie A, scoring 11 goals and 6 assists, whilst he averaged 3 shots, 2.1 key passes and 2 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, popping up as a centre-forward and attacking midfielder on occasion as Juventus won their ninth straight Scudetto in a row despite a number of setbacks.

This sort of versatility would be most useful in Manchester and signing a striker who is capable of challenging Martial, Greenwood and Rashford for a place in the starting line-up would be a shrewd bit of business, especially when you consider the fact that Cavani isn’t getting any younger.

AND in other news, Manchester United must sanction swoop for Kieran Trippier in the summer…

Steve Howey believes that Newcastle United’s summer signing Jeff Hendrick has “gone a little bit quiet” in recent weeks after a strong start for the Toon.

During the recent transfer window, Steve Bruce’s outfit acquired the services of the Irish midfielder from fellow Premier League side Burnley. The 28-year-old middleman, who has won 57 caps for the Republic of Ireland, arrived at St. James’ Park on a free transfer from the Clarets having spent four seasons at Turf Moor.

In his debut for the Magpies, Hendrick delivered a stellar performance against West Ham United as he bagged a goal and provided an assist in the 2-0 victory. However, since then it seems that Howey believes that he has faded into the background a little although he does insist he believes it was a good addition for the club.

“He has gone a little bit quiet since the West Ham game,” Howey said speaking exclusively to Football FanCast.

“I mean, I think it was a decent signing when you get him for free but you’re not getting him for free because, obviously, there’s the wage there.

“You don’t play that many times for your country if there’s not something about you. So, he was definitely a good signing, I think to get him on a free was good.”

Since the opening game of the 2020/21 season, Hendrick has featured in all of the Toon’s Premier League matches but he has neither scored nor assisted another goal.

However, during the Irishman’s time with Sean Dyche’s Burnley, the midfielder was far from prolific as he netted just 10 goals and provided seven assists in 139 appearances.

Howey went on to state: “Obviously, I’ve watched him at his other clubs and I’ve always thought he was a solid player – a good pro. So, if you can get quality players, which he is a quality player, for pretty much nothing then you would take him.

“I mean, obviously, Ryan Fraser was another one but his wage will probably be a lot more than Hendrick’s but this is where Newcastle is, at the moment.”

With Hendrick only six games into the Premier League season as a Newcastle player, despite him not reaching the levels of his debut again, there is still plenty of time left for him to do so this term.

It would appear that  he is already a favourite of manager Bruce anyway, who has started him in every league game to date and described him as a “big asset” following his arrival.