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Harry Kane and Heung-min Son will understandably take the plaudits after Tottenham Hotspur’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Southampton.

The former got four assists and a goal, while the latter scored four times throughout the match, which says enough about just how impressive their respective performances were.

However, Jose Mourinho, and Spurs fans, can also be pleased with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s display in midfield, as he came up against his former club.

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He was hit with a tough challenge from Oriol Romeu fairly early on, but this did not deter the Denmark international from putting in a solid performance.

The 25-year-old won four of the six aerial duels that he competed in, as well as winning one tackle, completing one interception and one clearance.

In addition to his defensive and combative involvements, Hojbjerg showed quality with the ball at his feet, completing 83% of the passes that he attempted, as well as completing both of his dribbles.

He was also able to see plenty of the ball, holding 6% of the game’s overall possession, a number that was only exceeded by Harry Winks among his fellow Spurs players.

Having seen his side collectively struggle during the first half, after losing against Everton, Mourinho will be feeling particularly pleased with the eventual scoreline.

The way that they went about securing the one-sided result will make this feel even better for the Portuguese tactician.

He can also add the fact that one of his summer signings put in a highly impressive performance to his positives from the day.

Chelsea are firmly in the running to sign Ben Chilwell from Leicester, but David Alaba could be a much more sensible option.

According to The Athletic (via Sportsmole), the Blues have approached Bayern Munich to discuss whether they would be open to selling the left-back in the upcoming transfer window.

Frank Lampard and his side are on the hunt to seemingly replace Marcos Alonso ahead of next season, who has been linked to a Stamford Bridge departure. The Athletic has reported that Chilwell is the club’s ‘leading target’, but he will command a hefty transfer fee. According to the Evening Standard, Leicester have valued the 23-year-old at £80million, which could be out of the question if the Blues also want to secure big money target Kai Havertz.

As a result of the mammoth asking price, Chelsea are starting to scout out other targets, with Bayern Munich’s Alaba on the list. His current Transfermarkt value is £46.8m, which is a much friendlier amount for a defender with a lot of experience.

The Austria international boasts 380 appearances for Bayern, contributing to 78 goals in that time. He also has a Club World Cup and Champions League trophy to his name, along with nine Bundesliga titles (via Transfermarkt).

For a side pushing to compete in the Champions League next season, Alaba would be a good fit for Chelsea. If they keep up their current Premier League form, they will finish inside the top four. A veteran of the domestic game and an international star could be exactly the kind of presence the Blues need to help take them to the next level.

Chelsea will also be saving a large sum of money which they could put towards bolstering other areas of the team.

For almost half the price and with a history of silverware, the Blues would be missing a trick not to pursue a move for Alaba in the upcoming window.

Do you think Chelsea should sign David Alaba ahead of next season? Join the conversation in the comments below!

The SFA have confirmed that the Scottish transfer window will be open from July 14 to October 5, giving Glasgow Rangers both a boost and a blow in equal measure.

The pandemic has thrown the football calendar into chaos, with leagues either ending prematurely, as in Scotland, or being suspended and subsequently extended until the end of July, as is the case with the Premier League.

It had been unclear as to how long the transfer window would be open but now the SPFL have confirmed that it will be open from July 14 until October 5, which equates to 12 weeks or three months.

This is both a boost and a blow to the Ibrox outfit. From a positive point of view, this means that the ‘Gers have plenty of time to complete the deals they need to strengthen their squad, with some deals needing plenty of time to be completed, especially in this current climate.

On the other hand, though, it could damage their hopes of holding onto a certain Alfredo Morelos. The striker has been linked with a move away from the blue side of Glasgow over the past few weeks and months, with Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and, more recently, Everton said to be interested. With a Transfermarkt value of £10.8m, he would likely bring in a substantial fee, but Steven Gerrard will want to keep his top scorer from 2019/20 as he plans for the next campaign.

Either way, it promises to be an important window for the ‘Gers. It is up to Ross Wilson and co to give Gerrard the best possible chance of success.

‘Gers fans, are you happy with the dates for the Scottish transfer window? Let us know what you think by commenting below!

Name: Rhian Brewster

Club: Liverpool

Date of Birth: 1 April 2000

Position: Centre-forward

Rhian Brewster – His career so far

Rhian Brewster is one of the Liverpool youngsters who are currently out on loan in search for better opportunities and a more stable path towards developing properly. The 20-year-old centre-forward is now plying his trade at Swansea City but the early signs do point towards him having a big career if he can continue progressing the same way.

His Liverpool journey, however, started when he was a 15-year-old boy as he joined the Scousers from Chelsea and rapidly progressed through their ranks. Both his debuts at the U18 and U23 levels were marked with success and he even bagged a goal in a 3-0 win vs Ipswich Town in the Premier League Cup on January 22, 2017 for the latter squad.

Spells with both teams ended up being quite thrilling for the youngster and he managed to record five goals and four assists in just 11 games for the U18s and even more impressively, 13 goals and ten assists across a total of 28 matches for the U23s. It should also be noted that he was a part of Liverpool’s UEFA U19 team, rattling the inside of the net two times in six appearances.

Interestingly enough, Brewster really didn’t have to wait long for his first encounters with the senior squad as he was named in their matchday squad for the first time, aged just 17, in a home Premier League game with Crystal Palace in April 2017.

Still, injuries and other obstacles stood in the way of his progress and he only managed to tally three senior appearances since, once in the FA Cup against Everton and two times the EFL Cup, all in 2019/20.

But it should also be noted that he was on the bench for both Liverpool’s historic wins over Barcelona at Anfield and against Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Champions League when the Reds conquered Europe.

Following those three appearances for the seniors, Brewster was sent out on loan to Swansea where he can currently boast with four goals in 11 appearances.

Transfer latest

At the very moment, we’re still waiting for any kind of Liverpool news on Brewster’s loan deal which is set to expire in the coming summer. But the changes to the market caused by the recent outside events could, of course, make things much more complicated.

But the latest transfer rumours do indicate that the likes of Leeds United are interested in taking the 20-year-old forward on loan as well but they were actually warned against that by their former player, Danny Mills.

After his exit to Swansea, Brewster talked at length about the transfer news that confirmed his departure, saying that he had to go out on loan in order to get more minutes and ensure he keeps developing.

At the moment, those are all the transfer rumours surrounding the young forward and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him in these unprecedented times.

Player profile

One of Brewster’s biggest assets is definitely his sheer versatility. Even though he is a centre-forward by trade, he’s been used both in wider and deeper areas throughout his career, according to the games Transfermarkt have in their database.

His heatmap suggests the same thing – typically the centre-forwards will mostly be prioritising the area inside the opposition’s box but Brewster drifts wide on both flanks and interacts with his teammates all over the final third.

This is done both instinctively as a part of his player profile but also as a tactical way of confusing the opposition by constantly swapping places with some of the other forwards and midfielders, making the task of marking them that much more difficult.

Even though he does have an eye for goal, he averages just 1.86 shots per game with 44.4% accuracy so that means there’s still some room for improvement there. Similarly, he can sometimes be brushed off the ball far too easily and adding more muscle could be a good idea for the youngster in the near future.

So far, no Liverpool news suggests he’ll have a major role in the team upon his return but maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep developing elsewhere until he’s ready for such a huge step-up.

The talent is certainly there.

Despite arriving from Spanish side Valencia back in 2013, Pedro Chirivella has struggled to make a real impression on the Liverpool first-team in the years since.

The midfielder has made just 11 appearances in total for the senior side at Anfield, spending the majority of his time with the youth teams or out on loan to the likes of Willem II and Go Ahead Eagles.

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Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Nantes were poised to finally end his stay on Merseyside this summer, but now, it appears Jurgen Klopp’s side have had second thoughts about allowing him to go.

According to Goal, the Reds have offered Chirivella a new five-year deal after having “been by his performances and application this season” – his current contract is set to expire at the end of June.

After hearing about the update on the 22-year-old, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

One Liverpool fan however seemed to be a big fan of Chirivella’s talents, even suggesting that they saw the “next Xabi Alonso in him”.

At 22, Chirivella can no longer be seen as an up-and-coming prospect, and if anything, should have shown by now that he is ready to make the grade.

Giving a new five-year contract to someone who has barely played at all in his time at Anfield, simply blocks the path of a more promising academy product trying to make their way through into the senior set-up.

It certainly seems a strange decision.

Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has claimed that the Elland Road club must find a replacement for Pablo Hernandez this summer, in an interview with Football Insider.

What did he say?

Hernandez has been brilliant since returning to English football in 2016 and has proven a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.

Aged 35, the former Valencia and Swansea City man is nearing the end of his career, although he would likely relish the chance to play in the Premier League again.

Whelan said that while Hernandez has been brilliant for the club, they need to replace him with a player in his prime that can replicate his skills.

“There is a lack of Premier League experience and a lack of quality in certain areas,” he told Football Insider.

“You have Pablo Hernandez coming to the back end of his career and he is the one player that can produce that bit of brilliance. He is a standout player and he will need replacing.

“It will cost you money to get a player like Pablo Hernandez in his prime but it does make the difference.

“To complement that, you need a striker to get on the end of his passes and crosses from wide areas. That is going to cost money.”

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Transfer hunt

Hernandez has been a key man for Leeds under Bielsa and certainly adds a level of creativity and flair from his wide position.

Although he could stay at the club, adding more of this type of player to the squad would certainly prove a boost for the squad and would allow Leeds to phase the Spaniard out, rather than relying on him at the age of 36.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Despite failing to earn the trust of England boss Gareth Southgate, Manchester United are reportedly preparing a January move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish. But would a move to Old Trafford really be of benefit to the Villans’ midfield maestro?

Two goals and three assists following promotion to the Premier League: the last six months and this seasonhave marked substantial milestones in the career of Villa’s playmaker who is truly starting to put his stamp on the top-flight.

Having captained his boyhood club to the top tier of English football, Grealish has impressed in his 10 league games so far this season, but consequently 13-time Premier League champions Manchester United could look to test the resolve of Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris in January, according to reports from ESPN.

Whilst a move to one of English football’s most successful teams could seem appealing – as well as the prospect of European football – Grealish is at a crossroads in his career whereby consistent minutes and playing time within the starting XI will be fundamental to his progression; particularly if the 24-year-old is to convince Gareth Southgate is he worthy of a spot in the England squad.

Moving to United would be a gamble for the playmaker, with the plethora of attacking talent at Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s disposal meaning there is no guarantee of regular playing time, competing with the likes of Daniel James, Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira for a starting berth.

That’s not even bringing the injured Paul Pogba into the equation. He’s very much United’s flagship entity and one can only hazard a guess at how both the Frenchman and Grealish would fit into the same midfield without stepping on each other’s toes.

Regardless of United’s potential investment in him, the Villa star will unlikely be earning a starting berth ahead of a World Cup winner and former world-record signing; he’ll need to adapt his game around Pogba’s if he’s going to be a success at Old Trafford.

And given the crucial junction that Grealish finds himself at in the 2019/20 campaign with regards to taking the step up to international football, this is not the time for a move to Manchester despite the financial and footballing attractions that may lie at Old Trafford.

Mason Mount, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Maddison all represent fierce competition to be the creative outlet in England’s midfield, and Grealish is far better off proving his credentials within a team that’s already built to try and get the best out of him, rather than finding himself shoehorned in elsewhere.

At Villa, Grealish is one of the first names on the team sheet under Dean Smith, having started all of the games he has been fit for this season, and to give that up mid-way through the current campaign would represent a sizeable risk for the 24-year-old; a risk with a price that Grealish simply cannot afford to pay.

Perhaps Grealish is destined to ply his trade at the very top of the Premier League, but this January really isn’t the time for him to find out.

After making 246 appearances for the Sky Blues and helping to secure their first trophies under the Sheikh Mansour era, Micah Richards has now revealed what it was like coming through the academy and who he looked up to at the club.

Before a niggling knee injury cut his career short, Richards was considered one of the most dynamic full-backs in the Premier League – especially during his early to middle years at City, with the Englishman grabbing the most assists by a defender in the 2011/2012 season.

However, like all up and coming stars, he had to first march his way through the academy set up for a chance in the first team, eventually getting the nod from Stuart Pearce to make his debut in the FA Cup against Aston Villa – a moment the Citizens cult hero is very unlikely to forget.

The travelling fans at Villa park that evening erupted into euphoria when Richards climbed highest to head home a last minute equaliser.

Speaking to Bwin as part of their ‘The Season Ahead’ series, Richards detailed the journey up to that pivotal point in his career, and who he idolised most on the way up.

“My earliest memories of playing football were probably just down the park with my friends,” explained the 31-year-old. “That’s when you enjoy football the most.”

“As soon as I went from academy to first team training, Richard Dunne was always a person I looked up to, he was consistent. He won Player of the Year four years in a row, that’s unheard of nowadays.”

Indeed, Dunne was a colossal figure for the Sky Blues at that time, mostly partnering Sylvain Distin in the centre of defence and helping to keep a then-struggling City side in England’s top flight.

When Distin left the City of Manchester Stadium for Everton, Richards was then chosen to partner their Irish captain ahead of Sven Goran Eriksson’s only season in charge at the club, with new signing Vedran Corluka put into his preferred right-back slot.

As a result, the Englishman’s impressive form – including a Man of the Match display in City’s 1-0 home win over bitter rivals Manchester United – resulted in him being tipped for glory. He would go on to win a Premier League title and an FA Cup with City, etching his name into club folklore.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

Birmingham City are reportedly preparing a January move for Nahki Wells in a potential deal which would threaten to derail QPR’s season.

The Burnley striker is in his second loan spell at the club in as many years and he appears to be enjoying life under Mark Warburton, playing alongside Jordan Hugill.

According to The Sun (03/11, p.61), as reported by HITC, the Clarets want £6m for the 29-year-old, a figure which likely puts him out of the west London outfit’s reach if they were to attempt a permanent transfer.

The club had to offload players in the summer in an attempt to reduce the wage bill, and therefore an approach by Blues would likely leave QPR in a position where they are forced to see Wells depart.

Mark Warburton will hold out hope that Burnley stay true to the season-long loan deal arrangement, and not recall him in a couple of months in order to move him on, as to lose him now would be a big blow.

Wells has become a key focal point of the attack and fitted in well with Hugill and Eberechi Eze, and his departure would likely mean that QPR can say goodbye to any hopes of making the play-offs.

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The Bermuda international already has seven league goals this term, equalling his total in the 2018/19 season.

It also means he is well on his way to bettering the totals achieved by the highest scorer in each of the past four campaigns, with Matt Smith’s tally of 11 in 2017/18 the highest in those years.

That underlines his importance to the team, while he has twice linked up with Hugill to participate in goals, allowing his strike partner to thrive in this QPR set-up as well.

According to WhoScored, he has averaged 0.8 key passes from his 13 league games, and that has played a significant part in QPR ranking joint-third for goals scored in the Championship, with a total of 24.

It is difficult to find all-round strikers such as Wells, particularly when the club is seeking loan deals due to budget constraints, and that means the club could easily fail to replace him sufficiently.

Losing his goals would increase the reliance on Hugill and Eze, both of whom face an uncertain future, with Hugill also on loan and Premier League interest in the latter.

As a result, QPR should do whatever they can to keep him at the club, as he could be an effective long-term servant.

Wednesday 13th November 2019 marked the ninth anniversary of a classic fixture between Aston Villa and Manchester United (@avfchistory).

The two played out a high scoring match at Villa Park, which ultimately finished as a 2-2 draw.

It was actually a pretty dull game until late on. Indeed, the score remained at 0-0 after 70 minutes had been played.

However, it burst into life in the 72nd minute when Wes Brown brought down Ashley Young in the box, with the winger scoring the subsequent penalty (BBC Sport).

Just four minutes later Villa doubled their lead, with Marc Albrighton finding the back of the net (BBC Sport). It looked for all the world like the West Midlands outfit would go on to win from there, but that wasn’t the case.

Federico Macheda pulled one back with just nine minutes left to play, before centre-back Nemanja Vidic scored a dramatic equaliser in the 85th minute (BBC Sport).

Twitter account @avfchistory posted a video of the highlights from that match on Wednesday, and several Aston Villa fans responded by expressing their disbelief that they didn’t win that game, even though it was nine years ago…

Aston Villa fans, what are your memories of the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in 2010? Let us know in the comments below…