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Newcastle United’s defensive midfielder Sandro Tonali has recently been involved in a public betting scandal, and a reliable journalist has now delivered an update based on what he’s heard from St. James’ Park.

What happened to Sandro Tonali?

Following the Premier League 2-2 draw against West Ham United, Tonali left the northeast to go and represent his nation, Italy, for their two fixtures over the international break, but he was sent away from their training ground after being one of two players named in a football betting probe.

According to Sky Sports Italy, Eddie Howe’s summer signing has since admitted to betting on AC Milan to win matches whilst he was still a player there, and his situation hasn’t yet started to get any easier.

The Magpies star’s agent has confirmed that his client has an addiction to gambling, as per the same outlet, and whilst that isn’t the news that supporters will want to hear, his openess could certainly help his case when it comes to key figures deciding on the length of his ban.

The Football Association have revealed that the 23-year-old is still available for selection for Saturday’s home fixture against Crystal Palace as things stand, but with the club having made no further comment, it’s clear that there are mixed emotions behind the scenes.

Sandro Tonali betting scandal update

Taking to X, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie shared an update on Sandro Tonali and revealed that Newcastle are shocked to learn of their central talisman’s behaviour, whilst suggesting how long he could be away from the action for if seriously punished.

“The most severe punishment for this conduct is a three-year ban from football Worldwide. However Tonali likely to be served a lesser ban for his help with the investigation. No comment from #NUFC at this stage, but understand this has come as a surprise to the club.”

Following this update, Newcastle will rightly not know what to say or do at this moment in time until the investigation has drawn to a complete close, but considering the hugely positive impact Tonali is able to make on the pitch, it would certainly be a blow for Howe if he was to lose his services for the foreseeable.

The Lodi native has posted 57 contributions, 31 assists and 26 goals, since the start of his career which highlights his desire to get involved with the action in the final third, and that is an attribute that he’s carried into the new campaign in the northeast (Transfermarkt – Tonali statistics).

Howe’s £120k-per-week earner (Newcastle salaries), has also whipped 11 crosses into the opposition’s penalty area so far this season, which is actually the second-highest total throughout the squad behind Kieran Trippier (FBRef – Newcastle statistics).

Furthermore, Tonali is a versatile operator having been deployed in four out of the five positions in the midfield, though if he’s found to be guilty of everything that he’s admitted to, the boss is set to be without that quality for potentially at least a year at St. James’ Park.

Leeds United could be set to lose one of their senior players next year, with a fresh report revealing that club chiefs have already set their price range.

Leeds' summer departures

Daniel Farke sanctioned the sales of 15 players over the summer, Tyler Adams, Rodrigo, Tyler Roberts, Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles being the ones to leave on a permanent basis, whilst the remaining ten were sent out on a season-long loan to increase their game time.

The Whites will be aware that the likes of Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville attracted significant interest during the previous transfer window, so there’s a strong possibility that they could be on the move in the coming months, but they aren’t the only ones to have been linked with an exit.

Maximilian Wober joined Borussia Monchengladbach back in July until the end of the campaign, following the club’s relegation to the Championship, and it’s fair to say that he’s made a fantastic start to life on the road in the Bundesliga.

The Austrian centre-back has firmly established himself as Gerardo Seoane’s overall best-performing player so far this season with a match rating of 7.04 (WhoScored – Borussia Monchengladbach statistics), and the 25-year-old’s form means that his loan club are keen to retain his services next year.

Leeds open to Maximilian Wober sale

According to Fussball News (via The Yorkshire Evening Post), Leeds have named their price for Maximilian Wober.

“Borussia Monchengladbach reportedly know how much they will have to pay if they want to keep Leeds star Max Wober. Much will likely depend on whether the Whites can return to the top flight, but Fussball News have reported a vague asking price.

"They say Monchengladbach will have to pay a ‘low-end double digit figure’ (eight figures) to land Wober permanently amid his comfortable adaption to life with his loan club. Wober only joined Leeds in January.”

Whilst Leeds understandably wanted to get Wober off their wage bill after making the drop down to the second tier, he can be a true “leader” at the heart of a backline, according to former manager Jesse Marsch, so selling him for good may be the wrong decision.

Standing at 6 foot 2, Vienna’s native currently ranks in the 99th percentile for blocks per 90 minutes by players in his position (FBRef – Wober statistics), and he's made 19 tackles so far this season, which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Borussia Monchengladbach statistics), displaying his desire to get stuck in and clear the danger for his team.

The German outfit’s left-footed ace is also capable of getting involved at the opposite end of the pitch having clocked up 32 contributions, 17 assists and 15 goals, since the start of his career (Transfermarkt – Wober statistics), so the fact that he can make an impact in both boxes is a huge bonus for Farke.

Furthermore, Wober has the versatility to operate at left-back and higher up in two midfield roles alongside his usual position at centre-back, so keeping him in the building upon his return from his loan really is a no-brainer of a decision to make should the club be able to afford having him on the books.

A year of malaise had done its damage. On 29 May 2023 – the final game of the 2022/23 Premier League season – Tottenham Hotspur swept relegated Leeds United aside at Elland Road to win 4-1, but the emphatic result did little to paper over the cracks.Spurs had endured a terrible season and that big victory – with two Harry Kane goals at the centre – failed to salvage European football and has since proved to be the club's record scorer's swansong, having joined Bayern Munich in August.Ange Postecoglou has changed the narrative since his managerial appointment in June, however, making some impactful signings and restoring the withered crop already within the ranks.And now, ten games into the Premier League term, Tottenham have eclipsed expectations, delightfully ensconced in first place, two points ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City.Of course, things can change in a flash at this phase of the year, and given that the upcoming run of fixtures are certainly not easy, a clearer picture will materialise come the end of the calendar year.

Date

Team

Position

6/11/23

Chelsea (H)

10th

11/11/23

Wolves (A)

12th

26/11/23

Aston Villa (H)

5th

03/12/23

Man City (A)

3rd

07/12/23

West Ham (H)

9th

10/12/23

Newcastle (H)

6th

It's, frankly, a daunting period, but Postecoglou will maintain the belief that Spurs have the capacity to blitz through and continue their charge as the division's table-toppers.Manchester United and Liverpool have already been defeated, while a convincing draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium supports the claim that Tottenham are the real deal.Up next, Chelsea, and while the Blues' campaign has been a stark contrast to the Lilywhites' soaring ascent, Mauricio Pochettino has been working to instil his system and he will feel that his squad have what it takes to strike a blow into their rival's lofty goals.The Postecoglou revolution is a product of the Australian's charisma, cunning and confidence in his players' potential, and the work he has done in transforming the atmosphere from the pitch to the dressing room to the very boardroom itself is extraordinary.Summer signings such as James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have been a resounding success, but the revival of new captain Heung-min Son, who has eight Premier League goals already, and tenacious midfield engine Yves Bissouma has been equally, if not more, impressive.Some have not quite enjoyed the biggest of resurgences yet, with Richarlison improving after a dreadful maiden year in London, though still some way from living up to the £60m price tag after joining from Everton in 2022.

Richarlison's season in numbers

Last year, Richarlison endured a testing year after several years of talismanic service at Goodison Park, only scoring once from 27 Premier League outings, branded a "joke" by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino.He's looking better under Postecoglou's wing, and has in fact posted two goals and three assists from 11 matches across all competitions, including four direct goal contributions from his past four top-flight starts.Pundit Ally McCoist is still unconvinced however, and revealed that the player of "extreme talent" does not use his skills in the best fashion and is "frustrating" to watch at times.

Primarily playing on the left wing, with Son occupying the centre-forward role, the Brazilian will need to see an upswing in his productivity if he is to retain a starting berth.The discourse does seem to centre around the 26-year-old despite him actually outperforming Dejan Kulusevski this season, who will now be worried for his spot in the team following the events of Tottenham's recent victory over Crystal Palace.

Kulusevski's season in numbers

Kulusevski started off so brightly in London after joining from Juventus on an initial loan in January 2022, which was made permanent this summer, posting five goals and eight assists from 14 Premier League starts during the 2021/22 campaign.The question that arises from Spurs' newfound success is whether the Swede is truly performing at the level required to sustain this unlikely, inspiring title charge.

He has scored twice from ten Premier League starts this season, playing the full 90 on eight occasions, but seemingly isn't quite thriving. That being said, he's been unequivocally solid and has averaged 2.2 key passes per game, highlighting his consistent creativity.However, given Brennan Johnson's display off the bench against the Eagles last week, perhaps it's now time for Postecoglou to shake things up and unleash the Welshman in his stead, with the visit of Chelsea on Monday night potentially crucial in preserving top spot across the winter period.

Brennan Johnson's style of play

Johnson signed for Tottenham from Nottingham Forest in a £47.5m deal this summer, offering a dynamic skill set and "frightening" pace – as was once said by countryman Joe Allen – that could cause Chelsea a world of problems.Johnson played a central role in Forest's successful bid for survival last term, plundering ten goals and three assists across all competitions and strutting his skills with enough conviction to convince the Liltywhites to pay up.The £70k-per-week forward will be valuable against Chelsea, utilising his innate talents to weave through the lines and wreak havoc against an underperforming outfit. But more importantly, he could inflict damage on the opposition across multiple matches going forward and must now receive the chance to stake his claim for a prominent role.Against Palace, as per Sofascore, he grabbed his assist, completed 88% of his passes, made two key passes and won two of his three contested ground duels, all in 26 minutes.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, underscoring a directness and tenacity that could be used to complement the current crop of starters.The 21-cap international is brimming with potential that hasn't been reached yet, and he's in the perfect environment to realise his ability under a sage manager like Postecoglou, and considering that he outscored both Richarlison and Kulusevski while plying his trade for the Tricky Trees last year, surely he deserves a shot now?The Nottingham native needs to start being entrusted with a starting spot, though, and given that Kulusevski is performing solidly, if unspectacularly, then it might be the apt moment to unleash the 22-year-old from the outset.Now with a taste for goals after setting up his captain at Selhurst Park, Johnson could prove to truly make his mark and give his manager a welcome selection headache going forward.

Until four years after England's 1966 World Cup coronation, women's football had been banned professionally for nearly 50 years. But while the Three Lions have failed to rediscover that winning touch through countless near-misses and summers of hurt, the Lionesses' triumphant roar in 2022 finally brought football home again.

The 2-1 win over Germany marked a jubilant end to a tournament that changed the course of women's football forever. And as popularity surges in England each year, more and more footballers and teams are achieving deserved stardom. In the Lioness pride, each member is loved and cherished in their own right. But of them all, perhaps nobody better parades both the close connection the team has with their fans off the pitch and the achievements they've experienced on it than Ella Toone.

A bright-eyed go-getter for England and Manchester United, Toone has made a name for herself as a talented footballer and down-to-earth role model. In this article, Football FanCast aims to detail everything you need to know about the midfielder in football and beyond.

Ella Toone's age

24 years old

Born on September 2nd 1999, in Tyldesley, Wigan, Ella Toone is currently 24 years old.

At both club and international level, she is one of the younger players to regularly feature in the starting lineup, despite the feeling that she has been around for a while.

The misconception comes from the simple fact that Toone broke into football from an early age, making an instant impact to quickly become an ever-present for Man United and England.

Ella Toone's height

5ft 4in

Ella Toone is 163 cm (5ft 4in), which makes her joint third-shortest player in the current England squad, ahead of only Jordan Nobbs (5ft 2in), and Katie Robinson and Georgia Stanway (both 5ft 3in).

Her low centre of gravity is a source of success for the midfielder, who is able to weave in and out of tight spaces to puncture holes in opposition defences before creating moments of brilliance for herself and her teammates.

Despite her height, Toone still shows exceptional strength on and off the ball. Her tenacity to make a difference in every game she plays means she's never afraid to mix it in midfield with those taller and ordinarily stronger than her.

Ella Toone's stats and club career

Manchester United through and through

As a girlhood Manchester United fan, Toone's start to life in football couldn't have been any better when she signed a youth contract with the Red Devils in 2007.

But with her favourite club lacking a senior team, after six years of working her way through grassroots level, she was forced to move elsewhere for first team football. In 2016, she joined rivals Manchester City but continued to play for Blackburn Rovers in the National League on dual registration terms, having signed for Rovers in 2013.

In July 2018, Toone rejoined Manchester United for their inaugural season in the FA Women's Championship for the 2018–19 campaign – one of seven players to return to the senior side having played for the club at youth level. The midfielder made a full circle in her early career as she was handed the opportunity to return to the club she loved when they saw the value of the women's game.

Toone has stayed with the Red Devils ever since, going on to score 35 goals in 105 league appearances across five years where United earned promotion to the Women's Super League in their maiden year before flaunting their swift rise to power by making it to last season's FA Cup final, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to serial winners Chelsea in front of 77,390 spectators at Wembley Stadium.

Women's Super League

85

21

24

Women's FA Cup

11

3

FA WSL Cup

23

8

2

At the start of the 2023/24 campaign, Man United missed out on Champions League qualification after falling to a dramatic defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. After six WSL games, they sit 3rd behind Arsenal, four points adrift of Chelsea, who occupy the summit and have won the league in each of the previous four seasons.

But despite stumbling into the final hurdle last season and struggling to keep up with the usual frontrunners this term, Toone's rise through football mirrors that of her club. From uncertainty of where both stood in football to ascending through the ranks to achieve fair representation, the two have become a match made in heaven.

Man United is also still a work in progress. As they continue to sit up and take notice of their women's team, there is no doubt that Toone and Co will reap the rewards in years to come.

Ella Toone's international career

When football finally came home

On international duty, Ella Toone has ditched near-misses of success at Man United and skipped the often-necessary formative stages of building toward glory in favour of immediate triumph.

Playing through the youth ranks of U17, U19, and U21, Toone got her senior call-up and made her international debut in September 2021. After scoring a hat-trick just a month later against Latvia during 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification, the bright-eyed midfield livewire needn't wait long before she helped her country achieve silverware.

In June 2022, Toone was included in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2022. She appeared in every match as a substitute, and scored twice.

Her first goal was an 84th-minute equaliser against Spain in the quarter-finals to send the game into extra-time, eventually winning 2–1. Her second goal was in the final to give England the lead against Germany in the 62nd minute. England won 2–1 in extra-time, winning the tournament and bringing football home after nearly five decades of the men trying and failing.

The two goals, particularly her audacious chip in the final, has given Toone the label of being England's sweetheart. In a team built on togetherness, resilience in the face of adversity, and the initiative to make football the beautiful game again, she was often the one to grab big moments by the scruff of the neck and score key goals at crucial times.

All in all, Toone has scored 17 goals from midfield in 42 England senior caps, adding the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup and inaugural Women's Finalissima to her international trophy haul since bringing it home at the European Championships.

2021

8

6

2022

19

9

2023

15

2

In the 2023 Women's World Cup, the Lionesses continued to prove they were England's best football team when they made it to the final for the first time since 1966. Ella Toone was again at the centre of attention when she scored a thunderous opener into the top-right corner against hosts Australia in the semi-finals.

However, Wiegman and her team's fairytale endured its first brooding twist in the final when Spain pipped the Lionesses to victory. Still, the words of praise that emanated after the final whistle in England depicted pride and gratitude towards the team. Every player in the squad are household names and dubbed heroes in their home nation.

Luckily, there was no time to dwell for Toone, who is continuing her international duties through the newly-created Women's Nations League, which acts as a qualification route for next summer's Olympics held in France.

Ella Toone's salary

£70,000 per year

Ella Toone's annual salary stands at £70,000, which makes her one of the highest earners in the Man United Women's side. However, a study for the 2021/22 season revealed that the women's mean hourly pay was 86.1 percent lower than the men's. According to Sports Brief.

But as popularity continues to rise in the women's game, this pay gap is slowly narrowing. With Toone still in the early years of her career, there is hope that she will earn more as she carries on putting in great performances for club and country.

Ella Toone's net worth

Between £1 million and £3 million

Ella Toone net worth is estimated to be somewhere between £1 million and £3 million. Exact figures for Toone’s net worth are hard to come by, which is partly due to the lack of availability of salaries in women’s football outside the highest paid players.

Toone notched over 150,000 new Instagram followers after her goal in the Euros final. Endorsement opportunities flooded in for England’s stars, with Toone promoting Nike on her Instagram account.

She has also worked with JD Sports, Tesco, McDonald’s, and penned a deal with WOW HYDRATE in 2021. All of these partnerships will have bolstered Toone’s net worth.

Ella Toone and Alessia Russo's friendship

Tooney and Lessi Russo…

Ella Toone and Alessia Russo have been friends since they were 12 years old, regularly attending the same football training camps before eventually becoming teammates at Manchester United.

Although Alessia moved to Arsenal in July, the pair have been reunited on the pitch as part of the 2023 World Cup squad.

Speaking about their friendship, Alessia said, '[We] both had the dream of one day playing for England, so then to do it and [win], it was special. I don't think many best friends can say that they've done that.'

The duo often embrace each other and share a bond that has been adored by their fans, who created a chant after them in the tune of Status Quo's 'Rockin' All over The World' during the Euros.

Ella Toone's TikTok & YouTube accounts

A personality fit for social media

Alongside her football career, Ella Toone's bubbly personality and much-loved humour has allowed her to connect with fans through social media.

When she's not making a name for herself by scoring from outside of the box, 'Tooney' is in front of a camera on TikTok or YouTube.

With over 500k followers on TikTok and nearly 60k YouTube subscribers, fans are given access to Ella Toone's life away from football.

Ella Toone's partner

Joe Bunney

Ella is currently dating Macclesfield forward Joe Bunney.

Whilst the pair are incredibly loved up, Joe is actually a massive Manchester City supporter, making things a bit awkward since his other half plays for Manchester United.

Speaking about her partner in an interview, Toone said, “Whenever I go to Joe’s games, the amount of lads who come over to me is mad and that is what really makes me smile.

“I stand there a lot of the time with my hood up, trying to watch, but they’ll say, ‘Are you Ella Toone of United? Can I have a picture?'"

In the same interview, Toone revealed she often goes to her partner for advice when she's struggling on the pitch, saying: “I always speak to my dad and then Joe. ‘How can I be better? What did I not do well?’ I know they will always be honest with me. When Dad or Joe say I have played well, I know I have."

Nottingham Forest have endured a tricky spell in the Premier League with only one win in their last eight matches.

Given this wretched run of form, the Reds can consider themselves lucky to have an eight-point comfort blanket separating them from 18th-place Sheffield United.

With quality seriously lacking at the bottom of the table, particularly from all three promoted sides, Forest should survive comfortably and avoid falling victim to second-season syndrome.

However, Steve Cooper's side will have aspirations of being more than just perennial top-flight survivors and will want to start making inroads towards the league's top half.

That said, Forest could perform surgery on their squad by adding more quality additions in the transfer window and the rumours circulating suggest the club could be busy once more.

Here's how a Nottingham Forest starting XI could look at the end of January…

1 GK – Odysseas Vlachodimos

Forest captured Vlachidomos from Portuguese giants Benfica and he's recently stolen the number one jersey from Matt Turner, who started their first ten Premier League matches.

The Greek goliath has impressed across his first two starts, racking up an impressive six saves from shots inside the box and recording the highest average Sofascore rating in the Reds squad (7.35). If the 29-year-old continues this form, Turner will struggle to earn his spot back.

2 RB – Ola Aina

An athletic and versatile defender, Aina moved to the club this summer after departing Serie A side Torino. The former Chelsea academy graduate has endeared himself in fine fashion to the City Ground faithful, terrorising the opposition with his explosive pace and power while offering excellent output down the right flank. His venomous strike in the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa showcased his capabilities as an attacking wing-back.

3 CB – Murillo

Cooper dipped into the South American market in the summer to prise talented centre-back Murillo away from Brazilian giants Corinthians. He's since established himself as a warrior at the heart of the Forest defence in recent weeks, winning 66% of his ground duels and recovering five balls per game. The 21-year-old has also showcased his ability with the ball at his feet, averaging 82% pass completion and completing 90% of his successful dribbles – 1.2 per game.

4 CB – Nino

According to recent reports, Forest are going back to Brazil this January to capture the highly-rated Fluminense centre-back Nino, who would be an excellent partner for Murillo. The report states that the 26-year-old could cost around £6m and that looks like a snip for someone who helped his side win the Copa Libertadores earlier this month and was also called up to the Brazil squad.

If that doesn't underline his talents, the fact that the 6 foot 2 titan has recorded an accurate pass completion of 91% and recovered four balls per game in 2023 probably will.

5 LB – Zaidu Sanusi

Whilst Harry Toffolo is currently performing admirably in the left-back position, Cooper could find a long-term replacement by signing Zaidu Sanusi from Porto.

The Reds were reportedly preparing a bid for the title-winning 26-year-old in the summer, though, a move never materialised further than that. If the club were to reignite their interest in the Nigerian, they'd be acquiring a talented gem who ranked in the top 13% for non-penalty goals and the top 14% for interceptions per 90 in the Champions League last term.

6 CM – Orel Mangala

Mangala is a pressing machine who does a lot of work in Forest's midfield that often goes unnoticed. In the Premier League this term, he ranks in the top 13% among his positional peers for interceptions per 90 while averaging an 88% pass completion per game.

This implies that he's adept at closing down space to win possession back and supply his teammates with quality on the ball.

7 CM – Nicolas Dominguez

When Forest managed to prise Bologna captain Dominguez away from the Serie A in the summer, they knew they were getting an exceptional midfielder who would provide an abundance of quality in central areas.

Dubbed by Jamie Redknapp as the Reds' "best player" in the draw against Brentford, the all-action Argentine has shown his class across his seven matches this term, placing within the top 5% across Europe's top five leagues for tackles in the past year and recording an exceptional 4.6 balls recovered per game.

8 CM – Ibrahim Sangare

A £30m acquisition from PSV on deadline day, Sangare has slotted into the Forest midfield this term like a glove and instantly showcased his class as a destructive ball-winner and an incredible ball carrier.

Across eight starts in the Premier League, the Ivory Coast international, who was once likened to Michael Essien by African journalist Alpha Balde, has done that comparison justice by putting in physically domineering performances. He's recorded the second-most tackles in the Reds squad (3.1), behind only Dominguez, and has driven his side forward with 50% completed dribbles per game.

9 RW – Morgan Gibbs-White

Forest's master creator and the one who can unlock defences in the blink of an eye, Morgan Gibbs-White has predominantly played as a wide playmaker this term but likes to drift inside and dictate play centrally.

The Englishman is one of the first names on the team sheet for Cooper and that is mainly down to the quality he provides in possession. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has supplied the second most accurate long balls (2.2), the most key passes (1.8) and the second most big chances created (3) in the squad.

10 LW – Anthony Elanga

Once Callum Hudson-Odoi makes a return to action, competition for places is strong on the left flank, but it'll take a lot to dislodge Anthony Elanga.

After arriving from Manchester United in the summer, the Englishman has instantly adapted to his new surroundings, tearing through defences with his electrifying pace and fleet-footed dribbling. He's also supplied end product, too, scoring two and supplying three assists in 13 matches, including the winner against Chelsea in September.

Sunderland have recently parted company with Tony Mowbray and now look set to put a new managerial candidate under the microscope at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland search for a new manager…

Earlier this week, Sunderland took the decision to part company with Mowbray after a run of just one victory in their last five matches in the Championship, which has left the North East-based outfit ninth in the league standings with 28 points from 19 matches played.

As cited by Sky Sports, Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has detailed why the Black Cats chose to take this step, saying:

"After arriving at an uncertain time, he helped guide us to the Championship play-offs and played an important role in developing our team. This was a difficult decision to make, but we remain loyal to our ambition and our strategy, and felt that now was the right moment to take this step."

Of course, speculation will now duly run wild as Sunderland search for a replacement. Reims manager Will Still and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna have been named as two early candidates for the role, with both believed to fill the Black Cats' vision of a young emerging coach to succeed Mowbray.

However, as per the latest developments, Sunderland are now set to meet with a highly-regarded boss as they explore different options ahead of making a potential appointment.

Sunderland pencil in Kim Hellberg talks…

As per Fotbollskanalen, Sunderland are set to meet with IFK Varnamo boss Kim Hellberg over the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light on Thursday. Formerly of Dagsbergs IF as a player, he is set to become a free agent as his contract expires at the end of 2023 in the south of Sweden.

Hellberg, 35, has only ever managed in his native Sweden; however, he is highly regarded in his homeland and led his side to a fifth-placed finish in the Allsvenskan in 2023. His promising work hasn't gone unnoticed, with IFK Norrkoping and Hammarby also believed to be keen on his services.

Fitting the bill as a young coach with a growing reputation, Hellberg prefers his sides to operate within an attacking 4-3-3 formation and he has amassed a points-per-game average of 1.38 over 64 matches in charge at Finnvedsvallen (Hellberg managerial statistics – Transfermarkt).

Conceivably, Hellberg could be making quite the leap by swapping the Swedish top-flight for a club with the historical pedigree of Sunderland; nevertheless, he may relish the challenge of being able to prove his managerial capabilities in the North East.

Newcastle United’s most important game of the season takes place tonight as the Magpies could become the second English team to fall out of the Champions League with a defeat at home to AC Milan, following in Manchester United’s footsteps.

To qualify for the knockout phase, Eddie Howe’s side must beat the Rossoneri and hope Borussia Dortmund can do a number on Paris Saint-Germain at the Westfalenstadion. However, Newcastle couldn't be coming into the game on a worse run of form, having lost heavily to both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur over the past week.

Nevertheless, Howe could bolster his team tonight by making one change in particular to the starting lineup to ensure the Geordie outfit complete their side of the bargain.

Tino Livramento’s stats this season

Ever since Dan Burn suffered a back injury during a 1-0 win against Arsenal back in November, Howe has put full trust in Tino Livramento to make the left-back berth his own which had been going swimmingly well.

Prior to Burn’s injury, the £40m summer signing had started merely one game all season which came in an impressive 1-0 home victory against Manchester City in the EFL Cup. Now, the 21-year-old has started six of Newcastle’s last seven games in all competitions.

The ex-Southampton defender certainly impressed in Burn’s absence, playing out of position from his preferred right-back spot. Former Celtic head coach Neil Lennon even admitted that Livramento has been “outstanding” every time he watches him.

However, Livramento’s superb string of performances came to a halt away at Spurs on Sunday. The young fullback was handed a 4/10 match rating by The Shields Gazette as the Magpies were trounced in London.

During the game, Livramento lost possession of the ball five times, won merely 25% of his total duels, was dribbled past twice and failed to create a single opportunity for his team before being taken off with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Accurate Long Balls

1

Tackles Won

0

Blocks

1

Clearances

2

Dribbled Past

2

Duels Won %

33.3

Aerial Duels Won

0

Stats via FotMob

Livramento’s poor display may have earned him a spot on the bench for tonight’s crucial European clash and one player in particular will be champing at the bit to take his place.

Lewis Hall’s stats this season

Lewis Hall joined his boyhood club during the summer transfer window for a whopping £28m from Chelsea despite making just 12 appearances for the Blues across the last two seasons and was handed a £7k-per-week contract at St. James' Park.

Nonetheless, Hall had proved his ability for the London club and was even labelled a “quality” player by football scout Jacek Kulig after making his debut for Chelsea almost two years ago.

Since joining Newcastle, the teenager has made only four starts, although half of these came in the League Cup. His last start for the Magpies was in the 2-0 defeat away at Bournemouth.

The 19-year-old was taken off at half-time for Livramento when the game was still goalless, with Howe explaining after the match that the reason was solely due to his lack of match fitness.

Regardless, Hall is still putting up a good fight statistically when compared to Livramento this season.

Goals

0.38

0

Expected Goals

0.02

0

Assists

0

0

Expected Assists

0

0.07

Progressive Passes

4.62

3.7

Progressive Carries

1.54

2.33

Attempted Passes

49.2

43.7

Passes To Final 1/3

2.31

2.33

Final 1/3 Touches

12.3

13

Tackles

5.38

2.33

Tackles Won

2.69

1.7

Blocks

1.54

1.37

Interceptions

1.15

1.17

Ball Recoveries

6.15

6.16

Stats via FBref

Furthermore, Livramento can play on both sides of the centre-backs, meaning there is also the possibility that Howe decides to bench Kieran Trippier who picked up a booking against Spurs at the weekend, leaving him suspended for Newcastle’s home bout versus Fulham.

Howe could potentially drop Trippier, who struggled over the past two games, especially during a 3-0 defeat against Everton, and put Livramento at right-back, with Hall being handed the nod on the left.

Anyhow, Hall is a superb player and will eventually start knocking on the manager’s door to get more minutes under his belt. Tonight could be the perfect opportunity for Howe to test out his new fullback pairing ahead of Fulham on Saturday.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has revealed his honest thoughts on the penalty awarded to Liverpool in the dying stages of the Magpies' 4-2 defeat at Anfield.

VAR controversy as Liverpool beat Newcastle

The Magpies were beaten soundly at Anfield on Monday evening, as the Reds pulled three points clear of Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League table. A pulsating clash saw Mohamed Salah miss a first-half penalty, before redeeming himself after the break and giving Liverpool the lead. Alexander Isak equalised in cool fashion, and Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo made it 3-1, before Sven Botman gave Newcastle hope with a header.

20

13

6

1

45

25

20

13

3

4

42

16

19

12

4

3

40

24

20

12

4

4

40

17

The game's most controversial moment came late in the day, however, as Dubravka was adjudged to have fouled Diogo Jota, who went down a step and a half after the challenge, prior to Anthony Taylor pointing to the penalty spot. Salah then did the rest and sealed the win for Jurgen Klopp's side.

It is an incident that has divided opinion among supporters and pundits alike, with some feeling there was still enough contact to merit the penalty being awarded, and others feeling Jota dived due to the delay in going down. It once again put the focus on VAR, who decided to stick with Taylor's on-pitch decision.

Dubravka reacts to Jota penalty

Speaking after the game [via The Boot Room], Dubravka reveals his thoughts on the Jota penalty incident.

"It is a frustration because he’s a clever guy. I tried to pull my arms [away] and not catch him. I felt contact but I’m not really sure what else I should do to not try and catch him. At the end it was a penalty.

"There is no point trying to argue with them," he continued, before delivering six words on VAR, admitting "I don’t know what to say".

This is just the latest example of VAR dominating the post-match conversation after a big game, which sadly seems to have happened far too often this season. In the past, there would be in-depth analysis of a fascinating match like the one that unfolded at Anfield on Monday night, but that is now becoming all too rare.

In terms of the penalty decision, club bias is always going to come into play, with Liverpool supporters no doubt quick to point out that Dubravka has still admitted that there was contact, and that there wasn't enough evidence to overturn Taylor's call.

On the flip side, Newcastle fans have a right to feel aggrieved at the manner in which Jota went to ground, especially as he was bizarrely on the verge of tapping the ball home, and the Portuguese won't have helped his reputation when it comes to going down too easily.

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The problem is that VAR cannot afford to be subjective, with the technology brought in to eradicate that issue, but instead, it is riling supporters more than when it wasn't in use. It won't be going away any time soon, but there is certainly an argument to say that football was better before it arrived.

It appears to be no real secret that title hopefuls Arsenal are looking to strengthen their centre-forward ranks in January, with the jury still out on whether the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah can take the club to where they want to go over the coming months and years.

In the case of Jesus, the former Manchester City man – who arrived on a £45m deal last summer – has certainly impressed over the 18 months for the way he "thinks about the team" ahead of his own success, as per club legend Martin Keown, yet that selflessness has not often gone hand in hand with an end product in front of goal.

In fact, the Brazilian has never scored more than 14 Premier League goals since arriving at the Etihad back in 2017, indicating that he is perhaps not the clinical and prolific asset that the Gunners will be craving.

As for Nketiah, the academy graduate has shown flashes of his finishing prowess in recent times – including his composed strike away to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League earlier this month – yet a tally of just six goals in all competitions this season says everything there is to know.

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With the 24-year-old arguably just "not good enough", as per talkSPORT host Alan Brazil, seeking out a suitable, number nine upgrade appears to be the way to go for Mikel Arteta's side in 2024, be it next month or over the summer.

One possible surprise target who has emerged as a contender to ease the club's striking woes is AFC Bournemouth talisman, Dominic Solanke, with the red-hot marksman seemingly looking ready to make that next step amid his fine start to the campaign.

Arsenal transfer news – Dominic Solanke

Much of the talk at present has been centred on Arteta's apparent interest in Brentford hotshot, Ivan Toney, with the Englishman firmly on the radar of the north Londoners after netting 20 top-flight goals last season for the Bees.

While that goal record illustrates what a worthy addition the 27-year-old would be, it is believed that any deal would come at a significant cost, with Toney set to command a fee of around £100m – according to reports.

With that in mind, turning to Solanke could represent a wise alternative, with the Daily Star (via The Mirror) suggesting that the 26-year-old could cost roughly half of that fee at around £50m, amid interest from the Emirates outfit.

Viewed as a genuine option for the Gunners – as they seek to avoid overpaying for his compatriot, Toney – Solanke could well be in line for a return to London in 2024, after beginning his career on the books at rivals Chelsea.

Dominic Solanke's season by numbers

The Reading native deserves credit for his resurgence of late, having previously been unable to make the grade at the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool – featuring just 28 times in total for the two clubs combined, while scoring just once.

Since moving to Bournemouth in 2019, the 6 foot 2 marksman has slowly but surely proved the doubters wrong in the years since, with his total tally for the Cherries now standing at 69 goals and 28 assists in 195 games in all competitions.

It is fair to say, however, that prior to this season the one-cap England international had done much of his damage in the Championship, notably bagging 29 goals in the second tier in 2021/22 to help fire the south coast side to promotion.

That was followed by a return of just six Premier League goals last term, yet under the watchful eye of Andoni Iraola in 2023/24, Solanke has been a man reborn, boasting 12 league goals thus far in just 17 outings.

Hailed as an "underrated" asset by Statman Dave, the £50k-per-week ace is currently thriving at the top of the English game, while Toney, meanwhile, is yet to return to action amid his lengthy ban due to betting breaches.

Bringing in a player who is currently on something of a hot streak could be the perfect solution in January for Arteta and co, particularly amid his likeness to another of Arsenal's reported transfer targets – Victor Osimhen.

How Dominic Solanke compares to Victor Osimhen

Alongside Toney, there has been notable speculation regarding the Gunners' interest in the Napoli marksman, with the Nigerian sensation having fired his side to the Serie A title last season with 26 league goals.

The former Lille man is believed to be a leading target for the title challengers, although talk of a £120m transfer fee could prove prohibitive, hence the need to seek out alternative options.

In Solanke, Arsenal would be able to find a player who is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with Osimhen, as per FBref, ensuring they could snap up a figure like the Napoli goal machine for a far more affordable price.

That likeness between the pair can be seen by the fact they simply do come alive where it matters most, with Solanke ranking in the top 17% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, while Osimhen ranks in the top 3% in that regard.

18 games (18 starts)

12 goals

1 assist

0.8 key passes per game

2.5 balls recovered per game

1.4 clearances per game

6 big chances missed

7.07 average match rating

Stats via Sofascore

Equally, the duo can also muck in defensively when required as they rank in the top 7% and the top 15%, respectively, for clearances made per 90, showcasing the multitude of strings that they have to their bow.

While there would be those suggesting a move for the arguably more high profile name – Osimhen – it is Solanke who already boasts that invaluable Premier League experience, having even outscored his counterpart so far this term, the Lagos native netting just seven league goals.

With Solanke also likely hungry to prove himself at an elite club after those prior stints at Stamford Bridge and Anfield, a move for the north Londoners should certainly not be overlooked.

As good as Arsenal have been at times this season, recent slip-ups could prove costly come May with the Gunners now sitting fourth in the Premier League and five points adrift of leaders Liverpool. The January transfer window could yet turn the title race on its head, however, with the chance for all sides involved to sign key reinforcements.

Ahead of a crucial few months, Arsenal could prove their transfer genius once more by strengthening Mikel Arteta's squad. And that could include a deal to sign a Bundesliga gem ahead of Premier League rivals in an arrival that may benefit Arsenal in years to come.

Arsenal transfer news

After splashing out to sign Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and David Raya in the summer transfer window, it would be incredibly disappointing for those at The Emirates if Arsenal failed to win the Premier League title. The Gunners came so close last time out before Manchester City swooped in on their way to a historic treble win. Hoping to avoid that feeling of defeat for a second consecutive campaign and also in years to come, Arsenal could welcome one particular future star from the Bundesliga this month.

According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal have been "informed" about a deal to sign David Odogu. The journalist posted on X:

With the potential to get one over on the likes of Chelsea and Brentford and sign a player with plenty of potential in the process, Arsenal could certainly be a club to watch in pursuit of Odogu. Given that the centre-back's contract will turn professional when he turns 18 on June 3, however, the Gunners may need to act quickly this month.

Odogu is an in-demand "top talent"

It speaks volumes that Wolfsburg are keen to keep hold of Odogu. The 17-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut but could take his opportunity with both hands when his first professional contract arrives in June. Before then, however, Arsenal could swoop in and hand the German the opportunity that he so desperately craves. Given Arteta's proven ability to work with young players too, having excelled with William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and others, Udogu could be wise to choose Arsenal over elsewhere in the Premier League.

Odogu is a player who's already caught the eye, including from Plettenberg, who described the Wolfsburg teenager as a "top talent" on X. As the January window progresses and Odogu's desire to leave Wolfsburg remains, he'll certainly be one to watch, especially if Arsenal make their move. Whilst the Gunners have one eye on the Premier League title, they could sign a player capable of playing a part in cementing Arteta's future legacy at The Emirates in years to come.