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Philippe Sandler is now 24 years old and remains at Manchester City despite his lack of appearances for the Citizens in recent seasons, and the club should try and get rid of him this summer as he is arguably stealing a living at the Etihad Stadium at the moment.

City signed the centre-back from PEC Zwolle in July 2018 but he has been limited to just two appearances in his two-and-a-half years with the club and spent last season on loan with Anderlecht under Vincent Kompany.

He made just 11 appearances there before returning to the Etihad last summer, with injury issues having seriously stalled the youngster’s progress in a Manchester City shirt.

That being said, Sandler reportedly earns £38,000 per week at the Etihad and has now been at the club for 138 weeks, which means he has cost City £5.24m thus far.

That means that, for each appearance the Dutchman has made in a City shirt, with both coming in cup competitions in the 2018/19 season, he has cost City £2.62m.

That makes grim reading for the City board, who will undoubtedly be disappointed that Sandler has failed to have the desired effect during his time with Pep Guardiola’s side.

The 24-year-old’s contract with City is set to expire at the end of next season but the club may be best served by axing him this summer and trying to recoup some of the money they have wasted on him over the last few seasons.

He is currently valued at £2.7m by Transfermarkt, although Txiki Begiristain would do well to receive anywhere near that fee given his lack of appearances and injury problems during his time in the Premier League.

Therefore, Sandler’s time with City will unfortunately go down as a failure, and they must do their best to get rid of him this summer in order to avoid continuing to pay him for nothing before losing him for free at the end of next season.

In other news… No goals or assists in March: £63m-rated City ace let his standards drop this month

The Celtic manager’s vacancy has to be one of the most talked-about subjects in football right now. Neil Lennon is no longer in charge and as a result, Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell have some big decisions to make on who replaces him.

Some impressive names have been touted with taking the job; one of which is current Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

The Express revealed last week that he was one of the names in the running to take over at Parkhead and if you judge him by what he’s achieved with Scotland, you’d take the manager in a heartbeat.

He has taken the national team to their first major tournament since 1998, a historic triumph for the 57-year-old. With that in mind, he will surely take charge of Scotland at the Euros this summer before considering a move elsewhere.

We’ve already looked at the negative influence his style of football could have on Ryan Christie but one player he could benefit is Ismaila Soro.

With Scott Brown out of contract in the summer, he will most likely take on the reins as the Hoops’ primary defensive midfielder.

He’d tick plenty of boxes for Clarke too, mainly because he prefers to operate with a more defensive style of play. That’s something Celtic podcaster John Paul Dykes has already picked up on: “I think the job he’s doing is reminiscent to Craig Brown. He’s basically shoring up the backline. That’s his absolutely key attribute as a manager,” he said earlier this season.

At Kilmarnock, the Scotland boss saw his team find the net only 1.4 times per game. At Reading, meanwhile, it was even worse; just 1.1 goals per match.

Clarke traditionally prefers to build from the back and stabilise a team’s defence, which would surely make Soro a major component of whatever XI he builds.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

At Killie, the coach conceded fewer goals in 2017/18 than Rangers as he guided them to a fifth-place finish. During their next campaign, his team finished third, a season where Kilmarnock conceded less than a goal a game and had the third-best defensive record in the entire Scottish Premiership.

One of the main reasons behind that was not only Clarke but the way he deployed Gary Dicker at the base of his midfield. He missed three league outings all season and laid a solid platform in front of the defence.

Soro could be a player of a similar ilk for Clarke. After all, he’s already proven what an asset he can be in that third of the pitch this season. In two separate games, the Ivorian has completed over eight tackles; one of which came in the Europa League during a combative performance versus Lille.

Combine that with Clarke’s astute defensive coaching and you could have a star in the making. The £11k-per-week brute would surely relish a partnership such as this.

AND in other news, Forget Harper: Celtic should swoop for 5-goal gem who’s been “on top of the world”…

Celtic have been linked with a move for Juventus scout Matteo Tognozzi in recent weeks.

The Hoops are looking to appoint a director of football in an off-field overhaul, with David Webb and Fergal Harkin two other names to be linked with the newly created Parkhead position.

Manchester United’s new man Murtough

Manchester United reportedly joined Celtic in the race for Tognozzi, however, the Red Devils confirmed on Wednesday that they have appointed John Murtough as the club’s new Football Director.

The announcement from the European giants appears to rule out any possible move for Tognozzi, leaving Celtic with a potential clear run to tie up a deal for the Italian.

Transfer Tavern take

With Dominic McKay coming in to replace Peter Lawwell this summer, appointing a director of football could turn out to be pivotal in regards to communication between Neil Lennon’s long-term successor and the new CEO.

Tognozzi has worked with Zenit St Petersburg, Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen prior to his current job with Juventus, earning plenty of experience all across Europe in the process.

He speaks good English and makes profits on players while also securing solid replacements, citing Porto’s model as one that has inspired him.

It seems as if a summer rebuild both on and off the pitch will get the green light, and Tognozzi, should he be appointed, could play a major role in the club’s summer transfer plans.

In other news: Celtic could miss out on an £8m profit on 25-year-old ace, find out more here.  

As far as Sunderland are concerned, this season has been all about Charlie Wyke.

The tall striker hasn’t had the easiest of stays at the Stadium of Light but he’s finally beginning to demonstrate why they brought him to the north East.

Before this term, Wyke had netted just nine times in League One for the Black Cats over two years, so his turnaround in 2020/21 has to be commended.

After scoring a brilliant hat-trick in Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Wimbledon on Saturday, he took his league tally for the current campaign to ten goals in 18 outings. This has been nothing short of an excellent few months for the forward.

Yet, despite his superb finishing this weekend, there was another man who deserved some very special praise – Jordan Willis.

The centre half hadn’t started a league game since the middle of November, and on his return, he was outstanding, laying a wonderful platform from which Sunderland were able to build on.

The 26-year-old kept a clean sheet and looked resolute throughout the entire encounter, earning the following review from Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith: “A commanding performance at the back, underlining how much he has been missed and how much better the balance of the defence is with him in. In a low-quality contest, he was by some distance the best performer aside from Wyke’s finishing.”

It’s easy to see why he stood out, too. Willis managed to win a colossal seven aerial duels throughout the contest, the second-highest of anyone on the pitch and he also managed three clearances – the second-highest number in the Sunderland side.

The defender’s display was so imperious that Wimbledon striker Joe Pigott was virtually anonymous. He completed just 40% of his passes and lost 11 of the aerial duels he competed. On top of that, the forward failed to win any of the eight ground duels he contested.

Willis ensured it was a rough and frustrating afternoon for Wimbledon’s attack, reigning supreme in all facets of play, even completing a dribble by bringing the ball out from the back.

The Mackems stalwart has only started eight league outings this season and this performance showed how much of a miss he’s been.

Wyke will rightfully steal the headlines, but Willis was undoubtedly another of Lee Johnson’s heroes. This was an imposing display, more of which will only benefit Sunderland’s promotion hopes.

AND in other news, Speakman can end Johnson’s big SAFC dilemma with swoop for “clever and skilful” 20 y/o…

Michail Antonio is facing a late fitness test to feature against Manchester United in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, but David Moyes has vowed to put out a strong West Ham side.

The Hammers boss is concerned about Antonio’s fitness after the striker looked seriously fatigued as he struggled to lead the line during Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham, having played the full 90 in victory over Aston Villa in midweek.

It was only the third time across all competitions that the 30-year-old had seen out a full game following his return from a second hamstring injury of the season, with Moyes short on alternatives after selling Sebastien Haller to AFC Ajax without signing a replacement.

So, as Moyes weighs up his options for who to start in attack at Old Trafford, here’s a potential line-up the Scot could name against his former employer…

Moyes rang in the changes as West Ham beat Doncaster Rovers 4-0 in the FA Cup last month, with several rarely-seen players offered a chance to impress against Darren Moore’s League One side.

Andriy Yarmolenko struck the Irons’ second goal of the day while fielded at centre-forward to afford Antonio a rest, but may miss out on the role against Manchester United with Moyes vowing to name as strong a side as possible on Tuesday night despite doubt over Antonio’s fitness.

“He’s still fatigued, so it’ll be a close call whether he makes it or not,” Moyes said. “I’ll see how he is today [Monday]. We’ll need to assess him tomorrow to see if he’s able to play or not.

“I think we’ve picked strong teams against Stockport and Doncaster. We’re certainly not picking a weakened team. We may have one or two changes through injury or suspension, whatever it may be, but we plan to go there with a really strong team and [see] if we can get through to the next round of the FA Cup.”

Jarrod Bowen has also played at striker for Moyes this season and boasts an imperious record when fielded through the middle, having scored seven goals and provided four assists in 12 games for Hull City before his move to east London last year.

The former Tigers attacker moving into a centre-forward role against Manchester United would also allow for Moyes to recall £40,000-per-week dynamo Ryan Fredericks to the starting XI, looking to add greater support for Vladimir Coufal up against Bruno Fernandes like the Irons enjoyed at Aston Villa when the pair worked well to keep Jack Grealish quiet.

Aaron Cresswell and Coufal will be expected to start in favour of Fredericks and Ben Johnson at full-back with Moyes naming as strong a side as possible at Old Trafford, but could be joined by Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena in two of four changes from the side that drew with Fulham on Saturday.

Diop earned a rare start in the third round win over Doncaster but his lack of game time is believed to be down to a personal issue rather than form, while Balbuena remained at the London Stadium despite Deadline Day speculation the Paraguayan could be sold.

Moyes will be without January loan signing Jesse Lingard against Manchester United with the midfielder unable to feature against his parent side, opening the door for Pablo Fornals to re-join Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in the engine room.

Fornals has played just six minutes since Lingard moved to east London, having fallen to the bench to make space for the England international beside Said Benrahma after starting 20 of his 21 previous appearances for the season in all competitions.

AND in other news, West Ham failed to offload a £70k-p/w outcast in January despite a manager’s intent efforts…

When it comes to the January transfer window, there is unlikely a period of time that Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta despise so much.

In the last two years it has been full of crushed excitement. In January 2019, a deal had all been wrapped up to sign Daniel James from Swansea. The electrifying winger was pictured at Elland Road and even signed the contract before the Swans failed to pick up the phone and sanction the move.

The following year, Leeds signed Jean-Kevin Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig. What followed was just 48 minutes of action, an obligation to buy that wasn’t fulfilled and a legal battle.

Consequently, it will take some very special circumstances for Leeds to do anything this January. Fortunately, those conditions may be met in Riqui Puig.

The Barcelona youngster’s contract is up at the end of the season and Leeds were first linked with the player towards the start of the month. However, they are now facing competition from Arsenal for his signature in what will be a hotly contested battle.

The £18m-rated midfielder is a highly promising individual and possesses all the characteristics needed to thrive in Bielsa’s system.

Writing about Puig on The Athletic in December 2018, journalist Kevin Williams said: “Puig plays on that weird tightrope like Iniesta, even as we should shun any and all comparisons. When he has the ball, he moves, makes the ball move as though they both have somewhere to go: Forward. Puig rarely plays a pass that isn’t forward.”

This is a glistening review of a youngster who has only got better in the last two years. In fact, he’s pretty similar to a Leeds player of days gone by – Samu Saiz. Of course, Puig’s potential is far higher but Orta could finally replace the diminutive Saiz with the Barca starlet.

Why is this? Well, they are both creative dynamos with the ability to burst forward with their technical ability.

Let’s focus on Saiz’s final campaign at Leeds here. He amassed 1.5 dribbles per game in the Championship, being fouled 1.8 times and providing the same number of key passes a match.

Now, if we analyse Puig’s 2019/20 season, you’ll see the almighty parallels. The 21-year-old registered 1.1 dribbles at a higher level and provided 1.7 key passes in the Champions League.

It’s clear to see why Leeds need to beat Arsenal to his signature. Puig is a wonderful ball carrier.

AND in other news, Leeds ace who played in “cruise control” was Bielsa’s true hero v WBA…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Dean Windass revealed that he has a minor concern with the Leeds squad – citing that Marcelo Bielsa was perhaps getting lucky with his defensive quartet.

Leeds have been a breath of fresh of air to the Premier League this season and have provided some mesmeric free-flowing football.

Their 5-0 win over West Brom during the festive period was a fine example but they have also been on the end of some thrashings. They shipped six goals at Old Trafford when they took on Manchester United and over the course of the Premier League campaign, have conceded 33 goals, the second-worst tally in the division.

Of course, a big part of that has been the injuries suffered to various centre-backs. Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are all currently absent from the squad and thus, Bielsa is having to field a rather different mix of defenders in his back four.

However, two parts have remained close to ever-present. That happens to be their full-backs Gjanni Alioski and Stuart Dallas.

Though, this appeared to be a bit of a concern for Windass who told FFC that their minimal defensive duties were an issue and that because the Whites were doing well, Bielsa was getting away with things.

He said: “I think it’s just the cards he’s been dealt and he’s thinking that he’s got a right back in there at the back and he slips into centre-half because Liam Cooper was injured so he’s not really got a left-back to slot in and he’s not really got a right back.”

Windass continued: “Because they play on the counter-attack with the pace he trusts the two centre-halves to take care of the lone striker and obviously, with Phillips sitting in there as an insurance policy, he’ll tell his full-backs to push on because they will do, they’re wingers, they’re not a left-back and right back. So they’ll say ‘when we’ve got the ball we go forward but obviously, when we lose it we’ll drop back in as a four’.”

The pundit concluded: “Well, that’s why they concede so many goals because they’re not natural defenders. If you asked me to be a centre-half, I couldn’t do it. I could do it, but I’d concede goals. It’s putting square pegs in round holes, but because they’re doing so well, he’s getting away with it. That’s the thing. He’s getting away with it.”

Dallas has remained a consistent figure for Leeds this term and has four goal contributions to go with his 2.6 successful tackles per match.

Alioski, on the other hand, has been a bit more questionable. He was poor during the defeat to Man United and has made just 1.7 successful tackles a game in comparison to Dallas.

It will be interesting to see whether Bielsa perseveres with the duo at full-back once he has a full accompaniment of defenders available again.

AND in other news, Forget De Paul: Orta must seal Leeds swoop for “revelation” who lost possession 28x…

Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with the comments made by Bill Leckie.

The Gers have been in stunning form so far this campaign on the pitch. After 18 games, they remain unbeaten, whilst they are nine points clear of their fierce rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership. Not only that, they are currently joint-top of their Europa League group after two wins, against Standard Liege and Lech Poznan.

However, in recent days, some issues have arisen. It was revealed earlier this week that George Edmundson and Jordan Jones broke coronavirus regulations to attend a private gathering at the weekend. The Gers revealed they will launch an investigation into the matter.

Writing for The Scottish Sun, Bill Leckie says that the actions of the Gers duo are worse than those of Boli Bolingoli, who flew to Spain, and the eight Aberdeen players who went to a bar earlier in the season. This has outraged the Gers supporters, and they took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what they had to say about Leckie below

In other news, Rangers fans hammer this duo.

Leeds United have been linked with Yunus Musah in the past. There is now a fresh update on the player which might not be what the English side would have wanted to hear.

Yunus Musah update

Leeds Live report that the Valencia midfielder has signed a new deal with the La Liga outfit. Arsenal, Wolves and Everton had also been linked with the 18-year-old, but the Spanish side have now moved to secure the signature of the highly-rated American teenager.

He has now signed a new six-year deal, which will run until the end of the 2025-26 season. This deal has a reported €100million release clause, according to CBS Sports.

This is a big blow for Leeds

The 18 year-old is clearly seen as a player who has a lot of potential to succeed at a world class level, this is highlighted by the reported release clause he has.

He is clearly impressing his coach at Valencia as he has featured nine times in La Liga this season. Musah has shown his quality t0o, managing 1.1 tackles and one interception a game (WhoScored).

A midfielder who helps the defensive line out, his stats show that he is someone who puts a lot of work in on the pitch, and with Marcelo Bielsa’s style, a move too Leeds would have made perfect sense for the Yorkshire club.

However, that reported release clause is now an issue as the most they have spent on a player is Rodrigo, who they bought for £26 million this summer.

It will be interesting to see if the club continues to monitor the player or see him as one they simply cannot look to pursue given that he’s just been tied down to a very long contract.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided an update on the future of this defender.

Leeds United were linked to numerous strikers this summer, but in the end, it was Rodrigo who joined the Yorkshire outfit.Before they signed Rodrigo, they were after another Spaniard in the shape of Raul de Tomas, and they weren’t the only ones.West Brom also had an interest in the Espanyol star, but it’s now been revealed why the striker didn’t move this summer.

What’s the story then?

Sportsfinding are reporting that the forward attempted to leave Espanyol this summer, but his sizeable wages and Espanyol’s reluctance to sell put a number of potential suitors off.

The report claims that he currently has a six-year-deal on €6m (£5.5m), with a 40% reduction in the event of relegation, a clause that will have been activated at the end of last season.

Leeds should’ve signed him

De Tomas’ wages will have dropped 40%, meaning he should now be on €3.4m (£3.1m) a year, which works out to just under £60k a week – a figure that really shouldn’t have put Leeds off.

United are reportedly paying Rodrigo double that amount, and De Tomas may actually have been the better option.

The former Benfica man spent only half a season in La Liga last term, but he still managed to score just as many as Rodrigo, while also outperforming him on other vital metrics.

De Tomas averaged 1.3 more dribbles per game than his fellow countryman, and the 25-year-old’s dribbling ability shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

Dribbling is listed as one of his strengths on WhoScored, and we can completely understand why, he seems to have a sixth sense on how to beat a man, perfectly encapsulated by a ridiculous nutmeg he pulled off on Bruno Fernandes back when both were playing in Portugal, leaving the Manchester United star on the floor utterly embarrassed.

The Espanyol forward also averaged one more shot per game than the former Valencia man, showing that he’s better at getting into positions, despite playing for a club that scored 21 goals fewer than Rodrigo’s team last term, meaning that his service will have been rather poor.

With the £10.8m-rated attacker also being four years younger than Rodrigo, Leeds may regret not bringing him in for years to come.