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Tottenham Hotspur slumped to an embarrassing 1-0 loss at the hands of Vitesse in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.

There were some very poor performances on the pitch for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, and The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts Sofascore to analyse the worst-three performing players (who played at least 45 minutes) based on statistics:

Ben Davies

Admittedly tied with Steven Bergwijn, Ben Davies was given the joint-third lowest rating out of any of his teammates by Sofascore, a mere 6.3.

Captain for the day, the Wales international lost out on eight of his duels, and failed to record a single successful dribble, tackle or accurate cross from left-back.

He also lost possession of the ball on no fewer than on 14 separate occasions, the joint-fourth most out of any of his teammates.

Dane Scarlett

Young Scarlett did not take his chance to impress, as Sofascore gave him a measly six overall rating.

The striker lost out on a whopping 19 duels, more than double the next closest player, perhaps suggesting he is struggling to adapt physically to senior first-team football.

He did not manage to have a shot or successful dribble, while losing possession 16 times, the second-most out of any Spurs player.

Dele Alli

Oh how far Alli has fallen. The once England regular was given an alarming 5.8 rating by Sofascore, which does not even tell half of the story.

Alli list eight of his duels, and had no shots on target, successful dribbles or key passes, while he too was also guilty of giving the ball away on far too many occasions, 14 in total.

In other news, find out which Lilywhite has suffered another injury setback here…

Axel Tuanzebe reportedly wanted a move to Newcastle United before Aston Villa signed him on loan from Manchester United.

The Lowdown: Tuanzebe wanted

The St. James’ Park faithful reportedly wanted to sign Tuanzebe before he made the move to Villa Park instead.

They have also been recently linked with a move for Ozan Kabak, suggesting that Steve Bruce would like to bring in another central defender before the summer transfer window ends.

The Latest: Why Tuanzebe move failed

Writing in his latest piece for The Daily Telegraph, Luke Edwards has revealed why the North East club did not end up signing Tuanzebe in the end.

As per the journalist, it was the player’s preference to move to Tyneside over AVFC, but they could not afford the loan fee to make it happen.

The Verdict: Shame

It is such a shame that the Magpies missed out on signing Tuanzebe, as they will now have to rush to get another centre-back in before the window closes.

Dubbed ‘outstanding’ by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a very impressive performance in the UEFA Europa League against Granada back in April, he is clearly capable of playing at a high level, having notched up a fair amount of experience in playing in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

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At just 23 years of age, Tuanzebe certainly has potential, and being English, he would have helped fill the homegrown quota in the squad as well.

Nonetheless, the Toon must now look at other targets.

In other news, find out what NUFC transfer update has this pundit baffled here!

Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez would be a ‘fantastic’ signing for Aston Villa in the January transfer window, according to journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Villa linked with Gomez move

Steven Gerrard continued his flying start as Villa manager on Sunday, as his side picked up a fully deserved 2-1 win at home to Leicester City.

Despite the club’s upturn in fortunes, January reinforcements could be required in order to stave off any threat of relegation, instead allowing them to push towards a top-half finish in the Premier League.

One player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park is Gomez, who has struggled for minutes at Liverpool this season, not starting a single league game.

The Latest: Journalist talks up transfer

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Hatfield claimed the 24-year-old would be an ideal addition, having been hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by Trent Alexander-Arnold in the past:

“Oh yeah, for sure. He’s a quality player, obviously an England international pre-injury. He would be a fantastic signing for Villa.”

The Verdict: Would Liverpool let him go?

As Hatfield alludes to, Gomez could be an outstanding signing for Villa, considering he is a Premier League and Champions League winner at the age of just 24, not to mention winning 11 caps for England.

That being said, it is extremely difficult to see Liverpool letting him leave at this point in his career, even though he is behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order currently.

Assuming he overcomes serious injury problems, he has the ability to be a regular for Liverpool again eventually, with Van Dijk and Matip both now 30 and suffering injuries of their own in recent times, meaning the doors may soon be open for Konate and Gomez to lead the way at Anfield.

In other news, some Villa fans slammed one player’s performance against Leicester. Find out who it is here.

After Celtic beat Real Betis 3-2 in their previous Europa League outing, the Hoops are back in SPFL action this afternoon with a home clash against Motherwell.

With the Bhoys having the likes of Albian Ajeti, Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis out injured as well as Christopher Jullien and Karamoko Dembele, here’s how Ange Postecoglou could line up his team this afternoon with as many as ten changes.

In goal, we think Joe Hart will return to the starting XI with Scott Bain dropping out after scoring an own goal against Betis. 

At left-back, we can see Greg Taylor coming back in for Liam Scales with Josip Juranovic coming in for Osaze Urhoghide in the right-back position. 

For the centre-back positions, we think Postecoglou will bring Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt back in with Nir Bitton, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £14k-per-week according to Salary Sport, and Stephen Welsh dropping out after their appearances in midweek.

In the two central-midfield positions, we think Postecoglou will opt for club captain Callum McGregor and David Turnbull ahead of James McCarthy and Ismaila Soro who both started in the win over Betis.

Ahead of those two, we think Postecoglou will bring Tom Rogic and Michael Johnston back into the frame with Ewan Henderson also starting after coming on as a substitute against Betis and scoring a goal.

To make up for the severe injury issues Celtic have at the top of the pitch with the likes of Furuhashi, Giakoumakis and Ajeti out, we can see Liel Abada being given a shot to lead the team through the middle. He’s been an offensive threat this term, registering a tally of seven goals and eight assists across all competitions so far this season and could deliver the Hoops another league win. 

Whether Postecoglou goes with this exact starting XI that we have suggested or not, this will still be a big test for the Bhoys in their latest push for the title against a side that have won three of their five previous league games. 

With so many key attacking players out injured, Postecoglou and everyone else at the club will be hoping that the team will be able to keep racking up points while they are out of action so they don’t drop out of the title race.

In other news: “No estimated return date”: Devlin drops big Celtic injury update, Ange will be fuming

Derby County are interested in a deal to bring Kamil Grosicki to Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that the Rams are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the former West Bromwich Albion winger, whose contract expired at The Hawthorns at the end of last season.

The report goes on to mention the fact that Derby have so far struggled to get much business done in the summer transfer window, largely down to the fact the club are operating under an EFL imposed transfer embargo, although Wayne Rooney is able to sign free agents on year-long deals and bring in loan signings on six-month contracts – albeit with a capped salary.

However, it is then claimed that the 35-year-old hopes to make Grosicki his fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Richard Stearman, Ryan Allsop, Ravel Morrison and Curtis Davies last week.

Rooney would love him

With Rooney having recently missed out on the signing of Sone Aluko – who joined Ipswich Town on Friday, despite having been in training with Derby for the majority of the summer – and with the Rams squad currently being extremely short in the wide attacking positions, it is clear that Grosicki is a player the 35-year-old would love to have.

While the Poland international struggled for game time at West Brom last term, the 33-year-old proved he is an extremely capable player in the second division of English football during the Baggies’ promotion-winning campaign in the season prior, as well as in the first half of the season for Hull City.

Indeed, over his 42 Championship appearances for both sides in 2019/20, the £900k-rated man scored seven goals, provided eight assists and created 10 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.2 shots and making 1.6 key passes per game.

These returns saw the man Grant McCann dubbed an “outstanding” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as Albion’s joint seventh-best performer in the league.

As such, if the £25k-per-week winger does indeed go on to sign for Derby this summer, and subsequently manages to refind his form from 2019/20 for Rooney’s side, he could well provide a huge boost to the Rams’ survival hopes this season – something that would delight both the Derby County manager and fans alike.

In other news: Lost possession 18x: £6.2k-p/w Derby dud was miles “off the pace” against Huddersfield

Many Wolves fans have been flocking to a transfer update involving Rafael Leao.

As per Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), AC Milan would be willing to sell the striker if a sufficiently tempting offer came in from the Midlands club.

Leao’s agent Jorge Mendes is working on trying to convince clubs, including Wolves, to offer €25m (£21.5m) or more for his client, and think that the Molineux outfit, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, would be willing to pay that asking price.

Leao is  an exciting up-and-coming talent at just 22 years of age and has even been previously likened to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe in the past.

However, he only managed to score seven goals in 40 games in all competitions across the 2020/21 season (criticised for his attitude on the pitch.

Wolves fans on Leao transfer update

These Wolves supporters seemed split as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one asking whether he could be swapped for former Milan striker Patrick Cutrone, who has flopped at Molineux:

“I’d take him, he might not start every game but would be a class bench and rotation player”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“Versatile, suits Lage’s style, Portuguese, very good footballer. Get him in imo #wwfc”

Credit: @Matt123525

“Can we swap him for Cutrone?”

Credit: @leewater12

“Watching him in the Portugal youth games a few weeks back I wasn’t that impressed tbh, looks wasteful and sloppy in possession.”

Credit: @BKristianmarcus

“He’s irritating because of his attitude on the pitch…. Let’s hope he doesn’t arrive”

Credit: @marcobertoli87

“Why? When we already have Mir who scores goals. Spend elsewhere.”

Credit: @DChappleton

In other news, Wolves are ‘willing to offer’ £34.4m for this ‘world-beater’

An exciting claim has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans for next year…

What’s the word?

According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the north London outfit are already planning ahead to next summer in a bid to bolster Nuno Santo’s squad with a key addition.

Speaking on a recent episode of his ‘Here We Go’ podcast, the Italian journalist said:

“They are already looking at potential strikers for summer 2022.

“This summer they had the chance to sign a striker as a backup for Harry Kane, but they were not convinced by some [of the] players, so they decided to save their money and invest next summer on the right player.

“This is [Fabio] Paratici’s style and mentality.”

Exciting times ahead

This latest update should hardly come as a surprise, though it is one that should leave many around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium absolutely buzzing.

Spurs enjoyed a fairly successful transfer window, bringing in no fewer than five new names, three of which are expected to make their presence known sooner rather than later.

Defensive colossus Cristian Romero, the playmaking Bryan Gil and an upgrade on Serge Aurier in Emerson Royal is certainly fine business indeed.

However, the one thing they lacked was the addition of an extra forward – not just to provide valuable back-up to Kane but also to potentially partner him up top.

As per the Telegraph’s Matt Law back in July, Lilywhites boss Nuno Santo wanted to change their style of play to include a two-man attack, with Danny Ings a key target.

He went on to join Aston Villa in a £30m deal instead.

Spurs also reportedly agreed on a fee for Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez but that fell through after Chelsea’s move for his strike partner Romelu Lukaku, whilst Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic and Wolves attacker Adama Traore were other names mooted throughout the window.

The fact that sporting director Fabio Paratici already knows that this is a problem is a positive thing as it means he is already planning to make amends in the coming windows.

That should leave both Nuno and the Lilywhites faithful teeming with excitement heading into 2022.

AND in other news, Spurs may forever rue big summer blunder over £18m-rated “machine”, Nuno must be livid…

Speaking to Football Insider, a West Ham United source has lifted the lid on a David Moyes plot involving both Lukasz Fabianski and summer signing Alphonse Areola.

The Lowdown: West Ham swoop for Areola…

Despite their desperate need for another out and out centre-forward, GSB and West Ham’s first major signing of the summer came at the opposite end of the pitch.

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Indeed, former Fulham ace Areola arrived at the London Stadium on a season-long loan deal from Paris-Saint Germain midway through the transfer window.

He looks set to provide some competition for Poland international and West Ham mainstay Fabianski, with a source now lifting the lid on what Moyes is plotting when it comes to the duo.

The Latest: Rush Green source leaks Moyes plan…

As per a Rush Green source, speaking to FI, Moyes is plotting a first team switcheroo over the next few weeks which could break Fabianski’s ‘untouchable’ status.

Barring injury, the 36-year-old has been a mainstay in West Ham’s starting eleven over this past year, making 35 Premier League appearances over 2020/2021 and starting all three games so far this season.

However, Moyes is now planning to replace Fabianski with Areola as his new number one over the coming weeks and ‘intends to phase’ the Frenchman into West Ham’s starting eleven.

That could be more imminent despite the original plan being to make Areola number one after a wait of ‘around five to ten matches’.

The Verdict: Upgrade?

Fabianski has been a wonderful and reliable servant for the Irons since he signed from Swansea City for £7 million back in 2018.

The 56-cap international has managed to keep a clean sheet in just under a quarter of his total appearances for West Ham, shutting out the opposition 25 times in 104 starts (Transfermarkt).

However, as he steadily reaches the twilight of his career, West Ham and Moyes could have a very handy and capable replacement in Areola, who has been described as ‘big’ by Scott Parker (Belfast Telegraph).

The 28-year-old has plenty of years ahead of him and was arguably one of Fulham’s most consistent performers last season despite their relegation.

In other news: Moyes now eyeing ‘unbelievable’ attacker as behind-scenes West Ham talks emerge, find out more here.

Aston Villa are still being linked with a move for Burnley striker Chris Wood, as reported by Birmingham Mail.

Enjoying a productive 2020/21 campaign, the New Zealand international contributed with 16 goal involvements as he helped Burnley stave off relegation; namely 12 goals and four assists [Transfermarkt].

Dean Smith allegedly wants another forward signed, in order to take the sole goal-scoring burden away from Villains hero Ollie Watkins moving into 2021/22. Wood is seen as someone who is proven in the Premier League, as well as being an alternative mould of player who could make an impact at Villa Park [Birmingham Mail].

Wood would reportedly cost Aston Villa over £25 million if they were to successfully negotiate a deal for the 29-year-old.

Paying huge money for someone who will soon be in his thirties has not pleased the Aston Villa support, despite Wood’s impressive form this term. In light of this news, loads of fans took to Twitter to fume  at these latest developments.

Villa fans react:

Here is what some Aston Villa supporters had to say regarding the update:

“Doesn’t fit the Villa player profile, this is never going to happen if you ask me and I won’t lose any sleep over it either sorry to say.”

Credit: @FabledSage

“He will be 30 soon so a defo no!!!!!”

Credit: @bils85

“We definitely need a striker, but not him”Credit: @Liam_856″This is getting boring now why would we need a Burnley striker who is very average for them, give it a rest now lads it ain’t gonna happen.”Credit: @tw1708″No too old doesn’t fit into our recruitment policy defo not a step forward in my opinion”Credit: @scott38245738″Isn’t it time to call up@LouieBarry6 ? I belive we have a strong starting 11, it would be great to develop our young lions!”Credit: @villaboy147In other news, Aston Villa fans react to their interest in a midfield beast.

Tuesday evening sees Nottingham Forest take on Championship leaders Fulham.

Fulham’s future was sealed last week when a 3-0 win against Preston North End confirmed that they would be playing Premier League football next season.

The Cottagers need six points to wrap up the title, though, Forest’s own ambition of promotion may forbid them of all three points.

On the chalkboard

Steve Cooper would have been ecstatic with the return of the club’s second-highest goal-scorer this season when he made his return in early April against Blackpool.

The Nottingham boss has eased Lewis Grabban back into action since then, with the Jamaican international making his first start in almost two months in the 1-0 defeat against Luton Town.

Grabban made a 15-minute cameo in Forest’s last game against Peterborough and was forced off in the 89th minute with an injury blow, with both Cooper and the 34-year-old Grabban hoping it is not serious.

Zero-to-hero

The timing of Sam Surridge’s resurgence to the starting XI has coincided brilliantly for Cooper.

The 23-year-old, who has been described as “clinical” by a reporter, has bagged five goals from just 11 shots for the Reds in all competitions.

His minutes per goal metric is very similar to Grabban’s 173 MPG, evidencing his decisiveness and suitability as an adequate replacement for the 34-year-old with a stat of 170 MPG.

Surridge has gone from a bit-part player to a starter over the last two games, with goals against West Brom and Peterborough in back-to-back starts allowing him to show Cooper exactly what he is about.

With three penalties awarded this season for the £12.6k-per-week earner’s efforts in the opposition’s box, he brings more unpredictability to Forest.

Grabban’s latest setback only strengthens Surridge’s case as a starter for however long the Jamaica international is out for.

He will be hoping to get another return in Tuesday’s game against Fulham and put a delay on their title celebrations in the hopes of boosting Nottingham Forest’s promotion ambitions.

In other news: Huge blow: Forest now suffer gutting injury setback, Cooper will be fuming…