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Preston North End boss Alex Neil has fired Carlo Ancelotti a huge warning over Anthony Gordon after revealing why the Everton loanee did not face Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

The Lilywhites travelled to the Riverside Stadium for a midweek clash but returned to Deepdale without any points to show for their efforts, after an own goal from Jordan Storey and strike from Marcus Tavernier saw Neil Warnock’s Boro triumph.

Gordon had been a regular member of Neil’s plans since joining the Championship side on loan for the remainder of the season during the winter transfer market, but played no part in the defeat for only his second non-appearance in 10 games for the club.

Preston supporters were at a loss as to why Gordon was not fielded in the starting line-up on Tuesday and later not given any minutes from the bench, despite their side later being reduced to 10 men following a red card for Alan Browne.

Neil has since explained why Gordon was overlooked against Middlesbrough, in a potentially huge warning for Ancelotti and the winger’s hopes of establishing himself back at Everton next season.

“It’s different being a fan and being a manager, because my job is to try and put the team out to try and win the game,” Neil explained, via quotes by Lancs Live. “Fans want to see exciting players and I understand that, so that’s not lost on me.

“But my job at the moment, certainly with the difficult run we’re on, is to try and get some points and listen – the one thing I can assure everybody and Anthony, because I speak to him regularly, is that if I think he is the best option for a game coming up, I’ve got no reservations whatsoever of putting him in.

“The thing is with Anthony is that he wants to take touches, and against Middlesbrough, they want to lock you in, so you need to limit your touches – certainly if you’re high up the pitch. That’s why I put three runners behind Ched [Evans], so it [the ball] goes up, sticks, gets set back and then guys run.”

Gordon had been noted to have offered a positive impact from the bench in Preston’s prior 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, but has now not started a fixture under Neil in four possible games and remains without a goal or an assist.

Neil’s reasoning behind overlooking Gordon against Middlesbrough on Tuesday should act as a warning for Ancelotti, and raise concerns back at Everton of what sort of impact the £4.5m-rated forward will be able to offer the European football hopefuls next season.

The Preston boss clearly feels Gordon still has some room to develop before he is consistently making the correct decisions in the final-third, which in turn is likely helping toward his wait for a first contribution to the scoring with the Championship side.

Yet Gordon has shown over his outings for the Lilywhites that he can be a productive member of Neil’s attacking options, even if the chances have not yet been converted, and it is surely only a matter of time before the Liverpool-born talent is influencing games.

Despite taking just 25.9 touches per Championship game over his eight appearances to date, Gordon has offered on average 0.9 shots and created one goalscoring opportunity, including two big chances and missing one clear cut opening, per SofaScore.

Richarlison offers Everton 40.5 touches per Premier League game over his 24 outings so far, for comparison, which have seen the Brazilian produce on average 1.7 shots and 0.6 key passes for six goals and three assists, along with creating three big chances and missing six.

The 23-year-old plays on average 83 minutes a game, while Gordon only registers 49 having made half of his appearances from the bench, to show that the Toffees product is establishing a solid baseline to build on over the final quarter of the second-tier season. However, if he’s not trusted to play in a big Championship clash, then maybe he isn’t close to being ready for the Premier League just yet.

AND in other news, Everton have their eyes on a £105k-p/w striker with three goals in 34 games for his current side…

Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Aston Villa to axe Ross Barkley for their home game versus Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former AVFC and England international striker has claimed that Morgan Sanson would be a better option for Dean Smith in the middle of the park as he is more defensively-minded amid the threat that Brendan Rodgers’ team poses in attack:

“I think Dean Smith will want to persist with Barkley.

“I think this next game against Leicester is the type of game that will suit Sanson, he’s not as attacking as Barkley. 

“Leicester are a dangerous team and this game is going to be about which team gets their tactics right, that team will win the game. 

“Leicester can mix it up and play very defensively sometimes and on the counter-attack. I think for this game Villa need to change their tactics and go more defensive.

“Smith can’t leave any space in behind for Jamie Vardy to run into. So maybe it’s a game that doesn’t suit Barkley.

“He’s has been outstanding since coming to Aston Villa but in recent games, I’ve been disappointed with him.

“The Barkley I know, the Barkley that everyone has known for the last five or six years, takes people on with speed. I haven’t seen that in recent weeks which is disappointing. It’s probably fair that Sanson gets a chance now.”

May be an opportunity for Sanson

The match against the Foxes may be an opportunity for Sanson to show as to why Villa brought him in in the January transfer window.

The central midfield player is more defensively-minded than Barkley as Agbonlahor has claimed, averaging more tackles (1.8) and interceptions (0.8) than the Chelsea loanee while he was playing for Marseille earlier on in the 2020/21 term (Whoscored).

While the £17.5m-rated Barkley does offer an attacking threat, the Midlands club need to be particularly cautious against a side that is trying to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for next season, and playing Sanson ahead of the 27-year-old may well be a smart move to take by Smith.

He is currently going through a bit of a dry spell at this particular moment in time with no goals or assists in his last three matches in the top flight, and so a it may be a wise idea to leave the Englishman on the bench in place of Sanson and thus take him out of the firing line.

In other news, find out what inside claim Agbonlahor has dropped on one Villa ace here!

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been reacting to links that he could become the next Celtic manager in the summer.

Clarke reacts

The 57-year-old has been heavily linked with the Parkhead managerial role after Neil Lennon resigned from his position – following the club’s unsuccessful attempt of securing an unprecedented 10-in-a-row.

John Kennedy has taken the interim position until the end of the season when the new chief executive Dominic McKay is expected to choose a successor in the summer.

Sky Sports’ Jim White named Clarke as one of three key figures that could be in the frame for the job, including Rafael Benitez and Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez.

The Scottish tactician, who was once described as an “incredible coach” by Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, was quizzed as part of a Q&A on BBC Sport by youngsters at Edinburgh-based club Team United, who support young people with autism.

When asked whether he would consider moving to Celtic after Euro 2020, he said: “I will be going on a long holiday after the Euros.

“And I am contracted with Scotland until 2022 when I’ll hopefully be taking us to the World Cup in Qatar.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

We do not expect McKay to make any decisions until he is officially in his place – once Peter Lawwell leaves the club. But Clarke does appear to be happy ruling himself out of the running.

The pressure next season at Celtic will be immense and having just guided Scotland to their first major tournament since 1998, leading the national team may come as an easier job, at least for his stress levels.

Nevertheless, Celtic have to keep their options open and consider everyone available to take the role. For us, Benitez would be the best option, but whether the Spaniard would be tempted by the prospect of Scottish football remains to be seen.

In other news, Celtic make contact with ‘fantastic’ manager as Hoops source emerges.

West Ham United must deliver Eddie Nketiah to David Moyes amid rumoured interest in the Arsenal forward following the £20m sale of Sebastien Haller.

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, the Irons are tracking Nketiah’s situation at the Emirates Stadium as they begin their search for Haller’s replacement.

The Hammers are drawing up a shortlist of centre-forwards to target in the January transfer window, with AFC Bournemouth’s Joshua King and Stade Reims’ Boulaye Dia also among their possible options.

Haller completed a £20m move to AFC Ajax on Friday after West Ham accepted a loss of more than 50 per cent on the club-record £45m spent to sign the Ivory Coast international in 2019, bringing an end to the Mario Husillos flop’s torrid time in east London.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward only netted 14 goals in 53 games across all competitions, including just three in 16 Premier League appearances this season.

Nketiah has only found the back of the net once in 12 top-flight outings this term, of which he’s started three, while scoring three in six Europa League Group Stage ties and one in two Carabao Cup appearances including against Leicester City.

West Ham are keen to know whether or not Arsenal are open to a deal for Nketiah this month, as the 21-year-old is under contract in north London through to the summer of 2022 on a £45,000-per-week deal but is yet to agree on an extension.

Dream Haller heir

Nketiah could prove to be Moyes’ dream Haller heir if West Ham are able to reach an agreement with Arsenal, who are believed to be looking at loan options in the January market as funds are limited at the Emirates.

The Gunners’ need for cash could aid West Ham in acquiring Nketiah as they may be more receptive to a permanent deal, which would see the Irons sign a forward who Mikel Arteta believes is “extraordinary” for a player of his age.

Nketiah is also England’s record-scorer at Under 21s level with 10 goals in 12 games and has captained the Young Lions on four occasions since September, while finding the back of the net in the EFL Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League since his Arsenal debut in 2017.

He has also begun to build a reputation for being a clinical poacher, with the average distance to goal for his 12 Gunners strikes coming at a mere 6.1 yards after a 13-yard effort against Dundalk last month raised the average from 5.4 yards.

His record would be ideal for the system Moyes is developing at the London Stadium as no Premier League side have attempted more efforts from within the six-yard box than West Ham so far this season, who take a division-high 14% of their shots under the shadow of the goal frame.

Arsenal, in contrast, take the 11th-most at 7%, which would suggest Nketiah could take his game to another level in claret and blue if Moyes and the Irons board decide he represents the best option to replace Haller.

AND in other news: “He’d only be a squad player” – Exclusive: Pundit reacts as West Ham target £45k-p/w striker.

Southampton take on Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup on Tuesday evening, hoping to secure their place in the fourth round, where a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal awaits.

After the original game was postponed due to an outbreak of the virus in Shrewsbury’s squad, both sides will be relieved to be able to play the game on Tuesday night at St Mary’s.

Unfortunately for the South Coast club, they are going through something of an injury crisis right now, with a number of key first-teamers currently sidelined, meaning that the Austrian manager will likely have to turn to his youth players in order to find a way past the League One side.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the Saints to line up against Shrewsbury, with eight changes from the starting team that lost against Leicester…

Fraser Forster’s performance against Liverpool in the Premier League recently was impressive, so Hasenhuttl should hand him the start in goal ahead of Alex McCarthy.

In defence, only Jack Stephens keeps his place and he partners 19-year-old Allan Tchaptchet at centre-back, as he is rewarded with a first-team debut after featuring on the bench in recent fixtures.

Yan Valery replaces Kyle Walker-Peters at right-back, whilst Jake Vokins comes in for Ryan Bertrand, with both first-choice full-backs perhaps deserving of a rest.

There are two changes in midfield, as 20-year-0ld winger Will Ferry also makes his debut on the left-hand side, with Hasenhuttl extremely low on options in that position after the injuries to Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond.

James Ward-Prowse is another to be rested, after playing every minute in the Premier League so far, which allows for a third debutant in Kgaogelo Chauke, who starts alongside Ibrahima Diallo in central midfield.

Finally, Shane Long and Dan N’Lundulu come in for Theo Walcott and Che Adams up front and hopefully, those two will be enough for Hasenhuttl’s side to see off the League One strugglers.

And, in other news… Southampton will surely rue not signing £18m beast who “makes scoring goals look so easy”

Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the last 32 of the Europa League as a seeded outfit after beating Royal Antwerp to overtake them to top spot in Group J on Thursday evening.

Jose Mourinho rested the majority of his first-choice XI but did have to call upon the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Tanguy Ndombele around the hour mark to get the job done.

And it was really nothing more than a job done.

Spurs were rather underwhelming on the night, but it won’t matter as their impressive run of form continued.

Back-up striker Carlos Vinicius tapped in from close range after a long-range free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar before Giovani Lo Celso rounded things off with a tidy second goal.

Although Mourinho will have plenty more to worry about as several players struggled to take their opportunity, none more so than Lucas Moura, who once again let his manager down with another stinking performance.

It was pretty much summed up by the fact that he managed fewer passes (19) than the goalkeeper, Joe Hart (20), when he should have been contributing at the other end of the pitch immensely.

Indeed the winger, valued at €40m (£36m), was anonymous at left-wing, managing to successfully pull off 50% of his dribbles, two blocked shots and committed two fouls, via SofaScore.

He was also rather lightweight winning just five of 14 duels (35%), was dribbled past twice and lost possession a team-high 17 times.

Some supporters were quick to slate Welsh defender Ben Davies on Twitter, as you can see by this example here and this one too, but they should be taking fire at Moura instead.

Alasdair Gold at football.london graded his display a five out of ten, and said: “Plenty of endeavour and runs with the ball with very little end product” which was echoed by the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick, who claimed Moura was “quiet.”

The Brazilian star is earning a cool £80k-per-week in N17 and must do better as one of the north Londoners’ highest earners. It’s back-to-back midweek disappointments and that’ll do his chances of starting above Steven Bergwijn in the league no favours at all.

AND in other news, Spurs need to make their move for the “modern-day David Beckham” before it’s too late…

Jose Mourinho must consider getting rid of Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Harry Winks in the January transfer window, as the midfielder is now attracting interest from abroad.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish news outlet AS, Valencia are interested in signing the 24-year-old on loan during this month’s transfer window.

The England international is also reportedly open to a move away, as he looks to secure regular playing time ahead of the European Championships in the summer, as he will surely be desperate to be a part of Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Should Mourinho axe Winks?

Winks has struggled for game time in the Premier League this season, with just seven appearances in the top-flight to his name, in which he has averaged a shocking 6.34 rating, which ranks him as Spurs’ fourth-worst performer in the Premier League so far this campaign.

However, he has shown his class in his performances in the Europa League with the Lilywhites, having averaged a 7.16 rating across his five appearances, although this could be the case of the Englishman simply finding his level against inferior opposition.

Although he was solid enough in the 3-0 win against Leeds on Saturday, picking up a 6.8 rating from SofaScore, he was barely involved in Spurs’ attacking play, completing just 14 passes.

From a defensive point of view, he was able to win just three of his eight duels, resulting in a disappointing success rate of 37.5%, which begs the question – what does Winks offer in this Spurs side?

Earlier in the season, pundit Stewart Robson was heavily critical of the midfielder following Spurs’ 1-0 defeat against Royal Antwerp, saying:

“I’m not sure what he gives Spurs.

”I think he’s too square with his passing. He goes backwards. He keeps the ball, but there’s no penetration with his passing and he was one of the major problems with Spurs’ performance today.”

Indeed, it seems that, despite his recent run in the Spurs starting XI, Winks simply doesn’t offer Mourinho enough at the moment and he has better options available.

Therefore, if Valencia’s interest in the midfielder is genuine, then the Portuguese manager should consider loaning, or even selling, the £50k per week midfielder so he could get regular football in Spain, rather than perhaps being a bit-part player with the Lilywhites.

And, in other news… Mourinho has a big decision to make at Spurs following injury update

Glasgow Rangers target Dion McGhee appeared for Newcastle United’s U23s on Friday evening.

Toon eye up McGhee

McGhee left Manchester United earlier this year, meaning that he could be signed as a free agent. The Gers appeared to be favourites for his signature at one point, but Porto and Benfica were also mentioned as potential destinations for the 20-year-old.

Now, though, it seems the Premier League side have moved ahead in the race for his signature. He appeared for them in a U23s match on Friday against Reading, playing 74 minutes.

Still currently available

Coming from the Manchester United academy certainly means that McGhee has a strong pedigree, and has already learned to deal with a certain amount of pressure during his career. Whilst he never appeared for the first team, to earn a professional contract with the Red Devils is already an impressive achievement.

He was also on trial at Tottenham – this is a player in demand. And, on a free transfer, his signature would be a no-risk commitment for the Ibrox outfit. It remains to be seen where he ends up, but it seems that the Toon are in pole position – Ross Wilson will need to make his move fast if he is to convince the midfielder to move north of the border.

In other news, Rangers fans slam this journalist’s tweet.

According to Norwegian publication VG, Arsenal remain interested in Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge.

What’s the story?

The 22-year-old only joined the Blades earlier this year for a club-record fee, and has quickly established himself as a key part of Chris Wilder’s side, playing in every single Premier League game this season, including completing the full 90 minutes in the last eight.

Now, VG claim that Arsenal were actually very much interested in signing him before he ended up joining Sheffield United, but that his performances since his arrival at Bramall Lane have “definitely not harmed by his achievements in recent months”.

Can he be Arsenal’s next Vieira?

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 5, Berge has a lot of similarities to Arsenal legend, Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman of course was the captain during the Invincibles era, and led the Gunners to some incredible domestic successes.

Whilst Berge at 22 still has an awful long way to go to get anywhere near that level, he possesses a lot of the same characteristics that defined Vieira’s time at Arsenal. Tall, powerful and deceptively good with the ball, the Norwegian has got a game-changing dynamic to his game.

Taste of Football wrote in their analytical report about him: “The midfielder is a massive physical presence in midfield. His ability to shrug off anyone pressing him and almost glide beyond them is a joy to watch. The Norway international uses his strength to his advantage, allowing him to transition quickly from his own box into the final third. But Berge’s game isn’t reliant on his stature.

“On multiple occasions, he is seen skipping past the opposition, either with a flick around the corner or an elegant dribble. Hardly what you expect from such a giant in midfield. Berge also has finesse to his game. Reminiscent of a young Sergio Busquets, a testament to how easy he makes the game look.”

And if the Gunners needed any more reason to sign him, then they only have to listen to what Mikel Arteta’s assistant, Albert Stuivenberg, said about him. He lauded: “He is already very mature. He is intelligent, reads the game well, and takes the initiative. He has the potential to become a future leader.”

Berge has all the hallmarks of a young Vieira, and could be a superb signing for the north Londoners.

Leeds United have just had a deal for a highly-rated youngster fall through at the last minute.

Where have we heard that before?

Of course, Michael Cuisance’s deal falling through has brought back memories of Daniel James’ failed transfer in January 2019, when Leeds United had gone as far as to take pictures of the winger with his new shirt before the deal collapsed.

James didn’t sign, and Leeds didn’t have a plan B lined up for if things went awry, and this ultimately may have cost United promotion to the Premier League in the 2018/19 season, with fans blaming Andrea Radrizzani’s lack of investment that January on their late-season collapse.

Once again, the Yorkshire club find themselves in a similar position with a transfer that looked all but done, falling apart late on, but this time they need to make sure to learn from their mistakes.

United have been pursuing a midfielder all summer long with Rodrigo De Paul and Cuisance being the most concrete links, and with just days of the window to go, they still haven’t managed to land their man.

Fortunately, there is plenty of time for a signing, and if Victor Orta has learnt from his mistakes from the Dan James deal, United should have other options already lined up.

Orta has done a great job with his signings so far, bringing in a number of experienced players to plug the gaps in United’s squad including Diego Llorente and Rodrigo. But with the Cuisance deal falling through being such a setback, he now has to prove his worth and find an adequate midfielder as an alternative to the Bayern Munich man.

Fingers crossed, Leeds have learnt from their mistakes, or else this is a transfer disaster that could haunt the club for years to come.

In other news, find out which Leeds man has been ruled out of their clash against Manchester City…