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Journalist Jonny McFarlane has claimed that Rangers manager Michael Beale should drop Ryan Kent amid contract uncertainty.

What's the latest Rangers contract news?

At the end of the season, the 26-year-old will see his current contract expire, alongside fellow star player Alfredo Morelos (via Transfermarkt).

There has been plenty of media speculation about just where the Teddy Bears' winger might end up, with Burnley, Everton and Leeds United a few of the clubs to have been linked.

With that being the case, it seems more likely than not that this will be Kent's last season playing Scottish Premiership football with Rangers.

Having crashed out of the Scottish Cup on the weekend and with a league title looking out of reach, there isn't much to play for in the remainder of the season.

With that being the case, when talking on the Rangers Review podcast, McFarlane has urged manager Beale to drop Kent now, effectively putting an end to his Ibrox career.

He said (5:23): "To me, Beale has to show a level of ruthlessness now here. As much as anything else, it's about showing the fans that he can make a really tough decision.

"We know that he's got a really good relationship with Ryan Kent. But really, if he's not going to sign, what's the point? What is it going to bring to the table?

"You've got a guy who is not going to want to get injured. It's the same with Alfredo Morelos, has nothing to play for.

"You know, they've already allowed the Rangers fans to make up their mind on them, based on the delivery of performance…"

Will Kent sign a new contract with Rangers?

Perhaps it would be more difficult to be ruthless with Kent if he was playing at his best. But after his showing in the Old Firm defeat on the weekend, that is hardly the case.

After all, in the player ratings for the Daily Record Andrew Newport handed the winger a 4/10 for his performance that saw him subbed off at halftime.

He wrote: "Nowhere near fit after his recent lay-off. Spent the 45 minutes he was on being bounced around by Alistair Johnston. Hooked at half-time after bizarrely running in wrong direction as Celtic pounced."

With that being the case, as the season draws to an end, perhaps it could be wise of Beale to stamp his authority now and drop £18k-p/w Kent, who looks set for the exit door regardless.

Frank Lampard’s time at Chelsea has not gotten off to the best start as the Blues legend has overseen two defeats with his side maintaining their woeful goalscoring form after drawing blanks against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Real Madrid.

Goalscoring is obviously the main issue for the Stamford Bridge outfit right now but Lampard is already repeating one of Graham Potter’s worst mistakes as Chelsea boss, by selecting Marc Cucurella as a wide centre-back in the three-at-the-back system.

Should Chelsea be playing Cucurella at centre-back?

Cucurella was signed from Brighton in the summer of 2022 for £60m, despite the Blues already having Ben Chilwell as their first-choice left-back.

It was easy to see why Todd Boehly was keen to bring the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge considering he had averaged a strong 6.94 rating from WhoScored across 35 Premier League appearances in his debut season with the Seagulls.

The former Getafe man, who earns a whopping £175k-per-week at Stamford Bridge, has spent much of his career playing as a left-midfielder and left-back, so seemed perfect for the wing-back role in Chelsea’s system, yet he has inexplicably been selected as a centre-back by Thomas Tuchel, Potter and now Lampard.

Standing at 5 foot 8 in stature, the 24-year-old arguably lacks the required physicality to be a successful centre-back in the Premier League, which is emphasised by his disappointing average of 0.7 aerials won per game in the top flight this season, the 13th-best in Chelsea’s squad.

Unsurprisingly, playing in an unnatural position has seen Cucurella struggle throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, with the defender averaging a disappointing 6.65 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the league so far this campaign.

This currently ranks him as the 15th-best performer in Lampard’s squad and given how much Boehly invested in the Spain international, it is disappointing that he has endured such a difficult start to life at Chelsea.

While Chelsea managers are clearly trying to accommodate him and Chilwell in the same team by playing him as a centre-back, it has cost the Blues in recent games against Aston Villa and Real Madrid.

In the 2-0 home defeat which cost Potter his job, Cucurella’s weak header back to the goalkeeper sent Ollie Watkins in on goal for the opener, while his failure to track Rodrygo on Wednesday night saw the Brazilian go in on goal, with Chilwell then hauling him down and receiving a red card.

The ever-out-spoken Jamie O’Hara didn’t hold back in his criticism of the defender after his Champions League cameo, labelling him a “disgrace” on Twitter, and Lampard must learn quickly that he isn’t a centre-back, or he risks repeating the mistakes of his predecessor.

Today, we are going to tell you more about Erling Haaland and how his transfer to Manchester City has affected the gambling market. Whether you are a high-roller or someone who wants to find reliable 10 pound minimum deposit online casino sites where you can bet on Manchester City games, this article will be useful to you.

Who is Erling Haaland?

Erling Haaland was born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, England to Alf-Inge Haaland, a former Norwegian footballer, and Gry Marita Braut, a former heptathlete who represented Norway in athletics. Haaland began playing as a young boy, and it was clear from an early age that he had an enormous talent. He played for his local club, Bryne FK, before moving to the Molde FK academy in Norway at the age of 16.

Incredible Talent

It was during his time at Molde that Haaland began to attract attention from clubs around Europe. In August 2018, he signed for Red Bull Salzburg. In the 2019-2020 football season, Haaland scored 28 goals in 22 games for this team, including a hat-trick in his Champions League debut against Genk. After that, some of the biggest clubs in Europe became interested in him. As a result, Borussia Dortmund signed him in early 2020.

Becoming a Top Football Player

Haaland continued to impress football fans, enthusiasts, and critics at Borussia Dortmund, scoring a whopping 16 goals in 18 games in the second half of the season. His impressive performances and effort made him one of the most popular players. That's why, it was expected that he would want to change his team again relatively soon. In 2021, it was announced that Haaland would be joining Manchester City on a five-year deal. The transfer fee was over £51 million, which makes him one of the most expensive players ever.

One of the Best Players of Today

Haaland is hands down one of the best young football players. Because of him, Manchester City has become even stronger than it was. Fans and experts aren't to see that he's already scored so many goals for Manchester City and become one of their best players.

The Transfer and Its Effect on the Betting World

Haaland's transfer to Manchester City has caused a significant stir, with fans and experts speculating about how it'll impact football. But what about the betting market? How has Haaland's arrival at Manchester City affected the odds and the overall landscape of football betting?

Even before the transfer announcement, Manchester City was one of the favourites to end up winning the league. However, with Haaland's addition to the team, the odds have only gotten shorter and Manchester City's results have gotten better. In the eyes of bookmakers, Manchester City became even better with Erling Haaland, and they were right, as Manchester City has had a really solid season so far.

Immediate Market Reaction

The market's reaction to Haaland's transfer was immediate and significant. According to Oddschecker, a website that tracks odds from multiple bookmakers, the odds of Manchester City winning the Premier League shortened within hours of the announcement. However, this represents something usual in the betting world, with bookmakers adjusting their odds in response to the news.

Explaining the Impact

But why is Haaland's transfer such a big deal for the betting market? Firstly, Haaland is considered to be one of the best football players overall. His goal-scoring records and skills make him a top-notch player. His arrival at Man City is seen as a huge boost to the team's chances of winning their future matches.

The betting market is sensitive to events that may impact the outcome of games. When a club like Manchester City scores a chance to get a player like Erling Haaland, the market responds accordingly, with bookmakers adjusting their odds to reflect the new reality on the ground.

The Impact on the Champions League

It's not just the Premier League that has been affected by Haaland's transfer. The Champions League has also been impacted, with Manchester City's odds of winning the competition improving significantly. Prior to Haaland's arrival, Manchester City was already one of the favourites to win the Champions League, with nice odds. However, with Erling Haaland as part of their team, their odds have improved greatly.

An Even Stronger Manchester City

Another aspect of Haaland's transfer that has impacted the betting market is the potential for increased competition among the top teams. With Haaland's arrival at Manchester City, other good teams will need to work harder to keep up with them. This has led to a shift in the odds also for their rivals.

For example, Liverpool's odds of winning the Premier League have drifted out to 10/1 with some bookmakers, which represents a significant change from their position as reigning champions just a season ago. Chelsea and Manchester United have also seen their odds lengthen slightly, as they are now perceived as being further behind Manchester City with Haaland on board.

Moreover, Erling Haaland's arrival at Manchester City could also impact the relegation battle. This is because the teams in the bottom half of the table now face an even tougher challenge. This could lead to increased volatility in the betting markets for relegation, with odds potentially shifting in response to the new reality on the ground.

Potential Risks and Their Effects on the Betting Market

Despite the positive outlook for Haaland's transfer to Manchester City, there are always some risks. Bookmakers will be closely monitoring how Haaland performs on the pitch. Although Haaland has an impressive goal-scoring record and has been playing great, that might not be the case in the future.

For example, injuries can significantly impact a player's performance and, consequently, the betting market. An injury to Haaland would be a major blow to Manchester City's chances of success and would also impact the betting market. Bookmakers would need to adjust their odds to reflect the new reality on the ground, potentially causing shifts in the betting market.

It's worth noting that Haaland is just one player in a team. Even if he manages to score the most goals in a Premier League season, Manchester City's success depends on the performance of the entire team. While Erling Haaland's addition to the team is undoubtedly a boost, it is still up to the team as a whole to perform well in order to achieve success.

Despite these potential risks, the overall response to Haaland's transfer to Manchester City has been super positive. Fans and bookmakers have expressed confidence in his skills and determination.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Haaland's transfer to Manchester City has had a significant impact on the betting market. Bookmakers have adjusted their odds in response to this high-profile move, with Manchester City now having even stronger chances to dominate in the Premier League and the Champions League. Other teams will need to work harder to keep up with Man City, which could increase the volatility in the betting world.

The team of experts at Gamblorium and similar sites will be watching closely to see how Haaland's time at Manchester City unfolds. In addition to that, we'll be checking how the betting market responds to his performances. Lastly, the gambling market is very dynamic, and Haaland's transfer to Manchester City is just one example of how news and events can impact it.

One area that does appear in need of strengthening for Newcastle United this summer is in central midfield, with Eddie Howe’s side currently looking rather thin on the ground with regard to options in that department.

The decision to allow Jonjo Shelvey to join relegation strugglers Nottingham Forest has only exacerbated the lack of midfield depth, hence the need for the Magpies to adequately bolster their ranks if they are to push on again next season.

It does appear that the Tynesiders have already identified a possible solution to that problem in the form of Celta Vigo starlet, Gabriel ‘Gabri’ Veiga, with reports on the continent having spoken of the Premier League side’s interest.

As one Spanish outlet claimed earlier in the week, the St James’ Park outfit – as well as both Manchester United and Real Madrid – are seemingly keeping tabs on the promising Spaniard, following what has been a remarkable, breakthrough campaign for the 20-year-old in La Liga.

Another outlet – AS (via Sports Witness) – previously revealed that Newcastle had sent scouts to watch the youngster in action, with the top-four hopefuls said to be ‘one of the most interested’ in acquiring the playmaker’s services.

The Spain U21 international will likely not come cheap for any suitor, however, as he reportedly has a €40m (£35m) release clause in his current deal.

What is Gabri Veiga’s style of play?

The 6-foot sensation – who has risen up through Celta’s youth ranks – has the versatility to feature on the flanks, yet has typically lined up in an attacking midfield role in his embryonic career to date, notably sharing a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with current Magpies star, Joe Willock, as per FBref.

That likeness is indicated by the fact that the two men both offer a real forward-thinking and dynamic midfield approach, with Willock having racked up 73 progressive passes and 57 progressive carries so far this season, while Veiga is only just behind as he has recorded 41 and 66 for the same two metrics, respectively.

That willingness to get forward had also been showcased by the fact that the latter man ranks in the top 5% in Europe among those in his position for touches in the attacking penalty area, while the former Arsenal man – who arrived in the northeast on an initial loan deal back in February 2021 – ranks in the top 1% in that regard.

Such a comparison seemingly bodes well for the impact that the Spaniard can make on Tyneside, with Willock currently thriving after starting 20 Premier League games this season, having earned praise for his form from manager Howe, who stated back in January:

“He’s very athletic, got an eye for goal, technically very good and tactically he is improving.”

To be able to recruit a similar figure in the form of Veiga would certainly enhance the level of competition in Howe’s squad, with the emerging gem having sparkled this season with eight goals and three assists from his 23 appearances in the Spanish top flight.

An “interesting box-to-box midfielder” – as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig – the highly-coveted ace has no doubt warranted such interest such has been his stellar hot streak so far this season, having notably produced an “amazing performance”, as per Kulig, against Real Valladolid last month.

While Newcastle will clearly have a fight on their hands to land the Willock-esque starlet, a summer swoop could well prove a real masterstroke.

A significant development has emerged for Aston Villa and the return of one of their injured stars this month…

What’s the latest on Diego Carlos’ injury?

According to the Birmingham Mail, Diego Carlos fully returned to first-team training with the squad on Tuesday ahead of his comeback from rupturing his Achilles on his home debut against Everton earlier this season.

The report claims that the defender was only involved in light sessions last week, after Unai Emery revealed that the centre-back was back out on the grass prior to the defeat to Arsenal, but is now fully integrated with the rest of the group.

It is also suggested that the Brazilian enforcer, who arrived at the club from Sevilla last summer, could be involved against Sunderland for the U21s on Friday night to help with his match fitness.

Terrific news

This update is terrific news for Emery as it shows that the defender is on the right track to being involved in the Premier League in the final few months of the campaign.

Carlos may need a few weeks to build up his fitness to a point where he can be starting matches in the top-flight but being back out on the grass and in full first-team training is a huge step in the right direction.

Speaking about the defender’s return, Emery recently said: “Diego Carlos is a very good player. He has a good mentality and he’s a winner. I think, progressively, he will help us. He will play as soon as possible, not in the starting XI maybe because, progressively, he needs to keep confidence and keep fit. When he is going to start with us in training I think he will be important to us.”

The 29-year-old has the potential, as the head coach has stated, to be a key player for Villa as his form for Sevilla in recent seasons proves that the former Valencia ace can produce exceptional performances on a regular basis.

In 34 LaLiga appearances, the centre-back averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 and won 62% of his individual duels – keeping 13 clean sheets – last term.

The gem also averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 in 33 outings in the Spanish top-flight in the 2020/21 campaign – helping his side to keep another 13 clean sheets.

However, no central defender for Villa has averaged a score higher than Ezri Konsa’s 6.81 this season and Tyrone Mings’ score of 6.91 was the highest in 2021/22.

This suggests that Carlos could be Emery’s best option in the heart of the defence if he can return to full fitness and replicate his Sevilla form in the English top-flight in the coming months.

Chelsea could retain the services of midfielder N’Golo Kante beyond the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Simon Phillips.

The Lowdown: Kante nearly out of contract

The Frenchman has been a wonderful servant for the Blues, making 262 appearances and helping them win the Premier League title back in 2016/17.

Kante is out of contract at the end of the season and various recent reports have suggested that he will move on once this season reaches in conclusion, with Barcelona seemingly the likely destination.

However, a fresh update now claims there could be a twist in the tale.

The Latest: New twist…

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Phillips says that Kante could actually end up signing an extension at Stamford Bridge to keep him at the club:

“But you can say Kante’s people have always had their desire to stay, it always has been. It has to be something that they’re happy with, in a sense of the terms as well.

“There’s a lot of optimism on that one. Everyone I’ve asked about that in the last few days, they think that he’s going to sign.”

The Verdict: Should he be moved on?

This is an interesting update regarding Kante’s future and it is a difficult decision to make, in terms of whether or not it is worth retaining his services.

The midfielder is on a whopping £290,000 a week currently, and considering he turns 32 this summer and has become increasingly injury-prone, allowing him to leave could make more sense.

Getting Kante off Chelsea’s wage bill would free up funds for new signings this summer and allow Graham Potter to continue his rebuild in the middle of the park.

There is no doubt that he has been a top-class player and extending his stay would be no disaster – Cesc Fabregas has called him ‘world-class’ – but letting him go still feels like the preferable decision.

Liverpool have been tipped to complete the signing of Chelsea midfielder and Premier League legend N’Golo Kante this summer ahead of the expiry of his contract in west London…

What’s the latest?

The Frenchman has been a stalwart for Chelsea since his £30m move from Leicester City in 2016, going on to win a plethora of major honours and individual accolades, and he is now of interest to Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

With the 31-year-old out of contract at the end of the season, reports from Spain (via Football 365) emerged this week that that Klopp has personally urged club owners FSG to make an offer to land Kante on a free transfer when his contract concludes at the end of the campaign.

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has since implored his former club to sign a colossus who can reinject some vigour into the midfield on Merseyside.

He told ESPN: “You know you are getting a player, a gentleman and an experienced winner. He’s the whole package. The nicest guy in the world. Fantastic in the dressing room. You are getting everything.

“If I am Madrid, Man City, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern, or any of the so-called big guys. If this guy is on a free, then I am signing him.”

Henderson upgrade

Kante is a serial winner. Since arriving in the Premier League with Leicester for a paltry £5.6m, the box-to-box ace has won two top-flight titles – monumentally starring in the Foxes’ iconic 2015/16 campaign before his move to Stamford Bridge – along with the Champions League, World Cup and several other major honours.

Hailed as “one of the best” by his former Blues boss Antonio Conte, he has made 222 appearances in the English top flight, scoring 12 goals and providing 16 assists. Despite his recent injury concerns, his inclusion in a team suffering from lack of potency and intensity, much like Klopp’s withered Liverpool, could produce huge rewards.

Potentially available on a free transfer, it seems something of a no-brainer to reinstall the energy which has been notably absent on Merseyside this term after years of commendable work under Klopp’s tutelage.

As per FBref, the “astounding” Kante – as dubbed by sport writer Ben McKenna – ranks among the top 6% of midfielders in Europe’s five main leagues for both shot-creating actions and dribbles completed, illustrating his progressive, forward-thinking nature.

He is also among the top 15% for tackles and interceptions, and it is this bustling, high-octane approach which would fit the Reds’ system like a tailor-made glove.

He could replace Liverpool stalwart and captain Jordan Henderson, who has been at the epicentre of the issues which have plagued the Reds this season.

Henderson has made 472 outings for his current club, scoring 33 goals and supplying 59 assists, and has indeed donned the armband throughout the prosperous era which has seen the club land a plethora of major trophies, most memorably that long-awaited Premier League title in 2020.

However, Liverpool reporter Steve Smith encapsulates the conundrum, writing that the 32-year-old’s “tank is close to empty”, and it is clear that someone of Kante’s ilk could represent a significant and much-needed upgrade.

As per FBref, the Frenchman has outperformed his English compatriot throughout their respective careers in terms of shots on target percentage, pass completion, blocks and tackles made, dribble success and ball recoveries. This indicates that Kante would improve the Reds’ midfield both in and out of possession.

Liverpool are in a bit of turmoil right now, and while Champions League qualification for 2023/24 looks a steep task, having fallen ten points off Manchester United in the top four, the opportunity to write a successful new chapter in the club’s distinguished history could begin with a swoop for potential free agent Kante.

Tottenham Hotspur still hold an interest in signing Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Zaniolo available

Zaniolo has been one of the most prominent names throughout the second half of this transfer window since Calciomercato reported that the 23-year-old had asked to leave Roma.

The article reported that fans began to vent their anger at the former Inter Milan youngster after his demands over a new contract started disgruntlement.

Tottenham were one of the first names to be linked with Zaniolo in the article amongst other Premier League sides and it seems the Lilywhites haven’t given up the chase just yet.

The Latest: Romano update

Romano revealed on his YouTube channel that the Italian is determined to seek a move and still has suitors monitoring him in North London, he said:

(3:45) “Let’s see how they (Tottenham) will continue on the market, they still have some rumours on Zaniolo but the only official bid was from Bournemouth.

“Bournemouth offered €30m (£26.3m) plus add-ons, Roma said yes so there was an agreement for Zaniolo to Bournemouth but the player rejected the proposal on Friday.”

“Milan want the player and Zaniolo wants Milan but Milan are just offering the loan with buy option for €22m-€25m (£19.3m-£22m), this is not enough to convince Roma.

“So let’s see what happens with Zaniolo because he’s on the market and could be a big opportunity for the final few days of the transfer window.”

The Verdict: One to keep an eye on

With Zaniolo adamant about a switch and him being removed from Jose Mourinho’s squad in recent weeks after previously playing 17 times this season, he could be a bargain for Tottenham but a deal looks unlikely after Arnaut Danjuma’s arrival.

Antonio Conte prefers to play a 3-4-3 and with Zaniolo only deployed as a centre midfielder twice from 128 games at Roma, he would be unable to slot in as a creative option in the engine room immediately given his little experience playing that role.

Ultimately, he would likely play as part of the front three and with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min undroppable at Spurs given their irreplaceable position leading the line together over the years, it would leave Zaniolo to fight it out amongst Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and now Danjuma for that final spot up front.

He would also prove an injury risk with him once dubbed “absolutely incredible” by Roma journalist John Solano when breaking his way into the side, Zaniolo has since suffered two cruciate ligament ruptures since 2020, stunting that potential.

Journalist Alex Crook reports that transfer target Kamaldeen Sulemana was ‘never enthused’ by interest from Everton, as he joined Southampton instead.

The Lowdown: Bid accepted

Everton reportedly had a £22m bid accepted by Rennes for Sulemana on Transfer Deadline Day, but so did Southampton.

In the end, he signed for the Saints, leaving the Goodison Park outfit to bring in no fresh faces before the deadline.

The Latest: Sulemana ‘never enthused’

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday before the switch to St. Mary’s was confirmed, Crook revealed that Sulemana was ‘never enthused’ by Everton’s interest in him, and even claimed that they may not have actually made a bid, despite reports of the contrary:

“Path now clear for #SaintsFC re Sulemana. Told he was never enthused by #EFC interest. Not sure they ever went as far as a formal bid. Not a number 9 but the club rate him highly and think he’s a big talent. 11 hours to go….”

The Verdict: Big problems

The Merseyside club certainly have big problems if they failed to convince Sulemana to move to them over their relegation rivals Southampton, the only team below them in the Premier League table.

They needed to sign an attacker after the departure of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United, and the Ghana international would have been a signing to excite the supporters.

Lauded as a ‘beast‘ in one-on-one situations by Ghanaian football writer Emmanuel Ayamga, Sulemana ranks in the 98th percentile for dribbles completed per game among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, and also excels defensively, sitting in the 98th percentile for interceptions and 91st for tackles per game (FBRef).

The 20-year-old is well-suited to Premier League football in this sense, and Sean Dyche’s side must be kicking themselves that they could not get a deal over the line.

Tottenham Hotspur are sweating over the fitness of Rodrigo Bentancur ahead of their Premier League meeting with Arsenal this afternoon.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via football.london), Antonio Conte revealed that the midfielder, who has missed Spurs’ last three league fixtures due to adductor problems, is touch-and-go for the visit of the Gunners, with the Italian suggesting that he does not want to rush the 25-year-old back and risk aggravating his injury.

Regarding the current condition of the Uruguay international, the 53-year-old said: “Now to accelerate the process to risk to recovery and to lose them for a long period again, is not good, is not positive. For this reason, we’ll see [if he can play against Arsenal]. We have another training session [on Saturday] to monitor the situation well about Rodrigo.”

Big blow for Tottenham

Considering just how important Bentancur has been in the heart of the Tottenham midfield so far this season, should the 25-year-old indeed be deemed not fit enough to feature in the north London derby this afternoon, it would undoubtedly come as a major blow to Conte and his side.

Indeed, over his 14 Premier League appearances in the current campaign, the £62m-rated talent has been in fantastic form going forwards, having already scored four goals and provided two assists, in addition to taking 0.9 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 1.3 dribbles – at a success rate of 54% – per game.

The £75k-per-week midfielder has also caught the eye in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 2.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and winning 5.1 duels – at a success rate of 54% – per fixture, as well as enjoying an average of 64.1 touches, playing 1.6 long balls and completing 42.1 total passes – at a success rate of 86% – per outing.

These returns have seen the 54-cap international average a breathtaking Sofascore match rating of 7.27, not only ranking him as Conte’s second-best performer in the league but also as the joint 16th-best player in the top flight of English football as a whole so far this season.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Bentancur’s continued absence for the visit of Tottenham’s fiercest rivals and current table-toppers would indeed be a massive blow to Spurs’ chances of picking up a positive result this afternoon. A loss would not only see Tottenham fall behind in the top four race, but may also allow Arsenal to take one step closer to potentially securing the title.