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Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is unsure over what role Ollie Watkins could have with England.

Watkins, who joined Harewood’s old side from Brentford last summer, has had a season to remember at Villa Park. The 25-year-old has already reached double figures for the campaign and there are now calls for him to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships this summer.

Another former Villa forward, Gabby Agbonlahor, is one of those eager to see a call-up for £27m-rated Watkins. Harewood, however, is not too sure.

When asked if he could see Southgate turning to Watkins, Harewood told FFC:

“I wouldn’t rule it out. But with the calibre of strikers that we have now, I can’t see him being ahead of majority of them that can play up there because you’ve [also] got the likes of Sterling and players like that can play up front now.”

Indeed, England have some good options in attack, with Southgate really spoilt for choice in the No.9 department.

As well as Sterling, who has been used down the middle at times by club manager Pep Guardiola, Southgate also has the likes of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Southampton’s Danny Ings to call upon.

Then there is, of course, England captain and Tottenham’s leading centre-forward Harry Kane, who will no doubt be the Three Lions’ first-choice striker at Euro 2020.

When you consider all of that, the tournament may just come a bit too soon for Watkins.

Southampton failed to find the back of the net for the fourth time in their last seven Premier League fixtures with a 1-0 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side rarely looked like scoring against the Toffees until the final moments and they could only muster one shot on target in the 90 minutes.

One key factor behind the Saints’ woeful recent form has been the lack of goals from Che Adams, who has now failed to score since the 3-0 win against Sheffield United in December.

Recent fixtures have seen Hasenhuttl utilise Nathan Redmond as a striker alongside Danny Ings, but the injury to Oriol Romeu meant that Stuart Armstrong moved from the wing into central-midfield, with Redmond starting in his usual position at Goodison Park.

This left a gap up front for Adams to partner Ings, but the duo showed no signs of the partnership that worked so well earlier in the season, with the former Birmingham City man anonymous throughout the game.

As per SofaScore, the 24-year-old would earn a disappointing 6.4 match rating for his display, with only Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond earning lower (both 6.3/10) of any player who started the game.

During his time on the pitch, Adams, who joined Southampton from Birmingham in a £15 million deal in the summer of 2019, would complete just 8/17 of his passes, resulting in a shocking 47% pass accuracy.

This was the fewest amount of passes played by any player who started the game, whilst it was also significantly lower than the 17.8 passes per game and the 69.8% pass accuracy he has averaged this season in the top-flight.

Despite having just 29 touches of the ball, Adams still managed to give the ball away 15 times, whilst he also failed to have a single shot on target, which emphasises that on the rare occasions here he did have the ball at his feet, he was extremely wasteful with it.

Everton’s centre-back pairing of Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane enjoyed a relatively stress-free game, as they both picked up solid match ratings, and were rarely troubled by Adams, who was only able to win four of his 17 total duels during the game, suggesting that he was simply outclassed by Carlo Ancelotti’s defenders at Goodison Park.

Therefore, it seems fair to suggest that Adams was completely anonymous in the defeat against Everton and that he let Hasenhuttl down when the Austrian manager needed him to deliver.

And, in other news… Saints handed big boost with £13.5m-rated gem who can put relegation fears to bed

After seeing him go down with an injury against Leicester, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa was understandably concerned about summer signing Rodrigo.

Speaking after the game, the Argentine said: “Rodrigo fell and his legs separated and caused an elongation more than usual and this caused the injury.

“I saw a picture of the position both of his feet ended up in and the difference between them was different to what we would expect.”

Now, The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered an update on Rodrigo’s injury status, saying that he is “out for longer yet” on his official Twitter account.

The news surely comes as a major blow to Bielsa, who has deployed the Spaniard in that attacking role of trying to support Patrick Bamford, with nobody else in this current Leeds squad able to offer what he does in terms of his pace and movement.

Pablo Hernandez may be seen as someone who could potentially come in and offer that extra bit of creativity, but Hay relayed some news from Bielsa’s press conference that Leeds’ little magician is out once again.

Whilst the £22.5m-rated Rodrigo hasn’t exactly set Elland Road alight with his performances – he’s scored just three goals all season – he has shown flashes of his ability, not least against Arsenal earlier in the campaign.

Speaking after his impressive performance against the Gunners, former Leeds man Noel Whelan said: “He’s always looking for it, he’s never ever standing still, he’s always on the move and that’s what I like about him. He can’t be marked, he’s always looking for a space – very much the next Pablo Hernandez.

“He’s always brave and wants the ball in tight situations. We saw how dangerous he was when he came on. He is a player that looks like he can make things happen. He’s very intelligent, he brings other people into play and makes space for them.”

Rodrigo’s absence over the past couple of games has seen Mateusz Klich’s return to the starting line-up, but it still doesn’t make up for the fact that Leeds will continue to miss a player who ranks third for shots per game, fifth for key passes and sixth for dribbles per match among the entire squad.

His influence is there for all to see even without him catching the eye with either goals or assists.

Bielsa will be concerned that Rodrigo doesn’t look like he’ll be returning anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Leeds could sign Kalvin Phillips’ perfect midfield partner in this starlet…

Steve Bruce can discover the new Michael Carrick by urging Mike Ashley to see that Newcastle United sign Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock on loan.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toon are pushing through efforts to convince Mikel Arteta to sanction a half-season deal for Willock to see out the remainder of the term at St. James’ Park.

The 21-year-old has spent the first part of the campaign used as a substitute at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners have reservations over the Magpies’ interest due to discussions to allow Ainsley Maitland-Niles to join either West Brom or Southampton on loan.

Willock is thought to be at the top of Bruce’s shortlist heading into Deadline Day, but has also shown an interest in Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury and Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham.

Willock is eager to play regular first-team football after starting only two of his seven Premier League appearances this term, while playing just 14 minutes in 2021 after being left an unused substitute of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

The £14.5m-rated gem had been a regular of Arteta’s plans in the Europa League Group Stage, scoring three and assisting three goals in the UEFA contest, and featured for 66 minutes against Newcastle in the FA Cup third-round tie but played no part of their fourth round defeat to Southampton.

Should Newcastle sign Willock?

Bruce has been pushing for a new box-to-box midfielder to join Newcastle all winter, and will be loath to end Deadline Day without the Toon welcoming an energetic dynamo to St. James’ Park who he feels can bring a driving force to the engine room.

Willock could be just who Bruce is after, as long as Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley are able to convince Arteta to part with the 21-year-old he lauds for his “very special” qualities.

The England U21 international has shown in the Europa League this season, and in almost every season since making his senior Arsenal debut, that he can score and assist goals from midfield, but offers far more beyond just his end product.

Trevor Sinclair has likened Willock to former Manchester United midfielder and serial title-winner Michael Carrick for his ability on the ball, having been thrown into the deep end in north London but come out swimming at the other end.

“I think Joe Willock, at Arsenal, has done well and he could be another one for Euro 2021,” Sinclair told talkSPORT, via quotes by The Boot Room. “He’s been thrown in at the deep end, but he’s done well. He’s neat and tidy and good on the ball. He reminds me a bit of Michael Carrick.”

Not only has Willock been thrown in at the deep end, but also thrown in almost anywhere and everywhere for the Gunners. The 21-year-old has featured in the holding midfield role, as the box-to-box option, on the wing or in an attacking midfield capacity, showing how he can more than comfortably deliver Bruce what he is looking for.

He’s certainly not afraid to drive forward with the ball at his feet, too, with Willock recording 0.8 successful dribbles with a 44% success rate in the Europa League this term and providing 0.8 accurate crosses once at the top of the pitch, per SofaScore.

Only Jonjo Shelvey (1.15) and Miguel Almiron (0.89) push up the pitch with the ball at their feet in Premier League fixtures more often than Willock has in Europe this season, among Bruce’s current central midfield group. Shelvey is also the only one to offer a higher average number of crosses (0.92).

So, if Ashley and Charnley can convince Arsenal and Arteta to sanction a deal, Bruce would stand to sign an upgrade and one who could prove unquestionably to be the new Carrick with a regular run in the side.

AND in other news – Exclusive: Rob Lee slams “laughable” Newcastle and Steve Bruce decision…

West Brom face an almighty task as they welcome Manchester City to the Hawthorns this evening.

Sam Allardyce’s men are in desperate need of results as they sit six points adrift of safety at the half-way stage of the season, though there are no easy games in the Premier League these days.

Usually, this sort of fixture would be a bit of a free hit but the Baggies really do need to start picking up points before it’s too late.

And the 66-year-old’s chances of pulling off a shock in the Midlands tonight have been boosted by the return of their only senior striker, Karlan Grant.

On the Chalkboard

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Big Sam revealed that the 23-year-old forward is available for selection, he told reporters, via wba.co.uk:

“I’m glad to say we have Matt Phillips and Karlan Grant back. That boosts our squad,” said Allardyce. “Granty, before he got here, scored plenty of goals at Huddersfield so we would like him to be back in the team and finding positions to score goals.”

The £9m-rated marksman may have only scored one top-flight goal in 867 minutes of action, but evidently, his manager is a fan and has hinted towards his involvement this evening.

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Grant has missed their last three Premier League outings as well as their FA Cup exit and in his absence, winger-by-trade Callum Robinson has been deployed upfront – a desperate experiment that has failed to work out.

Indeed, the Irishman has failed to score in that run of matches, even during their 3-2 win over arch-rivals Wolves. That day, two spot-kicks from Matheus Pereira and centre-back Semi Ajayi’s header from a set-piece sealed a rare victory.

Only two other players (Pereira and Conor Gallager) in this Albion squad are averaging more shots per game than Grant (1.3), while Robinson is further behind, averaging 0.8 attempts per match, via WhoScored, which shows he’s not really threatening enough to have the chance to score.

Grant’s expected goals per 90 minutes (0.17) is also above Robinson (0.10), so the summer arrival is certainly a better option in attack.

The Baggies are also among the lowest scorers in the division having bagged 15 goals in 19 outings – only Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer (ten).

Former Terriers boss Danny Cowley once dubbed the 6-foot striker “ruthless in front of goal” to The Athletic while another one of his ex-managers, Lee Bowyer, believes Grant is a player who “causes problems” for the opposition.

It’s on Big Sam to get those type of performances back out of him and his presence leading the line tonight could come as a major boost towards West Brom’s chances.

After all, he’s their only real striker and as such, he ought to be in the starting XI right now. They need goals if they’re to defeat – or even draw with – Pep Guardiola’s side so Grant must be selected from the start.

It’s time to unleash the 23-year-old dynamo.

AND in other news, 3 new signings, no Sawyers: How West Brom’s XI may look after deadline day…

Leeds United are set to miss out on Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Kone based on Fabrizio Romano’s recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks had suggested the 19-year-old was on the radar of Marcelo Bielsa’s side with the January transfer window now open.

But, according to Romano, it’s Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach who have stolen a march on the Premier League side, and look set to snap Kone up.

The journalist claims that a €9m (£8m) bid is set to be accepted with personal terms agreed, and that Kone is just “one step away” from joining Monchengladbach,

Bielsa will surely be fuming

At just 19, and with a transfer fee that is every bit as affordable in this modern day market, Kone could have been a real bargain for Leeds and Bielsa.

The central midfielder is already racking up considerable first-team experience with Toulouse, and this season has seen him play 17 games for the Ligue 2 side.

His agent, Johan Chretien, declared: “Manu is part of the French top 5 (born in) 2001, and number 1 in his post. Like all the talents of his generation, it is natural that Manu is followed by the best European clubs. Manu is destined to play in the best European leagues. Today, he is in his training club and is giving everything to progress.”

Whilst agents are always likely to talk up their clients, Chretien isn’t completely wide of the mark in tipping Kone for an incredibly bright future. The young Frenchman already showed signs of his talent by playing for Toulouse when they were still in Ligue 1, and Victor Orta should surely have put the money on the table to try and bring him to Elland Road.

It would have given Bielsa some much-needed strength in depth in that central midfield role, where players like Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips have played an incredible number of games over the past few seasons. Missing out on Kone won’t have made the Leeds boss happy.

It’s almost time for a new era at Sunderland. They have a new manager in Lee Johnson and could soon have new ownership too…

Takeover latest

Last month, the Guardian reported that Stuart Donald had agreed to sell the north-east giants to a consortium involving the 22-year-old son of former Marseille owner Robert Dreyfus, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and current minority shareholder Juan Sartori.

Whilst according to the Sunderland Echo, the prospective Black Cats owner had a major part to play in appointing Johnson as their new manager last weekend.

The deal still remains with the EFL as many at the Stadium of Light await a positive outcome.

And in with a fresh look soon to emerge at the League One outfit, it may be time to move on from certain ghosts from years gone by – namely Danny Graham.

Graham future

Ex-Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson brought the 35-year-old back to the club for a second time back in September and as of right now, he’s yet to pay dividends having failed to score in 11 league outings.

In fact, he was snubbed entirely by Johnson in both of his first two games in charge, which is a damning sign over his future. Indeed, he may no longer be needed.

Will Grigg and Charlie Wyke appear to be the first-choice options at the disposal of the 39-year-old whilst Aiden O’Brien is also able to feature in the role.

Even in his first spell at the Stadium of Light, Graham was nothing special and then he cost £5m in fees and £30k-per-week in wages – in three years at the club he went out on loan four times and scored the one goal in 42 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

It is now twice that the veteran has proven he hasn’t got the ability to play for Sunderland in League One, let alone in the Premier League during that first stint.

New technical director Kristjaan Speakman must do all in his power to get rid of the £428k-rated Graham as and when the takeover goes through, there is a perfect opportunity to do so in less than three weeks time.

As Kevin Phillips put perfectly to Football Insider, the ex-Blackburn man is a “hustler” and a “bustler” but we’re thinking that should’ve been directed towards his ability to still con a wage right now.

The two-time Black Cats flop does not belong at the club anymore and must be offloaded before he robs Dreyfus blind.

AND in other news, Speakman can deliver another Sunderland masterstroke with “exceptional” appointment

For Wolves, it hasn’t been an overly happy Christmas.

They were forced to head towards the festive period in a rather bizarre run of form, something that culminated with a defeat to Burnley.

Nuno Santo’s men were bullied against the Clarets and came out second best courtesy of goals from Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.

To sum up how bad the Old Gold were, it was Barnes’ first goal for over a year. Thus, they will need to improve desperately against Spurs.

Fortunately, their record against the better sides in the division is pretty impressive. They have beaten both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last month for example.

Though, how will Wolves line-up when they welcome Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham to Molineux on Sunday evening?

Well, for starters, we’re tipping Nuno to make as many as four changes to the XI that started against Burnley.

We’re keeping the formation the same but there are a number of players we’ve removed from the XI. That begins with youngster Owen Otasowie.

The American did little wrong on his first Premier League start last Monday but with Fabio Silva finally breaking his goal drought, he starts in attack next to Pedro Neto. Raul Jimenez is still recovering from a fractured skull so misses out again.

Daniel Podence drops into a number 10 position and behind him, Ruben Neves sits out. The Portuguese was reduced to a number of shots from long range against Burnley that didn’t really trouble Nick Pope and he has been in and out of the squad anyway.

Starting ahead of him is Belgian midfielder Leander Dendoncker. The remaining two changes come at the back.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is replaced by the more experienced head in Marcal while Willy Boly comes back into the starting line-up ahead of Max Kilman.

The 23-year-old was demolished when Wolves played Burnley, losing a mammoth 83.4% of his duels. As a result, Nuno should have no other option but to remove him from the XI, especially against a rampant Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

AND in other news, Forget Adama: Wolves must UNLEASH “outstanding” teen who has “a bit of everything”…

Southampton face Manchester United at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon hoping to continue their impressive start to the 2020/21 Premier League season.

Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, the Saints currently sit fifth in the top-flight, whilst Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are 11th.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are to pick up all three points against the Red Devils, they may have to keep Bruno Fernandes quiet, with the Portuguese midfielder having enjoyed a superb start to the season.

The former Sporting Lisbon man has contributed six goals and three assists in eight top-flight appearances so far this season, resulting in a superb average rating of 7.75 (per WhoScored).

This comfortably ranks him as United’s best performer in the top-flight, so Southampton will surely consider him the danger man for the away side and will give themselves a good chance of winning if they can keep the attacking-midfielder quiet.

Fortunately for the South Coast club, they have, on current form, one of the best defensive-minded midfielders in the Premier League in Oriol Romeu.

The Spaniard, who committed to a new contract with the Saints earlier this month, has enjoyed an excellent start to the season under Hasenhuttl and has been a big reason why Southampton currently sit just outside the top four spots.

In nine Premier League appearances, the 29-year-old has averaged a very sold 7.09 rating, which ranks him as Southampton’s fifth-best performer so far this season (per WhoScored).

During the game against United, Romeu may be tasked with man-marking Fernandes, in an attempt to limit his influence on the game, and if he can get the better of Solskjaer’s star man, there seems no reason why the Saints can’t pick up all three points.

WhoScored suggests that the former Chelsea man likes to tackle and block the ball, whilst he also commits fouls often, so he seems the ideal man to frustrate Fernandes and potentially mark him out of the game.

Earlier this year, Hasenhuttl was full of praise for the way Romeu had responded when he was kept out of the team by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, saying:

“It is fantastic from my side that Ori comes to me and says, ‘Coach I didn’t play so much in the last time I need a game’ – it’s fantastic.

“It shows what an unbelievable professional he is. To be honest I’ve never seen anyone like him – professional wise. It’s fantastic.” (per Daily Echo)

Romeu has certainly done an astute job replacing Hojbjerg after he joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, and Hasenhuttl will need him to be at his very best once again on Sunday if the Saints are to pick up three points against Manchester United.

And, in other news… Southampton should consider loaning out 21 y/o who is “the perfect example of the Southampton way”

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League later this evening when they host Crystal Palace at Molineux.

Nuno Santo’s side were on the cusp of three successive 1-0 victories before Jacob Murphy’s late free-kick cancelled out a Raul Jimenez strike, though it’s been a positive reaction to their 4-0 drubbing by West Ham United.

The Midlands outfit should have a clean bill of health barring long-term absentee Jonny Castro, so the Portuguese has plenty of selection headaches to overcome.

So, here’s the lineup we are predicting here tonight…

Nuno could make three changes with Steve Bruce’s Magpies in town.

Summer arrival Marcal is in line to return to the starting XI for the first time since picking up an injury early in the Man City defeat. After two substitute appearances, he should be fit to go from the off, though it means Max Kilman is axed at his expense with Romain Saiss dropping into the back three once more.

He partners skipper Conor Coady and the colossal Willy Boly in front of Rui Patricio between the sticks.

There could also be a return for industrious playmaker Joao Moutinho, who was surprisingly dropped on Sunday despite a starring role in the win over Leeds United.

He’ll partner Leander Dendoncker due to the added defensive stability he offers, meaning there’s no place for £45m-rated Ruben Neves in a midfield two.

We’ve suggested why Adama Traore should be unleashed against the Eagles’ inexperienced full-back Tyrick Mitchell here, it would be a surprise to not see the newly-capped Spaniard start given his influence.

The tricky £36m-rated winger is preferred to Daniel Podence with Pedro Neto taking up a place on the left flank.

Raul Jimenez, of course, leads the line upfront.

It means the likes of Fabio Silva, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Ki-Jana Hoever are all named on the bench.

AND in other news, Wolves badly missed out on £38m “explosive dynamo” likened to MESSI this summer…