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Mike Ashley has been heavily criticised for Newcastle’s transfer business and rightfully so, but there is one deal that the Magpies owner played absolutely perfectly.

On the chalkboard

This time last season, Kenedy was the hottest prospect Newcastle had got their hands on in quite some time.

Joining the club mid-way through the last campaign on a six-month loan, he scored two goals and added two assists in 13 starts, playing a huge role in the surge that took the Magpies from relegation trouble all the way into the top ten.

And last summer, plenty of fans begged Ashley to make the Brazilian’s loan move into a permanent one, just as he did with Martin Dubravka.

But while Dubravka represented fantastic value at £3.6m, Chelsea wanted a whopping £20m for Kenedy, a figure that Ashley unsurprisingly baulked at.

Still, such was the impact of Kenedy’s first stint on Tyneside that even at such a ridiculous price for a player with so little senior experience plenty of fans wanted to pull the £20m trigger.

Nearly 12 months on, and it’s pretty clear who got the better of this war of words between the Toon Army and their much-maligned leader.

Kenedy has scored just once in 24 appearances this term while his shooting, passing and defensive contribution have all plummeted, per Whoscored.

He is getting dispossessed more this season, completing barely half the tackles, creating half as many chances all while his overall pass completion rate has dropped from 77% to 72%.

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Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Clearly, the 23 year-old’s motivation has gone off a cliff and Ashley saw it coming. However, it would have been foolish to not sign him at all after such a productive first spell with the club, so another loan move was the best possible solution.

He doesn’t get much right, but the 54 year-old Magpies magnate absolutely nailed this one.

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Birmingham City forward Che Adams continued his incredible season with a brace in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Adams netted in the 16th and 85th minute respectively to ensure that his team would take a share of the spoils against Blackburn.

The 22-year-old has now registered 21 Championship goals this season, which has led to a host of attention.

Indeed, a number of Premier League clubs have been credited with an interest in the striker, who will not be short of offers at the end of the campaign.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

As expected, the Birmingham fans were absolutely delighted with what they saw from the 5ft 9in ace on Saturday afternoon.

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And many took to social media during and indeed after the clash with Blackburn to lavish praise on the club’s leading scorer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Birmingham supporters is available to view below, with one fan insisting that Adams is better than on-loan Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham:

Arsenal supporters have been reasonably upbeat in recent times after seeing their side maintain their excellent unbeaten run heading into the current two-week break for internationals.

Unai Emery’s men went into their most recent Premier League clash with Wolves having not tasted defeat in any competition since going down 3-2 to Chelsea back in August, a run which stretched at 15 games ahead of the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo’s men. And the Gunners made it 16 without defeat but needed a late Henrikh Mkhitaryan goal to do so, with his strike four minutes from time securing a 1-1 draw for the North London giants after Ivan Cavaliero’s opener threatened a famous victory for Wolves.

Nonetheless, there have been many satisfied Arsenal fans up and down the country in recent times such has been their side’s fine run of form, several of whom have taken to Twitter recently to call for their team to sign a new left back in the near future, what with Sead Kolasinac failing to convince new boss Emery.

And those Gunners fans calling for their club to sign a left back are absolutely spot on, with Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell the one they must seek to lure to the Emirates Stadium.

Ultimately, it was former boss Arsene Wenger who lured Kolasinac to North London last year amid much excitement and anticipation, and while the defender started reasonably well last season, things tailed off alarmingly to leave him well down the pecking order heading into this term.

And new boss Emery doesn’t appear totally convinced by the 25-year-old either given he has afforded him just four appearances in all competitions this term, thus highlighting the club’s need to bring in another left back to fit the Spaniard’s full back demands.

And Leicester’s Chilwell, who has enjoyed a staggering rise in the last 12 months or so, is the man Arsenal must target in the coming transfer windows.

The 21-year-old came up through the ranks at the King Power Stadium before making his debut for the Foxes back in October 2015, only to earn a loan move to Huddersfield Town a month later given his lowly position in the pecking order.

However, the Englishman has made the left back spot his own at the Midlands club in the last 12 months after usurping title-winner Christian Fuchs last season, with Chilwell going on to play 24 times in the Premier League last time round, laying on two assists in the process.

And this season has seen the 21-year-old take it up another level in starting all 12 of Leicester’s league games and impressing in a great deal of them, to the point that he made Gareth Southgate’s England squad against Switzerland back in September, and hasn’t looked back since with starts in each of the Three Lions’ subsequent four matches.

Significantly though, Chilwell possesses everything that Emery seems to want from his full backs, with the 21-year-old hugely dynamic in the final third in getting into attacking positions and offering an option, while he also has a very deadly left foot from which to create goal-scoring opportunities.

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Yes, he maybe isn’t quite as good defensively as he is going forward, but at the age of 21, there is plenty more to come from Chilwell, but even in the present he appears to be the ideal left back for Emery’s team.

And with those Arsenal fans spot on to call for their side to sign a new left back, Leicester’s £13.5 million-rated Chilwell (as per Transfermarkt) is the one they must target.

Arsenal fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Chelsea have gotten off to the perfect start in the Premier League this season, winning four from four under new manager Maurizio Sarri.

The Blues have looked well in all their wins, adopting Sarri’s approaches to the game and seemingly taking on board what their new Italian maager wants in his team.

However, the summer was a relatively quiet one for the Blues, and some think that their lack of transfer activity could well end up costing them come the hard winter months when the Premier League kicks into second gear.

Players will be available in January though, and one player think the Blues should make a move for is Valencia star Rodrigo.

The Spaniard has really developed in the last few seasons into one of the finest attackers in the Spanish league, and the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona are both known admirers of the 27-year old.

The £50m-rated forward would be a superb additon for most clubs, but Chelsea could well utilise him best, with his versatiliy along the forward line being something that the Blues could really benefit from.

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Quick, tricky, and good in front of goal, Rodrigo would be an excellent signing for Sarri and Chelsea, and someone who could improve the Blues squad with ease upon arrival.

Chelsea fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

Leeds United signed Jay-Roy Grot from NEC last summer, with the forward signing a four-year contract with the Championship club.

Grot managed six goals in 36 league appearances for NEC, and had been tipped to make a big impression in England.

The attacker has found it difficult to settle at Leeds, however, failing to score in his 16 appearances for the club in all competitions.

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Grot has not turned out for Leeds in the league since the start of February, and that was a four-minute cameo at the end of the 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City.

It would be fair to say that the attacker has struggled to make his mark at Leeds, but he only turned 20 earlier this week, and still very much has time on his side.

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Indeed, a number of Leeds fans, who are extremely unhappy with their club at the moment, have been on social media paying tribute to the young forward, and a selection of the reaction can be seen below:

According to the Daily Star, Manchester United will return to Atletico Madrid with a bid to sign Antoine Griezmann within the next two transfer windows.

What’s the Story?

Manchester United have set aside £100million and left their number 7 shirt “un-allocated” in preparation for Antoine Griezmann, who they will bid for within the next year, according to the latest report.

The Frenchman was the subject of much speculation this summer, with Manchester United seemingly making Griezmann their top target. However, Jose Mourinho’s side failed to land their man and subsequently, he stayed with Atletico Madrid until at least January.

With the number 7 shirt currently unoccupied at Old Trafford, rumours are starting to grow as to why this commercially profitable shirt has yet to have an owner this season. And it seems that we may now have an answer.

How good was Griezmann last season?

Since his phenomenal performances for France at Euro 2016, Antoine Griezmann has been one of the most sought after players in Europe. Last season, the 26-year-old, who is valued at £72million by Transfermarkt hadyet another fantastic domestic campaign.

The French international scored 16 times in 36 appearances for Atletico, his second largest single season goal-scoring tally of his career and was a constant threat to opposition with his lightning pace and technical ability.

Would Griezmann be a good signing for Manchester United?

Absolutely. Manchester United’s bright offensive start to this season demonstrates the talent that they have in their attacking positions. Adding Griezmann to this crop in January or next summer would only improve the balance of the team and could help Manchester United become the dominant European force that they once were.

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Arsenal avoided any embarrassing slip-ups in the FA Cup on Saturday with a comfortable 5-0 thrashing of non-league Lincoln City at the Emirates.The win ended Lincoln’s romantic journey through the rounds of the competition, one of the footballing stories of the season, but Arsene Wenger’s men only care about winning trophies and did the job necessary to book their place in the semi-finals.The visitors impressively held out until just before half-time when Theo Walcott opened the scoring and ensured the Gunners had the platform to go on and score a few more in the second half.Those goals in the second 45 minutes came from Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, an own goal and predictably Alexis Sanchez.Sanchez kept up his incredible direct goal contribution this season with yet another goal. As this stat from Squawka shows, his average of a goal contribution every single match makes him completely indispensable to this Arsenal side.

It’s frightening to think where Arsenal would be without the Chilean attacker this season. Whether playing through the middle or on the left flank, he’s pops up with the big performances necessary to help the Gunners cause.

Supporters must be hoping that the contract stalemate with the player comes to an end soon. Life without Sanchez isn’t doesn’t bear thinking about.

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The final game at the Boleyn Ground got off to a rocky start this evening as the Manchester United team bus was attacked on its way into the stadium.

As a result, the 19:45 kickoff time as pressed back until 8:30 and sections of the support have been condemned on social media.

Clearly, the events are no laughing matter and it is very lucky no further damage was done.

Still, users on Twitter have rather predictably found some rather amusing reactions to the hostile events outside Upton Park.

Now the game is underway and there are no reports on any serious repercussions, we can at least look on some of the quips on social media in a relatively light hearted matter.

That’s not to justify the actions of some supporters in the slightest, though users have jabbed and jibed at both sides ahead of tonight’s emotional affair.

So, here’s how Twitter saw bus gate this evening.

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Despite claims to the contrary, the likelihood is that Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will be heading into the transfer market once it opens for business again in January.

Although a £149 million summer splurge would have sufficed for most clubs in world football, let alone in the Premier League, the hierarchy at Old Trafford have assured van Gaal that even more funds will be available in the new year should the Dutchman wish to recruit some more players, as the Red Devils desperately attempt to secure a swift return to the Champions League. However, the United boss may also be expected to offload some of the current crop at the club before he brings out his chequebook; here are five United players that van Gaal should think of ditching:

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CLICK ON THE DECISION MAKER TO REVEAL THE FIVE

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Got any questions? Follow me on Twitter @GruffuddOwen

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1. Chris Smalling

It’s always sad seeing a young English footballer leave a club of United’s stature, yet the brutal reality is that Smalling simply is not good enough to be playing for the Red Devils. His daft red card in the Manchester derby last month highlighted the fact that the defender remains prone to making rash decisions, and having made just seven appearances this season, it is clear that Smalling is not rated too highly by van Gaal either. Indeed, his recent run in the side has been down to necessity rather than choice, with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael all absent through injury. A move to a mid-table Premier League side – who could offer him regular first-team football – might be beneficial for the 25 year-old in the long run.

2. Radamel Falcao

It’s not that the Colombian is not good enough for United – he has proven himself to be one of the finest strikers in the world over the past few years at Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco – it’s just that retaining the services of Falcao beyond his initial one-year loan period represents too much of a financial risk for the Old Trafford side. His miserable record with injuries has followed him to Manchester; he has missed more than half of United’s games this season, and has just one goal to show for it. As sensational as the deadline-day signing was at the time, the signs indicate that a success story for Falcao at United just wasn’t to be. Van Gaal is unlikely to get rid of the 28 year-old in January, yet he would be wise to look elsewhere for cheaper attacking options in the summer once Falcao’s loan spell comes to an end.

3. Ashley Young

Often subjected to much criticism and consternation from both his own supporters and those of the opposition last season, Young has at least been given a chance by van Gaal during the current campaign. However, this has usually come when United have been faced with a paucity of options due to injury, as evidenced by his recent use as a full-back in Luke Shaw’s absence. The fact is that Young is a long way from making the starting eleven when the Red Devils are at their strongest, and given that the winger is being played out of position even when he does appear for the side, it seems that van Gaal doesn’t exactly view him as indispensible to United’s chances. Young turns 30 next year; he may wish to see out the twilight years of his career at a club where he can play in the position he loves.

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4. Anderson

Hardly a surprising one, this, the Brazilian has been on the periphery of United’s first team for a number of seasons and was recently branded as being too unfit by van Gaal, which suggests that his days at Old Trafford are numbered. If an inauspicious loan spell at Fiorentina last season having failed to impress even David Moyes wasn’t portentous enough, then the fact that he has made just two appearances all season should surely hint to the 26 year-old that seeking another club in January is probably for the best if he is to revitalise his career.

5. Wilfried Zaha

Another player who looks destined to leave Old Trafford, Zaha arrived at the club from Crystal Palace as one of Alex Ferguson’s last signings in January 2013 amidst much fanfare. However, the 22 year-old was immediately sent back to the Eagles on loan, and despite making a handful of appearances for United at the start of last season, he was again loaned out for the second half of the campaign, this time turning out in the red of Cardiff City. The appointment of Van Gaal as United boss in the summer offered a glimmer of hope to Zaha due to the Dutchman’s track record of showing faith in youth, yet he finds himself once again playing at Selhurst Park in a second loan spell at Palace. Clearly not a part of United plans, Zaha should secure a permanent move away from Old Trafford to ensure that his still fledgling career doesn’t stagnate.

Long-term Liverpool target Arda Turan is set to quit Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, according to his agent.

The Turkish international has previously claimed that he would like to play for the Premier League side, but no deal was reached between the two clubs.

However, it looks as if the 25-year-old may leave the Spanish capital next summer, after his agent, Ahmet Bulut, revealed that he is working hard to find his client a new challenge:

“I have wanted to see (Arda) play for another team in another league and Arda also wants to play for another club,” he told Turkish television channel TRT.

“He wants a different experience. We are working now to try and do exactly that,

“Atlético know of our intentions. If successful, Arda will leave Atleti at the end of the season.” (Daily Star)

Reds chief Brendan Rodgers is rumoured to be a big fan of Turan, who is comfortable playing on either the left or right wing as well as in a central position.

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Since signing for Atletico in 2011, he has proven to be a big hit with the club’s supporters, helping the team win the 2011-12 Europa League and this season’s UEFA Super Cup.

The midfielder has been in fine form domestically, netting four goals in 15 appearances this term.