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Sheffield Wednesday’s decision to sell Conor Grant in 2021 looks to have backfired, as the Irish youngster continues to impress with his performances.

The Republic of Ireland U’21 international left the Owls for Rochdale in February 2021 and quickly established himself as a regular with the Dale in League One, despite making just one senior appearance in his Sheffield Wednesday career.

Grant would make 20 appearances that season for Rochdale as they were relegated to League Two, contributing one goal in that time, but his overall performances were already beginning to catch the eye.

Manager at the time Brian Barry-Murphy, who now coaches elite talents with Manchester City’s academy, spoke extremely highly of Grant’s ability.

He said:

“He’s an incredible player. I said to the fellas over here in England, if he was Spanish you’d say he was a typical Spaniard.

“When you think about Wes Hoolahan and the influence he had on the Irish squad, it was always a case of ‘we don’t have anything else like him’. I’m not saying Conor is better than Wes at this stage of his career but he’s equally as talented, equally as creative.

“The way he plays the game, he’s incredible to watch.”

Grant would go on to make 58 appearances for Dale, contributing five goals and four assists, before earning a move to MK Dons earlier in the summer.

He already has two goals and one assist for Liam Manning’s side and if he can transform his ability on the ball into goals and assists, it would not be a surprise to see him attract interest from higher up in the future.

Manning suggested that Grant has “huge potential” after he notched a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over Morecambe, which begs the question why he was allowed to leave Wednesday, for what was likely a minimal fee, in 2021.

Considering he is now a regular with a fellow League One side at the age of 21, and only looks as if he will get better, Owls manager Darren Moore may well end up regretting his decision to let the youngster go last year.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has given his verdict on the news of Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman signing a new deal with the Eagles.

The Lowdown: New contract

Freedman, a former Palace player and manager, has been in the role of sporting director since 2017. David Ornstein of The Athletic recently revealed that the 48-year-old has put pen to paper on fresh terms at Selhurst Park after he helped build a new side under Patrick Vieira last year.

Vieira heaped praise on Freedman last season, with the sporting director then helping the club sign Chris Richards, Sam Johnstone, Malcolm Ebiowei and Cheick Doucoure in recent months.

The Latest: Jones reacts

Jones, a transfer market reporter and columnist, told GiveMeSport that Palace have found the ‘perfect blend in Freedman’, describing the update on a new contract as ‘really good news’.

“Definitely yeah, he’s been such a key figure and implemented this transfer strategy, and it’s all looking really impressive.

“It’s a good example to other clubs in how finding someone that is bright enough to hold such a significant role but also has the understanding of the club’s past and the values that each new player needs to be true to in order to succeed.

“So, I think that Palace have found the perfect blend in Freedman, and it’s really good news for them that that is going to continue.”

The Verdict: Deserved

Freedman had a big task on his hands last year after Palace allowed eight ageing players to leave the club. However, he rose to the challenge and was the mastermind behind the signings of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Odsonne Edouard, all of whom are now considered key members of Vieira’s side.

Therefore, it’s fair to say that Freedman has earned his fresh contract, and hopefully, he’ll continue to have a positive impact from the boardroom with Vieira in the dugout for years to come.

Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy by extension are readying a mammoth pay rise offer to tempt Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, according to journalist Wayne Veysey.

Who could Spurs sign this summer?

The Lilywhites, coming after they played their final Premier League game of 2022/2023 on Sunday, are now tasked with preparing sufficiently for next season – but there are currently a plethora of issues yet to be resolved.

Tottenham remain without a permanent manager and successor to Antonio Conte, despite the Italian parting company over two months ago, with former top target Arne Slot now staying at Feyenoord.

Spurs are also still without an out-and-out sporting director since Fabio Paratici was forced to resign earlier this year, even if talks have reportedly been held with candidates.

On top of all this, the north Londoners need to start laying the groundwork for transfer targets ahead of a looming summer window, with a new goalkeeper widely tipped to be on their agenda.

Long-term number one and club legend Hugo Lloris could well depart this year, with reports suggesting he has already received seismic offers from the Middle East.

Brentford's Raya is among the keepers who could replace Lloris, with reporter Veysey sharing an update on their links to Football Insider.

According to the journalist, Tottenham and Levy by extension are readying a "ready triple-your-money" offer to tempt with a move to N17.

Indeed, Spurs are apparently willing to table a salary proposal which will treble his current earnings under Thomas Frank, amounting to around £100,000-per-week.

Raya is expected to leave Brentford this summer and Frank faces a real battle to keep hold of his star shot-stopper, who has been shortlisted by Tottenham as a possible successor to Lloris.

Their recruitment staff have apparently followed the Spaniard all season, though Spurs may have to pay Brentford around £40 million for his services on top of their proposed wage increase.

Who is David Raya?

The 27-year-old was an ever-present between the sticks last season, featuring over more league minutes than any Brentford player and ranking among their top five best-performers per 90 (WhoScored).

Called a "top-class" player by Michael Owen on Premier League Productions, via HITC, Raya has also been praised by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his excellent distribution.

Speaking on the former Blackburn star in 2021, after an encounter with Brentford, the Reds manager was effusive in his praise for Raya.

“The goalkeeper could have the shirt with No 10,” said Klopp.“He played a few incredible balls but it was the right thing to do against us today.”

When Wolverhampton Wanderers signed Matheus Nunes during the summer transfer window, they looked to be getting one of the hottest young prospects in European football, but sadly the Portuguese midfielder has endured a torrid start to life at Molineux.

Nunes signed for the Old Gold from Sporting Lisbon for a club-record £38m fee and was expected to complement Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves in an exciting all-Portuguese midfield.

However, the 24-year-old has been one of many disappointing performers for Wolves so far this season, as the Midlands outfit currently sit in 19th place in the Premier League and interim manager Steve Davis must consider dropping him until his form improves.

Last season saw Nunes contribute three goals and two assists for Sporting in the Portuguese Liga, averaging a superb 7.08 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

However, he has clearly struggled to adapt to the Premier League in his 10 appearances thus far, contributing no goals and just one assist, with a shocking 6.54 average rating from WhoScored which ranks him as the 11th-best performer at Molineux so far this season – far worse than you would expect from a record signing.

During his time with Sporting, Nunes earned a huge amount of praise from former teammate Goncalo Santos, who said:

“It’s unbelievable when he has the ball at his feet. Nobody can catch him; it’s impossible because he’s too fast.”

Sadly, this is yet to translate to the Premier League, as Nunes has completed on average one dribble per game in the Premier League, compared to the 2.5 dribbles he was averaging with Sporting Lisbon last season.

Nunes is also averaging fewer passes (29.5 vs 42.4) per game in the English top flight, which suggests that he is struggling to stamp his authority on the game as he was able to do so often in Portugal, which led Pep Guardiola to label Nunes as one of the best players in the world.

Unfortunately for Wolves supporters, Nunes is yet to live up to the hype and if Davis wants to turn the Old Gold’s fortunes around then he should start selecting his team on merit rather than on how much they cost the club, as the club-record signing needs to do a lot better if he wants to be starting week in week out.

Leeds United correspondent Graham Smyth has been reacting to a number of injury updates ahead of this evening’s trip to Liverpool.

The Lowdown: Six doubts

Leeds are currently joint-bottom of the Premier League heading into this evening’s tough fixture at Anfield, and their task of getting anything against Jurgen Klopp’s side has been made even harder.

Jesse Marsch spoke to the media on Thursday and shared a number of worrying updates on the Leeds squad. Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw remain out, and as reported by Adam Pope, Leo Hjelde, Joe Gelhardt, Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams and Liam Cooper are all doubts.

The Latest: Smyth reacts

Smyth took to Twitter to react to the injury news from Thorp Arch. The Yorkshire Evening Post reporter simply said:

“Brutal. Absolutely brutal.”

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The Verdict: Another 6-0?

The Whites are currently without a Premier League win since August and appear to be in free-fall under Marsch, so this injury update is brutal as Smyth states.

Many were expecting the club to return from Merseyside empty-handed before the team news on Thursday, and things may well get ugly, should the six players mentioned miss out.

It will leave Marsch with limited options to choose from and fans fearing a repeat of the 6-0 defeat suffered under Marcelo Bielsa earlier this year.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed that Glen Kamara is ‘back’ for Glasgow Rangers after injury ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash tonight.

The Lowdown: Ankle problem

Van Bronckhorst revealed a couple of weeks ago that Kamara has been suffering from an ankle ‘problem’, which has ruled him out of the last six games in total over all competitions.

The central midfielder has only missed one match for which he has been available, highlighting his importance to the side.

The Latest: Kamara ‘back’

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match against Ajax at Ibrox tonight, Van Bronckhorst has confirmed that Kamara is ‘back’ and available for selection.

However, Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz and John Lundstram are set to miss out through injury and suspension respectively.

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The Verdict: Timely boost

With the injuries to Davies and Yilmaz, as well as the suspension to Lundstram, having Kamara back in the squad is at least a timely boost for Van Bronckhorst and his squad.

Once lauded as a ‘Rolls Royce’ by former manager Steven Gerrard, the Finland international has plenty of experience in European competition for the Gers over the last four campaigns, and in the Champions League this season, no Light Blues player has a higher pass success rate (95.7%) than him.

Kamara likes to get on the ball and stamp his authority, and his calmness in possession is exactly what the Teddy Bears if they are going to get a result against Ajax.

Celtic striker Giorgios Giakoumakis might not ‘want to sign’ a new contract with the Premiership champions amid a lack of game-time, according to former Hoops marksman Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Negotiations ongoing

The Greek forward arrived at Parkhead from VVV Venlo in 2021 but has found minutes hard to come by this season , having made just four league starts under Ange Postecoglou.

Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas recently revealed that the Bhoys are holding discussions with the 27-year-old regarding an improved contract, even though his current deal is not set to expire until 2026.

The Latest: McAvennie’s comments

However, speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie suggested that Giakoumakis may not want to put pen to paper at Celtic if he wants to be a guaranteed starter every week.

The 62-year-old said: “I think it would be good to keep Giakoumakis. I do [not] know whether or not he will want to sign.

“He wants to play all the time, I think he is the kind of guy who wants to play every week. I do like him but I think the manager is going to address that, I think he has to address it.”

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The Verdict: More minutes deserved

Postecoglou clearly isn’t starting Giakoumakis regularly enough, and there’s reason to believe that the 27-year-old should get the nod from the off more regularly given his record in the final third.

Described as ‘dangerous’ by journalist Josh Bunting, the forward has eight goals and one assist to his name in 19 appearances across all competitions this season, and he currently averages 2.5 shots per league game, the joint-most of any Hoops player.

Celtic are already seven points clear of arch-rivals Rangers at the top of the league table so there isn’t any great risk in rotating the squad, which could in turn present Giakoumakis with more frequent opportunites moving forward.

Leeds United will be fully taken over by 49ers Enterprises sooner rather than later, according to a fresh claim by talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan.

The Lowdown: 49ers not fully in charge yet

The Whites’ US-based investors aren’t in full control at Elland Road, acquiring a 44% share of the club last year as they continue to increase their stranglehold.

They initially bought a 15% share in 2018 but there seems to be an inevitability about them eventually becoming the main owners at some point. On Wednesday, The Times reported that 49ers Enterprises are lining up a full takeover of the Premier League club now that the necessary funds are in place.

A new claim suggests that the big move could happen in the coming months.

The Latest: Jordan makes big prediction

Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday [via MOT Leeds News], Jordan said that the proposed takeover could go through imminently, tipping Leeds for a bright future if it comes off.

The former Crystal Palace chairman said:

“Now you’ll probably see Leeds be involved in a takeover soon and in the hands of the Americans because that was always going to be the end game, but I happen to be a huge admirer of them as a football club.

“If someone gets hold of them and supports them economically, they’re a ‘happening’. I think Leeds will arrive and challenge at some point.”

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The Verdict: Makes perfect sense

This is an exciting claim by Jordan, who certainly knows a thing or two about running a football club, having been Palace chairman between 2000 and 2010.

A takeover by 49ers Enterprises would likely generate more funds for transfers and continue to make Leeds flourish on and off the pitch, building them into an even bigger force in the Premier League.

This feels like the logical next step in the Whites’ modern history, and if the American shareholders can gain a majority share as soon as possible, it should only help the club moving forward.

Are you a die-hard Everton fan? With the World Cup kicking off today, what better way to test your knowledge than by guessing the Goodison Park stars who have been capped by their country?

We bet you can’t remember some of these Toffees from the Premier League era, with some household and some forgotten names.

Whilst times have been tough for Evertonians in recent years, there have been some heroes and a whole host of villains produced not only throughout Farhad Moshiri’s reign but even before that. There will be players you’ll wish you’d have forgotten, but remain a permanent scar on your memory.

Having narrowly avoided relegation last season, and struggling again this campaign, there is a worry that there will never be an end to this nightmarish managerial merry-go-round.

Whilst you might want to wipe some of the current squad from the face of the earth, this quiz will have you harking back throughout plenty of different squads if you are to score 10/10 on this quiz.

You’ll be shown the career path of an Evertonian, past or present, but can you name the player?

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been described as ‘dreadful’ by journalist James Pearce, following Senegal’s 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands.

The Lowdown: Mendy poor in Senegal defeat

Mendy was looking to overcome his poor form for the Blues this season, as Senegal came up against Holland in their 2022 World Cup opener on Monday.

Instead, the 30-year-old had a nightmare, finding himself in no man’s land for Cody Gakpo’s headed opener, before making a limp save in the lead-up to Davy Klaassen’s tap-in.

It was a bad start to the tournament for Mendy, who may now find himself further under the spotlight in the coming matches.

The Latest: Pearce criticises Chelsea man

Taking to Twitter during the game, Pearce made it clear what he thought of the Chelsea ‘keeper’s performance:

“Mendy dreadful for both goals.”

The Verdict: Sums up his season

This was a performance that Chelsea fans may feel they have seen too often of late, with Mendy’s stock falling dramatically after a great start to life at Stamford Bridge.

He has now lost his place in the starting lineup to Kepa Arrizabalaga and displays like this one won’t be changing Graham Potter’s thought process any time soon.

For Mendy, he now needs to produce a response in Senegal’s group games against Qatar and Ecuador, as he looks to rebuild his reputation.