As quoted by Sky Sports, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea may bring in a defender to replace Gary Cahill in Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation.

What’s the word?

After winning the Premier League title on Friday night, Antonio Conte selected a weakened Chelsea side to face Watford yesterday evening in what turned out to be a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge, issuing game-time to those who’ve spent most of the season watching from the sidelines and resting some of the players who’ve featured consistently throughout the campaign – including matchday captain Gary Cahill who has worn the armband in John Terry’s absence.

That seemingly heralded a debate over Cahill’s future in the Sky Sports studio after the full-time whistle, with Reds legend Jamie Carragher claiming the England international could be sacrificed to make room for a naturally left-footed defender in Chelsea’s back three – something that would give them more balance and better use of possession.

As quoted by Sky Sports, he said…

“I still think there could be a centre-back that goes into that back three. We spoke maybe 12 months ago about 3-5-2, talking about having specialists. The one position where you feel, as a centre-back, a little bit awkward is a right-footed player playing on the left of a back three.

“You always get pushed onto your left foot. It’s different to playing left-back because there you can actually go as wide as you can to the touchline because you are always coming inside on your right foot.

“When you are a centre-back you are more tucked in, maybe 10 yards off the touchline. You have seen teams at times, and they haven’t really exposed it, but they always let the ball go to Cahill on that side because it’s on his weak foot.”

Who could come in?

First of all, it’s worth mentioning that Carragher isn’t suggesting he has any insider knowledge on Chelsea’s transfer plans and it’s very much his job to be uber-critical, so Blue supporters shouldn’t take the idea of Cahill being axed and a left-footed replacement being signed as gospel. That being said, Antonio Conte will have to improve his starting XI if Chelsea are going to do what no Premier League side has managed since 2009 in retaining the title and it’s a tactical weakness worth talking about if the Blues intend to jump up to the next level. So, who could arrive?

Left-footed centre-backs aren’t a common breed but some names do stand out, not least including AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli who Chelsea launched an unsuccessful bid for last summer. He’s enjoyed another decent season at the San Siro and at the age of 22 represents an exciting long-term investment. It’s a similar case with Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte, who boasts nearly 200 senior club appearances ahead of his 23rd birthday and has been rated as one of Europe’s most exciting defenders for some time. In terms of those already in the Premier League, Jan Vertonghen is probably the division’s best left-footed centre-half but a deal with Tottenham seems incredibly unlikely. Mamadou Sakho represents a curious out-of-the-box suggestion, with Liverpool ready to sell for £30million.

As reported by the Newcastle Chronicle, Chelsea striking prospect Michy Batshuayi is a target for Newcastle United this summer in their bid to make an impact on the English top-flight.

What’s the story?

Newcastle are expected to be making major moves in the transfer window this summer as they attempt to transition from their season in the Championship into a side that can mix it mid-table in the English Premier League.

The Chronicle say that they have boldly cast their eye on the English champions Chelsea in their efforts to bolster Rafa Benitez’s squad, targeting Michy Batshuayi in a potential loan deal.

However, they’ll have to compete with the likes of Marseille and West Ham United if they’re to get their man, who are also hoping to take the Chelsea star in a temporary move according to the paper.

A match made in heaven?

Newcastle fans may be dismayed to hear of their club pursuing loan deals but in the case of Batshuayi it appears to make perfect sense. The Magpies need serious quality in their frontline if they’re going to make the progress they’re looking for but it may be tough to attract that sort of quality to the club in their first season back.

A temporary deal allows them to add a striker who can certainly get the job done while they take stock and figure out a long-term view, with more stability in terms of their Premier League status.

Batshuayi hasn’t featured much for the Blues this season but there’s no shame in that given Antonio Conte favours a single striker and Diego Costa has been in such lethal form. The Belgian 23 year old has scored nine goals in all competitions despite his limited playing time and his striking rate actually works out at a goal once every 60 minutes, impressive by any standard.

He, of course, also scored the goal that Chelsea finished the crossing line and won the Premier League title. A move to the north east would allow him to get the first experience he needs to make a success of himself in English football.

Southampton have been linked with a move for Lech Poznan defender Jan Bednarek as they look to bolster their defensive ranks, according to reports from the Southern Daily Echo.

What’s the word?

Despite their managerial situation being in limbo, with Claude Puel expected to be on his way out but no announcement having been made yet, the Saints are looking to press on with their summer business and are keen to sure up their back line.

With that in mind, the south coast side – who reached the EFL Cup final and finished 8th in the Premier League under Puel’s tutelage last season – have launched a bid for Lech Poznan’s highly rated defender Jan Bednarek.

The 21-year-old, who is currently with the Polish U21’s for the European Championships, has been the subject of a €6m offer from St. Mary’s, in what could be a record breaking deal.

Should the move materialise at such a fee, it would make Bednarek the most expensive player in Polish top-flight history.

Any hint on Van Dijk?

Not necessarily. Whilst the powers that be on the south coast will be preparing for the departure of their in-demand skipper, there is a need for more mettle at the back regardless of the Dutchman’s future.

Having sold former captain Jose Fonte to West Ham in January, Puel was left short in the centre-half berth, especially after the long-term injury to Van Dijk.

Furthermore, with the fees swirling around the 25-year-old, you would expect the club to fork out a little more if they are to replace the former Celtic man.

Leeds United left-back Charlie Taylor has agreed personal terms with Burnley ahead of a summer move, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.

What’s the word?

The 23-year-old’s future was a talking point throughout the season after he snubbed a new contract offer from the Whites.

Taylor’s current deal expires at the end of June, and it appears that a move to the Premier League is on the cards.

The Lancashire Telegraph claims that the left-back has already agreed terms with Burnley, but the two clubs are struggling to agree on a fee.

In most cases, out-of-contract players can join new clubs for free, but due to Taylor being under the age of 23, a fee needs to be paid.

It is believed that Leeds are confident of receiving in excess of £5m from the Clarets as they continue negotiations.

Will Taylor be missed?

When fit he was a regular member of the team under former manager Garry Monk last season.

Taylor made 32 appearances in all competitions in the 2016-17 campaign, but he upset the fans on the final day of the Championship season.

Monk revealed that the left-back refused to play in the 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Despite that, he was still offered a new contract, but it seems that the best outcome for all parties is to cut ties.

Leeds are having a fresh start on many fronts following the takeover of Andrea Radrizzani and arrival of Thomas Christiansen as new head coach, so offloading Taylor will not cause much disruption.

According to reports in the Daily Mirror last week, Southampton are among a host of Premier League clubs eyeing a move for £7m-rated Norwich City and England U21 winger Jacob Murphy.

After enjoying a fine breakthrough season with the Canaries last term and then making an impact with his country at the European U21 Championships despite their semi-final exit, the 22-year-old is said to be attracting interest from the south coast outfit, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City according to the Daily Mirror.

New Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino is likely to want to add to his attacking options this summer with his new employers scoring just 17 goals in 19 Premier League home matches during the previous campaign.

Only last summer did they do business with Norwich when they brought Nathan Redmond to St Mary’s, and they may be ready to return with an offer for another City wide-man in the coming weeks.

Here are three reasons Southampton must win the race to sign Murphy…

His performances

Following a number of loan spells away, Murphy was finally given his chance to shine for Norwich last season and he grasped the opportunity with both hands.

The winger scored eight goals and provided a further eight assists in 37 Championship appearances to become one of the Canaries’ key men throughout the campaign.

That form will have impressed his suitors, and the fact that he made such an impact as substitute for the England U21 side this summer – assisting the equaliser against Slovakia and scoring the third against Poland – will have only reinforced that and shown that he can even make a difference from the bench.

The success of Redmond

As we mentioned previously, Southampton signed Nathan Redmond from Norwich last summer in a deal worth around £10m, and he impressed during his first season at St Mary’s.

Having scored seven goals and provided one assist in 37 appearances there is certainly more to come from the 23-year-old, and Saints may feel that Murphy is ready to make a similar impact if he makes a £7m move to the south coast this summer.

While Redmond was a real threat on the left-hand side towards the end of last season, there was little pace on the opposite flank with James Ward-Prowse and that is something Murphy could certainly provide, as a starter or from the substitutes’ bench.

Fee/Potential

One of Southampton’s philosophies in the transfer market is to sign players with potential and then develop them and boost their value if they are to be sold on at a later date – see Sadio Mane – and they will certainly feel that they could do this with Murphy.

The reported £7m fee could prove to be a bargain for a player that has made a huge impression in the Championship and for his age group at international level, and Saints would certainly give him the platform to improve in the Premier League as they have done with other young players like Redmond, Ward-Prowse and Jack Stephens.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.

West Ham have a lot of work to do across pre-season if they are to rectify the wrongs that were so evident during their first season at London Stadium.

Slaven Bilic’s side were woefully inconsistent last time out, only managing three wins on the spin on one occasion, and trouble away from the pitch only added to their problems upon settling in Stratford.

Having signed thirteen new players last summer there was plenty of hope, however, Bilic soon found himself with a squad ill suited to the challenges of the Premier League, emphasised by the premature departure of their big name summer addition – Simone Zaza – after eleven games and no goals.

Things seemed to click behind the scenes in the January window, with Premier League experience the target in any additions and, while Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass have been far from miracle makers, there was a slow progression there.

This summer is the complete antithesis of the last, with the powers that be in east London going about things behind closed doors and in a much more meticulous manner.

That, at least, is a start for a club in need of a big statement over the next nine months-or-so having committed to the London Stadium move and embarked on a new era, delayed by a poor first term. However, there is still plenty more to be done and some big decisions to be made, starting in midfield.

Irons captain Mark Noble has been an exemplary servant to his beloved club and, although at times he looked back to his best last term, it is becoming clear that time is running out on his playing career at West Ham. While there may still be areas in which he can be of great help to Bilic and his staff over the coming seasons, change is needed.

The Hammers struggled to create from midfield last season, often relying on their Player of the Year Michail Antonio to be the sole creative source, meaning they were fairly easy to nullify from an opponent’s point of view. With confusion between who would sit and dictate play, to allow others to move freely and create from central areas, between both Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate, it wasn’t often things came together nicely for Bilic.

While there are no long term options that spring to mind to fill such a role and allow Kouyate the freedom to link up with the likes of Antonio and Manuel Lanzini ahead of him, there is one old hand who could take the West Ham midfield up a notch.

Everton fans have been rejoicing over the return of former boy-wonder Wayne Rooney from Manchester United over the last week, and there is no reason the Hammers should not take a leaf from Ronald Koeman’s book and look to bring one of their own back after thirteen years away.

United midfielder Michael Carrick left Upton Park for Tottenham in 2004 and, since joining the Red Devils from north London, has developed into one of the best dictating midfielders out there.

Although five years Noble’s senior, there is absolutely no sign of the Champions League winner’s game slowing down at the same rate as the Hammers skipper, and his stats show as much.

The United man may not be picking up as many minutes as some of his West Ham counterparts, but with the likes of Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera at Jose Mouirnho’s disposal, it’s hard to blame Carrick for that.

In both Edimilson Fernandes and Pedro Obiang Bilic has two midfielders who have the potential to be key for West Ham over the coming years, but still neither look solid in that holding role, meaning a season or two of Carrick holding things together could allow the club the time to find the next Idrissa Gueye or, dare we say it, N’Golo Kante to facilitate the attractive, flowing football that was so long associated with east London.

It would be a tough ask to prise Carrick from the clutches of Mourinho, given the Portuguese is such a big fan of the West Ham academy graduate, however should David’s Gold and Sullivan manage to do so it could be a masterstroke after months of scrutiny from the claret and blue support.

Watch the latest video from 442oons below!

As reported by The Daily Mail, Everton are interested in signing West Ham defender Winston Reid this summer.

What’s the story?

The current transfer window has been one of the most exciting in recent memory for Everton supporters with the likes of Sandro Ramirez, Wayne Rooney, Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane all arriving in high-profile deals.

It appears though that Ronald Koeman has not yet completed his mammoth signing spree and has set his sights on another defender that can add depth and stability to their backline.

The Mail reckon the Toffees are in for Hammers centre-back Winston Reid and are lining up a £9m bid for the 29-year-old. The report says that Koeman is looking for cover for the injured Ramiro Funes Mori and Reid fits the bill.

Should they make a move?

In 2017 English Premier League terms, £9m is not a lot of money at all and Reid’s pedigree in the top-flight would suggest he is worth every penny of that reported fee.

He’s been a regular performer in the top-flight for five seasons now after helping the Hammers escape the English Championship in the 2011/12. Last term he was a key fixture of Slaven Bilic’s side, starting 30 of their 38 league matches.

While rarely spectacular, he offers a consistent and reliable option to the Hammers and would likely similarly do that at Everton where he’d arguably be surrounded by better players.

If Koeman can get the deal done for as cheap as £9m then this move would be considered a no-brainer.

As reported by The Guardian, Tottenham Hotspur are in advanced talks to sign Argentinian prospect Juan Foyth this summer.

What’s the story?

Spurs haven’t exactly been big spenders in the summer transfer window so far, especially when you compare their outlay to their immediate title rivals such as Chelsea and Manchester United.

However, Mauricio Pochettino is making the dip into the transfer market.

The Guardian say the club are in advanced talks to sign Estudiantes central defender Juan Foyth for £9m, which for a 19-year-old is a fair whack of money.

With the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan also seeking his signature though, there could still be a chance the deal falls through, according to the report.

Who is he?

Not much is known about the young centre-back, though The Guardian reckon Spurs have been interested in a while, opening talks as long ago as last month about the potential transfer.

He’s played just a handful of times for his current club Estudiantes, although he does have a number of caps for the Argentinian U20s side, making appearances at this year’s World Cup at that age level.

With the future of Kevin Wimmer in doubt, papers linking him with a move to West Bromwich Albion, then it seems Foyth could well be direct back-up to the defensive stars in Pochettino’s starting eleven. That would give him enough game time to develop as a Premier League star but also less pressure to come in a do a job immediately.

In typical Tottenham fashion, Spurs left it as late as possible to get their transfer business over the line this summer.

While Davinson Sanchez arrived from Ajax in late August, Spurs’ other two major signings were both sealed on Deadline Day – towering striker Fernando Llorente coming in from Swansea City and dynamic wing-back Serge Aurier moving from PSG.

There was also the not-so-small matter of a massive outward deal involving Kyle Walker, who joined Manchester City in July at a world-record price for a full-back. Some have dubbed it Daniel Levy’s best ever piece of business, even trumping the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

But, have Tottenham addressed all of their weaknesses substantially enough to challenge for this season’s Premier League title? Should more signings have come in or should more deadwood have been shifted before the deadline?

Now the dust has settled, let us know if you’re happy with Tottenham’s transfer window by voting below…

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the arrival of former Swansea City forward Fernando Llorente in a permanent transfer deal.

The Spanish forward, who was part of his country’s World Cup winning squad in 2010, bagged 15 goals for the Welsh outfit last season, playing a crucial role in their top-flight survival alongside ex-Spurs midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The 32-year-old appears to have been brought in to serve as understudy to the 2016/17 Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, a role Netherlands international Vincent Janssen struggled to fulfil last season after arriving from the Eredivisie.

Spurs have finally sealed the deal for the former Juventus man, following the arrival of dynamic wing-back Serge Aurier from PSG earlier in the day.

Having announced Llorente’s arrival on social media, Spurs fans on Twitter have been quick to welcome the 6 foot 4 front-man to the north London club. Here’s a look at some of the best reactions to the news from Tottenham supporters from Twitter…