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Martyn Ziegler has claimed on TalkSport that other Premier League clubs will expect Manchester City to be relegated if they’re found guilty of repeatedly breaking financial rules.

The Lowdown: Testing times for Man City

A bombshell was dropped Man City’s way this week when the Premier League charged the champions with breaking Financial Fair Play rules over the course of several years.

The six-time Premier League champions responded by saying they were surprised at the Premier League’s findings, which would suggest that this is be set to rumble on for a long time.

A number of potential consequences have been thrown about since the Premier League’s statement was released, including transfer bans, points deductions and even the possibility of expulsion from the top flight.

The Latest: Not a good look for City

The Times reporter Ziegler insisted that even if Man City are found guilty for half of the accusations put towards them – of which there are over 100 – many Premier League clubs would be looking to see them relegated from England’s top tier as the strongest possible punishment.

He said: “There is no doubting the severity of this. Nothing like this has ever happened, has it, in English football.

“I think if half of these 100-plus charges are proved, then I think the other clubs will expect that they’re relegated. I can’t really see any other [punishment].

“It’s across 14 seasons. So nine seasons of breaching financial regulations and five seasons of not cooperating with an investigation. I mean, it just doesn’t get any more serious than this.”

The Verdict: Man City won’t go away quietly

Given that Man City have already successfully fought off a legal dispute against them from UEFA, which saw them allowed to keep playing European football, they certainly won’t take this verdict from the Premier League lightly.

However, the fact that there are over 100 charges against their name from an investigation that’s taken four years to complete would suggest there’s something very serious at play.

The idea of Man City being kicked out of the league seems unimaginable, but it has happened to big clubs before, and though we have not seen a scandal such as this in English football, it is difficult to predict how severe their punishment is expected to be.

Southampton face Everton in the Premier League today and they must build on two excellent results in the previous week.

Nathan Jones’ men secured a FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace before stunning Manchester City in the EFL Cup in midweek, inflicting a 2-0 defeat on Pep Guardiola’s side and confidence should be a lot better than it was at the start of the month.

The Saints now need to carry this form into league duty, starting today away to the Toffees in what is a crunch match for both teams.

Southampton have scored just 15 goals in the league this term, the fourth-lowest total in the division and this is something that has to improve.

Jones has added Croatian star Mislav Orsic to his squad for a fee of £8m and hopefully, he can ignite a much-needed spark and the manager must unleash him this afternoon.

On the Chalkboard

The 30-year-old winger had an excellent season before making the move to England, scoring 13 goals and registering eight assists for Dinamo Zagreb, which included two goals in the Champions League group stages, underlining his pedigree at the highest level.

His form ensured a call-up to the Croatia squad for the World Cup and he scored the winner in their third-place playoff match against Morocco and his performances led to Southampton securing his signature.

Orsic achieved a wonderful Sofascore rating of 7.56/10 for his performances in the HNL whilst at Dinamo this season which ranked him as their second-best performer.

Across 15 games he amassed eight goals while taking 3.3 shots per match, with 1.5 of those on target. He is equally adept at generating opportunities for others too, with the winger grabbing five assists, creating two big chances, and making 1.7 key passes clearly underlining his attacking abilities.

In fact, compared to the whole Southampton squad, Orsic has more total shots per game, goals, and assists, suggesting that he should be unleashed from the start this afternoon.

Croatian journalist Izak Ante Sucic has lavished praise upon the player in the past, saying: “If they are trying to sign a good player who is capable of producing one piece of magic to do the crucial thing in a game, then he is the one.”

If unleashed against Everton, he has the ability to be the club’s saviour and if he can replicate his form for Dinamo during the second half of the campaign, Southampton could well maintain their Premier League status.

West Ham are reportedly keen on signing Sevilla attacker Youssef En-Nesyri and the Morocco international could be the ideal man to step up in the absence of Maxwel Cornet.

Recent reports have suggested that the Hammers have made a fresh approach to sign the 25-year-old this month, as David Moyes looks to amend his side’s woes in front of goal in the second half of the campaign.

Should En-Nesyri arrive at the London Stadium, it would likely be on a loan-to-buy deal, in the hope that the £22m-rated Sevilla star could help fire West Ham back up the table and put an end to any relegation fears this season.

Having hit 18 goals for Los Hispalenses in the 2020/21 campaign, the former Malaga star has struggled for consistency at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in recent seasons and is yet to find the back of the net in the Spanish top flight so far this campaign.

However, he does have two Champions League goals to his name and would play a huge part in Morocco’s recent run to the World Cup semi-finals, hitting two goals for the Atlas Lions as they made history in Qatar, with the forward earning an impressive 6.85 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell was full of praise for the Moroccan forward in 2021 when the Gunners were linked with his signing.

He said: “Good player, really good. For me, he would definitely come in and carry a threat.

“I will tell you that much. He will carry a threat top end of the pitch. He has good size, speed, knows where the goal is, he is skilful.”

Should En-Nesyri arrive at the London Stadium this month, he would provide another versatile attacking option in Moyes’ squad and potentially cover for the loss of Cornet, who has sadly struggled with injuries since his summer switch from Burnley.

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After hitting nine goals for a relegated Burnley side last season, it was hoped that he could have a big impact on West Ham’s attack, but the Ivorian has managed just one start in the Premier League and looks unlikely to return from injury any time soon.

Like Cornet, En-Nesyri is capable of playing anywhere across the front three so Moyes will desperately be hoping that a deal can be done with Sevilla this month, as the Hammers’ lack of goals in the top flight clearly needs addressing if they are to avoid a relegation scrap this season.

West Bromwich Albion returned to winning ways today, as they battled to earn a hard-fought three points at Bristol City.

It marked their sixth victory in their last seven Championship games, with five of those boasting a clean sheet.

Today saw them earn one yet again, as despite surrendering 51% of the ball were far more clinical and incise in their attacking play as they sealed a 2-0 victory.

This was outlined in their 15 shots, four of which were off-target, compared to the eight total shots managed by the hosts.

One who benefitted from this added proficiency was Matt Phillips, who fired the Baggies in front after just eight minutes. Whilst he may steal the plaudits, as he raced through on goal to sidefoot into the far corner, it was Okay Yokuslu who was actually the true hero for Carlos Corberan.

That was certainly evidenced by Sofascore, who handed the Turkish midfielder the best rating of anyone on the pitch (8.0), even higher than the goalscorer (7.5).

There is a clear reason for this rating, which he more than earned whilst acting as the midfield general that the Baggies needed.

His calming presence on the ball was matched with a tenacity that made him unstoppable today, spurring Elias Burke to praise him on Twitter: “Molumby and Okay outstanding together in midfield, with the latter almost perfect,”

His statistics only serve to support this, as he boasted 70 touches alongside an 85% pass accuracy in his 90 minutes on the pitch. 

As aforementioned, he paired this composure with a mammoth seven tackles, five clearances and four interceptions, and of the 22 duels he competed in he would win a whopping 18 at an 81% success rate.

With this win, Corberan’s men move up to 12th and within three points of promotion-chasers Norwich City. Considering where they were under Steve Bruce, this truly is remarkable.

Should they continue this fine form, they will lean heavily upon the midfield exploits of Yokuslu.

The powerful stalwart boasts experience beyond most at the Hawthorns, and any successes gained this campaign will surely be born from his performances. Especially if they are all like today.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with moves for a number of goalkeepers in recent weeks, with Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici seeking to find the club’s long-term successor to Hugo Lloris between the sticks – with the France captain turning 36 years of age later this month, as well as seeing his current contract in north London expire in the summer of 2024.

One shot-stopper linked with Spurs has been Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, the Senegal international who joined the Blues in a £22m move back in the summer of 2020, with 90min reporting in November that Graham Potter’s side had offered the 30-year-old to Conte’s outfit ahead of the January transfer window.

However, while it is true that the £34m-rated ‘keeper did impress in his first season at Stamford Bridge – averaging a sensational Sofascore match rating of 7.35 during Chelsea’s victorious Champions League campaign in 2020/21 – considering just how poor he has been for club and country this term, it would appear wise for Tottenham to avoid a move for the goalkeeper.

Indeed, over his nine Premier League outings in 2022/23, the £55k-per-week shot-stopper has been extremely poor, helping his side keep just one clean sheet and conceding an average of 1.3 goals per game, in addition to committing one error that led directly to a shot and making one error that led directly to a goal.

These returns have seen the player who AS journalist Carlos Forjanes dubbed both a “one-hit wonder” and “transparent” average an extremely disappointing Sofascore match rating of just 6.69, currently ranking him as the Blues’ fifth-worst performer in the top flight of English football.

Things did not improve for Mendy over his four appearances at the Qatar World Cup this winter, with the shot-stopper averaging an even more disappointing Sofascore match rating of 6.30 for Senegal, ranking him as his country’s worst performer in the competition.

The 30-year-old’s World Cup campaign was summed up by his display during England’s 3-0 victory over the Lions of Teranga in the round of 16 on Sunday evening, with the Chelsea stopper saving just one of the Three Lions’ four shots on goal, connecting with no punches and completing just 16 of his 22 attempted passes.

These metrics saw the player who ABC News journalist Ahmed Yussuf labelled “football’s biggest catfish” earn a shocking Sofascore match rating of a mere 5.8, ranking him as Senegal’s worst performer in a fixture in which the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions unceremoniously crashed out of the tournament.

As such, considering just how far Mendy has fallen since his scintillating Champions Leauge campaign with the Blues two years ago, it would indeed appear wise for Conte and Paratici to steer well clear of the shot-stopper this winter, as the 30-year-old clearly no longer possesses the ability to perform on the biggest stages of club and international football.

Sunderland’s decision to sell Sebastian Coates looks to have massively backfired, as the centre-back is now a regular in the Champions League and could be set to star at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Uruguay international was signed from Liverpool in 2015 in a deal worth £2m, after spending the season on loan, but he would struggle for regular first-team minutes during his time at the Stadium of Light, making just 32 appearances for the Black Cats across two seasons.

He was loaned to Sporting Lisbon in January 2016 and made his move permanent in February 2017, joining in a deal worth around €5m (£4.3m) as the Mackems were later relegated that same year.

Coates has been a mainstay with the Portuguese Liga side in the five years since, making 297 appearances in all competitions, contributing 28 goals and 13 assists in that time.

Now 32, the centre-back boasts a huge amount of experience in European competition and was a regular again for Ruben Amorim’s side in the Champions League this season, making five appearances in the group stage.

While Sunderland fans perhaps won’t have taken too many opportunities to see how far their former defender has come since his Stadium of Light exit five years ago, the World Cup represents an ideal opportunity.

Coates has 47 caps to his name already and could be set for a regular starting spot in Uruguay’s defence in Qatar, as they prepare to face Portugal, South Korea and Ghana in Group H.

An injury suffered by fellow centre-back Ronald Araujo in the build-up to the World Cup also suggests that he could be a starter alongside Jose Gimenez in Diego Alonso’s defence, as the Barcelona man is unlikely to be fully fit.

After a brace in the Champions League last season, former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher labelled Coates as “big and powerful” on CBS Sports, and while Sunderland fans didn’t witness too much of that during his time in England, the Black Cats perhaps should have given him more of a chance.

Indeed, he has developed into a very solid defender.

Aston Villa right-back Frederic Guilbert will be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window, according to journalist Ashley Preece.

The Lowdown: Guilbert out of favour

The 27-year-old has found himself completely out of favour at Villa Park this season, failing to be part of Steven Gerrard’s plans before his sacking last month.

Guilbert hasn’t played a single minute of first-team action this season and he spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Strasbourg, not playing for his current club since August 2021.

It now looks as though the forgotten Frenchman is not wanted by new Villa boss Unai Emery either, following a recent claim.

The Latest: January exit expected

Taking to Twitter, Preece stated that Guilbert will be put up for sale in January, with Johan Lange telling him to find a new club in 2023.

In sharing a round-up of Aston Villa news for Birmingham Live, the journalist tweeted:

“Frederic Guilbert free to leave in January.”

The Verdict: Makes perfect sense

This makes complete sense for all parties, with Guilbert clearly not a part of Emery’s plans and the player himself no doubt wanting to be a regular at this stage in his career.

It would allow the right-back a fresh challenge at a new club, while Villa receiving some bit of money for his services is preferable to losing him for free when his current deal runs out next summer.

Ultimately, Guilbert’s move to Villa from Caen in 2019 simply hasn’t worked out, even though Dean Smith once called him ‘rapid’ – he has only made 32 appearances for the club overall – and now seems the ideal time to part ways.

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a move in 2023 for Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko.

The Lowdown: Rising star

At just 17 years of age, Moukoko is one of the rising stars of the game. He became the youngest ever scorer in the Bundesliga at just 16 years and 28 days, netting for Dortmund in a 2-1 loss at Union Berlin in the 2020/21 season.

He has now made more than 50 appearances for the German heavyweights, with more than 10 goal contributions, including scoring in the 2-2 draw at home to Bayern Munich in the league earlier this month (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Klopp ‘blown away’

As per Football Insider, Liverpool have set their sights on a move for Moukoko in 2023 and are keeping close tabs on him. His contract expires in the summer, with reports that talks over a new deal have been delayed.

Jurgen Klopp is believed to be particularly ‘blown away’ by Moukoko’s impact at his former club at such a young age, but he will face competition from other Premier League rivals, along with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.

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The Verdict: Exciting

Moukoko would certainly be an exciting for Liverpool supporters if the Reds can get a deal done in 2023.

Hailed as ‘amazing’ by former Dortmund striker and now Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, the 17-year-old has an extremely high ceiling, and the fact that he is already featuring regularly for a club of Dortmund’s stature is testament to how much talent he has.

Klopp seems to be taken back by him in particular, and the 55-year-old would surely relish the chance to work with him alongside attackers such as Mo Salah and Luis Diaz.

Cameron Carter-Vickers being absent for Wednesday night’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig will be a ‘big miss’ for Celtic, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Carter-Vickers ruled out of Leipzig clash

The Hoops take on the German giants under the European lights at the Red Bull Arena tonight, but will have to do so without one of their key players.

The 24-year-old was left out of Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the 2-0 defeat to St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership before the international break, and he hasn’t featured since.

It’s now been confirmed that the centre-back won’t be involved in the action during midweek due to sustaining an injury in training last month.

The Latest: Celtic suffer injury ‘setback’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones insisted that Celtic have already suffered a ‘setback’ simply by having to play without the services of Carter-Vickers.

“Carter-Vickers, particularly, will be a big miss in the Champions League. I’m sure they’d be worried about that. So, it sounds to me like his injury, obviously, is a setback.”

The Verdict: Blow for Postecoglou

Celtic not having Carter-Vickers available for selection will come as a huge blow to Postecoglou, who will know exactly how much of an integral member of the starting XI he is.

The defender currently averages four clearances per league game, alongside winning 3.7 of his aerial duels and having an outstanding 91.8% pass success rate (WhoScored), displaying dominance but also composure at the back.

Whilst the 6 foot 1 star won’t be able to make an impact tonight, the boss will be hoping to have his colossus back at his disposal again sooner rather than later.

Liverpool star James Milner has been criticised for his display in the Merseyside derby this afternoon after coming on in their 0-0 draw against Everton.

The Lowdown: Reds off to slow start…

Jurgen Klopp’s side have got off to a slow start to this Premier League campaign as they aim to keep pace with title rivals Manchester City, having dropped points against Man United, Crystal Palace, Fulham and now Frank Lampard’s side.

The Merseysiders have had to cope with injuries to their squad and a lack of midfield depth, prompting them to sign Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo on loan for the rest of the 2022/2023 campaign.

Ahead of a long and congested campaign, especially with the 2022 World Cup merely months away, Liverpool are also having to compete on the European stage – resulting in the need to call upon rotational squad players more often than not.

The Latest: Milner criticised for Everton cameo…

Brought on as a substitute mid-way through the second period of their clash with the Toffees today, Milner failed to impress certain members of the media who saw fit to voice their criticism of the 36-year-old.

Indeed, the reporters pointed out a few shaky moments from the ex-Man City man.

They explained:

“Substitution hasn’t worked at all. Understand Trent has been poor but he’s capable of delivering big moments. Milner so clearly struggling. Matip would’ve been a much better call.” – Leanne Prescott, football writer (via Twitter).

“Almost a costly substitution, Milner trying to stop a counter-attack, like a fish out of water. If Maupay didn’t have the finishing issues that he also showed at Brighton then it would be 1-0 Everton.” – Raj Chohan, BBC Sport (via Twitter)

“Milner getting cooked at RB on the [offside] goal. I get that Trent isn’t playing well but if the young guy isn’t ready surely you’ve gotta just trust Trent to play through it?” – Muhammad Butt, chief writer, Squawka (via Twitter).

The Verdict: Great servant…The midfielder has been a phenomenal servant at Anfield, playing 295 games overall and bagging 26 goals/45 assists in that time, but Klopp’s lack of options may have prompted his use on more occasions than desired.That being said, Milner still has his uses in a thin squad with many games to play and even less resting time in-between.Supporters will be hoping he can re-discover his very best form sooner rather than later.