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A round-up of all the Premier League’s key transfer talking points
The January transfer window is often described as a make or break period in the seasons of a number of clubs - and that statement in particular applies to teams near the bottom of the table such as Leicester City who are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Foxes have so far found the net on 21 occasions in their opening 16 games, which is a steady return for a newly promoted side. However, their underlying numbers in terms of XG show that their current style of football is not sustainable over the course of the season.
For starters, Leicester with 146 have had the least shots of any team in the top-flight this season, while their amount of big chances created, corners and touches in the opposition box all highlight a lack of service for leading striker Jamie Vardy, who has had to do his best with scraps of creativity this term.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Steve Cooper in November, is keen to rectify this issue and is reportedly lining up a shock move for one of Leicester’s chief creators last season in Kieran Dewsbury-Hall.
The 26-year-old registered an impressive 12 goals and 14 assists at Championship level last season to spearhead the Foxes to a league title before following Enzo Maresca to Stamford Bridge in a £30m move over the summer.
Heading into the season, he expressed a desire to work his way into the England squad after a campaign which had seen him win the Foxes Player of the Season award.
However, since arriving at Stamford Bridge his progress has been hampered by a lack of game time - and so far he has been limited six Premier League experiences which have entirely come from appearances off the bench.
The Athletic understands that Dewsbury-Hall is growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of first team action in West London and has claimed that a return to the King Power Stadium could be the best resolution for both parties.
Chelsea boss Maresca, who referred to Dewsbury-Hall as ‘calm’ and ‘fantastic with the ball’ when signing him has also hinted that an exit could be on the cards in January.
Speaking to reporters, he said: "Unfortunately I cannot say that, not about Kiernan, about all the squad, because when the transfer window is open, unfortunately anything can happen.”
3AM verdict: Kieran Dewsbury-Hall was the catalyst for Leicester City’s title triumph last season and was at the centre of almost everything that was good about the Foxes way of playing last season.
On the few occasions where has played for Chelsea, primarily in the Conference League, he has proven he can provide a creative and goalscoring spark, but will always struggle at Stamford Bridge due to the qualities that both Cole Palmer and Joao Felix possess in the attacking midfield role.
Dewsbury-Hall is a Leicester academy graduate, knows the club well and has strong on the pitch chemistry with Jamie Vardy, a loan move back to the King Power would likely be the best solution for all parties.
Manchester City plot move for 15-time international
Premier League champions Manchester City slipped to a ninth defeat in 12 matches across all competitions when they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in their last Premier League outing.
The once impenetrable Manchester City defence is now leaking goals left right and centre, while the creative spark of the team seems to have dried up significantly with Erling Haaland no longer finding the net on a regular basis.
This dip in form can largely be attributed to the long-term injury of midfield lynchpin Rodri and it seems that Pep Guardiola’s team is currently struggling to function without the qualities that the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner possesses.
As such, Team Talk is reporting that Manchester City could be in the market for a new defensive midfielder and the player at the top of their shopping list is understood to be highly-rated Spanish international Martin Zubimendi, who has been crucial to Real Sociedad’s success in recent seasons.
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3AM verdict: Manchester City’s hopes of defending their Premier League title seem to be fading with each passing match and as it stands the existing options of Mateo Kovacic, an ageing Ilay Gundogan and an inexperienced Rico Lewis are struggling to dictate games in the same fashion.
Martin Zubimendi is cool on the ball, has the legs to win the midfield battle for his team, and should be able to offer the team a vital boost. They should look to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later, but their current FFP court case could prove a stumbling block in facilitating any potential deals.
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