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In the end, Leeds United’s first game of the new Premier League season turned into a nightmare.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were thrashed 5-1 at Old Trafford by Manchester United, with the Whites blown away by a rampant attack led by a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick.

The Leeds manager had to make one significant pre-match call over Kalvin Phillips, leaving his talismanic midfielder on the bench given his lack of fitness. In his place, Robin Koch started in the anchor man role, and it was a position with which he never really got to grips whatsoever.

As per Sofascore, he was dribbled past twice over the course of the game (only Luke Ayling was beaten more) and managed just two tackles as United’s midfielders overran him and were too quick for him. In possession, Koch really struggled, completing just 78% of his passes, providing no key passes and actually having 17 fewer touches than goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

At half-time, former Leeds and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tore into the German’s positioning on BT Sport’s live coverage, saying that his marking was “criminal” in allowing one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League in Fernandes to spin off him for the home side’s opening goal.

Writing on Twitter, The Athletic’s Phil Hay said: “Not the only difference but Koch and Leeds haven’t been able to contain Fernandes. Was apparent in the first half too. Tough last half-hour coming up. #lufc”

Given that Bielsa trusted him to play the Phillips role in the middle of the park, Koch’s performance was nothing short of a shambles.

He looked all at sea defensively and didn’t have the composure in possession which the England international usually brings to the table either.

It was just an embarrassing display all round from Koch, and one which again shows why Leeds desperately need to sign some genuine quality cover for Phillips in the engine room.

Meanwhile, Leeds must finally sign this long-term Bielsa target…

Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield reckons Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s athleticism could make him the perfect signing for Aston Villa.

While captain and talisman Jack Grealish has already left Villa Park for a British record fee of £100million during the window, boss Dean Smith has been busy welcoming a host of arrivals.

Emiliano Buendia has joined from Norwich City for a club-record fee, while the likes of Leon Bailey and Danny Ings have also completed big-money moves.

Anguissa, who suffered relegation to the Championship with Fulham last season, could be set for a speedy return to the Premier League as he is thought to be on Smith’s wishlist and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the central midfielder.

The Cameroon international has made two appearances so far this season, with Fulham taking maximum points in the fixtures he has featured in.

Hatfield feels 25-year-old Anguissa would be a hit at Villa Park.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “Midfield is the area Villa probably need to address most. Anguissa is an interesting one because he has been linked with Villa previously and it didn’t surprise me to see the links come up again this summer.

“When Fulham previously dropped into the Championship, we saw Anguissa didn’t really fancy it and went out on loan. It could be a possibility again.

“He does seem to fit the mould of what Villa need as he offers that battling mentality in midfield, athleticism and can cover the backline.”

Some Liverpool fans have been left fuming as a transfer update emerged involving Saul.

As per Goal, Chelsea have now been offered the chance to sign the Atletico Madrid ace on a loan deal for the rest of the 2021/22 season, and could negotiate an option to buy of a fee in the region of €45m (£38.5m).

There have been a number of reports linking the Reds with a move for Saul throughout the summer window so far, but it looks as if Thomas Tuchel’s team could beat them to his signature if they are not careful.

The Spain international has impressed so far in La Liga this term, recording one assist in his two games, as well as winning 7.5 of his duels per match and averaging 3.5 tackles, 1,5 shots and one clearance per appearance (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, at 26 years of age, he has not reached his peak yet, and Jurgen Klopp could do with another option in the middle of the park after the departure of Gini Wijnaldum.

Liverpool fans on Saul transfer update

These members of the Anfield faithful fumed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter:

“We are officially a finished club if we don’t get that deal”

Credit: @JuppppJupp

“Should be all over this”

Credit: @emilnikolov_

“????? Why are we not interested, I know we have players now but what happens when we get injuries???? No offence to the players but I don’t really wanna see a midfield 3 of Jones, Milner and Henderson when injuries hit us and we’ve got vital must-win games”

Credit: @Chezzz_Ellis

“#FSGOut”

Credit: @stackz1shot

“More penny pinching from #FSG , I cannot stand them, people need to understand they do not care about trophies, just like Kroenke they are happy with bare minimum, top Reds Will only understand when we are fighting for Europa League”

Credit: @the_only_ish

“Why can’t we do that?”

Credit: @VBG_10

“I’m stressing”

Credit: @JelloBS

In other news, find out which pundit’s comments have been mocked by Kopites here!

This is a transfer deadline day which could either see Everton end up with three potential new signings or it could all fall apart.

Knowing the Toffees, it feels more likely that the latter eventuality will have fallen upon them by 11pm this evening.

What’s the word?

Everton are trying to conclude deals for Salomon Rondon and Luis Diaz before the window slams shut.

However, they are also trying to wrap up a move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Rafa Benitez and co lodged a bid to sign the 24-year-old on loan with a future fee yesterday but that was battered away by Arsenal.

Since then, though, Maitland-Niles has revealed his outrage on social media and will now have talks with the Gunners about leaving north London.

David Ornstein provided an update on the player’s future on deadline day, tweeting: “Ainsley Maitland-Niles plans to meet with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta this afternoon & request he be allowed to join Everton (EFC offer is loan plus option to buy). AFC must decide whether to sanction 24yo’s exit or keep unhappy player.”

Brands must act

If Everton really want Arsenal’s versatile youngster, they will need to make their move quickly and provide a bid that’s more reasonable than the one they proposed on Monday.

Although the 24-year-old hasn’t played much first-team football of late, he’d still be a great signing for the Toffees.

Firstly, they could do with an alternative right-back to Seamus Coleman. The Irishman’s contract expires the summer after next and there is no guarantee that he will sign new terms with the Merseyside outfit.

Furthermore, Everton cannot rely on the fitness of Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin in the middle of the park to provide them with much cover.

With that in mind, Maitland-Niles feels like a worthwhile acquisition. He could play on either side of the defence while offering a valuable option in the middle of the park as well.

He was part of Arsenal’s FA Cup-winning side in 2019/20, a run to which he contributed by playing at wing-back.

Because of the Gunners’ options in a central area, he has been restricted to featuring in that position. However, during a loan spell with West Brom last term, he stood out in the middle of the park throughout 15 Premier League appearances.

Maitland-Niles wasn’t involved in a goal at The Hawthorns but won an impressive 1.5 tackles and made 1.1 interceptions per game.

He was a classic box-to-box player, advancing forward and carrying the ball expertly into offensive areas. That saw him break opposition lines and complete 1.1 dribbles per game.

On that evidence, Everton should be doing all they can to conclude a deal for him. He is eager to escape Arsenal and is sitting on a plate for the Toffees, so Marcel Brands has to act.

AND in other news, Paul Joyce drops intriguing Everton transfer update, it’s now or never for Brands

West Ham are reportedly closing in on the loan signing of defensive midfielder Alex Kral from Russian side Spartak Moscow.

The Lowdown: West Ham doing deadline day business

The Hammers are in a good place on and off the pitch, shining in the Premier League under David Moyes and doing shrewd business in the transfer market.

Nikola Vlasic has already signed for West ham on deadline day and now another deal could get over the line.

The Latest: Kral set to join?

According to Russian Football News, Kral could join the Hammers on loan, joining up with Czech Republic compatriots Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.

The source from a Russian outlet states the Irons want ‘one more RPL (Russian Premier League) player’ after Vlasic.

There will be an option to buy in the deal, with the 23-year-old winning 22 caps for his country to date.

The Verdict: Another shrewd addition

Kral could be a great signing for Moyes’ side, bringing more stability in the centre of midfield, especially with Mark Noble’s best days now behind him.

He could dovetail effectively in the middle of the park with either of Declan Rice or Soucek, having averaged 1.5 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game for Spartak in the Russian Premier League last season.

This gives Moyes the chance to rotate his star men in the middle once Europa League matches roll around, adding depth to a vital position.

In other news, some West Ham fans are excited by another transfer rumour. Read more here.

Leeds United should have made a move for Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara in the summer transfer window amid Carlton Palmer’s recent verdict.

What’s the story?

TEAMtalk claimed over the summer that along with the Whites, the likes of fellow Premier League sides Newcastle, West Ham and Wolves were all monitoring developments ahead of a possible move.

A deal however failed to materialise before the end of the deadline, and now Palmer has delivered his verdict on Kamara and the transfer speculation surrounding him.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “It’s a difficult one as a player, isn’t it? It’s where you think you’re going to play the most football.

“Leeds have a settled side at the moment. I think he (Marcelo Bielsa) has his 1-11 that he relies on, that he knows he’s going to pick week in, week out, so it’s a difficult one. Do you go there, sit on the bench and wait for your opportunity, or do you go to a club and play?”

Would’ve been perfect for Bielsa

Given that Leeds’ interest in Kamara first surfaced way back in October amid suggestions that a move could be made in the January transfer window, a swoop for the Finland international this summer would have been very similar to their long-running pursuit of Dan James.

The 25-year-old ace was a key part of Steven Gerrard’s side last season as they finally won back the Scottish Premiership title from Celtic, while he was also involved in the Gers’ impressive run in the Europa League.

His former manager at Dundee, Neil McCann, said: “He looks small but he’s strong and he’s a playmaker. When Rangers signed Glen, I sat there thinking he would smash it. Glen will end up back in the English Premier League. I’ve no doubts about that.

“He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect. He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

It’s why Leeds have potentially risked Bielsa’s wrath by not only not signing the 34-cap international, but also failing to bring in a new central midfielder completely, and leaving them very vulnerable once again in the middle of the park to any key injuries or suspensions.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target is now set for contract talks…

Tottenham Hotspur could land one of their mooted transfer targets for a massive bargain this January, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

Since the end of the summer transfer window, the north London outfit have been strongly linked with a move for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie ahead of 2022.

One report even suggested that Spurs could use wantaway club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele as a makeweight in any potential future deal.

But now an exciting development has emerged.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Ivory Coast international could be available for as little as €9m (£7.5m) as it will be the last chance the Serie A giants can sell him for money before he leaves for nothing later in the summer.

It seems rather unlikely that Kessie will renew his current contract at the San Siro, though the Lilywhites aren’t the only team interested, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also linked.

Paratici must swoop

Make no bones about it, if the Milan midfielder is available for as little as that, then Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici and the rest of the club’s hierarchy would be foolish to not try and sign him.

After all, Transfermarkt currently value him at a whopping £49.5m – and they’ll be getting him for 85% cheaper than his supposed worth.

Although, they shouldn’t only be making a move from a purely financial sense as the player himself is actually a massive talent that could bolster Nuno Santo’s engine room instantly.

Kessie is a powerful and industrious box-to-box beast that can also take a mean set-piece.

He ended last season as Milan’s fourth highest-rated player (7.15) and their second top goalscorer (13) behind only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (15), as per WhoScored.

In addition to that, he averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.2 dribbles per league outing.

Kessie’s current boss, Stefano Pioli, waxed lyrical about the Ivorian’s ability earlier this year, claiming that “Franck is a complete player” who gives his side “physicality, energy, quality, protects the defence and knits the moves going forward too.”

This merely echoed the thoughts of another manager who once stood in the San Siro dugout, Vincenzo Montella, who described the midfielder as an “extraordinary player” with “sublime intelligence.”

In the need to add more goals to the side, Nuno could really do with a player like Kessie as he can contribute in the final third just as much as he can in the team’s own half.

If Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is in need of a solid partner, then it should be the Milan monster they turn to, especially given the astounding claims mentioned in the report.

AND in other news, £75k-p/w dud must never play for Spurs again, had fewer touches than Lloris yesterday…

Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has been blasted by former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Time out for Dier

Dier had started his season in impressive form, starting all four of Spurs’ opening top flight games as they earned triple 1-0 victories to jump to the top of the Premier League table.

But on Saturday, Dier and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were handed their first blow of the season as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at London rivals Crystal Palace, with the England international forced off with an injury after just 12 minutes.

It is unknown how long the 27-year-old is set to miss, but he has received criticism from McAvennie following the defeat to Patrick Viera’s men.

The Latest: McAvennie blasts Dier

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie has claimed that Spurs shouldn’t reintroduce the former Sporting Lisbon man to the XI when he recovers from injury.

The former Celtic and Hammers forward has insisted that the £19.8million-rated man never possessed the qualities required to play at centre-back anyway.

He said: “Eric Dier has never been a centre half.

“When you watch him you can see that he just hasn’t got it.

“They have tried to make a space for him in the team.

“They don’t need him in the midfield, and he doesn’t do it at the back. He never has been a defender and never will be.”

The Verdict: Harsh but true

The harsh reality is that Dier’s previous backs McAvennie’s point up. When Nuno has all his regular defenders back, with Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero missing the game, Dier is likely to drop to the bench or move to midfield.

Dier, who has been labelled ‘sensational’ in the past by former Lilywhite Jermaine Jenas, will now miss at least Thursday’s UEFA Conference League trip to Rennes and maybe Sunday’s vital game with Chelsea.

Falling to defeat at Palace wasn’t Dier’s fault as he was off for over 75 minutes, but if his injury is a lengthy one, it may prove difficult to force his way back in once Romero has settled.

In other news, Spurs have set their sights on teenage Championship sensation. Find out more here.

With Valerien Ismael hoping to see his West Bromwich Albion side pick up their first win in three Championship games on Friday evening, he could not have seen his team get off to a worse start against Queens Park Rangers, with Andre Gray putting the visitors ahead in the first minute of the match.

However, as the game wore on, the Baggies began to assert their dominance, taking seven shots, completing 135 passes, boasting 54% possession of the ball and creating one big chance in the first half of the match – albeit without managing to find an equaliser.

It was a similar story in the second half, but with 15 minutes of the game left to play, QPR still held a 1-0 lead.

However, a 75th-minute equaliser by Karlan Grant finally brought Ismael’s side back on level terms, before the centre-forward went on to grab his second of the game with two minutes of regulation time left to play, sealing a last-gasp 2-1 victory at The Hawthorns.

While it was indeed the centre-forward’s brace which ultimately won the game for West Brom, it was undeniably the introduction of Callum Robinson as a second-half substitute which started to turn the tide for Albion.

Game changer

Indeed, having been introduced to the game in the 54th minute, the Republic of Ireland international came on with his team once again struggling to break down their opposition down, a recurring theme for the Baggies in recent fixtures.

However, despite having just 13 touches of the ball and completing a mere six passes, the £5.4m-rated man proved to be the game-changer for Ismael’s side.

Despite a limited amount of time on the ball, Robinson nevertheless made two key passes, created one big chance and set up both of Grant’s goals, with his efforts seeing him earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.6 – the second-highest of any Albion player on the night.

As such, the man who Don Goodman dubbed a “first-class” player is largely to thank for Albion’s three points, as despite only featuring for a little over half an hour last night, the 26-year-old stole the show against QPR.

In other news: Ismael could land perfect Sam Johnstone heir with West Brom swoop for 21 y/o “monster”

Everton did little to improve their first-team ranks in the summer transfer window as Rafa Benitez was given a shoestring budget with which to work.

Five new faces arrived but only one of them cost the Toffees a direct transfer fee.

What’s the word?

With that in mind, the Merseyside outfit should probably take on any help they can get in terms of recruitment.

Despite not spending a lot in the last few months, they have actually enjoyed a good start to the new campaign, with summer signings Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray scoring three goals each.

Other areas certainly still need improving, however.

One player who has been linked with a move to Goodison Park is Serge Aurier. The Ivorian is a free agent after leaving Tottenham by mutual consent but fresh reports from the Liverpool Echo have quashed rumours of a move.

They claimed that the 28-year-old has been discussed but the Toffees are not actively pursuing a deal at the moment.

Go get him

With Everton lacking the financial firepower to take on the Premier League’s elite, signing players like Aurier would be shrewd business.

The right-back has been described as “uncoachable” by sources close to Spurs staff but the Toffees lack any form of depth at full-back.

They only have one senior left-back in Lucas Digne, while Seamus Coleman is their only true option on the opposite side.

That being said, the Irishman’s contract expires in two years’ time, and at the age of 32, he is getting no younger.

He has also been injured this term and is set to miss the next two to three weeks of action. Ben Godfrey has deputised unsuccessfully, but if he doesn’t play, they’d have to rely on Jonjoe Kenny.

The English defender was once tipped for a vibrant future after being nominated for the Rookie of the Year award following his spell on loan at Schalke 04.

Sadly, his career has waned since that moment. He spent the second half of 2020/21 on loan at Celtic, where he was simply disastrous.

Kenny offered plenty going forward but made a plethora of mistakes across multiple Old Firm derbies. His performances were so bad that the £5.2m-rated dud was described as a “horror show” by the cast of ACSOM.

The 24-year-old is yet to respond to his critics since returning to Finch Farm, but Benitez could finally axe him by bringing Aurier to the club.

The former Spurs man is hardly a pillar of reliability himself but he does at least have plenty of Premier League, continental and international experience under his belt.

AND in other news, Kenwright masterclass: £100k-p/w gem sees his value fall by £23m after leaving Everton…