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Tyrone Mings is the real leader on the pitch and in the dressing room at Aston Villa, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Mings was a hugely important figure for Dean Smith last season, missing just two games in the Villans’ Premier League campaign.

The term prior, the £27m-rated England defender made 30 plus appearances as he helped Villa retain their place in the top flight.

At present, the brilliant Jack Grealish is Villa captain. But in terms of being the real sort of commander in Smith’s side, Mings currently holds that role, according to Hatfield.

“I look at the likes of Ezri Konsa, who for me was maybe slightly better than Tyrone Mings last season, but he doesn’t offer quite the same vocal leadership as someone like Tyrone Mings,” the Aston Villa journalist told FFC. “It’s similar with someone like Jack Grealish.

“Mings is kind of the real loud voice in that dressing room and on the pitch.”

Defensively, Villa were really good last season thanks to the likes of Mings, Konsa and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Across their 38 Premier League fixtures, the Midlands club conceded just 46 goals. To put that into perspective, only six outfits, including champions Manchester City and Champions League winners Chelsea conceded less goals (via WhoScored).

It gives Smith a strong foundation to build on this upcoming season.

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold has dropped a behind the scenes Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Fabio Paratici.

The Lowdown: Paratici and Spurs

While Tottenham weren’t able to get former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte through the door, sporting director Fabio Paratici is now set for a big role in north London.

Indeed, reports in the Athletic and the Telegraph believe that the 48-year-old will have a major say on footballing matters including Spurs’ manager search and both incoming/outgoing transfers.

The Latest: Gold drops behind-scenes transfer claim

Speaking in a Q&A, football.london correspondent Gold has backed the reports while dropping an enticing claim involving Paratici.

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As explained, the journalist believes that he has already commenced work in north London on outgoings as Spurs attempt to bolster Tottenham’s finances for possible signings this summer.

“Paratici is working already on potential transfers out to create funds for signings,” Gold stated when asked if Spurs have deals lined up and ready to go.

“The good thing about a director of football structure is that it creates the continuity and the squad and the head coach comes in to coach that.

“Of course certain players can be tailored to different types of head coaches but ultimately you choose a head coach that fits the club and target rather than randomly going after contrasting managers – yes, exactly as Tottenham have done this summer.”

The Verdict: Good news…

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Spurs will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy and operate within their means.

News of Paratici’s immediate hustle behind the scenes will come as a boost for the club given the transfer window is now open and Tottenham will want to operate as quickly as possible.

The priority, of course, is appointing a new manager at N17 but laying the groundwork for summer deals is arguably just as crucial.

Spurs ended up finishing seventh last season in what was a disappointing campaign and supporters will be hoping Paratici can build the foundations for a much stronger 2021/2022, regardless of who leads the side from the dugout.

In other news: Paratici eyeing this big name for Spurs, Harry Redknapp called him ‘top class’…find out more here.

Lee Ryder has shared some insight from sources close to the potential takeover of Newcastle United on a possible timescale for arbitration.

The Lowdown: Arbitration date set

A date has now been set for the pending arbitration case between the St. James’ Park faithful and the Premier League over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

The hearing has been set for July on an expedited basis, with the top flight being granted an extension to respond to the North East club’s separate anti-competition lawsuit that has been launched against them.

The Latest: Possible arbitration timescale

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Ryder has shared that if there are no delays or roadblocks thrown down by PL chiefs, some close sources to the potential takeover feel that the arbitration case could take about three weeks.

It means that the Tyneside club will likely go into the new season with Ashley still as the owner, and the chief executive of Sports Direct will also be in charge of incomings and outgoings in the summer transfer window.

The Verdict: Timescale not ideal

If the arbitration hearing is likely to take as long as three weeks, then it is certainly not ideal going into the next campaign.

It means that the Magpies will have to be much more clever and careful with how much money that they spend in the window and how they spend it, whereas a completed takeover before the window would surely bring more freedom for Steve Bruce or any other manager.

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With fans proposed to come back into stadiums as well, there will be growing uncertainty and discontent that may translate onto the players on the pitch.

However, the Toon Army may not care how or when it happens so long as the takeover is completed.

In other news, find out what insight Mark Douglas has dropped on potential takeover investors here!

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has confirmed that Aston Villa are eyeing a move for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil this summer.

What’s the story?

A report from Football Insider previously claimed that Dean Smith’s side have their eye on the Clarets talent, with the 21-year-old “one of the top targets of their recruitment team” and the Premier League club “lining up a huge bid for him”.

Evans has now said: “Villa already recognise the need for another wide player, and The Athletic understands Burnley’s Dwight McNeil is of serious interest, as is Emi Buendia of Championship winners Norwich. Extensive groundwork has already been done on both of them.

“The scouting department has closely scrutinised his in-game contributions, and McNeil is recognised as a player who brings additional options to open up a game.

“Ideally, Burnley do not wish to part with any of their top performers and are under no pressure to sell, but every player at the club has their price — though McNeil will not come cheap. He’s contracted to the club for another three years, with an option to extend that by a further year. It is also understood that at least three other clubs are interested in him, besides Villa.”

Imagine him and Grealish

With his ability to beat players one-on-one – his average of 1.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League is the highest of any Burnley player and double that of Charlie Taylor in second – McNeil could create an exciting tandem with Jack Grealish.

The £50m-rated winger has arguably been one of the few standout performers going forward for the Clarets, and it’s something which has led to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp raving about him.

He said: “Dwight McNeil is such a good player, lovely left foot, doesn’t stop running. Every time I watch him he gets better and better, he’s got real quality and certainly a player that the top six to eight clubs will be looking at, and that’s no disrespect to Burnley because I don’t like saying that sometimes, but he is that good.”

McNeil’s composure on the ball, something very much akin to Grealish, has led to Burnley manager Sean Dyche hailing the composure that he has when he gets into the final third of the pitch.

He said: “He’s a real talent. He’s a really good player, he’s improving, his calmness at the end – I’m saying get it in the corner – but he cuts in, and his calmness to cross it into a dangerous area, and then gets his reward.

“Before then, his calmness to dribble out of trouble – he’s a really good player, really good, and he can only mature.”

There are a lot of similarities between the way McNeil and Grealish play, and a move for the Burnley winger could help to build a supremely entertaining attacking duo at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped a major Aston Villa transfer update…

Steve Cooper does not look certain to leave Swansea City this summer, despite strong rumours of his exit from the Liberty Stadium.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who claimed in a post on Twitter that the 41-year-old is not nailed on to take over the vacant managerial position at Crystal Palace this summer.

The Swansea City manager has been heavily linked with the Premier League club in recent weeks, following Roy Hodgson’s retirement from football at the end of last season.

Levien will be buzzing

Having worked wonders since being appointed as the Swansea head coach in June of 2019, the fact that the former England U17 manager does not look certain to leave the Championship club this summer, despite being heavily linked with the Palace job, is sure to leave both fans and Jason Levien buzzing.

Indeed, in his first season in Wales, the 41-year-old led his side to a rather unexpected top-six finish in the second tier, before ultimately falling to a narrow play-off semi-final defeat to Brentford.

Cooper then bettered this feat in his second season at the club, finishing the regular season in fourth place and reaching the play-off final after beating Barnsley in the play-off semi-final, before once again losing out to Thomas Frank’s Brentford in the play-off final.

The 41-year-old’s reputation for developing young players has also resulted in Premier League sides offering the Swans a host of their young talents on loan deals, while the Englishman has also drawn praise for the style of football his side have demonstrated during his time at the club, as well as from his players, with Andre Ayew stating his belief that Cooper is a “quality” manager.

As such, with Levien undoubtedly hoping that his side can go one better than last season and clinch promotion to the top flight in their upcoming Championship campaign, retaining Cooper’s services this summer would very much appear to significantly increase the club’s chances of going on to achieve this feat.

In other news: Forget Grimes: Cooper must sanction Swansea summer swoop for “perfect” £32k-p/w dynamo

Danny Mills has told Marcelo Bielsa that Kalvin Phillips ‘needs’ to start Leeds United’s final three matches of the season to secure a place in the England squad for Euro 2020.

Mills, who played for Leeds for 1999 and 2004, was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

Phillips, who earns £4,500 per week at Elland Road according to Spotrac, has made 26 Premier League appearances this season, missing a total of nine matches through injury or suspension.

He was a stoppage-time substitute last time out against Spurs, returning from the knee injury he sustained in the goalless draw against Manchester United last month.

Robin Koch has deputised at the base of the Whites’ midfield, and many supporters were delighted with his performance against Tottenham.

Phillips is now pushing a recall as Leeds travel to Burnley on Saturday lunchtime. The 25-year-old knows that a place in the England squad for next month’s European Championships is up for grabs.

Gareth Southgate selected him for the September, October and March squads, and he only missed out in November because he was injured (Transfermarkt).

The latest

Mills has said that Phillips must be given the opportunity at Leeds to address any fitness concerns and d he warned that substitute appearances are largely ‘irrelevant’.

Asked if he expected the 25-year-old to be recalled by Bielsa, he told Football Insider: “I hope so.

“I obviously want Kalvin Phillips to go to the Euros. He needs these next three games to say to Gareth Southgate ‘look, I’m fit, I’m over this injury.

“Coming on is sort of irrelevant. It doesn’t say you’re fit or not. If he plays these next three games it shows he’s fit and ready to go to the Euros.

“Declan Rice is out and we’re still not sure of Jordan Henderson. He has a real opportunity, if he can prove his fitness, then he can make this Euros squad.”

The verdict

It’s clear that Southgate values Phillips given his consistency of selection in recent months. Even if he were to start only the final game of the season, that would probably be enough justification for the England manager.

Another important point to consider, of course, is the danger of demanding 90 minutes too quickly after an injury. Koch’s excellent display last weekend gives Bielsa a dilemma for the Burnley game, although he could perhaps move back into the centre of defence to facilitate a recall for Phillips.

In other news, Leeds have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of this youngster.

Liverpool host Newcastle United at Anfield tonight aiming to move back into the top-four.

As it stands, the Reds are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and with Thomas Tuchel’s men vying with West Ham United this weekend, there is a real opportunity for the Merseysiders to make up ground.

So, how many changes could Jurgen Klopp be tempted to make to the side that drew 1-1 with Leeds United last time out?

We are expecting just two alterations for the visit of the Magpies.

The defence should remain unchanged from the visit to Elland Road. Alisson will of course be between the sticks, whilst full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be deployed in their usual positions.

Ozan Kabak will line up too but he will once again be alongside Fabinho who will deputise in the backline once more in the continued absence of Nathaniel Phillips.

Meanwhile, there should be one slight change in midfield. Having only played on Monday evening, whilst also starting against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, it could be time for James Milner to receive a rest. After all, the veteran midfielder has not started four consecutive league games this season.

He could potentially be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who appeared as a substitute last time out and will be a more logical option than the only-just fit again Curtis Jones.

He should form a midfield trio with the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara.

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Finally, there should also be one switch from Klopp in attack. Roberto Firmino has not scored in the league since late January so should start on the bench. The £49.5m-rated Brazilian should be replaced by Diogo Jota who despite missing training on Thursday is fit to play.

He will be flanked by Sadio Mane – who scored for the first time in the Premier League in nearly three months against Leeds – and Mo Salah.

AND in more news, find out which European wonderkid could be the Reds’ next Luis Suarez…

Rangers take on their Old Firm rivals at Ibrox on Sunday and Steven Gerrard should axe Ianis Hagi for the game, as the Romania international has been far from his best in recent weeks.

Although the 22-year-old has enjoyed a solid campaign overall, contributing six goals and nine assists in 29 Premiership appearances, resulting in a 6.93 average WhoScored rating, his recent performances have been nowhere near that level.

Hagi’s last goal for Rangers came in the 3-0 win against St Mirren in early March, and he has failed to contribute a goal or assist in the league since then, whilst he also struggled in the cup defeat against St Johnstone last time out before his 68th-minute withdrawal.

Indeed, as per WhoScored ratings, he hasn’t exceeded a 7/10 since the aforementioned St Mirren clash, even registering a lowly 5.95 in the recent win over Hibernian.

He is also competing with Joe Aribo on the right wing, with the Nigeria international having shown that he is capable of playing there or in central midfield at a high level this season, as his average WhoScored rating of 7.40/10 in the Premiership ranks him as the joint-second best player in Gerrard’s squad so far this campaign.

The former Charlton Athletic man was also instrumental in Rangers’ most recent win against Celtic in the Scottish Cup, as he embarrassed Diego Laxalt down the right-hand side before sending in a dangerous cross for Jonjoe Kenny to turn into his own net, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start out wide again at Ibrox on Sunday.

Hagi, meanwhile, has regularly been left on the bench against the Hoops in the past, making just two appearances against them in his career thus far, in which he has failed to contribute a goal or an assist, so perhaps Gerrard feels that the physicality of the fixture doesn’t suit the former Genk man.

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Although the manager dubbed the 22-year-old an “outstanding talent” last season after his starring performance against Braga at Ibrox, it seems as if he doesn’t trust him to be as impressive in Old Firm derbies. Given that Hagi has been pretty poor in recent weeks, Gerrard should axe him from his starting line-up on Sunday.

In other news… Allen masterclass: “Immense” Rangers beast’s value has risen 550% since Ibrox switch

According to a report by Turkish news outlet Sabah, via West Ham Gossip, the Hammers and GSB could let winger Felipe Anderson leave for nothing as Super Lig giants Galatasaray eye a move for the Brazilian. 

Anderson, who has spent this season on loan at FC Porto, has endured a spell to forget in the Liga NOS – starting just one league match and totalling a meagre 128 minutes over 2020/2021 (WhoScored).

The 28-year-old, however, is still attracting interest from Galatasaray as they aim to bolster their squad for next season after losing out on the title to rivals Besiktas in very dramatic fashion. 

The Turkish club do want to pay a fee for Anderson, though, meaning West Ham could well allow him to leave on a free transfer just to get his £85,000-per-week wages off the books.

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Horrified by this development, it’s safe to say plenty of Irons were outraged at GSB as they pray this doesn’t come to fruition.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans horrified by Anderson development

“We could finish 3rd but at the end of the day we’re still run by clueless crooks”

Credit: @jxck_whufc

“What a joke if this happens. Should of pulled him out of Porto ASAP when he weren’t playing and not just let him rot”

Credit: @BubblesFC3

“Great transfer business as usual”

Credit: @CharlieWestHam0

“Every single season we strip players to free up wages. Sick of it.”

Credit: @Kniighty

“This would be the most stupid thing ever. He’s had a bad year but we can still get AT LEAST £10 million for him.”

Credit: @JH_Journalism

“This would be so stupid. We need numbers for the Europa league group stage.”

Credit: @westhamonline5

“so dumb letting him go for free”

Credit: @JLingzSZN

“If that doesn’t scream GSB idk what does”

Credit: @RokasWHU

In other news: West Ham make approach to sign this ‘outstanding’ £120,000-per-week attacker, find out more here.

A relegation claim has been dropped on a potential takeover of Newcastle United involving Mike Ashley.

Speaking to Football Insider, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has claimed that the chief executive of Sports Direct would be ‘doing well’ if he gets half of his original £300m asking price of the club if they were to find themselves relegated from the Premier League by the end of the season. Maguire outlined:

“I think Ashley is trying to ensure that the club is in the Premier League when he sells it.

“Newcastle is worth £300m as a Premier League club. If he gets half of that in the Championship, he’ll be doing well.”

Newcastle must stay up

If Newcastle have any chance of being taken over by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, then they must ensure that they stay in the top flight come the end of the season.

The KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) would surely see the Tyneside club as a far less attractive one to buy if they are stuck in a lower division, and so they may not want to come back onto the table.

This may open the door for other potential investors to swoop in, but question marks would then have to be raised about Ashley if he would like to sell the Magpies for a potentially much lower price than what he had originally stipulated given that they were in the top flight.

Nonetheless, it is a dilemma which will come into fruition at the end of the campaign when the fate of Steve Bruce’s team is known.

In other news, find out what big claim Luke Edwards has dropped on the potential takeover.