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      Baffled fans ask ‘what is he doing’ after spotting ‘overhyped’ Caicedo’s actions in build-up to Middlesbrough goal

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      FOOTIE fans were left baffled by Moises Caicedo’s actions in the build-up to Middlesbrough’s winner against Chelsea.The Premier League big boys suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Championship Boro in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.
      Hayden Hackney scored the winner in Middlesbrough’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash with ChelseaCredit: GETTY
      Hackney breezed past Moises Caideco in the build-up to the goalCredit: GETTY
      Replays showed Caicedo stopped tracking Hackney and put his hands behind his back before the goal went inCredit: Rex
      Caicedo just let his man get away

      A second-half strike from Hayden Hackney sent the Riverside into a state of pandemonium and saw Michael Carrick’s troops put one foot in next month’s Wembley final.
      Hackney strolled into the box unchallenged and cooly slotted the ball past Djordje Petrovic.
      And replays showed that Caicedo was to blame for the midfielder’s free run at goal.
      The Blues’ club-record signing failed to bust a gut as Boro broke away and made little effort to close the distance between himself and Hackney.
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      And to make matters worse, he stopped shortly after getting into the box and put his hands behind his back before Hackney fired home.
      Blues fans couldn’t believe their eyes after seeing the Ecuador international’s lack of effort, with one saying: “What is Caicedo doing?
      “Just stops following his runner and puts his hands behind his back.”
      Another said: “Bruh gave up real quick.”
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      And another said: “Nahhhh WTF is this about.”
      One remarked: “Caicedo is generally way overhyped.
      “He always takes long breaks in each game walking around and not positioning himself to receive passes.
      “Second time in three games he cost a goal as well because he doesn’t track back.”
      One furious member of the Stamford Bridge faithful said: “How does this player cost that amount of money?
      “He runs around like he’s got cement blocks in his shoes, heavy legs. Overrated player.”
      Chelsea will bid to exact revenge on Boro and reach the first major final of the season in the return leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday week.
      Middlesbrough have one foot in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: REX More

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      I’m the Premier League cult hero behind most iconic transfer deadline day moment ever – now I play the guitar on TikTok

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      PETER ODEMWINGIE is best known for his six-year stint in the Premier League – but he’s now serenading fans on social media.The former Nigeria international hung up his boots in April 2019, a year after playing for Indonesian side Madura United.
      Peter Odemwingie spent six years in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA
      The former Nigeria international hung up his boots in April 2019Credit: REUTERS
      Odemwingie now spends his days playing his guitar on TikTokCredit: TIKTOK@ODEMWINGIE1981
      Odemwingie has kept a relatively low profile since calling time on his playing career.
      Although he’s recently built up quite the following on TikTok thanks to his previously unknown musical talent.
      Odemwingie, 42, has amassed nearly 30,000 followers on the popular social media platform doing renditions of popular songs.
      But he’s not just singing them – he’s strumming the chords on his acoustic guitar.
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      The former West Brom, Cardiff and Stoke City ace has posted ten videos of himself singing an array of songs – including Christian rock tunes – to his page.
      His videos have racked up thousands of views, with one even being watched by over 100,000 people.
      Despite becoming a somewhat popular TikTok singer, Odemwingie’s vocal chords won’t trump his success on the pitch.
      He bagged 35 goals in 114 Premier League appearances, although English football fans will forever remember him for his attempts to force through a move to QPR on transfer deadline day.
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      Odemwingie drove to QPR on January transfer deadline day to finalise a move that never came to fruitionCredit: SKY SPORTS
      In January 2013, the then West Brom hitman drove to London to try and seal a move to QPR – although the London club refused the striker entry to Loftus Road.
      Odemwingie was forced to sit outside the stadium and wait in his car for both clubs to reach an agreement, which never came to fruition.
      Recalling the incident to Sky Sports, he said: “Everything seemed agreed, but actually I didn’t know that one of the terms was that they [West Brom] were getting [Junior] Hoilett and [if I had known that] I would have never driven to London
      “Why would I have driven to London in bad weather? It was dark already, it was winter and I had just had a newborn, who was one week old.
      “Why would I leave my wife and my newborn kid to drive to London and wait outside?
      “One thing I would have done [if I had known] is call my friends at QPR and say, ‘Hey guys, can you find out whether Hoilett will actually come to West Brom or not?’
      “That’s what I would have done. But I didn’t have to because I thought it was never a condition that he had to go the other way.
      “I was left there waiting for the agents to tell me what’s next.
      “Then the time was ticking, I had a medical to go through, I obviously had to read the contracts and everything had to be drafted.” More

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      Neil Warnock reveals he fined players £50 for passing to Adel Taarabt and how coach warned Moroccan would get him sacked

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      NEIL WARNOCK has revealed that he would FINE players for passing to Adel Taarabt in their own half.The veteran boss managed Taarabt at Queens Park Rangers.
      Neil Warnock poses with Alejandro Faurlin, left, and Adel Taarabt, right after winning the Championship titleCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The Moroccan produced one of the all-time great Championship seasonsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Warnock, now 75, arrived at Loftus Road in March 2010 and didn’t initially receive a particularly glowing review of the attacking midfielder.
      Recounting the first time he encountered the mercurial Moroccan, Warnock told Peter Crouch on the ex-striker’s podcast: “This is a red hot day and there’s a kid with black gloves on. Black woollen gloves.
      “I said to a member of staff: ‘Who’s that with gloves on?’.
      “The guy says: ‘You don’t want to know him, gaffer. That’s Taarabt. He’s a Moroccan from Tottenham. He’ll get you the sack. He’s already got a manager the sack. Waste of space’.
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      “I watched this game and QPR couldn’t score goals then – that was their problem. So I’m watching this kid and I’ve never seen anything like it. Some of his ability.
      “But what he was doing was getting the ball off the centre-half, nut-megging someone, losing it and them scoring.”
      Taarabt, now 34, first joined QPR on loan in March 2009.
      He played under Paulo Sousa, Jim Magilton, Paul Hart and Mick Harford before Warnock’s arrival the following January.
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      Despite Taarabt’s flaws being clear, Warnock couldn’t help but be impressed by his strengths.
      He added: “You sometimes get gut-feelings as a manager. I just liked him straight away, even with his gloves and all that. He had that little bit of arrogance.
      “So I pulled him over on the pitch and said: ‘Are you cold, Adel? We play West Brom on Saturday, top of the league, my first game. I’m going to play you – understand? And if you’re s****, I’m going to play you the next game. And if you’re s****, I’m going to play you the next game. Do you understand? Because you are going to save us’.”
      Despite holding huge belief in Taarabt, Warnock felt the need to take drastic action in order to mask his weaknesses.
      He added: “So then I got all the other lads, without him, and said: ‘Right, anybody who gives him the ball in our half, it’s a £50 fine’.
      “And I said to Adel: ‘Adel, if you come over the halfway line and pick a ball up, I fine you £50 – okay?’.
      “I think one player passed it to him and we fined him £50, but that was it. You give him the ball in the [opponent’s] half… oh my God.”
      Taarabt went on to produce one of the all-time great Championship campaigns by an individual player in the 2010-11 season.
      Missing just two matches, the former Tottenham youngster scored 19 times, often in spectacular fashion, and laid on 21 assists as his side lifted the title and sealed promotion to the Premier League.
      He went on to play two seasons in the top flight with QPR, before spending the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Fulham and AC Milan.
      Taarabt returned to Loftus Road for the 2014-15 season back in the Prem, but only played seven times.
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      The 30-cap Moroccan joined Benfica before later plying his trade back in Serie A with Genoa.
      He signed for Dubai-based Al-Nasr in 2022, where he still plays to this day.
      The midfielder had joined Spurs alongside the likes of Gareth BaleCredit: AFP
      Taarabt went on to star for BenficaCredit: AFP More

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      Amad Diallo forces famous Man Utd fan page to delete post and apologise after trolling them with ‘stop lying, mate’ post

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      MANCHESTER UNITED winger Amad Diallo has shut down rumours linking him with a loan move to the Championship this month.The 21-year-old returned to Old Trafford in July following a successful season-long loan with Sunderland.
      Amad Diallo has suggested that he will stay at Man Utd this seasonCredit: Alamy
      The 21-year-old shut down rumours linking him with a move to the ChampionshipCredit: X / @Amaddiallo_19
      However, he suffered a knee injury during the club’s pre-season tour and spent the first half of the 2023-24 campaign on the sidelines.
      His lack of minutes have led some Man Utd fans to believe that he will be loaned back to the Championship until the end of the season.
      But Diallo has suggested that he will be staying with the Red Devils for the foreseeable future.
      Responding to a Man Utd fan page that had shared speculation around his future on X, he wrote: “Stop lying mate!”
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      The fan page then replied: “Hi Amad, apologies if the post has been misunderstood.
      “We’re not saying that you’re leaving. We’re just sharing quotes from a former Premier League player who suggested a Championship side could look to make a move for you. That’s why used the word ‘tipped’.
      “As United fans, we would love to see you play and tear it up now that you’ve returned from injury.
      “You can see the context of what we’ve written in the article itself. Hope that clears the situation up. Best regards!”
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      Diallo joined Man Utd in a £37million transfer from Atalanta in 2021 and has since made 10 first team appearances.
      Erik ten Hag is confident that the Ivory Coast international will add a spark to his attacking line-up.
      He said: “Yeah, he is very ball secure. He can bring key actions, final passes, score a goal. And so I think he has some weapons. That is always what you are looking for with offensive players.” More

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      Championship promotion-chasers eye shock transfer swoop for out-of-favour Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore

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      BOURNEMOUTH star Kieffer Moore has emerged as a shock target for promotion-chasing Sunderland.The Wales No 9 is available and keen to play in the build up to Euro 2024.
      Moore scored last time out against QPRCredit: Getty
      Moore, 31, could head out on loan although the Premier League Cherries would also be prepared to sell.
      The Championship Black Cats are hoping to put a package together for him in order to clinch a quick deal.
      It is a change of direction for Michael Beale’s Sunderland, who have gone without a traditional and experienced centre-forward this season.
      Moore was Wales’ first-choice striker at the World Cup in Qatar but has since fallen out of favour with Spurs’ Brennan Johnson being picked up front instead.
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      The No9 is also well behind Dominic Solanke in terms of selection at Bournemouth so will be desperate to get some minutes out on loan in the hope he can be part of the squad if Wales make it through the play-offs into this summer’s Euros.
      If they miss out on Moore then they may switch their attention to Blackburn’s Sam Gallagher, 28, who is available at the right price.
      Gallagher has a handful of clubs chasing after him despite his injury problems and big wages.
      His current deal runs out in the summer but if he does not leave, then Ewood Park’s Rovers are likely to take up the option on his contract.
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      Sunderland are looking to bounce back from yesterday’s 3-0 defeat to rivals Newcastle in their first Tyne-Wear derby in eight years.
      It was a day to forget for centre-back Dan Ballard who scored an own goal and gave away a penalty as The Magpies cruised to victory. More

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      Wigan won the FA Cup and could have avoided relegation three days later if we’d celebrated properly, says Paul Scharner

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      PAUL SCHARNER is proud to be the only Austrian to have won an FA Cup final.But that glorious day for Wigan at Wembley in 2013 is tinged with deep regret for the former defender.
      Paul Scharner shows off his 2013 FA Cup winners medal and shirt he wore that day against Manchester City at home in Austria
      Austrian ace Paul Scharner proudly holds aloft the FA Cup at Wembley
      That is because Scharner believes then boss Roberto Martinez and owner Dave Whelan’s decision not to let the team celebrate that weekend contributed to their relegation from the Premier League three days later.
      And as a consequence the club have suffered dark days since — going into administration and yo-yo’ing between the Championship and League One.
      Scharner flew home and refused to go on an open-top bus parade with the trophy when the team were finally allowed to enjoy their historic 1-0 win over Manchester City nine days later.
      And the Latics cult hero, now 43, told SunSport: “I was too hurt. Winning the FA Cup was the biggest achievement in Wigan’s history but we had been relegated.
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      “I skipped the bus parade and flew home. I watched the videos later but couldn’t imagine I’d stay on the bus celebrating like we’d won the league.
      “Of course, I missed something because half of Wigan was on the streets celebrating but I couldn’t throw away my sad emotions and celebrate like we’d only had success.”
      Wigan celebrate winning the FA Cup with boss Roberto Martinez
      It had been a bizarre sequence of events caused by the FA Cup final being played one week before the domestic league season finished.
      Wigan, who host Manchster United in the third round on Monday night, had written one of the most glorious chapters in FA Cup history after Ben Watson’s injury-time winner stunned Roberto Mancini’s Premier League champions.
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      But they had to win at Arsenal in their penultimate game of the season three nights later or drop into the Championship.
      So the decision was made for Martinez and his players to travel home by coach that evening with alcohol banned so champagne was replaced by Lucozade.
      We should’ve had a big celebration until Sunday evening before starting preparations on Monday.It would’ve brought more energy for the Arsenal matchPAUL SCHARNER
      And Scharner recalled: “Dave Whelan came into the dressing room after the game and said, ‘Congratulations, boys  — but we need to concentrate on Tuesday.’
      “We’d made history for Wigan and pulled off one of the biggest cup final shocks.
      “It was the same with Martinez, ‘The focus must be on Arsenal.’
      “But looking back, had I been the manager, I’d have stayed in London and not travelled back until after the Arsenal game on Tuesday.
      “We should’ve had a big celebration until Sunday evening before starting preparations on Monday. 
      “It would’ve brought more energy for the Arsenal match. When you’re in this unbelievably happy moment after such a big win, you must focus on the emotions and keep the energy you had on the pitch on Saturday because we’d won the FA Cup. 
      “I don’t think it was the best decision to go back to Wigan with no celebration.”
      The team, having travelled home with the flattest celebration ever, then had to come all the way back to North London a couple of days later.
      And despite a spirited first-half performance Wigan were thumped 4-1 by the Gunners.
      Wigan were relegated from the Premier League at Arsenal three days after the biggest win of their history
      Scharner sighed: “Theo Walcott killed us in the second half. It was difficult for me because one of the main targets I had in my career was never to have a relegation on my CV.
      “All the things that have happened to the club since were a consequence of that season.”
      The Austrian was on loan for the second half of the FA Cup-winning season from Hamburg to help Martinez shore up his leaky defence — but he had previously enjoyed four seasons at the club from 2006 to 2010.
      And he believes Wigan never fully fulfilled their potential when they were in the top-flight because Whelan was not ambitious enough.
      Scharner points to the 2008-09 season when the club were flying high under Steve Bruce and sitting sixth halfway through the season with European football a realistic target.
      He said: “Whelan was so happy with Premier League status. He only looked at that.
      David Whelan was not ambitious about European football and sold his best players
      “He didn’t grow his target and that’s why Wigan stopped developing.
      “A good example was in 2008-09 when we were sixth after Christmas and he sold Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios, our main players, during the January transfer window to Aston Villa and Tottenham.
      “And that is because Whelan wasn’t interested in Wigan playing European football. I can tell you now: we had definite potential at that time to compete in the top third of the table.”
      Scharner revealed the mental pressure made him feel ill on the morning of the final — and he added: “During the game, my body temperature skyrocketed but I couldn’t stop because I wanted to win the trophy.
      “I was near to having some tears when walking out. You cannot allow emotions to overwhelm you but also need to keep some for on the pitch.
      “During my career, I set up two or three special mental tricks to stop it. One was to put a stop sign in my mind to immediately stop negative thoughts.”
      Scharner, famed for his wacky haircuts and dress sense, never played senior football again after Wigan’s final game in 2013 against Aston Villa — deciding to retire after failing to get a look-in when he returned to Hamburg.
      The Austrian now runs his own business called “Lighthouse – Partners for Life” where he works as a “personal coach”. 
      He said: “I help young players learn what it takes to become a pro — not just on the pitch but lifestyle things and the mental side of the game.”
      Paul Scharner returned to Wigan for a special 10th anniversary event including a charity football match
      Scharner returned to Wigan last year for a special 10th anniversary gala and charity football match as well as reacquainting himself with former team-mate and current Latics boss Shaun Maloney.
      And the Austrian believes the new owners  and investors led by local businessman Mike Danson have started a brighter chapter for the club.
      He said: “Hopefully, their finances have stabilised for the next decade to focus on promotion again at least to the Championship. Wigan is definitely a Championship team and one that sometimes can go for promotion to the Premier League. 
      Wigan heroes support Joseph’s Goal charityPAUL SCHARNER and the Wigan’s 2013 FA Cup heroes support a family-charity called Joseph’s Goal.
      Formed in 2012 , it helps fund research into the rare genetic disorder NKH. Joseph Kendrick was Wigan Athletic’s lucky mascot at the 2013 FA Cup final. He was given days to live after being born but is now 14 and an inspiration for everything. There’s an annual legends game at Wigan which Scharner, Roberto Martinez, Shaun Maloney, Antonio Valencia and Bryan Robson have played in.

      “Because of the foreign investors they had for the last couple of years, they’re now happy to have Wigan-based ones that belong to the heritage. 
      “And the club has created with their past players a group where we can always communicate, and we are always invited to the home games.
      “It’s vital for a club like Wigan to build some heritage and get some support for their long-term success.”
      I threw away my cup losers medal – then got a Christmas card from fan who caught it
      WIGAN legend Paul Scharner threw his League Cup runners-up medal away after losing to Manchester United in the 2006 final.
      United thumped the Latics 4-0 at the Millennium Stadium and so Scharner was so cross he threw his medal into the crowd.
      And he said: “I was so disappointed with the set-plays that I threw my medal away. 
      “The final was in February but what was funny is that I got a Christmas card later that year from a Wigan fan who caught the medal. 
      “I got a big thank you and it was written like it was the best day of his life!”
      Wigan could well be excused for losing by a similar scoreline on Monday night in the FA Cup against a United team two divisions above them.
      Read more on The Sun
      But Scharner believes United can be beaten.
      He said: “I guess they will rest some players for the Premier League game and there’s an opportunity to win the game and surprise many people. Let’s hope so.” More

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      Man City 5 Huddersfield 0: Kevin De Bruyne returns after five months out as FA Cup holders thump Championship strugglers

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      HE’S back – and needed no time to return to doing what he does best.Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited comeback to the Manchester City team after almost five months out due to hamstring surgery.
      Kevin De Bruyne provided an assist as he returned off the benchCredit: PA
      Jeremy Doku celebrates notching Man City’s fifth goalCredit: Getty
      He was only on the pitch for 35 minutes but was still able to have a hand in two goals in another rout for the FA Cup holders.
      No wonder Jurgen Klopp said the whole country was shaking about the brilliant Belgian coming back into the fold.
      You can stop shaking now, Jurgen – and start worrying because the early signs are he can have a huge say on the final few months of the season.
      The only question is where will Pep Guardiola play him – because Phil Foden has been relishing the central role he normally occupies.
      The Three Lions ace was superb again here – scoring twice as City awoke from a slow start and ran riot.
      It was always going to be a tall order for a team on the edges of the Championship relegation zone to come to the home of the newly-crowned world champions.
      But in addition, Huddersfield boss Darren Moore had to pick a team without 12 players – due to injury and international call ups.
      Guardiola opted to shake up his team despite having a rare midweek off in the build up.
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      Ederson, Kyle Walker and Rodri were among those to be stood down – and they were soon joined on the sidelines by Manuel Akanji.
      A thumping challenge from Alex Matos earned himayellow cardbut ended the afternoon of the Swiss defender in the 18th minute.
      His replacement Matheus Nunes perked up the home side who had struggled to get going in the opening exchanges.
      A shot from Oscar Bobb which deflected wide off team-mate Rico Lewis summed up their early efforts.
      But two goals in the space of four minutes just after the half hour put the tie beyond the visitors.
      First a shot from Julian Alvarez was blocked but the loose ball fell nicely into the path of  Foden who hammered it past Lee Nicholls from a tight angle.
       Town were still dusting themselves down when City struck again as Nunes played a neat one-two and burst into the box.
      His pull back reached Lewis whose connection was not what he wanted but Alvarez was able to divert it on target and over the line.
      “We want 10” chanted the home fans.
      For all that has happened since, the day back in 1987 when City hit double figures against the Terriers has not been forgotten.
      The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for KDB when he replaced Alvarez 10 minutes after the re-start.
      As ever things started to happen with the Belgian on the pitch – although surprisingly he was not involved as City added to their lead.
      A long ball forward from Mateo Kovacic was plucked out of the sky by Nunes and he played into the path of Bobb.
      The Norwegian youngster’s clever chip over Nicholls kissed the underside of the bar on its way in  
      Sorba Thomas fluffed the chance to give Town’s noisy away fans a consolation when he wriggled free of Ruben Dias but Ortega saved with his feet.  
      And De Bruyne was involved as City scored a fourth as he rolled a pass to Sergio Gomez who nudged it on to Kovacic.
      The Croatian found Foden on the edge of the box and he swept a low shot into the corner.
      The England starlet has relished his role in the middle in recent weeks – maybe because he’s had the old master KDB breathing down his neck.
      A goal for their beloved Belgian was what the crowd realy wanted but he whistled a 25 yard effort just over the angle.
      Yet an assist was the next best thing and he produced one of them as he swapped passes with Bobb before clipping a cross to the back post.
      Read more on The Sun
      His fellow Belgium international and sub Jeremy Doku – himself returning from injury – was there to sweep home on the half volley.
      How they have missed their main man – and what a tonic for City to get him back.   More

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      Former Premier League star with £7.6m in career earnings eyed for shock transfer by League One side Bolton

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        FREE agent and former Premier League ace Josh Onomah is on the radar of Bolton.The midfielder, 26, trained at Stoke after a spell at Preston last season and wants to get back into a club as soon as possible.
      Josh Onomah was most recently at PrestonCredit: Getty
      He came through the academy at SpursCredit: Reuters
      Wanderers want new faces without spending big and Onomah would fit the bill.
      Onomah rose through the ranks at Tottenham and was tipped by many for Premier League success.
      He represented England extensively at youth level and was handed opportunities by Tottenham – largely in cup competitions.
      The midfielder was part of the England under-20 side that won the World Cup in 2017.
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      That age group included the likes of Dominic Solanke, Dominic Calvert Lewin and Kyle Walker Peters.
      The midfielder made 32 appearances for Spurs during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure but was never given an extended run of starts in the team.
      He finally left the club in 2019 to join Fulham following spells on loan at Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.
      Injuries hampered his time at Fulham, with Onomah often in and out of the team.
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      He made 76 appearances for the Cottagers before leaving to join Preston in 2022.
      Injuries again hampered his ability to settle in the side and he made 13 appearances before leaving the club as a free agent.
      Onomah has been without a club this season but training with Stoke City has kept him fit and ready for a move. More