Christian Eriksen is certainly one Tottenham Hotspur player who has really stepped up to the mark at White Hart Lane this season. The Dane has won vital Premier League points with numerous late goals, and superb performances – but just how important is Eriksen for Spurs’ top four ambitions?

Since the Danish international arrived in north London, he has been one of Spurs’ most consistent and standout players, becoming a real fan favourite in the process. Eriksen has stacked up 47 Premier League appearances for the Lilywhites – scoring 15 times. And this season, the 22-year-old has gone up another level, just when Tottenham have been in desperate need for somebody to stand up and be counted.

Eriksen’s strikes have won Mauricio Pochettino’s men 13 league points overall – a remarkable stat, which just proves how vital the midfielder is. The playmaker struck the only goal in Spurs’ 1-0 win over Pochettino’s former club Southampton in early October, then goals against Hull City, Everton, Swansea City, Leicester City and most recently Sunderland on Saturday; have all been the difference of turning one point into three. There also seems to be a theme developing with his goals; his finishes against Hull, Swansea and Sunderland have all been in the 88th minute or later.

It is not just his beautiful technique when finding the back of the net that makes Eriksen so valuable either, it is the way he glides around the pitch, demanding the ball under any circumstances, and more often than not, he finds that killer pass to unlock the defence. Eriksen was top of the Spurs assist chart last season with nine, and he duly won the Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year award.

The Lilywhites are still going strong in four competitions. They reached the knockout stages of the Europa League with ease and sit sixth place in the Premier League – just three points off a Champions League spot. Mauricio Pochettino’s men saw off Burnley in an FA Cup replay to set up a fourth round tie with Leicester City at White Hart Lane this Saturday. Pochettino’s side are also in the driving seat in the Capital One Cup semi-final, after beating League One side Sheffield United 1-0 in the first-leg – with the second-leg coming up at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night.

Tottenham have played more games than any top flight team so far this term, and Eriksen has featured in all but five of Spurs’ 36 matches thus far. He has been a major catalyst that has seen Tottenham turn a pretty average campaign into a very intriguing one that could possibly end with a trophy and Champions League football to boot.

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After minor speculation that he could have been on his way out of White Hart Lane in the summer, Eriksen seems more than happy with life at the Lane. Not only is he enjoying a very successful personal campaign but his club are seemingly heading in the right direction also.

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The fanfare of Radamel Falcao’s loan arrival last summer is now a distant memory, with the Colombian, who has netted just four goals, hardly the success that was predicted.

A fee of £6m was needed for the 29-year-old, who earns over £200,000-per-week, and a further £43.5m will have to be put forward to keep him for next season, and judging by his appearance for the Red Devils’ U-21 side earlier this week, that looks unlikely to happen.

We here at FFC Towers are getting a bit fed up of hearing about the creaky-kneed forward, though, despite his alarming fall from one of the world’s most feared marksmen to a bit-part player at Old Trafford, and we’re sure there are much more exciting tings happening at the Theatre of Dreams.

Well, it looks like there are, as well… and here are FIVE of them!

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James Wilson’s emergence

While Falcao’s career seems to be meandering towards its end, James Wilson is just starting out on what looks like it could be a great journey. Already picked ahead of his Colombian team-mate on multiple occasions this season, the 19-year-old is blessed with great pace and a good ability to finish off moves, which are, perhaps, the two most vital attributes a striker needs in the English game.

By no means the finished article, Wilson has plenty to work on if he’s to be an Old Trafford great, or even a cult hero, but it’s fair to say that the quest will be an exciting one to watch.

Summer spend predicted

£150m spent last summer… what will United do this time around? That’s right, spend again! The Red Devils may be out of the Champions League, but the cash is still flowing, with a mega Adidas kit deal, a huge stadium, Premier League TV rights and sponsorship streams all keeping some zeros on the end of their balance.

Memphis Depay, Mats Hummels Kevin Strootman and many, many others have been mentioned as targets, so this coming transfer window is likely to be a lot more exciting than January’s damp squib!

LVG’s breakdown…

Maybe not entertaining from United fans’ perspectives, but the way in which the pressure seems to be getting to LVG is captivating viewing for everyone else. The Dutchman is vastly experienced and has a medal collection many in the game would envy to call upon, but his tenure at Old Trafford has been, thus far, hard to judge. United appear to lack any dynamism in the final third, are slow in transition and shaky at the back, with goalkeeper David de Gea, arguably, their only creditable performer.

The dossier incident after Sam Allardyce’s long ball criticism was a bizarre one, and comments suggesting that Falcao’s four-goal return is promising is perhaps even odder. Maybe he’ll ne spotted eating Toblerones while driving to Dundee with no shoes on, a la Alan Partridge, soon…

The top four race

With Chelsea running away from the stuttering Manchester City at the top of the table, the battle for third and fourth – and entry to the Champions League – seems to be the really exciting one. Arsenal, with their record, would appear to be nailed on for it, so the scrap for the final slot appears to be one going on between United, Liverpool and Spurs – plus Southampton, if they can recover from some recent set-backs – which is sure to be enticing.

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Four points divide the four sides, and with a trip to Anfield coming up, LVG’s Red Devils are heavily embroiled in, perhaps, the major narrative of the end of 2014/15.

David de Gea!

While United’s attack, midfield and defence have all been criticised, David de Gea has been almost single-handedly holding it all together. Part man, part brick wall, the Spaniard’s reflexes, command of his area and proficiency in one-on-ones have been enough to claim multiple points for United, who may be down in midtable had it not been for their stopper.

Most Premier League teams have three games left of their season. For some, the year is dead and buried, for others there is pride and prestige to play for. For others their status as a top flight club rests on these final games.

For QPR and Burnley, the situation is dire. Their fates can be sealed this weekend with defeats or even just if other results go against them. Others like Leicester and Hull have the chance to save themselves, something that didn’t seem likely for either club just a few short weeks ago.

But there is one club down at the bottom with more than three matches left – Sunderland have four games in which to save their skin. And yet they look very much like the third team to go down.

But it is probably harsh and definitely premature to say that Sunderland will go down. They do look in real trouble but on paper it’s not insurmountable: they are in the relegation zone, yes, but they are only a point from safety. They have a worse goal difference than the teams above them except Newcastle, but if they gain the points they need, that won’t matter.

So although their situation doesn’t look all that bad, it doesn’t look good either. A point behind with a game in hand? You’d probably take it.

And then you look at the four games they have to play.

They have only one home game – against an in-form Leicester side – and the rest are away from home against some tough opposition.

Sunderland did win last weekend, however. It was a crucial win against Southampton, but Leicester’s form makes them favourites for that game, and it’s a vital one for both teams.

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The Leicester game isn’t just important for Sunderland because it’s at home, though. The grounds they have to go to in the last few weeks of the campaign are very daunting indeed.

They travel to Goodison Park, The Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge. Taking even two or three points out of those three fixtures would surely have looked good to Sunderland at the start of the season, but that just won’t do any more. They’re going to need wins if they’re to stay up.

Leicester are in form and have winnable games, Hull play Burnley this weekend and will fancy their chances of three points, even Newcastle will surely – surely – get something from their final three games – West Brom, QPR and West Ham.

That leaves Sunderland in a perilous position. Go to those big grounds and win and they’ll stay up, get beat and they’ll go down. Their season is turning into all or nothing.

Yet there might be one thing on their side.

They might have the toughest fixtures and they might already be playing catch up – in games, goal difference and points – but they are playing three teams with next to nothing to play for.

Everton are looking to finish the season strongly – they’ve had a tough year and they’ll just be looking for pride now. That will make it tough for Everton, and Sunderland will seek to capitalise. The best the Toffees can hope for is a more respectable spot in the table, so Sunderland might have the motivation edge in this one.

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Chelsea have won the league, and they might just play kids. You never know with Mourinho, but it’s a good chance for him to try out the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke. In fact, i’d be disappointed if he doesn’t – Chelsea are home and dry, they have nothing left to play for and they have some good youngsters they can use these final games to blood into Premier League football. It’s a no brainer.

And Arsenal are in a similar position themselves. They might be slightly fearful of Manchester United coming up behind them and beating them for third. If Arsenal come fourth they’d have to qualify for the Champions League instead of getting in automatically, but they should still have enough in their squad to fend off the challenge should there be one. Wenger, just like Mourinho, has lots of young talent he can give game time to.

Sunderland might have the toughest fixtures of the sides in the relegation battle, but the fact that this is the end of the season and the title and most of the European places are pretty much sewn up makes them more winnable for Sunderland.

If they are to stay up, they’ll have to win some important games over the course of the next few weeks. It would be a great escape from here, but they might just have the perfect scenario in which to do it.

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Harry Kane’s rise has been phenomenal. We all know the story, but let’s re-cap… He was barely a first-team player when the first ball of 2014/15 was kicked, he shone in the Europa League, Mauricio Pochettino gave him a chance, Kane quickly established himself as the key man at White Hart Lane, he’s scored 30 goals in a season – the first Spurs player to do so since Gary Lineker – he’s captained the club and he’s a goalscoring England forward – he netted on his debut. Not bad, eh?

And now Manchester United are keen, with reports suggesting that Louis van Gaal has earmarked him for a £40m move to Old Trafford this summer. A switch to one of the biggest sides on the planet would undoubtedly be another big milestone, but we at FFC Towers think he’d be a fool to chase a deal this summer… and here are FIVE reasons why.

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Andy Carroll syndrome…

A massive fee for a young English striker with around half a season of impressive football under his belt… Hmmm, that sounds familiar. Although different styles of player, Andy Carroll situation should serve as a warning for Kane, with the pit falls of too much, too soon clear for all to see. The burly Geordie was signed for a mind boggling £35m by Liverpool back in January 2011, with his decent adaptation to the Premier League with Newcastle convincing the Merseysiders to lash a large chunk of the Fernando Torres £50m in his direction.

There were brief moments of success at Anfield – a decent full debut against Manchester City springs to mind – but on the whole the pressure and expectation that came with the inflated fee for his signature weighed heavy on his, albeit broad, shoulders. A little warning for Kane then.

Will he ever get game time?

Even though Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao look likely to be sacrificed, United still have captain Wayne Rooney and are being linked with some of the biggest forwards around on an almost daily basis. So, it’s entirely feasible that Kane could rock up at Old Trafford at a cost of £40m, only to then be forced to win a spot from the bench. Far from ideal.

Already a key man at Spurs

Building from the last point, Kane is guaranteed playing time at Spurs. At the age of 21, he needs to be in the XI week in, week out to build on the potential he undoubtedly has, and Pochettino has made him his main man ahead of experienced stars such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado.

Another season of regular playing time awaits, which is by far the best thing for Kane, who has time on his side.

Still early in his career

As mentioned before, Kane is at the very start if his career. At only 21 and with his breakthrough having been bewilderingly fast, the striker needs to take stock and continue to work towards gradual improvement. He has the time at his disposal to do so and White Hart Lane is the right ground to do it at.

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Is he actually good enough?

A bit controversial, but is Kane actually that good? He has not genuine standout characteristic, with his work ethic and desire knitting together a player who is, perhaps, more than the sum of his parts. This may be wrong, but until he’s proved himself over two/three seasons, it’s hard to justify him as a forward leading the line for a club aiming to win Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino thinks that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli would benefit from some time on the sidelines.

The England international has struggled for consistency this season and has so far failed to recreate the performances that helped the North London club to second place in the Premier League in the 2016-17 campaign.

Since moving to Tottenham from MK Dons in 2015, Alli has transformed into a first-team regular and established international, yet he is only 21 years old.

At the moment, the midfielder is suffering from a dip in form and he had an overall disappointing weekend in a 4-1 loss to league leaders Manchester City.

Not only did Spurs slip 21 points behind top spot, the midfielder attracted criticism for his challenge on Kevin De Bruyne, which reminded everyone of his ‘dirty’ streak.

Cascarino has suggested that manager Mauricio Pochettino should give Alli a rest away from the spotlight.

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The pundit told talkSPORT:

“I think he’s played too much football. When managers are rotating and leaving people out – I felt he should have been taken out of the firing line. He’s a young man. I’ve been there myself where you just struggle and you’re not quite on it.

“I haven’t seen Dele Alli really make an impact in the last month since the Real Madrid victory, and especially yesterday, where he was certainly second best.”

Newcastle United, who barely escaped relegation last season under John Carver, go in to the summer transfer window with what appears to be a renewed sense of optimism. Steve McClaren may not be the most exciting of appointments for the Geordie faithful, but he is an improvement on Carver in literally every aspect. Though I am sure we are all dreading the inevitable cringe-worthy press conference and fake Geordie accent from the multi linguist former England manager.

Cartoon villain/Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has promised to “bolt the horse on” (whatever that really means) financially this summer, and the Toon are being linked with a whole host of new names.

The last few seasons have been incredibly frustrating at St. James’ Park, only serving to remind football fans up and down the country how far the club has fallen. No longer are they entertaining side of the 90s, early 2000s or even 2012 under Alan Pardew.

If Mikey Ashley (and my word that is a big IF) is indeed serious about investing in the team this summer – remember this is a man who did not sign a full time player on a professional contract for 18 months – here are FIVE signings to get the pulses racing again.

(Please keep away from Stewart Downing!)

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Charlie Austin

The QPR hitman bagged 18 goals for the London side, who ultimately dropped back down into the Championship last season. Newcastle is a club synonymous with iconic ‘No.9s’, and Austin could be exactly that. A prolific poacher, Austin thrives on his precise finishing skills and comes alive in the 18 yard box. His ‘cheeky chappy’ personality and humbling rags to riches tale suits Newcastle down the ground. A match made in heaven.

Ron Vlaar

Ron Vlaar is never be a man associated with free flowing attacking football. That much is clear. However, he is a typical no-nonsense defender with both Premier League and international experience. His arrival would represent a huge upgrade on the Newcastle back line, adding a certain reliability not one of Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson nor Paul Dummett can.

Yohan Cabaye

His inclusion on this list may appear to rather cheap and easy, but Cabaye is simply a must buy for McClaren this season. Linked with a move back to England, Cabaye’s ‘French Revolution’ has not worked out as hoped in Paris with PSG. Newcastle would be stupid were they not go back in for a man who captivated their fans for three and a half years. A midfield maestro, he would bring class and composure over from France with him.

Mohamed Salah

The ‘Egyptian Messi’ has seen his stock fall since his arrival at Chelsea in January 2014. After some stunning performances for FC Basel in the Champions League, Salah found himself out in the cold in West London. A successful spell at Fiorentina has put Salah back into the shop window, while his skill, work rate and ability to conjure something out of nothing would cement him as a firm fans’ favourite.

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Will Hughes

Despite a terribly disappointing England under 21 EURO campaign, Will Hughes is no doubt a hugely talented player. Having worked with McClaren last season at Pride Park, Hughes would seemingly be a great fit at St James’. A real technician, Hughes would help provide ammunition of likes of Ayoze Perez and Moussa Sissoko. A young, talented English player is a great signing for any Premier League club, and a side as devoid of creativity as Newcastle could do a lot worse than acquiring the Derby midfielder’s services.

According to reports in The Telegraph, West Ham United are targeting a January move for Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson, but they may have to pay £25m to bring him to the London Stadium.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Telegraph says that Irons boss David Moyes has made bringing a new centre-half to the club during the January transfer window a priority, and he is ready to make a move for the 23-year-old.

The Telegraph says that managerless Swans would demand £25m if they persuaded to cash in on the former Barnsley man, and they would use the money to fund their own transfer business next month.

However, the report adds that the Welsh outfit are in talks with the England U21 international, who has 18 months left on his deal at the Liberty Stadium, over a new contract and they are determined to keep him for their fight against relegation.

How has Mawson done this season?

The centre-back only joined the Swans from Barnsley in the summer of 2016, and he made a huge impression in his debut campaign in the Premier League.

While the 23-year-old has struggled to replicate those displays with Swansea currently bottom of the table, but he is still highly-rated and has had plenty of defending to do this term.

According to Squawka, Mawson has won 65 of the 90 aerial duels he has faced in 18 top flight fixtures this season, as well as making 128 clearances, 15 blocks and 10 interceptions.

The defender is also comfortable in possession too, and he has successfully completed all five of the five dribbles he has attempted.

Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

He certainly would be.

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The 23-year-old has shown already that he is an accomplished Premier League defender with great potential, and the fact that he is good on the ball as well as performing his defensive duties will have impressed David Moyes.

The reported £25m price tag won’t be so attractive though, and the Scot will certainly hope to pay less than that for Mawson if he is to bring him to the capital next month.

Newcastle United announced on Tuesday afternoon that Adam Armstrong had joined League One side Blackburn Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

The 20-year-old has only just returned to the Magpies following a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, but has now been sent to Ewood Park for the next six months.

Armstrong, who is valued at £1.4m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has made 21 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions, but the forward has not scored a single goal.

He has a contract with the Premier League club until June 2020, and it is thought that the Magpies still have high hopes for the centre-forward.

The Newcastle fans are simply not convinced, however, with many claiming that another loan move for Armstrong is pointless due to his lack of goals.

The former England Under-20 international managed just one goal in 20 Championship appearances for Bolton in the first half of this season, and the Newcastle supporters believe that he should be sold rather than sent out on loan once again.

As reported by The Daily Mail, Everton are interested in signing Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman on loan during this month’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

Everton lack natural left-sided defensive cover for popular star Leighton Baines and have had to rely on right-back Cuco Martina filling in for the veteran, who has been out with a calf injury since November.

It’s clear that they need to bring in competition for the position this January and it seems as if Sam Allardyce has found a target.

The Daily Mail report that the Toffees are interested in bringing Chelsea defender Baba Rahman to the club on loan, with the Stamford Bridge side set to sanction a temporary move away in the second half of the season.

Everton do face competition for his signature though, with Bundesliga club Schalke and Italian giants Inter Milan both interested in a loan move according to the paper.

Can he make an impact?

Rahman, who is rated at £7.2m by Transfermarkt, has had injury issues of his own to contend with over the last year, missing the entirety of 2017 with a severe knee injury suffered on loan at Schalke last season.

Now fit again though, he’s well placed to provide a capable option to a team like Everton.

With Bundesliga experience at the likes of Greuther Fruth, Schalke and Augsburg under his belt, he’s also made 23 appearances for Chelsea and has a couple of dozen caps for the Ghanaian national team.

Still just 23 years of age, he can add an exciting, dynamic outlet on the Toffees’ left flank, also not afraid to get stuck into the defensive side of his role.

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At the very least, he can provide natural cover to a position that Sam Allardyce badly needs reinforcements in.

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West Ham fell just short of fielding the walking wounded last night as a horrendous injury crisis essentially forced David Moyes to start anybody who could boast something near a clean bill of health upon welcoming Crystal Palace to the London Stadium.

Forced to fit square pegs in round holes, Chiekhou Kouyate was pushed up into attacking midfield to support Javier Hernandez and right-back Pablo Zabaleta moved across to the engine room. But that, in turn, made room for a young player who has shown glimpses of promise during an inconsistent two years with the Irons – 24-year-old Sam Byram.

Touted as one of English football’s most exciting prospects at Leeds United, the distrust of Slaven Bilic and injury problems have halted Byram’s progress in east London. In fact, last night marked the Englishman’s first Premier League start of the season, but you wouldn’t have known it from his performance.

Indeed, Bryam – who Transfermarkt value at £4.05million – was a real force for the Hammers at right wing-back both offensively and defensively, evident enough from the fact he created the most chances, completed the joint-most crosses, won the most tackles and made the most interceptions of any Irons player. And even more tellingly of how consistently influential he was, no West Ham player had more touches of the ball throughout the ninety minutes.

That leaves David Moyes facing something of a headache for West Ham’s trip to Brighton on Saturday. Pablo Zabaleta has been arguably the Irons’ most consistent performer this season, but Byram has really staked a claim to retain his place at right wing-back for the weekend.

That being said, Zabaleta certainly didn’t let himself down in midfield last night either, so perhaps the current setup can be maintained for West Ham’s next game. In any case, a positive selection headache in any position right now is a much-welcome change from clogging gaps with square pegs in round holes.

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