All posts by h716a5.icu

Leeds United have been mightily unlucky with injuries this season, haven’t they?

Marcelo Bielsa has seen a number of his key players miss considerable chunks of the 2018/19 campaign and now faces a huge dilemma heading into the play-offs.

With both Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski suffering season-ending injuries in April, the Argentine may look to Stuart Dallas to fill the left-back position in the Whites’ semi-final first-leg with Derby County on Saturday.

However, when you consider the Northern Ireland international’s recent performances for Leeds, this could end up being an extremely costly mistake for Bielsa to make.

Although Dallas provided an attacking threat against Ipswich last weekend which resulted in him scoring at Portman Road, he was simply terrible defensively. Constantly out of position, Dallas was directly culpable for the Tractor Boys’ second goal and had a nightmare of an afternoon up against Andre Dozzell who constantly targeted the Leeds ace.

With Derby boasting a considerable threat in wide positions from both Tom Lawrence and Harry Wilson, Bielsa could benefit from replacing Dallas with Jamie Shackleton at Pride Park.

A prodigious talent, the 19-year-old has been in outstanding form for the club’s under-23 side in recent weeks and has previous experience of playing as a full-back in the Championship this season, albeit on the right-hand side of defence.

Having impressed in three different positions for Leeds, there is no reason why Shackleton cannot provide the security needed to help his side overcome the Rams as his ability to play without fear could be extremely beneficial for Bielsa.

After placing his faith in a number of Leeds’ academy graduates this year, it would be fitting that by fielding Shackleton at the weekend, the 63-year-old ends up making the choice which leads the Whites to the Premier League at the end of the May.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa start Shackleton at left-back against Derby on Saturday? Or would it be too much of a risk to play the 19-year-old in such a pivotal clash? Let us know below.

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For Southampton fans and players, voting for their standout performer of the season must have been pretty difficult, with a number of names impressing week after week, in particular since Ralph Hasenhuttl took the helm in December.

Nevertheless, there had to be a winner and Nathan Redmond took home both awards on Tuesday night, with the 5 ft 8 speedster having gone from strength to strength under his new manager’s tutelage this campaign.

The 25-year-old has eight strikes and six assists to his name in all competitions this term – his best goal contribution tally for the Saints to date – and has worked his socks off in Hasenhuttl’s high-tempo approach.

Has Jack Stephens unfairly been made a scapegoat at Southampton? The Ugly Inside discusses in the video below…

The former Norwich man has made an impressive 37 league appearances for the St Mary’s Stadium outfit and will be looking forward to the visit from relegated Huddersfield this weekend with the hope that he can make it 38/38.

Here’s what the Southampton faithful had to say to the rapid winger on Twitter after he scooped the individual awards…

According to the Daily Mail, Premier League champions Manchester City plan £200m summer splurge as Pep targets Rodri, Luka Jovic, Matthijs De Ligt and Houssem Aouar.

As if Manchester City weren’t brimming with enough talent already, Pep Guardiola is planning to make moves for as many as four new faces to ensure that his side stay way ahead of their rivals in next year’s race for the Premier League title.

The Spaniard reportedly intends to “freshen up” his current squad with a defender, two midfielders and a striker on the agenda, and with one eye on European glory next year, we do not doubt that the £200million pot he has apparently been given will be spent in full. Imagine. Just imagine being a City fan knowing your title-winning side is only going to get better. What a thing, hey.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri is a key target, with City all too aware that their current defensive rock Fernandinho hit the ripe of age of 34 this month (though he is like a fine wine, only getting better with age).

City’s sporting direction Txiki Begiristain apparently made a personal check on Rodri recently, whose release clause sits at a cool £60million.

Luka Jovic is a name on pretty much every top club’s agenda, including Real Madrid, having impressed to no end this season with current club Frankfurt.

There have been murmurs about Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt’s prospective move away from Ajax with Manchester City in the mix, but Guardiola admits the Sky Blues could struggle to compete with the pulling power of Barcelona, who have already pipped them to Frenkie de Jong this summer.

On the subject of creative midfielders, Houssem Aouar impressed many as Lyon shone during the Champions League group games, and City could make him one of their key signings this summer should Ilkay Gundogan depart.

Whatever happens, City fans can sit comfortably on the knowledge that their club are pulling out all the stops this summer to ensure that their dominance over English football continues for the foreseeable future.

City fans, where do you feel like the club need to strengthen and who would you like to sign? Let us know in the comments below!

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Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Manchester United defender Eric Bailly ahead of a potential summer move, per the Daily Star.

What’s the word?

The Ivory Coast international has been far from ever-present at Old Trafford this season, playing just 18 times in all competitions.

He completed the 90 minutes in the Premier League just five times and the aforementioned report claims that he is now keen to leave the club.

Spurs are said to have targeted the centre-back as a potential acquisition this summer, while Arsenal are also credited with an interest.

United, of course, have been credited with an interest in Spurs centre-back Toby Alderweireld, who, per the report, has a £25million release clause in his contract this summer.

And Bailly could potentially be used as bait as United attempt to strike a cheaper deal.

The wrong man as a replacement

Bailly is completely the wrong type of defender to replace Alderweireld.

He does not offer the same ability to spray the ball around the place as the Belgium international nor does he have the same precision in the tackle, or the leadership and composure offered by “Toby”, as he is affectionally known by fans.

The ideal scenario for Spurs, of course, is that Alderweireld eventually decides to stay put and sign a new contract.

But with that appearing ever more unlikely, a replacement will need to be found; Spurs would be better off banking the £25m though and putting it toward that replacement as opposed to accepting a swap deal from United.

At the end of the day, Bailly just isn’t in Alderweireld’s league.

Champions League quarter-final. 67th minute. Juventus and Ajax locked all square at 2-2 on aggregate. With the Allianz Stadium rocking and sensing Cristiano Ronaldo was going to lead them to European glory once more, no-one thought much of a Lasse Schöne corner. Not when you have Leonardo Bonucci leading the back-line. And yet, as the ball floated into the six-yard area, 19-year-old skipper Matthijs de Ligt powered by the Italian and slammed a header past Wojciech Szczesny to send the underdogs through. With one thundering connection with his head, De Ligt confirmed his status as one of the world’s best. And oh how Manchester United could do with someone like that. 

The Red Devils, make no mistake, are firmly stuck in one of their darkest periods in recent history. The aftermath of Jose Mourinho’s poisonous reign is still being felt, and tensions between the club’s supporters and some of its overpaid stars like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, are threatening to boil over. And for all their attacking flaws, United look a shadow of the Ferdinand-Vidic era in times gone by. A Smalling-Jones combination on the other hand, is just a sad parody, and a damning statement of the times.

Indeed, such have been their defensive frailties, that even David de Gea has had an off-season by his standards, no doubt suffering from back problems after carrying this United rearguard for years. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side’s troubles just seem to be compounded by having seen Vincent Kompany lead Manchester City to Premier League glory, and potentially having to see Virgil van Dijk rub salt into the wounds by marshalling Liverpool to another Champions League triumph.

But all that would be washed away if United can strike a deal for De Ligt. Indeed, according to Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness), the Red Devils are one of the ‘top contenders’ for the Ajax captain’s signature, and that they have ‘significantly improved’ their offer for the centre-back.

When United stood by and watched Jurgen Klopp splash a world-record fee for a defender in Van Dijk, the whole world bore witness to one of the most remarkable transformations of a side this decade. Even at 19, De Ligt’s performances in the big games and big moments this season suggest he could have a similar effect at Old Trafford.

When Pogba made his return to United for £89m, it was seen as one of the biggest signings in the side’s history. Not just because of the money involved, but because of the impact it was hoped he would make. Whilst the Frenchman has fallen well short of those standards, De Ligt’s temperament at leading at a young Ajax side to within a minute of a Champions League final, shows a level of maturity and responsibility that would see him embrace the spotlight at the Theatre of Dreams.

De Ligt’s own dream of a showpiece final in Madrid might have ended in dramatic circumstances, but for United, their own hope of getting back into the elite of world football stands on the shoulders of them making this teenage Dutchman their new ‘Van Dijk’. And at whatever the price it costs.

United fans, how important could signing De Ligt be for the future of the club? Would you back a big-money move for the defender? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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According to Football Insider, Leeds United are interested in signing Sam Gallagher from Southampton after he was told he could leave the club this summer.

United’s desire to bring in a striker has been no secret as they have been continuously linked with forward players since the window opened, but perhaps this move signals that they want multiple new centre-forwards in their ranks.

Gallagher’s credentials

The Southampton man is no stranger to Championship football having spent two of the last three seasons out on loan in the division.

He didn’t fare too badly either. He was Birmingham’s top scorer in the 2017/18 season, and he netted 11 goals for Blackburn Rovers the term prior to that.

A move to the Championship permanently may be exactly what he needs as he would have something to prove and would finally be playing regular football at his parent club rather than continuously being shipped out on loan.

Two strikers

The Yorkshire outfit have constantly been linked with attackers in this window, but they have been looking at two different types of striker. Dwight Gayle and Eamonn Brophy are more poachers and they have reportedly been looked at, but the Whites have also targetted Gallagher and Michael Frey who are better utilised as target men.

Gayle and Brophy are two forwards who would provide something completely different to the 23-year-old, and the fact that Leeds are targeting such different types of front men may indicate that they are looking to sign multiple forward players.

Kemar Roofe’s contract situation still hasn’t been resolved, so Victor Orta may be looking at another addition to replace him, but it would be a massive surprise if the only centre forward Leeds signed this summer was the Southampton man.

Aside from a centre-back and sending Shkodran Mustafi as far away from north London as humanely possible, Arsenal are likely to be prioritising a winger this summer.

Unai Emery has done well in his debut season to get the best out of Arsenal’s limited winged options, with Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan the club’s only natural wingers, but there is still a lot of room to be improved on.

The club are in need of a winger this summer, and with the recent news via football.london that reported target Ismaila Sarr has an asking place of £44 million from club Stade Rennais, it is likely that the Gunners are going have to pay big bucks if they are to get hold of the player who can fill the void in Emery’s side, but the 21-year-old, in particular, would be worth the money.

Arsenal fans are already aware of what Sarr is capable of after scoring against the Gunners in Rennais’ 3-1 win against the north London side in the Europa League, and the Senegalese international has been a long rumoured with a move to the Premier League side.

£44 million is a big fee for a player who is only 21 and has only played first-team football in France, but after an impressive season in which the youngster scored 13 goals and assisted 11 in all competitions, Sarr is more than worth the gamble this summer.

Arsenal are in need of wingers this summer, and although Sarr would be a substantial transfer, the youngster has what it takes to flourish in north London the Premier League as a whole.

Arsenal fans, would Sarr be a good signing? Let us know!

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As reported by Football.London, Unai Emery’s Arsenal can still be found at odds-on to sign winger Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace this summer transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

The Gunners are the favourites to land the signature of the 26-year-old former Manchester United star and are the lowest in the market with Sky Bet at 5/6, still very much leading the race.

The man Arsenal are being heavily tipped to sign despite their UEFA Europa League final defeat to Chelsea has gone from strength-to-strength since leaving Old Trafford to return to his boyhood club in 2015.

In 2018/2019, the ex-England and current Ivory Coast international has properly caught the eye of some of the biggest sides in the world for the first real time since his switch to the Red Devils back in January 2013, dazzling with ten goals and ten assists in the Premier League.

Risky transfer would be excellent news for starlet and should be allowed

As crazy as it may sound, the risky transfer for Palace in letting Zaha leave for London rivals Arsenal should be allowed to take place as it would be excellent news for a 20-year-old starlet with bags of potential.

Yes, the departure of the Ivorian whilst bringing plenty of dough in would have a major impact on the strength of Roy Hodgson’s side, but if Jason Lokilo lives up to his potential they’ll be laughing – it’s a risk worth taking.

The right winger who has a remarkably similar game to Zaha himself has been patiently waiting for his Premier League opportunity following progression through the ranks in south London in the wake of a switch from Anderlecht in 2014.

A Crystal Palace fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Eagles in the video below…

Lokilo is one of the brightest talents to have come out of Belgium in recent years and we all know how well players from that nation, especially wingers, have fared in the English top flight in recent years.

Zaha’s exit would be the best thing to have happened to the pacey wide man in his short career so far, freeing up that right-wing position for him to make his own next season and in the long-term, one of the greatest bits of business the Eagles have ever done.

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The 2019/20 Premier League fixtures are finally out, and already storylines and predictions are being welded into a football season that is under two months away from starting, and for Leicester City, next term could be a massive one.

The Foxes found their mojo in the tail-end of last season with the appointment of Brendan Rodgers that saw Leicester win five of their last nine games and draw an additional two.

Talk of a top six finish is on the cards, so which five dates next season could determine whether or not Leicester yet again break from tradition and make an impact on the Premier League? Here’s the dates that will decide if Leicester can break into the top six…

17th August – Chelsea (A)

With Eden Hazard off to Real Madrid and a transfer ban all but confirmed for the west Londoners, Leicester stand a good chance of stealing a top six spot from straight under Chelsea’s noses this season, and a win away at Stamford Bridge on matchday two could set the Foxes’ ambitions in place.

9th November – Arsenal (H)

Leicester absolutely embarrassed Arsenal last season at home with a 3-0 win that easily could have been more for the hosts, and if Rodgers’ side can repeat the feat they’ll throw the Gunners’ season into jeopardy early on, something City fans will be more than happy with and something the club can take advantage of.

26th December – Liverpool (H)

Liverpool have a bone to pick with Leicester after the Foxes halted the Reds’ title challenge with a 1-1 draw in January last season, and next campaign the 2015/16 Premier League winners can easily cause another upset that could shift the foundations of the league table in what is already looking like a Boxing Day headliner.

8th February – Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

Of all the teams outside the top six who have the potential to disrupt that exclusive group, Leicester and Wolverhampton Wanderers have the best chance, so the showdown between these two sides in February could determine which team goes further in their lofty goal of a top six finish.

29th February – Norwich City (A)

A trip to Carrow Road on the 29th February kicks off a run of six games where, on paper, Leicester have a good chance of picking up maximum points, which include welcoming Aston Villa and Brighton at the King Power as well as trips to Watford and Everton. A win against the Canaries could kickstart the late-season run to a top six finish.

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There are less than two month left before the summer transfer window closes on August 8th, and the rumours surrounding the 20 Premier League clubs show no signs of stopping. Today’s Premier League transfer roundup includes updates on Romelu Lukaku, Andre Gomes and Ryan Bertrand.

Lukaku agrees deal with Inter

Romelu Lukaku has already stated this year that he does not know whether he will still be at Manchester United next season. Now, it seems he may have a way out of Old Trafford as it has emerged that the former Anderlecht striker has agreed a deal with Inter Milan. According to the Sun, the Italian giants and the Belgian have agreed a contract worth £180,000 a week, although the two sides are yet to find an accord in regards to the transfer fee, with the Red Devils valuing him at £75m.

Barcelona and Everton find accord for Gomes

Andre Gomes was an important player for Marco Silva’s Everton on loan last season as the Toffees finished in eighth place, making 27 Premier League appearances. And now, it appears the Portuguese will be moving permanently to Goodison Park after the Merseyside outfit and FC Barcelona agreed a deal for the midfielder. According to Sky Sports, the fee is £22m. Gomes is shaping up to be Everton’s second signing of the transfer window so far after Jonas Lössl.

Bertrand on Inter’s and Atletico’s radar

Ryan Bertrand has become a stalwart for Southampton with 171 appearances under his belt. However, the England international could be on the move this summer with both Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid interested in acquiring his services. It is believed that the Saints will demand a fee of £15m for the former Blues man, but both Inter and Atletico hope they can hammer out a deal for a price closer to £10m.