Christian Pulisic made a bit of history on Saturday by scoring in AC Milan's Serie A clash with Parma
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Leeds United believe one Championship star would be a "valuable" addition to Daniel Farke's squad this summer, whether they're promoted or not.
The Elland Road side are firmly in the thick of an extremely exciting automatic promotion race, with Leeds, Leicester City and Ipswich Town all neck-and-neck as we approach the final few games of this second-tier season.
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All three sides have been near-unstoppable over 2023/24, and whoever misses out on that immediate climb back to the top flight will feel very hard done by.
Leeds are among the firm favourites to secure a place back in the Premier League at the first time of asking, though, and boast the division's best defensive record out of any team on paper.
|
Leeds United's final Championship games |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Middlesbrough (away) |
April 22nd |
|
QPR (home) |
April 26th |
|
Southampton (home) |
May 4th |
Somebody out of Leeds, Ipswich and Leicester has to settle for third and a place in the Championship play-offs, with Farke desperately hoping to avoid that scenario.
Off the field, Leeds are also plotting ways to strengthen their ranks this summer. As widely reported, Farke is keen to keep Joe Rodon for next campaign following a successful season on loan from Tottenham.
Leeds are said to be determined to keep Rodon as we approach the summer window, but it is also believed that they could reinforce their attacking options as well.
Indeed, one player who is said to be attracting their interest is Southampton star Che Adams, who could even have a major say on their promotion push considering he is set to face Leeds on the final day.
The Scotland international has been in fine form for Russell Martin's side overall, and TEAMtalk claims Leeds are eyeing a "bargain" summer move for Adams as his contract ticks down towards expiry.
Called a "phenomenon" by Ralph Hasenhuttl previously, it's added that Leeds think Adams would be a "valuable" signing when the window reopens, as the cost of a deal would be non-existent when he's available as a free agent. And this is regardless of whether or not they go up.
Interestingly, Leeds have been told to sign the striker for quite some time.
"I tell you what everybody, how to strip a rival's asset. We saw that with Newcastle last year when they stripped Chris Wood away from Burnley," said YouTuber Conor McGilligan.
"How incredible would it be if Leeds were to go to Southampton with an offer that they can't refuse and Leeds go and get Che Adams and strip them of an asset?
"I think that'd be a really good tactic. I can't ever see Leeds doing that because we're not bullish in the market at all, I don't feel. But listen, I think Che Adams would be a really good addition for that No 9."
A European giant has reportedly made their move to sign a Celtic player this summer and are awaiting a response.
The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers are now in pole position to seal another Scottish Premiership title ahead of Rangers, however, away from the pitch, plans are already being made ahead of the transfer window.
It is believed that those at Parkhead want a new goalkeeper, winger and striker, with a replacement for the retiring Joe Hart at the top of the agenda.
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In regards to specific targets, a number of shot-stoppers have been linked with moves to Celtic, such as Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, Trabzonspor's Ugurcan Cakir, Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson and Werder Bremen's Michael Zetterer.
There could also be some outgoings in Glasgow, though, and it looks as if one player may have received an offer.
According to reports from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Lazio have now made a move for Celtic youngster Rocco Vata. It is claimed that they are awaiting a response over a potential cut-price transfer which could come at the end of the month or the beginning of May, with Vata currently set to be a free agent at the end of May.
Vata, who is still just 18 years of age, can play in a variety of attacking roles such as on either wing or as a second striker.
He’s scored 12 goals in 15 Lowland League games during the current campaign, while also making three senior appearances under Rodgers. In fact, Vata scored his first senior goal back in January in the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Buckie Thistle.
The teenager appears to be catching the eye in Italy, and he also received praise from Rodgers back in pre-season, who called Vata "strong" and "quick".
“I remember Rocco as a young player when I was here last”, said Rodgers. “He’s developed physically. There are aspects of his game that he needs to work on to make the next jump but his attitude is good. “He’s strong, quick, he wants to score goals. There is lots of development he needs, if he’s willing to do that.”
Meanwhile, captain Callum McGregor said earlier this year: “He’s showing really good promise in the academy. He’s scored a few goals for the B team, which is great.
"That’s what we want, to be pushing as many academy products on as we can, trying to expose them to the first team as much as we can as well and getting them to that level where they can step into the team.
“Rocco has been around the first team since pre-season and he’s done great so hopefully he can recover from his injury. It’s great to see the guys coming, pushing and training with the first team.”
His long-term future in Scotland appears to be in doubt, though, following the update regarding Lazio's move, making this one to watch over the coming weeks.
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A favourite of Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou's has been branded one of the worst technical players in the Premier League by a pundit this week.
Spurs succumbed to a dismal 4-0 defeat away to Newcastle United at the weekend, and it's a result which deals a hammer blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
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A brace from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon's strike and Fabian Schar's goal rounded off an afternoon to forget for Postecoglou, who is adamant that growth is "painful" and it's something which will happen to Spurs on more than one occasion as they continue to evolve and learn lessons.
“Newcastle were good, credit to them”, said Postecoglou after Tottenham's defeat to Newcastle. “We just didn’t really get a grip of the game at all. We never really wrestled control at any stage and we paid the price for that.
“We allowed them to dictate the way the game was played. We weren’t brave on the ball. A lot of it was self-inflicted. It’s the same as every other game. There’s no point sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. We’ve got another game in two weeks’ time.
|
Tottenham's next league fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Arsenal (home) |
April 28th |
|
Chelsea (away) |
May 2nd |
|
Liverpool (away) |
May 5th |
|
Burnley (home) |
May 11th |
|
Man City (home) |
May 14th |
“It’s not the first time it [a heavy defeat] has happened to us; it won’t be the last. It’s part of our growth. Sometimes that growth is painful. I was concerned with all of it. There was no one area that cost us today. We never got to any sort of tempo.”
Among the players who failed to have an impact was January arrival Timo Werner. The German, who has attracted praise from Postecoglou for his some of his performances since signing on loan, is being heavily linked with a permanent switch in the summer.
Tottenham staff are also said to be impressed by Werner behind-the-scenes. However, pundit Jay Bothroyd has now called Werner one of the worst technical players in England's top flight.
“I can’t help, but I have to be critical of Timo Werner," said Bothroyd to Optus Sport. "I’m sorry, he misses so many good chances. And those chances that he missed, they can change games. Technically, he’s one of the worst players in the Premier League. I’m going to say that, because I honestly believe that.
“He doesn’t cross the ball well, he hits it as hard as he can across the face of the goal all the time. He never picks anybody out. His finishing’s poor. His passing’s poor.
“And yes, you can say that he’s effective. But then I’m saying, okay, he’s an athlete. In this day and age, I look at him and I say he’s effective because of his athleticism. As he gets older and he loses that athleticism, how effective is he going to be then?”
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After a difficult debut season, Manchester United are reportedly already eyeing a move to replace Andre Onana, setting their sights towards La Liga and a new shot-stopper for Erik ten Hag.
When Onana arrived fresh from a standout performance for Inter against Manchester City in the Champions League final, it looked as though Manchester United had completed a wise piece of business. It's been a season of struggle ever since, however, with David de Gea's name mentioned often enough to conclude that Onana hasn't been a success.
It seems as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe may be in a ruthless mood ahead of the summer transfer window too, with Ten Hag's future still in doubt amid previous links to Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter. And if Ten Hag's job isn't safe, then neither is Onana's role as United's number one, especially after recent reports.
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According to outlets in Spain, Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to replace Onana this summer, but will have to beat Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid to land the 6 foot 6 giant's signature in the coming months.
At just 23 years old, the Valencia man has shown plenty of potential in Spain to more than earn links to the likes of United, Bayern and Atletico Madrid. The ball is now in Valencia's and Mamardashvili's court regarding a summer switch. Manchester United will simply be hoping to put together a convincing enough pitch to win the busy race for his signature.
Without Champions League football, that will prove to be more difficult, but Ratcliffe will be looking to pitch the long-term project rather than the current set-up at Old Trafford.
Even if it's not an immediate change, the long-term goal should be for a player of Mamardashvili's potential to replace Onana at Manchester United. The former Ajax man is five years the Valencia goalkeeper's senior and may only continue to struggle at Old Trafford, paving the way for the younger Mamardashvili. Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig is certainly a fan too, describing the goalkeeper as "fantastic" on X.
It would represent just how much Onana has struggled if he found himself dropped after just one season in Manchester, but welcoming a player who has the potential of Mamardashvili is a necessary step towards a return to the top for the Red Devils.
|
League stats 23/24 (via FBref) |
Giorgi Mamardashvili |
Andre Onana |
|---|---|---|
|
Save percentage |
74.6% |
75.4% |
|
Clean Sheets |
12 |
8 |
|
Goals Conceded |
35 |
51 |
When the summer arrives, the £25,000-a-week Valencia number one will be a player to keep an eye on, especially if United step up their interest in the coming months.
Manchester City's imminent court battle with the Premier League will not affect Pep Guardiola's squad on the pitch, according to Sergio Aguero.
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Manchester City have been dealt a blow on the eve of the summer transfer window after it emerged that one of their stars is "very unhappy" at the Etihad.
Though it will not be the treble from last season, Manchester City are closing in on a Premier League and FA Cup double, though they could yet end up with nothing.
Trailing Arsenal by a single point heading into the final week of the season, Pep Guardiola's side play twice while the Gunners play just once, with City taking on Tottenham in north London before a home game against West Ham, while Arsenal play host to Everton on Sunday.
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A win in both games will be enough to crown City champions, while four points could also be enough should they win their game by three more goals than Arsenal win theirs by. They will then face Manchester United in the FA Cup final, which they will head into as overwhelming favourites against Erik ten Hag's side.
|
The permutations for the title |
||
|
Manchester City (Vs Tottenham & West Ham) |
Arsenal (vs Everton) |
Title winner |
|
Win, Win |
Win |
Manchester City |
|
Win, Draw / Draw, Win |
Win |
Arsenal (as it stands on GD) |
|
Win, Lose / Lose, Win |
Win |
Arsenal |
|
Win, Lose/ Lose, Win or better |
Draw |
Manchester City |
Beyond this season though, uncertainty lurks. Bernardo Silva has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona for several seasons, and has a reported £50m release clause in his contract for such a deal to be set up this summer.
There are also questions over the future of Kevin de Bruyne, while the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Sergio Gomez could have played their last games for the club. Now, more uncertainty has arisen.
That comes as centre-back John Stones is reportedly "very unhappy" with his situation at the club. The defender has started just one Premier League game since March, despite having shaken off the injuries that sidelined him for the first part of the campaign, with Ruben Dias or Manuel Akanji preferred in the heart of defence by Guardiola.
As a result, Football Insider claim that he is "very unhappy" and concerned for his England spot long term, a fact that has left his future at Manchester City "up in the air" as he heads into the final two years of his £250,000-a-week contract at the Etihad.
Though Guardiola, who has shared his love for the defender in the past, has made a habit of not standing in the way of players that want to leave, the 29-year-old might be hard to shift given his wages and likely transfer fee.
Stones came into his own last season, starring in a new role for the Cityzens and drawing widespread praise, including from ex-Bournemouth boss Scott Parker, who dubbed him a "freak".
“John Stones is a freak really, in the nicest possible way", he explained.
“He is world-class. Because a centre-half with his profile, with his stature, to play football like he does… in terms of a manager for Pep, he’s a dream.
“At centre-half, he’s arguably one of your best defenders, if not your best defender. You put him in midfield now, you want an overload, he finds a pass, he finds a spare man, he’s safe on the ball."
Cristiano Ronaldo had a message for the fans after finding the net against Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq to lead Al-Nassr to a big win.
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