It has been a fantastic season to be a Leeds United supporter, hasn’t it?

After years of mediocrity and underachievement by the Whites, Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival in the summer has transformed the club’s fortunes. Second in the Championship, the Yorkshire-based outfit are now within seven games of achieving promotion to the top tier.

The Argentine manager’s influence on his squad has seen the likes of Mateusz Klich, Liam Cooper and Kemar Roofe make marked improvements in terms of their developments yet the same cannot be said unfortunately for Stuart Dallas.

The Northern Ireland international has only been able to make sporadic appearances for the Whites during the 2018/19 campaign and has failed to make any sort of impression on Bielsa. Dallas had begun the year as a starter for the Leeds but eventually lost his place in the side after fracturing his foot in December. The emergence of Jack Clarke and Jack Harrison in the wide positions had already forced the 27-year-old to relocate to full-back yet the recent form illustrated by Luke Ayling has seemingly closed that particular door.

With Dallas’ last seven games for Leeds have all seen him feature as a substitute which is an indication that Bielsa doesn’t trust him entirely to deliver for the club. If this particular trend continues, it may be beneficial for both parties if the former Brentford ace leaves Elland Road in the summer.

Contracted until 2020 (via Transfermarkt), Dallas’ departure would allow the Whites to recuperate a fee which they could put towards strengthening their squad. It could be argued that the club would be better off securing a permanent move for the impressive Harrison who is currently on loan from Manchester City.

Regardless on whether Leeds find themselves in the Premier League or the Championship next season, it is clear that they should call time on Dallas’ five four year stay at the club if they are thinking of building towards the future.

What do you think Whites fans? Should Bielsa let Dallas leave in the summer? Or does the midfielder still have something to offer for the club? Let us know below.

[ad_pod ]

After Raul Jimenez put Wolves 2-0 up at Wembley Stadium last week, Watford’s FA Cup journey looked set to end in heartbreak and disappointment, but Gerard Deulofeu’s second-half introduction saw the game flipped on its head.

Having pulled one back for the Hornets in spectacular style, the Spaniard would go on to seize the day and score his second in extra time after Troy Deeney equalised from the spot in the 94th minute.

The former Barcelona man is capable of mercurial moments of outstanding quality but equally prone to going missing when his side need his pace and skill the most. Fortunately for Watford, his performance in the FA Cup semi-final saw much more of the former, although Guillem Balague thinks the speedster can only get better from this point:

“He hasn’t been in a place like he is now. He hasn’t been in a place where he feels like he’s treated differently, where he’s a bit special. The coach has identified that maybe that’s the way to get the best out of him.

“He feels important, he is not a promising player anymore. He is a player who scores important goals, but there is still a lot of room for improvement and he is aware of that.

“It’s good that he knows the most important thing is the next training session, the next game, and with that you will maximise your potential. Some people reach that conclusion when they are 17, some find it when they are 24. He has that now.

“I think you are going to see the best of Deulofeu very soon.”

Indeed, the 25-year-old winger has grown from being ‘one for the future’ into ‘one for the present’ at Vicarage Road and the partnership he has forged with captain Deeney strikes fear into all opposition defences.

Wolves Fan TV place the blame for Wolves’ FA Cup semi-final collapse on John Ruddy in the video below…

Javi Gracia has been able to get the best out of every player, Deulofeu included, and Balague seems to believe that the Watford boss is largely responsible for his countryman’s transformation this campaign.

One thing is for sure, if the Wembley Stadium masterclass wasn’t even the best the electric number 7 has to offer, as Balague says, then Hornets fans are in for a real treat soon enough.

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting to a quite shocking moment from the international break, as Miguel Almiron committed an absolute horror tackle in a “friendly” against Mexico.

International breaks can be pretty dull for European football fans, but South American nations do not know the meaning of an “international friendly”.

Nowhere was that more evident than in Levi’s Stadium in California on Tuesday evening, where Mexico took on Almiron’s Paraguay.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Mexico went three goals to the good in just 24 minutes, and the tackles were absolutely flying in throughout the all-action affair.

Almiron came on in the 56th minute with his side down 3-0, instantly played a part in their opening goal to make it 3-1, and was then promptly sent off for a truly woeful challenge.

Newcastle’s record signing planted his studs into the back of Jose Juan Vazquez’s calf, as you can see here.

There is no word yet on if Vazquez did anything to provoke Almiron’s truly heinous tackle, but the Twitter reactions down below are certainly having their say on the matter…

[ad_pod ]

Christian Eriksen’s future is a topic firmly ingrained into the narrative concerning Tottenham Hotspur’s season so far and the imminent transfer window, and discussion over potential replacements has naturally been rife as a consequence.

Transfer rumours continue to emerge regarding a potential successor to the Denmark international but a recent report from the Daily Mail suggests they are also looking to strengthen in other attacking areas.

The report claims that Spurs have a long-term interest in Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha but the £75-80 million valuation could be problematic.

In response to the report, talkSPORT pundit and former Arsenal star Ray Parlour discussed the merits of the potential deal and suggested he’d be a solid replacement for Eriksen if the playmaker leaves this summer.

His frankly ridiculous transfer claim has been slated by Spurs fans, with plenty eager to point out that they are two completely different players.

Perhaps Parlour was alluding to the scale of the influence he would have at the club rather than the position, but it’s more than likely just a deliberate attempt to grab the media spotlight.

Either way the fans were predominantly in a critical mood, while others indicated they would rather see Isco or Donny van de Beek arrive in north London to replace Eriksen.

Here’s how the Lilywhites faithful reacted to the foolish transfer claim…

[ad_pod ]

Leeds fans have been hoping that their interest in Dan James will be reignited amidst reports from the BBC that contract talks with Swansea City have come to a standstill.

Leeds were on the verge of completing a deal for the midfielder on deadline day in January but Swansea caused the deal to fall through at the 11th hour.

James had even completed a medical at Elland Road ahead of the proposed loan move, which would have become permanent had Leeds been promoted to the Premier League.

Leeds fans on Twitter have been hoping that the Yorkshire club will go back in for James in the summer and with no contract renewal on the horizon, the midfielder could be available for a cut-price fee.

The 21-year-old has scored twice and assisted four goals this season so far and Leeds fans are optimistic that the lack of a new deal could see him playing at Elland Road next season after he came within hours of joining the club in January.

Here’s a look at what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter….

أكد أندريا بيرلو المدير الفني لفريق يوفنتوس الإيطالي، على صعوبة مواجهة برشلونة، ضمن الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات دوري أبطال أوروبا والتي ستقام غدًا الأربعاء.

ويواجه يوفنتوس نظيره برشلونة في إطار المجموعة السابعة، بعدما فاز البيانكونيري في المباراة الأولى أمام دينامو كييف الأوكراني، وبرشلونة على فرينكفاروس المجري.

طالع أيضًا.. ليكيب: مسحة اليوم تحسم موقف رونالدو من مباراة برشلونة ويوفنتوس

وقال بيرلو في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة: “برشلونة فريق بطل، يتكون من لاعبين عظماء، علينا أن نقدم مباراة جيدة حتى وإن كان فريقنا دون مدافعين”.

وأكمل: “لا يسعنا الانتظار للمباراة، نريد أن نثبت قيمتنا، ليست مباراة حاسمة، لكن علينا أن نفوز، هذا هو هدفنا في جميع المباريات”.

يوفنتوس يغيب عنه كيليني وبونوتشي للإصابة في المباراتين الماضيتين، بالإضافة لـ ماتياس دي ليخت الذي لم يتعاف منذ بداية الموسم من إصابة الكتف، بعد الجراحة التي أجراها.

وأضاف بيرلو: “كيليني ليس متاحًا غدًا، بونوتشي سنقيمه صباح الغد، ولم تصلنا أي موافقة على مشاركة دي ليخت في المباريات حتى الآن”.

وشدد: “صباح الغد سوف نعتمد على كل من هو متاح لدينا، لكن لن يلعب ويستون ماكيني في مركز المدافع ضد برشلونة”.

وفيما يخص حالة كريستيانو رونالدو، قال بيرلو: “علينا انتظار نتيجة كريستيانو اليوم، سنعرف كل شيء هذا المساء، إذا كان لائقًا سيكون معنا غدًا”.

وأردف: “أنا سعيد للغاية بالمستوى الذي يقدمه موراتا هذا الموسم حتى الآن، رغم الغيابات يقدم أفضل ما لديه، عندما تكون لدينا تشكيلة متاحة، سنحاول إيجاد الأفضل، ولكن في الوقت الحالي نحن مضطرين في كثير من الأحيان”.

وعن مواجهة ليونيل ميسي: “ليونيل جزء من تاريخ كرة القدم الحديثة لأول مرة سأواجهه كـ مدرب، لقد قام هو ورونالدو بأشياء غير عادية خلال الـ15 سنة الأخيرة، حتى لو مر الوقت، من الصعب أن يأتي مثلهما”.

وعلق على موقف ديبالا: “إنه متعب قليلًا، لا يزال لديه الوقت للتعافي، ثنائيته مع موراتا مميزة، أمام برشلونة نسعى لكي يكون الجميع في حالة بدنية جيدة”.

[ad_pod ]It is being reported that Everton homegrown talent Tom Davies is to sign a contract extension at Goodison Park, hinting that he is a player firmly in the plans of manager Marco Silva in the long-term, but how could this rumour mean a new and more important role for the 20-year-old?

What’s the word?

Northern Football Correspondent for The Times, Paul Joyce, revealed on Twitter the news about Davies, announcing that the starlet will sign a one-year contract extension keeping him with the Toffees until 2023.

The new role

At the moment, despite being one of the prime examples of players being able to progress through the Everton academy and into the first team, the starlet is something of a fringe player.

In the Premier League, he’s made just 17 appearances and has struggled to put a consistent run of matches together in the starting Xl.

Under any normal circumstances, this would hint to the football world that Davies, despite only being 20, isn’t favoured by his gaffer but this contract speculation contradicts that suggestion.

With the future of Andre Gomes uncertain – as it stands he goes back to Barcelona in the summer – there will be a dearth of creative central midfielders to partner the likes of Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin in the blue half of Merseyside.

Have Premier League grounds become “lifeless tourist attractions”? Decide for yourself by watching the video below…

Up until now, Davies has only really played in the centre with a more holding style, without the freedom to get forward to create and score goals.

That could be about to change and would be a huge acid test of the youngster’s capabilities as he would have to adapt his game by bringing his creative instincts to the fore.

But we’ve seen him rise to similar challenges before – such as when he has accepted the captaincy – and he would also need to take this one in his stride if he’s to thrive under Silva next season.

Middlesbrough are currently on a slippery slope without any brakes, with no sign of their losing streak skidding to a halt and their play-off hopes sliding helplessly by them.

Tony Pulis has lost the confidence of the fans, and it is fast heading towards all out mutiny in the stands.

The one thing that can break the ice between the team and supporters, is wins.

Midfielder, Adam Clayton, is well aware of the frustrated, dissenting voices, and admits it is “not nice to listen to”, but adds that “they have every right” to show their anger.

But he asked for them to stick with the team when he spoke to the Hartlepool Mail before tonight’s crunch game against Bolton.

He said: “I understand that [fans’ unhappiness]. It’s not nice to listen to but supporters love the club and they feel the pain on a poor run like this and they have every right to show that they’re not happy.

“Fans just want to see their club do well. They want to come to the ground as see goals and see the team playing well.

“But there’s not one man in the squad who is not trying. Everyone is giving everything for the cause.

“If we can just get that win and find a spark then Middlesbrough can still be a force in this league and in the play-offs.

“That’s our jobs as players and I know the fans will stay with us if we deliver on that.”

What Boro’ need is a convincing win.

They need to give the fans something to banish memories of the last few weeks, and give them some crumb of hope to take into the final few games of the season.

Despite calls for Pulis to go, tonight is not the time to voice those opinions — not during the game anyway.

But one thing is certain, failure to win tonight — or even worse, a defeat — against a side whose players have not been getting paid and do not even know if they can fulfil all their fixtures through to the end of the season, will take the animosity from the stands to another level.

The fans do their part week after week, tonight, it is time for the manager and players to do their’s.

What are your thoughts ahead of tonight’s game Boro’ fans? Can you still turn your season back around? Let us know your thoughts…

سلطت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية الضوء على توتر العلاقة بين مدرب فريق وست بروميتش ألبيون سلافين بيليتش وإدارة النادي الإنجليزي بسبب رحيل المصري أحمد حجازي، إلى الدوري السعودي هذا الأسبوع.

وانتقل حجازي إلى صفوف فريق اتحاد جدة، على سبيل الإعارة لمدة موسم، مع وجود خيار الشراء الدائم.

وأبدى بيلتيش اعتراضه، بشكل علني، على رحيل حجازي وذلك في تصريحاته عقب مواجهة برايتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الإثنين الماضي (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وحسب شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” الإنجليزية، فإن بيليتش لا ينوي الاستقالة من منصبه كمدرب لـ وست بروميتش بسبب بيع حجازي، ولكن رحيل الأخير تسبب في توتر علاقته بالنادي مع تصاعد التوترات خلف الكواليس.

وقالت مصادر متعددة قريبة من بيليتش للشبكة إن المدرب البالغ من العمر 52 عامًا ليس لديه أي خطط للاستقالة، ولكنه غير سعيد للغاية بشأن رحيل حجازي، الذي تم هذا الأسبوع، ومن الواضح أن علاقته مع مسؤولي النادي وصلت إلى لحظة حرجة.

واعتزم بيليتش المضي قدمًا في جهوده للحفاظ على وست بروميتش في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد أن قادهم إلى البطولة من تشامبيونشيب الموسم الماضي، لكن التكهنات حول مستقبله ستنتشر بقوة إذا استمرت نتائج الفريق الضعيفة، إلى جانب الأمور المتعلقة بالتعاقدات.

وأوضحت الشبكة أن بيليتش سُئل الأسبوع الماضي، في مكتبه في النادي، عما إذا كان على استعداد للتخلي عن حجازي بعد أن كثف اتحاد جدة محاولاته لضم المصري، ولكن المدرب أكد للرئيس التنفيذي لـ وست بروميتش أنه يريد الاحتفاظ بصاحب الـ 29 عامًا، ثم فوجئ بيليتش بإبلاغه يوم الأحد بأنه قد تم بيع المدافع.

وجاء ذلك بعد صيف من المناقشات حول مستقبل حجازي في وست بروميتش والذي بدا أنه بدأ في التلاشي قبل أن يقدم الاتحاد عرضًا محسنًا لضمه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أحمد حجازي يودع جماهير وست بروميتش بعد رحيله إلى اتحاد جدة

وأشارت الشبكة إلى إنه قد تم المناقشة بين بيليتش والنادي حول إمكانية الاستفادة من حجازي في صفوف الفريق، مع الأخذ في الاعتبار أن الاتحاد كان يخطط لضمه في يناير وليس ذا الصيف.

لكن قيل لـ “ذا أثلتيك” إنه بعد معاناة وست بروميتش من الناحية الدفاعية في أول أربع مباريات في الدوري الإنجليزي، قرر بيليتش الاعتماد على حجازي وعمل شراكة بينه وبين الوافد الجديد إيفانوفيتش برانيسلاف.

بدأ إيفانوفيتش وحجازي ضد بيرنلي يوم الاثنين الماضي، وقدما أداءً جيدًا، كما حافظ ألبيون على شباكه نظيفة لأول مرة هذا الموسم.

واستمرت الشبكة بتأكيدها على أن بيليتش أكد لإدارة وست بروميتش إنه لا يريد بيع حجازي، وحصل على ضمانات لبقائه وذلك يوم الخميس المقبل، وبدأ في التحضير لمواجهة برايتون على أن يتواجد المصري في القائمة، بجانب إيفانوفيتش.

ولكن تغير كل شيء بحلول يوم الأحد حيث تم إبلاغ بيليتش إنه تم بيع حجازي، مقابل 4 ملايين جنيه إسترليني وراتب 70 ألف جنيه إسترليني أسبوعيًا.

وتتفهم شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” أن خطط وست بروميتش للنافذة الصيفية تضمنت البيع المحتمل لـ حجازي، بشرط أن يأتي عرض مقبول، لذلك قرر النادي المضي قدمًا في البيع بمجرد أن يفي اتحاد جدة بالشروط، خاصة وأن اللاعب أبدى رغبته في الرحيل.

بدأ حجازي 14 مباراة فقط من أصل 46 مباراة في تشامبيونشيب الموسم الماضي، وكان على مقاعد البدلاء لمدة 18 مباراة أخرى.

واختتمت الشبكة تقريرها، قائلة إن الإدارة لا تشعر بأن حجازي قد عزز نفسه كعنصر أساسي في الفريق الأول تحت قيادة بيليتش، مع الاعتبار أنه اللاعب الأعلى أجرًا في الفريق، مما أدى إلى قرارهم بالبيع على الرغم من مقاومة المدرب.

Chelsea will be heading into the summer with an uncertainty hanging over the club with a transfer ban set to affect any potential dealings.

The Blues will of course be looking at getting that ban overturned and will be keen to spend money on the squad if they can indeed bring new players in.

However, there is also set to be a few Blues players who could well be looking at the exit door, and one man who has been linked with a permanent move away from the club this weekend is former Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has been on loan with AC Milan this season.

Bakayoko has rediscovered an element of his best form since making the move to Milan, and while Chelsea might be tempted to bring him back and get that form out of him themselves, it has to be said he just did not look the part for the Blues before.

A move on a permanent basis would make all kinds of sense really, with Chelsea receiving a decent fee for a player they spent heavily on themselves, while Bakayoko would be moving to a club where he has clearly settled well.

There is no denying that Bakayoko can be a talent and a force in the middle of the park., it’s just that it might not be in the Premier League at this moment in time.

Chelsea would be wise to move him on, and with the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Barkley ready to step in anyway, the Blues have plenty in the squad to call upon if need be.