All posts by n8rngtd.top

Kevin Phillips has been discussing Patrick Bamford’s substitution against Manchester City, admitting it was no great surprise.

Leeds United enjoyed a memorable victory on Saturday afternoon, winning 2-1 away to the soon-to-be Premier League champions. Beating City in any scenario is impressive enough, but Marcelo Bielsa’s men did it with 10 men following Liam Cooper’s red card just before half-time.

It was Bamford who was sacrificed by the Leeds manager straight after the incident, in order for the Whites to be set up in a more defensive manner.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Phillips understands Bamford sub

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League Golden Boot winner Phillips claimed that the writing was on the wall for the Leeds striker, even though it was no doubt frustrating for him:

“It would have been frustrating for Bamford.

“I know the feeling because it happened to me. Whenever a man got sent off when I was playing, I was the one who was sacrificed. Sadly, you just knew what was going to happen.

“He will have been angry and disappointed but it is no surprise he got taken off, especially away from home.

“Bielsa could have taken off a wide player but they can tuck in and make you hard to break down. Almost like defending with a five and a four.

“The wide men have a lot of energy and the hope is, when you get possession, that they can carry the ball forward and give an outlet.”

Transfer Tavern take

No player wants to be replaced at any point during a match, so Bamford’s annoyance at coming off would have been completely understandable. However, bringing on Pascal Struijk made Leeds harder to break down and the decision ultimately paid off handsomely as Bielsa’s men picked up a famous win.

Had Bamford stayed on, he may have become increasingly isolated and wouldn’t have offered the same defensive work as Struijk, potentially affecting the whole team in the process.

In other news, one Leeds player has been praised for his performance against Man City – find out who it is here.

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who played 18 times for West Ham, has claimed that they will have to pay £40 million to prise John McGinn away from Aston Villa this summer.

The Hammers will be looking to improve their squad at the end of the season as they look to make another push for Europe, and they’ve been linked with McGinn from Villa who has proved himself to be a versatile and effective player.

Players such as Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson are likely to be moved on this summer with their contracts set to expire in 2022, and David Moyes will want to squeeze every last penny out of his transfer budget.

Speaking on how he’s been impressed with John McGinn this season and how much West Ham will have to pay to sign the Scotland international, Lee told The Transfer Tavern:

“John McGinn has been very good, and I like him because he’s not your typical looking football player, which I love.

“He would be an asset to anybody but can any team prise him away from Aston Villa? They’ll probably ask for around £40 million because the prices are so mad these days.”

The £25,000-per-week winger has been a mainstay in the Villa side ever since Dean Smith came to the club, however he was signed by current Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce from Hibernian in 2018.

Villa had aims of qualify for Europe this season, but a shin injury to captain and talisman Jack Grealish has seen their form take a turn for the worst.

Everton forward Richarlison has joined the backlash against the proposed European Super League.

The Premier League’s ‘big six’ – Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal – announced on Sunday that they were to become founding members of the breakaway continental competition.

It is a move which could see them banned from competing in the English top flight.

Liverpool, Manchester United and co. an ‘absolute joke’

Manchester United legend Gary Neville said live on Sky Sports on Sunday that he was ‘absolutely disgusted’ by the plans. He labelled the clubs involved an ‘absolute joke’ and wants to see them heavily sanctioned.

Richarlison retweeted a video of Neville’s tirade, adding five applause emojis, and the Brazilian wasn’t the only Everton player to come out in opposition on Monday. Yannick Bolasie, who is on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, tweeted that ‘values and history’ were being thrown ‘out the window’.

According to Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol, some of the other 14 Premier League clubs are pushing for the so-called ‘big six’ to be immediately suspended from the current season, and these Everton fans loved seeing Richarlison conveying his opposition to the controversial Super League plans:

Everton fans hail Richarlison after he backs Neville

“YES RICHY”

Credit: @EvertonNewsFeed

“Yes Richy we love you”

Credit: @megxefc

“How can you not love him?”

Credit: @clarke__78

“Love this fella, always makes the effort and gets the club, the city, the fans.”

Credit: @Shippers18781

“Legend Richy”

Credit: @David42797784

“Boss Richy!”

Credit: @nickgartland

“Love you Richy. True footballer showing his true colors. That authenticity is something that can’t be bought”

Credit: @EfcShowtime

In other news, Kevin Campbell has backed Everton to make this signing.

While Raphinha may be the man stealing the headlines at Leeds, Stuart Dallas has been the real star of the show for Marcelo Bielsa.

The Northern Irishman has taken his game up a level since the step-up to the top flight and has been in superb form.

The 30-year-old spent a lot of the first half of the season at full-back, both on the right and left, but now playing in midfield, he looks like a star.

As per Transfermarkt, in the seven games that he’s played in a box-to-box midfield role, he has scored three times which is his best record in the opposition’s penalty area.

His match-winning display against Manchester City typified this when he scored twice at the Etihad Stadium.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay raved about Dallas and his worth to this Leeds side, insisting that on his current form, it would be difficult to leave him out of the team next season, even with some potential signings.

Writing in the Athletic he said the Leeds star was undroppable and looks like a quality asset in central midfield.

The Northern Irishman has certainly proven in recent matches that a midfield role can see him really shine at Leeds, and it would be silly to move him back into full-back.

As a result, Bielsa must unshackle Dallas as the club’s primary box-to-box midfield star from this point onwards.

There were high hopes when Southampton signed Angus Gunn from Manchester City in 2018 but, unfortunately for the goalkeeper, things have never really worked out for him at St Mary’s.

After conceding 52 goals in his first 30 appearances for the south coast club, he was allowed to join Championship side Stoke City on loan for the 2020/21 season.

Other than a spell out injured with an ankle injury between November and January, the former Norwich City loanee has been very much first-choice in Michael O’Neill’s side so far this season, making 17 appearances and conceding 23 goals, keeping seven clean sheets.

It seems as if the 25-year-old has impressed during his spell with the Potters, as it has now been reported that they will exercise their option to re-sign the ‘keeper on loan for the 2021/22 season. That is according to Hampshire Live journalist Tom Leach, who suggested that Gunn has already agreed to stay with Stoke on loan again next season, although the details are yet to be finalised.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/southampton-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-martin-semmens-st-marys” title=”Latest Southampton news, transfer rumours and more”]

Considering that Hasenhuttl has Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy competing for a starting spot in his side, it seems unlikely that Gunn will be a regular again at Southampton any time soon, so it seems surprising that CEO Martin Semmens is willing to see him spend another season on loan when surely they would be better off looking for a permanent buyer.

The 25-year-old is contracted with Southampton until 2023, so his market value will only likely continue to decrease next season as he edges closer to his contract expiry, so you could definitely argue that Semmens is making a mistake by letting him re-join Stoke on loan.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431″]

It is almost guaranteed that Southampton will make a significant loss on Gunn, having spent £13.5m to bring him in from Man City, as he is now valued at just £2.7m by Transfermarkt. The Saints should just cut their losses on him and get rid of him permanently at the earliest opportunity rather than risk losing him for nothing in a couple of years.

In other news… Gao handed significant boost over “exceptional” gem, Saints fans will be buzzing

Manchester United will be aiming to extend Manchester City’s wait for the Premier League title as they take on Liverpool at Old Trafford today.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be crowned as champions if the Red Devils fall to defeat against their great rivals so there is even more motivation for them to claim victory against the Reds.

Considering that then, how many changes could United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be tempted to make from the 6-2 thumping of AS Roma in Europa League action midweek?

We are expecting just two changes from the Norwegian for the clash – neither of them being much of a surprise.

Dean Henderson should be recalled to take his place between the sticks having seen David De Gea start on Thursday evening. The former Sheffield United loanee has started each of the last seven Premier League matches for the Red Devils.

Elsewhere, he should be shielded by an unchanged back four of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

There should also not be any changes from the defensive midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news-from-old-trafford-fofana-solskjaer-van-de-beek-wwodward” title=”The latest Man United transfer rumours and news from Old Trafford…”]

After his two goals against AS Roma, Bruno Fernandes is once again sure to take his place in a slightly more advanced position.

Meanwhile, there should be a slight tweek to the attack. Edinson Cavani is sure to start after his two goal and three assist haul in midweek and will once again be supported by Marcus Rashford.

Mason Greenwood should come into the starting line-up though at the expense of the £54m-rated Paul Pogba.

The 19-year-old appears back to his best form having hit six goals since the start of March in all competitions for Manchester United.

AND in more news, take a look at why Mason Greenwood simply must start for the Red Devils against Liverpool today…

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern, Daniel Pinder, who is editor-in-chief at Get German Football News, claims Denis Zakaria would be an upgrade on Manchester United midfielder Fred if the Red Devils were to sign him.

Zakaria has been a standout performer for Borussia Monchengladbach over the last two season as they qualified for the Champions League last season for only the third time in the club’s history.

The 24-year old has been linked with both Manchester City and Manchester United as the two clubs look to improve their midfield area with the former needing to replace Fernandinho and their rivals wanting more than a combination of Fred and Scott McTominay.

Speaking on if he would be an upgrade on Manchester United’s current midfield and what Zakaria is like as a player, Pinder exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“He’d be an upgrade on Fred definitely, but I think he might be quite similar to McTominay in the fact that they both like to get forward, run to the edge of the box and be there for crosses.

“So, he would be an upgrade on Fred, but I’m not sure how it would work alongside McTominay if it was to happen.”

The Switzerland international has the ability to play as either a central midfielder or even a centre back, which he has done under Marco Rose at Monchengladbach.

Man United have been rotating their midfield duo depending on who the opposition is with Fred, McTominay and Nemanja Matic all getting regular minutes.

After securing an impressive 3-1 win at home to Spurs last weekend, Leeds will be hoping to make it back-to-back victories in the Premier League when they take on Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side ran out comfortable winners over the north Londoners thanks to goals from Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo, and it’s the latter who the Leeds manager must now finally unleash from the off.

Dubbed as “extraordinary” by former Barcelona boss Quique Setien, Rodrigo hasn’t been able to hit the ground running at Elland Road; and while he was quick to dismiss speculation that he wanted a move back to Spain, it has still been a rather disappointing debut campaign for him with the Whites.

He has managed just four goals and one assist in 23 games, while perhaps more frustratingly, his time in Yorkshire has been disrupted by niggling injuries. He last started a match against Leicester at the end of January.

However, after making a couple of cameos in the last two games after returning from his latest issue – including that goal-scoring display off the bench against Spurs a week ago – a clash against Burnley is surely the perfect time for Rodrigo to now start.

The Clarets have long been known as a team who are hard to break down under Sean Dyche, and the Spaniard’s movement off the ball could be the key to unlocking their defence.

Indeed, after an impressive performance against Arsenal earlier in the campaign, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan explained just how important Rodrigo is to Bielsa’s side, telling Football Insider: “He’s always looking for it, he’s never ever standing still, he’s always on the move and that’s what I like about him. He can’t be marked, he’s always looking for a space – very much the next Hernandez.

“He is a player that looks like he can make things happen. He’s very intelligent, he brings other people into play and makes space for them.”

Whelan also insisted that the £100,000-per-week Spaniard should be starting ahead of Tyler Roberts, saying: “If you ask 100 Leeds fans who they would prefer in that position, Rodrigo or Tyler Roberts, they would all say Rodrigo all day long.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Now that he’s back fit and has a couple of substitute appearances under his belt, Bielsa must unleash Rodrigo on Burnley. Given that he arguably has a point to prove to his manager, he will want to end his first season at Leeds on a high.

He could well be a game-changer for the Whites when they make the trip to Turf Moor this weekend.

Meanwhile, Leeds source drops exciting update on club’s transfer plans…

A transfer insider has claimed that Leeds United are one of a number of clubs eyeing a move for Matheus Cunha in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Leeds want a new winger

With a recent report linking the Whites with winger Santiago Moreno, it is evident that Marcelo Bielsa is looking for a new wide man to come through the door at Elland Road.

Although Cunha can play in a number of different roles, he has predominantly played as a left-winger so far in the 2020/21 term.

The Latest: Leeds eyeing Cunha

According to Sky Sport Germany and transfer insider Max Bielefeld, the Yorkshire club are closely following Cunha and have been for months already, as he looks likely to leave Hertha Berlin in the summer.

However, As Monaco, Napoli and Atalanta are also interested in his signature, with Hertha willing to sell for €30m (£25.9m).

The Verdict: Leeds should sign Cunha

It is likely but not guaranteed the Peacocks will be able to sign Jack Harrison from Manchester City on a permanent deal once his current loan spell ends, but there could still be a position up for grabs, with Helder Costa expected to leave the club.

Cunha is more than capable, with no fewer than eight goals and a further eight assists in 28 games in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

Hertha head coach Bruno Labbadia has described him as having ‘something special’, and he could be key in unlocking the door of some stubborn defences that LUFC are likely to face in the Premier League next campaign.

Nonetheless, at just 21 years of age, he will only get better, and so Leeds should not think twice about snapping up the Brazilian.

In other news, find out what big claim has been made on Bielsa’s future here!

Ozan Kabak arrived at Liverpool on a short-term loan deal in January as the club aimed to put their injury woes behind them, but a decision not to make his stay permanent could prove to be a costly mistake.

According to The Liverpool Echo, Jurgen Klopp’s charges have not yet decided if they will be extending the 21-year-old’s stay on Merseyside and it looks like a move for RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate could take priority over the summer.

During his time with the English giants, Kabak has steadily improved and adapted to the demands of the Premier League, putting in convincing displays against the likes of Wolves, Sheffield United and Arsenal, as well as impressing in the Champions League last-16.

However, the Turkey international’s performances seemingly haven’t been enough to convince Klopp to activate a clause in his contract just yet, one which would allow the Reds to secure his services for just £18m from German giants Schalke in the upcoming transfer window.

Serious injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have left the Anfield outfit threadbare at centre-back this season, meaning youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have had to step up in the trio’s absence, while Fabinho has often been displaced from his usual midfield role to fill in the gaps.

While the stand-ins have performed admirably at times throughout the current campaign, arguably none of them are the long-term solution to Liverpool’s defensive troubles.

Matip and Gomez are top-class players on their day, but their persistent injury issues mean they’re hardly a dependable duo to plan your season around, especially if you’re planning on wrestling back a top-flight title.

Leipzig’s Konate is also susceptible to significant fitness concerns, missing 49 days of 2020/21 with an ankle injury, and has repeatedly suffered from muscle problems during his short career.

His proposed arrival over summer would leave Klopp with a centre-back recovering from a potential career-changing injury in Van Dijk, three injury-prone options in Matip, Gomez and Konate, and three alternatives who are perhaps more suited to lower league football in Phillips, Williams and Ben Davies.

The enigmatic German manager was full of praise for Kabak earlier in the season, though, lauding the youngster’s impact: “Ozan came in at 20 from Germany, was a big prospect but wasn’t lucky with the last two teams he played for, one went down (Stuttgart) and the other will probably go down (Schalke). But nobody really doubted his quality,” said Klopp.

“Then coming here and making this big step and winning more games than before, it’s really good for him that he can show that.”

This obvious admiration, therefore, makes it even more baffling as to why Liverpool have not yet decided to pull the trigger and secure the £22.5-rated man on a permanent basis. He’s now used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, he has bags of potential, and is undoubtedly value for money in the modern era at a fee of just £18m.

If he chooses to let Kabak go, it’s a decision that Klopp may live to regret should his side experience another injury-riddled campaign, although people will presumably have far less sympathy for his self-inflicted predicaments next time around.

And, in other news…Lost possession 17x: £34m LFC star proved Klopp right with another shocking display – opinion