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When it comes to Marcelo Bielsa’s reign at Leeds, there have never been too many question marks.

One concern, however, has surrounded the defence. Although Leeds had the best backline in the Championship last season they had problems when it came to clearing set plays and high crosses.

In 2020/21 it’s the defence who are once again a cause for anxiety. They shipped seven goals in their opening two games of the term and Leeds have now conceded 24 times in the Premier League – the second highest in the division.

The fact that Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are both out injured is unlikely to help their cause either.

However, Victor Orta and Bielsa are fortunate the transfer window is just around the corner. One man to be linked with the club in order to fill the defensive void is Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori.

According to Football Insider, Leeds are keeping tabs on the centre-back with a view to making a temporary switch for him in January.

It wasn’t too long ago that Tomori was starting on a regular basis in the Premier League for the Blues and his game has matured immensely under the stewardship of Frank Lampard.

Their relationship began in the 2018/19 season when the young defender spent the campaign on loan at Derby. While he was there he helped dominate Pablo Hernandez. The Rams may have lost 2-0 to Leeds at the turn of the year but Tomori was still a rock for Derby, winning three tackles and three aerial duels.

In the process, he prevented the effervescent Pablo Hernandez from having an impact. The Spaniard only managed one dribble and engineered two shots that were off target. It’s not often that Hernandez draws a blank but he did so against Tomori on that occasion and in the play-off semi-finals too.

What’s so good about the youngster is that he’s a modern-day centre-back, playing a brand of football that Bielsa loves.

In fact, he plays a lot like former loanee Ben White, another young Englishman tipped for a bright future.

Speaking about the Chelsea defender last season after they beat Lille, Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “Huge talent. That was the best defender on the pitch there (Tomori). Everything he did today defensively I thought he was perfect.”

Compare him to White and the similarities are clear. Their pass success rates were both north of 84% last season and they were within 0.2 tackles per game of each other.

This would be an astute piece of business, one that could bring back fond memories of White’s stay at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Leeds ace who won 81.8% of his duels was an absolute MONSTER vs Newcastle…

For the first time since joining Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa has something of a bloated squad.

The Argentine has always been adamant that he likes working with a smaller group of players, but after spending almost £100m in the transfer window, Leeds have a lot of depth in their key positions.

Having depth is always a good thing at a club, but a spending spree of those proportions is bound to bring with it some selection headaches, and it looks as though there’s a brewing dilemma at Leeds that could soon be keeping Bielsa up at night.

Leeds are now absolutely stacked at right-wing after the addition of Raphinha and the emergence of Ian Poveda.

Add into that the fact that Helder Costa has been United’s first choice for the past year or so, and you can see the problem that Bielsa faces.

Costa has been brilliant lately as well, netting two goals and contributing an assist in his first four appearances this season, but it’ll be hard to justify spending £17m on Raphinha if he’s just going to sit on the bench.

Poveda also has a case to make. He earnt a lot of praise for his showing against Manchester City, and even if he’s not a starter he will want a spot on the bench. However, with three players vying for one spot, it’s hard to imagine that two substitute spots will be taken up by one position.

Of course, there is the argument that Raphinha can also play on the left, but that just complicates things further adding Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski into the problem creating an even bigger selection headache.

We can’t come up with the answer to this conundrum, and luckily we don’t have to, it’s up to Bielsa to keep up this juggling act between three very talented players fighting for one spot.

We certainly don’t envy the Argentine.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Tottenham Hotspur icon Gary Mabbutt says the club may have finally unearthed a player who can fill the void left by Mousa Dembele – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

It’s been almost two years since the midfielder left Tottenham Hotspur for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F in an £11m deal, and arguably up until the current campaign the north London outfit had failed to replace him properly.

The likes of Gedson Fernandes and club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele had arrived in the centre of the park prior to the 2020 summer transfer window, but are yet to make the same impact that the Belgian did for Spurs after joining them from Fulham in 2012.

As well as scoring 10 goals and providing a further 12 assists in 249 appearances, the composed midfielder had a passing accuracy of 92.2%, as per WhoScored, in the Premier League in his final full campaign with the club, while he was also a proven successful dribbler with the ball, too.

Hojbjerg linked up with Jose Mourinho during the summer in a deal costing £15m, and he has hit the ground running to date. He has made considerably more passes than any other top flight player so far in 2020/21, as well as picking up an assist following an incisive through ball in the 6-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Asked whether he could potentially fill the void left by Dembele, Mabbutt told FFC: “He’s certainly got the ability to. Dembele was a massive character in the squad, was a firm favourite and was a fantastic player for the club.

“I never ever look at wanting to fill a void that someone has left, and someone has got to come in and try and be that player that was there.”

The ex-Spurs captain added: “He’s got that bit about him. He’s got a bit of tenacity about him and he’s willing to get stuck in. He can be vocal, but I’d like to see him dominating more in that position.”

Hojbjerg certainly has a lot more to prove that he can replace Dembele n the long-term, but the early signs are certainly promising.

In other news, Mabbutt has sent an ultimatum to Jose Mourinho about £100k-p/w “magic” Tottenham star…

Everton’s run in the EFL Cup continues later this evening with a third-round clash at Joey Barton’s League One outfit Fleetwood Town but will Carlo Ancelotti stick or twist with his winning team?

The Toffees won convincingly at Salford City in the last round with the Italian primarily opting for fringe players and youngsters and then at the weekend, the strongest XI thrashed West Brom 5-2 in the Premier League.

With injuries mounting in defence, he certainly has plenty to think about.

Here’s the lineup we’re predicting at Highbury Stadium tonight…

Ancelotti could make as many as eight changes, though there’s a couple of spots for some that started on Saturday afternoon.

Usual number one Jordan Pickford hands the reigns to young shot-stopper Joao Virginia, who signed a contract extension in midweek and he’ll be protected by the first-choice duo of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina as the only two senior centre-backs available.

19-year-old Niels Nkounkou, who was signed this window from Marseille, replaces Lucas Digne on the left with Jonjoe Kenny coming in for Seamus Coleman on the right.

In midfield, £20m summer signing Abdoulaye Doucoure could well keep his place with Tom Davies a reported target for Premier League rivals Southampton. He may partner Gylfi Sigurdsson at the base of a three-man engine room with Brazilian winger Bernard taking up the number ten role once again.

Meanwhile, on the wings, there’s another opportunity for Alex Iwobi to impress after a cameo from the bench at the weekend. He gets the nod over Theo Walcott. Young 19-year-old prospect Anthony Gordon takes up a place on the left.

Without risking injury to the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison, Ancelotti may well opt for £27.5m-rated Moise Kean to lead the line again.

It also means there are no places for Allan or James Rodriguez, who are handed a rest before they face Crystal Palace this weekend.

AND in other news, Everton have been the real winners from £22.5m Ademola Lookman sale

اختار ريو فرديناند، نجم مانشستر يونايتد السابق، محمد صلاح كأفضل لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بعد هدفه الفردي المذهل خلال تعادل ليفربول 2-2 ضد مانشستر سيتي، أمس الأحد.

وتلاقى الفريقان في ختام منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في ملعب الأنفيلد، حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وسجل النجم المصري محمد صلاح هدفًا خرافيًا في شباك مانشستر سيتي، بعدما نجح في مراوغة أربعة من لاعبي مانشستر سيتي. هدف محمد صلاح الخرافي أمام مانشستر سيتي

وقال ريو فرديناند في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” الإنجليزية: “محمد صلاح أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز الآن، إنه لأمر مذهل أن أتحدث بهذه الطريقة عن لاعب ليفربول”.

وأضاف النجم السابق لفريق مانشستر يونايتد: “هدفه مثل ذلك الذي يُسجل في فيفا، لقد فعلت ذلك مرات عديدة في لعبة فيفا حيث تتظاهر بضربها في الزاوية العليا ثم تقوم بقطع الكرة مرة أخرى قبل تسديدها، مهارات الملعب”.

وواصل: “محمد صلاح يسجل الأهداف التي تساعد ليفربول على الفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا”.

كشف عبد الحميد بسيوني المدير الفني لفريق طلائع الجيش عن طريقة استعداداته قبل مواجهة الأهلي في السوبر المحلي الماضي.

وكان طلائع الجيش قد حقق لقب السوبر المصري للمرة الأولى في تاريخه على حساب الأهلي بركلات الترجيح.

وقال عبد الحميد بسيوني في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “كنت أدرس مباريات الأهلي، محمد شريف وأفشة وعلي معلول هؤلاء أهم 3 مفاتيح لعب في الأهلي، وكنت أحفظ لاعبي الطلائع كيف يتعاملون معهم”.

طالع | فرج عامر: تحايلت على الأهلي لضم طارق حامد.. والصفقة التاريخية عليها قضايا “طلاق”

وتابع: “كنا من اليوم الأول في التدريبات نتدرب على ركلات الترجيح، محمد بسام في فترة المعسكر كان يتصدى لمعظم الركلات”.

واختتم: “بسام شريك أساسي في حصد السوبر، وهو ابن النادي البار، هو موجود ومستمر حتى نهاية الموسم، كل اللاعبين قوة كبيرة ولن أستطيع أن أفرط في أحد منهم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Vencer por 6 a 0 já é algo para ser comemorado por qualquer clube, mas o triunfo do São Paulo sobre o Trujillanos (VEN) nesta terça-feira carregou muito mais ingredientes. No Morumbi, os quase 19 mil tricolores que confiaram na equipe de Edgardo Bauza puderam presenciaram quebras de recordes e de tabus. E podem agradecer a Jonathan Calleri por isso.

Jony, que não marcava dois jogos, foi às redes quatro vezes no confronto da quarta rodada do Grupo 1 da Copa Libertadores da América. Esta foi a primeira vez que um atleta são-paulino atingiu tal número de gols em um só jogo no torneio internacional, quebrando marcas de Pedro Rocha, contra o Jorge Wilstermann, em 1974, e Palhinha, em 1994, contra o San José – curiosamente, os dois rivais eram bolivianos. Foi também a primeira vez que um argentino fez o que os hermanos chamam de “poker” por um time brasileiro.

– Não, não sabia desta marca, mas o mais importante foi a vitória. Fizemos um primeiro tempo ótimo, com o time muito mais rápido, e conseguimos definir a partida. A torcida precisa torcer por nós. O River (Plate, que encara o The Strongest nesta quarta-feira) é outra história e ainda os enfrentaremos aqui no Morumbi – destacou o artilheiro, sobre o outro confronto do Grupo 1 – os argentinos têm os mesmos cinco pontos do São Paulo.

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Também contra duas equipes da Bolívia eram as antigas maiores goleadas do Tricolor na Libertadores. O show de Pedro Rocha contra o Wilstermann terminou em 5 a 0, mesmo placar do passeio sobre o Bolívar na fase preliminar em 2013. Os 6 a 0 desta terça-feira ainda quebraram um jejum de nove anos sem que o São Paulo ganhasse por tal margem de gols.

O último 6 a 0 aconteceu no segundo turno do Campeonato Brasileiro de 2007, quando Aloísio Chulapa (2), Dagoberto, Souza e Leandro marcaram no Morumbi. Já em 2014, um 6 a 3 foi registrado contra o Rio Claro, no Paulistão. Por fim, o triunfo sobre o Trujillanos garantiu aos são-paulinos o recorde de vitórias na Libertadores entre equipes brasileiras. Os paulistas lideram com 87 triunfos, um a mais do que o Cruzeiro – em jogos, 173 a 148.

Lyle Taylor has refused to partake in the resumption of the Championship season, causing major worries for Charlton’s relegation battle.

Earlier this week, Lee Bowyer told talkSPORT that three senior Addicks players would not be playing once the season returns to action. The club’s top scorer this season is amongst those who has withdrawn from the squad, reportedly due to injury fears.

Gary Neville has criticised this decision and feels Taylor should have honoured his current contract. “He actually has to play football until June 30,” the former Manchester United star said on Sky Sports’ Football Show (10:21am, June 3, 2020).

“He is contracted to play football until June 30. My problem with Lyle’s position is not beyond June 30.”

Indeed, Taylor is under contract with Charlton until the end of the month, with no new deal going ahead. Plenty of clubs have shown interest in snapping up the 30-year-old striker, and he doesn’t want a surprise injury to jeopardise a move.

“With Lyle, he’s going to earn money he’s never earned before,” Lee Bowyer told the Daily Star. “He’s got a lot of clubs queuing up waiting to take him, and he’s earned that.

“But I find it difficult because I would play. It’s making my life a hell of a lot harder to stay in the division because with Lyle Taylor we are a different side.”

Charlton are currently 22nd in the table after a huge turn in form saw them tumble down the table. On 39 points, it’s not impossible to claw their way out of the drop-zone, but the task will prove difficult without Taylor’s influence in front of goal.

“My problem with him is he is contracted to play for your football club today and tomorrow and for every day in this month up to June 30. Why wouldn’t he fulfil his contract?” Neville questioned.

Championship fixtures will resume on June 20 and Bowyer will attempt to salvage his side’s season and keep them afloat in the second tier.

How do you feel about Lyle Taylor’s decision, Charlton fans? Join the discussion in the comments below…

خسرت نجمة منتخب مصر للتنس الأرضي ميار شريف المصنفة 120 عالميا مواجهتها في الدور التمهيدي الثاني ببطولة رولان جاروس للتنس أمام الرومانية جاكلين كريستيان المصنفة 152 عالميا.

وبعد خسارة اليوم ودعت ميار منافسات البطولة التي صعدت إلي دورها الرئيسي العام الماضي في إنجاز تاريخي غير مسبوق للتنس المصري.

وتلقت ميار خسارتها أمام كريستيان بواقع نتيجة مجموعتين لمجموعة واحدة في مباراة استغرقت ثلاثة ساعات.

الجدير بالذكر أن ميار شريف قد تغلبت في الدور الأول على منافستها البولندية “مايا شوالنيسكا” في مباراة ماراثونية بين اللاعبتين امتدت لثلاث ساعات، تمكنت خلالها نجمة منتخب مصر في حسمها بمجموعتين لمجموعة واحدة.

Leeds United are apparently interested in signing Glen Kamara in a deal that would cost the Whites at least £8m.

At least that’s what reports from Football Insider are saying.

This is a very interesting prospect as the Finland international is an experienced player at a very high level having played Europa League football regularly for the Glasgow outfit.

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He would certainly add a little bit more quality to the Championship side, and not only that, he’d provide more depth in the middle of the park as Leeds have struggled there due to ongoing injury problems affecting Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton.

However, signings from Scotland have proven to be rather hit and miss in the Championship in recent years with the likes of John McGinn flourishing at this level, helping Villa to the Premier League, but others such as Jason Cummings, scoring just once for Forest, have struggled to adapt to their new surroundings.

So would Kamara be a good signing for Leeds? We’ve asked our team of writers to give their opinions.

Matt Dawson “Leeds have multiple options in midfield but I think this has the potential to be a really smart signing, one that adds something to the Whites that has been missing since Adam Forshaw was injured earlier this season.“The former Middlesbrough man was enjoying an incredibly consistent season in the middle of the park, providing an element of safety and security. He kept things ticking over with a pass success rate of 89.7%, the highest of any Leeds player in 2019/20. Fans themselves admitted earlier in the campaign that they missed him but by acquiring someone like Kamara, they’d find themselves a player in a similar mould. “He hasn’t been spectacular for Rangers this term but there’s definitely a player in there who knows how to dictate the tempo of the game and keep things assured. The 24-year-old has completed 91.9% of his passes in the Europa League, creating chances against Porto and Feyenoord. That points to a man who knows how to perform against above-average opposition and there are few better managers to learn from when you’re a midfielder than Steven Gerrard. “It wouldn’t be a coup, but it could be a cunning piece of business that goes under the radar.” Lewis Blain “Leeds United chasing Glen Kamara has all the hallmarks to be a flop signing, in my mind. Marcelo Bielsa has a wealth of riches in the central midfield position – Mateusz Klich has only just signed a contract extension, Kalvin Phillips acts as the glue that holds it all together and that’s on top of having Adam Forshaw, Jamie Shackleton, and young prospect Mateusz Bogusz at their disposal.“The 24-year-old would find it hard to break into such a competitive role unless there are other forces at work here such as a Phillips’ possible departure – but for now, that remains to be seen. Kamara failed to make the grade at Arsenal and has found himself plying his trade in the Scottish Premier League, which isn’t comparable to the Championship let alone the top-flight, where Leeds ultimately want to be.“Against the big boys in the Europa League this campaign he has often lost possession, which is a worrying sign for a player that’s either an anchorman in defensive midfield or the general of the engine room. Leeds can do far, far better than settling for mediocrity, especially if they want to be true to their Premier League ambitions.” Vijievan Jeevathayalan

“A former academy product at Arsenal, Glen Kamara has re-built his career following his release from the Emirates.

The Finland international played 64 times for Dundee, before earning a high-profile move to Rangers.

“At Ibrox, he has not enjoyed the most productive of times when it comes to featuring in the Scottish Premiership, completing the 90 minutes just five times. However, his quality cannot be undenied, and Leeds must look past his struggles to force his way into Steven Gerrard’s side.

“In his four Europa League appearances, he has averaged an impressive 53.3 touches and 0.8 interceptions per game.

“That ability to dictate the play but also breaking up opposition attacks could be invaluable to Bielsa. His Rangers teammate Scott Arfied even described him as the “biggest steal of the century”. Leeds must snap him up as soon as they can.”

Charles Jones

“I think that Kamara would be quite a smart signing for Leeds United.

“The Whites don’t have all that much depth in the middle of the park, and he would alleviate some of the problems that have been caused by injuries to Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton in recent weeks.

“Marcelo Bielsa has got round these problems by playing Stuart Dallas in the middle of the park, and with all due respect to the Northern Irishman, he’s not a midfield player.

“Adding someone with Europa League experience to a squad pushing for promotion can’t be a bad idea, and if Leeds can get this one done it’d be a decent piece of business.”