This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Manchester City will take on Southampton twice this week, with the first battle coming in the EFL Cup before they clash again at the Etihad in the league at the weekend.
As Pep Guardiola faces off with the Saints twice within five days, he may use this as a chance to test out some new partnerships and allow some youngsters to flourish, and one of these pairings should be John Stones and Eric Garcia.
The two centre-backs have played together just once in the 4-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup last season. Now, with Rodri and Laporte injured, it is a great chance to allow them to play together once again and build another centre-back duo for City.
As Nicolas Otamendi has lost his starting place due to a combination of injuries and poor form, Guardiola may be tempted to start the Argentine to help rebuild his confidence.
However, the 31-year-old has been a liability at the back this season and he was the main culprit in City’s loss to Norwich City a few weeks back. His awful error led to Teemu Pukki’s goal, and this result is one of the reasons why the club trail Liverpool by six points right now.
It is important to note that Aymeric Laporte is still around and is only 25 years old. The most likely partnership for Guardiola in the future will be the Frenchman and Stones, with the Englishman also still just 25. However, with Laporte unavailable right now, this is the perfect chance for the manager to take a look into the future with Garcia and Stones at the back.
With defensive injuries a recurring problem for City, the former Barcelona boss needs to start building partnerships elsewhere and not just with Stones and Laporte.
Garcia is just 18 and will surely be a future star at the Etihad as he has already captained City’s youth sides.
Alongside Stones, Guardiola may have another formidable pairing in the making to use as an alternative in Laporte’s absence.
Some QPR fans have taken to Twitter to forgive Matheus Pereira for his risky celebration, after the West Brom man issued an apology to the supporters.
The Baggies forward scored the second goal in West Brom’s 2-0 win over QPR last month, before gesturing a cut-across-the-throat celebration commonly seen in South American football, as QPR state in this article.
Pereira – who has scored two goals and recorded four assists this term – said that his celebration was to signal the end of the game for QPR, as Mark Warburton’s side had gone 2-0 down after the Brazilian’s goal and were also down to ten men.
However, after 15-year-old QPR academy player Kiyan Prince lost his life to a knife-related crime back in 2006, complaints were lodged about the 23-year-old’s celebration – the R’s renamed their Loftus Road venue to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in his memory.
After Pereira issued a seemingly genuine apology, some QPR fans on Twitter appear to have forgiven him…
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Thomas Meunier expects to stay at PSG despite being linked with a move to Arsenal, per Foot Mercato.
What’s the word?
The right-back was linked with a potential move to The Emirates by Calciomercato last month, with Juventus also said to be interested.
His contract is currently set to expire in the summer but the Belgium international believes that the Ligue 1 champions will offer him an extension.
He said: “My ambition is to stay, after we’ll see how it goes and what the club’s will is. They know my wish, it’s been 2 years, even Antero (Henrique, former sporting director) had plans for an extension in the past, but it never came on the table.
“I have been patient until now, I will be a little more. I think at some point it will come.”
Good news
Arsenal don’t really need Meunier.
Hector Bellerin is back to full fitness and Ainsley Maitland-Niles has impressed in the role while the Spaniard has been injured.
Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are also able to play in the role and it feels like a move for Meunier, even in a free transfer, does not make sense.
Add in the fact that he is approaching the age of 30, and one has to believe that the proper strategy is to give Bellerin the opportunity to be the first-choice right-back for the club.
Of course, if he picks up another injury, Arsenal can rethink but right now, they should stick with what they have.
In today’s Leeds United roundup, we take a look at what news has been making the headlines for the Whites. Both Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United have won the FIFA Fair Play award after last season’s bizarre antics against Aston Villa, Noel Whelan is buzzing with the reported new deal for Luke Ayling, and Bristol City boss Lee Johnson admits he wanted Eddie Nketiah.
Whites & Bielsa win the 2019 FIFA Fair Play award
Soccer Football – Championship – Leeds United v Aston Villa – Elland Road, Leeds, Britain – April 28, 2019 Players clash following Leeds United’s Mateusz Klich scored their first goal Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representati
Report: Leeds and Bielsa have claimed the 2019 FIFA Fair Play award at the FIFA Football Best Awards in Milan on Monday. This comes as a result of the astonishing scenes back in April when Bielsa ordered the team to let Aston Villa equalise. Mateusz Klich put the Whites ahead as Jonathan Kodjia was down injured, with the Villa players screaming to kick the ball out of play. Consequently, the players and coaching staff then erupted into a fit of chaotic anger, as the stewards tried to calm the situation.
Villa proceeded to put the ball in the back of the net after Bielsa’s orders, and bring the game to 1-1, despite Pontus Jansson trying to tackle Albert Adomah as he slotted home.
Verdict: There can be little doubt that Bielsa and Leeds deserve this award, based on the situation itself. If Leeds had gone onto the win the game, they would have gotten closer to the automatic promotion they so desperately desired. Although, as a result of dropping the two points, Sheffield United edged towards the Premier League, eventually finishing six points ahead of the Whites.
However, the award does come in the same season that the club was fined £200,000 for spying on Derby County ahead of the crucial clash between the two, which prompted the EFL to open an investigation into the club.
Perhaps it can be argued that the Villa incident was Bielsa’s way of redeeming himself to the football community after the Spygate incident, so maybe all is forgiven… unless you’re Frank Lampard.
‘There are 50 clubs that wanted Nketiah’, says Johnson
Report: Speaking to the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live, Bristol City boss Lee Johnson said: “I always try to sign players now where’s there is the potential on bringing them in on a permanent,
“The only one that hasn’t happened with is Tammy Abraham and we had a hot pursuit on Eddie Nketiah and that didn’t quite work out for us. Those are the two who we felt we wouldn’t be able to get on a permanent.”
Ian Wright then told Johnson: “I did tell Nketiah to go to Leeds. The thing about it is I said to him, ‘they can create and they have the crowds and everything’. I think that’s what he was attracted by.
Johnson replied: “I’m going to have to invite you down to Bristol City, aren’t I? I think Leeds are a fantastic club. They have a fantastic manager. By the way, there are 50 clubs that wanted Nketiah. That’s no disgrace.”
Verdict: It is unsurprising to see so many clubs seek the services of Nketiah. The 20-year-old has proved his goalscoring ability at Leeds already this season, netting four goals for the Whites, providing one assist.
Furthermore, Nketiah has an astonishing record for Arsenal’s youth sides, scoring 15 goals in 16 appearances for the U18’s, and then going onto bag 28 times in 38 outings for the U23’s (as per Transfermarkt).
In recent years we have seen the likes of Tammy Abraham go out on loan in the Championship and make a name for himself, as he scored 49 goals over two seasons at Bristol City and Aston Villa. So, perhaps we will see a similar situation with Nketiah.
‘Wow, we’re really going for it’, says Whelan
Report: In the wake of the news Luke Ayling is set to sign a new deal, former Leeds man Noel Whelan spoke to Football Insider, saying: “Wow, we’re really going for it. A new contract for Luke Ayling is absolutely deserved. He’s a key player, experienced, massive in the dressing room and proven in the Championship.
“He’s been the first choice right-back when fit and available under many different managers, and Bielsa obviously rates him highly.
“You need strength in depth in your squad,” he said. “Stuart Dallas has done exceptionally well but you need to have your players pushing each other, and it’s great there is going to be a real fight for the right-back position.
“Luke Ayling faces a battle to win back his place from Dallas, but that can only be a good thing for Leeds.”
Verdict: Ayling is close to returning from injury after missing the start of the Championship season. The Englishman played 42 times for the club last campaign, scoring twice and assisting six times.
In the wake of Ayling’s injury, Stuart Dallas has stepped in at right-back and has registered a 7.13 performance rating thus far, which could force a battle between the two. However, squad depth, as Whelan alluded to, is essential in the second tier with 46 games to be played in total. Therefore, signing Ayling down to a new deal, just as Dallas continues to shine will make for a very positive future at right-back for the Whites.
Sheffield United duo John Fleck and Oliver McBurnie have been named in Scotland’s 25-man squad for their October international fixtures.
The duo have both been regulars in the Premier League for the Blades of late, and have impressed Steve Clarke enough to be included in his squad.
This is the third time that Fleck has been called up in his career. However the 28-year-old is yet to make his debut for Scotland so he will be hoping that he can finally earn some minutes this time around.
As for McBurnie, he has already made eight appearances for the Tartan Army, including starting against Russia in their last round of fixtures in September. However, the former Swansea City striker is yet to score for his country.
Scotland play two UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers this month. Their first game is against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium before returning to Hampden Park for a tie against minnows San Marino.
Most Blades fans are delighted for the duo, particularly for Fleck as they cannot understand why he has not been utilised before by his country after some outstanding performances in recent years for his club.
Here is what some Sheffield United fans have had to say following the announcement that Fleck and McBurnie will join up with the Scotland squad shortly…
Are you happy to see Fleck and McBurnie in the Scotland squad? Have your say by commenting below!
Loads of Tottenham fans have been reacting to their defeat at Burnley, and they’re fuming with at Moussa Sissoko for falling back into his old tricks.
Spurs were rightfully beaten by Sean Dyche’s Clarets on Saturday, not so much because the hosts were good but rather because Mauricio Pochettino’s side were incredibly poor.
After a superb performance to thrash Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, only the returning Harry Kane showed any sort of life for the Lilywhites, as the other ten players just seemed to let the game pass them by.
Chris Wood put Burnley in front in the second half with a wonderful header that came down off the crossbar, before Kane equalised with a smartly taken low finish.
Ashley Barnes won it for the Turf Moor outfit though, tapping in from close range after the ball rather luckily found its way to the Austrian in the box.
Pochettino will be furious with most of his side after such a woeful performance, but Sissoko was particularly poor, a huge concern given how crucial he has been over the past few months.
If the inconsistent French international reverts to the all-action but no substance player he was at the beginning of this season then the midfield is going to become a major problem for Pochettino, given the constant injury problems for Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
West Brom’s official Twitter account have played on the heartstrings of the Hawthorns faithful with their latest post.
A video of defender Ahmed Hegazi has appeared with the player featuring in training yesterday.
The 28-year-old has so far missed all of the current campaign after it was decided he needed surgery to resolve an injury that had bothered him for quite some time.
Hegazi played 40 matches last season as the Baggies made the Championship playoffs, but their run faltered at the first hurdle, losing to eventual winners Aston Villa.
He had also featured for Egypt in the summer’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
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This season, Slaven Bilic’s men are yet to keep a clean sheet, so he could be a welcome return at just the right time.
One supporter joked that promotion should be announced already upon hearing the news, which was backed up by another who posted a meme of similar nature.
The Egypt international could turn West Brom into serious title challengers if his impact can resolve the issue of them leaking goals – they are currently unbeaten this season after all.
Other fans just couldn’t contain their excitement at Hegazi’s imminent return by posting a range of GIFs.
Having signed for Everton last month for a fee believed to be around £16m, there is certainly a lot of hope for young right-back Nathan Patterson.
The Scotsman is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Toffees since his move from Scottish champions Rangers having played once for the U23s, however, it’ll only be a matter of time before the youngster is given an opportunity…or at least it should be.
On the chalkboard
With first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman now 33-years-old and in his 13th season at Goodison Park, there is little doubt that the loyal servant will have to step down in the near future.
Although the Irishman appears to be new manager Frank Lampard’s preferred option too, having started the 4-1 FA Cup win over Brentford, there will surely be a chance for Patterson to show the new manager what he can do before the end of the season.
Patterson has been highly rated up in Scotland over recent seasons, particularly at an international level, having made his senior Scotland debut in June, just before the start of the European Championships, in which the right-back played six minutes.
Recently, the 20-year-old was subject to serious praise from Scotland teammate Che Adams, who described the Scotsman as “fantastic” after scoring his first goal and assisting the Southampton striker in a World Cup Qualifier against Moldova in November.
Moreover, former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard directed plenty of praise towards the youngster, saying after another impressive Scotland performance: “It was certainly no surprise. You’re talking about a kid who is really hungry, he’s full of desire and commitment. I think you could see that in his performances.
“It was really good for me to see him playing with other top players like Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour, these type of players.”
However, whilst in charge at Ibrox, Gerrard didn’t give Patterson as many opportunities as his price tag would’ve suggested, with the right-back making just five appearances in the Premiership as the Gers secured their first league title in ten years.
The Scotsman did make 14 appearances in total in all competitions last term and also scored a goal against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League.
This campaign, prior to the move to Merseyside, the right-back got slightly more of a look in, making six league appearances as well as two in the Europa League, two in the League Cup and one in the Europa League Qualifiers.
There’s little doubt that the Everton hierarchy signed Patterson thinking that he could certainly be the long-term heir to Seamus Coleman’s throne. However, the 20-year-old will need to be trusted by Lampard and given opportunities to prove that he has what it takes.
In other news: Lampard drops worrying injury update that’ll have Everton fans sweating
Aston Villa are monitoring Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of a possible free transfer, according to The Sun.
The Lowdown: Pogba’s situation
Pogba’s days at Old Trafford appear to be numbered, with his current contract set to expire at the end of June.
It seems as if there is a real chance that United could lose their most expensive signing ever for nothing over the coming months.
The 29-year-old has contributed to 10 goals in 16 Premier League games this season, missing 13 top-flight matches through suspension and injury.
The Latest: Villa monitoring developments
The Sun dropped an update regarding the central midfielder on Thursday morning, claiming that Villa and Newcastle are monitoring his situation.
Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are thought to be favourites to secure his services and can do so right now in a pre-contract agreement, whereas the English sides in the race will have to wait until the summer.
The Verdict: Pogba and Phillips?
NSWE look like they are willing to back Steven Gerrard ahead of his first full season in charge at Villa Park, with the club allegedly readying a £60m swoop for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips.
It now seems like they want Pogba to partner Phillips in midfield, with Gerrard having just six midfield options at this moment in time, two of which are youngsters Jacob Ramsey and Carney Chukwuemeka.
A move for Pogba, on £290,000-a-week, could prove to be out of their reach, but it’s good to see that Villa at the very least see themselves as a possible destination for a player labelled as ‘world-class’ by Gary Neville.
In other news: Worrying international break news emerges on ‘fantastic’ Villa gem as he pulls out of squad.
Wolves have rejected Tottenham’s £15million bid for Adama Traore, according to reliable journalist John Percy.
The Lowdown: Constant Traore exit rumour
The 25-year-old has been continually linked with an exit from Molineux in recent weeks, whether it be for the January transfer window or this summer.
Bruno Lage seemingly doesn’t see Traore as part of his plans moving forward, with some reports even suggesting the manager has green-lighted an exit, so it feels inevitable that he will leave the club in the near future.
Spurs are clearly the front-runners to snap up the Spaniard and a key update has now emerged regarding their pursuit of him.
The Latest: Wolves turn down £15m bid
According to The Telegraph‘s Percy, Wolves have turned down a £15million bid for Traore from the north Londoners, as the journalist claimed it is “becoming a bit of a saga” on Twitter.
Wanderers value the wide man at £20million and won’t budge until that amount is met.
The Verdict: Up the offer, Spurs
Spurs know what they have to do in order to get their man and it would benefit all parties if they simply up their offer and get a deal completed.
Traore himself is likely to jump at the chance of a fresh challenge – he has only managed ten starts in the Premier League this season – and Wolves can hopefully then use the money on a new signing this month.
While the Spain international has done good things in a Wolves shirt, his tendency to flatter to deceive means it is time for him to move on, with just 11 goals to his name in 153 appearances for the club.
In other news, some Wolves fans have reacted to a transfer exit rumour. Read more here.