Another year in the Championship beckons for Leeds United and their fans. Can Marcelo Bielsa, still at the helm, go one better next season? Will we see a Leeds side capable of winning the Championship? Or will it be more months full of hope and no reward? 

Bielsa will have to look back at this season and take it as a learning curve on what NOT to do towards the end of a campaign, following his team’s incredible collapse.

So just how will the 63-year-old better prepare himself come the start of the new season?

It certainly looks to be a busy summer, full of ins and outs, and with this in mind, we are going to take a look at a couple of players we feel will struggle under Bielsa next term.

Gaetano Berardi 

Is it still too soon to mention this name, Leeds fans?

After being sent off in the second leg of the play-offs, there is no telling where the future lies for the Swiss defender. But, with the likes of Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson looking to fight for promotion once again, it doesn’t look good for him and his aspirations of starting in Leeds’ defence.

After an up and down injury-hit season, we have been shown all year round that Bielsa has to look towards finding a replacement for Berardi, a man who has probably now had his time, and is past his best.

Tyler Roberts 

After making 28 appearances in the league this season it may seem harsh to suggest that the 20-year-old will struggle in the next one. But with Bielsa likely to see anything but promotion a failure, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a more experienced striker come in and leapfrog Roberts into the starting line up.

Already being support to Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe, the young Welshman never really set the world alight when given the chance, therefore giving Bielsa even more cause for concern as to whether he can be the man to take Leeds’ attack to that next level.

Who knows? Maybe a loan move is the best option for Roberts going forward.

أكد لاعب فريق برشلونة أنطوان جريزمان إنه لا توجد أي مشاكل بينه وبين النجم ليونيل ميسي، بعد سلسلة من التكهنات حول وجود أزمة بينهما.

وانتقل جريزمان إلى برشلونة قادمًا من أتلتيكو مدريد في الصيف الماضي.

وتسبب الوكيل السابق لـ جريزمان في نشوب أزمة بين الفرنسي وليونيل ميسي، بعدما أدلى بتصريحات أكد فيها إن الأرجنتيني يتحكم في كل شيء داخل نادي برشلونة (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وقال جريزمان في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “أريد أن يعرف الناس أنه ليس لدي أي نوع من المشاكل مع أي شخص وأنني أركز فقط على فعل أفضل ما يمكنني فعله في النادي”.

 كما أراد أن يوضح أنه لا علاقة له حاليًا بممثله السابق: “لقد انقطعت علاقتي به منذ يوم زواجي، في يوم زفافي دعوته ولم يأت، ولهذا انتهت علاقتي بيه، هو يتحدث لأن أبي وأختي لا يتحدثان للصحافة، ولذلك فإن الإعلام يتواصل بع”.

وواصل: “لكن ليو يعرف أنني أكن له الكثير من الاحترام والإعجاب، تصريحات عمي؟ هو لا يعرف كيف تعمل كرة القدم، في النهاية يأتي صحفي ويحاول الخروج منك بأي عبارات لينشرها”.

وكان عم جريزمان قد أكد أن الأخير يعاني في برشلونة بسبب ميسي (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وأكد: “أخبرت ميسي أنني لم أتحدث معهما (وكيلي السابق وعمي) أبدًا، أنا حتى لا أعرف رقم هاتف عمي! لم أتحدث معه منذ أن كان عمري 14 عامًا”.

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Manchester United fans have flocked to Twitter to exclaim their dissatisfaction at the news that the Red Devils are ready to move on from Kalidou Koulibaly in favour of a swoop for Harry Maguire after being put off by the Napoli defender’s price tag.

Linked with a bevy of centre-backs to reinforce a beleaguered defense, Koulibaly had been seen as the number one target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but The Independent reports that United will now turn their attention to the Leicester City centre-back as a more affordable option.

A crucial element of Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli side, United have been quoted a price of £90m to sign Koulibaly, a cost deemed unfeasible by Ed Woodward and the United hierarchy.

Maguire was linked with a move to Old Trafford last season after a strong World Cup campaign and United could finally be ready to pull the trigger on the 26-year old after another assured season saw him make 31 Premier League appearances for the Foxes.

Despite Maguire’s growing reputation, United supporters have been left livid at the club’s decision to pursue a cheaper option as opposed to the initial first-choice target in Koulibaly.

Check out the best of the reaction below!

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A misnomer has grown around the play-offs of any division in recent years that insists form is everything leading into them.

The thinking goes that the team who falls away from an automatic promotion place and ends up finishing third invariably misses out, while the team who puts together a fine late run to nail a top six spot is the main threat.

If there is any truth in this then Leeds United are royally screwed as they prepare to head to Pride Park this weekend because Marcelo Bielsa’s men gained only a solitary point from their last four games as an otherwise tremendous campaign stuttered to an anti-climax.

As for Derby County, they have lost just once since early March while their last-gasp securement of sixth is all the more impressive given that for much of the year the Rams remained on the periphery of proceedings.

Thankfully for the Yorkshire giants this accepted truism is actually an exaggeration. Since the play-offs were first formed a total of thirty clubs have made it to the promised land via the back door and from those over a third ended the season as the ‘best of the rest’. Only five, meanwhile, were eventually promoted to the Premier League after coming sixth.

Furthermore, suggestions that Leed’s highly intensive ‘Bielsa-ball’ is running out of puff seems too neat and easy especially as they have suffered glitches before and always come back fighting. This is something Derby boss Frank Lampard acknowledged this week, saying: “I won’t plan to think they are in bad form. I will plan for the Leeds that beat us well (twice) and that were looking at Christmas like they were going to win the league. I will plan for that team.”

One of those losses of course came in the week of ‘spy-gate’ but it’s another controversy involving Leeds that is more pertinent here as Patrick Bamford’s recent histrionics leave him suspended for the first leg of this semi-final. Kemar Roofe is certainly an able replacement up front – especially as the 26-year-old is the club’s leading goal-scorer this term in the league – but it requires change nonetheless while injuries to Ezgjan Elioski and Barry Douglas will mean Stuart Dallas is converted at left-back from his usual midfield slot.

Who is your club’s Lionel Messi? Fans of Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle and more answer in the video below…

The latter rejig is interesting as it will directly pit an out-of-position player against Rams’ winger Harry Wilson, who has repeatedly shown throughout 2018/19 that he has the beating of his man. Elsewhere, Mason Mount will be key too as Derby turn to their young loanees to provide creativity in the final third.

Overview

For all the talk of Bielsa’s exhilarating and demanding blueprint it is via their defensive solidity that they have reached such heights, a solidity founded on a highly effective centre-back pairing of Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper.

The latter was recently voted into the SkyBet Championship Team of the Year and with a draw representing a very good result ahead of taking their opponents back to Elland Road don’t be surprised if this is a low-scoring encounter that ends in stalemate.

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Portuguese outlet A Bola have reported that Islam Slimani could leave Leicester to rejoin Sporting Lisbon in the summer.

The report claims that the Liga NOS outfit have been in contact with the Foxes over a possible loan move, involving an option to buy at the end of it.

Slimani has endured a torrid spell with Leicester, scoring just 13 times after a club-record switch in 2016.

The Algerian international has spent the current 2018/19 term with Fenerbahce but again has struggled for goals, scoring just once in the league.

There is a huge doubt that the Foxes will return much of the £29m they spent on the player three years ago but given his performances it’s unlikely the club will care too much.

With another possible switch away in the offering, Football FanCast writers have given their verdicts on whether the 6 ft 2 forward deserves another chance at the King Power. Check out what they said below.

Jack Saville:

“Slimani has been one the biggest transfer blunders in Leicester’s history and there is absolutely no chance he should stay at the club. His style is antithetical to Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy and it would take a minor miracle for him to play his way back into the first-team at this stage. This one is a no brainer: he is finished at the King Power.”

Luke Glanville:

“Leicester City have made some atrocious signings in the last couple of years and Islam Slimani is very much one of those. The Algerian has been given plenty of opportunities at the King Power Stadium and not nearly been consistent enough, also failing to impress out on loan. The Foxes need to move forward under Brendan Rodgers and to do that, deadwood like Slimani has to be sold. Leicester should not give the 30-year-old a second chance.”

Harry Sherlock:

“Islam Slimani isn’t good enough for Leicester. He’s 30 and there’s absolutely no chance of him improving at this stage. The Foxes aren’t the richest club in England but they have a fair transfer budget and there has to be better out there this summer. In fact, it should be a priority; Leicester need to replace him, not debate giving him another chance.”

Tottenham fans simply cannot wait until their beloved team walks out onto the Wanda Metropolitano pitch for the upcoming Champions League final.

It’s most definitely an occasion most wouldn’t have believed Spurs could get to but now they’re here, Tottenham are in it to win it.

With qualification secured for the competition next season as well, Spurs are really starting to change the perception about them. No longer viewed as bottlers, the football world is finally seeing the north London club for what they truly are: a very dangerous outfit.

Next season will be a new challenge entirely but one Mauricio Pochettino’s side will without a doubt be ready for.

The capture of a number of big names could do Tottenham the world of good and one of those linked with a move to London and the Premier League is German international Julian Brandt, recently linked with a move to the club by the Daily Mail.

Brandt, (who is valued at £40.5 million on Transfermarkt) is a player that has exceptional quality and because of that will likely get a move this summer, whether that is Tottenham or not.

Indeed, with nine goals and 17 assists, interest is quite rightly aplenty in a player that has great potential to get even better. Clearly, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a prolific season for Bayer Leverkusen and his goals could even see his team rise into fourth place by the end of the campaign.

Brandt has brilliant versatility which means he is able to play out on the wing or through the middle as an attacking midfielder.

Yes, Tottenham do already have plenty of quality in those positions but Brandt would add even more to an ever-improving side, especially if Christian Eriksen was to leave as well.

Daniel Levy must have more than enough money to splash after two disappointing transfer windows.

Would you want to sign Julian Brandt… Let us know!

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According to The Mirror, Liverpool would have to make Matthijs de Ligt their highest earner if they are to lure the prodigious centre-back to Anfield this summer ahead of Europe’s top clubs.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Champions League winners appear to be in the race for De Ligt’s signature along with five other elite European clubs – Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain are also vying for the teenager.

The 19-year-old rose to prominence in 2018/19, scoring a winner against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final as well as a goal against Tottenham in the semi-final, and he looks set to be the next world-class youngster to emerge after Kylian Mbappe.

You can relive Liverpool’s Champions League celebrations in glorious 2D thanks to the guys at 442oons in the video below…

United have reportedly offered the Ajax wonderkid £236k-a-week to sign for them, whilst PSG have offered £256k-a-week.

Liverpool would have to offer wages in the region of those figures to be considered as serious candidates.

Would be just be another Alexis Sanchez

It has been well documented that the arrival of Alexis Sanchez at United caused a number of issues.

Apart from the fact he has notched just five goals despite earning a reported £400k-a-week with bonuses, the Chilean’s earnings appears to have caused issues in the dressing room – David de Gea has been demanding a similar wage packet in contract negotiations, whilst Ander Herrera left the club after his demands weren’t met. On the pitch, meanwhile, United have looked like anything but a united bunch for a very long time now.

Liverpool would be risking a similar domino effect if they placed a 19-year-old on better wages than their experienced Champions League winning stars, as questions would surely start to be asked.

Virgil van Dijk earns £150k-a-week whilst Mohamed Salah earns £200k-a-week, and those two – who are key figures in the dressing room – would have a right to be knocking on Jurgen Klopp’s door asking for a pay rise if De Ligt were signed on wages close to £300k-a-week.

The Reds must learn from their arch-rivals’ huge error and avoid risking the dressing room harmony Klopp has helped to create at Anfield.

Assessing Bournemouth’s squad, it is quite clear where the south coast club need to strengthen in the summer.

If Eddie Howe does not believe the promising Mark Travers is ready to become the Cherries’ No.1 yet, then he needs to go out and buy a new goalkeeper.

Asmir Begovic has made too many errors between the sticks this season, while Artur Boruc is 39 years of age.

That explains Bournemouth’s interest in Jack Butland, with the Daily Mail reporting that Burnley’s Nick Pope is also a target for the Premier League outfit.

Seen as a cheaper alternative to the Stoke City shot-stopper, Pope is exactly the sort of goalkeeper the Cherries need.

Should they be unable to land Butland, then they should go all out for the 27-year-old.

Pope has obviously featured very little this season due to injury. But prior to that, the former Charlton man enjoyed a highly successful 2017/18 campaign where he went on to win his first senior England cap.

Reliable between the sticks, Pope offered Burnley even more security behind a sturdy central defensive partnership of Ben Mee and James Tarkowski.

That reliability is something Howe has not seen nowhere near enough of from Begovic.

Bearing that in mind, ditching the Bosnia and Herzegovina international for Pope is certainly the play here for the Bournemouth boss.

Bournemouth fans, would you welcome the addition of Pope in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Will Alfredo Morelos stay or go this summer?

Rangers’ prolific hitman has been in sparkling form in front of goal this season but his erratic streak has also made him something of a liability.

His return of 29 goals in all-competitions this season has not arrived without its caveats, as the Colombia international has been embroiled in enough controversy to last an entire career, earning five red cards along the way.

If you didn’t see what the likes of Mark Goldbridge and Expressions Oozing got up to at the Football Blogging Awards you need to check out the video below…

Interest from afar, however, is likely to be forthcoming even with his disciplinary problems in mind, and Morelos’ own admission on his future suggests that potential suitors are already expressing an interest, per Daily Record.

“I know what there are many interested clubs asking and as soon as there is something official I will be announcing it.

“But I’m committed to Rangers just now. I’ve had a good season and many clubs are interested and hopefully everything will be done in the right way.”

Morelos’ major disciplinary problems have forced fans to think about his future with a hint of pragmatism and his latest comments, despite the fact they strongly imply a departure could be looming, have hardly aroused much cause for concern.

Instead, the vast majority of fans have suggested they’d be happy to see the back of him, though one fan did suggest he could step up another level if he stays at Ibrox.

Here’s what some of the Rangers fans had to say in response to the report…

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According to The Sun, Aston Villa are lining up a huge move for Brentford’s Neal Maupay in a deal which could see him reunite with Dean Smith.

What’s the word?

Maupay cemented himself as one of the leading strikers in the Championship this term, scoring 25 times in 43 matches.

The forward meanwhile found the net a further three times in the FA Cup, enjoying a stellar season in front of goal.

Considering his record in 2018/19, it’s not a great surprise to see that he could be lining up for a Premier League team once the new campaign arrives.

Per The Sun, Aston Villa are preparing a £20m move for the Frenchman as they prepare for life back in the top-flight.

 Better than Abraham?

Tammy Abraham scored just one goal more than Maupay in the Championship as he found himself at the forefront of their promotion charge whilst on loan from Chelsea.

He’s now returned to Stamford Bridge but it isn’t known whether the Villans will be able to bring him back.

As a replacement, Maupay would be an outstanding buy and could help bring even more to Smith’s side than Abraham did.

The 22-year-old claimed eight assists for Brentford in 2018/19, displaying his ability to bring others into play. On average, he completed 1.3 key passes per game.

Those stats are considerably better than Abraham who found himself primarily charged with scoring goals, rather than creating for others.

He managed just three assists and 0.8 key passes per game so the difference is considerable.

Maupay is essentially the full package. Calm and composed in front of goal, as well as having a strong creative trait, he is as close to a complete forward as you’ll find.

Considering Villa struggled for creativity in wide areas, the Brentford man could also benefit in this regard. If he’s able to get into the channels on a regular basis it could be game changing for the Midlands club.

£20m is a massive outlay on one player, but you sense this is a deal that would be worth it. If they managed to get it over the line, Villa would send out a strong statement of intent.