Tag Futebol

Former England striker Kevin Phillips has hailed Diego Llorente as Leeds United’s ‘lynchpin’ moving forward.

The Whites snapped up the Spaniard for £18m from Real Sociedad last September, with big things expected of him from the off. Llorente has taken time to settle, however, with injury problems making his early months at Elland Road a struggle.

As time has passed, the 27-year-old has begun to make his mark, enjoying eight Premier League starts, including an impressive showing in the memorable 2-1 win away to Manchester City earlier this month.

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Phillips heaps praise on Llorente

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips – a scorer of 92 Premier League goals – lauded Llorente’s ability, seeing him as a key player for Leeds for the foreseeable future: He said:

“Llorente is a top-quality player. It is as simple as that. It is just about getting him regular game time. He seems to have got himself fit and now he is finding that consistency.

“Marcelo Bielsa knows a good player when he sees one. Yes, it has taken Llorente a while to settle but now he is putting in good performances consistently and he is the lynchpin for them at the back.

“When you look at that team, they are tough to play against. He is definitely a big part of that now.

“I am not surprised to hear Bielsa is going to build his team around him because you cannot keep quality down. When you get enough minutes, like he is doing now, the consistency comes with it.”

Transfer Tavern take

Llorente is fully deserving of the praise coming his way at the moment, going to show that patience is often required with new signings. As per WhoScored, he has the fourth-best tackling average, fifth-best interceptions average and joint-second best clearances average per game among Bielsa’s squad, consistently proving his worth to the team.

Settling at a new club is rarely easy, especially with fitness issues holding a player back, but the Leeds defender is now looking every bit a seven-cap Spain international.

While the likes of Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk are also strong options for Marcelo Bielsa, Llorente should be a guaranteed regular for the rest of this season and beyond.

In other news, a pundit has claimed that one Leeds player will be ‘disappointed’ at the moment. Find out who it is here.

Swansea City are interested in a summer move for Carlos Mendes Gomes this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

That’s the word according to Football League World, who claim that Steve Cooper’s side have joined the likes of Hull City, Peterborough United, Sunderland, Barnsley, Cardiff City, Luton Town and Huddersfield Town in the race for the Morecambe forward.

Andre Ayew replacement

With Swansea star Andre Ayew – who has scored 16 goals and registered four assists over his 42 Championship appearances so far this season –  potentially on his way out of the Liberty Stadium at the end of his contract this summer if the club do not achieve promotion to the Premier League – the Swans could be in need of finding a suitable replacement for the 31-year-old in the summer market.

However, even if Swansea do manage to keep hold of Ayew this summer, it could easily be argued that Cooper is in need of greater depth in his attacking arsenal, as, at present, aside from the Ghana international, the 41-year-old only has the option of Liam Cullen as an out and out centre-forward.

This is where Mendes Gomes comes in, with the former Atletico Madrid youth player having highly impressed over his 42 League Two appearances for Morecambe this season, bagging 15 goals and providing two assists for Derek Adams’ side – with the manager dubbing the starlet as a “fantastic” talent.

And, while the forward may not be enough alone to provide Cooper with sufficient attacking depth should the Welsh side indeed go on to achieve promotion via the Championship play-offs, he would certainly be a fine additional option for the Swans.

Furthermore, while the Spaniard is still just 22-years-old, he has plenty of time left to develop as a footballer, and, with the amount of potential his returns for Morecambe this season are evidence of, he could well go on to prove Ayew’s eventual successor as Swansea’s main attacking threat.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who played for both Newcastle United and West Ham, believes the Hammers must win at the weekend if they are serious about qualifying for the Champions League.

David Moyes has been hit with a whole host of injuries in recent weeks with Michail Antonio, Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell and Mark Noble all picking up knocks with the latter two going off during their 3-2 win against Leicester City last week.

The Hammers have won four of their previous five games in the Premier League, with their only defeat coming in a 1-0 defeat to Man United last month thanks to a Craig Dawson own goal.

Speaking on why West Ham must take all three points against Newcastle if they want to finish in the top four and how it’s a winnable game for both sides, Lee told FFC:

“It’s a winnable game for both teams so I don’t expect it to finish a draw, I think one of them will win.

“If West Ham want to qualify for the Champions League, with all due respect to Newcastle, they have to win this game and they are playing very well and scoring lots of goals at the minute.”

The Hammers will look to keep their position in the top four heading into next weekend’s match against Chelsea, who are currently just one point behind them in fifth.

Newcastle have given themselves some breathing space after taking four points from their previous games two games whereas Fulham have lost their previous four games and are now six points behind the Magpies.

Former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez admits his preference is to return to Premier League management, but says he wants to be part of a ‘serious project’.

Benitez said goodbye to Newcastle on the expiry of his contract in 2019 and went on to take over at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.

The Champions League-winning manager left that post in January and is now considering his next move.

Plenty of Newcastle supporters want Benitez back

Speaking to Marca, 60-year-old Benitez outlined his requirements.

“I want to find a club with ambition, one either competing for titles or looking for a serious project that will lead to that later,” he said.

“My experiences with Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been very enjoyable and for that reason my priority is the Premier League.

“My family are in England and it’s the most important league, but I can’t rule out leaving. As I said, if there’s a well-defined project with objectives.”

The Spaniard was linked with a return earlier in 2021, having been a hugely popular figure during his previous spell on Tyneside. In a Chronicle Live survey last month, Newcastle fans voted Benitez as the second-best alternative to Steve Bruce – those fans would be delighted if he were to return under better ownership.

Eddie Howe was the number one choice, but the former Bournemouth boss is now seemingly poised to join Celtic.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Benitez’s demand for ‘ambition’ shouldn’t be seen as tantamount to ruling out a St James’ Park comeback, especially after the the six words that ‘my priority is the Premier League’.

If there’s a change in ownership and Benitez is promised satisfactory backing, he’d probably be confident of lifting the Toon from lower mid-table to Europa League contention.

A change of ownership and a return for Benitez would probably be a dream scenario for Newcastle supporters. However, if Steve Bruce keeps them in the league this year, you’d expect Mike Ashley to stand by him.

And Newcastle may therefore miss the boat on Benitez, who could be near the top of the shortlist for clubs who find themselves with a managerial vacancy in the near future.

In other news, Mark Douglas named three players Newcastle are interested in.

Fans of Southampton have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed the comments of Saints centre-back, Jannik Vestergaard, regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s reported summer interest.

In recent comments made to Tipsbladet (via the Southern Daily Echo), Vestergaard admitted that “it’s always a pat on the back” when reports surface that reveal “interest from other big clubs” – with the defender likely referencing recent claims that Tottenham Hotspur are keen on a move for him this summer.

However, the £60,000-per-week 28-year-old – who has averaged a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.09 over his 21 Premier League appearances so far this season, ranking him as the club’s second-best performer in the top flight – went on to state that he has a “contract with Southampton” so a move is “not something I can talk about”.

And, after SaintsExtra relayed Vestergaard’s comments on Twitter, fans of Southampton flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing to be furious with the defender’s remarks, as they deducted that his words all but meant he wants to leave the South Coast club this summer.

So, what exactly did these Southampton fans have to say in reaction to Jannik Vestergaard’s comments?

“Same sort of thing with PEH then.”

@lagbo13

“That means he is open to a move to Spurs. And take Ings with you.”

@huggins1

“In other words, he’s off in the summer.”

@MaestroMinamino

“Grass: greener.”

@ChrisPen1980

“Off then.”

@jeffstangeog

“Jannik please don’t.”

@AliiceW

In other news: these Saints fans were delighted with their club’s link to this “absolute steal” – find out more here!

Crystal Palace are trying to revolutionise their squad as they have a number of players with contracts expiring in the summer. One of the players they are keen on bringing in is Dion Sanderson.

The latest on Sanderson

According to the Daily Mail, the Wolves defender is attracting interest from Palace as well as fellow Premier League sides Brighton and Sheffield United.

This would be an interesting signing for Palace

The defender is currently on loan at League One side Sunderland and is clearly impressing. He has played 18 times (seven from the bench) and has been a rock at the back as he has averaged 1.1 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game (WhoScored).

He has received a lot of praise in recent times. Sunderland manager Lee Johnson said: “He’s a centre-half and at his age level he is an absolute Rolls-Royce”, whilst former Wolves striker Stephen Elliott claimed that “Sanderson has a huge future in the game”.

With the centre-back only 21, he looks to have bags of potential to succeed at a top level. A young defender is just what Palace need, as all their centre-backs who have featured in the league this season are over the age of 30, with Cahill the oldest at 35 (Transfermarkt). Therefore, if they could manage to tempt Wolves to let him go, then it could be a very good acquisition.

In other news, many Palace fans reacted to this update!

Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Sheffield United should stick with Chris Wilder despite their expected relegation.

The Blades have improved since the turn of the year, winning four of their previous 11 Premier League matches, stark contrast from failing to taste victory in their opening 17 fixtures.

But the Bramall Lane outfit are still 12 points from safety with 10 left to play, and would therefore need an astonishing end to the campaign in order to retain their Premier League status.

Wilder has taken Sheffield United from midtable in League One to on the cusp of European football in the space of four seasons, but might now be tasked with taking his boyhood club back up next season.

And Windass thinks that the Blades hierarchy shouldn’t consider sacking him should they get relegated.

He told Football FanCast:

“One million percent you have got to keep him, he’s got Sheffield United in his blood. It’s been a case of second season syndrome as I call it. You’ve got to keep him, he’ll be planning for next season.

“But for sure he’s the right man for the job. You have got to keep him, like Norwich kept Daniel Farke and they’re top of the league and look like they’re going back up.”

It’s impossible to disagree with Windass here. Wilder has done an exceptional job to get Sheffield United into the Premier League, let alone keep them there and push for Europe, so he at least deserves the chance to turn things around.

تحدث مجيد بوقرة المدير الفني لمنتخب الجزائر عن فوزه بلقب بطولة كأس العرب 2021 على حساب تونس مساء اليوم.

وكانت الجزائر قد فازت أمام تونس بنتيجة 2-0 في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما في المباراة النهائية من البطولة العربية. طالع التفاصيل

وقال بوقرة في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “التتويج باللقب هو الأهم، وأشكر كل اللاعبين ومباراة الليلة كانت جميلة جدًا”.

وتابع: “نستحق الفوز وخضنا مباراة كبيرة أمام المنتخب التونسي، وفخور جدًا بما حققه لاعبو الجزائر”.

وأكمل: “أهدي هذا التتويج للشعب الجزائري، ولعبنا مباراة صعبة وديربي كان صعبًا، وكمدرب جديد وفي بداية مشواري أهنئ نفسي وكل الجماهير، والشعب الفلسطيني”.

واختتم: “قلت في المؤتمر الصحفي إذا أردت أن تفوز فعليك أن تتغلب على الأفضل، ولم نمتلك وقتًا طويلًا للتحضير لهذه البطولة ولكن أخذنا نسقًا تصاعديًا”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O temporal que desabou sobre o Rio de Janeiro na noite desta segunda-feira causou efeitos no treino do Botafogo nesta terça. A drenagem do gramado principal de General Severiano não deu conta e, com o campo alagado, os jogadores precisaram fazer a atividade do dia na área society. O técnico Ricardo Gomes lamentou a mudança de planos.

– Atrapalha, mas tem que fazer desta forma. Fizemos trabalhos com a comissão técnica. Ele estão prontos para o clássico. Forma 40 minutos que seriam de treino tático. Porém, o mais importante é o que já fizemos até agora. Atrapalha um pouquinho – analisa.

Os atletas fizeram um treino físico na pequena quadra. O zagueiro Renan Fonseca não participou do trabalho com o grupo.No campo principal, somente goleiros fizeram um trabalho específico.

A provável escalação do Botafogo contra o Fluminense, nesta quarta-feira, tem Jefferson, Luis Ricardo, Carli, Emerson e Diogo Barbosa; Airton, Bruno Silva e Rodrigo Lindoso; Nuñez e Gegê; Luis Henrique.

RelacionadasBotafogoRicardo Gomes escala Carli na vaga de Renan Fonseca; Salgueiro viajaBotafogo23/02/2016BotafogoBotafogo vive expectativa por Salgueiro, mas burocracia preocupaBotafogo22/02/2016BotafogoEm boa fase, volante Airton festeja sequência como titular do BotafogoBotafogo22/02/2016

Speaking exclusively to Transfer Tavern, former Premier League referee Mark Halsey discussed Fabio Silva’s penalty shout in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

In the fixture itself, Spurs took the lead in the first minute, as Tanguy Ndombele’s shot from the edge of the penalty area found its way past Wolves ‘keeper, Rui Patricio.

And, it appeared as if Spurs had done enough to win the fixture, as Jose Mourinho’s side led until the 86th minute, only for Romain Saiss to brilliantly glance a header home in the dying moments, with the match finishing 1-1.

However, Wolves could well have taken all three points from the fixture, had a penalty been awarded early in the second half, when it appeared that Eric Dier made contact with Fabio Silva, who subsequently hit the deck, only for Paul Tierney to wave away the challenge, with VAR subsequently deeming the referee’s call not a clear and obvious error.

“The concerning thing is, if you look, the assistant is right there, he’s got a great view,” Halsey told Transfer Tavern. “The referee is quite some distance from it, but the assistant is right there.”

He continued: “I think on-field officials are now getting lazy, they’re relying on VAR too much and, the reason I think that the VAR never got involved was because they’re looking at it saying, ‘Is it a clear and obvious error?’

“Now, had a penalty been given that in the first place, I don’t believe VAR would have overturned it. I think Wolves were unlucky, they should’ve had a penalty.”

So, according to Halsey, it would indeed appear as if Nuno Espirito Santo can feel arrived that his side were not awarded a penalty in the second half, which could well have seen them leave the fixture will all three points, rather than the one they ended up taking from the match.

What is also interesting is Halsey’s wider claim that officials appear to be relying on VAR too much, and are thus being less decisive with their calls on the pitch, which could lead to incidents such as Dier’s challenge on Fabio Silva going unpunished.