As it became clear that Leeds United would not be anywhere near relegation and would comfortably survive, talk turned to the future of Marcelo Bielsa. Former Leeds midfielder David Norris has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that the Argentine has already signed a new deal.
There had been talks about the Leeds hierarchy planning for life without Bielsa and were looking at potential candidates and former Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri was thought to be one of them.
However, it is now widely expected that Bielsa will sign at least another 12-month contract which will see him guide Leeds into their second Premier League season but this time with the roar of the Elland Road faithful behind him and the team.
Bielsa has worked wonders at Leeds taking them back into the Premier League and then helping them finish in the top 10 and Norris claims that the Argentine will be staying for at least another season as he exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:
“It didn’t look like he was ever looking to move or was biding his time to see if anything better was out there. It was just never on his list of priorities.
“I’ve heard from inside that he has already agreed on a new deal so that’s just a matter of time now before that comes out, and that’s a massive signing for Leeds because it lets everyone just relax over the summer knowing that he isn’t going to leave.”
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Bielsa has earned himself some rave reviews during his first spell in the Premier League, with the current league winning manager, Pep Guardiola, being in awe of Bielsa as he was in shock to find out that the Leeds boss had praised him and his management style.
It is not just Bielsa’s situation that Leeds fans will currently be sweating over as they wait to see if Kalvin Phillips is fit enough to be part of Gareth Southgate’s European Championship final 26-man squad, although it is expected that he will be.
In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who scored 34 Premier League goals, claims Newcastle United fans being in attendance for their final home game against Sheffield United could prove to be either very good or very bad for the team.
Newcastle have been labelled as “wild” by former manager Graeme Souness and Lee claims every team knows if you can silence the crowd for the first 10-15 minutes then the Newcastle fans can turn on their team.
There have not been any fans inside St James’ Park for over 12 months now as they’ve had to sit and watch their team freefall closer to the relegation zone on their TV screens every week, but the Premier League are hoping they will be back for the clash against the Blades in May.
Speaking on how having fans back could impact the Newcastle players and the one bit of advice Kevin Keegan used to give his players, Lee told FFC exclusively:
“I think it could go either way but the fans will 100% be behind the team from kick-off. However, Sheffield United will know if they go there and can quieten the crowd then it could be detrimental to the Newcastle players.
“Kevin Keegan used to say to us in the first 10-15 minutes go out and entertain the crowd and get them on your side and then they’ll be behind you for the entire match.
[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/rob-lee-exclusive-newcastle-united-premier-league-steve-bruce” title=”Exclusive! Rob Lee’s thoughts on Newcastle”]
“That’s what Newcastle fans want to see right from the off their team flying into players, pressing the opposition and creating chances and then they’ll get behind you.”
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Newcastle fans will be looking at their final two games of the season and will be hoping they are safe before that as they face the Blades and Fulham.
The relegation battle appears to be between Fulham, Newcastle, Brighton and Burnley, with the latter two starting to put positive results together when it matters.
Jose Mourinho can finally finish Daniel Levy’s long-drawn quest to clinch silverware with Tottenham Hotspur thanks to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s instant success in north London.
The midfielder joined Spurs in a £15million deal from Southampton this summer, after Mourinho identified Hojbjerg as a player he believed was capable of bringing leadership to a side he accused of lacking grit.
Everton were also keen on the Danish international but Hojbjerg rebuffed the Goodison Park natives and made it clear he wished to leave the south coast for the capital, where he has since failed to feature in just one of 16 fixtures across all competitions.
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand firmly believes Hojbjerg was Spurs’ best piece of business in the summer market, having heaped praise on Mourinho for signing a true game-changer for Tottenham.
“Hojbjerg – an absolutely massive signing for Jose,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents Five.
“You have to give him huge, huge, huge credit identifying him – he is going to come here, and he is going to be the breaker, the person that sits in there, does all the nasty work, the hard jobs, stops the other teams from playing, pass it to the people like the Kanes and the Sons to go and do their bits of magic.”
It is hard to argue with Ferdinand’s assessment, as Hojbjerg has proven to be a true game-changer in north London by instilling the leadership and grit that Mourinho sought so much.
The Special One even noted last month how Hojbjerg acts like a captain without the armband, after soldiering on after requiring stitches following a head clash in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over LASK in the Europa League.
Even after the 21st-minute blow, the 25-year-old pulled off an audacious piece of skill that left Mourinho considering Hojbjerg and France icon Zinedine Zidane in the same breath.
“We were having a laugh at half-time and we were all calling him Zidane. Very nice but don’t do it again Pierre!” Mourinho said, via quotes by Goal.
“He’s a very good player, a good leader and a captain without the armband.”
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Hojbjerg’s commitment to doing the dirty work in the centre of the pitch to help his side in whatever way needed has helped to his instant success, and can prove to be a deciding factor in Mourinho living up to his word, having declared earlier in the year that he will win trophies at Tottenham against claims his best days are in the past.
It is also why the €40m-rated (£36m) powerhouse has started all nine of Spurs’ top-flight fixtures and ranks third for successful tackles (29), sixth for clearances (18), 12th for ground duels won (40) and 14th for aerial duels won (12) by all Premier League midfielders this term, per SofaScore, as Mourinho’s men sit top of the table with the division’s best defensive record.
AND in other news, an £80k-p/w Spurs man’s struggles may have re-opened the door for a “perfect” outcast to return.
This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.
There have been few players to make an impact at Ibrox for Rangers in recent years quite like Alfredo Morelos.
As per Transfermarkt, the Gers signed the Colombian for £1.08m in 2017. He was purchased off the back of a stunning spell with HJK Helsinki, where he managed to score 46 times in 62 matches. However, the Finnish league is not known for its competitiveness – it remained to be seen whether he could cut it in Scotland.
Three years down the line, it is fair to say he has been a roaring success. His first term north of the border saw him score 18 goals in 43 matches – a decent return in his first year in a new country. He then followed that up with a huge 30 strikes in 48 matches during the 2018/19 campaign, before continuing to hit the back of the net on a regular basis this term as well – he already has 29 in 46 matches in all competitions.
There are some issues with him – his temperament is a problem, with him already picking up four red cards during his time at the club – but overall, he has been a brilliant signing. His performances have seen him earn six caps for his nation, scoring once, whilst he is now valued at £10.8m as per Transfermarkt.
There is plenty of interest in his services, with several clubs in England, as well as the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid said to be in pursuit. He may well leave at some point, but he has been worth every single penny since he joined – he is the jewel in former sporting director Mark Allen’s crown.
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There could be exciting times ahead for Newcastle as talks with Saudi Public Investment Fund seem to be progressing, and according to The Sun the group is lining up Rafa Benitez to take over as manager.
What’s the word?
The consortium, which involves Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as David and Simon Reuben, are in discussions with Mike Ashley over a £340m bid for the club.
There are still several details to be sorted out but they have reportedly planned on who their manager will be upon taking over – Benitez.
It is believed that the Spaniard will take over at the end of the season, thereby allowing Steve Bruce to continue in the role and finish what has been a good season for the Magpies so far, as they sit seven points off relegation.
Good news for fans?
Although Bruce wasn’t the most popular of appointments he has had Newcastle punching above their weight, as they sit 14th in the Premier League and are still in the FA Cup despite numerous injuries hitting the squad.
Given the wealth of the consortium taking over it is little surprise that they are looking to upgrade, as they may want a manager who has greater experience of managing at the top level, including high-profile players, and Benitez has that in abundance, unlike Bruce.
Added to that, it would be a good way to win over fans, many of whom were very disappointed when the former Liverpool boss left last summer, having never enjoyed the backing of owner Mike Ashley.
It would be harsh on Bruce to be dismissed and he deserves the chance to invest in the squad, as so far he has made some clever signings in Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems, both of whom are greatly appreciated amongst the fanbase.
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Of course, the takeover deal is not yet near completion and given Ashley’s history it is likely that talks could stall for one reason or another, and therefore Bruce deserves continued backing from the board, including further spending in the remainder of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have been lining up a move for a £25m player who could make all the difference in a key area.
Kurt Zouma spent the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Everton before returning to parent club Chelsea over the summer.
The Frenchman has been a regular for the Blues this season, making 17 appearances in all competitions, including the full 90 minutes against Ajax on Tuesday night.
Zouma was part of a defence that shipped four goals against the Dutch champions, who had two players sent off in what was an incredible game of football.
Wayne Rooney puts himself forward for the Everton job in the video below…
There was a standout moment for the 25-year-old at Stamford Bridge, though, when he decided to embark on a quite wonderful run before firing over the crossbar.
The final effort was not exactly fantastic, but it was excellent work from Zouma as he powered through the middle of the park.
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A number of Everton fans took to social media to comment on the central defender’s rush of blood to the head, and a selection of the Twitter reaction is available to view below:
[ad_pod ]Being called up for the national side is probably pretty daunting for a young player.They’ve got to put aside all club rivalries and work with players who are usually on the opposing teams week in week out.It presumably helps to have a player from club level standing beside you, and fortunately for James Maddison and Ben Chilwell, they can rely on each other.Watch Leicester City Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Indeed, both Leicester stars have been named in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, and they shared a moment on Twitter that highlights the type of camaraderie they will bring to the Three Lions’ set-up.
It all started when Leicester City’s official account posted an image of Chilwell looking at Maddison’s phone over his shoulder.
The left-back then took that tweet and joked that the midfielder was checking to see if anyone had sent him some rather private messages, thanks to his England call-up.
Maddison wasn’t having any of that though, and he fired back with a quip saying that he was actually checking if Chilwell was fit this weekend so that he could sort out his Fantasy Premier League team.
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Last summer Aston Villa were staring at potential turmoil. Embroiled in financial trouble, the club failed to achieve promotion and were at risk of losing their coveted star Jack Grealish.
To see Villa now back in the Premier League just a year on is incredible.
During the reign of Tony Xia, Villa’s financial situation became dire. The mass spending on player wages in the Championship just hadn’t paid off.
Therefore, the arrival of Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris was a welcome relief.
In July 2018, they essentially saved the football club. Without the American and Egyptian businessmen, Villa would have been in deep trouble.
The reality is that it’s incredibly unlikely they’d now be sitting among the big boys of English football again. But here we are. One of the oldest football clubs in England, first established in 1874, are back arguably where they belong.
Gone are the days of Xia’s spending. The club are now lead by individuals who seemingly have their act together. Considering what’s gone before, it’s a stark contrast.
However, Villa still need to throw caution to the wind, particularly this summer.
Edens and Sawiris, alongside CEO Christan Purslow, will be eager to display their financial muscle over the transfer window. Considering they’re now preparing for life in the Premier League, it would be understandable if they decided to throw some big sums of money at players.
In recent times they’ve been targeting Brentford’s Neal Maupay in a deal which could cost £20m whilst Joe Lolley is expected to receive a bid of £10m.
Maupay, in particular, represents a large deal but signing those types of players could prove pivotal despite the fees.
What the club can’t afford to do though is fall into the trap Fulham did. After achieving promotion last season they spent over £100m. That was the first time a newly promoted side had ever spent nine figures over the course of a transfer window.
They brought in some highly regarded players, including Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle, but it proved disastrous. Dean Smith’s men will have to spend this summer, there’s no question about that, but they’d be playing a considerably dangerous game if they were to do what the Cottagers did.
Fulham’s methods made a statement, but they brought in far too many players who simply weren’t prepared for life in the top-flight of English football.
If Villa were to follow this same model, then they’d be waving a swift goodbye to the Premier League. That’s why caution must be at the forefront of their minds during the off-season.
It would also suit Smith too. He’s used to working on tight budgets and did so to great effect at Brentford.
The former Bees manager signs players with scope to improve and this method would be of far greater benefit to Villa. In signing Maupay and Lolley, he’d have two players he can certainly develop further.
One is 22 and the other is only just entering his prime years. They’re key examples of the players the club must be looking at.
Completing shrewd deals should be the order of the day, not splashing over £100m on players who simply don’t cut it.
The fact this debate is even possible says something about just how far the Midlands side have come. The thought of spending £20m on a player during the final year of Xia’s reign would have been impossible.
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Yet, Edens and Sawiris have worked wonders. They are the embodiment of how all good football owners should be.
Far too many in the modern game stand idly by and fail to invest in the club they have control over. You only need to look a matter of miles down the road to see the lack of investment West Brom owner Guochuan Lai has provided.
Villa, therefore, have everything to be thankful for. The fact they’re now back among the country’s elite is a testament to how hard they worked this season.
Back in March, they sat 13th in the Championship, not even in the frame for promotion. Their rise in recent months has been phenomenal.
They’ll go into this summer knowing they can keep hold of Grealish, the man the club is now built around.
If you told a Villa fan that was feasible just a year ago, they’d have laughed in your face. However, Edens and Sawiris have made that possible.
According to a report in The Daily Mail, in-form Aston Villa star Jack Grealish is being scouted by Tottenham Hotspur as they look to make some big moves in the transfer market this summer, and it is a predictable story that ramps up the pressure on Villans boss Dean Smith.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Spurs have long been linked with the 23-year-old and the Championship outfit managed to rebuff interest in him last summer according to The Times, before tying him down to a new contract with a £45m release clause included.
While that is a fee that could make the north London outfit make twice about making an approach, the Midlands outfit will need to be prepared for interest in their talisman and captain – especially if they don’t win promotion back to the Premier League for the third successive season.
Grealish has made a huge impact following his return from a three-month injury lay-off earlier this month, and was of course the victim-turned-hero during the second city derby last weekend.
Pressure on Smith
While the skipper did commit his future to Villa, there would be no surprise if the talented individual begins to get itchy feet should the club remain in England’s second tier for yet another season.
If a club like Tottenham do come calling it will undoubtedly interest Grealish – especially when he sees how well other English players like Dele Alli and Harry Kane have fared under Mauricio Pochettino in recent years.
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Given the 23-year-old is a Villa fan however, any uncertainty would surely be removed if they are competing in the top flight next term.
The pressure is then very much on Smith to deliver in the coming weeks and months, and with automatic promotion all but out of the window they will have to rely on the lottery of the play-offs if they secure a top-six finish.
Loads of Celtic fans have been running the rule over Saturday’s defeat at Ibrox, and they’re absolutely furious with the performance of Olivier Ntcham.
Celtic fans were delighted when Ntcham signed a new contract back in November, as the French youngster showed real signs of becoming a top class midfielder last season.
His form has gone off the deep end since signing his new deal though, failing to score a single goal since then, and he may just have had his worst performance in a Celtic shirt on Saturday.
Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below...
The Bhoys were beaten 1-0 at Ibrox courtesy of Ryan Jack’s first half strike, but the performance will be just as disappointing to Brendan Rodgers as the result.
His side were completely outclassed in the middle of the park, where Jack, Scott Arfield and Ross McCrorie dominated proceedings.
Ntcham was sloppy in possession and virtually non-existent when the hosts had the ball, and fans are blasting the 22 year-old, with some even calling for his departure.
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