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Leeds United fans on Twitter are hoping that Mateusz Bogusz gets first-team opportunities next season after Marcelo Bielsa signed a one-year contract extension.

The Argentine has a reputation for giving young players an opportunity, and during his first season at Elland Road Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton both became regulars.

Supporters are now hopeful that Bogusz is the next player in line for a debut after his impressive campaign with the U23s.

The Polish midfielder could easily slot in alongside his fellow countryman Mateusz Klich as a number 10.

The attacking midfield position has caused Leeds headaches this season. Tyler Roberts has played there sporadically, but they haven’t seemed to settle on a replacement for Samu Saiz.

The 17-year-old could be that man next season, and if he is put into the first team it would certainly be a popular decision amongst the fanbase.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…

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Athletic Bilbao have confirmed that Ander Iturraspe will not be at the club next season after his contract expires which may see Leeds United move for the player.

The Spaniard has reportedly been a target for the Whites, but the Yorkshire club must tread carefully if they are to move for the 30-year-old.

Reunited with Bielsa

The Basque defensive midfielder has made over 300 appearances for Bilbao during a career that has spanned 11 years at the San Mames Stadium.

Iturraspe was a vital part of the team which reached the Europa League final under the management of Marcelo Bielsa so it is no surprise that the Argentine would want to work with him once again.

The current Leeds boss had great success at Bilbao, and perhaps he is looking to emulate that squad by bringing in one of his midfield generals from his time in Spain.

Tread carefully

There are signs to say that Iturraspe isn’t the player he was back in 2012 when Bilbao famously knocked Manchester United out in Europe.

The defensive midfielder has made only three appearances in La Liga this season, potentially indicating that he is regressing as a player. Bielsa’s style at Leeds commands a lot of running from his midfielder so signing a 30-year-old with a lot of miles on the clock may not work out.

There are also trends in recent years supporting that defensive midfielders such as Iturraspe brought in from La Liga don’t thrive in the English leagues. Jozabed at Fulham and Vicente Iborra at Leicester both didn’t work out for several reasons and returned to their native country very quickly after moving to England.

Leeds mustn’t rush into this transfer if they are to pursue their reported interest, as Iturraspe would undoubtedly become one of the highest earners at the club if he was brought in. The deal could very easily backfire, but if they get the best out of the midfielder, it could be a very shrewd free transfer.

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Claude Puel’s decision to recall Harvey Barnes from West Brom in January seemed a no-brainer. Leicester were lacking goals and the 21-year-old had scored nine during his time at the Hawthorns.

The attacking midfielder is a joy to watch on his day, but his return to the top-flight was met with inconsistent displays.

It was a series of performances that we hadn’t become accustomed to. Under Darren Moore, he looked exceptional but the clinical edge he had when on loan had gone missing on his return.

A game against Tottenham at Wembley was telling. Leicester could easily have won and on another day Barnes might have had a hat-trick. He had a basic chance from a matter of yards out which he somehow struck straight at Hugo Lloris, whilst spurning two further opportunities.

But recent developments under Brendan Rodgers suggest he may have now found his role at the King Power, albeit until the end of the season.

On the chalkboard

Rodgers’ management of Barnes will be absolutely crucial and you can back the Northern Irishman to ensure he flourishes, such is his record of developing young players. The way he’s set about doing it so far is incredibly sensible, having started to make him a member of the substitutes, rather than starting him.

The winger failed to find the net in 12 matches before he scored against West Ham, but that goal came from the bench, as Barnes was introduced with just under half an hour to play.

His impact late in the match was crucial in the Foxes going on to draw with the Hammers. He also played an encouraging cameo against Arsenal when he came on at half-time. It’s an indication, therefore, of how Barnes is likely to be monitored for the rest of the season.

Since returning to the King Power, his threat has been nullified when he’s started. However, when he’s come off the bench and got to run at a tired defence, he’s had a far greater influence.

It’s a role that could be devastating for Leicester. No Foxes man has averaged more shots per game, 2.9, than he does, and when Rodgers’ men are chasing a game, Barnes’ ability to find himself in shooting positions regularly will be a monumental help.

Benjamin Mendy used to be quite a likeable character, but he has since degenerated into one of the most frustrating players for fans and critics alike.

The proliferation of YouTube, social media, the internet and technology means players are more connected with the outside world than ever. And that is a great thing. In the modern era, we need players like Benjamin Mendy; individuals who can bridge the gap between the dressing room and fans. Those fun, bouncy characters who are as useful off the pitch as they are on. But that is where the problem lies. The Frenchman is too focused on one thing and not the other.

Manchester fans more than anyone have a right to be frustrated with their record signing left-back. Their match-up against Brighton in the FA Cup on 6 April marked the first time Mendy appeared in anything other than social media in nine games. Before that, the club’s resident prankster had spent two separate periods on the side-line totalling a period of 24 games, and even before then he had missed 45 games last term through “injury”.

This means Benjamin Mendy, the man who cost Pep Guardiola £52million in 2017, has spent a ridiculous 366 out of the team for one reason or another. But what has he been doing in that time, you might ask? Well, his Twitter gives a pretty comprehensive account.

From forcing the “shark team” hashtag down our throats like an overzealous parent with a spoonful of carrot mush to a barrage of emojis akin to that of a WhatsApp group chat full of excitable teenagers, Mendy has crowned himself as the ultimate social media footballer. But City did not fork out multi-millions for the world’s most expensive Twitter manager. They wanted a player and is not what they have got.

Guardiola once claimed that he wanted to kill Benjamin Mendy ‘at times’, and though he probably did not mean literally, we imagine he is not far off now (as per The Times).  His most recent controversy, which involved leaving a club at 3:30am the night before training, may not be that bad under normal circumstances – footballers need a life outside the game, after all – but Mendy should have been working on his comeback (story via Telegraph).

We are at a point now where Manchester City need to make a decision: do they keep Mendy or send him packing? A new left-back is at the forefront of Pep Guardiola’s shopping list apparently, with Ben Chilwell a rumoured prospect, so that may give fans some hint towards which way the club are leaning (as per Telegraph).

Manchester City fans, is it time to wave goodbye to Mendy? Let us know in the comments below…

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Spurs fans are optimistic that Mauricio Pochettino will not be leaving north London for Milan this summer as reports circulate that the Argentine will be offered a job at San Siro.

The Mirror have exclusively reported that the Italian giants have attempted to lure the Argentine to Italy by promising him a huge £300 million transfer budget.

After years of frugality at Tottenham some may believe that the 47-year-old could be tempted by a move to the Rossoneri, but the following fans believe that he will remain loyal to the club.

Their new stadium officially opened last week and supporters are hopeful that their manager will stick around to complete the project he has started in north London.

The team from the English capital are yet to win a trophy under the former Southampton boss, but he has turned them into consistent Champions League contenders.

Spurs’ new stadium is a stunner! Pl>ymaker FC’s Sam Chippeck gives us a sneak peak in the video below…

The Spurs faithful are refusing to believe he would ditch the club before finding silverware with the squad that he has been assembling for the past five seasons.

Here’s what they had to say on Twitter…

Taking a risk with Ryan Yates has certainly paid off, hasn’t it? Since Martin O’Neill gave him a chance in the Forest side, he hasn’t looked back, and what a decision it was the manager.

It was a brave choice to give the 21-year-old an opportunity in the centre of the park where usually experience is key, particularly in the Championship. However, since making his first appearance against Reading he’s fit in well and has solved an issue the club could have spent millions fixing.

Yates wasn’t in a single matchday squad until their 4-1 victory over Leeds in January, but here he is, having now started the last eight games. He’s a product of the youth academy, and that’s endeared him to the fans even more, bringing more positivity to the City Ground than there was before Martin O’Neill.

Forest sit 11thin the Championship and don’t have much of a chance at reaching the play-offs, so it’s obvious investment is needed in the summer to catch up with clubs above them. By promoting Yates into the first team, it means the club don’t have to buy someone like him in the summer, and instead they can concentrate on other areas.

His success also sends out a great message to the rest of squad, saying ‘if you work hard enough, you’ll get your chance’. This will keep existing first-choice players on their toes and give confidence to other young or out-of-favour players.

The Forest fans will always have a greater connection with one of their own, so promoting him, while saving money and sending out a positive message to the rest of the squad is a masterstroke that can gift O’Neill success in the long run.

Forest fans, how high do you think your club can finish this season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Tottenham fans will absolutely love the latest transfer rumour out of Spain, as reports claim Gareth Bale could be open to a return to north London.

What’s the story?

According to Marca, via Sport Witness, Real Madrid are once again considering selling Bale.

The Welsh wing wizard was the source of plenty of speculation after last season’s Champions League final, but of course it was Cristiano Ronaldo who departed, with Bale supposedly set to take the helm in Madrid.

That hasn’t happened though, and the report from Marca claims Bale “doesn’t rule out” a return to Spurs, while also including the Lilywhites as one of the interested parties.

According to the report, Bale has been overshadowed by Karim Benzema and Brazilian youngster Vinicius, and he could be used as part of a swap deal to land Christian Eriksen.

Is he worth losing Eriksen?

Real Madrid paid around £90m for Bale back in 2013, and that was before the transfer market exploded due to players like Paul Pogba and Neymar, so they will be looking for a hefty fee even as the Welshman approaches his 30th birthday.

That said, it is likely that the Lilywhites would have to sacrifice Eriksen to land Bale just like Marca claims, with the Danish international yet to show any signs of penning a new deal at the club.

Eriksen will be out of contract in the summer of 2020, but Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino should be doing everything in their power to stop him from leaving, as the fan favourite playmaker is far younger and less injury-prone than Bale.

Bale may be a world-renowned superstar, but he has suffered countless muscle injuries in his five-and-a-half years in Madrid, and Eriksen is a more proven fit in Pochettino’s system.

Eriksen must be the club’s priority, but all things considered Bale isn’t exactly a bad contingency plan.

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Liverpool continued their title charge on Saturday, as they thumped AFC Bournemouth 3-0 at Anfield.

The Reds had dropped to second after Manchester City beat Everton in midweek, but briefly returned to the top with a fine victory over Eddie Howe’s men.

Goals from Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah gave Jurgen Klopp’s men all three points, as the manager’s decision to return to a 4-3-3 formation paid dividends.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Salah started the game on the right flank, with Roberto Firmino through the middle and Mane on the left.

The Egypt international was subsequently central to the club’s latest victory, after cutting an isolated figure in recent morale-sapping draws with Leicester City and West Ham United.

And supporters have called on Klopp to extend his experiment with 4-3-3, with games against German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a highly-charged Premier League clash with Manchester United to come in the next week.

Here’s a look at what they’ve been saying on Twitter…

West Ham United are interested in a move for Germany international and Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira, according to Calciomercato.

What does the report say?

Khedira has been limited to 12 Serie A appearances this season, with injuries and stern competition for places seeing him fall out of favour in recent years.

Having just turned 33 the German is likely past the peak of his powers, but West Ham are said to be interested.

According to Calciomercato, Khedira is keen to follow his partner Melanie Leupolz to London, after she signed a three-year deal with Chelsea.

The report states that West Ham are keeping an eye on the German’s situation, who could see his contract with Juventus cut short over the summer.

One to avoid

At his best, Khedira was one of the best midfielders in Europe and in 2014 he became a world cup winner with Germany.

However, he last started more than 10 league matches in the 2017/18 season and with West Ham already said to be planning their transfer activity, this is a deal to avoid.

West Ham have invested plenty in the likes of Sebastien Haller, Pablo Fornals and Felipe Anderson, while short term moves for older players like Samir Nasri, Alvaro Arbeloa, Patrice Evra and Roberto Jimenez have not worked out.

The Hammers now need to refocus on signing promising youngsters, rather than offering large contracts to older stars past their best.

Speaking after Arsenal’s clash against Sheffield United, Mikel Arteta has hinted Bukayo Saka’s long-term future could well lie at left-back.

What did he say?

The Arsenal academy product has predominantly played in a more advanced role for the Gunners this season, playing at left-midfield or left-wing on a total of 14 separate occasions as per Transfermarkt, scoring twice and providing five assists.

But with the likes of Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac struggling with injuries – the former being out for the next couple of months with a dislocated shoulder – Saka has been forced to deputise at full-back for his more senior teammates. Despite seemingly playing out of position, the 18-year-old has performed admirably, with his performance against Sheffield United particularly pleasing.

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As per Sofascore, he had 98 touches of the ball, won five of his eight ground duels, and it was his deflected cross that saw Gabriel Martinelli net the opener. And speaking after the game, Arteta delivered a major hint as to where Saka could be playing in the long-term.

He said (as quoted by Football.London): “I think he could (have a future at left-back) because he’s willing to learn, he is applying himself big time. He is someone that’s has never played (that position) before but he’s really trying to do it as well as possible.

“You can see that he’s got many strengths to play in that position. Obviously he needs games, he needs experience and he needs to improve in some areas but that’s very good.”

Promise

For an 18-year-old to come in and play in an unnatural position, and that too in a defence where Arsenal have been so creaky as a whole this season – they have already conceded 32 goals in the Premier League – is a real testament to Saka’s abilities and professionalism.

Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Arsenal’s history in the January transfer window?

The starlet is earning rave reviews from his manager because he is taking to his task with little complaint, and striving to learn as Arteta alludes to. It’s the kind of mentality that the rest of the Gunners could do with, particularly in these testing times where a top-four place looks way off. Even if they don’t make it into the Champions League for next season, the way Saka has been performing bodes well for a bright future in north London.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are buzzing with this former academy product’s goal.