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There was a lot to take in as Leeds United beat Aston Villa 3-0 on Friday night.

The Whites were in fine fettle as they demolished the Midlands outfit with three second-half goals from Patrick Bamford, but the game could easily have gone another way if Marcelo Bielsa didn’t spot one potentially dangerous situation.

Indeed, Pascal Struijk looked like a walking red card in the early knockings of the game, and Bielsa subbed him in the 20th minute, allowing Leeds to continue to play with aggression and intensity in the midfield without the fear of an impending red card.

While that decision may have won the game for Leeds on Friday, it may end up doing more harm than good over time.

Struijk has firmly cemented himself as a first-team option this season, starting half of United’s league games so far, but this early substitution against Villa could seriously dent his confidence.

We shouldn’t forget that the centre-back is still developing as a player and he’s still in the early stages of his career and a cut-throat decision like this could take something away from the way he plays.

Indeed, it’d be understandable if Struijk is fearful of making mistakes or picking up yellow cards in the future due to the looming danger of being taken out of a game early as he was at Villa Park on Friday.

Of course, being wary of making mistakes is a good thing, but overthinking things isn’t and if Struijk starts second-guessing everything he does on the pitch, he will lose some of what made Bielsa describe him as a “complete player” earlier this season.

Hopefully, Bielsa has sat him down and fully explained the decision to sub him and what he should do going forward in order to avoid a similar situation.

Fingers crossed this doesn’t play on the 21-year-old’s mind. It could have detrimental long-term consequences depending on how the 21-year-old reacts.

AND in other news, Bielsa FAVE acted as a brilliant Kalvin Phillips replacement for Leeds…

كشفت إذاعة “كادينا سير” الإسبانية، تفاصيل جديدة عن حالة الدولي الأرجنتيني، سيرجيو أجويرو، مهاجم فريق برشلونة، بعد الإصابة التي تعرض لها.  

وكان النجم الأرجنتيني قد غادر مباراة برشلونة أمس أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس وانتقل إلى المستشفى.

وأعلن برشلونة في بيان رسمي، أن أجويرو عانى من صعوبات في التنفس، دون الكشف عن أي تفاصيل أخرى لذا نُقل إلى المستشفى.

اقرأ أيضًا.. برشلونة يتلقى أنباء سعيدة قبل مواجهة دينامو كييف

وقالت الإذاعة في تقريرها إنه تبين أن أجويرو يُعاني من عدم انتظام في ضربات القلب.

وأشارت الإذاعة إلى أن أجويرو، سيخضع غدًا الإثنين للمزيد من الفحوصات الطبية، لمعرفة أسباب عدم انتظام ضربات القلب.

وأكدت الإذاعة في تقريرها أن أجويرو لن يتواجد في مباراة الثلاثاء أمام دينامو كييف، مُشيرة إلى أن من غير المعروف حتى الآن ما إذا كان سيكون متاحًا لمباراة سيلتا فيجو، السبت القادم بالدوري الإسباني.

West Ham United could move quickly on from Grady Diangana with a dip into the transfer market and one name has been linked with a move to the London Stadium this week…

What’s the word?

According to A Bola (via Sport Witness), the Hammers are one of three Premier League clubs chasing Sporting Lisbon winger Jovane Cabral this summer.

It’s claimed that West Ham have been following the 22-year-old since last season, although the Portuguese outfit are yet to receive any concrete offers for their attacking star.

They are believed to want around €20m (£18m) for his services with Tottenham Hotspur and newly-promoted Fulham also in the race.

Diangana alternative

On Wednesday, news broke that the Irons hierarchy had accepted a bid of £18m from West Brom for their loan sensation Diangana, meaning the Hammers are going to lose out on one of their own exciting talents.

However, Cabral wouldn’t be a bad replacement whatsoever.

Per WhoScored, the Portuguese wizard provided six goals and two assists in just 19 appearances, averaging 2.9 shots, 2.1 dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game.

It means Cabral manages more attempts at goal than any other Hammers player, including Michail Antonio and Seb Haller so clearly he’d be a nice threat to have in east London.

He has been likened to one-time Irons target Gelson Martins and dubbed as a “wing sensation” by PortuGOAL whilst Manchester United’s January addition Bruno Fernandes has been a bit of a mentor for him even since swapping Portugual for Old Trafford.

“I didn’t teach him anything. What he did in the game is down to his quality, his ability. In my opinion, he did not have a great game because I know Jovane’s quality and I think he can give more,” said Fernandes to Canal 11 (via InsideFutbol).

David Moyes couldn’t do much wrong if he manages to clinch Cabral as a direct successor to the departing Diangana.

AND in other news, Hammers plotting shock transfer for the ‘German Messi’…

Plenty of West Ham fans have been reacting to reports hinting at Felipe Anderson’s potential exit from the club, eliciting a mixed reaction from the Hammers faithful.

Football Insider claimed that the winger is in Italy attempting to engineer a return to his former club Lazio, from whom the Irons signed him two years ago for what was then a club record £36m (as per BBC).

The Brazil international enjoyed a fruitful first season at London Stadium, with 10 goals and five assists in 40 appearances, but the 2019/20 campaign was a rather subdued one for the 27-year-old. He only managed one goal in 27 outings last term, falling out of favour under David Moyes towards the latter part of the season.

The decline in Anderson’s performances from 2019/20 compared to the previous campaign is reflected in him taking fewer shots (1.6 to 0.9), executing fewer key passes (1.8 to one), playing fewer passes (46.3 to 35.8) and winning fewer tackles (2.5 to 1.8) per game, as per WhoScored. He also copped strong criticism from some West Ham supporters for some lacklustre performances in recent months.

These Hammers fans on Twitter had mixed views on the reports hinting at his possible exit – some retain faith in his ability based on his strong first season, while others have evidently lost patience with the 27-year-old:

West Ham fans, would Anderson be missed if he were to leave the Irons? Comment below with your views!

Portsmouth have completed the signing of right-back Callum Johnson from Accrington Stanley, as confirmed via the club’s official website.

After suffering a second consecutive failure to gain promotion from League One to the Championship, Kenny Jackett’s side were seemingly expected to bring in some new faces this summer.

Despite a whole host of first team regulars leaving, new arrivals have been relatively thin on the ground. Sean Raggett and Cameron Pring have both arrived to add strength in depth for Jackett’s defence and they have now been followed by a third defensive option.

Right-back Johnson has penned a two-year deal with Pompey which includes the option for a third campaign.

The 23-year-old progressed through Middlesbrough’s academy before joining Accrington in the summer of 2017, initially on a loan deal before making the move permanently (as per Transfermarkt).

Having made a total of 119 appearances for Stanley, the versatile defender will bring in some knowledge of League One to shore up Jackett’s back-line, with 74 appearances in the division to his name.

Jackett has done well to bring in a new right-back, left-back and centre-back this summer but fans may want to see other positions being addressed in the transfer market.

Promotion is very much the aim this season, but the relative dearth of transfer business so far leaves question marks over how far Jackett’s side can go.

Do you think Callum Johnson will become a good signing for Pompey? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Having taken over the Everton manager’s job mid-way through the season, Carlo Ancelotti heads into his first summer transfer window in charge at Goodison Park.

The Italian has seen it and done it all before with his previous clubs, but this Toffees project that he’s currently at the helm of may be one of his biggest tests in his long and illustrious managerial career.

The Merseyside club finished in 12th place in the Premier League last season, a full 17 points off the top four and that final Champions League spot. If Everton are to bridge that gap, then they need star quality signings. And whilst he may have fallen off the European radar in the last couple of years, a move for Thomas Lemar might help them do just that.

How big of an Everton fan are you? Can you spot Mikel Arteta from Graham Stuart? This quiz will test your knowledge, try it if you’re brave enough…

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According to reports in recent days, Ancelotti’s side are interested in luring him away from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, and seem keen on revitalising his career at Goodison.

Injury problems and simply not being flavour of the month under Diego Simeone saw him make just 29 appearances across all competitions last season, and scored no goals and provided no assists whatsoever.

On the face of it, this looks like a potential deal that has all the signs of going wrong for Everton. But at only 24, Lemar still has the peak years of his career ahead of him, and arguably just needs a fresh challenge to raise him from his footballing slumber.

Described as an “extraordinary” talent by the man who first spotted him, the Frenchman played a key role in that exciting AS Monaco team from a few years ago, which roared their way to a Champions League semi-final against all odds.

That campaign saw him register an impressive 12 goals and 17 assists across all competitions, and it was no surprise that France captain and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said: “He’s extremely talented, very fast and lethal in front of goal.”

Having idolised Andres Iniesta, Lemar works best in those tight spaces with his close control and elite dribbling skills, with the winger himself insisting that he “concentrates on passing and movement as much as possible”.

Last summer, Everton splashed the cash on a winger in Alex Iwobi, and the 24-year-old has flattered to deceive. In 29 games, he scored just twice and set up one goal, whilst his best ever campaign for output was in the 2018/2019 season when he managed only three goals and seven assists in the league.

Simply put, Lemar would represent a major upgrade on the Nigeria international, and Ancelotti would feel confident of reviving the Frenchman.

Tottenham Hotspur are confident they can sign Southampton star Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg this summer, according to The Daily Telegraph, as relayed by Ricky Sacks. 

Earlier this week, Foot Mercato claimed Tottenham have already made a move for Hojbjerg, after he was stripped of the captain’s armband by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Spurs have pursuing the Dane for several months now, and this latest update could be good news for Jose Mourinho, after he indicated Hojbjerg is at the top of his summer shortlist, via Sky Sports.

Southampton are holding out for £35m for their former captain, but the Lilywhites are still optimistic they will be able to sign the midfielder, even though Mourinho will have to sell some players to raise some funds.

This should be more than affordable in principle, as Spurs spent £53.8m on Tanguy Ndombele last year.

A move for Hojbjerg will surely raise further questions about Ndombele’s future at the club.

Mourinho has a strained relationship with the club’s record signing, and the ongoing saga has dragged on for a number of months, although it has now reportedly reached breaking point.

He has been paying close attention to the 24-year-old’s performances as a result.

Hojbjerg, who has played for Bayern Munich in the past, has played 30 games in the Premier League this season, supplying one assist, winning 2.6 tackles per game, averaging 1.5 interceptions and successfully completing 1.6 clearances on average (via WhoScored).

Spurs may be able to include Kyle Walker-Peters to sweeten the deal, which would work to Mourinho’s advantage.

Walker-Peters didn’t do himself any favours after he took potshots at the Portuguese in an interview, and he only played one game for the Spurs boss before being shipped out to the Saints on loan.

Mourinho is acutely aware he will be restricted by a tight budget as Spurs struggle to deal with the economic impact of the pandemic. Therefore, he could use Walker-Peters as part of a swap deal to land his top target.

Tottenham fans, do you think should Daniel Levy sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Newcastle United’s prospective £300m takeover continues to be in the hands of the Premier League with a decision seemingly still some way from being final.

The whole process has been a long and tedious as it fastly descends into a third month of doubts and deliberations. Reports first broke in early April that Mike Ashley had agreed to sell the northeast club to Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian-backed consortium.

But that’s where the PL have been forced into a tight corner as it’s believed that the Middle Eastern state is behind pirate streaming service beoutQ, which illegally broadcasts English top-flight matches.

This week, the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has delivered a fresh verdict over the takeover, but it’s a rather bold and worrying call.

Speaking on the ‘Everything is Black and White‘ podcast, he said:

“My gut feeling – and it’s only a feeling – is that it will be passed but I am now at the point where I am probably reducing myself to 50/50. Now that’s where I am. I think it’s a 50/50 call on which way it will go.”

Edwards has been on the ball throughout the process, so his inclination that it’s going to be a 50/50 decision on the Premier League’s part is cause for concern.

He does state that he thinks it will hinge on the positive side of things, but given how long it has already taken, there is an air of uncertainty floating around the St James’ Park faithful.

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In reality, no one really knows what the PL will decide to do, and it’s fair to argue that they’ve had the ‘Project Restart’ fiasco on their hands, too.

Only time will tell if United will begin a new era in the northeast.

AND in other news, George Caulkin reveals why Newcastle takeover has been delayed…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Kiko Casilla has been granted an extension for his appeal against the charge of alleged racial abuse against Charlton’s Jonathan Leko.

The Spaniard now has until November 27th to put together a case to plead his innocence, but this extension may actually be a bad thing for the Yorkshire outfit.

Casilla’s punishment

If the former Real Madrid man is found guilty he will be handed a minimum six-game ban, and if he’d stuck to the original timeframe that wouldn’t have been such a bad thing.

If the verdict had come back this week and Casilla was found guilty it wouldn’t have been the end of the world for United as their upcoming games are more than winnable without their number one stopper.

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Indeed, Leeds’ next six matches are all against clubs sitting in the bottom half of the table, but if Casilla submits his plea on the 27th and the FA still find him guilty he’ll be absent for two of the most important games of the season.

Casilla’s extension may prove to be a bad thing if he’s still found guilty as it will lead to him missing the two fixtures against Fulham and Preston.

Preston currently sit second in the league, while the London club are fourth in the Championship xG table.

These are games where Leeds may have to rely on their goalkeeper to earn them the points, but now they’re running the risk of being without him for those matches as if he receives the minimum six-game ban he’ll miss those vital clashes.

Kiko Casilla proved his worth against fellow promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the season, making four saves and three high claims. His influence was absolutely vital so they could be left to suffer if he’s absent versus Fulham and Preston.

Having arrived in the summer from Celtic for a fee in the region of £25m, Kieran Tierney has taken a while to settle into life at Arsenal.

The Scotland international’s start to his Gunners career has been hampered by niggling injuries that have caused him to sit out games and even miss international duty as a precaution, but has become a key component of Unai Emery’s side in recent weeks.

As per Transfermarkt, he made eight first-team appearances for the north London side, and was once again handed a starting spot against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday night.

But in a 2-1 defeat for Emery’s men, Tierney produced a particularly disappointing display. As per Sofascore, his 6.4 match rating was the second-worst of any Arsenal player, whilst he made no tackles or interceptions, and lost possession 18 times.

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After seeing his performance, Arsenal fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the summer signing.

Many supporters of the north London side felt Emery is to blame for the left-back’s poor form, with one fan claiming that his “spark has diminished” due to the Spaniard.

Check out some of the reaction of Arsenal fans below:

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are fuming with links to Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo.