All posts by h716a5.icu

With the club's hopes of survival still firmly in the balance, it is fair to say that it has not been the season that Leeds United supporters would have been hoping for, having yet again been thrust into a battle to stave off relegation.

Having narrowly avoided the drop last term, the Whites would likely have had loftier ambitions heading into the start of the current campaign, particularly after splashing the cash on the likes of Tyler Adams, Luis Sinsiterra and Brenden Aaronson.

The signing of the latter man had been a long-time coming after the Yorkshire side saw two bids rejected for the then-Red Bull Salzburg man in January 2022, going on to fork out around £25m to get the deal wrapped up back in June.

Since wrapping up that protracted switch, however, the United States international has "failed to make the step up from the Austrian Bundesliga to the Premier League", according to writer Zach Lowy, scoring just one goal and providing only three assists in the top-flight to date.

That measly return from the 22-year-old is at least better than that of current teammate, Georginio Rutter, with the latter man having thus far proven an even more expensive and ineffective addition for the Elland Road outfit than that of Aaronson.

How much is Georginio Rutter worth?

Much like Aaronson, the former Hoffenheim marksman was brought in under the watch of former sporting director, Victor Orta, with the transfer chief – who only left the club earlier this month – seemingly having made a real error of judgement by green-lighting the move.

While young Rutter still has time to turn things around in future, the 21-year-old has been unable to endear himself to his new club after failing to score or provide an assist in 12 appearances across all fronts to date, having even been demoted to life with the U21 side of late.

Although the Frenchman did look 'dangerous' while turning out for the academy side against Aston Villa in the Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off semi-final just a few weeks ago – according to Leeds Live's William Jackson – those at Elland Road will have been hoping for far more from the club's record signing.

Such have been the striker's woes, he is currently valued at just £17m – according to CIES Football Observatory – with that representing a drop of around £18.5m in less than five months, in relation to his initial £35.5m fee.

It seemingly beggars belief as to why Orta and co forked out such a hefty sum for a player who had scored just 11 goals in 64 games during his time in Germany, with there perhaps also confusion as to why the France U21 international has not been handed a greater chance to impress.

BBC pundit Micah Richards (Radio 5 Live, Monday Night Club, 24/04/2023) only recently suggested that he didn't "understand what the plan was" with relation to Rutter's signing as he is "not even getting a kick", with it evidently clear that the peripheral figure has "struggled" in English football so far – as per journalist Dean Jones.

With reports having emerged a few months ago that the player himself didn't even want to make the move in the first place, Leeds could well be harbouring their own regret at sanctioning such a costly deal.

On the basis of Rutter's current valuation, it looks unlikely that the Whites would be able to recoup anywhere close to that £35.5m fee if they were to cash in this summer…

Newcastle United utility man Matt Ritchie is ready to call time on his Magpies carrer and expected to leave St James' Park at the end of the season, according to a new report.

Has Ritchie been a key man this season?

The Magpies are enjoying a memorable season so far, looking highly likely to finish in the top four and secure a place in next year's Champions League. They also reached the EFL Cup final, albeit losing to Manchester United, so the progress since last summer has been huge.

Newcastle have various key men at the club right now, but Ritchie isn't one of them, with the Scot having to accept playing a bit-part role this season. The £45,000-a-week defender has only featured seven times in the Premier League, all of which have come from the substitutes' bench and totalled just 35 minutes of action.

The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the current campaign, however, leaving his future with the Magpies up in the air. A new update has shed some light on the situation, however, with his time at St James' seemingly coming to an end in the next few months.

Is Ritchie leaving Newcastle this summer?

According to Football insider, Ritchie is "set to quit" Newcastle in the summer, as he goes "in pursuit of regular football" elsewhere. It is stated that he has "fallen significantly down Eddie Howe's pecking order" this season and is "ready to call an end to his time in Tyneside".

In truth, it makes complete sense for the 16-cap Scotland international to move on at the end of this season, with his first-team opportunities clearly limited already, let alone when more signings arrive during the summer window.

Newcastle have gone up a significant level, in terms of the calibre of player they can entice to the club and Ritchie is simply drifting further out of contention, which is only natural considering he is now 33 years of old age. Handing him a new deal would make little sense, while the player himself clearly wants to enjoy more regular playing time during the autumn of his career.

He should be remembered as an excellent servant for the Magpies, though – one who has scored 24 goals in 198 appearances and been hailed as "invaluable" and a "top player" by Eddie Howe – with his professionalism always shining through and his versatility allowing him to do a solid job in several positions, mainly down the left flank.

Aston Villa signing Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker could take them to the 'next level' under Unai Emery, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

What's the latest transfer news involving Kyle Walker?

As per Football Insider, Aston Villa are said to be keen on signing Walker from Manchester City this summer as Unai Emery eyes further reinforcements to bolster his squad.

The report states that the Villans' hierarchy are ready to back the Spaniard in the transfer market due to the impressive job he has done since taking over at Villa Park, with Walker believed to be 'firmly on the club’s radar' with the off-season approaching.

Aston Villa are not the only club interested in signing Walker. The Times have claimed that AC Milan are also keeping an eye on his situation after he fell out of favour under Citizens' boss Pep Guardiola.

Capology understands that the 32-year-old earns £160,000 per week at Manchester City and has one more year left until his deal expires in 2024.

Walker has made 28 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City this season, registering one assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist O'Rourke thinks that Walker would be a high-profile signing for Villa and also believes that many clubs will be keen on trying to secure his services.

O'Rourke told FFC: "I think it would just show the progress the club are making under Unai Emery right now. They're in the market for types of players like Kyle Walker and he could be somebody who could maybe take Villa to that next level with his experience and his class as well.

'If he's surplus to requirements at Man City, I'm sure there'd be a number of clubs that would be willing to sign the England international."

Would Kyle Walker be a good signing for Aston Villa?

Walker has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt and would be a solid addition to the fold under Emery as the Villans continue to improve on the field.

Ashley Young is getting on in age while Matty Cash has struggled with injuries of late, indicating that Aston Villa may need to enter the market to bolster the right-back area this summer.

In the Premier League, the Sheffield-born full-back has successfully recovered the ball 86 times this term, demonstrating his ability to outpace his opponent and retrieve possession for his side regularly.

Moving forward, Aston Villa bringing Walker in from Manchester City could prove to be a savvy piece of business by the West Midlands-based outfit.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Chelsea haven't quite finalised the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as they still have to agree on details such as the length of his contract.

What's the latest Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino news?

It's widely understood and has been reported that the Argentine is now the clear favourite to take over from Frank Lampard at the end of the season.

Indeed, despite past links to the likes of Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann since Graham Potter was sacked, it sounds as though the Blues have finally landed their man.

However, while talking on the latest episode of the Here We Go podcast, Romano did explain that it's not quite been formalised just yet.

Even so, it doesn't sound as though there is any reason for Chelsea fans to panic, with most of the key details relating to the project agreed upon.

The journalist explained: “The agreement is really close. Now it's also about the contract. So why the deal is not in place or completely not announced yet [is] because they are working on the final crucial points of the contract.

"So now it's about the details of the contract. Because the main points of the project, they already discussed that and everything is almost ready between Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea.

"Now it's about the contract – length of the contract, clauses, these kinds of things. So the discussion is ongoing. We wait, but all sources are very confident on this appointment."

What's been said about Pochettino joining Chelsea?

This news of a deal with the 51-year-old not quite being wrapped up just yet might concern some supporters who must be desperate to have some sense of clarity over the manager's position at their club – especially amid the turgid form since Lampard took over as interim.

But with the Englishman hired to guide the Blues for the rest of the season, there's no rush for either Pochettino or Chelsea with regard to the finer details of his contract.

And so, by the sounds of it, once a few more specifics have been ironed out, the club will be able to officially announce the Argentine – though that could take a little while yet.

Pundit Gary Neville certainly seems to think it's a good move. He told The Overlap (via The Chelsea Chronicle) “I think he is a really talented coach. I think Chelsea next year could really surprise us. Pochettino will bring the club together because he will; he’s likeable, and the players will respect him enormously,”

“I think he’ll do a very, very good job next season. He’ll cover a lot of the stuff that’s going on behind the scenes is my prediction. If they get him, I think you’ll have a very good season next year.

“Those players are perfect for Pochettino; they are talented and young, but they just need direction.”

Newcastle United have enjoyed a phenomenal campaign this season and Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the progress his squad has made during his first full season at St James' Park.

The Magpies are currently fourth in the Premier League and are in strong contention to fulfill one of their biggest targets less than 18 months since their Saudi-led takeover with Champions League football in sight if they can continue their dominance over the remaining eight league fixtures.

Indeed, Howe boasts a squad full of hungry and ambitious players who have all rightfully earned their plaudits this season, however, in their pursuit for trophies and dominance in future, there will be no time to rest on their laurels and they must continue to build their North East powerhouse by adding more talent.

Since becoming one of the richest clubs in the world back in 2021, Newcastle have been linked with numerous world-class players who come with hefty price tags and, although there have been some hugely impactful signings like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, Howe has also polished up some of the players he inherited.

Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff are just a few of the mainstays who have revived their careers on Tyneside to become key components in the success seen at the club this season and in the summer, Howe could step up his strengths in player development by unearthing raw talent from the academy.

Adding depth will be key to Newcastle's chances of continuing their consistency on the pitch and if they do qualify for the Champions League next season, it will be massively advantageous to have a strong rotation of players to ensure they can comfortably compete in multiple competitions.

One player who has been thriving in the academy is Dylan Stephenson, a young centre forward who has been polishing his skills with hopes that he can break into the highly-competitive first team squad.

Who is Dylan Stephenson?

The 20-year-old has been rising through the ranks of the Newcastle youth set-up since joining at the age of 14, making his U23s debut at just 16 years old, which is a testament to his talent in front of goal.

The hot prospect joined Scottish side Hamiliton on loan in January to earn some much-needed first-team football, with three goal contributions over his first 10 appearances so far.

Stephenson has been a prolific goal threat for the Magpies U18s and U21s over his short career so far – scoring 39 goals and registering eight assists in 96 appearances ahead of his move to the Scottish Championship.

The Blyth-born striker has captured a lot of attention for his tenacity in the attacking threat, with journalist Peter O'Rourke giving Football FanCast an insight into the youngster's future:

"He's very highly-rated at Newcastle, Stephenson, scored a lot of goals for the U21s side and is now on loan with Hamilton in Scotland – so I think they just want to get him first-team experience.

"It will be difficult for the young player to try and break into that Newcastle team right now, especially with how they are progressing under Eddie Howe, competing at the top end of the Premier League and possibly in the Champions League next season.

"You'd imagine they'll be strengthening the squad with even bigger names coming in and that will just increase competition for places, so it's going to be difficult for Stephenson, but I think the next stage for his career they'll loan to find a loan in England next season to ensure he gets regular first-team football to continue his development."

With that being said, the future is looking bright for Stephenson and if he can continue to thrive on loan next season there is no reason why he can't become the club's next Isak in years to come at St James' Park.

Leeds United may be forced into selling Illan Meslier over the summer transfer window with a number of top clubs said to be interested in him.

How much could Leeds demand for Meslier?

The Whites are certainly enduring issues in the Premier League with their last outing only offering a 5-1 drubbing in front of their own fans against Crystal Palace.

Defeat at Elland Road saw a massive opportunity to open up a gap on the bottom three missed and instead the Yorkshire club remain just two points off 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Unfortunately for Javi Gracia, the fixtures ahead are against some of the league's best with the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur still to play.

And with relegation a serious worry, it could leave a number of their players vulnerable to a move in the summer; including the likes of Meslier.

The young Frenchman still has three years remaining on his deal so the Whites would be in a strong position to demand a significant figure for their talent.

However, there are a number of the league's top clubs said to be interested as insider Pete O'Rourke suggested Leeds could look for around £40m, when speaking on the Football Insider YouTube channel:

(0:30) "I think Meslier will be a top target for a number of clubs if Leeds were to go down. Very good, young goalkeeper already got a lot of experience from a couple of seasons in the Premier League now as well.

"And there are a lot of big Premier League clubs looking for goalkeepers this summer as well. You've got the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs all in the market for a goalkeeper as well.

"So I think if Leeds do go down, Illan Meslier will probably be figuring on the wanted list of those three clubs and I think Leeds could demand top dollar for him as well. You're probably looking at the £40m pound mark for him."

"I think he's got all the attributes to be one of the top goalkeepers in Europe going forward as well. So he'll be one to keep an eye on."

Would Meslier be a huge loss for Leeds?

The £30k-per-week ace has been a regular between the sticks for Leeds for a number of years now having racked up 122 appearances across all competitions already (via Transfermarkt).

However, it has not been plain sailing for the French shot-stopper who has only been able to keep five clean sheets this season in the struggling Leeds side.

Leeds have conceded the second-most (54) goals this season, however, Meslier has only been credited with one error which has led to a goal being conceded.

Statman Dave took to Twitter to hail the 23-year-old as "outstanding" following his outing against Liverpool which saw him make a staggering nine saves.

And he has made the joint sixth-most saves of any goalkeeper in the Premier League having prevented 85 efforts from going into his net.

However, there are seemingly some sceptics still surrounding the ability of the Frenchman with journalist Sam Street labelling the 23-year-old as "overrated" last year.

Given his age and the belief shown in him as a member of the French U21s side, it does seem as if there would be a market this summer for Meslier.

Aaron Ramsdale found himself in a similar situation not too long ago and Arsenal took the chance on the £30m shot-stopper and it has certainly paid off for the league leaders.

Perhaps this is something which the bigger sides in the league may look at if they are potentially concerned by his regular involvement at the bottom end of the table.

Javi Gracia has given Leeds United a new lease of life since his arrival at Elland Road, with the Spaniard overseeing vital wins against Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

The Yorkshire outfit now look to be in a better position than most in the Premier League relegation battle but it is so tight that a poor run of form could easily see Leeds drop back down the table.

Gracia's instant impact on results has been impressive but his transformation of key attackers has also been vital to the upturn in form, with Luis Sinisterra arguably enjoying his best game since joining the club on Tuesday night when he scored the winner against Forest.

However, it has arguably been the form of Jack Harrison since Gracia's appointment that has been the most eye-catching change under the former Watford boss at Elland Road.

How has Jack Harrison improved under Gracia?

Although it was a strong start to the season from the former Manchester City man, as he notched three assists and one goal in the opening three fixtures, he would then endure a barren run of form that saw him fail to register a single goal contribution in any game for the rest of 2022.

While the 26-year-old winger did manage a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, he had a woeful record of no goals and just one assist in 15 Premier League games ahead of Marsch's sacking in February.

Gracia was appointed on February 21st and Harrison, who earns £50k-per-week at Elland Road, has been a key player for the new manager ever since then, kick-starting his and Leeds' revival with an assist in the 1-0 win over Southampton.

Other than in tough away defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal, Harrison has been a constant threat to Premier League defences recently, hitting three goals and an assist in games against Brighton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Leeds were very close to losing the English wide man in January when Leicester City came calling, but Marsch handed the Yorkshire outfit a parting gift by ensuring that Harrison remained at Elland Road, until the end of the season at least.

Marsch said: “Listen, all I’ll say is, I really like Jack first as a person. He’s one of the most incredible people I’ve ever coached.

“We like him here. We want to keep him. He’s performing really well. I think getting him fit and healthy has been a big key. He’s got flexibility in the way he plays.”

Harrison has certainly lived up to that praise following the American's departure and if he can maintain this impressive form, then he could be a key player for Leeds in their bid for survival.

While much uncertainty remains at Manchester United amid the prospect of a change in ownership, excitement is no doubt already brewing at the thought of high-profile additions arriving at Old Trafford this summer.

It would appear that Erik ten Hag and co are keen on landing a new centre-forward addition – amid current links to England skipper, Harry Kane – while Manchester Evening News have revealed that the signing of a 'younger midfielder' is also a priority.

The Red Devils did only recently bolster their midfield ranks with the signings of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro last summer, although with the pair having both turned 31 last month, there may need to be a fresh injection of youth to help complement such experienced figures.

According to transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, one such talent who could well be on United's radar ahead of next season is Borussia Monchengladbach gem, Kouadio 'Manu' Kone, with both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain also in the mix for the 21-year-old's signature.

As per Romano, the promising Frenchman could be one of the "big names" on the market this summer, with the Bundesliga side potentially willing to sanction a sale for a fee of more than €50m (£44m).

Should Man United sign Manu Kone?

The former Toulouse man has caught the attention since arriving in Germany ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, showcasing that he is a truly "monstrous box-to-box midfielder in the making", as per talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Also previously hailed as a "one-man army" by Kulig after starring against Bayern Munich back in August, Kone has no doubt warranted the intense interest that is flooding his way, with Ten Hag likely to be keeping a close watch on the youngster's rapid progress.

Any fears over whether the France U21 international can adapt to life in England should be eased by the fact that he is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with Brighton and Hove Albion sensation, Moises Caicedo, as per FBref.

That likeness notably comes from the fact that Caicedo has also been described as a "box-to-box midfielder" by Kulig, while the pair are also alike due to their ball-winning prowess, with the Seagulls man ranking in the top 14% in Europe's top five leagues among those in his position for tackles made, while Kone also ranks in the top 14% in that regard.

The duo's creative quality is also shown by the fact that the Gladbach ace has provided 136 progressive passes and 38 progressive carries from his 24 league starts this season, while Caicedo's record is undoubtedly similar, as the 21-year-old has provided 148 progressive passes and 21 progressive carries from his 23 league starts.

That comparison to the Brighton gem – who has been valued at around £80m amid interest from Arsenal – will be of particular interest to those at the Theatre of Dreams, with the Colombian dynamo having reportedly been a target for United last year, after the Red Devils previously fluffed the chance to sign the playmaker back in 2021.

While it would now seemingly take a hefty fee to prise Caicedo from the Amex, Ten Hag could find his answer to the exciting menace with the signing of a cheaper alternative, such as Kone.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta "will be impressed" by Southampton midfielder and Gunners transfer target Romeo Lavia, according to journalist Dean Jones.

How is Lavia faring this season?

The teenager has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season for Saints, having joined permanently from Manchester City during last summer's transfer window. While the south coast side have struggled, currently sitting bottom of the Premier League, the midfielder has been one of the few positives on show.

Lavia has shown a level of maturity beyond his years in the middle of the park, starting 16 league games and scoring against Chelsea earlier this season, as well as enjoying an 86.7% pass completion rate. His performances have seen him linked with a host of top Premier League clubs and Arsenal have emerged as a potential suitor this summer.

Arteta has already built a hugely exciting young squad that is battling for league title glory in 2022/23, and he could see the Saints man as the latest prodigious talent to bring in and make his group of players even stronger.

Will Arsenal sign Lavia this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones said that Arteta will be liking what he sees from Lavia ahead of a possible move for him in the coming months:

"I think Arteta will be impressed by the way he's managed to shine in that Saints team, who have generally been pretty poor, but he's been pretty good most of the time. He's got a Belgium call up now, he's growing as a player and growing as a person.

"I think it's no coincidence that Lavia is going to be linked with some big clubs this summer because there is a lot of people watching him."

Lavia could be such an exciting signing by Arsenal this summer, while beating rivals to his signature would also be a statement, in terms of their newfound standing in the Premier League. Reports suggest the midfield sensation could cost up to £45 million but Lavia really does look like a special young prospect with a massive future in the game. Indeed, journalist Jacob Tanswell has described him as "crucial" when referencing his importance to the Southampton squad.

The one-cap Belgium international could come in as a squad player at the base of the Gunners' midfield, not necessarily being a regular starter to begin with but improving over time and learning from Thomas Partey in the role. Eventually, he could then be considered his replacement, making it a seamless transition in a key role for Arteta.

Tottenham Hotspur players would "love" the club to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What are the latest manager rumours from Tottenham?

Following his departure from Bayern Munich, it has now been reported that Julian Nagelsmann is one of the frontrunners for the Tottenham job, however he is not the only person under consideration by the board. The same report claims Luis Enrique and Pochettino are both options for chairman Daniel Levy, although the club's hierarchy are said to be split on whether to sanction the latter manager's return.

Pochettino was said to be willing to take over immediately, however the club now appear to be taking a more cautious approach, with Cristian Stellini potentiallly taking charge for the rest of the campaign, being supported by Ryan Mason. While the Spurs board are undecided about whether to bring back their former manager, Brown has recently told GiveMeSport that he still has a lot of admirers within the club.

The journalist said: "I think there'll be a lot of managers interested in the Spurs job. I think a few have come forward already. Pochettino is a really interesting one. I think there are people at the club who would really love to have him back, including people in the dressing room there."

Would Pochettino be a good appointment for Tottenham?

While they were ultimately unable to win any trophies in the Argentine's previous tenure, Tottenham finished in the top four in four consecutive seasons, a major improvement on the days of Tim Sherwood and Andre Villas-Boas. After being sacked by Spurs in November 2019, the "brilliant" 51-year-old has since gone on to add to his trophy collection, although it was in a much less competitive league, winning three trophies, including a league title, during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.

With the Independent reporting that the Tottenham dressing room is not in a good place, in light of Conte's recent comments, it could be necessary for the board to make an appointment that will get the players, as well as the fans, back on side.

A major advantage in appointing Pochettino is that Harry Kane would allegedly be willing to sign a new deal, and while it will be a tough ask for the manager to lead Spurs to another Champions League final, he is a proven manager at Premier League level, overseeing 293 matches in his previous stint.