Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has claimed that the Elland Road club must find a replacement for Pablo Hernandez this summer, in an interview with Football Insider.
What did he say?
Hernandez has been brilliant since returning to English football in 2016 and has proven a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.
Aged 35, the former Valencia and Swansea City man is nearing the end of his career, although he would likely relish the chance to play in the Premier League again.
Whelan said that while Hernandez has been brilliant for the club, they need to replace him with a player in his prime that can replicate his skills.
“There is a lack of Premier League experience and a lack of quality in certain areas,” he told Football Insider.
“You have Pablo Hernandez coming to the back end of his career and he is the one player that can produce that bit of brilliance. He is a standout player and he will need replacing.
“It will cost you money to get a player like Pablo Hernandez in his prime but it does make the difference.
“To complement that, you need a striker to get on the end of his passes and crosses from wide areas. That is going to cost money.”
Quiz: How much do you remember of Leeds’ last season in the Premier League?
Hernandez has been a key man for Leeds under Bielsa and certainly adds a level of creativity and flair from his wide position.
Although he could stay at the club, adding more of this type of player to the squad would certainly prove a boost for the squad and would allow Leeds to phase the Spaniard out, rather than relying on him at the age of 36.
With 227 games for the club, Kris Commons was a Celtic regular in the time that he was at the club.
The former Scotland international was a consistent performer for the Hoops too, netting an impressive 89 goals and providing a further 72 assists – a key reason behind the side’s domestic dominance during the early to mid 2010s.
Best of the Decade: Top scorers & creators – Can you name them?
But for all his quality on the ball, Commons certainly had his fair share of troubles off the pitch and problems with attitude. There was that infamous night in Norway against Molde, when the now 36-year-old threw his toys out of the pram following his substitution – he would then admit that it was “idiotic behaviour”.
And after a thread posted on Twitter by Celtic1967.com, fans of the Hoops flooded the replies section with their thoughts on the midfielder.
One Celtic fan meanwhile accepted that whilst he was a “great player”, his disagreement with Ronny Deila should have seen his time at the club come to an end.
It’s safe to say Celtic fans still haven’t forgotten about Commons.
He certainly had his moments of inspiration, but as some supporters alluded to, it’s difficult to ignore some of the more negative aspects that also came with him too.
Lots of Manchester City fans revelled in the club’s Twitter throwback to a “sublime” Kevin De Bruyne moment from 2017.
The club tweeted footage from the 7-2 win over Stoke in the 2017/18 season (via @ManCity) which showed the Belgian at his best, threading a perfectly-weighted diagonal ball through a gap between four opponents to pick out the onrushing Leroy Sane, who coolly slotted it to the net.
That was Manchester City’s sixth goal of a memorable afternoon at the Etihad Stadium and De Bruyne’s second assist of the day, having earlier set up Gabriel Jesus for his goal. Such was his performance that day that then-Stoke manager Mark Hughes said afterwards: “For me he is the best player in the Premier League by a country mile”. [via BBC]
De Bruyne ended the 2017/18 Premier League with eight goals and 16 assists as City racked up a record points total of 100, with the Belgian being named the club’s Player of the Season and being included in the PFA Team of the Year.
These Manchester City fans on Twitter loved looking back at his magnificent assist for Sane from October 2017:
Man City fans, is De Bruyne the best player in the Premier League right now? Comment below with your views!
In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 280 Premier League appearances, has praised Stuart Dallas for his consistent performances this season and claims he has been one of their best players.
Leeds United are reportedly set to have talks with Dallas about offering him a new contract after an impressive debut season in the Premier League, which has seen him score seven goals and register two assists.
The Northern Ireland international has been a great player for Marcelo Bielsa with his versatility proving key, especially during games, as he can easily slot into left-back or centre midfield.
Speaking on how he has been a consistent performer this season and how he has gone under a lot of people’s radars, Lee exclusively told FFC:
“He’s been brilliant and he’s not one of their big-name players so he goes under the radar but every time I watch him play, he’s either Man of the Match or not far off it.
“He’s been different class and he has been scoring goals as well, so a new contract is the least he deserves.”
The £8,000 per week midfielder has been with the club since 2015 when he signed from Brentford and has gone on to make 226 appearances for the club.
Leeds have their sights firmly set on a top-half finish this season after a run of just one defeat in their last seven league games.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is set to return to full training next week, per the Daily Mail.
The report states that Kane could be available for the Premier League encounter with Burnley after injuring his ankle ligaments against Manchester United in January.
The BBC reported initially that the 25-year-old could be out until March but he appears poised to make an earlier-than-expected recovery.
The England captain has missed games against Fulham, Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City in the league, though Mauricio Pochettino’s side have taken a maximum 12 points from the four encounters. Son Heung-Min, in Kane’s absence, scored in each of the three latter games, having missed the Fulham encounter due to international commitments with South Korea.
Kane was also absent from the FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace and the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg penalty shootout loss to Chelsea.
A 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie was also achieved without Kane, but news of his return will serve as a major boost to Pochettino.
Spurs continue to fight on two fronts – they face the return leg in Germany on March 5, after Premier League games against Burnley, Chelsea and Arsenal.
And fans are delighted with Kane’s impending return to fitness, though many have urged Pochettino to ease him back in as Spurs look forward to a potentially season-defining run of games. Take a look at the best reaction below.
ذكرت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية، أن نادي ليفربول توصل إلى اتفاق مع تياجو ألكانتارا، نجم بايرن ميونخ لضمه هذا الصيف.
تياجو، أبدى رغبته في عدم تجديد عقده مع النادي البافاري، إذ يريد خوض تجربة جديدة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ليرتبط بقوة بعدها بالانضمام إلى ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد.
اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: تياجو ألكانتارا يطلب راتبًا كبيرًا في ليفربول
وقالت صحيفة “ذا أتلتيك” الإنجليزية: “اتفق ليفربول مع بايرن ميونخ على ضم تياجو مقابل 30 مليون يورو”.
وأوضحت: “المفاوضات بين الجانبين شهدت تسارعًا ملحوظًا منذ يوم الإثنين الماضي، بعدما أبدى مسؤولو بايرن ميونخ رغبتهم، في حسم هذا مستقبل تياجو قبل انطلاق الدوري الألماني”.
ويستقبل بايرن ميونخ نظيره شالكه، على ملعب “أليانز أرينا” مساء غد الجمعة، في افتتاحية البوندسليجا.
Newcastle face Huddersfield at the weekend in what will be a must-win clash for the Magpies as they look to avoid relegation – the Terries are surely resigned to their fate already – and Rafa Benitez’s side may have gotten themselves on the right track just in time.
Benitez’s experimentation with a 5-4-1 has seen the standard of performances from the St James’ Park outfit sky-rocket in recent weeks, with a shock win over Manchester City epitomising their improvement.
The January arrivals of Miguel Almiron and Antonio Barreca significantly boost the Magpies’ chances of securing Premier League football for another season and as Matt Ritchie said, they know that getting a point if they cannot get all three at this stage of the season is vital.
Every player will have to be on top form and step up in the coming months, but who has already taken huge strides this season? Who has fallen off? Read on to find out who is hot and who is not at Newcastle…
Most improved: Isaac Hayden
Soccer Football – Premier League – Newcastle United v Manchester United – St James’ Park, Newcastle, Britain – January 2, 2019 Manchester United’s Paul Pogba in action with Newcastle United’s Mohamed Diame and Isaac Hayden Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player pub
Isaac Hayden’s Newcastle career has been revived this season and the Englishman is excelling in Benitez’s new system. Playing alongside academy product Sean Longstaff at the base of midfield, Hayden has impressed even Pep Guardiola, who admitted his title-winning side could not deal with the pair.
Despite reports of a potential exit, the 23-year-old has not let his calibre of showing slip, instead going from strength to strength from week to week.
A bit-part player for the first half of the season, Hayden has done a complete heel turn and is now a fixture in the starting XI – he has played the full 90 minutes in six of his seven appearances since the new year. His performances put him on the radar of Aston Villa in January, but a deal never materialised – could they or other clubs come in for him in the summer if his desire to leave doesn’t lessen?
Far removed: Kenedy
Soccer Football – Premier League – Newcastle United v Fulham – St James’ Park, Newcastle, Britain – December 22, 2018 Newcastle United’s Kenedy receives instructions from manager Rafael Benitez before being substituted on Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publi
Kenedy’s impressive showings on loan from Chelsea last season earned him a second temporary stint at St James’ Park for the 18/19 season but, unfortunately, the Brazilian has cut a moody, disinterested figure this time round.
Wolves Fan TV give us their outsiders take on the turbulent situation behind the scenes at Newcastle in the video below…
The 23-year-old has chalked up just one goal and one assist in 20 appearances this season – the resurgence of Christian Atsu and the arrival of the aforementioned Almiron will make minutes hard to come by for Kenedy if he doesn’t pick his feet up soon.
With Hayden’s importance increasing as the season rolls on, Kennedy’s has decreased dramatically and he has played just 32 minutes of football since the start of the year. Based on this form, it’s highly unlikely he will be back on Tyneside for a third consecutive year.
تقدم فريق بيراميدز بالهدف الأول على حساب منافسه حرس الحدود في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.
ويلتقي بيراميدز أمام حرس الحدود حاليًا على أرضية استاد الدفاع الجوي، في لقاء الجولة 28 من المسابقة المحلية.
وسجل أنطوي هدف التقدم لصالح بيراميدز في الدقيقة 37 من عمر اللقاء، بعدما اخترق منطقة جزاء الحدود وسدد الكرة بقوة، لترتطم بـ أحمد السعدني حارس الحدود وتسكن الشباك. هدف بيراميدز الأول في مرمى حرس الحدود
وكانت إدارة بيراميدز قد احتفلت بـ جون أنطوي بسبب دخوله نادي المائة هدف في الكرة المصرية، قبل أن يرتفع رصيده لـ103 بعد هدف اليوم طالع التفاصيل.
يُذكر أن بيراميدز يدخل المباراة محتلًا المركز الرابع بجدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 48 نقطة.
كشف هاني سعيد المدير الرياضي بنادي بيراميدز، حقيقة رحيل المدير الفني الحالي آنتي تشاتشيتش، والمفاوضات مع إيهاب جلال مدرب مصر المقاصة، والتعاقد مع مهاجم الأهلي.
وقال سعيد في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “رحيل تشاتيتش؟ نحن في مرحلة حرجة ومن الصعب التغيير حاليًا، لأننا على مشارف نصف نهائي الكونفدرالية”.
تشاتشيتش: بيراميدز مازال ينافس على وصافة الدوري.. وعودة عبد الله السعيد مهمة
وأضاف: “نحن لسنا النادي الذي يحاسب من مباراة أو اثنين، والأخبار التي تطلق علينا كثيرة وهذا طبيعي في مصر، ولكن نحن مسؤولين عن ما يخرج على ألسنتنا”.
وتابع معلقًا على أنباء مفاوضات إيهاب جلال: “هو من أفضل المدربين الموجودين وهو إضافة لأي فريق، ونحن لا يوجد لدينا أي نية للاستغناء عن المدرب، ولكن في عالم الكرة هناك متغيرات كثيرة”.
واستكمل: “لا يوجد أي كلام عن وليد أزارو رغم أنه لاعب كبير”.
واختتم: “هناك أكثر من لاعب نسعى للتعاقد معه، ولكن ليسوا من مصر، وعندما تتم الصفقات سنعلن عنها”.
يُذكر أن بيراميدز يحتل المركز الثالث في سلم ترتيب بطولة الدوري المصري برصيد 51 نقطة.
Southampton look dangerously close to suffering relegation, and with that, they can wave goodbye to all the perks of being a Premier League side.
Amid fresh rumours that Southampton are ready to ramp up their interest for highly-rated French youngster Jean-Kevin Augustin, we find ourselves wondering why the striker would want to exchange Red Bull Leipzig for struggling Saints on the south coast (source: Daily Mail).
That said, here are TWO reasons we’ve decided their chase for the player is doomed…
Finances
First off, and perhaps most importantly, is the money.
Southampton are reportedly willing to meet Leipzig’s £35m valuation for the forward, which seems a little farfetched given their current circumstances.
Potential relegation into the Championship isn’t a calling for frivolous spending. It is the opposite. Clubs tend to buckle down financially and prepare for the long and arduous climb back into the topflight; no recruitment, no nothing; just saving and selling.
To suggest that the Saints, who aren’t exactly market powerhouses in the first place, are now willing to spend this much on a relatively unproven play is nonsensical.
Why would he?
It is naïve and almost insultingly arrogant to just assume any player wants to join the Premier League as soon as it comes knocking.
We’ve shown time and time again that players progress can be stunted by the warzone that is top flight team selection.
There’s a reason English youth players are looking towards Germany and other major leagues in Europe to get their chance, after all.
Think Jadon Sancho.
Augustin is playing at a club who have given him a good chance to further his career in one of the most progressive and forward-thinking divisions in the world.
Why would he give that up for an endangered Southampton side who already have a top quality prospect in Michael Obafemi?