All posts by z3u9t.icu

With Joe Gelhardt beginning to make an impression on Leeds United’s first-team in recent weeks, Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt be keeping a close eye on some of the club’s brightest young academy prospects.

If he had his sights on the Yorkshire club’s FA Youth Cup contest against Coventry City in midweek, then he would have been left suitably impressed by one teenager in particular – Max Dean.

The 17-year-old netted twice as the Whites ran out 4-1 winners away from home, with both of his finishes distinctly different in nature: one a well-timed effort from a cut-back, and another latching onto a through ball over the top over the Coventry defence.

Aside from his impressive FA Youth Cup display, he has also been shining at under-23 level too, scoring three goals in eight games in Premier League 2 and also netting once in the EFL Trophy away to Salford.

It’s been no surprise that Leeds’ under-23 boss Mark Jackson has waxed lyrical about the forward and his character, saying: “You don’t have to prepare it with Deano. Deano’s a fiery character, I don’t like to quash that in him. He’s got an edge to him and how he plays – and I like that in his personality.

“Yes he gets frustrated at times and we have to curtail it but his hunger to press and work hard and his hunger to score goals is really apparent.”

In late October, despite a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal, Jackson showered Dean with more praise, saying: “I spoke to Max before the game. When he first came to the club, he had a real intensity about his play, really aggressive style in how he pressed and how he competed – we have chats with the players all the time and there’s been stages where we think that’s sort of dipped off a little bit in recent games.

“We’ve had a few chats recently with Max, and particularly before the game, I said ‘listen, you need to try and get back to those moments when you were playing in the 23s last year’. I thought he took that conversation well and he took it on board today and he had a much more positive performance.”

The 17-year-old could well be the next big thing at Elland Road if he continues to improve with the under-23s.

Meanwhile, Adam Pope dropped an early morning setback for Leeds United…

Newcastle United are back in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over signing Mitchel Bakker in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

While the Magpies continue to work on a deal to sign Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, it appears they still have their irons in several fires, with Bakker now well and truly back in the equation.

Writing on Twitter, journalist Ryan Taylor said: “Newcastle have revived talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Mitchel Bakker. Deal looked dead in water. Personal terms have already been discussed. #NUFC”

Fans will be buzzing

After clinching deals for Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood earlier this month, Newcastle’s recruitment team are ramping into overdrive heading into this final week of the January transfer window.

They seem to have pipped Arsenal in the race to sign Bruno, and have now come back to the table for Bakker.

The latter has had extensive experience of playing for some big clubs in Europe, with stints at Ajax, PSG and Leverkusen to his name.

Able to play at left-back, but also further forward or even in central defence as he has done in his career before, Bakker looks like the perfect versatile player who Newcastle could really do with in the second-half of this campaign.

With injuries and the virus wreaking havoc across the Premier League, having players like Bakker who can fill multiple positions when required gives managers a welcome option if and when things begin to get tough with their squad.

The £9m-rated star would be another fine signing for the Magpies, and have fans buzzing.

Meanwhile, Craig Hope has dropped an exciting Newcastle United transfer update on Bruno Guimaraes…

Just two weeks ago it looked like Sunderland would coast into the Championship at a canter.

However, football can change so quickly. That’s something Lee Johnson and his Mackems side have found out the hard way in the last fortnight.

They have gone from favourites for automatic promotion after a run of 14 unbeaten matches to a team now lacking all sorts of fluency. The Black Cats haven’t won in five straight games and have suffered some meaty blows against fellow promotion hopefuls Charlton, Peterborough, Blackpool and Hull City.

What’s made their situation even worse is Aiden McGeady’s injury situation. He played no part against Hull due to severe bruising on his foot but unfortunately he could also miss the game with Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.

The Irishman is a doubt for the clash with Johnson providing an update on his fitness, telling Chronicle Live: “I would put him at 50-50. He is tough and he wants to play, but his foot is still very bruised even though it is only a superficial injury, if you like – it’s nothing bone or ligament related.

“If he can handle the pain and hopefully smash one into the top corner then he will be able to play, it’s as simple as that.”

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If the forward is missing again, then it will be a huge blow to Sunderland’s promotion aspirations. The Black Cats need to get back on track as soon as possible, and it seems unlikely that they’ll be able to achieve that with McGeady sat on the sidelines.

Since being brought back into the team in December when Johnson was hired, he has been game-changing for their attack. The 35-year-old has registered 13 assists in just 26 outings this term, a tally that no one in the third tier can better.

Influential to the form of Charlie Wyke as well, the Mackems will need McGeady back in the team if their top scorer is to fire again. Wyke has only found the net once in his last eight outings, a tally which could be improved if the veteran Irishman returns to the fold this weekend.

Johnson will be sweating over the winger’s fitness; the manager needs him to return quickly.

AND in other news, Zero starts in 2021: Johnson can forget McGeady by unleashing “very talented” Sunderland ace…

Phil Hay has dropped an update on the future of Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

What’s the talk?

In a recent report for The Athletic, the journalist claimed that, according to his sources, Manchester United have begun to explore the possibility of a £50m move for the 26-year-old England international this summer, via intermediaries.

Hay went on to state that, while there is yet to be contact made with either Leeds United or Phillips himself, both interim United manager Ralf Rangnick and assistant manager Mike Phelan are thought to be big fans of the Whites academy graduate.

The journalist also revealed that, despite the midfielder looking set to leave his current agency firm for Stellar Group – the company responsible for negotiating Jack Grealish’s £100m switch from Aston Villa to Manchester City last summer – sources claim that this should not be taken as an indication that Phillips will be on the move at the end of the season.

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In summary, Hay compares the midfielder’s current situation to that of Alan Smith 18 years ago – the Leeds centre-forward who ended up joining United in a £7m deal – before suggesting that the 26-year-old’s saga may well have a different outcome.

Supporters will be buzzing

While it is clear that even a journalist with the access of Hay remains uncertain as to whether Phillips will end up making a move to Old Trafford this summer, his suggestion that United have not yet contacted Leeds regarding a deal for the midfielder – despite previous reports claiming that the Red Devils were making progress in a deal for the 19-time capped international – is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

Indeed, over his 29 Premier League appearances last season, the £45m-rated midfielder proved just how crucial a part of the Leeds side he is, making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 2.6 tackles, 1.7 clearances and winning 5.3 duels – at a success rate of 52% – per game.

The £38k-per-week talent also impressed in a creative capacity, bagging one goal, providing two assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as completing an average of 1.2 key passes, 4.7 long balls and 41 passes per fixture.

These returns saw the 26-year-old average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.21, not only ranking him as the Whites’ best performer in the league but also as the ninth-best midfielder in the division as a whole.

As such, while Phillips has only started 13 Premier League fixtures as a result of injury this season – something that has undoubtedly contributed to the club’s lowly league standing – it is clear for all to see that losing the services of the England international this summer would come as a massive blow to Jesse Marsch and his side – meaning Hay’s latest update is sure to come as music to the ears of Leeds supporters.

AND in other news: Orta now plotting £20m Leeds bid for “unbelievable” talent, he’s better than Aaronson

According to a report by Claret & Hugh, West Ham United manager David Moyes is set for a decision over striker Joshua King this summer as the Norwegian looks likely to become a free agent at the end of the season. 

King was reportedly at the centre of intense Hammers interest before his move to Everton in January, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook claiming Moyes was working on a deal ‘behind the scenes’.

Moyes set for West Ham call over King

The 29-year-old was also ‘desperate’ to join the east Londoners according to Crook, but Moyes now looks set to pass on the international striker as he turns his attention to younger and more talented targets, according to Claret & Hugh.

Despite being lauded as an ‘exciting player’ by pundit Noel Whelan before the new year (Football Insider), King hasn’t managed to replicate that tag for the Toffees since signing for them from Bournemouth on a six-month contract (Sky Sports).

This has resulted in Moyes withdrawing his West Ham interest despite being heavily linked both before and during January, with the King saga looking set to end this summer.

Transfer Tavern take

Premier League suitors for the forward are apparently in short supply, and West Ham have now chalked their name off the list with Moyes set for this transfer call.

Despite his possibly soon-to-be free agent status, this could be a good move by Moyes – with the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri and Abdallah Sima debatably better options.

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this 6 foot 3 powerhouse, find out more here.

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has claimed that Crystal Palace would welcome the signing of Joshua King with open arms.

What’s the story?

The 29-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the month following a disappointing six-month spell at Everton.

King was signed by the Toffees on a short-term deal back in February, and the Merseyside club have chosen not to extend his stay at Goodison Park.

Fans would be buzzing

It means the Norway international is currently searching for a new team ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and Windass believes he would be welcomed at Palace.

In an exclusive interview with Transfer Tavern regarding King’s future, the ex-Hull City star said: “Crystal Palace would take him all day long, but he needs to be playing, he needs to be proving he’s a goalscorer.

“Listen, it’s hard when you’ve done ever so well for Bournemouth, and you’re scoring goals, you get a move, and you hardly play. And then people think you’re a bad player overnight.

“It doesn’t work like that. You need to be playing week in, week out to be scoring goals.”

With the Eagles on course to lose over a dozen players themselves on free transfers over the coming weeks, chairman Steve Parish is set to oversee a major squad overhaul in south London.

Michy Batshuayi has returned to parent club Chelsea following an underwhelming loan spell, leaving a gap that needs filling at the top end of the pitch.

Although King wasn’t a success at Everton, he proved his goalscoring credentials over many years at Bournemouth, bagging 48 Premier League goals in 161 top-flight appearances for the Cherries.

Acquiring the services of an experienced campaigner with a history of finding the back of the net at the highest level would be a much-welcomed addition to Palace’s ranks.

Therefore, the club’s supporters would surely be buzzing if Parish did end up moving for King this summer.

And, in other news…Parish could deliver dream Kouyate upgrade for Palace in £22.5m-rated “big prospect”

Leeds United star Raphinha has been receiving more praise over the weekend following an excellent performance against Sheffield United.

The Whites picked up another win on Saturday afternoon as their impressive first season back in the Premier League continues. Marcelo Bielsa’s men saw off the bottom-of-the-table Blades 2-1 at Elland Road, with Jack Harrison finding the net and Phil Jagielka scoring an own goal.

The player who arguably stood out the most was Raphinha, however, with the Brazilian producing a superb display, including an assist for the opening goal. He also won seven duels and executed four key passes on a rewarding afternoon for the 24-year-old.

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Savage lauds Raphinha’s brilliance

Speaking on BT Sport Score [via MOT Leeds News] during the match, Savage waxed lyrical over the Leeds star, hailing his impact:

“Raphinha has been exceptional. I’m sure he’s in Jules’ fantasy football team. It’s great play [for the first goal], they’re relentless in the high press.”

Savage is just the latest pundit to laud Raphinha, with ex-Whites striker Noel Whelan describing him as “incredible” back in February in an interview with Football Insider.

Transfer Tavern take

The winger is a fantastic footballer and he was a joy to watch on Saturday, catching the eye with his elegant style and quick feet.

Amid reported transfer interest from Bayern Munich, the 24-year-old is someone Bielsa desperately needs to keep hold of beyond this summer in order for the team to continue progressing in a positive manner.

In other news, Leeds are believed to be keen on offering one player a pathway into the first-team. Find out who it is here.

Open up Celtic’s squad list heading into next season and there are a number of players you could reel off as potential departures from Parkhead.

Whether it’s Ryan Christie and his perplexing contract situation at Paradise, or the futures of Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard, the Bhoys could have their work cut out in the transfer market.

What’s the word?

Speaking about Celtic’s transfer business this summer, Frank McAvennie told Football Insider where he thought the Hoops would definitely strengthen. This came after he was quizzed about the club’s interest in Peterborough forward Siriki Dembele.

Posh director Barry Fry told Football FanCast’s sister site This is Futbol this week that the 24-year-old would be allowed to leave if the right offer came in, with the attacker’s contract due to expire in 2022.

With the fear of Edouard leaving also, there was only one area McAvennie was ever going to stress as a priority.

“Celtic are going to buy a decent striker,” the pundit began.

“If it was a choice between Rangers and Celtic, obviously I want him [Dembele] to sign for Celtic. But if his brother isn’t getting a game, I’m not sure how he could convince Siriki to come.”

McKay has to act soon

It’s exciting to hear that Celtic will probably sign a striker in the coming months.

After all, these are the additions supporters crave. Everyone loves to see a natural born goal scorer arriving and elevating their chances of success.

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That said, with Edouard almost through the door at Leicester, Dominic McKay will need to act soon on finding a replacement.

Josh King has been touted but the club have run into troubles over his signature with Norwich and teams in Turkey pursuing him as well. Available on a free transfer, it would be a cost-effective way to replace their exit-bound Frenchman.

Dembele wouldn’t cost the earth either with only one year left on his contract but, as McAvennie states, it could be hard to tempt him into a switch north of the border.

His brother Karamoko has had a troubled few years in Glasgow with opportunities hard to come by. He finally scored his first senior goal in the 4-0 win over St Johnstone recently but was rather bizarrely left out of the starting XI on the final day of the campaign against Hibernian.

Thus, it could come down to the type of review Siriki is given by his sibling.

It’s hard to deny that Celtic’s rising teenager hasn’t been well looked after in the reserves but, at first team level, it’s a different story. He will be the first one to tell the Peterborough forward that things aren’t always easy in Scotland.

Therefore, McKay must act swiftly to draw up a lengthy list of targets. Signing a ‘decent striker’ is one thing; replacing Edouard is a different task altogether.

AND in other news, Celtic eye manager who left Rodgers “really impressed”, he’s better suited than Howe…

This summer is set to be one of the biggest in recent history for Celtic Football Club.

When the new manager arrives at Parkhead, he will have to oversee a potentially damaging list of departures before welcoming fresh faces to Paradise.

What’s the word?

Eddie Howe is thought to be the favourite for the Hoops job at the moment with a deal reportedly agreed to lure him to Glasgow.

As a result, Celtic have been linked with a number of his former players in the transfer market.

Everton striker Josh King is on their radar while Steve Cook is another name to have been mentioned.

However, speaking to This is Futbol, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie was questioned about whether Howe could bring Jack Wilshere to the Bhoys.

He responded: “He hasn’t really established himself at Bournemouth and, you know, he’s been in and out of the team.

“I don’t think he’d be one that I would certainly be looking at taking particularly. He’s gone into the Championship and I think people have always labelled the Championship as a similar sort of level as the Scottish Premiership, so you’ve got to ask yourself would he fit the bill?

“I’m not too sure about that. And that’d be a big, big question mark for me, if he would fit the bill up at Celtic.”

Stay away

In terms of Wilshere’s strengths and play style, he’d be perfect for Celtic.

Having come through the youth ranks at Arsenal and learned the game from a certain Arsene Wenger, he knows how to keep possession and complete a pass.

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Throughout his career to date, the 29-year-old has completed on average 84.7% of his passes. As a result, he’d suit the club’s possession-based style of football.

The midfielder would also be well suited to Howe and his philosophy. Howe gave Wilshere’s career a second chance when Bournemouth loaned the former England international in 2016/17.

Speaking about his initial time on the south coast, Howe once recalled: “Jack was brilliant. It was a really important signing on so many levels.

“The players were a bit like, ‘Wow, we’ve signed Jack’ and suddenly our opinion of ourselves went from there to there,” he said, gesticulating a low to high level.

Howe continued: “It was a boost for everyone’s self-worth. The value of how we looked at ourselves as a team. He did that.”

Wilshere would certainly benefit the younger members of the team at Paradise but you have to worry about his injury history.

The midfielder’s fitness has been improved this season for Bournemouth but it’s always been a worry for him throughout his career.

He was supposed to be the saviour of English football but his career has fallen by the wayside, primarily because of fitness concerns.

Throughout Wilshere’s career, he’s had 18 different spells on the sideline and hasn’t played over 30 games in one league season for a decade now.

This is enough to remind you of Daniel Arzani. Still of Manchester City, the Australian penned a two-year loan deal with Celtic back in 2018.

However, he only ever played two games for the Hoops after suffering a nasty ACL injury. As a result, his spell came to an end within a matter of 28 minutes.

Wilshere’s fitness is improved now but the last thing the new manager needs is another new signing coming in and spending more time on the sidelines, than on the pitch.

If he becomes a genuine target for Howe, the Hoops must avoid him.

AND in other news, Forget Ajeti: Celtic have their ready-made Edouard heir in “powerful” 12-goal beast…

West Brom could have done with improving their squad depth in the last transfer window, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Valerien Ismael was able to make some good signings in the recent window, including midfielder Alex Mowatt, who has already made quite the impact at The Hawthorns after netting two goals in his first five appearances.

The Frenchman has also been able to keep hold of Sam Johnstone despite Premier League interest, so it has been a positive summer for the Baggies.

However, Hatfield does have some concerns over the size of their squad, though he thinks they could address that in the January transfer window.

“I think Albion are right in that top-two battle. The only thing you probably would’ve asked more for from the window was maybe a little bit more depth, but that’s something that they might address in January,” Hatfield told FFC.

“We’ll see come January how they’re holding up. If players are going down or struggling, then it may be one where they reinvest in January and try and get themselves over the line.”

As well as Mowatt, West Brom also brought in the likes of Adam Reach and Jordan Hugill, strengthening out wide and up front.

Perhaps squad depth is something Ismael does look at in January. But having just been relegated from the Premier League, the Baggies still have a strong team for the Championship, while retaining Johnstone’s services will also come as a huge boost.