All posts by n8rngtd.top

Leeds could take a big step towards building for the future by signing Sheffield United starlet Kyron Gordon.

What’s the story?

The 18-year-old is yet to make his senior debut at Bramall Lane but is already plying his trade for the club’s under-23s, and it now appears that clubs across the Premier League have taken notice.

According to the Daily Mail, both Marcelo Bielsa’s side and Manchester United have joined the race to sign Gordon this summer, with Merseyside duo Everton and Liverpool also said to be in the running.

The report claimed that “all four of the Premier League admirers are constantly assessing talented prospects such as Gordon with the aim to add depth to their youth ranks and may consider a move in the summer amid an expected re-shaping of the Blades.”

Securing Leeds’ future

In the 18-year-old, Leeds would be making yet another exciting addition to their academy following the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood, who have also made the switch in recent seasons.

Given his age, there will be no expectation that the Blades youngster will be in the first team at Elland Road any time soon, but it could ensure that the Whites’ future at the back remains bright.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

Bielsa already has one young starlet in Charlie Cresswell progressing through the ranks, and signing Gordon to partner him in the youth teams could help form a potential duo to eventually shine at Premier League level.

That partnership could be developed early and would see them gain an understanding of each others’ strengths and weaknesses ahead of the real test of senior football in the top flight, if all goes to plan.

Meanwhile, Leeds could finally wave goodbye to this liability…

According to recent reports, Glasgow Rangers defensive midfielder, Glen Kamara, has revealed that he is in talks with Gers regarding a new contract.

Since joining Rangers from Dundee in what was a £50,000 deal back in January of 2019, Kamara has gone on to make 98 appearances for the Ibrox club, chipping in with four goals and providing four assists along the way.

So far this season, the £6,200-per-week 25-year-old has impressed for Steven Gerrard’s side, averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.90 over his 28 Scottish Premiership appearances, as well as an identical average match rating of 6.90 over his 10 Europa League fixtures.

And, in recent comments, as cited by The Scottish Sun, the Finland international confirmed that he is in talks with Gers regarding a new deal at the club.

He said: “There’s been some talks. The season’s been good, obviously, we’ve just become champions. It’s been a success so far. I still have two years left on my contract. There’s still time over the summer to see what will happen.”

Transfer Tavern Take

Considering just how important Kamara has been within Gers’ title-winning side this season, with the midfielder missing just five league games so far this term, as well as the fact that Gerrard himself claimed he wants the club to tie down the £4.05 million-rated 25-year-old – whom the 40-year-old has dubbed as “superb” – to a new deal as quickly as possible, Kamara’s latest remarks would appear to be very positive news for all involved with Rangers.

In other news: these Rangers fans were left baffled after this “insane” footage emerged – find out more here!

After coming on as a second half substitute in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool last week, Leeds starlet Ian Poveda must surely be unleashed by Marcelo Bielsa today in the Premier League against Manchester United.

The Whites boss turned to the 21-year-old for the final 23 minutes of the game upon replacing Helder Costa, who once again failed to impress. Indeed, speaking after the match, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan insisted that Poveda’s cameo was far more effective than anything that Costa produced on the night.

Whelan told Football Insider: “There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He is direct, exciting and wants to take people on. He wants to do his job as a winger and Costa does not. He plays it safe and he’s negative. At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger should do. Costa has been a massive flop. A real disappointment again.”

While a game against Manchester United may seem like a big one to throw him into, it could be the kind of surprise move which catches Ole Gunnar Solskjaer off guard.

Talking about Poveda earlier this campaign, Whelan said: “You can see now when you talk about people changing games and bringing a different dimension, he’s very, very quick, got great feet, very tricky, likes to run at players. Very much like Raphinha as well.

“He just looks a lot stronger this season, body-wise, mentality wise. He looks like he’s there to push people rather than just take up a bench place.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

The £10,000-a-week ace has plenty of ability and showed in his cameo against Liverpool that he could be a real livewire, executing one key pass and winning three duels.

With Raphinha set to be ruled out, Leeds could get the closest to replacing him by someone who’s “very much like” him in Poveda.

Meanwhile, Leeds have been handed a major boost ahead of their Premier League clash against Man Utd…

Liverpool may have provided a huge summer transfer clue with their reported interest in Sheffield United’s Sander Berge.

According to EuroSport, the Reds are interested in bringing the Norwegian midfielder to Anfield in what could be a sign of their intentions to replace Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Dutch midfielder’s future on Merseyside remains up in the air with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and Barcelona reportedly remaining interested in swooping for his services on a free transfer.

That decision may have already been made though, hence the Reds’ interest in Berge.

It is no surprise when looking into their statistics to find that the duo are extremely similar players as box-to-box midfielders. Surprisingly, even during a horrendous season for his team that looks inevitable to conclude with a return to the Championship, Berge is out-performing the current Liverpool man in some areas.

According to WhoScored, the 24-cap Norwegian international is averaging 1.6 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game for club and country throughout 2020/21. Meanwhile, Wijnaldum is averaging just 0.8 on both counts in all competitions on both the club and international stage.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old is more than matching Wijnaldum from an attacking point of view, too. He is equaling the Dutchman’s shots per game at 0.9, whilst edging ahead in key passes with 0.8 to 0.7.

It’s on the ball and drifting past opponents where Berge is excelling though, racking up an impressive 1.8 dribbles per game, compared to 1.1 from the current Liverpool man.

Remarkably, their passing statistics are also extremely similar, with Wijnaldum’s understandably better at a 92.3% success rate in the Premier League, whilst Berge’s sits lower at 86.3%. It would be fair to assume though that dragged from the mire of a relegation battle, these numbers would improve.

Considering their similarities pitch then, it could be assumed Berge is being lined up to the Liverpool’s Wijnaldum replacement.

AND in more news, read more about the Liverpool links to Berge…

Jude Bellingham was sent off for dissent after seeing a last-second winner denied by the final whistle in a chaotic clash with Valencia

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Bellingham headed home seconds after final whistle
• Referee blew for full-time while Madrid were attacking
• English midfielder shown straight red, will face suspension

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bellingham nodded home in the 99th minute of the clash between the two teams, scoring what seemed to be Los Blancos' third in a 3-2 comeback win. However, the referee blew for time before the ball was delivered – despite Bellingham's side still being in an attacking phase of play.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bellingham's would-be-goal seemed to have marked an impressive turnaround for Los Blancos, who trailed 2-0 after 30 minutes. A Vinicius Jr double brought them back into the game, but a late winner never came. The result ended 2-2 after a dizzying matchup.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

  Bellingham has since expressed his displeasure with the decision on social media, retweeting a number of posts criticising the referee. The England international will face a ban, barring a successful appeal, and could miss two games.

Speaking to talkSPORT, pundit Danny Mills has claimed that the top four in England shouldn’t all be rewarded with European Cup qualification – going to say that they’ve expanded it for ‘the sake of expansion’ and West Ham potentially finishing fourth is ‘not Champions League’. 

David Moyes’ men have enjoyed a remarkable campaign to date in the Premier League, with the Hammers potentially finishing in a Champions League place looking like a real possibility given the standings.

Currently sitting fifth with a game in hand and just two points behind Chelsea, the prospect of European football appears very concrete provided West Ham can continue to keep pace.

Mills, however, believes that the top four teams in the country shouldn’t all gain Champions League qualification – mentioning West Ham as an example.

“The Champions League is supposed to be the best of the best,” explained Mills to talkSPORT.

“I don’t even think it should be the top four in the country that go through, it’s the Champions League, maybe the top two.

“That’s what people want to see, let’s say West Ham get in the Champions League as fourth spot, that’s not Champions League.”

Flocking to this claim, many Hammers had their say – with one Iron calling it ’embarrassing’ as others have their say.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to Mills message

“What a ridiculous thing to say….if West Ham finish 4th that’s because they have been the 4th best team in the country over 38 games. How are clubs meant to progress and compete with the best if they are not given that opportunity?!”

Credit: @AndyWHU1987

“You are getting worried aren’t you Danny? COYI”

Credit: @IronessWest

“Danny Mills kicking up a fuss over little old West Ham. Embarrassing”

Credit: @camwestham

“This is embarrassing we are supposed to have football experts talking about the game and instead we have to listen to Danny Mills…”

Credit: @danirons23

“Hahahaha Mills stop crying mate… if we get champions league it’s because we’ve earned it! Did you say this when Leicester won the league?”

Credit: @robson261009

“he hates West ham. always has. don’t take the bait from one of the most ordinary average players to have ever played.”

Credit: @GoonScruffy

“Could be the worst take I’ve ever seen.”

Credit: @T0M_EDWARDS

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to an ExWHUemployee claim, find out more here.

Lionel Messi has donated his eighth Ballon d’Or to the Barcelona museum, despite collecting that award during his first season at Inter Miami.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Argentine icon most-decorated player in history
• Now has eight Golden Balls to his name
• Those trophies are housed in Catalan museum

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Argentine icon severed ties with La Liga giants back in 2021, with a move to Paris Saint-Germain being made as a free agent. After two seasons in France, Messi decided to go chasing an American dream in MLS last summer.

  Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream now

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Having inspired Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022, an eighth Golden Ball was passed his way in 2023. Messi also helped Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory – making him the most-decorated player of all-time with 44 major honours to his name.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi does not have enough space at home to display all of his record-setting collection of trophies, with Barcelona on hand to help him out in that department. Seven of his Ballons d’Or are currently housed in the Catalan club’s official museum, and has revealed that number eight is on the way.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Messi has previously said: “Everything I own is in Barcelona, there at the museum. Ballons d'Or, Golden Boots, everything.” That will remain the case despite now plying his trade in the United States, with it impossible for emotional and professional ties with the Blaugrana to be severed.

Manchester City's Rodri may have rescued a point for his side against Chelsea, but the Spanish midfielder felt his side should have had more.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Rodri wants more VAR checks
• Chelsea and City draw 1-1
• City still sit third in Premier League table

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rodri was unhappy that, in his opinion, there had not been enough VAR checks in favour of City in the game and that Chelsea were on the receiving end of more reviews. He went on to suggest that when City have a VAR check, the referee does not spend enough time studying the decision. The Spanish midfielder scored late to peg Chelsea back after former City star Raheem Sterling had put the Blues in front.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT RODRI SAID

  Speaking to , Rodri complained: "I don't want to talk abut the referee, but I don't remember a game with so many VAR checks and none for us, come on man. You always see the face of referee and it's now 'move on, move on'."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It is understandable that Rodri is frustrated, having dropped two points on a day when both Arsenal and Liverpool secured victories. City more than anyone know how important every point can be in the race for the title and with Arsenal winning 5-0 away at Burnley, Rodri may be feeling the heat. Chelsea's Levi Colwill appeared to handle the ball in injury time in the penalty area, but the claims of handball were waved away – much to Rodri and his team-mates' anger.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RODRI AND CITY?

  City host Brentford on Tuesday and will look to move above Arsenal in their game in hand. The Bees were swept away by other title rivals Liverpool and Rodri will be hoping his side can do the same.

Speaking to the press (via football.london), after lauding promising youngsters like Oliver Skipp and Dane Scarlett, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has been wowed by another Tottenham talent in training – heaping praise on Joe Rodon.

The young Welshman, who signed from Swansea City last summer as part of a busy transfer window for Tottenham, hasn’t featured too regularly for Spurs and has been left out of the last three matchday squads in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

When pressed about why Rodon hasn’t been included lately, and what the defender must do to fight his way back, Mourinho was quick to heap praise on his promising young talent – admitting he has been wowed by his “perfect” application in training.

Jose Mourinho wowed by Rodon

“He has to do nothing,” explained Mourinho.

“He works very hard, good professional. He has to do nothing. He cannot play in the Europa League so that makes his chances reduced, in relation to the other guys.

“Centre-back is a position where of course if he was in the Europa League he would have lots of chances to play in these 11 matches that we did.

“There’s nothing. He’s perfect, works very hard, young guy, wants to learn, very enthusiastic, He played already matches that represent a lot, he played important matches against some of the best teams. He has just to wait for his opportunities and to get it.”

Transfer Tavern take

Highly rated by certain sections of the media, former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson dubbed him ‘outstanding’ after his first Premier League start against Chelsea (Football Insider).

Time will tell when Rodon is picked for match selection again by Mourinho, but the Lilywhites boss is certainly impressed by his attitude in training.

In other news: Daniel Levy is plotting to offload this Tottenham ace, find out more here.

Andre Onana has returned to Manchester United after picking up an injury while playing for Cameroon.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Onana returns to Manchester United
• Picked up injury against Mauritius
• Will miss the Libya clash on Tuesday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Onana had to be replaced with less than 10 minutes to go in Cameroon's 3-0 win over Mauritius on Friday after he felt some discomfort.

  now reports that the custodian has suffered an injury to his pubis, one of the bones that make up the pelvis as per the Cameroonian federation. They also confirmed that the United star will return to his club and is set to miss their next qualifier against Libya on Tuesday.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The injury news of their first-choice goalkeeper comes as a huge blow for the Red Devils and Erik ten Hag as the Dutch manager has a long injury list. Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen both had to withdraw from international duty after sustaining injuries while defenders Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia continue to remain out of action. Casemiro too will not play another game until January.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  On the day Onana picked up his pelvis injury, Marcus Rashford had to be stretchered off during England's Euro 2024 qualifying game against Malta. This further adds to Ten Hag's headache.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ANDRE ONANA?

  It remains to be seen if the former Inter star will get fit ahead of United's Premier League clash against Everton on Sunday. If the 27-year-old fails to regain full fitness, Altay Bayındır could finally make his debut for the club.