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Leeds United completed the signing of Mateusz Bogusz from Ruch Chorzow in the latter stages of the January transfer window.

And the 17-year-old has revealed that he rejected interest from the Premier League in order to move to Elland Road last month.

What’s the story, then?

Bogusz told Sport Express:

“Yes. I was in both of these clubs before I signed the contract. Leeds came over to me, I thought it was the perfect place for me to take another step in my career.

“The club, all its facilities, my development plan. Everything that Leeds offered me was convincing.

“Hence a two-and-a-half-year contract with the possibility of extension. And in perspective, I hope, playing in the Premier League.”

Bogusz had been operating in the second tier of Polish football ahead of his move to Leeds, but Napoli are said to have offered him a trial last year.

As it transpired, nothing came of the potential interest from Naples, but the teenager has revealed that he had the chance to move to the Premier League.

When asked whether he had received an offer from Brighton, Borgusz responded “yes” before going on to reveal the reasons why he choose Leeds.

It remains to be seen whether the Polish midfielder can forge a successful career in England, but Leeds have again showed that they are a huge pull despite currently operating in the second tier of English football.

What are Bogusz’s credentials?

Following a certain Kiko Casilla to Leeds meant that his arrival in the latter stages of the January window went slightly under the radar.

Bogusz penned a two-and-a-half-year deal upon his arrival, however, meaning that he is contracted to the Whites until the summer of 2021.

The youngster had managed six goals in 34 appearances for Ruch, while he has also been capped at youth level by Poland.

Capable of operating as a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder or in the number 10 role, there is no question that Bogusz can be a huge asset.

And Leeds will be hoping that the 5ft 9in ace can impress in the second half of this season with the view to becoming a future first-team player for the club.

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According to a report by The Sun, Southampton failed in their bid to sign Manchester City talent Phil Foden on loan during the January transfer window, and he could have been a game-changer for the struggling south coast outfit.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Sun report that Saints, along with Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Newcastle United, were all keen to bring the teenager in on a temporary basis until the end of the season last month, but the top flight champions blocked an exit.

The Sun says that the 18-year-old, who is slowly but surely working his way into the first-team plans on a more regular basis, was held on to by Pep Guardiola as he wanted to give him more minutes in cup competitions – such as the trip to Newport County in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Meanwhile, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl failed to sign a single player during the window despite seeing the likes of Steven Davis, Manolo Gabbiadini, Wesley Hoedt and Cedric Soares depart, and his team lie in the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Arsenal next weekend.

Would Foden have been a good signing?

He certainly would have been.

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The attack-minded midfielder may have only made eight Premier League appearances this term – and 19 in all competitions – but he has shown the ability and potential he has even in his tender years.

Foden has three goals and two assists to his name, and he has that unpredictability to produce something different in the final third for his side.

As Southampton have found in recent weeks at home to Crystal Palace and Cardiff City, breaking down opposition defence isn’t something they find easy to do, and the teenager would have been a game-changer for them in their battle against the drop if they could have got a deal done.

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The prospect of playing Premier League football next season is currently a distinct possibility for Leeds United. The Whites are currently in the thick of the Championship title race, along with Norwich City and Sheffield United.

If the Yorkshire club do achieve promotion this time around – and end their 15 year wait for a return to the top flight – then it will be a great achievement for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, for which the Argentine coach would deserve plenty of credit.

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However, former England defender and Sky Sports pundit Joleon Lescott is concerned that the Leeds squad aren’t yet ready to make the step up.

What he said

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate (06/03), as quoted by The Boot Room, Lescott gave his verdict on whether or not Leeds are ready for the Premier League: “manager wise I would say…But personnel wise, they won’t have many Premier League players that have played in the Premier League. So they’re going to need to recruit a lot of experience.”

The time is right

Lescott is right that Leeds don’t boast a great deal of Premier League experience. However, 33-year-old veteran Pablo Hernandez has proved his quality in England’s top flight before. What’s more, goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has previously excelled in La Liga, even representing Real Madrid. 

On top of that, whilst they may not have Premier League experience, the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Pontus Jansson, Mateusz Klich and Ezgjan Alioski certainly have what it takes to shine in the top flight. A lack of experience shouldn’t hold the Whites back too much, as in Bielsa they have a coach capable of keeping them grounded, confident and focused. 

Leeds have never looked more ready for promotion than they do now.

أنعشت صحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية آمال نادي برشلونة من أجل التعاقد مع جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أولمبيك ليون، ممفيس ديباي، في الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي.

وارتبط اسم ديباي بإمكانية الانتقال إلى برشلونة منذ بداية عهد المدرب، رونالد كومان، في النصف الثاني من أغسطس الماضي، ولكن لم يقدم أي عرض رسمي بسبب أزمته المالية.

وأفادت الصحيفة الفرنسية الشهيرة بأن توقيع ديباي لنادي برشلونة أصبح قريبًا للغاية أكثر من أي وقت سابق، لأن نادي أولمبيك ليون منفتح على تخفيض مطالبه المادية.

السبب وراء ذلك هو رفض ديباي التوقيع على عقد جديد للاستمرار مع ليون في السنوات المقبلة، وهو ما سيدفع النادي الفرنسي من تخفيض طلباته للنصف من 25 مليون يورو إلى 12.5 مليون يورو.

وحدد رئيس نادي ليون، جان ميشيل أولاس، في تصريحات سابقة له موعدًا لغلق باب الانتقالات أمام اللاعبين المطلوبين من الأندية الخارجية بحد أقصى يوم 2 أكتوبر المقبل. (طالع التفاصيل)

وكان برشلونة في الفترة الماضية يعمل من أجل تعزيز صفوفه الهجومية إما بصفقة لاوتارو مارتينيز من إنتر ميلان أو ممفيس ديباي من ليون، ولكن الأخير هو صاحب الحظ الأوفر للقدوم إلى “كامب نو”.

ويأتي ابتعاد لاوتارو عن خطط برشلونة، بعدما رفض إنتر ميلان عرضًا هزيلًا من جانب النادي الكتالوني بقيمة 15 مليون يورو بينما يطلب النادي الإيطالي الحصول على 110 مليون يورو وهو ما يوضح الأزمة المالية الطاحنة التي يعني منها البلاوجرانا.

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According to The Daily Echo, Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong is in line to be available for the Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday having missed the loss against Cardiff City earlier this month.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 26-year-old has been a regular in the side since Ralph Hasenhuttl was appointed as Saints boss at the beginning of December, but he missed out on the squad for the first time against the Bluebirds because of a minor calf strain, as per The Daily Echo.

However, The Daily Echo report that the Scotland international took part in the warm weather training camp in Tenerife and having seemingly come through that unscathed, he could be in line to make his return to the starting XI against the Gunners.

The south coast outfit are certainly in need of a positive result given that the reverse against Neil Warnock’s men at St Mary’s before their trip to the Canary Island saw them slip back into the relegation zone.

Will he start?

It may well depend on what formation and tactics Hasenhuttl decides to go with.

The form and emergence of James Ward-Prowse in recent weeks has certainly meant that competition for places in the middle of the pitch is stronger than ever, and if the Austrian goes for a more conservative approach in north London then it could mean Armstrong has to settle for spot on the substitutes’ bench.

That said, if the 51-year-old fancies taking the game to the hosts and tries to take advantage of a defence that has looked leaky at times this term, then the former Celtic man is someone who can make an impact in the final third from the beginning.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are the joint-fifth best performing promoted club in Premier League history after 29 top-flight fixtures, according to Opta, but the staggering stat doesn’t come without its negatives.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the west Midlands outfit currently lie in seventh position in the Premier League standings having accumulated 43 points from their 29 fixtures to date, and only five clubs have bettered that record since 1993 – Birmingham City, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

It of course shows just how well Wolves have done this term that they are already safe from relegation – not mathematically but only team has ever been relegated with a total higher than the one they have now, and that was Crystal Palace with 49 in 1993.

More worrying is the teams that have matched or had a better record than Wolves, and where they find themselves now.

Wolves must buck the trend

Of the sides above Wanderers in the Opta stats table, only Newcastle United are still a Premier League outfit and even they have been up and down to the Championship a couple of times over the last decade. That should serve as a warning to the west Midlands team.

Perhaps the likes of Ipswich Town, Reading and Birmingham City – all of whom are currently plying their trade in the Championship – got too complacent after successful first seasons in the top flight, and took their foot off of the gas in many different aspects of their respective clubs as a result.

Wolves will know they can’t afford to do the same if they want to establish themselves at this level for years to come, and luckily they appear to have the ambitious owner and the links in the transfer market to ensure they don’t become a relegation-battling outfit – for the time being at least.

The fine margins are very small though when you see that a club like Southampton achieved four successive top-eight finishes and have since been involved in two consecutive relegation battles, and the Molineux outfit need to buck the trend and continue to rise from the current position they find themselves in.

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Kalvin Phillips has established himself as a firm fan-favourite at Leeds United this season due to his exceptional performances in holding midfield.

On the chalkboard

Operating in the quarterback role just in-front of the central defenders, Phillips has consistently delighted supporters with the standard of his performances.

A brief stint in central defence to deputise in the absence of a handful of key players showcased a level of versatility which Marcelo Bielsa will naturally appreciate, but it’s in midfield where his most compelling performances have arrived.

Phillips’ ability to break up play in midfield has been supplemented with his diverse range of passing, but it’s the defensive side of his game which will need to be immaculate this evening to prevent QPR from causing an upset.

Eberechi Eze, 20, has been a key source of attacking dynamism and creativity for Steve McClaren’s side this season, but a downturn in his form has coincided with a run of seven straight defeats.

Eze remains the danger man

Phillips, however, cannot become complacent in light Eze’s struggle of late. The attacking midfielder is a genuine menace on his day, and his return of four goals and three assists this season merely provides a glimpse into what he can do in the final-third.

McClaren typically deploys Eze in the hole between midfield and attack, and a continuation of that trend could lead to an enchanting battle between two exciting young players at Loftus Road.

If anyone is likely to dig the Rs out of their torrid run of form it’s Eze, so Bielsa must task Phillips with silencing the danger man this evening to ensure Leeds use their game in hand to leapfrog Sheffield United and Norwich City into top spot.

The Whites faithful cannot get enough of Phillips when he moves into top gear, and he could cement that reputation by effortlessly completing a huge task in his battle against Eze.

John-Joe O’Toole’s time as a Northampton Town player has experienced its fair share of twist and turns.

The enigmatic midfielder joined the club after his previous side Bristol Rovers were relegated to the National League, a move which angered fans of the Gas who accused him of jumping ship during a delicate period for the club.

His debut season for the Cobblers was relatively poor and a falling out with then-boss Chris Wilder saw him briefly leave the club on loan to Southend United before returning in December 2014. In a campaign which saw his side finish in mid-table, O’Toole featured in a number of different roles as the club sought to find a position in which he could thrive.

The 2015/16 season saw Wilder make the decision to employ him as an attacking midfielder which turned out to be a masterstroke. Alongside the likes of wingers Ricky Holmes and Nicky Adams and forwards Marc Richards and James Collins, O’Toole played an integral role for Northampton as they stormed to the League Two title, finishing thirteen points clear of challengers Oxford United.

Not only did the former Watford player find the net on 12 occasions in the league but he also provided two assists which is to date his highest amount of goal contributions for the Cobblers in a single season

O’Toole once again reached double figures for goals in the following campaign but couldn’t stop his side from being relegated last season from League One despite being impressive on an individual basis.

However,  a disturbing drop off in form by the midfielder during the 2018/19 campaign has raised questions amongst supporters on whether it should be time to bring an end to his five-year association with the club.

Indeed, O’Toole is somewhat of a cult-hero at the PTS Academy and his departure would be sure to divide fans yet when you consider the fact that he has scored just three goals this season, it is clear that he is past his best.

Also, it could be argued that the club’s midfield is more balanced with the likes of Sam Foley and Shaun McWilliams marshaling the play in-place of the 30-year-old who can lack defensive discipline at times.

Nevertheless, with Northampton just six points behind the play-offs, O’Toole could further his legacy at the club by leading his side to a fourth-ever Wembley appearance in their history.

Keith Curle’s side should edge even closer to the top seven if they are victorious on their travels on Saturday when they head to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town.

What do you think Cobblers fans? Do you think the club should let O’Toole go in the summer? Or is he still an invaluable part of Curle’s squad? Let us know below.

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Toby Alderweireld’s future is an interesting one.

The centre-back is now very much back in favour at Tottenham Hotspur, having played 34 times in all competitions for the club this season.

Alderweireld’s current contract with Tottenham will expire at the end of the 2019-2020 campaign, though.

What’s more, teams will be able to sign the Belgian for £25m this summer due to a clause in his current deal.

At that price, Alderweireld – a 2015 arrival from Atletico Madrid – will not be short of suitors.

There is still obviously a chance that the defender could pen a fresh deal with Tottenham, however, which would remove the release clause.

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And that is exactly what the Spurs supporters want to happen.

Alderweireld is one of the best central defenders in European football and losing the 29-year-old in this summer’s transfer window really would be a big blow.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Tottenham fans can be seen below:

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Christian Eriksen struggled to make his mark in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Eriksen’s form has not been terrific in recent weeks, but he did score and register an assist in the team’s 3-1 win over Leicester City earlier this month.

There remain huge question marks surrounding the Dane’s future, though, with his current deal due to expire at the end of next season.

And a number of Tottenham fans believe that Eriksen’s struggles against Burnley were down to the fact that he wants to leave the club.

The criticism is perhaps quite harsh when considering that the 27-year-old has contributed seven goals and 12 assists this term.

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But the Spurs supporters are really not happy with what they have seen from Eriksen in recent weeks and have not been afraid to show their feelings on social media.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below: