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In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Derby County manager Paul Jewell believes that Leeds United are one of the top six biggest clubs in the country.

Having spent 16 years outside of the Premier League, Marcelo Bielsa managed to guide Leeds back into the Premier League as Champions and their attacking style of play has kept them away from any threat of relegation this term.

Off the back of the proposed European Super League, in which clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were invited to join when other clubs like Ajax and Porto were excluded, many people have questioned who the big clubs are now.

Speaking on how Leeds are a top-six club in the Premier League and why they are bigger than other clubs, Jewell exclusively told FFC:

“I think if you did a list of the top six clubs in this country Leeds would be in it, because it’s a city with just one team in it and it’s got history.

“Leeds have got potential so don’t underestimate Leeds because some of those teams in the top six aren’t as big Leeds.”

Leeds have impressed many neutral fans this season with their willingness to attack in every game and not be happy to sit back and settle for a draw in any game.

During this season they have taken four points off Champions-elect, Manchester City after Stuart Dallas’s late winner at the Etihad earned them an unlikely three points.

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O São Paulo virou sobre o Fluminense, encerrou jejum de quatro partidas sem vitórias na temporada e abriu quatro pontos de distância para a zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro. Mas ainda há problemas para serem resolvidos no Tricolor. A começar pela seca de oito jogos sem nenhum gol marcado por atacantes do elenco.

A última vez em que um jogador do setor ofensivo foi às redes neste ano foi em 11 de setembro. Na ocasião, Chavez e Kelvin marcaram no triunfo por 3 a 1 sobre o Figueirense, no Morumbi – o meia Cueva, muitas vezes usado como ponta, também deixou o dele. Desde então, apenas volantes – Wesley e Thiago Mendes (dois) – e o zagueiro Rodrigo Caio (dois) conseguiram anotar os tentos.

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Para tentar mudar a estatística desfavorável, o técnico Ricardo Gomes decidiu apostar em novidades no setor nos últimos confrontos. Contra Santos e Fluminense, Robson ganhou chances como titular. Também contra os cariocas, os garotos David Neres e Pedro foram observados, mas a seca persistiu. Uma nova tentativa será feita no sábado, às 17h, contra a Ponte Preta.

-Atacante vive de gols, mas se o Rodrigo, o Maicon ou o Thiago fizerem, a vitória também vem e isso que interessa. Mas para melhorar eu diria que é preciso ter mais calma no momento de finalizar. Eu crio essa expectativa pelo primeiro gol, mas tento manter a calma e trabalhar. Uma hora vai surgir e vou estar preparado. Tenho mais a fazer, foi só o começo – avisou Robson.

O período de oito jogos sem gols de atacantes representa também o jejum vivido por Chavez, que estagnou com seis tentos pelo São Paulo. A lista de artilheiros na temporada segue com o “pódio” inalterado, com o Comandante perseguindo Paulo Henrique Ganso (sete gols) e Calleri (16) – ambos deixaram o clube no mês de julho.

David Moyes must urge David Sullivan to increase his efforts to strike a deal for West Ham United to sign VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic.

What’s the word?

While speaking with Give Me Sport, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Irons are still undecided on which centre-forward to target in the next transfer window.

West Ham are expected to be active in the off-season looking to improve Moyes’ offensive options, having opted against pursuing deals in January following Sebastien Haller’s move to AFC Ajax.

Kalajdzic has emerged as a potential option to support Michail Antonio at the London Stadium next season, with reports suggesting the towering 6 ft 6 target man is seen as a cheaper option than Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham or Abdallah Sima of Slavia Prague.

Stuttgart are cited to value Kalajdzic at between €20m and €25m (£17m-£21.5m), with interest not only from West Ham but also RB Leipzig and AS Roma. Premier League duo Everton and Newcastle United, plus Serie A side Juventus, have also been linked.

Romano believes Kalajdzic is indeed on the Irons’ radar, but does not feel the 13-goal frontman is the leading candidate at this stage.

“Yes, he is one of the players that they are looking for,” Romano said. “Obviously, they have a list with names as a striker. They were looking for [Youssef] En-Nesyri from Sevilla in January but Sevilla say no, and let’s see what happens in the summer.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-west-ham-news-gossip-and-views” title=”The latest West Ham news and views!”]

“They’re looking for an important striker, so West Ham wants to do something with a good striker this summer, let’s see if he could be an option. For sure [he’s] in the list, but at the moment there is still nothing decided, they will decide at the end of the season.

“Also because of the opportunities, you know, probably one of the clubs will find a new striker and could derive a new opportunity for West Ham.”

Should West Ham sign Stuttgart’s Kalajdzic?

West Ham’s need for another centre-forward is very apparent and will see that the east London outfit will have to spend in the summer, but it clearly remains to be seen if those funds will be used to sign Kalajdzic.

The Stuttgart striker should sit highly on Moyes and Sullivan’s shopping list, though, as the 23-year-old can provide West Ham a plug-and-play option who should be capable of hitting the ground running from the get-go.

Kalajdzic is thriving in the Bundesliga this term with 13 goals in 25 games to sit sixth in the scoring charts during his first year of German top-flight football, and on the back of an injury-plagued 2019/20 campaign.

His success has come in a system not too dissimilar to how West Ham operate under Moyes, with Kalajdzic enjoying a lethal relationship with left-back Borna Sosa. The Croatian’s pinpoint deliveries have created four of the 23-year-old’s goals, marking the fourth-best partnership in the Bundesliga this term.

The Irons would expect to see Kalajdzic frequently dispatch headers to the net at the London Stadium next season if signed in the summer, with Aaron Cresswell the club’s leading playmaker with seven assists in 29 Premier League games this term.

Cresswell has further offered the highest number of accurate crosses (47) by a Hammers player, as well as the highest number of inaccurate deliveries (122), struck the highest number of accurate free-kicks (50) and corners (26) and misplaced a combined 56 set pieces, per WhoScored.

Kalajdzic would surely thrive with Cresswell creating chances for him week in week out, making it necessary for Moyes to urge Sullivan to begin taking action and move to edge out the increasing interest.

Click here to see the full interview with Fabrizio Romano.

AND in other news, West Ham eye 10-goal livewire who destroyed David Moyes’ side last year…

أكد الفرنسي باتريس كارتيرون المدير الفني لنادي الزمالك أنه يعتزم الدفع باللاعبين الناشئين خلال مباراتي فريقه المتبقيتين، في بطولة كأس الرابطة.

وخسر الزمالك من غزل المحلة بثلاثة أهداف دون رد اليوم السبت في المباراة التي أقيمت في استاد القاهرة ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من كأس الرابطة.

وقال كارتيرون في المؤتمر الصحفي بعد انتهاء المباراة: “أخر 3 مباريات كانت فرصة للاعبين الذين لا يشاركون، ولكن معظمهم لم يقدموا المستوى المطلوب، وأنا غير راض عن الأداء، بالتأكيد هناك غيابات كثيرة عن الفريق، ولكن كان يجب تقديم مستوى أفضل من ذلك”.

وأضاف: “هذا ممكن يكون حل، ولكن اللاعبين الذين عمرهم 20 و21 لا يعتبرون ناشئين، بالتأكيد أمر الدفع بهم قد يكون حلًا في المباريات القادمة، لأنه مهما كان الأداء سيئا لن يكون أسوأ من الآن”.

طالع أيضًا.. عبد الحميد بسيوني يتحدث عن الفوز بثلاثية أمام الزمالك ويؤكد: الآن نريد التتويج بـ كأس الرابطة

وواصل: “قلت للاعبين قبل المباراة أنكم جاهزون فنيا وبدنيا والذي سيصنع الفارق في الملعب هو ذهنكم، ولكن قميص الزمالك ثقيل ولا يصلح أن يرتديه أي لاعب”.

وتابع: “هناك لاعبون مهمون هم من يصنعون الفارق في الفريق مثل أشرف بن شرقي وطارق حامد ومحمود حمدي الونش، هؤلاء اللاعبون هم من يصنعون الفارق ووجودهم أصبح مهمًا في الفريق”.

وأردف: “انا أحب الناشئين عندما كنت في الرجاء المغربي كنت أصعد الكثير منهم، وليس مجرد لاعب ناشئ يتم تصعيده للفريق الأول، ولكن يجب أن يكون جدير باللعب من ضمن الأساسيين”.

واستأنف مدرب الزمالك: “ما صُدمت منه في أخر 3 مباريات هي الروح، خاصة وأن هناك لاعبين حصلوا على فرصة للمشاركة لأول مرة، كان يجب أن يكونوا أفضل من ذلك”.

واختتم: “هناك لاعبون مهمون غائبين عن الفريق وكانت فرصة لتجهيز الآخرين، ولكن العدد الذي سأعتمد عليه بعد ذلك منهم ليس كثيرا بسبب المستوى الذي ظهروا به”.

أدى منتخب مصر الأول تدريبه الأخير مساء اليوم على ملعب الجيش استعدادا للقاء السودان ضمن الجولة الأخيرة للمجموعة الرابعة لبطولة الأمم الأفريقية.

وتنتظر بعثة الفراعنة نتائج مباراتي الغد في المجموعة الرابعة التي تقام في توقيت واحد لتحديد وجهة الفريق المقبلة.

وتعرضت مصر للهزيمة في افتتاح مشوارها بأمم أفريقيا أمام نيجيريا بهدف نظيف، بينما فازت في ثاني المواجهات أمام غينيا بيساو بنفس النتيجة بالهدف الذي سجله محمد صلاح.

طالع | مدرب السودان: لدينا إضافة جديدة أمام مصر.. ونأمل تحقيق نتيجة جيدة

كما شارك في المران جميع اللاعبين فيما واصل محمود حمدي الونش برنامجه العلاجي.

وخاض أحمد فتوح تدريبات منفردة، كما شارك عمر كمال في جزء من المران بعد شعوره بالإجهاد.

With Neil Lennon out of the picture at Parkhead, Celtic have been putting the feelers out for their new permanent manager. Assistant head coach John Kennedy will stand in as interim manager for the time being, but big names are being linked to the Scottish giants.

Heavyweights like Roberto Martinez and Rafael Benitez have been discussed, along with the still fairly new Frank Lampard and Thierry Henry. However, one man who makes a lot of sense is current Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

Bookmakers are all over this situation right now and many have tipped the 57-year-old as the shock favourite to take the job at Celtic, according to the Glasgow Times. Should these rumours come to fruition, his appointment could hugely benefit one man in particular and that’s Scotland international Leigh Griffiths.

Steve Clarke appointment could help Leigh Griffiths

The 30-year-old Celtic veteran slipped heavily down the pecking order this season under Lennon. Things started to turn bleak for Griffiths when the former boss slammed him for returning to camp out of fitness and “overweight”. He has made just 16 appearances out of a potential 30 this campaign and was part of the starting lineup on only seven occasions, as per Transfermarkt.

Lennon opted to start the likes of Albian Ajeti, Mohamed Elyounoussi and even Ryan Christie alongside Odsonne Edouard over the Scottish striker. His lack of game time will have undoubtedly knocked his confidence, but Clarke could help resurrect this if he joins the Glaswegians.

The Scotland manager named Griffiths as part of his international team which secured an emphatic and historical qualification into the European Championships, so Clarke clearly sees something in the Edinburgh-born striker that. perhaps, Lennon did not.

If he takes the move to Celtic Park, he could work closely with Griffiths and potentially guarantee him more time on the pitch both domestically and internationally.

This would not only benefit Griffiths but equally the club. He recently spoke out about wanting to make it into the top 20 highest scorers for the Bhoys, which shows his passion and determination.

Equally, if Edouard leaves, Celtic will need a tried, tested and reliable man to operate at the forefront of the attack. Griffiths may well be the man for the job still, under the right manager.

In other news, Dean Windass makes claim over Odsonne Eduard future under potential new Celtic manager…

Many Wolves fans were delighted with forward Pedro Neto during their Premier League encounter against Leicester City on Sunday.

The 20-year-old started on the left-hand side of a front three including Adama Traore and new signing Willian Jose – an attractive proposition on paper.

Neto didn’t take long to settle himself into the game and was giving his opposite number Ricardo Pereira all sorts of problems, and had the ability to open doors for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

The Portuguese attacker is not a player that lacks ambition. Neto previously told Sky Sports that he wants to become the best player in the world, and has plenty of time to achieve that

Unsurprisingly, supporters flocked to social media to hail Neto’s performance, with some left open-mouthed by his technical ability and skill.

Fans drool over Neto

“Genuinely how good is Neto! Unbelievable talent”

Credit: @DunnyBets

“Pedro Neto is so good, isn’t he? Like he’s ridiculously good”

Credit: @MrPauloGoodman

“Unreal by Pedro Neto. Tekkers.”

Credit: @WWFCFancast

“Pedro Neto is very, very, very good, isn’t he?”

Credit: @markgeveritt

“Absolutely amazing quality Neto”

Credit: @SpeesrA

“Pedro Neto. That’s it, that’s the tweet.”

Credit: @ellawwfc

In other news, Elite European giants monitoring in-form Wolves loanee for summer move.

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As acusações entre as diretorias de Grêmio e Internacional ainda não cessaram desde o último clássico, mas, segundo o vice-diretor jurídico do Colorado Giovani Gazen, o lateral-direito William pretende dar um fim à polêmica ele e o atacante Miller Bolaños.

À “Rádio Gaúcha”, o dirigente do Internacional afirmou que William deseja visitar o jogador do Grêmio no Hospital Mãe de Deus, onde Bolaños está internado desde domingo. O encontro, porém, ainda não tem data marcada.

-O próprio atleta demonstrou interesse de visitá-lo no hospital – disse Gazen.

A cotovelada de William em Bolaños, no início do Gre-Nal 409 no último domingo, culminou em duas fraturas no maxilar do atacante do Grêmio, que passará por cirurgia nesta quarta-feira para a reconstrução do local.

Desde o fim do clássico, que terminou empatado em 0 a 0, as diretorias de Internacional e Grêmio estão trocando acusações. Pelo lado do Tricolor, a entrada de William foi descrita como “criminosa” pelo presidente Romildo Bolzan Jr..

Outros membros da diretoria do Grêmio se manifestaram contra a açãdo do jogador do Internacional. O clube estuda a melhor forma de buscar a “justiça”.

Além de registrar um boletim de ocorrência policial contra William por agressão, o Grêmio enviará ao Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva outros lances considerados violentos do jogador. Em 2015, William envolveu-se em lances parecidos contra o rival gaúcho, no segundo turno do Brasileirão, e contra a Chapecoense, também pela competição nacional.

Já no lado do Internacional, o presidente Vitorio Piffero mostrou-se indignado pelas declarações da diretoria do Grêmio. Nesta terça-feira, ao “Zero Hora”, o mandatário afirmou que espera um pedido de desculpas e que estão “tentando criar um demônio” por causa do lance envolvendo o William.

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This has been another horrendous year for Sunderland, one that’s failed to buck the trend at the Stadium of Light.

Once again, the Black Cats failed to achieve promotion from League One and are now enduring a third successive year at this level.

For a club with such rich history, one that were in the Premier League so recently, it’s far from ideal.

However, are they beginning to turn the tide towards the end of 2020? Stewart Donald sold his majority stake to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus on Christmas Eve and they have also sacked Phil Parkinson.

Lee Johnson arrived and they have lost just once since he took charge, being beaten on his first day in the job. Together with Kristjaan Speakman and their new owners – Dreyfus and Sartori – there are reasons to be positive and hopeful for a brighter future.

Of course, Sunderland supporters won’t want to count their chickens but 2021 could well be their year.

So, what better way to bring it in than partaking in our big fat Sunderland quiz of the year for 2020, we bet you can’t get 100% correct…

AND in other news, SAFC must swoop for “speedball” who’s a “nightmare to play against”…

Paulo Dybala to Tottenham Hotspur. It’s that time again, folks…

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the £45m-rated Juventus star has been offered to several Premier League teams ahead of the January transfer window, including to Spurs once again.

Dybala came close to joining the north Londoners in 2019 before image rights proved to be the major stumbling block preventing a record-breaking deal.

With the 27-year-old entering the final 18 months of his contract in Turin, his representatives have been in contact with England’s ‘big six,’ though it’s also claimed that the Serie A champions would like to tie him down to an extension.

Resist the urge, Levy…

And perhaps Spurs should let them do it.

Since the summer, Dybala has gone from superstar to a faltering flop – he has bagged just one goal in 569 minutes of action in all competitions, leading to scathing criticism in the Italian press.

Just this weekend, La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed he was “slow and useless” during their win over Torino, in which Dybala started alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, whilst Corriere della Sera compared him to a “vintage player” for being “too slow” (via JuveFC).

It wasn’t too long ago that the Argentinian international was being compared to the late Maradona by Juventus legend Michel Platini. Even Alessandro del Piero dubbed him a player of “extraordinary quality.”

But clearly, things haven’t gone to plan in 2020 for the former Levy target. Indeed, Spurs dodged a massive bullet then, and they should look to snub his advances this time around, no matter how tempting it’ll be.

It is not like Jose Mourinho’s league-leaders even need a player of stature anymore either, he’d merely be another Erik Lamela, especially with his recent injury record (he has missed 57 days of action since last season alone).

The Portuguese boss secured a new back-up to Harry Kane in Carlos Vinicius whilst Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele have finally emerged as potential options in the hole.

Despite his struggles this term, the Italian giants would undoubtedly still want a huge fee for his signature and that is not something worth risking on Levy’s part.

AND in other news, Forget Kane and Son, £85k-p/w titan ran the show vs the Gunners…