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Leeds United were unable to keep their positive streak alive as they were handed a slim defeat on home soil last night. Aston Villa snatched all three points from their former Championship rivals with an early strike from Anwar El Ghazi. Despite dominating possession, the Whites were unable to get back into the game.

This is their 13th loss of the season and whilst they’re by no means in any trouble, Marcelo Bielsa will be frustrated with the small margins by which his side keeps losing. They’ve also conceded the second highest amount of goals this season (44), with only West Brom shipping more so far (55).

Defence is certainly an issue for Leeds, but not much can be done when the team has been hammered with injuries. Bielsa has been without both Diego Llorente and Robin Koch for a large chunk of the season, with the latter still currently sidelined with a knee injury. However, Koch’s latest Instagram post will come as a very welcome update for his fans and teammates, especially now the end of the season is just months away.

Robin Koch injury update

The centre-back has posted a photo on his Instagram at Elland Road, with the caption “Can’t wait to be back at this place”. Just seeing him walking around the stadium will be a huge boost for anyone disappointed with Leeds’ recent result.

His previous Instagram post was made back in January, so an update has been long overdue and will be extremely welcomed.

According to Transfermarkt, Koch has missed a total of 85 days and 17 fixtures in total due to his current injury. This has been a huge blow for Bielsa, who has been forced to deploy Luke Ayling at centre-back on several occasions in his absence.

Prior to his injury, the £46,000 per week summer signing started every single Premier League match for the Whites. He arrived at Elland Road and made an immediate impact, cementing his place as first choice partner to Liam Cooper.

Getting him back would take a huge weight of Bielsa’s shoulders and it would hopefully be exactly what he needs to help tighten up his defence and stop leaking unnecessary goals.

In other news, Leeds must act fast as Ezgjan Alioski looks for a new club…

Liverpool’s transfer deadline day is looking like it could be a hectic affair, one that could run right until the deadline closes at 11pm tonight.

What’s the word?

The Reds are close to wrapping up a deal to sign Preston’s Ben Davies but they seemingly have plenty of other irons in the fire too.

Ozan Kabak is reportedly the leading name that Liverpool are chasing in the final stages of the window. It’s thought that personal terms have been agreed with the Turkish centre-back, who could join on an initial loan deal until the end of the season.

If Jurgen Klopp likes the look of him he could then be signed on a permanent basis. However, if things go south in their pursuit of the Schalke defender, then it looks like they have another player in mind.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, that’s a centre-back at Braga. He took to Twitter to reveal the following:

“LFC have also contacted Braga today for David Carmo, serious option in the list.” 

A defensive beast

If Liverpool do eventually lose out on Kabak then signing Carmo certainly wouldn’t be a bad option.

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After all, he is a colossal frame, someone capable of bringing incredible qualities to Anfield. For starters, the 21-year-old stands at a massive height of 6 foot 5.

Immediately, we’d know he’d be a beast in the air and that’s reflected in the statistics. Cormo has won a mighty 2.8 aerial duels per game this season. For context, that’s a better record than both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip recorded in 2020/21 prior to their injuries.

For a further indication of the youngster’s qualities, you only need to assess how good he is in the tackle. Cormo has won an eye-catching 1.8 tackles per game in the Portuguese top-flight for Braga. That’s a tally that usurps every single Liverpool player this term, besides Fabinho.

With those two qualities in mind, he’d add a great deal of steel to a Reds defence who have been lacking bulldozer type figures at the back this term. Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips had to be relief upon last weekend while we’ve also see Fabinho and Rhys Williams deputise at the back.

Truth be told, any decent level central defender arriving would be good news for Liverpool at this point but a move for Cormo would top plenty of their other options.

AND in other news, Pearce claims there are “other options” for Liverpool besides Kabak, Edwards must act…

David Sullivan could land David Moyes a West Ham replacement for the Marseille-linked Manuel Lanzini by securing the services of Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT, the Irons are in a queue of Premier League sides chasing the signature of Lingard during the January transfer window.

The Hammers, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United have all expressed their interest in a mid-season deal, while Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice and Liga NOS giants FC Porto have also been keeping track of his situation.

Manchester United remain reluctant to part ways with the 28-year-old this month as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strives to contend for Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League honours, but Lingard’s long-term future remains in doubt.

Reports by ESPN recently noted Lingard and Solskjaer are in a tug-of-war over his situation, with the 24-cap England international desperate to find regular first-team action and the Red Devils boss keen to retain his services as cover.

Manchester United are yet to offer a definitive answer in response to any approach for the £9m-rated man, also monitored by Olympique de Marseille and Inter Milan, as Solskjaer’s side could play as many as 33 fixtures between now and May.

Lingard has featured just three times across all competitions this season and is yet to play a single second in the Premier League, with the Warrington-born playmaker’s only outings of the term thus far coming in the EFL and FA Cups.

Bye-bye Lanzini

Sullivan putting together a package that will convince Manchester United to part ways with Lingard this month could definitively spell the end for Lanzini at the London Stadium.

West Ham are said to have offered Lanzini to Marseille during discussions over Morgan Sanson, who Aston Villa have had a “pathetic” bid rejected for after claims of an €18m (£16m) offer as the Ligue 1 outfit hold out for €25m (£22m).

The Irons have also been shopping Lanzini’s services around on the transfer market since last summer, but have struggled to attract any interest in the £70,000-per-week midfielder who held Moyes’ side back during Tuesday’s 2-1 win at home to West Bromwich Albion.

Part of the issue in West Ham’s hopes of selling Lanzini may stem from the Irons valuing the 27-year-old at £15m, but securing Lingard’s services may see Sullivan prove more receptive to lower offers with the Argentine under contract for a further two years.

Lingard has been lauded for his ability to score important goals for club and country in recent years, having netted the extra-time winner during the 2016 FA Cup Final as well as key efforts for England against the Netherlands, Croatia and the United States.

Few have sung his praises more in recent years than former England and Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who once labelled Lingard as “unique”.

Lingard’s importance at Old Trafford may have dwindled of late, but his title-winning and international experience would likely be welcome at the London Stadium where Moyes has West Ham just two points below the top-four places.

AND in other news, West Ham are considering a £15.5m-rated striker without a goal since October to replace Seb Haller…

MatériaMais Notícias

Improvisado no meio de campo, Carlinhos fez bela jogada individual e por pouco não marcou um golaço contra o Mogi Mirim. O São Paulo venceu o Mogi Mirim por 2 a 0, gols de Rogério e Ganso, no Pacaembu, em partida adiada da 3ª rodada do Paulistão.

يؤكد الإيطالي كارلو أنشيلوتي المدير الفني لفريق ريال مدريد، أن الحديث عن الفوز ببطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”، يبدو مبالغًا فيه الآن، وأشاد بقدرات عدد من لاعبيه وعلى رأسهم لوكا يوفيتش.

وتغلب ريال مدريد على ريال سوسيداد بثنائية دون رد ويتصدر الدوري الإسباني بفارق 8 نقاط عن إشبيلية أقرب منافسيه.

وتحدث أنشيلوتي عقب المباراة ونشرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية تصريحاته، وافتتح حديثه عن فارق النقاط في الليجا.

أنشيلوتي قال: “هذه الأرقام تقول إننا نقوم بعمل جيد، كان ملعب صعب ضد فريق قوي، لعبنا مباراة كاملة مع الكرة وبدونها، خط الوسط كان في وضع جيد للغاية، نحن فريق صلب ومستمرون”.

وأضاف الإيطالي: “كان لدينا الكثير من الجودة في التعامل مع الكرة، والتحكم مع مودريتش وكروس والجودة مع يوفيتش وفينيسيوس”.

واستطرد أنشيلوتي: “بالنسبة لي، يوفيتش مهاجم جيد، إنه قوي للغاية، هدفه الأول هو أسلوبه إلى حد كبير وأريد أن أهنئه، أستمتع وأستغل الفرصة، أهنئه لأنه لا يلعب كثيرًا واستحق اللعب، وهناك آخرون يستحقون اللعب وهذه أكبر مشكلة لي”.

وعن الثنائي ميليتاو وألابا، أكد مدرب ريال مدريد: “نوعية الاثنين رائعة، إنهما مختلفان، ميليتاو قوي جدًا ولا يُصدق، يعمل بشكل جيد للغاية في الكرات الهوائية، وألابا يتكيف جيدًا، إنهما يفهمان بعضهما البعض جيدًا ويكملان بعضهما جيدًا، كما يوجد لدينا حارس قوي جدًا ورائنا يمنحنا القوة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أنشيلوتي يكشف فرص لحاق بنزيما بمواجهة إنتر ميلان والديربي أمام أتلتيكو مدريد

وتابع: “ظهرت اليوم مباراة مختلفة، أكثر ما يعجبني هو أن هذا الفريق يعرف كيف يدافع، لم يكن لدي أي شك في الجودة الهجومية، لكن الالتزام الدفاعي جيد جدًا”.

واسترسل أنشيلوتي: “بدت المباراة بسيطة لكنها لم تكن كذلك، ريال سوسيداد يتمتع بالكثير من الجودة، إذا لم تظهر كل جودتك، فهذا بسببنا، التفكير في الفوز باللقب الآن يبدو مبكرًا جدًا بالنسبة لي، كل مباراة هي قتال وعلينا أن نكون مستعدين للمباريات القادمة التي ستأتي قريبًا”.

وشدد أنشيلوتي: “الحديث عن الفوز بالبطولة يبدو مبالغة بالنسبة لي، إنه انتصار فريق يقاتل من أجل الفوز ويفعل ذلك بشكل جيد، لكن كل الأشياء الجيدة اليوم قد تتغير قريبًا، علينا أن نواصل، لا أعتقد أننا وجهنا ضربة لفرق الليجا، هناك فرق تتنافس كثيرًا والفوز صعب للغاية، لدينا ميزة وسنواصل”.

وأتم بشأن مواجهة الديربي المرتقبة أمام أتلتيكو مدريد، المقرر لها يوم 12 ديسمبر الجاري: “نحن نواجه الأمر بثقة، نعلم أنها مباراة خاصة وأعتقد أنه لا يوجد مفضل في هذا النوع من المباريات، ستكون رائعة ومعقدة وسنرى ما سيحدث”.

Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United visit Manchester City on Boxing Day looking to bounce back from their Carabao Cup heartache after producing a woeful display in defeat to Brentford.

The Magpies bowed out of the competition after failing to produce anywhere near the levels needed, despite facing a heavily altered Bees line-up with Thomas Frank prioritising his side’s Championship campaign.

Defeat made it three winless games in a row for Newcastle across all competitions, who will now be desperate to get their Premier League season back on course at the Etihad Stadium after losing to Leeds United and a 1-1 draw with Fulham in recent weeks.

Bruce is unlikely to make wholesale changes against Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues, but changes are a must from the XI which lost to Brentford. So, with that in mind, here’s a line-up the Toon boss could favour…

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow is the sole Newcastle player to start all 13 of the St. James’ Park natives’ opening Premier League fixtures, and will expect to see his run in the side continue on Saturday with Martin Dubravka yet to fully overcome a pre-season heel injury.

Bruce is likely to alter the back-four which lost to Brentford with Federico Fernandez expected to be passed fit, having missed the Carabao Cup quarter-final after being withdrawn at half-time against Fulham after showing signs of serious fatigue.

Fernandez’s return will allow Bruce to name Isaac Hayden alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the engine room once again, while Jamal Lewis, Ciaran Clark and DeAndre Yedlin will start with Newcastle still without Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar, plus the recent struggles of Emil Krafth and Paul Dummett at full-back.

Bruce has been full of praise for Hayden’s recent efforts whilst slotting in at centre-half, hailing the Arsenal product, who reportedly earns £22,000-a-week, as being “terrific” against West Bromwich Albion earlier this month with a display that left the Toon chief with “food for thought”.

Ryan Fraser badly betrayed Bruce at Brentford on Tuesday night with an invisible showing that saw the summer arrival record fewer touches than Darlow and must be benched on Saturday, opening the door for Matt Ritchie to return.

Ritchie has started two of Newcastle’s last three Premier League fixtures after making his comeback from a shoulder injury in November, which Bruce noted the 31-year-old was “desperate to play” after having missed seven games across all competitions.

Bruce is likely to name Miguel Almiron centrally at the Etihad Stadium despite an underwhelming showing from the Paraguayan against Brentford, with him offering no key passes or shots whilst taking just 17 touches, per WhoScored.

The 26-year-old will retain his place having seen Jacob Murphy offer a creative touch from the right-wing, with the £3m-rated man taking two shots – only Callum Wilson (4) struck more – plus a team-high two key balls and a game-high five successful dribbles.

AND in other news, a Newcastle gem with his “best years ahead” was Steve Bruce’s sole positive at Brentford…

Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday for the early kick-off and Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to key in the Reds’ chances of taking away all three points.

The England international returned from injury recently and helped the Reds move back top of the table with a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

However, he is in for another tough game on Saturday, as he likely be up against Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha on the left-wing, with the former Manchester United man’s recent performances certainly catching the eye.

The 28-year-old has seven goals and two assists in 11 appearances in the top-flight so far this season, which has seen him average a superb 7.10 rating.

This means that he has already beaten his goal tally of four from the whole of last season, with the winger having seemingly added goals to his already dangerous all-round play for Roy Hodgson’s side.

It is clear that he is extremely important to the way the Eagles play, with 45% of their attacks coming down the left-hand side, which is the most of any team in the Premier League.

Therefore, Alexander-Arnold will have to be at his best if he wants to keep Zaha quiet on Sunday but if he can, he will give Klopp’s side an excellent chance of picking up maximum points, which would see them remain top of the Premier League table at Christmas.

The 22-year-old has been impressive at times this season, although has enjoyed a lot more success in the Champions League, where he has averaged a 7.10 rating, compared to his arguably disappointing 6.68 average in the Premier League.

However, there is no doubting his extraordinary talent, with fellow superstar Kylian Mbappe lauding the youngster after he was asked about Alexander-Arnold mimicking his celebration after scoring in a win against Leicester City last season, saying:

“Yeah, I saw! I’m proud. This guy is amazing.”

So, if the Liverpool academy graduate can perform to the best of his ability, from both an attacking and defensive point of view, he will give the Reds a good chance of winning the game at Selhurst Park, especially if he is able to limit Zaha’s influence on the game.

And, in other news… The emergence of “extraordinary” talent at LFC could spell trouble for injury-prone liability

Castaway Liverpool winger Harry Wilson looks set for yet another loan stint as Jurgen Klopp looks to offload him to a Championship side before the transfer window closes (via Evening Standard).

The Merseyside outfit was reportedly looking to offload the Wales international permanently, but clearly the manager has had a change of heart. Or perhaps Michael Edwards is looking to get the best deal possible by placing Wilson in the shop window for one last time.

Potential plan from Edwards

Liverpool’s deal savvy sporting director recently revealed he was hoping to bring in a handsome £50million by offloading Wilson, Marko Grujic and Rhian Brewster (via Goal.com). The latter has secured a permanent move to Sheffield United, but the other two fringe Reds will both be heading out on loan once again.

For Wilson, Edwards may be hoping to advertise his skills in hopes of a big money sale next year. Given the current financial climate, Championship sides may not be able to justify splashing the cash on him full-time. But given his impressive loan records so far, it could twist the arm of some interested clubs.

The 23-year-old spent the 2018/19 season with Derby County, where he established himself as a notorious free-kick taker. Wilson scored a total of 18 goals for the Rams, which 15 coming from their league run. His following loan move was slightly quieter but still impressive, netting seven times for Bournemouth last term (via Transfermarkt).

Wilson has proved he can perform at the highest level and that will be appealing to other clubs. If the Welshman has another strong season in the Championship this season, he will bring in a pretty penny this time next year.

In other news, New proposed FSG investment will take Liverpool to the next level…

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have been handed a major opportunity to put an end one of their biggest ongoing issues this week…

What’s the word?

According to the Express, Spurs are expected to make a move for Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik to provide much-needed competition to Harry Kane.

They claim that the north Londoners have been monitoring the 26-year-old all summer and now that interest from Serie A duo Juventus and Roma has fallen through, the door has been opened for Daniel Levy to pounce.

Napoli value Milik at £26m and it is thought that he’d be open to a move to the Premier League this summer.

Llorente 2.0

Spurs have been crying out for a backup centre-forward for the best part of a year and now they may have finally found their man – albeit at a premium price.

Levy failed to replace Fernando Llorente last summer and once again during the January transfer window, leaving Jose Mourinho with a selection nightmare after Kane picked up a long-term injury at the start of the year.

It’s time for him to make amends for that and swoop for Milik.

The Polish international enjoyed another goal-laden campaign despite only starting 21 matches. He bagged 14 times whilst averaging 2.5 shots and 1.5 aerials won, via WhoScored.

His imposing 6 foot 1 frame draws some similarities to the Spanish veteran and that’s merely reinforced by his comparisons to fellow compatriot, the Champions League winning Robert Lewandowski.

Whilst he’s even been likened to arch-rival Dennis Bergkamp following a 4-1 devouring of Roma back in March 2019. During that match, Milik tore apart former Spurs centre-back Federico Fazio – the 33-year-old picked up a low 6.4 rating by SofaScore and was well beaten for the Pole’s strike.

Carlo Ancelotti, his old boss at Napoli, has previously described the prolific talisman as “sensational” whilst his successor Gennaro Gattuso believes there aren’t many players in the game stronger than Milik.

Kane needs a number two and the 26-year-old appears to be the perfect foil to either partner him or to use as a plan B, Levy must actually get this deal done – even for £26m.

AND in other news, Spurs must win transfer tussle to sign £27m trophy winner…

أعلن ماسيمليانو أليجري المدير الفني لفريق يوفنتوس عن قائمة البيانكونيري لمواجهة روما، مساء اليوم ضمن الجولة الثامنة على ملعب استاد أليانز بمدينة تورينو.

يوفنتوس استفاق خلال المباراتين الماضيتين، ويسعى للفوز على روما من أجل الدخول ضمن الخمسة الكبار في الدوري الإيطالي.

طالع أيضًا.. يوفنتوس يبدأ التفاوض مع أتلتيكو مدريد لتخفيض بند شراء موراتا

وشهدت قائمة يوفنتوس عودة الدولي الإسباني ألفارو موراتا بعد تعافيه من الإصابة أمام سامبدوريا، بينما يواصل باولو ديبالا الغياب بسبب الإصابة التي تعرض لها في نفس اللقاء.

ويتواجد بجانب موراتا، البرازيلي كايو خورخي ومويس كين، بينما يغيب المدافع ماتياس دي ليخت عن القائمة دون توضيح السبب في ذلك. قائمة يوفنتوس لمواجهة روما في الدوري الإيطالي

حراسة المرمى: تشيزني، بينسوليو، بيرين.

الدفاع: دي تشيليو، كيليني، دانيلو، كوادرادو، ساندرو، بيليجريني، بونوتشي، روجاني.

وسط الملعب: آرثر، رامسي، ماكيني، بيرنارديسكي، كييزا، لوكاتيلي، بينتانكور، كولوسيفسكي.

الهجوم: موراتا، كين، كايو خورخي.