It has been a roller-coaster of a season to be a Middlesbrough supporter, hasn’t it?

Having looked certain to finish in the play-off positions at the turn of the year, a shocking run of six defeats in a row resulted in them falling out of contention earlier this month. However, three wins in their last four games has given Tony Pulis’ side a strong chance of extending their season past the 46-game mark in May.

Although the Smoggies boast the joint-best defensive record in the Championship alongside Sheffield United, their struggles this year have been directly linked with a lack of attacking prowess.

With the likes of Britt Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher and Rudy Gestede all struggling for form in-front of goal, it would be surprising if the club do not bring in a new forward when the transfer window opens in July.

Having previously been linked with a move for Genk forward Mbwana Samatta earlier on this season (via the Daily Mirror), Pulis should consider re-igniting his interest in the summer.

The 26-year-old has fired in a remarkable total of 31 goals in all competitions for the Belgian side this year and would be a considerable upgrade on Boro’s current options. Rated at £8.1m according to Transfermarkt, it may be worth splashing the cash to convince him to make the move to the Riverside Stadium.

Any possible deal for Samatta may, however, depend on the outcome of the Smoggies’ current campaign.

Whereas promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs would make the club a much more desirable destination for the forward, another season in the second tier of English football may not be enough to convince him to join.

What do you think Boro fans? Should Pulis go all-out to try and sign Samatta in the summer? Or is too much of a risk to sign a player who has no previous experience of playing in English football? Get in touch below.

رشح حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي لاتسيو، بيبي رينا، أحد زملاءه السابقين في نابولي من أجل الانضمام إلى عملاقي الدوري الإسباني برشلونة أو ريال مدريد في المستقبل.

ويلعب رينا في الوقت الحالي مع لاتسيو بعد انتقاله إليه في الميركاتو الصيفي الماضي قادمًا من ميلان، بعد إعارة لمدة 6 أشهر في أستون فيلا.

وأشاد الحارس الإسباني المخضرم بزميله البولندي السابق، بيتور زيلينسكي، الذي يعتبره إحدى المواهب الفريدة في نابولي ويستحق الانتقال إلى برشلونة أو ريال مدريد.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديشامب يدافع عن فاران: ليس المسؤول الوحيد عن هزيمة ريال مدريد

وتحدث رينا عن وجهة نظره في تصريحات لإذاعة “كادينا سير” الإسبانية، وقال: “أنا معجب بزيلينسكي كثيرًا، أراه لاعبًا في برشلونة أو ريال مدريد”.

وتابع: “بيتور لاعب خارج عن المألوف ويستطيع إحداث الفارق خلال المباريات”.

ويعد زيلينسكي أحد اللاعبين المميزين في الدوري الإيطالي ويمثل منتخب بولندا منذ عام 2013 وشارك معه في 53 مباراة دولية.

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Leeds United fans are feeling very pessimistic about their chances in the playoff semi-finals after a stat emerged that pointed in their favour.

The stat that was the subject of an article in the Yorkshire Evening Post stated: out of the 17 sides who have won the first leg away from home in the second tier, all 17 teams have gone on to qualify for the final at home.

This means that if Leeds were to follow that trend then they would be headed to Wembley at the end of this month.

Rather than fill supporters with hope however, it has instilled a sense of pessimism amongst the fanbase as they believe it would be typical if their club were the ones to buck this trend.

The Yorkshire club have already broken a spell of teams at the top of the Championship at Christmas going on to be promoted, so it makes sense for fans to be worried after this record emerged.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…

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Pep Guardiola is renowned for his unparalleled man management skills and a recent update from BBC journalist David Ornstein suggests that he could yet work his magic on one of England’s most exciting young prospects, per 5 Live Sport.

What’s the word?

Ornstein appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday to give a breakdown on what the top clubs are likely to do in the transfer window this summer.

Manchester City have been tipped to sign a left-back in recent months due to Benjamin Mendy’s chronic fitness problems, but Ornstein believes they are also interested in recruiting a new right-back, per 5 Live Sport 14/05/2019 (20:15).

“Aaron Wan Bissaka is very much on Manchester United’s radar as well as Manchester City’s.”

One point separated City and Liverpool but twenty-five separated them from the rest! Fans discuss who could reduce the deficit next season in the video below?

Man City’s long-term Walker upgrade?

That a player of Wan-Bissaka’s profile is on City’s radar is far from a surprise. He is just 21-years-old and would contribute to the homegrown quota as an English citizen, while his breakthrough campaign at Crystal Palace underlines his exceptional defensive quality.

Kyle Walker has endured a tumultuous season at the club, with a handful of individual errors in December causing supporters to question the true extent of his ability.

There is no disputing his marauding class and effectiveness in the final-third, but his defensive contribution often leaves plenty to be desired.

The same, however, cannot be said of Wan-Bissaka – a player who has affectionately been nicknamed ‘the spider’ by virtue of his incredible ability to tackle his opposite number.

He has completed an average of 3.7 tackles per game this season and 2.4 interceptions, per Whoscored, so there is no doubt City would be acquiring a player with a more natural ability to thrive in the defensive third than Walker.

However, the Palace academy graduate will need to adapt to City’s style to become a success at the Etihad Stadium and make significant improvements to his contribution in the attacking phase.

For Guardiola, the prospect of moulding Wan-Bissaka into a complete full-back will be a mouthwatering one for him to mull over, and under his guidance the aspiring England international could blossom into a superior talent to Walker.

Raheem Sterling has been one of Guardiola’s biggest man-management projects to oversee in recent years and, with that task effectively considered complete, his next one could be on the horizon in the shape of Wan-Bissaka.

أعلن الاتحاد الأيرلندي لكرة القدم، إصابة أحد لاعبيه بـ فيروس كورونا “كوفيد – 19″، وذلك بعد مُشاركته في مباراة إنجلترا الودية، مساء أمس الخميس.

وكان المنتخب الإنجليزي قد فاز على نظيره الأيرلندي وديًا بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء أمس، الخميس على ملعب “ويمبلي” وديًا، ضمن استعدادات منتخب الأسود الثلاثة لدوري الأمم الأوروبية.

وقال الاتحاد في بيانه: “نستطيع أنّ نؤكد أنّ الاختبارات للاعب الوسط آلان براون، لـ كوفيد – 19 جاءت إيجابية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ضربة مزدوجة.. راشفورد وكوادي يغيبان عن مباراتي إنجلترا أمام بلجيكا وأيسلندا

وأوضح الاتحاد أنّ براون سيغيب عن مباراتي أيرلندا القادمتين في دوري الأمم الأوروبية، حيث سيتم وضع صاحب الـ25 عامًا في الحجر الصحي.

براون شارك في مباراة الأمس ولعب لمدة 90 دقيقة، وربما يكون نقل العدوى للاعبي منتخب إنجلترا، الذين من المتوقع أنّ يخضعوا لفحوصات للكشف عن كورونا، خلال الساعات القادمة.

Everton fans will be happy to see the back of Theo Walcott! He’s been bang average this season, but Marseille Lucas Ocampos could be about to give the Goodison faithful something to get excited about.

The 24-year-old has played 30 times in Ligue 1 this season, scoring four and making eight assists. He’s an exciting forward with plenty of pace who could work wonders in the final third where Everton have been hit-and-miss this season.

Calciomercato believe Everton are targeting the Argentinian and that would most likely spell the end for Theo Walcott on Merseyside. He’s even been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo when Liverpool and Chelsea were reported to be interested, so he can’t be that bad!

Marco Silva is building a squad full of quick, youthful and dynamic talent. Oscampos fits this bill perfectly and would have the freedom down the left to supply any forward Everton can bring in too. Next season could really be exciting if this winger wants to play for the Toffees.

Anyone would be better than Walcott in the eyes of Everton fans, so he’ll have some patience initially to find his feet in a new country. His confidence on the ball should mean he’ll have no issue settling in among like-minded players such as Bernard.

Buying Lucas Ocampos, who’s rated at just £12.6m on Transfermarkt, could kill two birds with one stone. It’d get rid of Theo Walcott and finally give the Goodison faithful s more youthful and exciting winger to get them on their feet.

Everton fans, who do you want to start on the wings next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

When looking for players to add to your squad over the transfer window, looking at European semi-finalists is usually a good place to start. That’s exactly what Mike Ashley and Rafa Benitez have done here, as with a left-back in mind, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jetro Willems could be the man the Geordies turn to, especially as the Dutchman wants a move.

The 25-year-old Sparta Rotterdam product is currently turning out for the third team in his professional career with Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Sparta Rotterdam was his first before a lengthy spell with Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven. Back in summer 2017 he then made his way to Germany, and now, two years on from that move. The Dutchman, who was signed for £4.5 million (as per Transfermarkt), could end up at St James Park.

The Dutchman has pace to burn and at the age of just 25-years-old, the Geordies would love to have the electric Willems overlapping down one flank whilst DeAndre does the exact same on the other. It’s yet to be seen whether or not the Bundesliga ace will be on the move, though, even if his recent interview with VTBL all but confirmed he wants out of Frankfurt and that the Toon are keen this summer.

Reaching the Europa League semi-final may have been one thing for the Frankfurt man, but what matters more to him apparently is where he plays. Willems has more often than not been used further up the pitch this season as a winger, and it obviously isn’t something he’s best pleased about as he’s now looking forward to pastures new, be it with Newcastle or any other side willing to sign him.

At the moment, the defensive options that Rafa Benitez has on the left of his defence are slim. Paul Dummett is the main man when he’s fit, but that isn’t all that often and when he’s not around it gives the Geordies nightmares when they see Javier Manquillo lining up to start. Even if the left-back they sign is a rotational one to work alongside Dummett, they simply have to act fast and Willems would be perfect as a nailed on starting options.

Would you like to sign Willems this summer, Newcastle fans? Comment below and let us know!

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Sheffield Wednesday fans on Twitter have been calling for Marco Matias to be released from the club at the end of the season.

The Portuguese forward’s contract is up this summer and supporters have been urging the Owls not to renew his deal.

This comes after an article written by Dom Howson in the Sheffield Star recommended that Matias was kept on at the club beyond his current deal.

Owls fans on Twitter were quick to disagree with Howson saying that Matias should be let go sooner rather than later.

The 29-year-old has scored six goals in 29 Championship appearances so far this season, but Wednesday fans seemingly no longer want him.

Steve Bruce’s side have been in fantastic form since the former Villa boss took charge at Hillsborough, but fans want to see the team changed up next season and Matias isn’t a part of their plans.

Here’s what Wednesday fans have been saying on Twitter…

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Pl>ymaker FC…

When Leeds United bought Kemar Roofe from Oxford United in 2016, not many of their supporters would have predicted just how big of an impact he would have on the club’s fortunes.

Having played primarily as a winger in his first two seasons at Elland Road, the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa as manager last summer saw the 26-year-old move into a more central role after first-choice striker Patrick Bamford suffered a serious injury just weeks into the new campaign.

Whereas many players would have taken a considerable amount of time to adjust to this new position, Roofe made an immediate impact as he fired in five goals in his first six games of the year whilst also providing two assists for his team-mates.

Since this incredible start, the forward has gone from strength to strength in the Championship as he has found the back of the net on a further nine occasions.

However, after being ruled out for two months due to a serious knee injury, Roofe has been limited to substitute appearances in recent weeks.

With Leeds having to settle for the lottery of the play-offs following Sheffield United’s victory last Saturday, it is clear that if they cannot secure promotion to the Premier League, they may be at risk of losing their top-scorer in the summer.

According to Football Insider, Burnley are eyeing up a potential swoop for Roofe as Sean Dyche looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of next season.

If the Clarets do indeed tempt Leeds with an offer for the £4.5m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt), Bielsa must not fall into the same trap that saw Thomas Christensen let Chris Wood move to Turf Moor in 2017. After selling the New Zealand international to Burnley, Leeds suffered a hugely disappointing campaign which saw them finish 13th in the Championship.

Therefore, by doing everything they can to convince Roofe not to follow in the footsteps of Wood, the Whites will be illustrating that have learned from their previous mistakes and are willing to avoid temptation in order to build a successful future at Elland Road.

What do you think Leeds fans? How important is it that Bielsa keeps Roofe at Elland Road next season? Does the forward’s future rely on the outcome of the current season? Let us know below.

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Crystal Palace cleared plenty of deadwood out in January, with Jason Puncheon, Jonny Williams and Jordon Mutch all shown the door; others survived the winter clearout but could be sold this summer as the Eagles look to improve the overall quality of the squad and Christian Benteke could be the first casualty.

The big Belgian was subject to a £15m bid from Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng Taisan this week – presumably the big wigs in the east haven’t been paying too much attention to his performances in the past couple of seasons, in which he has chalked up just four goals.

Alan Pardew brought the 28-year-old to Selhurst Park in 2016 for a then-club-record fee of £27m and the player repaid that sum in his first season in red and blue, scoring 17 goals across all competitions, but he managed just three in 2017/18 and only one in 2018/19 – a shocking return.

Most fans surely feel that it’s time to cash in on the £130,000-a-week flop, but what do Football FanCast’s writers think? Check out their verdicts below…

Billy Meyers

“For Palace to make roughly half of their money back on Benteke and get his reported £130,000-a-week wages off the books would be a complete and utter dream; Steve Parish shouldn’t think twice about accepting this fantastic offer. The Belgian gives his all for the club, but his goal return and injury history means he must be got rid of.”

Should Crystal Palace keep hold of Max Meyer this summer? Harvey Jones discusses in the video below…

Luke Glanville

“Crystal Palace should snap the hand off any club willing to pay money for Christian Benteke this summer. If Roy Hodgson’s men are going to progress, they must get rid of their seemingly-endless list of strikers who just don’t score goals anymore. The big Belgian has a mere four strikes in all competitions in the last two seasons – simply not good enough. The money they gain from the 28-year-old flop could perhaps be reinvested into trying to keep Michy Batshuayi.”

Ben Goodwin

“Palace should take the money and run. The 28 year-old has scored just one and three top flight goals in his last two seasons respectively, despite making 47 appearances in that time. If it weren’t for the fact that both Liverpool and the Eagles overpaid for the Belgian in the first place, no one would even think twice about selling a striker with those numbers.”