Speaking to Football Insider, Kevin Phillips has backed Danny Rose to make a return to Leeds this summer.

What did he say?

The Tottenham defender was born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and was a part of the Leeds academy when making his first steps into professional football.

Spurs signed him in the summer of 2007, and he has since made 214 appearances for the north London side, although he has spent the second-half of this current campaign on loan at Newcastle.

Now, Phillips has backed the left-back to return back home this summer, and insisted that he still has the quality to be a key performer for Leeds if they manage to secure promotion back to the top-flight.

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He said: “It would not surprise me. You see it quite often that players from that area end up back at the club. Danny Rose has got the Premier League experience and can still do it. He is still a class left-back.

“I am sure the new owners at Newcastle would like to keep Rose but the player could be tempted by a move to Yorkshire and be a part of what Leeds are building there. That experience would help the squad. It would not surprise me if he pitched up at Leeds whenever the transfer window open – assuming Leeds going up.”

Reunion

More than the sentimental value of Rose returning back to where it all started for him, he could still provide some much-needed quality on the pitch too.

This is a Premier League-proven player who up until very recently was still playing at the highest level of the Champions League, and could add some real competition for the left-back slot at Elland Road.

Having players like Rose and Kalvin Phillips in the team’s ranks just ensures Leeds stays true to its roots, and bolsters that connection between the fans and the players. Depending on the price involved, this could well be a smart addition for plenty of reasons.

Mahela Jayawardene has led Sri Lanka into the fourth major limited-overs final of his career – now all he has to do is win one. He calls himself “blessed,” and he is, but he knows that only victory in Colombo on Sunday will silence complaints that Sri Lanka always fail at the final hurdle.Sri Lanka had to battle for their 16-run win against Pakistan after setting them a target of 140, which was distinctly vulnerable even on a slow, turning pitch at the Premadasa Stadium. The manner in which they did it deepened Jayawardene’s faith that this time their experience in the final will be different.Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga have all joined their captain in suffering defeat in three previous finals, the worst of them coming last year when Sri Lanka were routed by India in the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai, following defeats against Australia in Barbados in the 2007 World Cup, and a World Twenty20 loss against Pakistan at Lord’s in 2009.There was no time for Jayawardene to savour victory against Pakistan before he had to make light of talk of rising tension. “We are all really happy to be part of a very successful group over a period of time,” he said. “We have been blessed with four now – although I know we haven’t won anything. But four finals, it’s amazing. In one’s career you are lucky enough to play in one final.”They have all had to be approached in different ways. One final was in Barbados, one in England, one was in Mumbai. Now we are playing in Premadasa, so we will approach it differently.”I think experience-wise we are much better: Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis were all pretty new when we lost against Pakistan and we have played a lot of Twenty20 since then. We play with a very positive mindset. We spoke at the start of the tournament that we would have to play on three different surfaces in Hambantota, Pallakele and now Colombo. We had to adapt. It is about handling tough situations better.”Jayawardene tonight was a captain who actually captained. There were none of the high jinks that entailed in the final Super Eights game against England in Pallakele he officially handed the captaincy to Sangakkara, so as to protect himself from a potential suspension for a second transgression for slow overrates, but then ran the show unofficially much as he always would.The likelihood is that the authorities – Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC or most probably a bit of both – let it be known that further mischief would be frowned upon. That is the thing about a good trick – it is best not repeated.Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan’s captain, felt around 150 was par on this pitch and repeatedly blamed his team’s defeat on a middle-order collapse. Jayawardene, by contrast, felt 140 was around par – “a score where we could challenge.” “The way we started, we probably fell short by about 15 or 20 runs, but Umar Gul bowled well and pulled us back.”Pakistan brought in an extra bowler so we had to adjust ourselves up front. Sohail Tanvir usually picks up wickets for them so we changed our game plan and tried to hold out for six overs and then we knew we could attack their spinners. Today it worked for us. Sometimes you may lose calls and it doesn’t work, but I think our situation has been pretty good in this tournament.”Chasing down runs is always going to be a tough call in a semi-final. Hafeez batted really well and guided them through the first 10 or so overs, but we knew they were a batter short today and we kept pressure on them.”

As per the club’s official website, Premier League side West Ham let young defender Reece Oxford leave the London Stadium on loan on Deadline Day. The 20-year-old has come up through the ranks at the East London outfit but has only gone on to make 17 senior appearances for the Hammers over the years, with struggles for regular game time this term under Manuel Pellegrini calling his future at the club into doubt.

And it was Bundesliga outfit Augsburg who sealed a temporary deal for the versatile sensation on the final day of the January transfer window, and while Oxford hadn’t actually featured in the West Ham first team in the first half of the season, the late decision to let him leave in January could very much come back to bite the Hammers.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, things haven’t quite worked out for the England Under-20 international since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old against Arsenal back in August 2015, with the youngster failing to nail down a spot in the Hammers first team with only 17 appearances to his name, none of which have come this term and only two of which came last time round.

And for someone tipped by many to be the next big-thing coming out of the West Ham academy many years ago, things certainly haven’t panned out as many would have expected, with loan spells at Borussia Monchengladbach and Reading also proving difficult for the 20-year-old in his pursuit of first team football.

On the surface then, another opportunity to play his trade and attempt to get regular minutes under his belt makes complete sense, but not given the current injury situation Pellegrini’s side have at centre back.

Ultimately, Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna are the only senior centre backs fit for selection given the long-term injury to Winston Reid alongside Fabian Balbuena’s recent setback – the Hammers look set to be without the duo until at least the middle of February.

And even when Balbuena returns, as expected, later on this month, that still leaves Pellegrini’s side somewhat short of options in that area of the field – it only takes another injury or suspension to plunge West Ham into a defensive crisis.

Yes, Declan Rice could fill in at centre back if needed given his talents in that position, but doing so would see him vacate a midfield spot that he has made his own this season – what the Hammers would gain with him at the back they would lose greatly from him not being in midfield.

As such, while Oxford didn’t get a look-in under Pellegrini in the first half of the season, he at least provided the Chilean with an option at centre back were things to go wrong in that department – but that option is no longer there.

And with the Hammers stretched enough defensively given injuries to Reid and Balbuena, the club’s decision to let him leave late in the January window could very much come back to bite the East London outfit as the season progresses.

West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنبي في خطف ثلاثة نقاط ثمينة من الإسماعيلي في المباراة التي إنتهت منذ قليل على ملعب بترو سبورت ضمن منافسات الجولة 29 من بطولة الدوري الممتاز.

وشهدت المباراة سجال بين الفريقين، واستطاع إنبي تسجيل هدف في الدقيقة 70 ولكن عاد حكم اللقاء إلى تقنية الفيديو وتم إلغاءه بداعي التسلل.

وعاد شريف من جديد وأحرز هدف فوز إنبي في الدقيقة 87 من عمر اللقاء عن طريق بينية من محمود غالي سددها شريف في مرمى الدراويش.

بهذه الفوز يرتفع رصيد إنبي للنقطة 38 ويقفز للمركز السادس، فيما يتوقف رصيد الإسماعيلي عند النقطة 31 بالمركز الحادي عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري. هدف فوز إنبي على الإسماعيلي في الدوري المصري

[ad_pod ]Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter in annoyance after it was revealed by The Chronicle that Atletico Madrid winger and January target Gelson Martins snubbed an offer to talk to the Magpies about a move to Tyneside.The struggling Premier League club submitted a loan offer to the Spanish club for the Portuguese international’s services, which was accepted by Atletico.However, after Ligue 1 side Monaco made an offer of their own, Martins decided to join them and help their battle against relegation to Ligue 2 – they are currently languishing in 19th place in the French top-flight.Newcastle are still in talks with the French club over a deal for Italian left-back Antonio Barecca, but will be disappointed by their failure to lure the former Sporting Lisbon attacker to St James’ Park, especially after having an offer accepted.Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…Martins’ decision to not hold talks means that the Magpies are still yet to see a new signing arrive this month, with a report from the Telegraph suggesting that Rafa Benitez will walk away from the club in the summer if he does not get bodies through the door.They will be used to this kind of disappointment by now, but let’s see how Newcastle fans reacted to missing out on Martins on Twitter…

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Manchester United will be desperate to put a dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge when the two teams meet at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

And United will need a big performance from left-back Luke Shaw if they are to overcome a team that has only lost once in the league during the 2018-19 campaign.

The Chalkboard

Shaw has been around for so long that it is easy to forget he is still so young.

Indeed, the full-back will not turn 24 until July, but saw the early stages of his United career harmed by a number of injuries.

Shaw is comfortably enjoying his most productive campaign for the Red Devils, already making 28 appearances in all competitions, which is nine more than he managed in the entirety of last season.

The defender scored his first ever Premier League goal earlier this season, but has contributed just one assist in all competitions, whilst it would be fair to say that he still needs to offer more in an attacking sense.

The eight-time England international is certain to start at left-back against Liverpool and will need to put in a strong performance if United are to triumph.

What is required from Shaw on Sunday?

Well, the number one priority is to be solid defensively, but there is no getting away from the fact that is an area of weakness for the Red Devils.

Shaw will be directly up against Mohamed Salah, who has 20 goals to his name in all competitions this season.

Quite how the defender deals with the Egyptian could have a huge say on the outcome, but Shaw also needs to contribute down the other end.

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The full-back has not been afraid to break forward this season, but too often his crossing has been wayward.

Anthony Martial could well return from injury to start and the fact that the Frenchman loves to come inside will leave so much space for Shaw when United are on the attack.

And the former Southampton youngster must put in a strong performance at both ends of the field if his team are to collect a huge three points.

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Middlesbrough play host to fellow Championship promotion contenders Leeds United at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, and Tony Pulis must be ready to take advantage after Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa said he could be without three key players on Teesside, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

On the chalkboard

Well, Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference that there are doubts over the fitness of Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw and Pablo Hernandez through injury at the weekend, and it gives the Boro boss a big opportunity to exploit their opponents.

The trio are all capable of playing through the middle in Leeds’ preferred 4-1-4-1 system, and without those players they will surely be weaker than usual through the middle of the park.

Pulis has largely favoured either a 5-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 system so far this season, and he appears unlikely to repeat deploying a 3-5-2 formation he used during the week, given they were beaten 2-0 by Newport County in their fourth-round FA Cup replay.

What does he need to do?

Assuming Leeds are going to be less effective from an attacking point of view in central areas – which should certainly be the case if they are without Forshaw, Klich and Hernandez – then Boro need to take advantage through the middle.

Pulis has often decided to play with four central-midfield players even when using a 5-4-1 system, but he has now been given the perfect opportunity to be slightly more adventurous to get his side a vital three points against a Whites side that look to be lagging a little.

Going with a 4-2-3-1 gives him the defensive balance he wants and needs but also gives him a player in behind the striker who can really hurt Bielsa’s men, and now he must decide who the best individual for the job is – Lewis Wing must surely be in with a shout.

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With his contract set to expire next summer, there has been plenty of talk about Christian Eriksen’s future.

The 27-year-old, however, is only focusing on his football as he looks to help Tottenham win their first top-flight title since 1961.

The Breakdown

“Christian only wants to focus himself on football,” Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots recently told ESPN. “Besides his technical, tactical and athletic skills, also this attitude has contributed over the years to his impressive transformation from world class talent to world class player.”

With things extremely tight at the top of the Premier League table, Tottenham do not need any added distractions, especially at a time where they have been forced to pick up results without star duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Considering all of that, it is imperative for Eriksen to make sure the uncertainty surrounding his future does not affect his performances. And to the Denmark international’s credit, he has done just that.

Alongside Son Heung-min, Eriksen has helped to keep Tottenham’s title dream alive in the absence of Kane and Alli with his creativity on the pitch proving to be too much for opposition teams as ever.

If Tottenham are to go all the way this season, then they need Eriksen free of any distractions.

أكد رجل الأعمال الإسباني، جوسيب ماريا بارتوميو، رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي برشلونة، أنّ ناديه لم يتمكن من التوصل لحل ودي مع كيكي سيتين المدير الفني الذي تمت إقالته من البلوجرانا، قبل شهر ونصف، حيث لم يحصل الأخير على مستحقاته المادية عقب قرار الإقالة.

برشلونة تلقى خسارة فادحة بنتيجة 8-2 على يد بايرن ميونخ الألماني، في ربع نهائي دوري الأبطال، ليودع المسابقة القارية بنتيجة تاريخية؛ ليتم بعدها إقالة سيتين من منصبه، بعد 7 أشهر داخل “الكامب نو”؛ وحل الهولندي رونالد كومان مدرب منتخب هولندا السابق، بدلًا منه.

سيتين يطالب برشلونة بالحصول على 4 ملايين يورو كمستحقات متأخرة، من أجل الموافقة على الإقالة رسميًا ضمن كشوف الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم.

أقرأ أيضًا.. بارتوميو يحسم موقفه من الاستقالة ويؤكد: سنبرم صفقات جديدة قبل نهاية الميركاتو

وكان كيكي قد كشف أنّ إدارة برشلونة أخبرته باستقالته يوم 16 سبتمبر بشكل رسمي وليس بعد الهزيمة من بايرن ميونخ، لذلك سيتخذ إجراءات قانونية ضد وصيف الدوري الإسباني (طالع التفاصيل).

وقال سيتين في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “قضية سيتين؟ الأمر بسيط للغاية، لقد تم إخباره إنه سيتم إقالته”.

وأضاف: “لقد تفاوضنا من أجل أنّ يرحل بشكل ودي، وتم الاتفاق على كل شيء، لا أري مشكلة في هذا، ولكن الآن لا يوجد اتفاق، والمحكمة سوف تتخذ قرارًا في هذا الأمر”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “أنا أشكر سيتين على مُساعدته لنا، ولا أفكر الآن في الأشياء السيئة المُتعلقة بالماضي، بل أفكر في المستقبل وما سيأتي، ينتظرنا موسم مُثير”.

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As quoted by Football London, West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Manuel Lanzini is close to a return to action, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Chilean coach said, “this week I think we will have the squad list [on Thursday] and maybe Lanzini and Nasri can be included on the squad list…We will talk [Thursday] with the medical staff and then we will decide.”

Whether or not it is in time to face Fulham at the London Stadium on Friday night, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder is clearly close to a return to field. This will be welcome news to Hammers fans, as the Argentine can certainly have an impact between now and the end of the season.

On the chalkboard

The midfielder was expected to miss out on the entirety of this campaign after he sustained a knee injury during preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, he now looks to be on schedule for a return ahead of the initial 15-month diagnosis.

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The team he is coming back into though is very different to the one he left. The Hammers have improved their attacking contingent whilst Lanzini has been sidelined, and summer arrival Felipe Anderson could make it tricky for the 4-cap Argentina international to get back into the team.

Pellegrini will have to find a way to balance his side so that Lanzini and the Brazilian can play alongside each other without leaving the Irons defensively exposed.

Finding the balance

With both Anderson and Lanzini on the pitch, the east London club would boast a great deal of creativity, technical ability and flair. However, neither are the most defensively aware or diligent of players. Despite all their quality, the Irons could find themselves missing the work rate currently brought to the side by the likes of Mark Noble, Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio – and there isn’t room for all of them in the starting XI.

Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko’s own returns to fitness could intensify this selection headache for the manager. Pellegrini will likely have to make some tough choices in the summer, or else find a way to accommodate all of this attacking midfield talent, to ensure that the Iron’s don’t become a top-heavy, unbalanced outfit.