Leeds fans lavish praise on Eddie Nketiah following England brace

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A number of Leeds United fans have been on social media reacting to Eddie Nketiah’s brace for England’s Under-21 side.

Nketiah, who is on loan at Leeds from Arsenal, scored twice for Aidy Boothroyd’s side against Turkey Under-21s on Friday night.

The 20-year-old has made a positive start to the 2019/20 campaign at club level – netting three times in five appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side in all competitions.

That said, the on-loan striker has only played 58 minutes of Championship football this season with Bielsa yet to find him a regular role in the team.

A whole host of Leeds supporters have called on their manager to start Nketiah from now on, whilst others simply took the opportunity to praise the youngster’s ability to find the back of the net.

After the controversy surrounding young Bobby Duncan at Liverpool, we ask if enough is being done to protect young players from shady agents in the video below…

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Leeds fans, who have really taken to the Englishman thus far, can be seen below:

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Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard identifies mentality as key for winning the Madrid derby

It’s nearly time for the big La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Eden Hazard did an interview before the game and identified the team’s mentality as the most important aspect heading into the derby.

What did he say?

This will be Hazard’s first big derby since he joined Los Blancos earlier in the 2019 summer transfer window.

The former Blue has struggled with injuries at the very start of his Real Madrid career so he’s still somehow trying to find his groove at the capital.

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So far, however, he has tallied three appearances for the Galacticos across all competitions and a total of two in La Liga specifically. Zinedine Zidane decided to rest his Belgian bomber in Real Madrid’s last bout with Osasuna and since the Whites won that game 2-0, it seems to have been the right call by the Frenchman.

Now, Hazard appears likely to return to start in the derby against Atletico Madrid and the 28-year-old has identified the team’s mentality as key going into that huge clash.

Here’s what he said when asked what’s going to be key for the game:

“Your mentality. In a derby that’s key and what’s even more important is your desire. When you’re a football player, you know what derbies are like. You know what you have to do, you just have to win; you don’t need your teammates to tell you that”.

Peace of mind

Interestingly enough, Hazard is not the first one to bring up the question of mentality into the fold.

Zinedine Zidane has been calling for the team to stay calm and think, while Florentino Perez recently talked at length about how success made Real Madrid lose their intensity. Of course, there’s a physical aspect to that too, but the relentlessness he’s talking about stems from mindset.

So it’s safe to say that Hazard has absolutely nailed the one key aspect his team will have to keep in mind for the derby.

Of course, most of it will be decided on the pitch but there’s also going to be a battle raging in their heads. The squad that can stay collected while still showing enough desire and hunger just might take it all.

Let’s see if Real Madrid can be the ones to do that.

Arsenal fans want Alexandre Lacazette as captain

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Alexandre Lacazette has proved to be an excellent signing for Arsenal.

The France international joined the Gunners in 2017 for what was a club-record fee at the time. Since then, he has scored 38 goals in 91 games for the north Londoners, including two in three matches this term.

He has built up a reputation as a big-game player, which he once again displayed against Tottenham in the last game before the international break. His goal kicked his side into gear as they eventually fought their way back to a 2-2 draw after trailing 2-0.

How do football vloggers afford to watch their team week in, week out? Find out in the video below…

Portions of the Emirates Stadium faithful see him as something of a leader, and many have called for him to be given the captaincy.

As it stands, though, manager Unai Emery has a group of players who he wants to lead his side on the pitch.

Nevertheless, supporters have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts.

You can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

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Spurs weigh up £20m move for Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a move for Napoli right-back Elseid Hysaj, per the Daily Express.

What’s the word?

Spurs have been left with something of an injury crisis at right-back, with Juan Foyth currently sidelined and Serge Aurier only just returning to training, having missed the entirety of pre-season with a wrist injury.

Following the sale of Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid, the club have been left with Kyle Walker-Peters as their only fit right-sided defender.

And the Daily Express now reports that the club could enter the race to sign Hysaj from the Serie A club.

He is reported to be valued at £20m, and both Roma and Juventus have been credited with an interest too.

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A valuable addition

A transfer fee of £20m is a snip in today’s market.

Hysaj, of course, does not have Premier League experience but he has captained Albania, winning 47 caps, and has also made 170 appearances in Serie A.

Still only 25, Hysaj would represent a low-cost and low-risk acquisition for Spurs, who are desperately short in defence.

A deal would have to be rushed through, with the transfer deadline coming on Thursday, but this is one that chairman Daniel Levy should be looking to get over the line as soon as possible.

It would plug a remarkably leaky hole in defence and also ensure that manager Mauricio Pochettino has all the resources he needs at full-back.

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Manchester United fans react to Solskjaer’s comments on replacing Romelu Lukaku

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Following a saga that lasted virtually the entire summer, Romelu Lukaku eventually left Manchester United to join Inter on deadline day.

The Belgium international signed for the Nerazzurri in a reported £73m deal, but despite losing one of their main goal-scorers, United did not sign a replacement.

Speaking in his pre-Chelsea press conference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has now revealed that whilst Lukaku was one of the “top number nines around”, he has the utmost confidence in the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, amongst others, to score goals.

After hearing the Norwegian’s comments on the side’s remaining options up front, United fans took to Twitter to share their concerns about the matter.

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Many supporters of the Manchester side expressed their frustrations at hearing Solskjaer trying to sing the praises of the club’s forwards, and simply insisted he is “deluded”.

Indeed, a few even questioned how the United boss could bring Lingard’s name into the conversation when he hasn’t proven in previous years to be a reliable goal-scorer.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

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West Brom Transfer Roundup: Krovinovic setback, Chalobah interest, eyes on Diedhiou

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Yesterday’s West Brom transfer roundup included news on a target from Benfica, interest in a Senegalese player and a new club joining the race for Salomon Rondon. Today’s edition features more news on Filip Krovinovic, eyes on a Chelsea youngster and interest in a Championship striker.

Krovinovic move “at risk”

Thursday’s print edition of Portuguese outlet O Jogo (via Sport Witness) is reporting that the deal to take Krovinovic on loan is “at risk” after a “last-minute setback”. The midfielder has reportedly rejoined the Benfica squad as he waits for a solution to be found.

Chalobah of interest

Express and Star is reporting that West Brom are interested in taking Chelsea’s Trevor Chalobah on loan next season. The 19-year-old spent the last campaign at Ipswich Town and made 43 appearances in the Championship for the Tractor Boys.

Baggies eye Diedhiou

West Brom are interested in Bristol City’s Famara Diedhiou according to Get French Football News. Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town are reportedly already in active discussions in regards to the striker, with a number of Turkish clubs also looking at the 26-year-old. He scored 13 times in the Championship last season.

Lowe signing makes sense for Celtic regardless of Tierney’s future

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Celtic are showing interest in Derby County defender Max Lowe, according to The Daily Record.

What’s the story?

With The Times reporting that Arsenal have made a second bid for established first-team left-back Kieran Tierney, the Scotland international’s future at Celtic Park appears to be hanging in the balance.

The Record say that Max Lowe is now one of the transfer options that the Hoops are pursuing, with an inquiry made to Derby County about his availability on a short-term basis or as a permanent signing.

Lowe spent last season on loan at Aberdeen and the paper claim that, despite having plenty of time left on his contract at Derby, his future at the club is uncertain.

How can Celtic improve next season? A Hoops fan tells us how in the video below…

Needed with or without Tierney

Valued at £315,000 by Transfermarkt, Lowe made 42 appearances for the Dons last term, becoming a trusted member of Derek McInnes’ squad at Pittodrie.

Playing in a Scottish Cup semi-final and League Cup final against Celtic, testing himself against James Forrest, he’s already had a taste of the level required to be a success at the Hoops despite falling short on both occasions.

Celtic badly need a left-back this summer with no direct back-up to Tierney available following the departure of Honduran veteran Emilio Izaguirre.

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Lowe would appear to have the ability to at least do a job domestically as back-up to Tierney, so pursuing him this summer makes sense even if the 22-year-old star does not move to Arsenal or indeed another top European club.

If Tierney does end up moving then it still makes sense to get Lowe in the door, although the club will need to dip into the transfer market once again and sign real quality as a replacement.

Kieran Tierney would be the ideal upgrade on Sead Kolasinac

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

After conceding 51 goals in the Premier League and seeing his first-choice left back spend more time attacking than defending, it has been no surprise to see Unai Emery be on the look-out for a bona fide star in that oh-so troublesome position.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Gunners’ first-choice target for that position is Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, but after having their first bid rejected, Football Scotland now report the north London side have seen a second offer worth £17.5m knocked back as well.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Despite seemingly being denied a second time there remains hope that the Gunners will eventually get their man, and after looking at the numbers, it’s easy to see why the 22-year-old is such an attractive option for Emery.

In numbers collected from Celtic and Arsenal’s runs in the Europa League this season, Tierney comfortably outshines his Bosnian counterpart in the defensive categories. One of Kolasinac’s major weaknesses last season were his suspect abilities going back towards his own goal, often leaving his side exposed in transition and showing very questionable marking.

Tierney’s average of 1.7 tackles per game betters Kolasinac’s solitary tackle per match, but it is the interception numbers that really show the kind of front-foot positional defending the Scotsman thrives in. His 2.2 interceptions far outclass the Arsenal left-back’s measly efforts of 0.9, and are an indication that he reads the game far better than the 26-year-old.

Perhaps the biggest reason why Emery is looking to get a deal done for Tierney is the freedom it would give him in possibly reverting back to his favoured back-four. The Spaniard is particularly known for his fondness for the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-3-3 but such were the Gunners’ defensive shortcomings that he eventually settled on a back-five last season.

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But don’t just mistake Tierney for being a far better defender than Kolasinac. Whilst the latter marginally beats him by 0.4 for key passes per game, the Scotland international comes into his own whilst his team are in possession.

His 1.2 dribbles per match offered Celtic an extra attacking outlet and someone who could beat a man just like a normal winger would, whilst his average of 61 passes per game is a mind-blowing 25.4 more than the Gunners defender.

The ‘Arsenal way’ under Arsene Wenger was to be good on the ball and quick on the attack, and Tierney ticks both boxes. The ‘Arsenal way’ under George Graham was being defensively sound and strong in the tackle, and yet again Tierney meets both requirements. So, if Emery can get his man, he may just have landed himself the ultimate combination of the archetypal Arsenal left-back.

Goretzka and Mendy reply to Sane’s funny Instagram video

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The season is pretty much wrapped up for Leroy Sane, both at club and international level.

His Manchester City campaign was a major success – winning the treble and defending the Premier League title in the process. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for his international adventures since Germany crashed out of the Nations League after a bad group stage performance.

Nonetheless, the Citizens’ starlet is very much enjoying his holiday and his latest

/By3A3vqjjhb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram post attracted a lot of eyes and prompted many laughs from his teammates and rivals alike.

This hilarious video was noticed by Benjamin Mendy, his City teammate, who found it extremely funny and replied with a series of emojis to support it.

Leon Goretzka just replied with “Mia san Mia”, which is Bayern Munich’s club motto, and this post got the most attention of all the replies because of the transfer saga involving the German club and City’s winger.

The duo were not the only ones posting, however, and many other players eventually found their way onto Sane’s Instagram, either bantering the lad or just laughing at the video.

Predicted XI: Leeds to make no changes against Derby

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Leeds are heading into their most important games of the season, and Marcelo Bielsa has to be extremely careful when it comes to team selection.

The Whites have been in an awful run of form as of late, but the Argentine has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes to his starting XI up to this point, and that is expected to continue.

With Patrick Bamford suspended, Kemar Roofe retains his place in the team despite his poor performance against Ipswich.

Another player who had a stinker at Portman Road was Kiko Casilla, but Marcelo Bielsa is likely to stick with the former Real Madrid man for this fixture.

After Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Tyler Roberts would miss this match, Adam Forshaw retains his place in the midfield.

Pontus Jansson has been ruled a doubt for this game but with the Whites’ lack of depth at centre-back, the Swede may well be risked even if he isn’t 100% fit in what is the most important fixture of their season so far.

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