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Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that Ross Barkley’s days at the Villans could be numbered amid reported interest in Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Barkley is currently on loan at Villa from Chelsea and there had been some talk about the Midlands club potentially signing him permanently. However, amid a dip in form, that talk has since died down.

Villa are now being linked with another midfielder owned by Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with TEAMtalk reporting that the Villans have their sights set on the current Fulham player.

And for Hendrie, any move for Loftus-Cheek is likely to spell the end for Barkley at Villa Park. He told TT:

“If they’re certainly going for Loftus-Cheek, I feel [that] rules out Ross Barkley totally. I wouldn’t say he’s burnt his bridges at Villa, but there’s certain things that haven’t gone in his favour.

“When he came in, he started like a house on fire, but you’ve got to maintain that, you know. You’ve got to continue doing it.”

Villa look set to face competition in their potential mission to bring Loftus-Cheek to Villa Park this summer. According to TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace, where the English midfielder spent the 2017/18 season on loan, are also interested in striking a deal with Chelsea for his services.

Since Fosun took over Wolves, they’ve had a particular transfer strategy up their sleeves.

The general method has been to sign players at a young age and develop them for the future. Very rarely do the Molineux outfit bring in fresh faces who are in the twilight of their careers.

Joao Moutinho has been a rare exception but he’s been surrounded by younger talents like Ruben Neves and Adama Traore.

They have seen their values rise since signing for Wolves but arguably, none have been more explosive than Pedro Neto.

The 21-year-old was far from a marquee addition when he signed from Lazio for £16m. However, he has proven particularly this season that he’s an exceptional young talent.

Wolves have struggled on the goal front this term, especially with Raul Jimenez out injured since November. Fabio Silva has scored just twice while the enigmatic Willian Jose is yet to find the net following his arrival.

Neto, however, has taken on the mantle brilliantly. He is their joint top scorer on five goals and he’s provided the most assists for his teammates in 2020/21; also five.

Without him, they may well be battling for relegation. The youngster tops pretty much every attacking rank for Wolves this term. He’s had 104 touches in the penalty area, created 57 chances, had 56 shots, and made 38 passes into the penalty area; all team highs.

It’s unsurprising, therefore, that he’s now the centre of interest from elsewhere. Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for the Portuguese, news that will come as a bitter blow after losing Diogo Jota last summer.

In the process, his value has risen astronomically. Having initially signed for around £16m, his transfer rating via Transfermarkt is a considerable £31.5m. That’s up from £6.3m in the summer of 2019.

At this moment in time, he is one of the most devastating young players in the Premier League, a player blessed with enormous pace, trickery and a beautiful left foot. He can cause danger to even the most impressive top-flight centre-backs.

He also has the potential to be one of the best on the planet, that’s the word of Jamie Redknapp anyway. Speaking earlier this term he said: “I think he [Neto] is going to be a world star.”

Redknapp added: “He is sensational on the ball, he has got a real presence and size when he moves with the ball, he loves to face people up, go one-on-one, go either way as well – such a talent, he really is.”

With Jimenez absent, Neto has shouldered the responsibility of being Nuno Santo’s star man. He is quickly becoming one of the most feared in the Premier League and as his value now tells us, he is going to be extremely expensive to prise away from Molineux.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Jimenez: Wolves must swoop for “electric” 24-goal gem, he’s like “gold”…

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a quite enticing claim on the future of Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United and the impact of his current contract situation.

The Argentine’s contract at Elland Road is still very much up in the air at the moment, and Romano gave an update on whether this would have an effect on transfers, in terms of players not wanting to join as they do not even know who the manager will be next year.

Speaking to Give Me Sport, the Italian football journalist and football guru said:

“I think no… when you have Marcelo Bielsa on your bench you can attract a lot of players.

“A lot of players are attracted by the project, Leeds has an amazing project – apart from Biesla we’re talking about the ownership, the stadium, the partnerships and also what they are doing on the pitch is so important.

“So they have an amazing project. When you have Marcelo Bielsa, you can attract players.”

Continuing on about Bielsa’s future, Romano claimed: “For sure, they are happy with him and I think they will do their best to keep him.”

Leeds must give Bielsa new deal

It is simply imperative that the Midlands club give Bielsa a new deal. The 65-year-old is a household name in the beautiful game, and as Romano points out, the Whites can attract a lot of players to them just by having him as their manager.

This is exemplified when they signed Rodrigo in the summer transfer window, who had previous pedigree in the UEFA Champions League and an international reputation with Spain (Transfermarkt).

Bielsa was vital in getting the club promoted to the Premier League in the first place, and they look set to stay there come the end of the 2020/21 term.

Nonetheless, they must tie him down to a new contract at all costs.

You can view the full Fabrizio Romano interview with Give Me Sport here!

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Inaugurada em maio de 2014, a Arena Corinthians, enfim, receberá seu primeiro evento musical. No dia 8 de outubro, a Rádio Armênia Eterna vai lançar o Projeto da Associação Juventude Armênia, 101 Years Armenian Genocide Experimente Nascer de Novo. Projeto sem fins lucrativos, que tem como objetivo ajudar as crianças vítimas da guerra na Síria. Seis vozes cantarão pela Paz: Priscilla Alcantara, MC. Gui, Preto no Branco, Kleber Diaz, Baah Merello e a presença Internacional da cantora Armênia / Siria Salpi Keleshian. Parte da renda será doada para a UNICEF.

A apresentação acontecerá na beira do gramado, onde ficam os bancos de reservas, com os expectadores podendo acompanhar nas arquibancadas do setor Oeste. Foi desse mesmo lugar que Ivete Sangalo cantou na festa de 103 anos do clube, em 2013 (veja foto acima).

Apesar do evento, o Corinthians não precisará mandar algum jogo em outro estádio. O Timão receberá o Atlético-MG três dias antes da apresentação musical. Depois, joga fora de casa, contra o Santa Cruz, no dia 12.

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A venda para o show acontece a partir deste sábado. A torcida corintiana poderá adquirir ingressos por meio do site do Fiel Torcedor, além de outros pontos de vendas que ainda serão divulgados.O Corinthians disponibilizou seu estádio para a Olimpíada. Por conta disso, mandou o jogo contra o Cruzeiro no Pacaembu.

Mais informações sobre o evento no site:
www.experimentenascerdenovo.com

Many Everton fans have been left in agreement with Jamie Carragher after he did some analysis on the Goodison Park faithful on Monday Night Football.

The Liverpool legend said (via Toffee TV) that it would be a ‘disappointment’ if the Merseyside club do not qualify for European competition for the start of the 2021/22 term due to the quality of manager they have in Carlo Ancelotti, but thinks that the Toffees will fall short of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

The Blues are currently sitting in seventh spot in the Premier League table at the moment on 43 points, just two off of fourth-placed West Ham United with a game in hand (BBC Sport).

While qualifying for Europe’s elite competition is of course a possibility for Ancelotti and his side, they still have the likes of reigning champions Liverpool and big spenders Chelsea to compete with, while also potentially looking over their shoulder for more challengers.

Everton fan reaction to Carragher analysis

These EFC supporters agreed on Carragher’s analysis on Twitter:

“No he’s absolutely right there. Let’s not forget this is Carlo’s first full season, what he’s done already is lay the foundations for the future.”

Credit: @IanG1878

“Completely agree!”

Credit: @james_page26

“Spot on for me, after this season I’ll be disappointed if we don’t get Europe.”

Credit: @PfftSwifti

“Think he has a point to be fair. Our priority is Europa, anything else is a bonus.”

Credit: @nickgartland

“He’s spot on tbh”

Credit: @Yaboiholo

“Think he’s right tbf, but you never know”

Credit: @scousemouse56

In other news, find out what Fabrizio Romano transfer update has been lauded by Everton fans here!

Tottenham Hotspur are in the race to sign Odsonne Edouard, according to emerging reports this weekend…

What’s the word?

The Daily Star claim that Spurs are one of several Premier League teams eyeing a move for the prolific Celtic talisman this year, though West Ham could strike this month in a bid to replace Sebastian Haller.

North London rivals Arsenal are also said to be in the running and it is thought that the 23-year-old would rather join an established top-six outfit as he enters the final 18 months of his current deal at Celtic Park.

And Record Sport believes his £30m price tag has dropped in the past year to around £20m given his contract situation and the small regression in goal returns.

Dream Kane heir

A new striker is the least of Jose Mourinho’s concerns right now, but if Harry Kane continues to set the ground alight with his impressive exploits, then it’s inevitable that some of Europe’s elite will come calling.

Recently, former Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate urged the England captain to join Real Madrid just like he did in 2004, he said: “If Real Madrid come in for you – especially Harry Kane – he has got to go. If he wants to win trophies and get onto that next pedestal of Messi, Ronaldo and that type of player, he has to go.”

Meanwhile, Manchester City are thought to be keeping tabs on the 27-year-old’s future and could offer €100m (£90m) in the summer, as per BILD’s Christian Falk.

And even in the past, Kane has refused to completely rule out an exit from N17, so it’s easy to see why Spurs may well be taking an interest in Edouard.

He’d be a like-for-like replacement.

The 6 foot 2 has proven to be a lucrative source of goals for the SPFL champions ever since his arrival in 2018. Indeed, he’s bagged 72 goals in 151 appearances, including a strike rate of 11 in 23 games this term, via Transfermarkt.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-and-rumours” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, injury latest and more!”]

Edouard’s former youth coach Jean-Claude Giuntini believes he’s improved greatly, he told the BBC: “He also improved in the collective side of the game – preparation of offensive moves, defensive press, ability to come back and defend.”

This is almost a mirror image of Kane under Mourinho as the boyhood Spurs star has evolved greatly, often dropping deeper into the no.10 role to allow Heung-min Son to act as an inside-forward on the left flank whilst back in November, he was winning more duels than any Spurs centre-back and fit right in with impressive tackling and clearance numbers too.

He’s also very similar in an attacking sense too, Giuntini added: “He had an excellent sense of anticipation which gave him a remarkable ability to read play. And he had a considerable skill for shooting – his efforts were targeted, precise and powerful.”

You could be forgiven for thinking that was about Kane, but those are indeed words to describe Edouard, who is also said to often “create panic” amongst the opposition backline.

“Talismanic” and “special talent” are two other phrases used to laud the Frenchman, and again, they only add further weight into why he’d be a dream heir to Kane one day – not to mention, he’s similar in stature (one inch taller) and is four years younger.

Daniel Levy and Mourinho both have a major call to make on current back-up striker Carlos Vinicius this summer. They can seal his permanent transfer for a whopping €45m (£40m), as per Goal.

Yes, the Brazilian has fit right in and done a fine job deputising by scoring six goals in only 475 minutes of action, but he’s going to cost double the price of Edouard, so it could be wise to let him go back to Benfica in favour of signing the Celtic sensation.

In the long run, that could prove to be one bargain piece of business and given West Ham’s desire to sign him, Levy ought to strike sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, Levy have struck dream deal with £45m-rated “born leader” who’s been dubbed a Spurs “steal”…

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A liderança do Campeonato Gaúcho segue firme nas mãos do São José. Mostrando sua segurança defensiva, o Zequinha arrancou o empate em 1 a 1 com o Aimoré neste domingo, no Cristo Rei, neste domingo e, beneficiado pelo revés do Juventude para o Internacional no Alfredo Jaconi, está na ponta da competição após a sétima rodada.

Os Índios Capilés, que buscavam sua segunda vitória na competição, tentaram se impor na partida e abriram o placar aos 46 minutos do primeiro tempo. João Arthur converteu pênalti aos 46 minutos. Porém, no segundo tempo, o Zequinha mostrou sua qualidade e igualou o placar aos 32 minutos.

O São José está com 17 pontos, na liderança. Já o Aimoré está na décima-primeira colocação, com seis pontos.

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Nos demais jogos da rodada, o Brasil de Pelotas venceu o São Paulo por 2 a 1 no último sábado. Neste domingo, o Novo Hamburgo bateu o Ypiranga por 3 a 1.

A sequência da rodada traz nesta segunda-feira a partida entre Cruzeiro-RS e Lajeadense e, na terça-feira, o Passo Fundo enfrentando Veranópolis.

It may not have been the prettiest victory of Leeds United’s season thus far, but boy was it a big one.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side headed into the game against Burnley on early Sunday afternoon off the back of a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United last weekend.

The Whites have enjoyed a fine start to life back in the Premier League, but that heavy defeat may have just knocked the wind out of their sails. So, a win, in any kind of circumstances, would have been most welcome, and in the end, they managed to hang on to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sean Dyche’s side.

Patrick Bamford’s penalty in the fifth minute was enough to claim all three points for the Yorkshire club, and it was fair to say they had their fair share of hairy moments, not least a couple of 50/50 calls that went in their favour.

But whilst Bielsa will no doubt be relieved to have come away with a win, he will be particularly disappointed with Mateusz Klich’s performance.

The midfielder just looked to be off the boil at Elland Road, and despite the stats at the end of the game pointing out that he won 100% of his duels, they just don’t paint the actual reality of his display.

The Poland international has featured in every single Premier League game this season, and that appeared to show. He looked leggy and lethargic, making no tackles or interceptions whatsoever, and making just 35 passes.

His performance led to The Guardian journalist Charlie Phillips to remark that Klich is currently “having a weird time at the moment”, and it’s difficult to argue against that.

The 30-year-old looked like he just needs a rest and to be taken out of the firing line for now, and Bielsa really has to be ruthless with one of his trusted midfield lieutenants.

In 2021, Leeds just haven’t been at the races. They have lost every single game this year and thus, Marcelo Bielsa is starting to feel the pressure.

This United side are still a bustling one full of intensive attacking energy, but they must ensure they get the balance right.

On the chalkboard

One of the big issues in recent weeks has been defensively. Leeds went through a period where they missed Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente – all three of the club’s senior centre-halves.

Thus, issues at the back were hardly surprising. Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk initially tried their best to marshal things and a clean sheet against Burnley typified how solid they can be.

Yet, with Kalvin Phillips part of a defensive trio when they played Crawley and then when he was suspended against Brighton, they floundered and didn’t look up to scratch.

Philips is often the heartbeat of this Leeds team but as Bielsa’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup, he was at fault for one of the goals and gave the ball away 24 times. It was an uncharacteristic showing from someone usually so reliable.

However, he isn’t the problem, something their 1-0 defeat to Brighton showed.

Struggling Struijk

Last month we issued rallying cries that the young Dutchman was finally Premier League ready. In terms of his contributions in a back four, that’s certainly the case.

Yet, two games in a row he has looked out of his depth while playing as a makeshift defensive midfielder.

It was bizarre he played in that role versus Crawley with Phillips playing further back, but he was the only one capable when they took on the Seagulls, predominantly because Leeds failed to sign another midfielder in the summer.

It’s safe to say that decision hasn’t been vindicated. The centre-back was dragged off after just 45 minutes in the FA Cup a fortnight ago, failing to win a single ground duel. For a holding player, that’s an essential part of the game so it speaks volumes about how poor his display was. It also says a lot about Bielsa’s feelings – he was clearly seething inside with how the game went.

Meanwhile, against Graham Potter’s team, Struijk gave the ball away 13 times – the sixth-worst tally on the Leeds side – and completed just 80% of his passes, a tally down 8% on his season average.

Though, it’s not just us that has noticed the youngster’s poor form. Speaking about Struijk this week, Leeds pundit Noel Whelan said:

“I think Struijk looks out of place, playing Kalvin’s role. I’ve got to say I don’t think there’s anyone that can play Kalvin’s role in the team which is worrying for me. When he’s out we don’t seem to have that flow in our game going forward and the discipline in the defensive role.”

For Leeds, this should be a huge concern. Although the Netherlands-born defender has proven himself to be adept among a back four, he has been anything but when pushed further forward.

Consequently, the £2.2m-rated centre-back must be reduced to the bench with immediate effect. He is not good enough to play in Phillips’ position, nor is he good enough to play over Cooper.

AND in other news, Leeds should rue not signing £72k-p/w “beast”, he’s better than Struijk…

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O Diário Oficial da União publicou, na manhã desta terça-feira, a oficialização do patrocínio do Flamengo com a Caixa Econômica Federal. O contrato, renovado por mais um ano, renderá R$ 25 milhões ao clube, conforme está inscrito no próprio comunicado. O banco estatal segue como patrocinador master do Rubro-Negro, algo que já acontece desde 2013.

Nesta terça-feira, está prevista uma viagem do presidente Eduardo Bandeira de Mello a Brasília para homologar o patrocínio. Desde o fim do ano passado as partes já estavam acordadas, embora a oficialização tenha sido apenas nesta terça.

A diretoria do Flamengo segue em busca de mais parceiros, já que o contrato com a Viton 44 (costas e manga) e Jeep (barra traseira) se encerrou no fim de dezembro. O clube ainda negocia renovação com a montadora.

GALERIA DE FOTOS:
>Veja as dez últimas camisas utilizadas pelo Flamengo

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