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علّق بيب جوارديولا مدرب فريق مانشستر سيتي على فوزهم أمام فولهام، اليوم السبت، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وفاز السكاي بلو بهدفين دون رد، في الجولة الحادية عشر في ملعب الاتحاد.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “من المهم أن نحقق سلسلة من النقاط، بالنسبة للفرص التي سنحت لنا، نعم كان يجب أن نسجل المزيد، لكن الأمر نفسه كان أمام بورتو”.

وأضاف: “من المهم أن نفوز وأن المدافعين لا يرتكبوا أخطاءً ولا نمنحهم أهدافًا”.

وواصل: “نحن نعرف جودة دي بروين على صعيد الأهداف والتمريرات الحاسمة، إنه مهم جدًا بالنسبة لنا، انظر فقط إلى طريقة ركضه وقتاله اليوم”.

وتابع: “من المهم أن تفوز بالمباريات وأن تكون الشباك نظيفة، هذا أمر جيد، خاصة بالنظر إلى مقدار الفرص التي صنعناها مرة أخرى، الناحية البدنية لدى فولهام رائعة، سكوت باركر لديه دائمًا شيء صعب، لقد قدم أداءً جيدًا أمام ليستر”.

واستكمل: ” هذا الموسم يبدو أنه سيكون هناك الكثير من الفرق المتنافسة، الآن يمكن للجميع أن يفوز على أي شخص، هذا هو سبب أهمية الفوز، وألا نتعرض للإصابات، سنتحسن”.

واستمر: “عانينا في بداية الموسم لأسباب عديدة، الآن لدينا أربع مباريات وأربع شباك نظيفة، من المهم للغاية بالنسبة لنا أن نحافظ على ذلك، يتعين علينا تحسين مسألة إنهاء الهجمات، ولكن كذلك علينا الاستمرار في خلق الفرص”.

واختتم: “في هذا الشهر كان من المهم التأهل إلى دور الـ16 بدوري أبطال أوروبا، والآن نركز على الدوري الإنجليزي، سيكون موسمًا طويلًا”.

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Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Barcelona over the potential signing of Malcom this summer, per Sport.

What’s the word?

Spurs are looking to strengthen their squad this summer after finishing in the top four of the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have, per the aforementioned report, targeted a move for midfielder Andre Gomes, who spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Everton from Barca.

And they are said to have used those negotiations to enquire about the availability of the Brazilian winger.

Malcom is also reported to be wanted by both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, with the German side preparing an offer.

The 22-year-old has made a total of 23 appearances for Barca, having joined the club from Bordeaux in July 2018 in a £36.5million deal, scoring four goals and laying on two assists.

Another Lucas

Lucas Moura has become a hero at Spurs this season after his Champions League heroics and he was signed from PSG after his game-time was heavily reduced.

His direct dribbling and eye for goal saw him score a hat-trick in the semi-final against Ajax, having been repeatedly trusted in the biggest matches by manager Mauricio Pochettino this season.

The same could happen for Malcom.

It is clear that he has yet to make a truly positive impression in Spain and the fact remains that he is unlikely to ever break into the first-team, particularly with the likes of Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele all ahead of him in the pecking order.

A move away from Camp Nou could be exactly what he needs to get his career back on track; he is 22, has youth on his side and could blossom under Pochettino.

Perhaps Spurs would be the perfect destination.

Marcelo Bielsa has done a sterling job at aiding the development of Leeds United’s younger players this season, hasn’t he?

The Argentine’s trust in the Whites’ academy graduates has allowed the likes of Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton to flourish in the Championship whilst both Ryan Edmondson and Robbie Gotts are almost certain to follow in the footsteps of this trio next year.

Yet despite the overwhelming amount of homegrown talent breaking through at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground, Bielsa clearly needs to improve his squad in the summer and so it is of little surprise that Leeds have been linked with one of the brightest prospects in League One.

According to the Sunday People (as quoted by HITC), the Whites are reportedly interested in signing Coventry City ace Tom Bayliss.

A skillful central-midfielder, the 20-year-old enjoyed a fruitful campaign with the Sky Blues in third tier as he helped his side achieve an eighth-placed finish by scoring three goals and providing three assists in 38 league appearances.

With all the ingredients needed to become a star in the future, it is clear that Bayliss is ready to make the step up in level next season and therefore could benefit from a move to Elland Road.

Already capped at under-19 level by England, the midfielder is the latest in a long-line of Coventry academy graduates and will be hoping to replicate the achievements of James Maddison and Callum Wilson who are now regular starters in the Premier League for Leicester City and AFC Bournemouth. He has all the ingredients to follow in Maddison’s footsteps and he operates in a very similar position to the Englishman, with his passing ability and creativity making him a very exciting talent.

If Leeds are able to secure the signing of Bayliss when the transfer window opens in July, they will have to overcome the likes of Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Brighton who all keeping tabs on the Sky Blues star.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa sign Bayliss in the summer? Or is too much of a risk to bring in a player who has yet to experience Championship-standard football? Let us know below.

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On Wednesday evening, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United will aim to spoil the party for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League and not many are giving them a cat in hell’s chance, but there’s a past performance they can use to benefit them despite it coming from the Jose Mourinho era.

What is it?

Just over 12 months ago, an in-form United side ventured to the Etihad Stadium to face a team with a chance of securing a first Premier League title under Guardiola.

Up until that point in the 2017/2018 season, the Citizens were yet to lose a match in the league and what better way would there have been to secure a title than by beating your fierce local rivals?

However, a determined Man United showed up on the night and stormed to a shock victory courtesy of a Paul Pogba double and Chris Smalling strike, coming from two goals down at half-time.

How can United draw inspiration from this classic match?

Although it would only delay City’s title parade for a little while further, this triumph was significant in the hearts of all at the Old Trafford club – a very happy memory that can be used as inspiration for tonight.

The manager and some of the players may be different from that evening, but there are a number of similarities in the way that Solskjaer’s men will be approaching this contest.

The idea of keeping hope alive is perhaps the biggest one of them as three points would see the club remain firmly in the hunt for the top four, like it kept their incredibly slim dreams of catching City alive last season.

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Pogba and Smalling, both scorers and inspired performers on the other side of Manchester in early April 2018, are likely to line up and lead their teammates once again.

There’s also the fact that both matchups are taking place late in the day, however, there is a big edge that the Red Devils have that they didn’t before – home advantage.

They need to get The Theatre of Dreams rocking with the fans right behind the players and, if those stars can keep the time they hurt a seemingly impregnable Man City outfit fresh in their minds, who knows what could happen in the latest instalment of the Manchester Derby.

When Danny Loader gave Reading an early lead at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday, Middlesbrough supporters must have been fearing the worst as their play-off hopes were left hanging by a thread.

With sixth-place Derby County leading at Bristol City, Tony Pulis’ side simply had to respond or face falling three points behind their rivals with just one game left to play. Knowing what was at stake, the Smoggies quickly turned things around against the Royals as goals from Lewis Wing and Britt Assombalonga secured a vital victory for the hosts.

Although it will be fair to assume that the majority of those associated with Boro will be keeping a close eye on the outcome of the Rams’ clash with Swansea City on Tuesday, it is imperative that Pulis does not allow his players to lose focus on what they have to do next Saturday.

Despite clearly being the underdogs having played a game less than Derby, by avoiding any possible distractions, the Smoggies should be able to secure all three points against a Rotherham United side who have already been relegated to League One.

By winning their final game, Pulis’ side will put a considerable amount of pressure on their rivals who have a history of choking when it really matters in the Championship.

However, if Boro cannot overcome Derby in the league standings, it may result in serious questions being asked of their manager as they have been very underwhelming since the turn of the year with a run of six consecutive defeats between March and the beginning of April demonstrating just how much they have been struggling in recent months.

Having achieved promotion from the second tier with Stoke City in 2011, Pulis will still think that he is the right man for the job heading into next season yet with his contract running out in the summer (via the Northern Echo), there is a chance that he will be asked to step aside.

What do you think Boro fans? Are you confident that your side can still reach the play-offs in May? Should Pulis’ step aside if you miss out on a top-six finish? Let us know below.

أشاد فرانك لامبارد مدرب تشيلسي بأداء حارس المرمى إدوارد ميندي، في مباراة الأمس أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف الأولد ترافورد مباراة الفريقين في الجولة السادسة، حيث تعادلا سلبيًا.

وقدم ميندي أداءً مميزًا وتصدى لأكثر من فرصة خطيرة لصالح الشياطين الحمر.

وقال لامبارد، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” الإنجليزية: “كان أدائه جيدًا للغاية، فأنت تعتمد على حارس مرماك في تلك اللحظات، كانت مباراة صعبة”.

وأضاف: “لم تكن مباراة مليئة بالفرص، كانت هناك فرصة راشفورد في الشوط الأول، في البداية كان خطأ منا ولحظة جودة من ميندي في النهاية”.

وواصل: “لقد أظهر ميندي ما هو موجود من أجله هنا، لقد اشتريناه لأننا كنا نعلم أنه يتمتع بالجودة، فقد أظهر رباطة جأش كبيرة في المباريات التي لعبها بالفعل وأنا سعيد بالهجمات التي تصدى لها أمام مانشستر، لأنك في مباراة صعبة تعتمد على تلك اللحظة وينتج عنها حصولنا على نقطة”.

Arsenal will be hoping to make some big name signings in the summer as manager Unai Emery looks to build on a good first season in England.

A lack of action in January got the Gunners fans once again worrying that there might not be much money in the coffers to Emery to go and improve his squad, but this summer might well see a different approach from the club if they can snatch a top four spot.

Indeed, this weekend has seen them linked once again with a move for Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Fraser, with his manger Eddie Howe admitting that he might not be able to keep hold of the winger beyond the summer.

Fraser has been in fine form the Cherries, and while he might not be the sort of glamour signing many Gunners fans want to see come through the door at the Emirates, he would be very shrewd addition to the Arsenal cause.

Fraser has proved to be a capable player at Premier League level and a key man for the Cherries. A player who can make goals and get in on the act himself, Fraser has plenty more in the tank in terms of potential and ability to improve further.

And while Bournemouth won’t want to lose their key man, they will know that they might struggle to compete with the likes of Arsenal when it comes to the package they can offer the player in the long-term.

For Arsenal though, Fraser would be a solid signing. Someone who can run at players, beat a man, and get the ball in the box, he’d be a different option for Emery and his coaching staff to call upon.

Marcelo Bielsa is the man at Leeds United. There is no doubting it, and his presence at one of the world’s most iconic clubs has been felt.

First and foremost, you need to remind yourself what fans have endured since departing the top-flight of English football to understand why Bielsa is considered the messiah in West Yorkshire.

Pure, unadulterated misery has ensued since 2004.

Ranging from poor performances to bitterly close encounters with promotion; to the unthinkable relegation to the third-tier; a management merry-go-round consisting of the likes of Neil Warnock, Darko Milanic, Brian McDermott, Uwe Rosler, Gary Monk, Thomas Christiansen, and Paul Heckingbottom. All underlined by the plague that was Massimo Cellino.

The only constant in this mess: the Leeds United supporters.

They have followed with the same admirable grit and determination throughout all the club’s hardships; average home attendances shaming some of the top teams in English football, and a staunch away following that outmatches the hosts wherever they travel.

So, it probably comes as no surprise then that the club have recently announced that over 6,000 season tickets have already been renewed for the 2019/20 campaign, their largest opening week of sales on record (LUFC Twitter).

A quality haul, even by the standards of Leeds United. And, Times writer Henry Winter has claimed, it is all down to their new man Marcelo Bielsa and the man who introduced him to the club, Radrizanni.

The new owner has made a hugely positive impact since taking over from former embarrassment Cellino, whose name hardly warrants mention. Money has been spent, optimism spread, and the appointment of one of the world’s best made.

Evidently no complaints from the Leeds camp, even without the guarantee of promotion.

Rafa Benitez’s tinkering with Newcastle United’s earned its rewards in recent weeks.

Indeed, the Magpies have seen inspired form, coming back from the jaws of defeat to scavenge two impressive results in as many weeks.

While their attacking vigour and men up front are getting all the applauds, those supporting them deserve just as much. Players like Mo Diame are often overshadowed by the success and disregarded in terms of importance. Maybe now, the fans will realise his importance. Still, according to reports via The Express, Crystal Palace and Brighton Hove & Albion are chasing for Diame’s signing in the summer, a scary prospect for those on Tyneside.

Newcastle’s experienced midfielder is wanted at other clubs, who could see his dimming predicament after being overlooked for weeks. The rise of young blood at St. James Park has made Rafa Benitez seemingly turn a blind eye on him in recent weeks, with Ki and Jonjo Shelvey also in the central midfield fray.

However, after Sean Longstaff’s injury, Diame’s the only option to turn around too.

The Magpies can’t afford to let go of such an experienced midfielder. Not only has he been a workhorse for Newcastle, recording a 63% tackling success while making 127 ball recoveries and 24 interceptions (stats via Premier League), he’s also held down the fort in difficult scenarios.

A tough-tackling, relentless figure, Diame’s one of a kind at Newcastle.

It’ll be relatively impossible for either Longstaff or Isaac Hayden to replicate his work-rate anytime soon. Benitez needs Diame’s energy and experience to help his side grow and compete for a European spot, as letting him go will create a gaping hole in midfield.

Don’t be stupid, Newcastle.

Newcastle fans, would you be affected by Diame’s potential departure next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Fulham have confirmed the permanent signing of Lazar Markovic from Liverpool, per an announcement on the club’s official website.

The Serbia international moves to Craven Cottage after a dismal spell on Merseyside.

During the five years he spent at the club following a move from Benfica in 2012, Markovic made just 34 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

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A number of loan spells failed to yield a positive result, either, as he was shipped out to the likes of Fenerbahce, Sporting CP, Hull City and Anderlecht.

He has now left the club on a permanent basis, signing a deal until the end of the season as Fulham bid to secure their Premier League survival under Claudio Ranieri.

Fans of the Cottagers, however, have been left less than impressed at the deadline day deal, with Markovic not seen as the kind of player required to take the club away from danger between now and the end of the season.