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Former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch is a ‘genuine candidate’ to replace Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United manager, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Marsch linked with Leeds job

On Thursday, a report claimed that the Whites see Marsch as their ‘first choice’ candidate to come in for Bielsa this summer, should the Argentine choose to leave.

The current Leeds manager’s current deal expires at the end of the season, following what will be four years in the job by that point, with no agreement to extend his stay coming to light yet.

Marsch is currently a free agent after being sacked by Leipzig back in December, following a disappointing spell at the Bundesliga club.

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The Latest: Hay confirms links

Taking to Twitter shortly after the news of Leeds’ interest in Marsch broke, Hay backed up the claim, saying he is definitely someone Andrea Radrizzani is eyeing:

“A genuine candidate if the club look for a new head coach this summer, in part because his tactical style would not be a massive deviation.”

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The Verdict: Strong contender to come in

While Marsch has to be judged for a poor stint at Leipzig, his overall managerial career to date suggests he would be a good replacement for Bielsa.

He got RB Salzburg playing some entertaining, high-octane football during a spell that led to two Austrian Bundesliga titles, and he got plenty out of a young and emerging Erling Haaland.

As Hay alludes to, the similarity in style to Leeds means his appointment would make sense, with the American known for his intense pressing system.

At 48, Marsh is nearly 20 years younger than Bielsa and could breathe new life into the squad, although the idea of the latter extending his stay for another year would likely go down well with most Whites fans, given the job he has done and the popularity he still has.

In other news, Leeds could have one player available against Manchester United. Find out who it is here.

Gloucestershire went joint-top of the Clydesdale Bank 40 Group B when they narrowly defeated Derbyshire in a rain-affected match under the County Ground floodlights

21-Jul-2010Gloucestershire went joint-top of the Clydesdale Bank 40 Group B when they narrowly defeated Derbyshire in a rain-affected match under the County Ground floodlights. They squeezed home by one run on the Duckworth-Lewis method after they were set a revised target of 175 in 31 overs.They had been chasing Derbyshire’s 225 for 8, which included 65 from 56 balls from Wayne Madsen, and the contest was in the balance when the umpires took the players off the field for the last time with the visitors 152 for 5, one ahead of the par score.Until Madsen broke free, Derbyshire had found it difficult to get the ball away on a sluggish surface after Anthony Ireland had removed Chesney Hughes and Robin Peterson with lifting balls in the first eight overs. Chris Rogers and Wes Durston began the rebuilding process by adding 64 in 15 overs but their progress stalled when they both fell to Richard Dawson in the space of four balls.Durston holed out to deep square leg and Rogers, who faced 46 balls before hitting a boundary, was lbw for 40 trying to switch-hit. At 100 for 4 in the 23rd over, Derbyshire were precariously perched but Madsen found the right mix of invention and orthodoxy to make sure his team set a testing target. Greg Smith shared a stand of 67 in 11 overs and, after Steffan Jones had driven Steve Kirby back over his head for six, Garry Park and Madsen added 38 in four overs.Gloucestershire made a steady start and although Will Porterfield hit the first three balls from Smith for four, the scoring rate dipped when the spinners came on. Peterson and Jake Needham built up pressure that paid off when Porterfield drove Peterson to long on and was well caught low down by Tim Groenewald for 38 from 49 balls.Alex Gidman found it increasingly hard to time the ball and, after taking 70 balls to score 45, he chipped Needham to midwicket before rain held up play with the visitors 103 for 2 from 22 overs. When the match resumed, the Gladiators were left to score 72 from nine overs and Franklin and Hamish Marshall kept up with the required rate before Jones deceived Marshall with a slower ball that he lobbed to square leg.The Falcons were right back in it when Franklin drove Groenewald to cover in the next over and although Chris Dent drove Smith for four, he drilled Park to long off with 25 needed off 16 balls. It was now raining heavily and after Chris Taylor drove the next ball to deep cover for two, umpires Richard Kettleborough and Trevor Jesty decided the rain was too heavy for play to continue with the Gladiators one in front of the Duckworth-Lewis par score of 151.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية عن اصابة الدولي الفرنسي كريم بنزيما، والتي تسببت في غيابه عن تدريبات ريال مدريد اليوم السبت.

ويستعد ريال مدريد لملاقاة رايو فاليكانو يوم الإثنين المقبل على ملعب الأخير ضمن الجولة ١٣ من الدوري الاسباني للدرجة الأولى.

طالع أيضًا | فريد يدافع عن رونالدو ويعترف: علمت باقتراب كاسيميرو من مانشستر يونايتد قبل الصحافة

صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، أكدت أن كريم بنزيما لم يشارك في تدريبات اليوم لـ ريال مدريد، وهو ما يثير الشكوك حول لحاقه بمباراة رايو فاليكانو.

وأشارت إلى أن السبب في غياب اللاعب، هو شعوره بإجهاد عضلي، وهو ما جعله يشتكي من ذلك وتم استبعاده كإجراء احترازي، على أن يقوم بفحوصات طبية لمعرفة ما يعاني منه الفرنسي، وموقفه من الظهور ليلة الإثنين.

Junior Firpo’s struggles at Leeds United continued despite a more encouraging display in their 3-1 win over Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

The victory proved crucial to Marcelo Bielsa and his side as it moved the Yorkshire giants a whopping eight points clear of the relegation zone, leaving plenty of breathing room heading into the second half of the season.

However, the summer signing bore the brunt of the Argentine’s anger once again, according to LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross.

Firpo has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since his £13m move from Barcelona, even drawing criticism from sections of the Elland Road faithful at times and once again, he may have failed to impress his boss.

“Much like [Jack] Harrison, it’s not really been Firpo’s season. But today was again, without being exhilarating and astounding, very, very solid. And it feels like another step forward for him,” explained the journalist before adding some cause for concern:

“And I think you can see he frustrates Bielsa at times with his positioning, and I mean, we joked at one point he was playing like the number nine off [Tyler] Roberts. And from where we’re stood, you have to kind of make some assumptions on what Bielsa is saying and who he’s saying it to, but it looked very clear like he was shouting at Firpo, saying ‘what are you doing up there?’

“We know he loves to roam forward, he can’t help himself. He’s almost like a kid in the playground.”

The former Spain U21 international has been trusted to start the bulk of Leeds’ matches at left-back but that’s mainly because the club saw the departure of both Barry Douglas and Gjanni Alioski during the summer window, so really, he’s the only out-and-out option in the role.

In terms of average performance across the 2021/22 campaign, Firpo ranks as Bielsa’s worst-performing player (of those to start ten or more games), per WhoScored.

He is one of three players to have already amassed five yellow cards, which suggests he has found it difficult to combat the opposition regularly – one particular game against Brighton stands out as a fine example.

Bielsa had to hook the £10.8m-rated dynamo after just one half due to his inability to handle Tariq Lamptey. He was a walking liability, so it’s no wonder he was withdrawn early.

Thought to be earning around £55k-per-week, it may be wise for Bielsa to be ruthless and just axe him from the starting XI for the foreseeable and in a transfer window, an adequate replacement could quite easily be found.

Cross’ comments provide little encouragement to Firpo ever cutting the mustard at Elland Road. A brutal call considering his slightly positive performance but ultimately one that may be required in the long run.

AND in other news, “They’ve been watching him”: Journo teases Leeds transfer claim, fans will be buzzing…

Tottenham are facing a panicked last few days of the January transfer window with Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte struggling to bring the club’s main targets through the door.

The likes of Luis Diaz and Adama Traore are moving elsewhere but fortunately, Spurs have moved quickly to identify new targets.

What’s the word?

The Lilywhites have opened talks to bring Dejan Kulusevksi to English football in the remaining days of the window but he’s not the only Juventus player believed to be involved in discussions.

That’s according to Sky Sports News with journalist Lyall Thomas taking to Twitter on Friday to confirm interest in one of their midfield players too.

He stated: “Sky in Italy: Tottenham are rivalling Aston Villa with interest in Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur (From @DiMarzio) Villa have already had a bid in the region of £20m turned down.”

Separate reports claim Juve want at least £21m to consider a sale.

Great news

After failed moves for both Diaz and Traore, as well as the news that it’s unlikely Spurs will land Franck Kessie, it is superb news for Conte and the club’s supporters that they have alternative targets lined up.

Of course, the first two names are more offensive players but Kessie is a totally different beast, capable of dominating defensively and in the final third.

However, with a move now appearing to be off the cards, Spurs will need to consider other options, particularly with Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli linked with exits away in the remaining days of the window.

Bentancur is more of a defensive-minded midfielder by comparison but he’d still be a terrific acquisition.

After all, this is someone with plenty of experience at the top table of not only European football, but also World football, being capped 46 times by his country.

At just 24, he is also approaching his peak years and would surely strengthen the club’s central areas.

This is a player who is supremely confident with the ball at his feet, completing 87.5% of his passes in Serie A this term, while he’s won an impressive 1.7 tackles per game. Combine that with his three assists this term and Bentancur looks to be an all-round midfielder who could dominate in multiple facets of the game.

He has constantly strived to prove the doubters wrong and was once named as the “surprise” of Serie A by Max Allegri.

On that evidence, he’d be a wonderful late signing and one that Paratici simply has to get across the line.

AND in other news, Bid accepted: Spurs now closing in on first January signing, Conte will be buzzing…

Scott Newman upstaged England captain Andrew Strauss and smashed his first century for Middlesex as the visitors put themselves into a potential winning position

23-Apr-2010

ScorecardScott Newman upstaged England captain Andrew Strauss and smashed his first century for Middlesex as the visitors put themselves into a potential winning position in their County Championship Division Two match at Wantage Road. The 30-year-old opener hit 112 from 139 balls against Strauss’ 32 to inspire the hosts to a second-innings total of 258 for 3 declared and lead of 393 at the end of day three.Middlesex dominated from start to finish with Danny Evans helping skittle Northamptonshire out for 307 with figures of 5 for 87 before Newman and Dawid Malan (56) pressed home their advantage. Nicky Boje battled valiantly for the hosyts, finishing 61 not out and claiming second-innings figures of two for 87, while Stephen Peters and Mal Loye offered hope for tomorrow, closing at 29 without loss.Northants started the day 264 runs behind their opponents on 178 for 4 with David Sales and Andrew Hall resuming on 35 and 31 respectively. Hall added just eight to his overnight score before edging Gareth Berg to Malan, who took a brilliant one-handed catch low to his right in the fourth over.Sales battled but could not help becoming Steven Finn’s second victim on 55, with wicketkeeper Paul Harrison next to go for eight, trapped leg before by Evans. Former England spinner Shuan Udal picked up his first wicket of the innings when he forced David Lucas to nudge to Sam Robson for 16, while Jack Brooks hit only a single before falling to Evans. He completed his five-wicket haul after Robson took another sharp catch at short leg to dismiss Luke Evans for eight, leaving Boje stranded on 61 from 103 balls.Middlesex started their second innings 135 runs ahead and quickly built on their advantage with Newman passing 50 off 93 balls, ably supported by Strauss. However it was not long before the England captain was back in the pavilion as he looped Boje straight to Luke Evans at mid-on to break an opening stand on 94.Robson was next in but made just 10 before being caught low down by South African Hall at slip off the bowling of Lucas. But there was no stopping Newman as he cut loose with the day drawing to close to reach three figures off 130 balls. His superb innings came to an end when he missed an attempted drive off Boje and was stumped by Harrison.Middlesex declared on 258 with Malan unbeaten on 56 off 44 balls and Berg on 37 off 29 to leave Northants to bat out the remaining four overs. Peters and Loye did that with ease ending on 29 for no wicket with quickfire knocks of 14 and 15 respectively.

Celtic are not giving up on their pursuit of Shabab Al-Ahli forward Mehdi Ghayedi and want a move finalised before the winter break ends, Varzesh Seh report.

The Lowdown: Attacking additions

The Hoops have already bolstered their attacking ranks with the acquisition of Daizen Maeda, while young starlet Johnny Kenny has joined as a more long-term prospect.

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Ange Postecoglou also wants to make Jota’s loan move a permanent one, with the Hoops now eyeing another wide forward.

Ghayedi, labelled as an ‘extraordinary killer’ finisher by @ADSportsTV, can play anywhere across the front three and has scored 41 goals during his career so far.

The Latest: Another approach

Reports earlier this month suggested that Celtic have had a bid turned down for Ghayedi.

Now, Varzesh Seh claim that Postecoglou is desperate for the 23-year-old to join the club during the winter break, with the Hoops making another approach.

The winter break comes to an end for Celtic in just over 72 hours on Monday when they take on Hibernian at Parkhead, so this one could move pretty quickly if the manager wants it done by then.

The Verdict: Interesting…

Postecoglou was planning to raid untapped markets this month, and it seems as if the Hoops are looking in the UAE with Ghayedi.

The Iran international only joined Shabab Al-Ahli in the summer and is under contract until 2026, so it could take a tempting offer for the Dubai club to sell.

Transfermarkt have a probability of a move to Celtic Park at 76%, so even though Postecoglou recently slammed transfer lies in the media, a move for Ghayedi could be one to monitor before the end of the month.

In other news: Journalist drops big transfer claim as Celtic eye £12.5m-rated midfielder; Ange ‘a big admirer’. 

Barcelona have agreed terms with Manchester City forward Ferran Torres and the Catalan giants are still pushing for a deal to be made following a failed bid, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Torres arrived in Manchester during the summer 2020 transfer window in a deal worth £25.2m. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to life in England; in 43 matches for the club, he has scored 16 goals and produced four assists. That is despite starting just 19 top-flight games in almost a year and a half at the Etihad Stadium.

However, the youngster is currently out injured with a fractured foot, having missed 16 games as a result, and it is still unclear as to when he will be able to return. Despite this setback, Barcelona are very interested in luring the Spain international to the Camp Nou in the January transfer window.

These Man City fans erupt at Romano’s claim

According to reports by Romano, Barcelona are pushing to make a deal with City for the winger and have made a €50m (£42.7m) bid, whilst the Premier League champions hold their price tag at €60m (£51.3m). Despite this, Torres has already agreed personal terms with the La Liga club.

In response to Romano’s tweet, a number of City fans flocked to the comments to usher the process along in the hope that a deal could be done to fund moves for reported targets such as Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland.

Here’s what some fans said:

“take the 50m and run blud, he isn’t worth more than that”

Credit: @EBH15_

“There’s still hope”

Credit: @mcfcmam

“Get it done and bring home Erling”

Credit: @cityzen017

“have fun in the Europa League”

Credit: @slawoid

“Sell Torres 60m, get Vlahovic in for 70”

Credit: @MCFCSaad2

“Let him go.. there are players who are so much better than him in our squad!!”

Credit: @ajacob310

In other news: ‘Ballon d’Or pending, ‘In his own league’ – These Man City fans swoon over ‘unstoppable’ beast

أعلن الإسباني روبيرتو مارتينيز، المدير الفني لـ منتخب بلجيكا الأول لكرة القدم، قائمة الشياطين الحمُر، المُستدعاة لخوض مباراتي هولندا وويلز في مسابقة دوري الأمم الأوروبية.

وتلتقي بلجيكا مع ويلز في بروكسل في 22 سبتمبر، وهولندا في أمستردام في 25 من الشهر ذاته، ضمن الجولتين الخامسة والسادسة لمنافسات المجموعة الرابعة للمستوى الأول.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيفا يُعلن قراره النهائي بشأن حرمان الإكوادور من المشاركة في كأس العالم

ولم يتواجد مهاجم إنتر ميلان، روميلو لوكاكو بسبب الإصابة، وتم استدعاء لويس أبندا مهاجم لنس الفرنسي بدلًا منه، كما يتواجد ثنائي ريال مدريد، تيبو كورتوا وإيدين هازارد، فضلًا عن نجم مانشستر سيتي، كيفين دي بروين.

واللافت للنظر أنّ قائمة بلجيكا ضمت المدافع جايسون ديناير الذي لا يدافع عن ألوان أي فريق حاليًا عقب انتهاء عقده مع ليون الفرنسي هذا الصيف. قائمة بلجيكا لمباراتي هولندا وويلز في دوري الأمم الأوروبية

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا، سيمون مينيوليه، كوين كاستيلس، ماتز سيلس.

خط الدفاع: توبي ألدرفيريلد، يان فيرتوخن ، آرثر ثيت، توماس مونييه، تيموثي كاستاني، فوت فايس، ديدريك بوياتا وبراندون ميشال، زينو ديباست، جايسون ديناير.

خط الوسط: أكسل فيتسل، يوري تيليمانس، كيفن دي بروين، أمادو أونانا ، هانس، أليكسيس سالماكرز، ثورجان هازار، لياندر ديندونكر.

خط الهجوم: ميتشي باتشواي، لويس، إيدن هازارد، لياندرو تروسار، يانيك كاراسكو ، شارل دي كيتلار، دريس مرتنس، دودي لوكيباكيو.

30 Devils for 2 more #NationsLeague games. 🔥 #DEVILTIME pic.twitter.com/VPUxLTxIPK — Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 16, 2022

Many Everton fans have been left reacting to some transfer news that has emerged on Donny van de Beek.

Speaking on FIVE (via EFC DAILY), Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the Goodison Park faithful are ‘still interested’ in the Manchester United midfield player after wanting him at the end of August, and the deal could be an initial loan with in January with an option to buy in the summer transfer window.

Van de Beek has struggled to get regular game time at Old Trafford, as he has only managed to play in a mere five matches in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), so there would certainly be question marks over his sharpness if he made the move to Merseyside.

However, that is not to say that he is not a quality player on his day, emphasised by his time at Ajax, where he managed to score 41 goals and make a further 34 assists in 175 appearances (Transfermarkt).

Everton fans on van de Beek transfer news

These Toffees supporters seemed split as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, perhaps unsurprising given his obvious quality but inability to break through in England so far…

“Would be a good signing imo, him on loan and Ramsey on a free pleaseee Everton, then sell Davies and Gomes”

Credit: @jayhammefc

“Yes please”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

“VDB needs a new lease at life and would solidify the 3rd piece in our midfield. I’m not quite sure how we could pull it off but it would be great business”

Credit: @1878_Shirts

“He can’t get a game in United’s midfield over Fred and McTominay”

Credit: @KevinGillen8

“No. He’s the same as Klaassen. Not strong enough and quick enough for Premier League. It’s easy when you’re at Ajax, the opposition let you have the ball and you have that confidence of having the ball in Europe competitions. In PL under Rafa especially he will struggle.”

Credit: @SatFlora

“I fear that he maybe another Davy Klaassen. Hope he proves me wrong if he does come.”

Credit: @SG_Ramon

In other news, find out what transfer news has Blues raging here!