Leeds keeping Kalvin Phillips was the best business they did this summer

[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…The question for much of the summer surrounding Leeds was whether Kalvin Phillips would stay or whether he’d leave.However, as the hours and minutes ticked down towards the deadline of 5pm on Thursday evening, it was confirmed by Phil Hay and the player’s agent that he’d stay at the club and discuss a new deal.

The news will come as a great relief to the Whites who at various stages of the window looked as though they could lose him.

Leeds wanted £30m for their man and rarely did they budge.

Aston Villa bid £14m for the defensive midfielder before a further offer of £15m was thrown in their direction.

Yet, Leeds didn’t sell. They held their stance and in a period where they could have easily cashed in due to financial fair play, they kept one of their star performers and a man who played 44 times in 2018/19.

For that alone, they have to be applauded.

Holding onto Phillips is huge for Leeds and arguably, it’s the best business they’ve done all summer. If they can agree to new terms on his contract, it’ll be even better news.

The 24-year-old is someone the team can be built around.

Whether he’s playing as a centre back, an area of the pitch he lost just twice in last term, or if he’s playing as a holding midfielder, he is imperative to Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

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Leeds lack defensive options and as it happens, he could feature more regularly at the heart of either a back four or back three.

That being said, the Yorkshire club’s transfer window was still rather tedious.

For a long time it looked as though they wouldn’t sign a new striker and despite the qualities loan signing Eddie Nketiah possesses, the decision to hold onto Phillips – when they were quick to cash in on two important players in Pontus Jansson and Kemar Roofe – could be even greater than any new arrival at Elland Road.

The fact Leeds wanted as much as £30m for his services proves how valuable he is but they now must ensure he agrees on a new contract.

After all, this is a player who could leave for far less in a year with his current deal due to expire in 2021.

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الأهلي يستأنف تدريباته الأحد استعدادًا لـ المريخ في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

منح الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني، المدير الفني للأهلي، لاعبي الفريق راحة من المران الجماعي، غداً السبت، بعد العودة من رحلة قطر، وحصد برونزية كأس العالم للأندية.

وكانت بعثة الأهلي عادت من قطر، اليوم، بعد المشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية، واستطاع المارد الأحمر أن يحرز المركز الثالث بعد الفوز علي بالميراس البرازيلي.

وقرر موسيماني أن يبدأ الفريق تدريباته عصر الأحد، وذلك من أجل الاستعداد لمواجهة المريخ السوداني في افتتاح مشواره ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | الشناوي: الأهلي سيُغلق ملف كأس العالم من أجل “العاشرة” والعودة مجددًا

الأهلي يلتقي مع المريخ السوداني، يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، في إطار الجولة الأولى من منافسات المجموعة الأولى لدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الأهلي والمريخ يتواجدان في المجموعة الأولى بجوار سيمبا التنزاني وفيتا كلوب الكونغولي.

Football legends reply to David Beckham’s emotional Instagram snap to his mother

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June 26 was quite a special day for the Beckham family.

Sandra Beckham, the mother of the Manchester United legend and an all-time great, David, celebrated her 70th birthday and her son was quick to pay tribute to her on social media.

Beckham posted a heartfelt message on his

/BzLTmVaBQOm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram profile, wishing his mother all the best and saying a couple of nice words to go along with it. Naturally, this attracted a lot of attention from the rest of the footballing world.

Beckham’s ex-teammates, his friends and even his rivals took to the platform to congratulate Sandra on her landmark birthday.

The likes of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, his long-lasting fellow Red Devils, were among the first to the scene and they smothered the comment section with emojis and best wishes.

Robbie Keane and John Terry were also among the many legends replying and congratulating the whole family.

David Beckham spent eight years at Manchester United’s senior team after progressing through their younger squads, before he left for Real Madrid in 2003.

Newcastle Transfer Roundup: Manager news, Longstaff update, Perez wants contract talks

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Today’s Newcastle Transfer Roundup includes an update on the managerial position, the potential exit of one of the club’s midfielders and news on a Spanish forward.

Redfearn could take interim role

According to the Northern Echo, Neil Redfearn could be appointed as the interim boss at the North East club soon. The former Leeds boss is set to take early control of the club’s pre-season preparations whilst the Toon continue their search for a new full-time boss.

Solskjaer wants Longstaff

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told the Manchester United board that he wants Sean Longstaff signed by the end of this week, before the Red Devils embark on their pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East on July 8th, according to the Daily Star. The 21-year-old midfielder is the club’s priority, over the likes of Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.

Perez wants contract talks or will push to leave

The Chronicle is reporting that Ayoze Perez expects to start talks in regards to a contract extension soon, otherwise he will push for an exit from the club. The Spaniard currently has two years left on his deal.

سكولز يحذر فينالدوم: سبب رغبتك في برشلونة لن يدوم.. وسئمت من الإشادة بـ ليفربول

أشاد بول سكولز أسطورة مانشستر يونايتد، بفريق ليفربول، بعد الفوز الكبير الذي حققه برباعية نظيفة على ولفرهامبتون، ضمن الجولة 11 من الدوري الإنجليزي، موجها رسالة إلى الهولندي فينالدوم.

محمد صلاح قاد ليفربول للفوز على ولفرهامبتون برباعية نظيفة على ملعب أنفيلد مساء أمس الأحد، في المباراة الأولى لـ الريدز هذا الموسم بحضور جماهيري.

طالع أيضًا: ليس محمد صلاح.. الجماهير تختار رجل مباراة ليفربول وولفرهامبتون

وقال بول سكولز في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية، مازحًا: “لقد سئمت من كوني لطيفًا للغاية مع ليفربول”.

وأضاف: “ولفرهامبتون لم يتمكنوا من التعامل مع الضغط الهائل من ليفربول، إنهم ليسوا الفريق الأول الذي لا يستطيع التعامل معه، هناك حوالي 60 فريقًا فشل في ذلك”.

وأشار: “لم يكن ليفربول في أفضل حالاته على الإطلاق، لكن الأهداف رائعة حقًا، هدف فينالدوم رائع، وثلاثي وسط الملعب كانت لديهم أدوار مميزة”.

وتساءل: “لماذا يريد فينالدوم مغادرة ليفربول، في ظل الأداء المميز الذي يقدمه مع الفريق، ومشاركته أساسيًا في كل أسبوع؟”.

وينتهي عقد فينالدوم بنهاية الموسم الجاري، وحتى الآن لم يتوصل لاتفاق حول التمديد مع ليفربول، وهناك اهتمام كبير من برشلونة بضم اللاعب.

وأكمل سكولز: “أعلم أن هناك اهتماما من برشلونة، لكن الرحيل عن ليفربول في هذا الوقت سيكون عجيبًا، أنت تلعب لفريق كبير، ويمكنهم الفوز بالدوري مرة أخرى”.

واختتم: “برشلونة يكافح الآن، مع كامل احترامي لهم، نادٍ ضخم لكن رونالد كومان لن يبقى مدى الحياة هناك، لأن هذا هو الإغراء بالنسبة لـ فينالدوم”.

Non-starter: Leeds fans not believing Fabian Delph rumours

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Leeds United fans on Twitter have written off any speculation linking them to Fabian Delph.

Speculation has been rife that the Whites are interested in bringing the midfielder back to Elland Road after a report from The Sun stated that they have shown an initial interest.

The article states that the midfielder would cost £15 million, and for that reason, supporters of the Yorkshire club are understandably more than sceptical.

Andrea Radrizzani has already admitted that Leeds are in for a tough summer when it comes to transfers, and bringing in a Champions League regular for such a fee goes entirely against the Chairman’s words.

The England international spent a number of years at the club as a youngster before being sold to Aston Villa.

It remains to be seen whether or not Delph will return to his former side, but if he did, it would certainly raise a lot of eyebrows around the city.

Here’s what United supporters have been saying on Twitter…

Charlton fans respond to Joe Aribo’s Twitter message

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Charlton put Rochdale to the sword on Saturday, with goals from Lyle Taylor, Joe Aribo and Krystian Bielik, as well as some fortunate results elsewhere, meaning that the Addicks soared into third place in the standings.

Aribo has been a huge part of Lee Bowyer’s side’s success, chipping in with nine goals and five assists from midfield, and his exploits have seen him even linked with a move to Arsenal – a switch that could easily come to fruition, with the 22-year-old’s contract running out in the summer.

The Londoner’s all-action displays in the middle of the park have won him plenty of admirers at The Valley and elsewhere, clearly, although it could well be his last term in Charlton red if Roland Duchatelet and co don’t put a new deal in front of him as soon as possible.

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

The number 17 took to Twitter to express his delight at another great win and a fantastic season overall – a message which the SE7 faithful responded to in their numbers. You can check out the best of the reaction below…

Absolutely robbed: Villa fans can’t believe McGinn hasn’t won their Goal of the Season award

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Aston Villa have been enjoying a fantastic period of late. They’ve sealed their place in the play-offs and are also currently on a 12 game unbeaten run.

However, controversy has been sparked on social media after the Villans announced their goal of the season winner.

It went to Jack Grealish for a fine individual effort against Rotherham.

But Villa fans were enraged that John McGinn wasn’t given the award instead. The Scot scored a thumping volley which soared into the top corner against Sheffield Wednesday but it appears to have gone unrecognised.

One fan reacted on Twitter by saying it was a robbery whilst another jokingly said the police should be called.

A further supporter called McGinn’s goal one of the best they’ve ever seen. Another tweet claimed it was a once in a lifetime strike. Given the award was fan voted in the first place, the reaction was rather bizarre.

The 24-year-old has been sublime this season after arriving from Hibernian. He’s featured in 40 Championship games, scoring six goals and claiming a further nine assists.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

Pundit View: Paul Merson predicts Manchester United vs Manchester City

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Manchester United fans will disagree with outspoken Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson on his prophecy for the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City and they’d be right to.

What’s he predicted, then?

An out-of-sorts Red Devils play host to the in-form Citizens at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening knowing that a win for their bitter rivals and visitors will put the title in their hands.

But there will be double motivation for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men aside from bragging rights as three points against Pep Guardiola’s side would boost their hopes of making a late dash back into the top four.

Predicting a 4-0 trouncing in City’s favour, here’s what Merson had to say ahead of the match:

“I think the league will be won here as I expect Manchester City to win easily.

“Manchester United are just not very good. It was embarrassing against Everton and the players should be ashamed of themselves.

“They need to work hard this week, which will not be enough, but it is the least they can do. To lose the way they did against Everton was mindblowing. They should be honoured to play for that club and they embarrassed it.”

That’s pure sensationalist, Merse

Predicting such a one-sided affair for this Manchester derby is pure sensationalist from Merson as it’s clear he’s just trying to wind up the United faithful.

Yes, there is a gulf-in-class between the two teams in terms of quality and form at the moment, but the Red Devils are going to put up more of a fight in front of their own fans at “The Theatre of Dreams” than that.

Home advantage is going to be key in this match-up and what happened on Sunday will only work in the favour of United, meaning their players will have a new determination to make it up to supporters and prevail in the big derby.

Just look at what happened when pundits would have predicted something similar from this fixture little over a year ago.

Sheffield Wednesday fans revel in nostalgia after classic match footage emerges

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Sheffield Wednesday fans on Twitter have been reminiscing after the club posted footage of a classic match at Hillsborough.

The video was shared on Twitter for World Theatre Day and featured a dramatic last-gasp winner from midfielder Kieran Lee, which was celebrated with a mini pitch invasion in the late-night Yorkshire rain.

The strike was the decider in a 3-2 Sky Bet Championship victory over Bristol City for the Owls in September 2016 and was scored after the visitors had led 2-0 at the break and the hosts had mounted a remarkable second-half comeback.

And Wednesday supporters were absolutely loving the clip, sharing memories from that evening on the social media platform in their droves.

Some simply posted comments such as “loved this game,” whilst others were just proud to say that they were there.

One fan even went as far as saying it was his “favourite home game in these last few years.”

Check out a selection of the best reactive Tweets from fans of the Sheffield club below…

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

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