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Leeds fans have taken to Twitter in fury after Marcelo Bielsa was asked if he’d be spying on Derby again, with both teams now set to face each other in the play-off semi-finals.

The former Marseille boss came under fire back in February after a member of Leeds’ staff was spotted outside the Rams’ training ground, before he later admitted to sending a spy to watch every single side his men have faced this season.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The English Football League hit Leeds with a whopping £200,000 fine for their actions, which Bielsa paid in full himself.

So, having had to shell out such a sum, it is no wonder why Bielsa didn’t take kindly to being asked if he’d be spying again, and then to be told he has no sense of humour after the journalist in question said he was only joking.

Let’s see what the livid Leeds fans on Twitter have been saying about the incident…

Tottenham quite clearly need a replacement for Mousa Dembele and Marcelo Brozovic is that man. He’s creative, has great vision… and he’s Croatian. Their last midfield magician from that country wasn’t bad, was he?

White Hart Lane adored Luka Modric when he donned the famous white strip, and his move to Real Madrid in 2012 seemed like a natural progression for what has been the greatest playmaker of 2018. Now at their new home, the North London outfit could do with someone like the Ballon d’Or winner to replace Dembele and Brozovic is pretty close.

He’s played for Inter Milan 26 times this season, playing 2,208 minutes. His two goals and one assist really don’t tell the whole story and Spurs are interested, according to Calciomercato who also say the Milan club are ‘awaiting offers’. Indeed, bitter rivals Arsenal are reportedly sniffing around too, so Spurs should make a move early.

He’s 26-years-old and that’s the perfect age for Mauricio Pochettino’s major signings this summer. Literally ideal. That’s because, clearly, Spurs have youth in the ranks already and it seems it’s getting to the point of now or never for the manager, so he needs investment and then success or one of the more successful clubs will snap him up.

It’s the perfect set-up to sign him. Hugely experienced but young enough to adapt to Pochettino’s demanding system, you supporters reading this would be in for a real treat.

Spurs’ clear attacking talent would be able to feed off Brozovic’s vision and defenders will then have to look after Christian Eriksen (as it stands, anyway) and the Croatian, making an attack virtually impossible to stop. So many attacking outlets and points of reference, it’d be hugely exciting.

Next season, Spurs need to win their first trophy since 2008 and this is the man to push them over the line.

Investment is key in summer, but the money has to be spent in the right areas, on the right talent. Modric was a magician at White Hart Lane, Brozovic would be that man at Spurs’ new ground.

Spurs fans, who do you want to replace Dembele in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

تحدث الفرنسي زين الدين زيدان، المدير الفني لـ ريال مدريد في مؤتمر صحفي، قبل مباراة الفريق أمام قادش، المقرر لها غدًا السبت بمنافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ونشرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية، تصريحات زيدان، خلال المؤتمر الصحفي، وقال: “لقد مر 12 يومًا بدون العديد من اللاعبين لكننا تدربنا جيدًا، جاء اللاعبون في حالة صحية جيدة، دون مشاكل، (بعد التوقف الدولي)، وهذا هو أهم شيء، لدينا مجموعة من سبع مباريات الآن ونحن مستعدون لهذا”.

وعن قادش، أكد زيدان: “قادش فريق منضبط للغاية، ظهر للتو وسيلعب ضد مدريد، سوف يجعلون الأمر صعبًا بالنسبة لنا”.

أضاف: “نحن نعلم أن جميع الفرق في الدوري صعبة، وينطبق ذلك أيضًا على الفرق الصاعدة لأن الدرجة الثانية تنافسية للغاية، يجب أن نكون مستعدين، هذا هو الشيء المهم”.

وواصل: “نحن لا نلعب ضد فريق صعد للتو، نحن نعلم أنهم سيحاولون، وسنسعى للتغلب على صعوبة الأمر والحصول على مباراة جيدة، نريد إضافة الثلاثة نقاط”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. زيدان يوضح رأيه في هالاند.. ويعلق على ارتباط ريال مدريد بـ مبابي

وعن الحكم عليه بعد كل مباراة، عقّب زيدان: “أنا أعرف منصبي، لقد كنت في هذا النادي منذ 19 سنة، وهذا أفضل شيء حصل لي”.

وأردف الفرنسي: “أنا أشعر بالتقدير لأنني أدرب ريال مدريد، وهذه مسؤولية كبيرة، ونظرًا لأن الحال لا يدوم مدى الحياة، ولكن ما أحاول فعله هو أن أقوم بعملي 2000%، وأنا أستمتع بالتواجد مع لاعبي فريقي كل يوم، وأنا محظوظ لتواجدي معهم”.

وبشأن اللعب دون حضور جماهيري في ظل تفشي وباء كورونا، أبدى زيدان رأيه: “اللعب بدون جمهور يجعلني أقل جنونًا؟ لا أعتقد ذلك، نحن نفضل اللعب بوجود الجماهير، وهذا طبيعي”.

زيدان تحدث أيضًا عن تتابع المباريات، وعقّب: “تحدثنا عن ذلك عدة مرات، للاستمرار بالفوز على مدى طويل نحن نحتاج للمداورة، لدينا لاعبون جيّدون، وهم لا يستريحون أبدًا”.

وأكمل: “ما أريده هو التحدث إلى جماهيرنا، والذين هم مهمون جدًا، لأنهم يريدون منا الفوز دومًا، لدينا سبع مباريات متتالية قبل التوقف الدولي، أنا لا أشكو من ذلك، ولكن بالمداورة يمكننا الفوز بذلك، هذا ما أعتقده”.

وأتم زيدان بشأن المداورة بين حراس المرمى: “سنرى كيف سنتعامل مع ذلك، لدي ثلاثة حراس، ويجب أن يكونوا مستعدين”.

[ad_pod ]Middlesbrough took a step closer to dropping out of the play-off places on Wednesday night, when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against the in-form Preston North End at the Riverside Stadium.Boro started the game well, and took a slender lead into half-time, with Ashley Fletcher having opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, notching his third goal in his last five Championship outings.However, centre-back Daniel Ayala’s 61st minute sending off turned the tide of the encounter in North End’s favour. Boro boss Tony Pulis failed to respond to the dismissal effectively, and the home side couldn’t withstand the pressure that their opponents began to exert.

Paul Gallagher and Jayden Stockley scored the goals that secured an impressive comeback for Alex Neil’s side.Â

The decision to show the 28-year-old Spanish defender a red card certainly changed the game, and it was also a controversial call given some feel that Ayala made a fair challenge.

After the match, plenty of Boro fans took to Twitter to give their verdict on the sending off…

Celtic absolutely have to splash the cash again this summer despite potentially winning another treble this season. Every Bhoy reading this know that kind of statement is made around this time every year but, having seen what a lack of spending can do this season, decision makers at the club can’t allow that to happen again. 

With only a temporary manager in charge, the Hoops will be looking to find a boss they trust with a war-chest so he can push them further into the European spotlight. That can’t be a lost cause. At a club like Celtic, there can’t just be an acceptance that they’ll fall at the first continental hurdle every season.

Indeed, the squad is also littered with a number of loan players and with it being a possibility none will stay permanently, they have voids to fill.

One of those who looks likely to leave Celtic Park is Leicester’s Filip Benkovic and his replacement could be sourced in the form of Chelsea’s Tomas Kalas.

Kalas, (who is valued at £3.6 million on Transfermarkt) is a player who, according to reports from the Scottish Sun, is being targeted by Celtic after his superb displays for Bristol City whilst on-loan there this season.

The Czech international is another example of a youngster who came to Chelsea dreaming of playing in the Premier League, only to be shipped out on-loan upon arrival. Now 25-years-old, he would no longer be considered a young talent but, considering his rather slow career trajectory, a cheap one potentially. Still, that shouldn’t take away what a solid player he is now and has been for Bristol City this season.

In 30 appearances, Kalas has helped reserve ten clean-sheets and that goes to show what a helpful loan he has been. Just imagine what he could do in Scotland, completing changing the Hoops’ backline.

He is gifted with both pace and strength, allowing him to also be able to play right-back if needed, providing an answer to two of Celtic’s biggest problems when it comes to their rearguard.

Therefore, a bid from Celtic must be imminent.

Celtic fans, how much would like to see Kalas arrive in Glasgow? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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West Bromwich Albion would have hoped they were getting a player who would really make a big impact in the final third for them in the second half of the season when they signed Jacob Murphy on loan from Newcastle United during the January transfer window, but it hasn’t really worked out that way.

Two goals in seven Championship appearances so far may look impressive on paper, but given he is a player who should be fighting to prove that he should be a starter at St James’ Park the 24-year-old simply hasn’t been good enough.

Having been left on the substitutes’ bench for the defeat against Leeds United earlier this month, he played the full 90 in the disappointing 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at the weekend that ultimately brought an end to Darren Moore’s reign, but he was given a chance of a reprieve by caretaker boss Jimmy Shan against Swansea City at The Hawthorns on Wednesday.

West Brom fans will want to cover their ears for the video below…

However the wide man failed to take his chance and, according to The Birmingham Mail’s West Brom correspondent Paul Suart’s player ratings, isn’t bringing much to the team at the moment.

He’s right as well.

Murphy failed to have a single shot during his 68 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu, while he also failed to make a key pass and was successful with only one of his four attempted crosses as he wasted many opportunities when in decent areas.

Perhaps most worrying was his general demeanour and attitude, as he seemed unwilling to put in the yards for his team and didn’t seem overly committed when it came to 50/50 challenges for the ball.

If reports are to be believed, West Brom will take their time to appoint Moore’s successor and the Magpies loanee needs to seriously buck up his ideas if he wants to be anywhere near the XI under whoever the new manager might be.

It’s not only in the short-term that he needs to prove himself though, because his Newcastle career will go up in flames if he continues in the same manner he is right now.

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to an injury update, as Fabinho is expected to play centre back against Bayern Munich with Dejan Lovren still out injured.

Lovren did not train with the first team ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against Bayern Munich, the club confirmed on Monday.

The Croatian international has been suffering from a hamstring problem that he sustained during the FA Cup defeat to Wolves, and is not expected to take any part on Tuesday night.

With Virgil van Dijk suspended and Joe Gomez still out injured, that leaves Joel Matip as Jurgen Klopp’s only centre back choice, and Fabinho is now expected to fill in alongside the Cameroonian.

According to The Times, the versatile Brazilian international will get the nod in the heart of defence ahead of Jordan Henderson, who was also considered for the makeshift role.

Lots of fans have been giving their verdict on the news, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

A number of Manchester City fans were highly unimpressed with a leaked shirt design that was earmarked as their home kit for next season.

As per Footy Headlines [via Manchester Evening News], the shirt appeared on Puma’s official website in the United States and features a white mosaic design on the front (but not the back) of a predominantly sky blue kit. An image of the rumoured home shirt was later shared on Twitter via @City_Xtra.

Manchester Evening News added that while a similar shirt appeared on Puma’s American website a few weeks ago, the most recent listing was swiftly removed by the sportswear manufacturer, which may suggest that it wasn’t intended for uploading at this time.

The Premier League champions switched to Puma last season after six years with Nike (as per historicalkits.co.uk) after beginning a 10-year kit deal with the German brand in 2019 reportedly worth £650m to the club, according to Forbes.

The leaked home kit design prompted an unforgiving backlash from these Manchester City fans on Twitter:

Man City fans, what are your thoughts on the rumoured home shirt for next season? Let us know in the comments section below!

As January went on it became more evident that Aston Villa needed to recruit players capable of scoring goals.

One forward down and it isn’t yet entirely clear whether former Genk man Mbwana Samatta will be the man to fire the Villans to safety.

Villa have struggled for regular goals throughout the 2019/20 campaign with Wesley scoring just five and his season-ending injury has made the need for a further striker more prominent.

Keinan Davis has just returned from a problem himself but Jonathan Kodjia has also departed the club. With that in mind, another player capable of finding the net is required. Dean Smith recognises that fact too, admitting that they’re looking to conclude further business.

Could that player be Daniel Sturridge? The former Liverpool man has been the subject of interest from Villa according to reports from Turkish outlet Fanatik (via Sport Witness).

The Villans have supposedly made a bid of €5m (£4.2m) for his services, but despite his pedigree, it would be a strange signing.

Did he really play for us?! No Villa fan has managed to name all of these obscure Villans….

In many senses, Smith may only add to his nightmare in attack – specifically because of the injury-prone career that Sturridge has endured.

He may have contributed to eight goals in just nine outings for Trabzonspor this term but it’s incredibly hard to look past the fact he’s already had seven separate injury issues in 2019/20 alone.

The 26-cap England international has had problems ranging from calf strains to thigh muscle ruptures and it’s that patchy fitness record that wouldn’t bode well for Villa.

With Wesley out for the season and Samatta unproven in England, they need someone reliable who can come in, particularly with Davis lacking first-team experience too.

If they want someone to fire them to safety then Sturridge is not their man. Further injury issues are the last thing Villa and Smith want in their battle to beat the drop.

He may have scored over 20 in one season in the top-flight before but that was a long time ago. If they have the time before the window slams shut, they must look elsewhere.

Elsewhere, one Villa man could be nearing the exit door…

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Paris Saint-Germain took advantage of their Champions League last 16 tie against Manchester United by winning 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, and Liverpool fans were clearly impressed with what they saw from Marquinhos given their reactions on Twitter.

The 24-year-old has primarily been known as a centre-back throughout his career to date, but PSG manager Thomas Tuchel has often utilised him in a defensive midfield role this term – as he did against the Merseyside outfit earlier this term – and he chose to do the same against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

The Brazil international was seemingly tasked with man-marking Red Devils star Paul Pogba out of the game and he certainly did a brilliant job, with the Frenchman even being dismissed in the closing stages of the game.

Fans of United’s arch-rivals Liverpool were clear in their thoughts on social media – they would love for their club to sign Marquinhos, who would presumably compete against the likes of Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson for a spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.

While one Liverpool supporter described the South American as an “amazing partner for VVD”, another said “Edwards do ya stuff”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Are fan nerves to blame for Liverpool’s recent form? Pl>ymaker FC’s Tom Skinner discusses in the video below…