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Leeds United have bene one of the most active teams in this summer’s transfer window, but despite spending almost £90m so far, the Whites still have work to do on deadline day.

United have been after a winger and a midfielder in recent times with nobody brought in to plug those gaps despite their highly-publicised pursuits of Ryan Kent and Michael Cuisance.

Cuisance’s failed medical has thrown a spanner in the works of Leeds’ plans, while they’ve also been working in the background on bringing in a winger, with Daniel James linked in recent times.

With the transfer deadline approaching, we’ve had a go at predicting what Leeds’ XI will look like after the close of play on Monday.

It may be a little disheartening to see that there’s only one new addition in our XI, but worry not Leeds fans, this may not be what your team looks like for the remainder of the season.

Domestic deals between Premier League and EFL clubs can still be struck all the way up until the October 16th, and one of Leeds’ reported targets are currently plying their trade in England’s lower leagues, with Todd Cantwell still able to move to Elland Road in the next couple of weeks.

United’s backline remains the same after the signings of Diego Llorente and Robin Koch were already finalised earlier in the window, but there are changes in the midfield.

Unfortunately, we don’t see the central midfielder Leeds have been after coming in tomorrow, but a new winger could arrive on Monday with Raphinha being linked strongly over the past 24 hours.

Up top, we’ve backed Rodrigo to earn a starting berth ahead of Patrick Bamford after opening his Premier League account vs Man City, while Pablo Hernandez is also back in the side after his injury problems.

Of course, Cantwell could still come in, but we would be surprised if that move was rushed through on Monday given that there is an entire international break for United to work with.

Borussia Dortmund have aired some negative comments surrounding their highly sought after young superstar.

Jadon Sancho has commanded global attention after dominating the Bundesliga this season. Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea have both been heavily linked to a move for the winger, but no interest has been as strong as Manchester United’s.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is very keen on signing the 20-year-old this summer and talks continue to swirl around a potential deal. The club may have now been handed a boost in their mission to sign Sancho, after Dortmund have been critical of him.

According to The Mirror, BVB sporting director Michael Zorc has said it’s sometimes ‘not easy’ to deal with the the forward. Sancho was recently fined $10,000 (£7,782) for breaking lockdown regulations and inviting a hairdresser into his home.

This didn’t go down well with the Englishman, who reportedly lashed out at the German league’s decision to punish him. Dortmund teammate Emre Can hit back by telling Sancho to ‘grow up’ (via Mirror).

Sancho’s current asking price is in excess of £100 million, but if the club are losing their patience with him, they could consider letting him leave this summer for a cut price.

The winger has lit up the Bundesliga this season, tallying a fiery 17 goals and 17 assists so far (via Transfermarkt). Sancho is currently third in the German top flight’s list of scorers, behind only Timo Werner and Robert Lewandowski (via BBC Sport).

Dortmund have been firm on their asking price for their top scorer so far, but after these comments have come to light, could a new fee be offered to interested parties?

Man United look to be the favourites to sign Sancho, but given the current climate, £100m or more is a hefty amount to pay for just one player. However, if Dortmund decide to slash their asking price in order to get the England international off their books, the Reds could be in with an even better chance of getting their man.

What do you make of the club’s comments on Sancho, United fans? Join the discussion in the comments below…

It is no secret that Tottenham Hotspur are in the market for a central defender to replace Jan Vertonghen, who looks set to leave when his deal expires on Sunday.

The Lilywhites have leaked goals for fun this season, as they have conceded more goals than Manchester United, Sheffield United and Premier League champions Liverpool so far.

According to the Daily Mail, Beijing Guoan defender Kim Min-jae is of ‘big interest’ to Spurs. Tottenham have been linked with Kim for a while now, as recent reports revealed that the Chinese club have now named their asking price.

The Evening Standard claimed that Daniel Levy will have to pay at least £15m if he wants to prise him away from the Chinese Super League. Kim has been touted to leave China in the summer, amid interest from Liverpool.

Talks between the two sides are still ongoing, as Spurs are confident that they can get a deal completed in a matter of weeks.

While there had been concerns that the north London club would have to let key players leave this summer, Levy has told Jose Mourinho that they will not be sold in the transfer window. Clubs are operating in unprecedented circumstances but the Spurs chairman will back his manager in the market to make the improvements that he needs before the start of next season.

Vertonghen is seemingly set to make a shock switch to Manchester City, while questions remain over Juan Foyth’s future at the club.

Kim, who is nicknamed ‘Monster’, has earned 30 caps for his country, receiving a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games for his efforts, which gave him certain military privileges as a result (via The Guardian).

The South Korean is an imposing figure at the heart of any defence, standing at 1.9m in height, so it is easy to understand why Mourinho wants to sign the 23-year-old in the summer.

Mourinho wanted to bring Harry Maguire to Old Trafford during his time in charge of Manchester United and, while that move failed to materialise, Kim shares similar physical attributes.

At a mere £15m, he should be more than affordable for Spurs, but that price may be bumped up if a transfer battle ensues in the summer.

Tottenham fans, should Daniel Levy sign Kim in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Tottenham transfer target Willian is reportedly on his way to North London, according to Richard Keys via beIN Sports.

The sports presenter revealed on The Keys & Gray Show that the 31-year-old has spoken to his old boss Jose Mourinho and could be heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer. Keys said: “He’s another one that’s already spoken to Jose Mourinho. He is on his way to Tottenham.”

Willian’s contract with his current club Chelsea is set to expire at the end of the season and Spurs are keen to take advantage of the situation by signing him on a free transfer.

Ever since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Anzhi Makhachkala for £31.95m in 2013, the Brazil international has gone on to win the Premier League twice, the Europa League, the FA Cup and League Cup. He also won the Copa America with Brazil last summer. [via TransferMarkt]

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Premier League clubs are facing economic uncertainty, and the veteran winger could make a shrewd investment for Spurs in the upcoming transfer window.

However, many Lilywhites slammed the Blues star on social media, with one fan tweeting the news “stinks of Gallas”. Another even directed their ire at Keys, calling him a “clown.”

Scroll through some of the scathing reactions down below…

Tottenham fans, should Daniel Levy sign Willian before the start of next season? Join the discussion in the comments section!

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is close to extending his loan deal with Sheffield United, according to Chris Wilder. 

Henderson has spent the past couple of seasons on loan at Bramall Lane and he has been outstanding as the Blades have mounted a surprising challenge for a European place.

Wilder revealed he has spoken to his Red Devils counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He said he is keen for the Englishman to stay in Yorkshire for another season but admitted the decision is entirely out of his hands.

Addressing an online news conference, he revealed “we have had early conversations and of course we would be open to Dean coming back.

“But he is Manchester United’s player and they will make that decision. If there is an opportunity we would look to take that up.”

Last week, ESPN reported United are prepared to offer the keeper a new contract, which is expected to be sorted out before the June 23 deadline.

The 23-year-old made 27 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 10 clean sheets, and conceding just 22 goals so far (Transfermarkt). He is currently valued at £13.05m via Transfermarkt.

After helping Wilder’s side get promoted from the Championship, Henderson has played an instrumental part as the Blades have charged up to the top end of the table.

In comparison, Solskjaer’s number one keeper David de Gea has played in 29 games this season for United, saving only eight clean sheets and conceding 30 goals (Transfermarkt).

Although the uncapped England international has impressed the crowds at Bramall Lane for his solid performances between the sticks, it seems the Red Devils are willing to let him stay out on loan. It is worth noting he will not face his parent club in the coming weeks under the terms of his current contract.

Whether or not this move will work in United’s favour in the short-term remains to be seen, as the two sides are in hot pursuit of Champions League football, with the Reds only two points ahead of their close rivals.

In all honesty, it seems reasonable for Henderson to finish the season on loan, as it will surely benefit the club in the future. As he is a regular starter for Wilder’s team, it is likely he will gain valuable experience playing in the crunch stage of the competition.

Man United fans, do you think the board have made the right decision to let Henderson stay at Bramall Lane? Let us know down below!

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking on talkSPORT, Alan Brazil has insisted former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino would be able to get more out of this current Manchester Unite side.

What did he say?

The Red Devils have had a difficult start to the campaign this season, already finding themselves nine points off the Premier League’s top four. That form has seen speculation Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is fighting for his job at Old Trafford, and recent developments at rivals Spurs – their sacking of Pochettino and appointment of Jose Mourinho – has only served to increase the spotlight on the United boss.

And now, Brazil has suggested Pochettino would be perfect for the Red Devils, and that his “big name” would give the players some extra motivation to play for.

He said: “I think Poch, if he’s not too tired (from his time at Tottenham). He’d get more out of them. They were shocking in the first-half (against Sheffield United). Shocking. It’s horrible to say because he (Solskjaer) has been great for the club and he’s a lovely guy by all accounts, so I want him to do well. I just think they need a big name, who the players will sit up to and play (for).”

Years in the making

Even before Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham, the Argentine has long been linked as a potential United manager. But now that he is out of a job, it seems like the perfect time for the Red Devils to finally appoint the man they have seemingly had their eyes on. His end in north London should not tarnish the fine work he did for the club in his several years as manager there, culminating in reaching the final of the Champions League last season.

And with the Red Devils still a considerable distance away from the top four at the moment, a managerial change may be the perfect dose of medicine that United are in need of. Pochettino could come in and help lift spirits, and he would no doubt have a point to prove to his former employers. It’s a move that makes total sense.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went from hero to zero with his second-half substitutions against Sheffield United.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie O’Hara has slammed Tottenham’s players over their lack of action amidst the controversy surrounding the club.

What did he say?

It’s fair to say it’s not been the greatest of weeks for Spurs. The north Londoners came under heavy fire for their decision to furlough some of the club’s non-playing staff, and whilst O’Hara labelled it as “stupid”, he did take aim at the players themselves too.

He said: “I’m disappointed in the players. They’re the money-earners there. Come on now, if you’re a big player at Tottenham you look after your own and for me, it’s the first and foremost thing you should be doing in this situation, so I’m surprised.

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“Maybe Daniel Levy is put in a bit of a situation where he’s waiting for the players to take pay cuts, so he’s got to do something and try to save money as he’s a businessman. If I was there I’d be asking that question and hopefully some of them are, like Harry Kane and Dele Alli. They’re big players at the club and earn a lot of money – they should be looking after the staff.

“Tottenham is not just about the players, it’s about everyone at that football club – the financial team, the corporate side, the marketing, the stewards, the chefs – everything about what makes the club great is all the people that work there, so the players should be the first people to make sure they’re looked after.”

Responsibility

Levy of course will have to take the brunt of the blame that has accompanied his decision, but the players themselves as O’Hara suggests, should be trying to fight the corner of the club’s staff.

With the increasingly ridiculous amounts of money being pumped into football, and the astronomical wages players earn nowadays, the entire profession is just completely out of touch with normalcy.

Situations like these simply reinforce the divide, and it’s why Spurs’ players can send a major statement by publicly voicing their frustrations and taking a strong stance on the matter.

Meanwhile, Alasdair Gold has provided an update on Spurs’ interest in this Premier League starlet.

A total of 997 players have represented the England national team at least once over 999 matches in almost 150 years of English international football history, from that first match in Scotland in 1872 to the 100th against Montenegro later this week.

Some of them are legends and some are mere mortals.

Down the years we’ve seen humble local lads shine at Wembley alongside global football superstars and many of those in between.

We’ve seen star strikers bang in the goals with the three lions on their shirts, masters of clean sheets on the international stage and midfield maestros.

We’ve seen pioneers on and off the field, men that have lifted a FIFA World Cup for England and plenty that have come so close to glory.

But who will make it into our list of the top 15 stars to have ever worn the Three Lions shirt?

15. Sir Geoff Hurst

Copyright: MirrorPix

Coming in at 15 is the only ever player to have scored a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final, bringing Sir Alf Ramsey’s team victory over West Germany in 1966, Sir Geoff Hurst.

The former West Ham United man would earn his place on our list for that achievement alone, it’s just a bonus that he recorded a further 48 appearances and 21 goals with the three lions on his chest.

14. Michael Owen

Copyright: MirrorPix

From one lethal England goalscorer to another and ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United hitman Michael Owen, holder of 89 caps and 40 goals for his nation.

The striker’s international record places him in fourth in the list of the Three Lions’ top goalscorers behind only Jimmy Greaves, Sir Bobby Charlton, leader Wayne Rooney and our next legendary England man.

13. Gary Lineker

Copyright: MirrorPix

No countdown of England’s top 15 players of all time would be complete without the Three Lions’ highest scorer in major tournaments, Gary Lineker.

The English football icon, who ranks third on the overall goals list, has 10 in World Cups and UEFA European Championships and is also in possession of the Golden Boot from Mexico ’86 – nowadays he’s a regular on the television screens of the nation, mostly on Match of the Day.

12. John Barnes

Copyright: MirrorPix

Midfield dynamo John Barnes was in every sense an England pioneer both on and off the pitch, overcoming the horrid racist abuse of his time to become the Three Lions’ highest cap holding black player before being surpassed by Ashley Cole.

Barnes was famous for his fearsome shots and free-kicks and Italia ’90 rap, racking up close to a century of appearances and going to four major tournaments, a true English football legend.

11. Paul Scholes

Copyright: MirrorPix

The man known as the best midfielder of his generation by Pep Guardiola and “the phenomenon” by Brazilian Ronaldo, Man United icon Paul Scholes narrowly misses out on a place in the top ten.

There can be little doubt that the footballing genius should have been capped more than 66 times for his country and should have been the man to lead the Three Lions to that elusive second major tournament triumph but a number of factors prevented that from ever happening.

10. Ashley Cole

Copyright: MirrorPix

For any outfield player, especially an all-action full-back, to rack up an incredible 107 caps for his nation is a ridiculous achievement.

Only Bobby Moore, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Peter Shilton have more as Ashley Cole was the mainstay of his country’s left-back position for a remarkable 13 years – the only thing that will perhaps bug him about his international career is that he never scored for England despite notching 19 times domestically.

9. Gordon Banks

Copyright: MirrorPix

The goalkeeper for English sport’s finest hour at Wembley in 1966, the late great Gordon Banks is often considered his nation’s best ever goalkeeper.

True, he did pull off probably the greatest save in the history of the game from a powerful Pele header at the 1970 World Cup but he also started between the sticks on the international stage 23 times and remained the optimisation of a humble, nice guy right up until his sad death in early 2019.

8. David Beckham

Copyright: MirrorPix

Known throughout the world for the global celebrity he became throughout his career and after his retirement, it’s often forgotten that David Beckham featured 115 times for England and 523 times for his various clubs.

Perhaps the stylish midfielder’s greatest moment in a Three Lions jersey came against Greece at home ground Old Trafford where he struck a last-gasp free-kick to secure qualification for the 2002 World Cup. Although, like many of the golden generation, he failed to properly live up to his potential on the international stage.

7. Steven Gerrard

Copyright: MirrorPix

Speaking of seminal English midfielders who captained their national team, number seven is England’s fourth highest appearance holder (one behind Beckham), Steven Gerrard.

When he began his 14-year and six-major tournaments Three Lions career in 2000, Gerrard was following a long line of great Liverpool and England players and became the best of them all. However, his generation will always be synonymous with failure and the 2005 UEFA Champions League-winning skipper always seemed to save his best form for his club.

6. Frank Lampard

Copyright: MirrorPix

One of the eternal debates of early 21st century English international football will always be about who was better, Gerrard or Frank Lampard and that discussion looks set to carry on into their respective management careers.

In this case, we’ve gone for the latter by placing him at number six on this list of the 15 greatest England internationals of all time. He may have marginally fewer caps than his Scouse counterpart but always seemed to shine that little bit brighter for club and country.

It seemed fitting when they both bowed out of international football at the 2014 World Cup.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Tottenham Hotspur have been urged to ignore Christian Eriksen for the rest of the season by former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour, per talkSPORT, should team-mates prove they’re more committed.

What’s he said?

Eriksen has a contract that expires in the summer and has, thus far, shown no inclination of signing a new one.

Sources confirmed to FFC over the summer that an offer was on the table but that the Denmark international was keen to move to a foreign club, particularly one of Barcelona or Real Madrid.

No deal was struck, however, and Eriksen is now in a position where he can agree a free transfer in the January transfer window ahead of the summer.

Parlour believes that Spurs should merely cast him aside in favour of members of the squad who have not set their hearts on a move away.

Indeed, he does not expect the midfielder to have any desire to move on in the winter transfer window.

He said: “I think the player will have something to say about (leaving in January) because he might say, ‘I’m not going anywhere’.

“From January 1 you can do your contract and pre-sign with whoever you are going to, and his wages will be so much more if he goes on a free transfer.

“So he’ll be saying: ‘No, I’m not going anywhere and I don’t have to go anywhere’.

“You might get £20million for him in January, but that £20m will go in his pocket if he stays another six months.”

He added: “If there are players who want to play for Tottenham more than Eriksen, then yes [I would ignore him].

“I know he’s a quality player, but sometimes you’ve got to say, ‘he’s going to do a better job for me, he’s going to try harder than Eriksen’.

“As much as he’s got good quality, [a different player] will put a shift in and work hard for the team and everybody around him.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be cruel.”

Go all in

Eriksen’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has appeared to flirt with the idea of mimicking Parlour’s stance already, benching him against Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Leicester City and Sheffield United and leaving him out of the squad altogether for the draw with Watford.

He has only started one Champions League game, too, against Olympiacos and was substituted on against both Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade in Serbia; he was left out of the squad against the latter in north London.

When he has played, Eriksen has been below-par. Versus Liverpool, he was particularly poor, struggling to make an impact and failing to register a key pass or complete a dribble, per WhoScored. Against Everton, too, he did not have a shot, nor did he manage to dribble the ball.

Pochettino has not gone all-in when it comes to leaving the 27-year-old out, however, and perhaps that is the next step.

He has Giovani Lo Celso back to full fitness, while Dele Alli is also capable of playing in the No.10 role. Neither player has flirted with exits from north London.

Thus, the pair are better options than Eriksen in the eyes of supporters – there has been a considerable backlash against the Dane on numerous occasions on social media – and Pochettino ought to take Parlour’s advice and pull off the plaster altogether.

It might hurt in the short term, but it is good for the eventual healing process.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov has heaped the praise on Phil Foden following his performance against Atalanta in the Champions League.

What did he say?

Foden was starting a game for only the second time this season after he played 90 minutes against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

Fans were calling for the 19-year-old to start prior to the game, and their prayers were answered by Guardiola as he was named in the starting XI alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield.

And the quality of his performance appears to have made a profound impact on City legend Dickov.

The Scot wrote on his Twitter: “Forget about the sending off, @PhilFoden absolutely magnificent tonight and showed everybody why he’s going nowhere on loan & @ManCity is the place to be”

Guardiola has to let him build

Foden, who is already valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, was in fantastic form against Atalanta and proved within his display that he deserves more minutes for the Premier League champions going forward.

The academy graduate scored in the last Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb and matched that goal with an assist and four big chances created against the Italian side in the week. His performance was slightly marred by a late sending off, as he received two yellow cards inside six minutes of each. The first one was slightly harsh, although the second one was a clear foul on Marten de Roon.

Guardiola must, however, look past the sending off and remember his excellent performance, as Foden will need all the minutes he can get if he is going to build and become a regular for City.

There is then the issue City have with David Silva leaving at the end of the season. The Spaniard has enjoyed 10 sensational years at the Etihad and no doubt Guardiola will be already looking for his replacement.

However, the man to fill his boots could be Foden for the years to come, but it is hard to seem him being fit to do so as soon as next season given his lack of minutes of late.

With this in mind, it’s vital the former Barcelona coach gives him all the game time in the near future.