Tag Futebol

Football fans and clubs around the world have often paid tribute to legendary players and managers with a statue over the years, and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has become the latest icon to receive this honour.

Admittedly, the number of terrible football statues are far more memorable, and it appears the Argentinian has unfortunately fallen foul of an amusing design.

Fan account @LeedsEverywhere tweeted a photo of a new commission by one devoted Peacocks fan showing a bronze likeness of Bielsa, revealing the supporter intends to donate the artwork to the club, provoking lots of replies from the United faithful.

Ever since he arrived at Elland Road in the summer of 2018, the Argentine head coach has become a true fan favourite amongst the supporters, and his side are currently at the top of the Championship table, holding a comfortable seven-point-lead over the playoff places, with promotion to Premier League football firmly within their reach prior to the football league’s suspension as a result of the pandemic.

Understandably, loads of supporters took to Twitter to share their views on Bielsa’s tribute, with many mocking the artist’s efforts. One fan commented “absolutely not” and another dubbed the statue “dreadful.”

Take a look at some of the funniest reactions down below…

Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Leeds discussion going on in the Vital Leeds Forum! Click here to get involved!

A number of Aston Villa fans appear to be in agreement with former player Alan Hutton in which they are keen for the club to tie down the future of Keinan Davis and keep him playing his football at Villa Park.

The retired Scottish full-back was speaking to Football Insider recently and revealed if he were in the Birmingham-based outfit’s shoes, he would be desperate to get the attacker penned to a new contract, despite all the injury problems he has had because of the potential he has to offer.

Indeed, the 22-year-old has had his fair share of time in the treatment room over his short career to date. Davis has struggled for fitness this season, having been ruled out for three months at one point because of a hamstring problem and was dealt a further blow when he was forced off in a game when trying to build up his minutes (as per Express and Star).

However, the young forward has shown promise before when available, as he has produced four goals and five assists in the 57 games he has featured in – with the majority being in the Championship (as per TransferMarkt).

Thus, perhaps it is not that difficult to see why plenty of fans are with Hutton in the opinion that he needs to be kept at Villa Park, with many suggesting he is given a chance to show them what he can do and prove that he has the talent they believe he has.

Here are just some of their views on Davis…

Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Villa discussion going on in the Vital Villa Forum! Click here to get involved!

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…

After another disappointing result at the weekend, the pressure on Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has well and truly intensified. Reports in recent weeks had suggested the Norwegian was fighting for his job at Old Trafford, but The Athletic have claimed that the club are determined to stand by him even with Mauricio Pochettino now available.

It’s certainly an admirable stance from the Red Devils, but one that will come under serious examination on Wednesday night. Former United boss Jose Mourinho will return to Old Trafford as the recently appointed Tottenham boss, and there is certainly an element of a day of reckoning when it comes to Solskjaer. With that in mind, below is a look at how the Norwegian might set his team up for the visit of the north London side.

In front of United number one David de Gea, Solskjaer will be keen to keep his back-four the same, and provide a bit of stability. Since Mourinho took charge, Spurs have scored ten times in just three games, and the Red Devils will have a tough task in trying to keep the away side at bay.

And one of the Spurs men who has really appeared to enjoy a new lease of life under their new Portuguese boss, is Dele Alli. He has scored three times and provided one assist in that period, and Solskjaer will be incredibly wary of the England international. Having gone with Andreas Pereira to partner Fred in central midfield against Aston Villa last time out, the Norwegian may look to add some extra defensive protection on Wednesday night. That could potentially mean Axel Tuanzebe gets drafted into the line-up, in the same position he was brought on at Sheffield United.

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Further forward, whilst Juan Mata had an afternoon to forget against Villa – the Spaniard had just 35 touches and finished with a 6.5 match rating as per Sofascore – he does enjoy a relatively impressive record against Spurs. In the ten games he has played against them, he has scored three goals and provided a further four assists, and that could well prove to be decisive when Solskjaer makes his decision as to who should play.

And with a late injury update reportedly seeing Anthony Martial being ruled out of the game, it could mean Marcus Rashford returns up front, with Jesse Lingard being drafted in to replace the Frenchman.

Loads of Tottenham Hotspur fans on Twitter have been reacting to Troy Parrott’s notable absence from the club’s Champions League training session ahead of hosting Olympiacos in north London on Tuesday night.

The 17-year-old may be yet to make either his Premier League or European debut for the first team, but he was often involved in training at this stage when Mauricio Pochettino was manager, even if he then featured for the U19s in the youth league on the afternoon before the senior fixture.

There was no sign of the teenager in what was Jose Mourinho’s first Champions League session as Spurs boss though, which understandably raised some concerns from supporters.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United chief hasn’t exactly been known for his positive work with younger players throughout his managerial career, but his praise for the academy shortly after his appointment suggested he may be open to changing his ways.

The absence of Parrott may suggest that isn’t the case so far, although to be fair to the 56-year-old Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga were both present at Hotspur Way on Monday.

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That didn’t stop Tottenham fans commenting, and while one said they “do worry” about Parrott who has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, another individual was “shocked” that he wasn’t involved.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

In other news, Tottenham legend Graham Roberts has made an outrageous transfer swap suggestion following a tweet from Alasdair Gold…

أكد البرازيلي مارسيلو، أن فريقه ريال مدريد يعرف ما يتعين عليه القيام به، وقدم وعدًا بأن مباراة الإياب أمام تشيلسي في دوري أبطال أوروبا، ستكون مختلفة.

وتعادل ريال مدريد أمام تشيلسي على ملعب “ألفريدو دي ستيفانو” بهدف لمثله في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا (طالع تقرير مباراة ريال مدريد وتشيلسي وشاهد الأهداف).

وقال مارسيلو عقب المباراة في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “كنا نعلم أن ذلك يمكن أن يحدث، ولكن هناك مباراة أخرى أيضًا، نحن بخير ونعرف ما يتعين علينا القيام به”.

واستطرد: “لم تسر الأمور على ما يرام في أول 20 دقيقة، ثم عندما تمكنا من بدء اللعب كما كنا نعتقد، تغيرت المباراة، علمنا أنهم يحبون الركض، مباراة الإياب ستكون مختلفة جدًا ونأمل أن نفوز بها”.

وأضاف البرازيلي بشأن مستوى اللياقة في المباراة: “نحن لا نختار إيقاع المباراة، علينا أن نتكيف مع ما هو موجود، نحن بخير وهادئون”.

وعن هدف التعادل لزميله كريم بنزيما، أردف مارسيلو: “الفريق يضم أكثر من 25 لاعبًا، نعمل بجد كل يوم، وأنا سعيد لأن كريم سجل، ولكن قبل كل شيء خرجنا برؤوسنا”.

وبشأن المباراة التالية شدد مارسيلو: “سوف نستريح قليلاً لكننا نعلم أنه علينا مواصلة العمل فيما هو قادم، علينا القيام بذلك كما فعلنا في وقت سابق، لأن هذا هو الطريق الذي يجب أن نسير فيه”.

وأتم موجهًا رسالة للجماهير: “نعمل بجد ونفعل ما نعتقد أنه سيجعل الأمور تسير على ما يرام وريال مدريد سيقاتل حتى النهاية”.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, John Hartson has urged Eddie Nketiah to be patient at Leeds amidst rumours that Bristol City are interested in taking him to Ashton Gate.

The 20-year-old joined the Whites on loan this summer, and so far has four goals in his first nine matches in all competitions. However, he is yet to start a game for the side in the Championship, with his two inclusions in the starting XI both coming in the League Cup instead.

In the video below, we look at where it all went wrong for Arsenal’s former ‘saviour’, Mesut Ozil…

Former Wales international Hartson has been commenting on Nketiah’s situation at Elland Road and his lack of playing time, and has suggested that the Arsenal man should stay patient for now with the Yorkshire outfit.

“For me, he has just got to keep patient, he’s just got to keep trying to score goals,” he said. “I’m sure Leeds will want to keep him obviously, but I think sometimes as a young player you just want to keep playing.

“Would it be a good idea (to go to Bristol City)? I don’t know. Leeds are challenging, they got to the play-offs last season, they lost to Derby. He’s with a really experienced manager there. He’s got a good group of players, just be patient for now, keep banging the goals in, and I’m sure they’ll be some more clubs than Bristol City that will come in for him in January.”

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The form he has showed so far this campaign means he is getting harder and harder to ignore. At 20 years old, he has plenty of time ahead of him, but it is understandable that he is chomping at the bit to get on to the field as much as possible. After all, the whole point of this loan spell is to see more senior action in a bid to accelerate his development.

On the other hand, though, this could be fantastic for his strength of character. So far in his career, he has been a big fish in a small pond for Arsenal’s U23s, but now he is playing men’s football and is finding out that it isn’t as easy.

This will happen at times in his career, and it is better that he finds it out now rather than later on. Under Bielsa, he will progress as a footballer and, if he continues to hit the back of the net, he will give the Argentinian no choice but to play him. Should he be able to break into the team of a promotion challenger, that would surely send a stronger message to Unai Emery rather than taking the easy option somewhere else.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…

Since arriving from Sporting CP in the summer of 2014 for a reported £16m, Marcos Rojo hasn’t exactly established himself as part of the Manchester United first-team. The Argentina international has made just 116 appearances over his five-year stay at the club, and his wretched luck with injuries certainly hasn’t helped his cause either.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

The defender has been linked with a move to fellow Premier League side Everton for two consecutive summers, but both times a deal failed to materialise. And, after his particularly disappointing showing in the Europa League against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night, the Red Devils may wonder if they made the wrong choice in keeping hold of him.

Lining up at centre-back alongside first-choice defender Victor Lindelof, Rojo looked ill at ease coming up against Alkmaar’s front-line. The Dutch side showed their attacking intent from the first whistle, and ended up registering 12 shots compared to United’s measly six.

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A lot of those efforts came through Rojo’s struggles in maintaining his position, and undoubtedly his versatility proved his downfall. Having played at left-back against FC Astana in the opening game of the competition, his switch into the middle of a back-four must surely have been disorientating. No stat perhaps tells that more clearly than the fact he made eight clearances, per Sofascore.

At first glance, that appears to be the hallmark of a great defender – getting rid of things when needed. But in digging deeper, it becomes clearer the Argentine struggled. The entire rest of the United side made just one more clearance than what Rojo managed, and that is largely as a result of the 29-year-old panicking when he had the ball at his feet. It is also no surprise to know he lost possession 13 times (the second-most of any player in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team).

On this evidence, the veteran really has no chance of usurping the current centre-back partnership between Lindelof and Harry Maguire. But perhaps even more worryingly for the Red Devils, is the realisation that they may well have been better off by simply cashing in on him this summer.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

Dapo Mebude made his Rangers debut on the last day of the season against Kilmarnock in the 2-1 defeat, coming on for Daniel Candeais.

Now that the 18-year-old has tasted first-team football, what can fans expect in the future?

Well, if manager Steven Gerrard turns out to be right, supporters could be in for a treat.

Per Rangers TV via insidefutbol, he said: “I think he deserves that with his play for the 18s, the 19s, the reserves and what he’s shown in first-team training.

“Dapo’s got a bright future. He needs to keep working hard now and pushing and hopefully, that can be the first of many.”

Fellow academy graduate Ross McCrorie also believes that Mebude is the “one to watch” when asked by The Daily Record who he thinks will be next to make the step up.

He said: “Dapo Mebude is one to watch. He’s done well for the Scotland Under-17s, is very quick and has a few tricks. Dapo has a real chance if he keeps working hard.”

Mebude signed a new contract with the Ibrox club in December of 2018, committing his future to the club until 2021.

Their Head of Academy, Craig Mulholland, announced via the official Rangers website: “We are delighted to extend Dapo’s contract. He has made great progress in the last few years having been named in a first-team squad and playing up a year at international level”.

Mebude is a regular in the Scotland U19s with three goals in eight games and will be looking to make the step up over the next couple of seasons.

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As Mebude himself said in a recent interview with The Evening Times, he is well aware of the quality of the players in front of him. Indeed, Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos are both ahead of him in Gerrard’s pecking order.

He said: “They are two top-class strikers and Jermain has done everything I would want to do.

“He has scored goals and played in the Premier League and done it all. Alfredo is showing what he can do and they are both class strikers that I can learn from.”

A loan move in January could be the best option in the immediate future to see how he copes with the physicality of senior football on a regular basis.

He has already played in the Challenge Cup, scoring in a 2-1 win over Berwick Rangers, but it remains to be seen if he can hit the back of the net on a consistent basis for the first-team.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Virgil van Dijk, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira.

What’s the word?

Rumours were sparked over the weekend that the Reds had agreed terms of a new six-year contract for the defender.

Those claims have since been dismissed by Liverpool Echo journalist Paul Gorst, but it has been suggested that the Spanish giants have taken an interest in the Netherlands skipper.

Los Blancos would likely be able to provide van Dijk with an improvement on his current weekly wage, which is reportedly £125,000 a week, but despite that it is thought that he has no interest in leaving Liverpool.

Since arriving at Anfield his performances have proven him to be not only one of the best defenders in the world, but one of the best players – with a Champions League medal and the award for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year to boast of.

Added to that, he still has four years remaining on his current deal and with Liverpool edging closer towards their first Premier League title, it is likely a project he wants to remain a part of.

Liverpool legacy

It is not often that Liverpool have one of the best players in the world amongst their ranks. Michael Owen was the last when he won the Ballon d’Or in 2001, and therefore van Dijk has the potential to create a long-lasting impact on the club.

In the 18 months since he joined he has helped to turn around a defence which shipped 42 goals in 2016/17, leading the team to Champions League glory with his calming effect whilst dominating opposition strikers – ruthlessly quashing the threat posed by Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min in the final.

He also helped the Reds to their highest ever Premier League points total and therefore it would take an astronomical bid for Liverpool to even consider a sale.

The Dutchman could very well see out his current contract and given the position the club is in now, more trophies – including the Premier League – look a real possibility, and winning that would cement his place in Anfield folklore.

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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…

Not many will prosper from this upcoming international break more than Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both the giants of La Liga have been plagued with various injuries at the start of the new campaign and both will most likely, for precisely that reason, have welcomed the break with open arms.

Another similarity between the two is also in the personnel who have been sidelined. Barcelona are still waiting for the full return of Lionel Messi and Real Madrid are eager to see their new Galactico, Eden Hazard, in action. Both teams need their superstar attackers this weekend.

Los Blancos have a tricky match ahead as they will face Levante, and Zinedine Zidane will have to ease his Belgian superstar back into action. This might pose him a slight headache as the Frenchman will definitely be eager to get some good results going, considering that they have racked up only one win in three games so far, but he also has to be careful not to play his cards too carelessly.

Integrating Hazard into the squad seems rather easy at first. Of course he’s going to start. After all, being Real Madrid’s second-highest transfer ever means that he was brought in to strengthen the starting 11 and give the team a much-needed boost, not be a squad player.

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However, Zidane has admitted that he cannot simply throw the Belgian in after his time out injured, saying: “Regarding Hazard, we have to go little by little. He has been injured for three weeks. He was back training this week. We have to go carefully with him.”

But the boss also said he is “ready”, and we expect the newest Galactico to start on the left, with Karim Benzema up front and Gareth Bale on the opposite side.

On paper and in theory, this does seem like the best course of action and a formation that should get the best of their rather star-studded attacking trident.

But the coach’s responsibility doesn’t really end there. Hazard bagged a lot of goals for Chelsea with a total of 110, along with 92 assists in 352 games. This means that he’s very prolific in front of goal but he often slots into that creator role as well.

Of course, Real Madrid had a world-class goal-scorer, rather than a mixture of both, occupy that position on the left for many years in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, so this will be a big change. Hazard has some huge shoes to fill, and maybe he’s not even meant to become the “next Ronaldo” at all. But that part is for Zidane to decide.

One way or the other, we’ll most likely find out once he steps out on the pitch against Levante.

One thing is certain – the former Chelsea man will be heavily relied upon to solve the side’s over-reliance on certain methods, methods that haven’t yielded enough goals as of late.

But it is also important that no matter what happens once he’s out there and doing his thing, he is given time to integrate properly and gel with the rest of the team. And that’s another thing Zidane may want to keep an eye on. He must have patience.

By the looks of things, some fun times await the Frenchman and his Galacticos. How will they react? We’ll get our answers on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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