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Leeds United have been linked to an array of potential new striking additions this summer, but none are as bad as the latest target being mooted by English press…

What’s the word?

According to the Mirror, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing up a double raid on Premier League champions Liverpool for forward duo Rhian Brewster and Divock Origi.

It’s claimed that the Belgian is open to departing Anfield this summer and the Championship winners have enquired about taking him on if they cannot clinch Celtic talisman Odsonne Edouard, who is in high demand from multiple top-flight teams.

The 25-year-old is valued at £14.4m by Transfermarkt having joined the Reds for just £10m back in 2014.

Origi no-go

United do indeed need further options behind Patrick Bamford before the start of their first top-flight campaign in over 16 years, but Origi simply isn’t the one. Victor Orta should probably push for Brewster instead and forget about their UCL hero.

Origi made just seven starts in the PL this term where he averaged a disappointing 0.5 shots and 0.4 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

When arriving at Anfield, rival skipper Vincent Kompany labelled his fellow countryman a “monster” but these words just haven’t rung true, at least in English football.

Two loan spells later and a whopping 140 appearances for the Reds, Origi still hasn’t lived up to expectations scoring just 34 times and he’s a player that Bielsa will know very well after masterminding a defensive masterclass against him whilst the pair were in France.

The Argentine’s Marseille outfit smashed Lille 4-0 with the 25-year-old coming away with just one shot off target all game as well as being dispossessed four times and caught offside once, as per WhoScored.

If there was no way past a Bielsa backline which included Nicolas Nkoulou and Jeremy Morel, then Origi’s going to have no hope of impressing the tactician in training.

With both Eduoard and Brewster as other targets, a move for Origi doesn’t make the slightest bit of sense and should be avoided at all costs.

AND in other news, Leeds eye stunning swoop for coveted Bundesliga speedster…

On the 22nd October, Celtic are due to start their Europa League group stage campaign against Italian heavyweights AC Milan.

It is an exciting fixture, but the news for now is more focused around the players who might not be able to feature as Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie are both currently having to isolate due to COVID-19.

This is also affecting AC Milan, and the Serie A side could be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the big match.

Why could Celtic be facing a Milan side without Ibrahimovic?

The Swedish striker tested positive for COVID-19 back in late September. He is asymptomatic but until he returns a negative test, he is not able to feature for the Italian side.

This is his issue as Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting, via The Daily Record, as he is still returning positive COVID tests.

What Ibrahimovic’s possible absence means for Celtic

There is no doubting how good a forward AC Milan have in the Swede as he has managed 470 goals throughout his career, per Transfermarkt. His two spells at Milan have seen him score 70 goals in just 107 appearances and before he tested positive this term, he had scored two goals in his one Serie A game.

Therefore it will give the Celtic defence an easier task as they may not have to deal with the 6 foot 5 colossus, who is still performing at a top level despite being 39.

They Italian giants don’t have the best strength in depth as Ante Rebic is currently injured, leaving them with just Rafael Leao and 18 year-old Lorenzo Colombo. Leao is only 21 himself, but has managed eight goals in 36 appearances for his side. Make no mistake about it, Milan are a much less potent threat without their Swedish talisman.

Celtic fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!

Leeds United’s hunt for a new centre-back continues to rumble on this week…

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Yorkshire giants are one of several top-flight teams taking an interest in versatile Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko this summer.

It’s claimed that Everton, West Ham and Wolves are also keen along with many clubs across Europe.

There is a belief that the 24-year-old could be available for just £20m which would make him a rather affordable asset for the Premier League newcomers.

Left-sided Ayling

Aside from being able to play centre-back, the Ukrainian international is able to play at left-back too and we know how much Marcelo Bielsa likes his players to be multi-positional.

Think of Stuart Dallas, who is really United’s utility man, Gjanni Alioski and the more comparable Luke Ayling.

The 29-year-old is primarily a right-back but has filled in at centre-back when Bielsa opts for that infamous 3-at-the-back system, so Matviyenko could become a similar option especially as the pair are around the same height.

He’s picked up bags of experience at an elite level already, ranging from 20 appearances across the Champions and Europa League to his 26 caps for Ukraine.

Matviyenko’s performances for Shakhtar saw Arsenal come in with a bid during the January transfer window but that never came to fruition.

His suitability for Bielsa is reinforced when delving into the stats – he attempts, on average, 70 passes per 90 minutes of which 94% are accurate and the defender also wins just under 5 interceptions per 90 too.

The 6-foot star may not be the Ben White that many are looking for at Elland Road, but he could be quiet easily another gem that Bielsa unearths to the rest of the league.

AND in other news, Leeds set for Orta mistake as transfer target edges towards rival move…

Aston Villa appear to be very much in the hunt for a new striker and one name could give them something they lacked last season…

What’s the word?

According to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, the Midlands outfit are considering a move for relegated AFC Bournemouth star Callum Wilson this summer.

It’s claimed that Dean Smith wants to bolster his attack to avoid another relegation battle next term.

However, earlier this week, the Daily Mail revealed that the Cherries will not let their talisman leave for less than £30m with the likes of Spurs, West Ham and Newcastle United also keen on signing him.

He’s what Villa are lacking

Villa kickstarted life back in the Premier League with a £22m bang in the shape of Wesley Moraes but it was a move that failed to be very fruitful after the Brazillian scored just five goals before picking up a season-ending injury.

His January replacement Mbwana Samatta failed to set the ground alight either, scoring only one goal from 14 appearances.

In Wilson, Smith would be getting an experienced and proven goalscorer who has done it at the top level for several years – the 28-year-old has hit at least eight goals in each of the last three seasons.

The 5 foot 11 forward’s form in recent seasons has led to serious claims of a regular place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and has even been touted as a “secret weapon” by one journalist.

Whilst former Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola praised him amid the Blues’ interest in 2018, speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “He’s strong, fast and sees the goal. I like him because he’s quick, but also strong in the air. He is of interest, not just for us, but for many.”

Villa quite simply need to add more goals to their armoury if they are to avoid a repeat of this season, and even though £30m is a stretch considering the financial circumstances teams are facing, it would be a bargain compared to Wesley’s fee.

Johan Lange must push for this deal to hand Smith something he’s desperately lacking – that proven goalscorer.

AND in other news, enigmatic Bundesliga STAR could be the perfect Jack Grealish successor…

MatériaMais Notícias

O retorno de Miller Bolaños ao Grêmio está bem próximo de acontecer. Nesta sexta-feira, o atacante será reavaliado pelo departamento médico do clube e, se for aprovado, reintegrará o elenco principal comandado por Roger Machado.

Bolaños está na reta final da recuperação da cirurgia na mandíbula, realizada no dia 10 de março, por conta da cotovelada desferida pelo lateral-direito William, do Internacional. Há uma semana, o atacante equatoriano já está treinando no CT Luiz Carvalho, mas em atividades sem choques.

Fora da delegação do Grêmio que foi ao Equador enfrentar a LDU e voltou com a vaga nas oitavas de final da Copa Libertadores, Bolaños pode reforçar a equipe no Campeonato Gaúcho. Na próxima quinta-feira, dia 21, o Imortal faz o primeiro jogo da semifinal contra o Juventude, no Estádio Alfredo Jaconi.

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Rangers signed Florian Kamberi and Ianis Hagi on loan in January but since the club has the option to sign both players on permanent deals they have a decision to make in the summer.

Kamberi may have scored just once since he joined but he has often made an impact from the bench, and he has certainly given Steven Gerrard something to consider regarding a permanent stay.

The striker is clearly keen on remaining at Ibrox, too, as he has recently praised the Gers as an “incredible club” with “great staff”, and given the size of the Glasgow outfit compared to parent club Hibernian that is little surprise.

Many Rangers fans are convinced he could serve the club well if he did extend his stay, and even though he has mainly been confined to the bench he has still been able to make a big impression.

Gerrard may have other ideas, however. As alluded to the Albanian has only started one league game despite Alfredo Morelos struggling of late, with the Colombia international failing to find the net in his previous eight league games.

Rangers will be looking to improve in order to overcome Celtic in next year’s Scottish Premiership, too, and that means other targets may be considered ahead of Kamberi – some supporters feel that would be the best course of action to take.

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Some fans point to that point when arguing against signing him permanently, and would perhaps like to see a more natural goalscorer like Matej Vydra brought in, with the striker being linked in January.

A football legend: Can you get over 80% on this Gazza quiz? Find out now…

In other news, this image shows how Steven Gerrard and Rangers could have had a big boost in recent weeks had things turned out differently…

Liverpool fans have reacted to the tongue-in-cheek reference from Harvey Elliot that seemingly mocked Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola following his recent antics at Anfield.

The Reds youngster was seen to hold up two fingers to the camera in a not-so-subtle dig at Guardiola and many Liverpool fans are loving the fact this image has surfaced on social media.

Elliot’s mockery is in reference to the video of Guardiola screaming ‘twice’ several times after the ball hit Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arm for the second time between Manchester City and Liverpool.

The teenage sensation, who seems to already be adored by the Reds faithful, has once again got some of the supporters on his side.

One fan said he “just loves him”, whilst another supporter suggested he is set to wind up many rival fanbases down the years.

Elliot is still just 16 years old and has made two appearances for the first-team this season. The youth star was unlucky not to bag his first goal or assist against MK Dons after he hit the woodwork twice, while he also provided three key passes.

Now, after his funny reference to Guardiola, it seems fans are loving him even more.

Here’s what some have had to say in response…

Liverpool fans are buzzing with their star man Georginio Wijnaldum after he bagged a hat-trick for the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

It was a truly memorable evening for the Reds midfielder as he captained his side, bagged a trio of goals and even registered a 9.7 match rating. Now, as Liverpool face off with Crystal Palace this weekend, the supporters are buzzing he has once again picked up some incredible goal scoring form.

Wijnaldum is not quite the prolific goalscorer, bagging just 15 times for the club in 157 appearances. In fact, he now has the same amount of goals for his country than he does with Liverpool, but in 96 fewer appearances.

The 29-year-old has, however, gone done in Anfield folklore with his famous two goals in the comeback against Barcelona last season.

One fan said “same again on Saturday”, whilst another fan suggested to play him in attacking midfield so he can flaunt his goal scoring prowess more often. Other supporters have also said he was “outstanding” and “on fire” in the clash against Estonia.

Here’s what some of them have had to say…

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…

He’s taking an awfully big risk with a move like this.

After winning the title back in 2015/16, Jamie Vardy has arguably become one of the biggest names in the history of Leicester City, and according to his boss Brendan Rodgers, he could become an even bigger name yet.

What’s he said?

Speaking in his press conference yesterday, Rodgers spoke about how, despite being the upper side of 30, fans shouldn’t be worrying about his performances dropping:

“His best years will be here and if you look at him now there are still a few more to go yet. He’s still so sharp, clinical and fit – he’ll be 33 in January but he looks after his body.”

Time to call for the cavalry

The problem with a comment like this is that it makes it sound like Leicester are going to be relying on him for the foreseeable future. Which is all well and good, but it does make you worry whether or not they are perhaps putting too much pressure on his shoulders and relying on him too much to carry the load of the entire team?

If you take a look at his numbers so far this season (via Transfermarkt), his goals account for 37% of the total goals that the Foxes have scored this season, which puts him sixth in the league in terms of his contribution to a team’s total goals.

His next closest in terms of contributor in the Leicester team is James Maddison with 11.1% of the team’s goals, placing 71st in the league.

This is a huge drop off in terms of production across the board at the King Power, which puts them in a rather difficult position. Do they keep relying on Vardy to keep coming up with the goods and hope that he stays injury/suspension free? Or do they get him some help?

It looks as if they’re going down the latter route with reports coming in linking them to Club Brugge forward Emmanuel Dennis.

At the same time though, Vardy needs to be looking to his teammates for support and chipping in with more goals every now and then rather than making it all go through him. If he doesn’t get more support in the future, there might well be problems.

Denmark moved into the joint lead in Group D in Euro 2020 qualifying with a late victory over Switzerland.

The only goal of the game came from a moment of brilliance from Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen as he found Yussuf Poulsen with an outrageous through ball despite having his back towards goal, and the RB Leipzig forward burst forward and kept his composure when slotting the ball past Yann Sommer.

But head coach Age Hareide has his goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to thank for pulling off a string of world-class saves to keep his side in the match over the course of the 90 minutes.

Deep into injury time, the Leicester City man managed to stop a calamitous own goal by stretching to reach Thomas Delaney’s header, but two of the most stunning saves came in either half as the Dane tipped two efforts onto the crossbar.

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His performance was so outstanding that Swiss boss Vladimir Petkovic said after the game: “Only for their goalkeeper, we would have scored three goals.”

Schmeichel has also drawn plaudits from across Europe with one supporter claiming it was “one of the most ridiculous performances” he had seen from a goalkeeper in a single game while another labelled him the “most underrated goalkeeper in the world.”

Others described the 32-year-old’s display as “top class,” “immense” and “outstanding”.

Here’s the best of the reaction: