The youngster showed a great attitude in his post as he was quick to praise the team and the fans despite the fact that he could have easily made it all about himself.
It remains to be seen how good Bellingham will become in the next few years, but his electric start for the Blues will have a number of supporters excited to see what’s next for the teenager.
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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Following the departure of Vincent Kompany at the end of last season, Manchester City knew the 33-year-old’s absence would leave a gaping hole both in defence, and at the club as a whole. The burden on the likes of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte as the side’s only remaining centre-back options increased ten-fold.
However, following the latter appearing to pick up a serious injury in the 4-0 triumph over Brighton on Saturday, Pep Guardiola now has just two recognised central defenders for the foreseeable future. Already the talk has shifted to how Fernandinho could adjust from his holding midfield role. One man who could also help solve City’s issues though, is Kyle Walker.
The England international has been a right-back by trade for virtually his entire career, and has played just twice as a traditional centre-back. One was a defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Etihad, and another in an away victory over Burnley last season.
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At international level however, the story has been far different. The 29-year-old has featured ten times in a more central role out of his total of 48 caps for England, and it is that added experience that could see Guardiola turn towards the former Tottenham star over the coming weeks and months.
Whilst Laporte has been a revelation for City since signing from Athletic Bilbao, Walker could offer an intriguing alternative at the heart of the Etihad side’s defence. His raw pace and athleticism as a natural full-back will mean he will be well suited to keeping a high-line, and if he does get caught out with balls over the top, he is sure to be quick enough to recover.
Speaking back in June last year, the 5 foot 10 star admitted playing as the right-sided centre-back in a back-three for England wasn’t something he favoured, but revealed he had learned so much under Guardiola’s tutelage.
Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…
He said: “My game has developed under tremendously under him. Playing in the position I am playing now for my country, the right centre-half, come two years ago could I have played it? Probably not.”
As City look to compete on multiple fronts this season, the loss of Laporte is undeniably damaging to their hopes of a successful campaign. But Walker’s previous experience at the position, combined with his natural physical capabilities, mark him out as a more than viable option for Guardiola this season at centre-back.
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Arsenal got off to a nightmare start in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon as they conceded a sloppy early goal courtesy of Christian Eriksen.
The Dane had been out of favour at Tottenham this summer so it was rather typical that he popped up on the big occasion to score for Spurs.
However, it wouldn’t have come about if it wasn’t for a succession of errors from the Gunners defence.
A long ball forward from the visitors was rather strangely contested by two Arsenal players, Sokratis and Granit Xhaka, before Erik Lamela was set free.
His effort was then spilt straight into the path of Eriksen by Bernd Leno, as Mauricio Pochettino’s men took the lead.
Consequently, a host of Arsenal fans slammed Sokratis for his role in the goal. One supporter said that he was having a shocker as another claimed he wasn’t any better than Shkodran Mustafi.
Another individual branded him a complete clown as the Greek took plenty of stick on Twitter.
He was even described as a dreadful footballer.
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The 31-year-old played 25 times in the Premier League last term and has so far started each league outing this season too.
Here’s some of the discussion.
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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…
Liverpool were not at their best but ground out a 2-1 victory away at Chelsea, and so Joel Matip’s contribution was vital to the win.
It was far from a vintage performance from the Reds but they showed they are able to roll their sleeves up and deal with whatever the opposition throws at them, although they also have Adrian to thank for maintaining their lead at certain points in the match.
Cleverly worked free-kicks brought Liverpool their two goals but they had only one other shot on target in the match, and their uncharacteristic mistakes on the ball led to large spells of Chelsea domination.
Jurgen Klopp’s side managed just 45% possession due to their pass accuracy of 73%, and the resulting pressure meant the backline had to stand up and be counted.
Virgil van Dijk is often the defender who receives the plaudits, but he was outshone by his centre-back partner in all defensive aspects, and Matip’s performance was rightly recognised as he picked up the Man of the Match award.
According to SofaScore the 28-year-old put in an accomplished performance in all areas of his game, and since he could do little to prevent N’Golo Kante’s goal, which came down Liverpool’s left, it is fair to say he didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.
He is now beginning to match the assured presence of van Dijk and that makes life much easier for both Adrian and the two full-backs, who like to get forward whenever possible.
Like his defensive partner he is a nightmare physically for attackers. He can be dominant in the air and impose himself on whoever he is marking, but crucially rarely concedes fouls, as his league record this season proves.
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What’s more impressive is that he is able to win duels on both the ground and in the air, acting as a robust brick wall against Chelsea he ensured his opponent never got past him, meaning the Blues were mostly reduced to long-range efforts.
If he continues this form it is very difficult to envisage him losing his place to Joe Gomez, which was a possibility at the beginning of the season when the 22-year-old started the first league game.
Matip handled one of the Premier League’s in-form strikers with ease, winning three tackles in the process, and his ability to dig in deep and lead from the back along with van Dijk could be vital to Liverpool’s success this term.
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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…
Wolves legend Steve Bull has backed Raul Jimenez to keep scoring goals and become a record-breaker while doing so, per The Express and Star.
What’s he said?
Steven Fletcher holds the record goal tally for any Wolves player in the Premier League after netting 22 goals in two years at the club, beginning in 2010.
But Bull, who holds the overall record for the club with 306 goals, believes that Jimenez can surpass that by Christmas this year.
The 6 foot 3 striker has netted six goals in six European games, though that hasn’t quite translated into league form after bagging just two in four matches, including one penalty, per Transfermarkt.
After initially joining the club on loan last summer, the Mexican star signed permanently a couple of months ago in a club-record £30m move.
Across the two seasons so far, Jimenez has 15 in the league, meaning he only needs another eight to surpass the current Sheffield Wednesday striker’s record at Molineux.
And Bull certainly believes he can do it.
He said: “Easy. He should do that with absolute ease.
“He’s a player who keeps plugging away. When you work hard, you get your rewards, and he knows that.
“He’s a proper striker, an out and out goalscorer, so I reckon he’ll get there by Christmas, definitely.
“With how he’s going, we could be talking about him breaking the record in a matter of weeks.”
Has every chance
It is easy to resonate with the Molineux legend’s words as the club look set to be in the Premier League for at least the immediate to short-term future.
Last time they were in the top-flight, their spell only lasted three years, so that is why Fletcher only managed to bag 22 goals.
Nuno Santo’s main man has played over 40 games this calendar year for both club and country, and that doesn’t look like slowing up anytime soon, so the timeframe Bull has put on it is realistic – just as long as he stays fit.
The 28-year-old looked sluggish against Everton despite bagging a goal, but that was the first time fatigue appeared to have any significant effect on the striker.
That record should certainly be broken come the end of this current campaign.
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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to ESPN, Manchester United are keen on entering into new contract talks with Paul Pogba.
What’s the word?
The France World Cup winner had been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the course of the summer window, with reports suggesting the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus were keen on luring him away from Old Trafford.
However, a move failed to materialise before the end of the transfer window, and now, ESPN claim the Red Devils want to sit down with the midfielder’s agent, Mino Raiola, to discuss a contract extension.
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The report adds that having agreed new deals for the likes of David de Gea and Victor Lindelof in recent weeks, they are “ready to turn their attentions to Pogba”.
End of the saga
After publicly admitting he would be open to a “new challenge”, it looked almost inevitable Pogba would be heading for the Old Trafford exit door.
However, no club coughed up United’s reported asking price and it has left the Frenchman in the awkward position of playing for a team he seemed keen on leaving.
So on the face of it, offering a new contract to a player who has wanted, and perhaps still wants out, is questionable.
But if the Red Devils can convince Pogba to commit his long-term future to United, they would be making a huge statement. Success on the pitch may be lacking in recent years, but they still have the aura and the power to keep hold of their best players even when things aren’t going to plan.
A new deal would also finally end any doubts in Pogba’s head of potentially leaving and allow him to fully concentrate on his football. Amidst all the criticism he faced last season, the 26-year-old still managed an impressive 16 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
A new contract could leave him re-energised and setting about trying to be the leader of this United team rather than being distracted by a potential departure.
Inspiration can come from different sources, and for the midfield maverick, a new long-term contract could be exactly what he needs.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds went into their clash with Charlton at the weekend having made one enforced change to the starting XI.
Out dropped Pablo Hernandez who was injured while Helder Costa came into start his very first Championship game for the Whites.
After Marcelo Bielsa admitted that would happen in his pre-match press conference it wasn’t a surprise whatsoever.
What was a surprise, though, was Jack Clarke’s inclusion in the 18 man matchday squad.
Why are Leeds fans the best in the country? Find out in the video below…
On the chalkboard
Clarke has become a hugely neglected figure at Elland Road after rejoining the club following a permanent move to Spurs in the summer.
Restricted to minutes in the U23s and just two first-team appearances, he’s not been able to show the same sort of quality that saw him net against Aston Villa last season.
An illness has seemingly taken his career downhill and this season he is yet to prove why Tottenham ever snapped him up.
Rumours have swirled around suggesting that he could return to north London, but as far as his loan spell goes, Bielsa has just handed him a major lifeline.
Courtesy of Leeds’ lack of options on the bench with Hernandez on the sidelines, he’s come back into the side.
Dropping out because of a rule that prevents a team from having more than five loan players in a squad was Illan Meslier.
What the future holds for him remains to be seen but the wide man now certainly has a chance to stake somewhat of a claim and there would be no better time than against an unbeaten West Brom on Tuesday evening.
When Leeds drew 1-1 with Derby they lacked genuine options to help them push for a second goal. His fresh legs and energy from a wide position might have helped in that regard and clearly Bielsa noticed he was lacking something in his squad ahead of the Charlton match.
This is a huge positive for Clarke who burst onto the scene courtesy of substitute appearances last term.
If he can do the same he might just be able to salvage something from a 2019/20 season which has so far been full of frustration.
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Tottenham Hotspur fans have been left delighted after Mauricio Pochettino reached the final shortlist for FIFA’s Best Coach award.
The Spurs boss joins Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp in the voting after overseeing his side’s miraculous run to the Champions League final.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Pochettino will actually win the award, given that he did not lift any silverware last season.
Guardiola, by comparison, guided his City side to an unprecedented domestic treble, while Klopp obviously won the Champions League, taking his side to a 2-0 victory in Madrid, while seeing them lose just once in the Premier League as well.
Nevertheless, fans are delighted that he has been recognised after a season in which Spurs beat Borussia Dortmund, Guardiola’s City and Ajax in the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition.
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Take a look at some of the best of the reaction on Twitter below!
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يواصل الدولي البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي مُهاجم فريق بايرن ميونخ، كتابة التاريخ في مسابقة الدوري الألماني، بإنجاز جديد، بعدما تمكن من هز شباك فريق فيردر بريمن.
بايرن ميونخ فاز على بريمن بثلاثة أهداف لهدف، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين مساء اليوم السبت، على ملعب “فيسير شتاديون”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الخامسة والعشرين من الدوري الألماني (طالع تقرير المباراة). شاهد أهداف مباراة بايرن ميونخ وبريمن
اقرأ أيضًا.. بعد صناعة هدفين أمام بريمن.. مولر يتفوق على نجوم الدوريات الخمسة الكبرى
ليفاندوفسكي أمام بريمن، تمكن إحراز هدف فريقه الثالث، ليُعزز صدارته لهدافي الدوري الألماني برصيد 32 هدفًا.
شبكة “أوبتا” العالمية للإحصائيات والأرقام، ذكرت أن ليفاندوفسكي وصل إلى 268 هدفًا في البوندسليجا، ليصبح ثاني الهدافين التاريخيين للبطولة.
ليفاندوفسكي تساوي مع كلاوس فيشر أسطورة شالكه، في المركز الثاني بـ268 هدفًا لكل منهما.
إليكم قائمة الهدافين التاريخين للدوري الألماني
– جيرد مولر (بايرن ميونخ) – 365 هدفًا.
– روبرت ليفاندوفسكي (بايرن ميونخ) – 268 هدفًا.
– كلاوس فيشر (شالكه) – 268 هدفًا.
– يوب هاينكس (بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ) – 220 هدفًا.
– مانفريد بورجسمولر (بوروسيا دورتموند) – 213 هدفًا.
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It seemed likely that Dejan Lovren would leave Liverpool before the European transfer window closed earlier this week, but the deadline passed before a deal could be concluded.
The Croatia international has expressed his relief that the saga is now over and simultaneously spoke of his discontent for his current standing at the club.
“I am not one of those who wants to sit on the bench for two years and take money. I just couldn’t do that.
“Yes, some people have told me, whatever you care about, you’re in the biggest club, take the money and keep quiet. I told them, people, that’s not what I want. I am a man who loves inner happiness.”
Unless there is a dramatic change in the pecking order at Anfield, one which sees Lovren looking vertically up at the likes of Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, who appear to be Jurgen Klopp’s primary defensive options, a sale could be looming on the horizon.
Lovren may not have overwhelmed the supporters with his ability nor commanded a sense of respect and trust that even remotely resembles that which van Dijk proudly dons on Merseyside, but his legacy should be one defined by respect and admiration no less.
After all, he has won the Champions League during his time at Anfield and furthermore been involved in two other European finals. In his five years at Liverpool, he has done nothing but wear his heart on his sleeve and given his all.
It will be intriguing all the same to detect the faint trace of sarcasm in many of the farewells.
That’s because during the centre-back’s tenure he has been sometimes excellent and even very occasionally imperious. But he has also been rash, and when he has been rash his head has ‘gone’, making him a liability for the duration of that particular game.
At times he has been comically bad, usually as a result of complicating a simple art. It has not been unknown for Lovren to find himself in no man’s land, leaving his attacker in an acre of space. It has not been unknown for him to attempt a fancy flick or turn when the coaching manual demanded row Z.
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He leaves as the last of Liverpool’s infamously shaky defence, that which once contained Alberto Moreno in constant fancy-dress as a headless chicken, and Simon Mignolet, flappy and uncertain.
Going back a little further there was Mamadou Sakho too, who tested nerves as par for the course.
He leaves as a failure, in context at least.
When he arrived from St Mary’s it was on the back of a tremendous campaign where he spearheaded the Saints’ charge to eighth. He was a warrior then. A combative warrior with the ball-playing skills of a midfielder, achieving a pass success of 82% in 2013/14.
However, he never played ten consecutive games for the Reds. In the event, his name would so often be greeted with a murmur of anxiety after being announced on the Anfield tannoy.
There is lastly one other thing: he will leave as a semi-ironic legend.
Partly, that’s because the calamities can be laughed at – even loved in a weird way – in hindsight. Mostly though it’s because it would be quite unfair to paint the defender as too much of a flop. As stated, he could be imperious on his day too.
Check out fan reaction to Liverpool’s Super Cup win in the video below…
In April 2016 an unbelievable contest saw Liverpool stage a dramatic comeback over Borussia Dortmund to make progress in their Europa League quarter-final possible.
At 3-3 they still needed a fourth goal and time was nearly up. It was Lovren who rose to a corner to thunder it home and he ran roaring in celebration, deranged. He owned Anfield in that moment. He was a warrior.
Only last summer he was appearing in a World Cup final.
Indeed only last summer he was insisting he was ‘one of the best defenders in the world’. Now a downgrade to Serie A has eluded him and he has been left as the club’s firm fourth choice option in his favoured position.
Where did it all go wrong for him? Did it even go wrong at all?
Like every fascinating player, the answers are hard to man-mark.
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