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As two more technical director candidates slip through the buttery fingers of Arsenal, The Times have reported that former Tottenham Hotspur Head of Recruitment Paul Mitchell was being considered for the role.

What’s the word, then?

In their desperate search to make an appointment in the role, the Gunners were understood to be mainly looking at two options, former player and Ajax Director of Football Marc Overmars and Monchi (Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo).

The former has now signed a contract extension with the Dutch giants and the latter has made the move to become sporting director for Sevilla in La Liga.

If they are to bring someone in soon, Unai Emery’s side are rather short of options, although the internal appointment of Head of Youth Scouting Steve Morrow has also been discussed.

Mitchell is currently working in Germany with RB Leipzig, but rose to fame in England with a post-playing career more notable than his time as a player.

First, he helped Southampton climb the divisions to achieve Premier League status with the signings of players such as Sadio Mane and Toby Alderweireld, before moving to White Hart Lane where he would serve in the aforementioned role between November 2014 and March 2017, overseeing the signings of many great talents that have helped Spurs become a consistent top four team in the Premier League.

Arsenal, he’s your man

With most other rational options off the table for now, Arsenal’s man should undoubtedly be Mitchell, given his pedigree in the English top-flight.

For the Gunners’ fierce North London rivals, the 37-year-old spotted and brought in such talents as Dele Alli from MK Dons, Ben Davies from Swansea City, Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon, Heung-Min Son from Bayer Leverkusen, Kieran Trippier from Burnley, Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid and Victor Wanyama from Southampton, to name a few.

Imagine how much better Arsenal could have been in the last few years if they possessed players of this quality in great numbers in their squad.

And the award for most enthusiastic celebration of a goal scored in the last week goes to the fan in the video below…

A young creative midfielder such as Alli, as well as a solid centre-back and a defensive midfield powerhouse such as Alderweireld and Wanyama, perhaps would have been enough to push them over the line for their first title since 2004 in 2015/16.

This clear eye for spotting talent is what Mitchell would bring to the table at the Emirates Stadium and with the post-career Premier League experience that is maybe lacking in Overmars and Monchi, he could even be a better option than the original preferred targets.

While it’s unclear why they went off the idea of him in the first place, perhaps he rejected their initial interest, the Gunners hierarchy must now re-focus their attention on Mitchell and do everything in their power to persuade him to move back to the English capital.

Jordan Henderson might have been relegated to substitute at Liverpool this season, but his impact has never been larger.

His match-sealing goal against Southampton on Friday night put the Reds a step closer to Premier League glory, and his emotional celebration made the fans remember that their club captain is in it to win it this season.

Henderson might have been demoted to the bench due to the emergence of Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum establishing themselves as first-team midfielders, but Jurgen Klopp himself has claimed that his importance on the first-team is even stronger than ever.

The Liverpool manager even said after the 3-1 win that Henderson has done well in replacing legend Steven Gerrard at the club, saying, “The most difficult job in the last 500 years of football was to replace Steven Gerrard.

“In the mind of the people it was like if it’s not Stevie, then it’s not good enough, and he has dealt with that outstandingly well so he can be really proud. Now we have to think of the future and he is a very important part of our team.”

Henderson’s importance can be understandable when you look at his appearance stats in the league this season. The Liverpool skipper has only failed to come on the pitch once when he has been involved with the squad this campaign, starting 18 and coming on as sub 11 times.

Fans, for the remainder of the season at least, will want to see Henderson remain on the bench for players who bring more urgency and quality to the team, but in their captain they know they have a player who makes as big as an impact on the squad than anyone else, and that nobody in the club is as suited to wear the armband as the man who was picked to succeed Gerrard at the club.

Liverpool fans, has this been Henderson’s best season? Let us know!

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Loads of Sunderland fans have been running the rule over Saturday’s League One action, and they’re absolutely gutted about Barnsley’s late winner.

Sunderland did not play on Saturday due to multiple players being drafted away on international duty, but even without taking part in the action the Black Cats still suffered.

Portsmouth moved above Jack Ross’ side with a win at Shrewsbury and Luton Town extended their lead at the top with a comfortable home victory against Doncaster.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Most gutting of all though, Barnsley nicked a very late winner against Walsall to move five points clear of Sunderland.

It looked like the Black Cats’ main rival for that second automatic promotion spot had blown their chance to put some space between the two sides, but Jacob Brown poked home in the 92nd minute.

Of course, the Wearsiders have two games in hand on the Tykes so their fate is still under their control, but Saturday’s results heap way more pressure on Ross’ side to win their games in hand.

That late winner from Brown could ultimately be a hugely damaging setback for the Black Cats, or at least that’s what the Twitter reactions down below think…

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Derby County fans were informed about the club’s financial results from the 2017/2018 season on Tuesday and those on Twitter are absolutely delighted with them.

Rams lapped up the news as it was confirmed that Derby had made £14.6 million in profits during the year, a drastic improvement on the £7.9 million loss of the previous campaign.

The sale of Pride Park to a separate company headed by County owner Mel Morris was the real catalyst for this gain after a worrying period of financial instability for the club.

Things are looking up for the side on the pitch as well as they are in the play-off places, chasing a return to the Premier League under Frank Lampard.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

But it’s just off-the-pitch matters that supporters are concerned with at this second, with many rejoicing at the announcement and comments such as “we’re not going bust” and “Mel Morris is a true Rams legend” being thrown around Twitter.

Below is our list of the best Tweets from delighted members of the Rams army…

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West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Andriy Yarmolenko will not return to action before the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

What’s the story?

Sky Sports quotes Pellegrini as saying:

“Yarmolenko is working very well, he has no pain, he is running and kicking the ball, but maybe it will be too soon for him to play before we finish.

“The Achilles tendon is one of the worst injuries you can have because you cannot go faster, you must exercise the ligament and then wait. To play this season I don’t think would be good for him. It would be better to do a very good pre-season.”If you return after a long injury you get muscle injuries. He must be calm and wait for next season working hard, and we will see the player that we brought because he is a very good player.”

Yarmolenko has been on the sidelines since suffering a torn Achilles against Tottenham Hotspur in October, which required an operation.

It had been thought that the 29-year-old could return to action before the end of the season.

Pellegrini has provided a positive update on the 80-time Ukraine international, but has insisted that no risks will be taken with the attacker, meaning that he will not be seen in a West Ham shirt until pre-season.

How has Yarmolenko performed since arriving?

West Ham secured the services of Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund in July 2018.

He played in each of the London club’s first nine Premier League matches of the campaign, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Both of the attacker’s goals came in a 3-1 victory at Goodison Park in September and it did appear that the Ukrainian was just finding his feet before picking up the injury in the league against Spurs on October 20.

There is no question that the Hammers have missed his craft and knowhow in recent months, but having the 6 ft 2 ace fit and firing for the start of the 2019-2020 campaign will be like a new signing for the club.

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Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to some transfer news, as Chris Jack of The Evening Times delivered a huge update on three summer targets.

According to The Evening Times, Steven Gerrard still wants to bring Greg Stewart, John Souttar and Jake Hastie to Ibrox this summer.

There have been conflicting reports about the moves particularly when it comes to Hastie, who one day is set to sign on the dotted line and the next day the deal is off if the never-ending rumour mill is to be believed.

According to Jack’s report though, all three are still on Gerrard’s wish-list for the summer.

The report claims Rangers are “closing on” on a move for Stewart, who will be available for free when his contract expires this summer.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

It also states that a move for Hastie could “now be back on the cards”, while Hearts defender Souttar is still a target as well.

Loads of fans have been reacting to the news, and it seems to be a mixed response from the Ibrox faithful. Take a look at the best from Twitter down below…

All the signs are there that Leeds United could be about to enter another golden generation in terms of producing top-quality academy players.

A distinguished youth policy at the club has seen the likes of Lewis Cook, Tom Cairney and Danny Rose amongst others go onto represent clubs in the Premier League in recent years.

Upon the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa in the summer, the Whites have decided once again to prioritise homegrown players with a number of promising young talents breaking through this season. Jack Clarke, Jamie Shackleton and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have all experienced regular game time in the Championship with all three demonstrating promising signs in what is arguably England’s most competitive league.

Whereas some club’s in the second tier decide to spend abnormal amounts of money in their quest to reach the Premier League, Leeds have undeniably benefited from utilising their own academy graduates as they now find themselves within touching distance of promotion this season.

If they do overcome either Norwich City or Sheffield United in the next eight games to secure a top-two finish, Bielsa must continue to call upon homegrown players, especially when you consider just how well they are doing in the youth leagues this season.

A 2-0 win over Colchester United for the club’s under 23’s in the Professional Development League North on Monday saw the Whites secure the title ahead of the likes of Birmingham and Burnley. Even if only two or three of the players involved against the U’s breakthrough to Leeds’ first team over the coming years, it will prove that they must continue to look to their academy in the future.

Not only is it cost-efficient to bring through youth players but it can also bring immense pride to supporters of a club, especially if they are born in and around the region of the team they represent. In contrast, bringing in expensive transfers from elsewhere could easily backfire and in extreme cases create a disconnect between fans and the side they follow.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa continue to bring through academy products at Elland Road? Or would you prefer your club to spend big in the summer instead? Let us know below.

تلقى الألماني يورجن كلوب المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، نبًأ سارًا اليوم الخميس، بشأن إصابة البرازيلي أليسون بيكر حارس مرمى الريدز.

ويغيب أليسون عن مُباريات الريدز مُنذ بداية شهر أكتوبر الجاري، بسبب تعرضه لإصابة في الكتف.

وكان من المتوقع أن يعود أليسون لـ ليفربول في نهاية شهر نوفمبر القادم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: ليفربول يجهز 65 مليون جنيه إسترليني لضم بديل فان دايك

وبحسب صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية، فإن الريدز يأملون بإمكانية تواجد أليسون نهاية هذا الشهر الجاري أمام وست هام يونايتد.

وأوضحت الصحيفة أن تعافي أليسون يسير على ما يُرام، ويعتقد النادي أن بيكر سيكون قادرًا على التواجد في مباراة وست هام.

ليفربول يستقبل وست هام يوم 31 أكتوبر من الشهر الجاري على ملعب “آنفيلد”، ضمن لقاءات السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

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Leicester centre back Caglar Soyuncu is attracting the interest of Fenerbahce and could make a move to the Turkish giants on loan in the summer, according to Fotospor. But if an offer were to come in, should the Foxes allow him to depart?

What’s the word?

The 22-year-old defender has had a torrid first season in England, featuring just five times since signing for the Midlands club ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

As such, Leicester may seek to loan the player out when the transfer window opens and Fenerbahce seem to be his potential suitors.

Soyuncu had gained a promising reputation at Freiburg in the Bundesliga last campaign, so much so that Arsenal reportedly had interest in him. But his stock hasn’t exactly risen since arriving in the Premier League, with a loan move arguably the best way forward for his development.

Former Liverpool man Martin Skrtel is set to leave Fenerbahce after discussions over a new contract broke down, so Soyuncu could replace him.

Planning for the future

A move to the Turkish league may not be very attractive or fill Leicester fans with confidence for Soyuncu’s future, but a prior success story comes in the form of Jason Denayer.

He is the definition of an enigmatic defender but after having a disastrous spell with Sunderland has bounced back tremendously following a season with Galatasaray.

The former Manchester City man impressed there but has since joined Lyon and become one of their most consistent players, starring in the Champions League and particularly in a game against his old team.

Leicester can not only learn from that but in Filip Benkovic they have a proven trick that works when it comes to loans, something they should repeat with Soyuncu. Another up and coming centre back, he has benefited from a season away with Celtic and should come straight into the side when he returns to the King Power this summer.

The Foxes should follow that previous recipe in the hope that a spell away from the club for their young Turkish defender can help them prepare for when the likes of Wes Morgan and Jonny Evans move on.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have made another plea for Toby Alderweireld to sign a new contract with the club.

Alderweireld will see his current deal with Spurs expire in the summer of 2020.

A £26m release clause will come into effect at the end of the 2018-19 campaign, though, and Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move as the Red Devils prepare to improve their back four.

It does seem likely that the Belgium international will move on in this summer’s transfer window, which will be awful news for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Alderweireld stepped out inside the wonderful new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, but even that might not convince the centre-back to sign on.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…

The London club’s fans are still hopeful that will be the case, however, with a number taking to social media to plead with the former Atletico Madrid ace yet again.

A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be seen below: