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This has been a testing period for Leeds United.

After being utterly dispatched by Manchester United at Old Trafford, they bounced back brilliantly versus Burnley.

They showed various qualities that were lacking against United, demonstrating desire, togetherness and most importantly, solidity.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier kept a clean sheet, one they can take immense pride from given Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente were all out injured.

After winning, will Marcelo Bielsa make any changes? Given how much football they’re having to play at the moment it could be a distinct possibility. Here’s how we reckon Leeds should line-up when they face West Brom on Tuesday evening.

The first thing to note is that Leeds are likely to play a similar sort of formation to the one we saw at Elland Road a matter of days ago.

That means that Pascal Struijk, Kalvin Phillips and Luke Ayling make up a three-man backline once again. Llorente picked up an injury setback after returning to training last week and consequently, will miss this game.

That being said, we think that Bielsa should make as many as three changes for the clash with the Baggies. The first one to note is the return of Pablo Hernandez. Mateusz Klich was a source of frustration against the Clarets, hitting a number of attempts at goal off target. We know Hernandez can dominate against this type of opposition so he deserves a rare start.

We also think that Jack Harrison needs a rest. The Manchester City loanee has been playing at full throttle this term and after his poor day in front of goal a few days ago, needs to be taken out of the team in favour of Helder Costa.

The final change we’re tipping might be a bit of a stretch but we’ve been crying out for Leif Davis to play on the left-hand side for a few weeks. Against weaker opposition, now seems like the ideal chance to give him his first Premier League start.

Only time will tell whether Bielsa does opt for this XI.

AND in other news, Forget Traore: Leeds must swoop for “explosive” outcast who BULLIED Alioski this year…

Celtic are set to go head-to-head with another European club to sign Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie, according to reports.

Battle for McKenzie begins

According to Belgian newspaper Het Beland van Limburg (28/12 print edition, Sports page 8), Genk will look to acquire the services of the United States international in January.

They added that Blauw-Wit manager John van den Brom has confirmed that their defensive area is where they need to strengthen, with Celtic named as one of the clubs battling the Belgians for McKenzie.

Valued at £3.6m (TransferMarkt), the 21-year-old has scored twice from 59 appearances for Union and came through the ranks at the MLS side, and his form helped him to secure his debut for the national team earlier in the year.

With Shane Duffy being heavily scrutinised since his loan move from Premier League side Brighton, there could be an opportunity for the Bhoys to strengthen their defensive unit with young talent.

Transfer Tavern Verdict

McKenzie can play in any position in central defence and can also be utilised as a left-back if required. This is the sort of versatility that Neil Lennon needs in his team.

Celtic have shipped 14 goals this season, in comparison to Rangers’ five, and are 16 points off the pace to their nearest rivals (Fotmob).

With this in mind, Lennon needs to invest in his backline if wants any chance of winning 10-in-a-row and must convince chairman Peter Lawwell to do so.

In other news, Journalist criticises Celtic youngster in bizarre tirade following recent development.

Dean Smith must unleash Ross Barkley against Wolverhampton Wanderers a week on Saturday amid reports Aston Villa could welcome the Chelsea loanee back from injury.

Barkley missed the Villans’ 2-1 defeat at West Ham United on Monday night after sustaining a hamstring strain inside the opening minute of last month’s loss at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The blow was expected to see the 26-year-old miss two fixtures but could sit out just the Irons affair, after Friday’s clash with Newcastle United was postponed amid an outbreak of coronavirus at the Toon’s Darsley Park training facilities.

Smith will gain the short-term benefit of having longer to prepare for next week’s Midlands Derby with Wolves as a result of Friday’s fixture being pushed back, and could receive some welcome news once Barkley undergoes further assessments on his hamstring injury.

According to the Express and Star, there is a chance the Chelsea midfielder will be passed fit to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flying Wolves, who sit two points above the Villans in seventh ahead of visiting Premier League title-holders Liverpool on Sunday night.

Smith is mindful of the risk in rushing Barkley back from injury ahead of Villa’s packed festive schedule, which sees the Birmingham-based outfit play five games in 16 days between December 12’s derby with Wolves and a trip to Chelsea on the 28th.

Villa are hopeful scans over the next week will reveal Barkley has overcome his hamstring strain, allowing the £19.35-rated midfielder to earn his seventh Premier League start in claret and blue.

Barkley had started Villa’s last six top-flight fixtures and provided a hand in two goals (one scored, one assisted), having taken over duties in midfield from Conor Hourihane.

Smith accepts Hourihane was disappointed with being benched and left to play just 15 minutes before replacing Barkley at West Ham on Monday, but his reasoning for switching the Republic of Ireland international out for the Chelsea talent would justify doing so again at Wolves.

“Conversations can be difficult but if you’re just speaking to the players with honesty then you usually find a way through that,” Smith said, via quotes by BirminghamLive. “I wouldn’t say it’s easy but it’s part and parcel of your job.

“We’d played two, won two and Conor had come off in both games. We signed Ross and I felt we needed to go a different way against Liverpool given who we were playing against. I explained that to Conor and, yes, he was disappointed because he had been involved in the first two games, but we felt we’d brought in a real, high-calibre, different type of player.”

Smith will need to go in a different direction against Wolves than he did against West Ham, with Hourihane offering no tackles, interceptions, clearances, aerial duels won, dribbles attempted or key balls at the London Stadium while directing one of his two shots off target, per WhoScored.

Barkley, meanwhile, continues to rank highest among the Villans’ midfielders for his number of successful dribbles (2.18), shots taken (2.0), key passes (3.09) and second-most final third passes (14.55) per 90 minutes in the Premier League, per SofaScore, despite his injury.

AND in other news, Dean Smith must demand more from his “erratic” £75,000-per-week Aston Villa favourite.

Speaking to Football Insider, Sky Sports pundit Noel Whelan has been wowed by Spurs and how strong they have been without Christian Eriksen – going on to drop a claim that they may not need him after all following rumours of a return. 

The Dane, who left north London for the San Siro last January after a long transfer saga, is struggling for game time under Antonio Conte in Serie A – resulting in reports suggesting he could look to leave.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Tottenham are interested in taking Eriksen back, with news emerging recently that the transfer is definitely possible.

However, as explained by Romano, Spurs won’t be able to bring him back on loan due to Inter’s unwillingness, but they could in fact secure a permanent deal. 

Eriksen claim dropped by Whelan

Whelan, speaking to Football Insider, has gone against the grain with Eriksen – claiming that Tottenham are in fact stronger without the playmaker and outcast Dele Alli.

“The defence isn’t the best but they are still good players,” explained the Sky pundit.

“This is a team that will score lots of goals. I can’t believe how they can freeze out Dele Alli and sell Christian Eriksen and be even stronger.”

Transfer Tavern take

While manager Jose Mourinho benefitted from a stellar transfer window, securing seven marquee signings including a return for club hero Gareth Bale, landing Eriksen would arguably be the icing on the cake.

Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso have been utilised in a more central attacking midfield role, but having Eriksen back would gift Spurs that extra creative spark.

In other news: Levy could bag this ‘massive signing’ in January, find out more here. 

Tottenham Hotspur have signed young centre-back Maksim Paskotsi on a three-year deal according to the official website of the player’s former club FC Flora Tallinn.

According to Estonian outlet soccernet, the 17-year-old had initially travelled to Hotspur Way to complete a trial period with the club in August and it seems he did enough to convince the north London outfit to secure his services.

He will now join up with Spurs’ youth academy and could compete in the U18 Premier League for them in the upcoming campaign. Speaking about the move, Paskotsi said: “I can’t describe how happy I am right now! It’s a very difficult, but also a powerful step in my career.”

Predominantly a centre-back, Paskotsi has played a total of 69 games for FC Flora at various different age levels, including two appearances for their senior team in the Eesti Karikas. In that time he has also shown versatility, having played a variety of other roles including defensive midfield, central midfield and right-back (Transfermarkt).

He has some international pedigree too, having represented Estonia’s under-16 team on five occasions before going on to play a further 12 games for the under-17’s.

Whilst this isn’t a signing that will immediately have an impact on the first team, there is clearly some potential there given his 17 youth caps and the fact that he also went on trial with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

Tottenham will hope that he now knuckles down and impresses in their academy. If he does that then who knows, he could be another talented prospect to emerge from the Spurs youth into the senior team, following in the footsteps of the likes of Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Ledley King.

Spurs fans, what do you make of this signing? Let us know in the comments below…

The England under-21s’ victory over Austria on Tuesday night may have gone under the radar somewhat amid the senior team’s tepid goalless draw away to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League, but the match in Ried is one which Tariq Lamptey will remember for some time.

The Brighton right-back was given his England under-21 debut in the 2-1 win in Austria, with goals from Eddie Nketiah and Ben Godfrey taking Aidy Boothroyd’s side closer to qualification for next year’s European Under-21 Championship.

Lamptey played an important role in the win, making a timely block to deny Patrick Schmidt when the Barnsley youngster looked set to open the scoring in the first half (as per thefa.com).

After the match, the 19-year-old took to Instagram (via

/CE7QOg5Brhr/”>@tariq_lamptey) to reflect with happiness on making his Young Lions bow.

Unsurprisingly, several of Lamptey’s England colleagues offered their congratulations, as did many of his 125,000 followers. Brighton’s team-mates Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mat Ryan also expressed their delight with the youngster’s debut, with the Iran winger hailing him as a “baller” and the goalkeeper saying that the call-up was “deserved”.

Since leaving Chelsea in January, the teenager has carved out a regular place at right-back in Graham Potter’s first team at the Amex Stadium, making seven starts towards the end of last season and earning plaudits from his manager, team-mates and pundits alike.

Brighton sanctioned the departures of two right-backs in Ezequiel Schelotto and Martin Montoya in the summer transfer window, a clear sign that Lamptey is seen as the answer in that position for the foreseeable future.

If he can pick up where he left off in 2019/20, the 19-year-old is a strong contender to make England’s squad for next year’s European Under-21 Championship finals – and senior caps may even be within reach if he maintains his impressive progress.

Brighton fans, were you delighted to see Lamptey making his England under-21 debut in midweek? Comment below with your views!

Greg Docherty is reportedly on the verge of joining Hull City from Glasgow Rangers.

Steven Gerrard has already confirmed that the player is in talks with the Tigers and it is now up to the 23-year-old himself to decide whether he wants to make the move to the English League One outfit. Signed from Hamilton in 2018 for the fee of £671,000, he managed just 19 appearances at Ibrox, with him now set to be sold for just £400,000.

Docherty managed six assists during his 19 games for the 54-time Scottish champions – far from a poor return – and he did well with both Shrewsbury and Hibernian on loan, managing 13 strikes and 16 assists in 58 matches during those two spells. Therefore, the apparent £400,000 fee seems quite low.

Many ‘Gers supporters are far from happy with the reported fee – one even called it “ridiculously bad” – and they have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts. You can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below:

‘Gers fans, are you annoyed by the transfer fee for Docherty? Let us know what you think by commenting below!

This article forms part of our Total Duds feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how bad a deal the club got.

When Jermaine Pennant arrived at Wolverhampton Wanderers on a loan deal from Stoke City on the 12th October 2012, perhaps a lot more was expected of him given that he had played for the likes of Arsenal, Leeds United, Liverpool and Portsmouth.

The West Midlands outfit’s chief executive at the time Jez Moxey even lauded the signing when it happened, describing him as a ‘high-quality’ addition, as per the BBC.

However, the 37-year old was arguably far from that as he only managed to score one goal and make just two assists after featuring in just 15 games in the EFL Championship (via returning back to Stoke after less than three months at Molineux.

Between the period that he was at Wolves, the Englishman’s market value dropped from £3.15 million to £2.25 million, further highlighting his lack of worth at the club.

For a man that was once worth £9.45 million during his time at Anfield, his market value continued to plummet until he retired after further spells at Wigan Athletic and Bury.

The ex-winger made a total of 408 appearances at club level in all competitions in his career, scoring 21 goals and assisting 52 times, as he also managed to win an FA Cup during his time with the Gunners, according to Transfermarkt.

WWFC were eventually relegated from the Championship in the 2012/13 season, finishing second from bottom on 51 points in the table, and it is perhaps safe to say that the former England youth international was no worth to them during his short spell.

Wolves fans, what is your worst memory of Pennant? Comment below!

Manchester United have been given a major boost in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz as Bayern Munich are already out of the race. 

Earlier this month, Manchester Evening News reported Havertz is open to a move to Old Trafford, amid interest from Chelsea.

According to SportBild, as relayed by The Daily Mail, Bayern have no intentions of matching Leverkusen’s £70m valuation and have turned their attentions to Manchester City’s Leroy Sane instead.

The Bundesliga champions’ decision has paved the way for United and Chelsea to make a move for one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

Although the Blues have taken the plunge by closing in on the signing of RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, the Red Devils are hot on their rival’s heels as plans are now in motion.

The Premier League clubs had begun planning for a long-term rebuild before the nationwide lockdown was imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic in March.

ESPN claims Man United have money to spend in the summer and Ed Woodward is expected to take full advantage of these unprecedented circumstances where player values are expected to plummet as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Taking his place in the first team, the 21-year-old has developed quite a reputation at the BayArena, as he has scored 11 goals and created 5 assists in 23 games for Peter Bosz’s side this season, taking 1.9 shots per game, averaging 2.1 key passes and completing 2 dribbles on average (via WhoScored).

Off the back of these performances, it is hardly surprising Havertz has attracted attention from a number of European giants.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has indicated he wants to add to the growing pool of youth talent at the Theatre of Dreams and the youngster is at the top of his shortlist.

However, the Red Devils are also the front-runners to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, and it is hard to imagine the board will be available, given the current economic climate.

Indeed, it is worth highlighting the fact that Sancho is valued at a whopping £105.3m and Die Werkself are asking for £70m for his German counterpart.

Solskjaer clearly has a difficult decision to make and fans will have to wait and see what signings can be made in these uncertain times.

United fans, do you think the board should sign Kai Havertz in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!

With the league title all sewn up, one would imagine that Liverpool might take their foot off the gas for the remaining few games of the season.

While the Reds weren’t at their brilliant best during the 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday, the desire to win was still as strong as ever.

Unfortunately, that manifested itself in quite a negative way after the final whistle at Anfield as Andy Robertson was caught on camera giving the referee a dressing down, using some rather colourful language while lambasting the official.

Watch Liverpool Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

With no crowd in the stadium, it was very easy to hear exactly what the Scot thought of David Coote’s performance on Saturday, and it’s fair to say that he wasn’t full of praise for him.

Robertson was clearly aggrieved that his side didn’t get a penalty in the second half, and he let his emotions get the better of him.

Understandably, the wider footballing world has taken issue with Robertson’s behaviour, with many calling for him to be banned, while others branded him as disrespectful.

The critics certainly have a point.

Football is an emotive sport, especially at the top level, but Liverpool have already won the league, and while this sort of reaction may have been slightly more justified had Coote’s failure to award the Reds a penalty have cost them the title, Roberston’s tirade just came across as immature and over the top on this occasion.

The left-back wasn’t the only man to confront the officials after the game.

The clip also shows Jurgen Klopp having a word with the referee, and while he kept his cool more than Robertson did, some viewers still weren’t happy to see the German talking to the officials, with many pointing towards other managers who’ve received sanctions for similar behaviour.