All posts by h716a5.icu

Leeds United could soon return to action following the Premier League’s official announcement that they will restart their season on June 17th.

It is expected that Championship clubs will follow suit and resume full-contact training next week but there’s no news on when players will be back out on the field with only nine games remaining.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has given his thoughts in a recent Q&A where he claims that they’ll either start on June 19th/20th – the same weekend as the PL – or at the very latest the week after.

He said:

This comes as major encouragement to those at Elland Road as it seemingly means their pursuit of the title is going to be decided by their actions out on the pitch rather than using a points-per-game system – or at worst, voiding the campaign.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side occupy top spot with a seven-point advantage to the playoff positions, so arguably only West Brom stand in their way – a side they have already played both home and away.

A true test for any Leeds fan: Can you match these iconic images with the right results?

AND in other news, Leeds could transform their attack with move for PL outcast…

Manchester United v Manchester City: The Manchester derby is one of those games that demands everybody’s attention, regardless of your footballing affiliation.

When City play United, it’s a game that is likely to decide the Premier League title, or, at the very least, bring out a scrap or two.

Here, Football FanCast takes a look at five of the most unforgettable moments from these magical games…

Silva’s gold

True genius is just not about aptitude and application. It’s also about timing. For a player who carpet-slippers sumptuous passes for a living to enact his finest example of them all at Old Trafford with City 5-1 up and their hated neighbours already beaten down into humiliation reveals – as if a reveal were even necessary – that David Silva is simply different class.

A quirky control of a Joleon Lescott hoof that is nodded down into his path pings the ball into the air. Waiting for gravity to do its work affords the Spaniard a second to spy Edin Dzeko prowling into space with two United defenders acting as guiders for the cushioned volley to follow.

The execution of it is so sublime it regresses grown men back to childhood.

A shinner winner?

Should anyone be foolish enough to belittle the deeply entrenched rivalry of derby games they need only speak to City supporters about Wayne Rooney’s magnificent over-head winner in 2006.

For them this picture-perfect study in acrobatic ferocity was, is, and will always remain nothing more than a fortunate ‘shinner’ due to the ball connecting with the United striker’s ankle area rather than boot.

Derbies defy logic, reasoning, and due appreciation and long may that always be the case.

Neville feeds the Goat

On November 9th 2002 Alex Ferguson’s aristocratic United made the short journey across town for the last ever derby held at Maine Road.

Boasting seven Premier League titles and a Champions League this was an all-Manchester affair that was a very different animal to the ones we see today and despite Kevin Keegan’s assembling of an exciting City side the Reds were clear favourites.

There was an awful lot to greatly admire about United of this era but for Blues there was also a great deal to despise and in Gary Neville they had a teacher’s pet hate-figure who seemed to represent every negative.

It was somewhat apt then that the decisive mistake that determined this fixture came from the dithering of Neville and better yet it ‘fed’ Shaun Goater, a beloved cult icon of the Kippax.

Owen leaves it very late

Not every game has its own Wikipedia page. This one does and frankly there is a book to be written on the astonishing drama that played out on September 20th 2009. Even without Michael Owen’s 97th minute winner it would have gone down as a stonewall classic of the genre with City pegging back the hosts three times, the latter occasion a last-minute equaliser by Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy was also in the thick of things late on when he struck a fan who invaded the pitch.

City sub Javier Garrido, meanwhile, was reportedly hit by a coin as he walked off at half-time while Alex Ferguson and Gary Neville made no bones about taunting the away end on the final whistle, each risking the FA’s wrath.

This was not, it’s is fair to state, a derby for the faint-hearted.

Yet really it was all about Owen’s contentious clincher. City later questioned where the extra minutes came from. United simply didn’t care.

Impeccable in mourning

When it was widely realised that the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster coincided with the weekend of a Manchester derby the media whipped up an imagined storm in 2007 about the possibility of Blues disrupting the planned minute’s silence.

The scaremongering was a disrespectful underestimation of City and the city itself.

Blues to a man, woman and child were impeccable that day – as too, of course, were United – as Manchester came together to pay their respects to their lost sons.

Plenty of Newcastle fans have implored the club to secure a permanent deal for “legend” Jetro Willems after the on-loan defender indicated that he wanted to stay with the Magpies.

When asked the question “What do you want?” on Twitter, the Dutchman replied (via @JetroWillems_15): “To sign and play for NUFC”, a response which prompted numerous Geordies to make the same request. In a previous tweet, the 26-year-old said: “I think its more a question for the club if they want me back”.

Willems is at St James’ Park on a season-long loan from Eintracht Frankfurt and he is currently due to return to Germany over the summer unless the Magpies take up their option to buy him permanently. The right-back had been a regular in Steve Bruce’s first XI, with two goals and two assists in 19 Premier League appearances, prior to suffering a season-ending cruciate ligament injury against Chelsea in January. He had averaged an impressive 1.9 successful tackles per game in his time at Newcastle, as well as recording a match average of 1.1 completed dribbles (as per WhoScored).

These Magpies supporters called on the club to sign him permanently amid the impending takeover from the Amanda Staveley-led consortium:

Newcastle fans, do you think the club should sign Willems on a permanent deal in the coming months? Have your say by commenting below!

Although Aston Villa will be vying to rectify the form that has seen them slide to 17th in the Premier League table, the newly-promoted side will be doing so without significant impetus in January – according to Gregg Evans.

These fans have been making their feelings clear that failure to sign a striker could be damning for the club’s prospects of retaining their place in the top-flight.

Despite Villa signing Wesley Moraes from Club Brugges for a club-record fee in the summer transfer window, the Brazilian has, at times, struggled to adapt to the rigours of English football despite scoring four goals in his first 12 league starts.

This has led to a number of fans from the West Midlands outfit claiming that the club should be looking at signing a striker in January in a bid to ensure that relegation does not become an increasingly prominent concern, with the news from Evans of The Athletic causing quite the reaction on social media.

Here are some of the responses following the republishing of Evans’ claims, with a number of fans focusing on the front-man issue…

According to a recent report from the BBC, Crystal Palace are interested in a January move for striker Cenk Tosun. The Turkey international currently plays his football at fellow Premier League outfit Everton and has done so since January last year, although struggles for regular game time under new Toffees manager Marco Silva has plunged his future at Goodison Park into huge doubt.

And a recent report from the BBC suggests that Roy Hodgson’s Eagles are eyeing up a loan move for the 27-year-old this month as they seek to bolster their striking ranks, with a move to Selhurst Park potentially what’s needed to reignite Tosun’s flailing Premier League career.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the £18 million-rated star (as per Transfermarkt) made the move to Goodison Park 12 months ago as former Everton boss Sam Allardyce sought the answer to his side’s striking woes, and Tosun certainly started well on Merseyside with five goals in 14 Premier League appearances in the second half of last season.

And with two goals and two assists in his first nine games of this term under new Toffees chief Silva, the 27-year-old looked set to play a part in the 41-year-old’s revolution of things at Goodison Park, although those numbers certainly mask the problems Tosun had in converting plenty of chances into goals.

And once the goals dried up around November, the Turkish star has found regular football hard to come by since with just one Premier League start since the middle of the September – and in a team which doesn’t play with a natural number nine in Richarlison, that is a damning indictment of just how unconvinced Silva is in the 27-year-old’s ability.

However, his start to life in English football, alongside his excellent goal-scoring record at Besiktas, simply cannot and should not be ignored, with a fresh start at Hodgson’s Palace perhaps what’s needed to get Tosun’s Premier League career going.

Ultimately, the Eagles are in dire need of striking reinforcements heading into the second half of the season given they have netted just 23 times in their 23 Premier League games this term, with their top goal-scorers being Luka Milivojevic and Andros Townsend with six in all competitions, neither of whom are strikers.

In fact, their top-scoring striker this term is Jordan Ayew with a paltry three to highlight just how much of a struggle things have been in the final third, but with Townsend and star man Wilfried Zaha in the side, it surely only requires someone in the right place at the right time to put the ball in the back of the net – Tosun is that man.

Not only did he start well in England last year, but the 27-year-old earned a move to Everton as a result of his brilliant goal-scoring exploits at Besiktas, for whom he bagged 64 goals in just 142 appearances to help them to back-to-back Super Lig titles during his time at the club.

And with that predatory instinct in the 18-yard box, Tosun could be exactly what Palace need to turn their territory into goals – and a fresh start at Selhurst Park could be exactly what Tosun himself needs to finally get his Premier League career going.

Palace fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Here are the top footballers who are without clubs and are available for free after the window shut around Europe

With the likes of Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, David de Gea and several other high-profile footballers out of contract, GOAL takes a look at the players who are available to sign for free following the closure of the summer transfer window.

(C)Getty imagesEden Hazard

Real Madrid announced that Eden Hazard will leave the club at the end of the 2022-23 season after agreeing to terminate his contract a year early The Belgium international had a miserable time in Madrid after joining the club from Chelsea in 2019, and has spent the summer weighing up new challenges.

However, while he remains available to clubs, reports suggest the 32-year-old is seriously considering retirement after a series of fitness issues have plagued him.

Advertisement(C)Getty imagesSergio Ramos

Former Real Madrid captain and multiple Champions League winner, Sergio Ramos did not reach an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain club over an extension after an injury-ridden spell at the club.

Ramos is one of the most decorated centre-backs in the history of the game. He captained Real Madrid during their historic European three-peat, has won the Euros twice and was an important part of Spain's 2010 World Cup winning squad. The 37-year-old was voted in UEFA's Team of the Year nine times.

GettyDavid de Gea

David de Gea left Manchester United in the summer of 2023 after the club decided against extending his contract. The Spaniard is currently without a club after spending more than a decade at the Theatre of Dreams. He was one of the few members remaining from the Sir Alex Ferguson-era.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesRoberto Pereyra

Roberto Pereyra is without a club this summer after three years at Udinese. The 32-year-old Argentine won the Serie A title twice during his time at Juventus and was crowned Coppa Italia winner two times as well.

He spent four years at Watford before moving back to Udinese and played a pivotal part at both the clubs. He scored 15 times in his 96 appearances at Udinese in all competitions during his second spell.

Dietmar Hamann insists he does not have a "feud" with Jurgen Klopp, after suggesting Liverpool could sack his compatriot last season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Hamann claimed Klopp was under pressureAdmits he has been surprised by Reds' formSays he has no onrunning feud with the managerWHAT HAPPENED?

Hamann claimed last season that Klopp risked facing the sack as the Reds faced up to the reality of not qualifying for the Champions League. Instead, the Reds retained their faith in the German tactician and have gone on to lose just one of their opening seven league games; they are currently fourth, three points behind leaders Tottenham.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Hamann has now attempted to bury the hatchet, insisting that he has been surprised by the club's start to the season and their fine form under Klopp. As a result, he admits that he has been proved wrong.

WHAT THEY SAID

Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, Hamann said: "I don't have a feud with Klopp. I think he responded to something I said last season, but I wouldn't say we're feuding! I wasn't sure if he was the right man in the summer, I have to say, due to their poor season. Liverpool finished the season really well and almost got back into the Champions League, but I wasn't sure last summer because Klopp has been there for a long time and the club needed a rebuild."

Hamann has also been impressed with the state of Liverpool's rebuild; they brought in the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo to refresh their midfield. He added: "Liverpool let a lot of players go and they probably missed out on one or two players, like (Eduardo) Camavinga and (Aurelien) Tchouameni, who would've been huge signings. They had to get rid of six or seven players to build their new midfield. I can't remember a team doing that and being successful straight away. I was very cautious earlier on in the season, but I'm very impressed with the team and Klopp himself. He said he still had a fire in him and he'll go again, and I didn't expect the start they've had."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Liverpool face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road this weekend, fresh from knocking Bournemouth out of the Carabao Cup.

The midfielder made his United debut aged 17 and will be one of the players to watch during the Red Devils' pre-season campaign

The FA Youth Cup has been the launching pad for many successful Manchester United careers, and everyone who followed the team's run to the 2022 trophy talked about two players in particular. It was difficult to ignore Alejandro Garnacho, who finished as United's top scorer, firing the Under-18s to glory with two goals in the final against Nottingham Forest. But behind him was the more unassuming yet equally influential Kobbie Mainoo, who orchestrated United's play from deep and held everything together.

Garnacho galvanised big crowds at Old Trafford with his talismanic displays in the Youth Cup and has catapulted himself into the hearts of the wider United support with a stunning breakthrough season in 2022-23. The Argentine is a star in the making and loves the limelight.

Mainoo is a very different character, but albeit at a steadier pace, he is following in Garnacho's footsteps into Erik ten Hag's side. After getting his first taste of first-team football last season with a smattering of appearances, the 18-year-old will be one of the players to watch in United's pre-season campaign, which begins on Wednesday against Leeds in Norway and will take the team across the United States.

Getty'He's a cracker'

Mentioning Mainoo's name to anyone around United generally provokes a huge grin. There is tangible excitement about the 18-year-old's progress and what he could achieve with the club. "He’s a cracker, he really is," a club source tells GOAL. "Balance, movement, doesn't panic under pressure. Out of the lot who won the Youth Cup, him and Alejandro were always going to be the ones [to make it].

"He'll definitely be around the first-team squad next season or he'll be playing first-team football somewhere on loan. And he'll knock it out the park. He’s such a big lad. He's got balance, movement, he doesn't panic under pressure. He’s superb."

It might sound strange for Mainoo to be described as big. He stands at just 5'9 (175cm), making him the same height as Lisandro Martinez. But he compensates with remarkable physical strength honed in the gym after being encouraged to bulk up by coaches.

AdvertisementThriving in older age groups

Mainoo was born in Stockport to Ghanaian parents. He often returns to Ghana to visit family, but he is an England Under-19 international and wants to represent the Three Lions at senior level.

He was discovered by United while playing for Cheadle and Gatley Junior Club, and became part of the club's academy aged nine, though he continued to represent his local club until he was 12. United encourage their youngsters to keep up their normal football activities as they want to promote a healthy childhood. The club believes United can be a great addition to a player's childhood, but should not define it.

Mainoo was encouraged to train with older age groups to test himself and get more experience, and he was one of the youngest players in the Youth Cup team, beginning the campaign when he was 16. He still started all six games in the cup run and was one of the most important players forU18s coach Travis Binnion.

GettyTesting himself all across midfield

Mainoo played as a No.6 under Binnion, but last season for the U21s he was tasked with playing all over midfield, as a No.8 and as a No.10. He has even played on the wing. The idea was to give him as much experience and confidence in different roles, as that will make him more equipped to come off the bench for Ten Hag's side.

"His talent is so high they'll push him around, try him in different positions play him on wings to give him that technical challenge," explains another club source. "In the first-team central midfield is such a competitive position, if you’re going to come off the bench often it might be on the wing for 10 minutes, so if he’s used to doing it in the U21s then it’s easier to do it at Old Trafford as and when he needs to.

"He would define himself as a No.6 but he may end up being a No.8 or a No.10. It's not fully defined what his best position is, but if you asked him he’d say No.6 or No.8."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyEnhancing his reputation in Spain

While Garnacho joined United's first team on their pre-season tour of Australia last year, Mainoo stayed in Manchester. But he remained in Ten Hag's thoughts, and was named on the substitutes' bench for the Premier League game against Newcastle in October.

He didn't get on the pitch, but the fact he was called into the squad for such an important game was an indication of how highly Ten Hag thought of him. Mainoo then joined the first team on their training camp in southern Spain in December during the World Cup, along with a number of his FA Youth Cup-winning team-mates.

The trip might not have seemed like a success on some levels. It was supposed to be a warm weather training camp but it rained throughout, while United lost both their friendly matches, against Cadiz and Real Betis. But for Mainoo it was a big success, and he scored in the 4-2 defeat against Cadiz, returning to Manchester with his reputation enhanced.

The Cityzens are out to match the Red Devils' historic achievement from 1999 over the next fortnight, but which side has the better players?

Manchester United became the first English team to win the treble of the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999, writing their names forever into football history. But their noisy neighbours, Manchester City, are out to steal their thunder and are now just two matches away from matching that achievement.

City chased down Arsenal to win a third consecutive Premier League title with three games to spare and are odds-on to win the Champions League final against Inter after destroying Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages.

So United's best hope of stopping City's treble will likely be in their own hands when they face their arch rivals in the FA Cup final. Just as United stopped Liverpool from doing the treble in 1977 by beating the Merseysiders at Wembley, they can become treble-busters once more by beating Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday.

But which was the better team, Sir Alex Ferguson's thrilling Class of '99 or Guardiola's all-conquering team of 2023? GOAL picks our combined XI ahead of Saturday's showdown…

GettyGK: Peter Schmeichel

Schmeichel was a gigantic presence and made the goal feel smaller to opponents. He was instrumental to the treble win, making two big saves in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, turning away a Dennis Bergkamp penalty in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal and repeatedly getting United out of jail in their run to the title.

The Dane did not have the ball playing ability of Ederson – although he did score a couple of goals himself over the course of his career – but he gets the nod for his knack for making jaw-dropping saves and being a more intimidating presence than the Brazilian.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Kyle Walker

Walker is one of the best full-backs in the world at running back to sweep away the danger, making him a valuable asset to any attacking-minded team. He faced a period out of the starting XI earlier this year and had to endure some fierce criticism from Pep Guardiola about his abilities, but he has fought his way back into the team at the crucial stage of the season, and in both legs against Real Madrid he had Vinicius Junior in his pocket, while also producing a defensive masterclass in the title showdown with Arsenal.

Walker also remains England's first-choice despite fierce competition. That is the key difference between him and Gary Neville, who had few rivals for his place at right-back for club and country.

Getty ImagesCB: John Stones

Stones has always stood out for his ability on the ball and his skill at playing out from the back is what compelled Guardiola to sign him as soon as he landed in Manchester. The defender has faced difficult spells at City, but he is once more a crucial part of the team and enjoying a new lease of life in his seventh year with the club in the hybrid role of holding midfielder and defender.

He can also play at right-back if needs be while he makes City even better in possession when he steps up into midfield. And he has scored his fair share of stunning goals to boot.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyCB: Jaap Stam

The Dutchman was one of three crucial signings in the summer of 1998 and gave United's defence a much-needed physical boost. He was a towering presence, excellent at defending one-v-one and also talented on the ball.

Stam was pivotal to the team's success in 1998-99 and the two subsequent title wins. It is no coincidence that when he was forced out by Ferguson in 2001 and sold to Lazio, United surrendered their crown to Arsenal. Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam was one of the biggest mistakes he made in his 27 years in charge.

Learn how to do the best football skills made famous by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar…

If you have been a football fan all your life, at some point or the other you may have thought about pulling off skills on the field.

Football skills are one of the major attractions of the sport, loved by the young and the old alike. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Johan Cryuff, George Best and Neymar have all contributed to the list of top football skills available for you to check out and learn.

Have you ever wanted to know how a certain skill is performed by footballers? Here, GOAL lists the best football skills in the world right now and helps you learn how to perform them.

GettyThe Roulette / Maradona Turn / Zidane Pirouette

As a clever move for quickly getting past an incoming challenge, the Roulette is a valuable skill to have in your catalogue. However, it is not exactly common to see it on the field due to the spatial awareness needed to pull off this move elegantly.

The Roulette, a skill which also goes by names like the Maradona Turn, Zidane Pirouette, spin and 360, requires you to neatly execute three steps.

How to do the Roulette skillWhen the defender gets close, stop the ball with your feet and drag it back with your dominant foot.Turn 180 degrees so that your back is now facing the defender.Use the other feet to take the ball past the defender and complete the 360 degree turn.

Check out the video below and practice.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Cruyff Turn

When you talk about skills and technique in football, Johan Cruyff is one of the first names that pops up.

His famous Cruyff turn is a feast to the eyes when players pull it off during the game.

How to do the Cruyff turnWhen one leg is alongside the ball, knock the ball behind with the other foot.Turn to face the direction in which you knocked the ball and get away from your marker.GettyRabona

The famous Rabona kick in football is believed by some to be first popularised by the legend Pele in the 1950s. It has since then became an iconic move and one that is popular among professional footballers.

The likes of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard have all played their part in making it a good-looking skill close to the goal in modern football.

How to do the RabonaPlant your weaker foot (or the foot you don't intend to kick the ball with) firmly on the ground, facing in the direction you want to kick and a few inches away from the ballLean back slightly and wrap your other foot behind your planted foot.Bend both knees slightly to allow for better control and kick the ball with the outside of your boot for maximum impact.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyElastico

Elastico is a thrilling skill move, made famous by Brazi star Ronaldinho during his peak years.

When done right, it allows you to quickly skip past the defender in front of you. This move is also especially useful you are stationary and is looking to launch yourselves into a dribble.

How to do the ElasticoElastico is made up of two quick touches. Use the tip of the outside of your boot to caress the inside of the ball.Keep the ball close to your boot as you move your boot to the outside of the boot while the ball spins.After the ball makes an initial move to the right because you moved your boot, quickly push the ball in the opposite direction with the inside of your boot to end up 'faking' a pass or a move.