Tottenham have been handed a huge boost ahead of their epic Champions League showdown against Borussia Dortmund, as Harry Kane is in line to return for the second leg.
So what’s the word?
While he certainly will not be available for selection on Wednesday night, Kane should be fit for the trip to Signal Iduna Park in three weeks, reports The Telegraph.
In fact, the report claims Kane’s recovery from an ankle injury sustained last month has been “remarkable”, and he is even eyeing a return in the trip to Burnley.
The Lilywhites take on the Clarets at Turf Moor on February 23, before facing both Chelsea and Arsenal within the following week.
Then comes the trip to Germany for the second leg, by which time Kane is expected to be fully fit.
The Telegraph’s report also claims Dele Alli should be fit for the Champions League decider.
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What’s the impact?
Well, not much needs saying on the boost Kane and Alli’s returns will bring in terms of individual performance, as both players’ qualities are unquestionable.
However, what may fly under the radar is the flexibility that their returns will offer Mauricio Pochettino, especially in the trip to Dortmund, where just one goal could decide the path of the rest of the season.
European away ties are unlike anything else, and soaking up pressure and playing on the counter-attack is now a real possibility for Pochettino against a Dortmund side that do tend to leave themselves exposed when they pour numbers forward.
With Kane up front, Alli and Heung-min Son just behind him and Christian Eriksen pinging balls from deep in a 4-3-3 formation, Spurs have all the tools to drop a counter-attacking master-class in the second leg to secure progression to the quarter-finals.
It can often take a while for a new signing to assimilate to his new surroundings. Met with a new club, new teammates, and a new culture; it’s rarely just a case of feeling comfortable immediately. However, in the case of Virgil van Dijk, the transition was seamless.
Following his move to Liverpool from Southampton, van Dijk didn’t need any time to adjust, with the Dutchman immediately looking settled on Merseyside. Both on the field and off of it, he has displayed maturity and ability, and very quickly he’s made his transfer fee look like a steal on the part of Liverpool.
Reds will be enjoying every second of their time with van Dijk at the heart of the defence, and it seems that if the 27-year-old gets his wish, they’ll be able to enjoy him for a long while yet.
Van Dijk has recently been involved in an interview with BBC Sport, and he’s revealed exactly what he hopes will come of his time at Liverpool.
Asked how he would like to be remembered at Anfield, he said: ‘As a legend of Liverpool. I want to achieve amazing things here. We have a fantastic squad, we have everything, we have all the tools.’
He continued: ‘When you play for this club, you’ll always be welcome as you’ve been part of the family. It’s one of the reasons I definitely wanted to play for the club.’
It seems as though the defender wants to enjoy a long and fruitful career at Anfield, and that’s fantastic news for the club.
Of course, van Dijk was never going to come to Liverpool and move on quickly. It was immediately clear that he was the sort of player that Jurgen Klopp would look to build around. However, top players often have dreams of playing for teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona, and this can often require them to use clubs as stepping stones to reach a higher goal.
However, in the case of van Dijk, it looks like he’s already achieved his dream of playing for his ideal club; and now it’s all about maximising his time there.
Certainly, van Dijk is well on the way to earning the legendary status that he craves. He’s been one of the signings of the decade, and no single recruit at Anfield has made such an unbelievable impact in recent memory – even Mohammed Salah.
Of course, nothing will improve his legacy more than by helping lead Liverpool’s charge to the Premier League title. Trophies have been preciously few and far between at Anfield in recent years; and so if this Liverpool squad manage to bring some silverware to the club, they’ll earn their place in the history books at Anfield. And van Dijk’s name will be up in lights at the top, given his influence.
[ad_pod ]Leeds could be handed a big fitness boost in the next couple of weeks, as Phil Hay has delivered an update on the condition of Jack Clarke.Leeds have had horrific luck with injuries this season, made even worse by the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad was relatively thin to begin with.Clarke became the latest man on the injury list at Middlesbrough, as the youngster was stretchered from the Leeds sideline during the 1-1 draw at the Riverside.Clarke was taken to hospital for tests, and it is now understood that he was suffering from a virus.According to The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay, the teenager will do indoor gym work this week and return to outdoor training next week, though not yet with the first team.
A boost before the Baggies
While Clarke still has plenty of recovery time in front of him, the fact that he is looking to shake it off and return as quickly as possible is fantastic news for Bielsa.
Kemar Roofe is out with a knee injury and Pablo Hernandez will turn 34 in April and has played a lot of games this season, so depth is absolutely crucial as the Whites look to keep pace with the teams around them.
Clarke’s ability to beat a defender and whip in a dangerous cross is matched by very few wingers in the Championship, and while next Tuesday’s clash against QPR may come too soon, he is surely eyeing the hugely important fixtue at the start of next month.
Leeds welcome West Brom to Elland Road on March 1 in a match that could ultimately decide who goes up automatically and who endures the play-off gauntlet, and Clarke’s potential return will be giving the Baggies’ full-backs nightmares.
Crystal Palace fell to a gutting 2-1 defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals Brighton on Saturday, with the result meaning that both clubs are now level on points with eight games to go.
The Seagulls had one real opportunity to score – Anthony Knockaert’s winner simply cannot be called a chance – and took advantage, with former Eagle Glenn Murray capitalising on a combination of swirling wind and poor judgement on James Tomkins’ part to get in behind and fire clinically beyond a helpless Vicente Guaita.
The aforementioned clinching goal scored by Knockaert was a result of a breakdown of Palace possession in the final third and an excellently picked out pass out to the wing from Dale Stephens, who then watched his French teammate beat Patrick van Aanholt far too easily and offload a postage-stamp strike into the top corner from outside the box.
Roy Hodgson’s side took their time to build up and create chances while Brighton won the ball back and had it in their opposition’s net merely seconds later.
Chris Hughton’s men soaked up pressure excellently and looked to hit their hosts on the counter wherever possible – it worked, and the Seagulls beat Palace at their own game.
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Prior to the loss, the Eagles had torn Burnley apart at Turf Moor in a stellar away performance where the Clarets were the aggressors – as the home side often are – and Palace were dangerous every time they got the ball forward with speed.
The impressive victory was far from a fluke, though, as Palace’s form away from Selhurst Park is up there with the top teams in 2019, whereas their record at SE25 this season if woeful.
The defeat to Brighton was their eighth of the campaign at home and the loss will surely serve as an indicator to everyone at and involved with Palace that there is a clear need for a classic number 10 in the ranks when they aren’t afforded space for counter-attacks.
Now, Max Meyer may seem to be a ready-made solution but the young German often doesn’t get his head up quick enough to find the killer pass and, by the time he does, the opposition midfield or defence is on him like a pack of wolves – at 5-foot-7, the former Schalke man doesn’t have the physical attributes to keep the ball.
Meyer has wasted his opportunities when deployed in his preferred central role this season and looks far more effective in a wider position, where he is allowed to drift in – he isn’t the player to resolve Palace’s struggles in breaking down deep-sat opposition.
Hodgson currently seems to prefer Luka Milivojevic as his playmaker in chief, with the two central midfielders ahead of the Palace captain expected to make runs into the box off of Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha – really, they should be teeing up the aforementioned duo instead.
This approach was extremely ineffective against the Seagulls, whose banks of four and five swamped the Palace runners and made the lives of Jeffrey Schlupp and James McArthur very difficult – the midfield pair took half as many touches as Milivojevic, who sat back and struggled to pick them out with regularity.
Palace have to ease the burden on the Serb by signing a proper number 10 ahead of the 19/20 season – it may require a change of system but the Eagles need a player who can split a compact defence otherwise they risk allowing their terrible record at Selhurst Park to carry on into next season.
It’s all well and good getting plenty of players forward but if you can’t provide that pin-point pass into their feet then they are useless and you leave yourself exposed on the counter.
Prior to Michy Batshuayi’s arrival at SE25 in January, the primary concern was the lack of a proven goalscorer but even Christian Benteke would have been more effective than his far superior compatriot in this game as Palace’s midfielders were incapable of spotting his runs.
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Perhaps they are still adjusting to the forward’s play style and learning when they should look up for him but, regardless, the quality of pass was rarely there – McArthur, in particular, was guilty of sloppy distribution.
There is no point having a top striker like Batshuayi, who took just 34 touches on Saturday, in the ranks if you don’t have the players who can see the runs in behind he makes – the priority in the summer, then, is to sign a top playmaker first, then worry about getting that goalscorer.
أشاد هانزي فليك، المدير الفني لفريق بايرن ميونخ، بلاعبه جوشوا كيميتش، بعد الفوز بكأس السوبر الألماني على حساب بوروسيا دورتموند.
وأحرز كيميتش هدف فوز بايرن ميونخ على دورتموند، في المباراة التي انتهت بنتيجة 3-2 لصالح الفريق البافاري (طالع تفاصيل اللقاء).
وقال فليك في تصريحات للصحفيين عقب المباراة: “كيميتش لاعب كبير، كان هدفه رائعًا، وبمثابة تتويجًا لجهوده خلال المباراة، فهو لم يستسلم حتى أسكن الكرة الشباك”.
وأضاف: “لوكاس هيرنانديز؟ أنه مقاتل كبير ويفيدنا بشكل جيد في مباريات كهذه، ولديه أيضًا بعض الصلابة المطلوبة في هذه المواجهات”.
وأردف المدرب الألماني: “لم يكن لديه وقت سهل، أعتقد أنه تخطى هذه الأوقات الآن”.
وبسؤاله عن أندربه كراماريتش، مهاجم هوفنهايم، أجاب: “أعرفه جيدًا وقلت بالفعل إنه أحد أفضل المهاجمين في البوندسليجا”.
وأتم: “أنه يملك صفات هائلة، لكن لا أعرف شيئًا عن تعاقد بايرن ميونخ معه”.
Kalvin Phillips is having a wonderful season. The Leeds United midfielder is flourishing under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road. The Whites are currently chasing the Championship title and Phillips is playing a key role in the side.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder provides a reliable, solid base for Leeds’ attacking contingent to build upon. Not only does he possess an excellent instinct for reading the game, his work rate, stamina and mobility make him a relentless nightmare to play against.
On the ball, the locally-born academy graduate impresses even more. Once he has won possession back for his side by breaking up an opposition attack, Phillips consistently looks to play the ball forwards. His vision and range of passing often go unaccredited as the focus is invariably on his defensive work and aggressive pressing style, but those distribution skills are just as worthy of note.
He’s certainly an easy player to love. Phillips’ dynamic, all-action, blood and thunder style never fails to invigorate the Elland Road faithful. Certainly, the midfielder is a favourite amongst the fans these days.
However, it has not been an easy journey for Phillips to get to this point. It’s never straightforward for any academy player to break into the first team at any club and force their way into the starting XI. Even though he has managed that laudable feat, Phillips has still had his critics.
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Prior to the appointment of Bielsa, who looks to have brought the best out of Phillips, the youngster was an inconsistent and often frustrating player. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were some who were ready to give up on him at Leeds. Now, though, they’ll be desperate to cling onto him.
Premier League clubs will have taken note of Phillips’ form this season. The midfielder’s application, attitude and industry may well garner some interest. In this regard, Everton must seriously consider making a swoop for the Leeds man in the upcoming summer transfer window.
If the Whites fail to seal promotion this season, then Everton should be able to prise their man away from Elland Road with a minimum of fuss. Even if Leeds do come up, the Toffees still ought to possess the financial clout to force a deal through. Marco Silva should certainly throw whatever resources he can into getting a deal done.
The Portuguese coach has suffered at Goodison Park this season thanks, in part, to his midfield. In the middle of the park, Everton lack steel and bite. The likes of Tom Davies, Andre Gomes and Morgan Schneiderlin don’t have the defensive discipline and fighting spirit that Phillips would bring.
Of the midfield contingent currently at Silva’s disposal, only Idrissa Gueye has these qualities. However, the Merseyside club will likely have to seek a replacement for the 29-year-old this summer anyway.
As reported by L’Equipe, Gueye was devastated to see a January move to PSG collapse, and hopes that the Ligue 1 giants will return for him. Either way, he has made it clear that he intends to make a step up in his career soon.
Whilst he remains untested at Premier League level, Phillips looks like he could be the perfect replacement for Gueye. Not only that, but given he is English he would also help the Toffees achieve their homegrown player quota.
Launching a bid for the Leeds midfielder this summer is something of a gamble, but it’s certainly a risk well worth taking for Everton.
Dean Ashton has disagreed with Martin O’Neill’s opinion that Nottingham Forest deserved to take all three points from their 0-0 draw with Preston North End.
Joe Lolley thought that he had scored the winner for Forest in the second half but the referee ruled the goal out due to an alleged foul on goalkeeper Declan Rudd by Ryan Yates.
What’s the word
Forest’s second draw in a week left O’Neill fuming.
The manager, per Lancashire Live, said after the game that “we have been robbed of all three points again”.
However, Ashton, who played over 50 games in the Championship between spells with Norwich City and West Brom, disagreed with O’Neill.
“My first instinct is that it’s a foul by Ryan Yates,” he said, again per Lancashire Live, on Quest’s Football League highlights show.
“I think it’s a free-kick because he doesn’t get any of the ball.
“I think Martin O’Neill just feels a bit sorry for himself.”
Ashton gets it wrong
Ashton, famed as a physical striker during his playing days, has got this one wrong.
Lewis Grabban twisted and turned in the box before shooting low at Rudd, who failed to collect the ball. Yates ran in as the goalkeeper flapped and Lolley, naturally, rolled the ball into the back of the net.
One can see why the referee made his decision but football, at the end of the day, is a contact sport.
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This is not to mention that Rudd appeared set to stand up before seeing that Lolley was poised to score, and hit the deck once again.
O’Neill is never one to mince his words, of course, and Forest can indeed count themselves unlucky to have dropped two points.
All attention will be on the referee when they are next in action, against Derby County next week.
Newcastle fans can’t quite believe what Everton boss Marco Silva has said after the two sides played out a thrilling encounter on Saturday.
Everton rocked up to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon full of confidence and verve, and it showed.
Coming off the back of one of their most impressive, professional and resilient performances of the season against Liverpool, the Toffees raced out to an early lead against the Magpies.
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Of course, an epic comeback including goals from Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez turned the match on its head, and ex-Sunderland ace Jordan Pickford had an absolute nightmare in the second half.
The English international was lucky not to be sent off in the first half, then saved a penalty and spent the next 20 minutes winding up the home support, only to let the first Newcastle goal go straight through him and make a complete mess of the second.
Silva doesn’t think the 25 year-old was affected by the crowd though, saying: “Jordan is an expressive player.
“Two seasons ago he made a big step in his career coming to us and, then, playing at the level he played for the national team in the World Cup and he is able to cope with all atmospheres in all stadiums around the world.
“I’m not thinking that the good and not so good things he did in the game were because of the crowd.”
It was clear for all to see that Pickford let the occasion get the best of him though, and Newcastle fans are crucifying Silva’s verdict on what has become a key talking point from Saturday’s clash.
[ad_pod ]West Brom truly announced themselves in the Championship title race with a sensational 3-2 win over QPR on Tuesday, with Jake Livermore scoring his first goal of the season in the fourth minute of injury time to take all three points back to The Hawthorns.The victory puts the Baggies just one point behind former league leaders Leeds, who will have the opportunity to regain their seat at the top on Saturday against Bolton.While Livermore stole the headlines, debutant Jefferson Montero, on loan from Swansea, scored five minutes in to give his side the lead but, other than that early show of promise, cut a disappointing figure.Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…Eventually replaced by Rekeem Harper just before the hour, the Ecuadorian winger looked unfit and will surely be used more as an impact sub later in games from now on, especially considering Dwight Gayle appears likely to be back in contention for the crucial clash with Sheffield United this weekend.Here’s how Baggies fans reacted to the 5 foot 7 speedster’s performance on Twitter…