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Leeds United’s short-term future is relatively unknown and the same goes for their manager, Marcelo Bielsa.

The west Yorkshire outfit extended his contract by a further 12 months a year ago, meaning he is soon out of contract at Elland Road.

Currently, the Championship season is on hold but players have returned to training ahead of a possible resumption, so there’s a chance that the remaining nine games are played and then the club can discuss what will happen with the Argentine.

But there’s also a chance the season is finished early where the EFL will decide the final standings via an unweighted points-per-game system. It would see Leeds win the division, though the onus would be on the Premier League going ahead with relegation for them to be a top-flight team next term.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has provided fans with some sort of update over Bielsa’s future in a recent Q&A article. He said:

Hay claims that neither side are discussing a contract extension just yet but the pragmatic 64-year-old is still planning for next season.

He goes on to say that there’s almost a guarantee Bielsa stays at the club if they are competing in the Premier League next season, but “all bets are off” if it’s yet another year in the Championship.

Call yourself a Leeds expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

Therefore these next few weeks are going to prove rather crucial for the future of Leeds as it’s clear to see that the cult hero has already transformed the club substantially.

Likely back-to-back top-three finishes and on the verge of a Premier League spot for the first time in 16 years. The Bielsa impact.

AND in other news, Leeds fans debate rarely-seen ace’s PL credentials…

Sunderland have taken a turn for the worse over the past week and following an embarrassing mid-week defeat to Scunthorpe, fans are keen for the clash against Gillingham to be forfeited.

The Black Cats are due to play the FA Cup replay next week, but Phil Parkinson suggested the game could be postponed due to players being away on international duty.

That news isn’t what supporters want to hear, as another fixture against Burton the following Tuesday could make scheduling difficult, and therefore some fans would be more than happy to see the Mackems withdraw from the competition.

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At the very least, others feel it is not worth delaying and clogging up the fixture list, and instead offer an alternative – for the youngsters to play.

After all, given Sunderland’s form under Parkinson – two wins in eight games – some of the fanbase probably feel they could do no worse than the first-team.

Here is some of the reaction to the manager’s comments and the calls for their team to lose against the Gills.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

In this modern world of inflated transfer fees and astronomical wages, finding real value for money is becoming increasingly difficult. Premier League clubs can now spend upwards of £50m on multiple players, and it shows no signs of slowing down as the stakes continue to get higher.

But every so often, you get teams who show a bit of nous and intelligence in their planning, and pull off such bargain deals it leaves you scratching your heads as to how they managed to pull that off. After all, with scouts essentially littered everywhere across the world scouring for the next big thing, it is difficult to sing players under the radar.

But in Leicester’s case, they have done exactly that. In Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans, the Foxes have a thriving centre-back partnership who have been the cornerstone of their success this season. Brendan Rodgers’ side find themselves in second-place in the Premier League, and have conceded just eight goals in total – the best defensive record in the top-flight.

It’s therefore no surprise that reigning title holders Manchester City are said to be considering both Evans and Soyuncu as potential centre-back options. The Citizens’ interest in the duo shows the sterling work Leicester have done behind the scenes in finding out such great deals.

Evans was signed from West Brom for a measly £3.5m, whilst Soyuncu arrived from Freiburg for £19m – their combined totals cost just over a quarter of the £80m Manchester United spent in taking Harry Maguire away from the King Power. Claude Puel may have been sacked by Leicester in February this year after just 16 months in charge, but there’s no doubt he has left his former side the most incredible gift in their two central defenders.

As per Whoscored, Soyuncu and Evans have an average match rating of 7.25 and 7.00 respectively, and their partnership at the back has been crucial to their success this year. Puel’s name may be forgotten by most Foxes fans considering what Rodgers has transformed them into, but the Frenchman should be handed a lot of credit for bringing in two players who are now of firm interest to the best side in the country.

Diogo Jota picked up a new injury for Liverpool in the win over Chelsea, but the Portuguese star isn’t the only concern, according to a fresh update from journalist James Pearce.

Jota injured in Liverpool win

The Reds knew that only a win over Chelsea on Sunday would see them return to the top of the Premier League table, and they edged out their opponents in a frenetic clash at Anfield.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones sealed a 2-1 victory for Arne Slot’s side, who have now won eight of their nine league games this season. Their only slip-up came at home to Nottingham Forest last month, as belief grows that a title challenge is on the cards in 2024/25.

The one negative to emerge for Liverpool against Chelsea was a first-half injury to Jota, however, with the Portuguese forced to leave the field with what appeared to be rib damage, being replaced by Darwin Nunez.

Given the striker’s injury-prone nature, it was concerning to see him head down the tunnel, and Reds supporters will be praying that one of their most influential attacking players isn’t missing for a significant period of time, especially with Alisson already a high-profile absentee.

"Really special" Liverpool ace could miss Leipzig

According to a new update from Pearce on X, Conor Bradley missed Liverpool’s win over Chelsea with a new injury picked up with Northern Ireland, suggesting he could also be out for the Leipzig game, given the quickfire turnaround in fixtures.

While Bradley isn’t as influential as Jota, or other injury victims like Alisson and Harvey Elliott for that matter, it is still worrying that he is carrying an issue, ahead of a relentless run of fixtures for Liverpool, with midweek games constant in the coming weeks.

The Northern Irishman is such a great understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold, bursting onto the scene last season and genuinely feeling like a great squad player, with his international manager, Michael O’Neill, saying of him earlier this year: “We’ve got a really special young player who can only continue that way.

“His attitude to the game is maybe his biggest attribute, he just loves to play. He trains that like that, he always trains at his maximum and I think at times the other younger players feed off that.”

Admittedly, Joe Gomez is also a good option at right-back, with the Englishman coming on and doing a solid job in the latter stages against Chelsea on Sunday, but he doesn’t possess the attack-minded brilliance of Bradley, who outlined his class last season with a superb strike against the Blues.

80% duels lost, 6/10 rating: Liverpool man was saved by Jones & Salah

Liverpool just about did enough to beat Chelsea 2-1 back in Premier League action.

1 ByKelan Sarson Oct 20, 2024

Not only that, but Alexander-Arnold will need a rest at some point, rather than being overplayed and risking picking up an injury as the season goes on, so the hope is that the £10,000-a-week Bradley’s injury is only minor, meaning he will be available this week.

A “very jittery” Everton player has been lambasted for his performance for his country during the international break, getting a 1/10 rating from one publication.

Pickford starts in England defeat

Many Blues heroes are off representing their respective nations currently, with Premier League action making way for international commitments, much to the frustration of many supporters.

One such figure is Jordan Pickford, who has become England’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for many years now, starting in major tournaments and rarely letting the Three Lions down, most famously proving to be the penalty shootout hero against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup.

On Thursday evening, however, the 30-year-old suffered a shock defeat at home to Greece, with former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley seeing his chances of getting the manager’s job hampered greatly.

Pickford was bailed out hugely by a goal-line clearance by Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, having dawdled in possession in the first half, and soon after he missed an attempted punch and the visitors scored, only to see the goal ruled out for offside. He still conceded twice, however, arguably not doing brilliantly for either goal, even if they may be a little harsh.

Pickford's England performance slammed by media

It was a miserable night for Pickford, who rarely looked like the best goalkeeper that England have to offer, with talkSPORT even handing him a 1/10 rating. Meanwhile, speaking on ITV after the game, Roy Keane wasn’t impressed with the Everton stopper, saying:

“It sends a message about concentration levels, and that spreads throughout the team. Again there’s a lack of urgency. What’s he [Pickford] doing?! Do it quickly. Brilliant defending, very unlucky by Greece but a lovely message for defenders – never give it up. He [Colwill] chased it and did brilliant. But not a good message from Pickford to send.”

Meanwhile, speaking alongside Keane, Ian Wright claimed Pickford was “all over the place” and “very jittery”, with plenty of criticism coming his way.

The Blues ‘keeper has always been a divisive figure among the footballing public, with some impressed by the consistent job he has done for England, but others feeling that a big mistake is never too far away.

His character also splits opinion, and while a chunk of supporters like his extrovert style and passion, others feel he isn’t a calming influence on his teammates, making saves for the camera and being too noticeable in matches.

In fairness to Pickford, he has rarely let England down, as mentioned, and he has bailed Everton out many times in recent seasons during relegation battles, but he has made an iffy start to this season for both club and country.

Friedkin's top pick could now give Everton green light to replace Dyche

He’s under pressure at his current club…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 10, 2024

At Tottenham earlier in the campaign, he got embarrassingly robbed of possession by Son Heung-min, who then tapped into an empty net, and there have been rumours that Sean Dyche is ready to drop him. Granted, he made a big penalty save from Anthony Gordon last weekend, but improvements are needed in his all-round game.

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing an “unbelievable” player who is a standout figure in his position in his current league, according to a fresh transfer report.

Blackburn impressing in Championship

It has been such an encouraging start to the new Championship season for Rovers, who remain unbeaten in the competition after their first seven matches. John Eustace’s side sit third in the table behind West Brom and Sunderland, with Saturday’s 2-0 win at home Queens Park Rangers further suggesting that they should be aiming to finish in the playoff places this season at worst.

Perhaps most impressive is the fact that they have continued to excel despite losing star striker Sammie Szmodics to Ipswich Town during the summer transfer window, with last year’s top goalscorer in the Championship moving on to pastures new.

It is still early days, of course, so supporters are unlikely to be getting too carried away, but there is understandable positivity in the air, as Eustace continues to impress as manager. New signings in January could be ideal, in terms of giving the boss extra quality and depth in their promotion push, and it could looks as though they are eyeing up a key addition.

Blackburn want to sign "unbelievable" player in January

According to Football Insider, Blackburn are in the mix to sign Lincoln City centre-back Paudie O’Connor in the January transfer window, with Preston North End and Oxford United also thought to be in the race. He is said to have “established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the EFL”.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, at which point the League One side would lose him on a free, assuming he fails to sign an extension.

O’Connor may be playing in League One, but he could be a brilliant addition for a team fighting at the top end of the second tier. The Irishman has grown into such a dominant performer for Lincoln since arriving from Bradford City back in 2022, with teammate Jack Moylan describing him as “unbelievable” and former Blackpool manager Terry McPhillips heaping praise on him.

“He was outstanding and he’s been the most unlucky (not to play more), I’ve said that before. To not have played for so long and to come in and play how he played, and then to be a real threat, is impressive.”

Now 27, O’Connor is a very experienced player, so there wouldn’t be the threat of him being overawed by the step up in quality, especially as he once played for Leeds United, meaning he knows how to deal with the pressure of representing a big club.

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

If he joined Blackburn midway through the season, he would give Eustace’s side that extra stability in defence that could be vital in the promotion tussle, as well as a goal threat, having scored and assisted twice apiece already in League One this season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already signed two midfielders during the transfer market, luring Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to the Reds, could the German now begin to look at strengthening his defensive options ahead of the 2023/24 season?

Dutch defender Perr Schuurs is currently on the list of targets for Klopp and now the fee that Liverpool will be required to pay Serie A side Torino to secure his services has now been revealed.

How much will Perr Schuurs cost Liverpool?

As reported by La Stampa (via TuttoMercatoWeb), the Anfield side will need to fork out €40m (£34m) in order for any potential move to be sealed and this could represent a wonderful bargain for the club.

Klopp appears to be a massive admirer of the player as according to Tuttosport, they had an offer of £25m rejected by Torino and the Italian outlet claims that the German has wanted the defender for over two years and is keen to get a deal done for the 23-year-old as soon as possible.

Napoli also remain interested in Schuurs as they look to sign a replacement for Bayern-bound, Kim Min-jae and the Reds will need to act swiftly to bring him to Merseyside.

How good is Perr Schurrs?

The former Ajax starlet enjoyed a solid season in Serie A during 2022/23, ranking first in the Torino squad for tackles per game (1.7) and clearances per game (3.2) while also winning 4.1 total duels per game – a success rate of 55% – demonstrating just how effective he can be at the heart of the defence.

Liverpool conceded 47 goals in the Premier League last term, which was 21 more than they conceded the previous season where they came so close to pipping Manchester City to the league crown and this suggests Klopp needs to invest in a few new defenders.

Joe Gomez, in particular, didn’t exactly have the best of seasons, ranking in a lowly seventh for tackles per game (1.3) across the Liverpool squad last term while also ranking 11th for overall rating as per Sofascore, and it’s clear that they need an upgrade on the Englishman.

Schuurs could certainly offer more, as he completed a higher pass completion percentage (88.1% to 85.7) than Gomez while also winning more aerial duels (62 to 46), making more tackles (26 to 21) and making more blocks (29 to 17), clearly showing he is an improvement on the Liverpool defender across a wide range of metrics.

He was even lauded by journalist Josh Bunting, who dubbed him a “mountain” and it’s evident that the Anfield side require a player of his nature that can come in and stake a claim for a first-team spot, giving Klopp something different in the heart of the defence.

With Virgil Van Dijk recently turning 32, he may not have long left at the top of the game and therefore, not only can Schuurs be an instant upgrade on Gomez, but the Torino star would be an excellent heir for the Dutch titan who has been an integral part of their success over the previous five years.

Moving house is something that we all dread. It arguably sits right next to running late for a flight on the list of things that can result in things that human beings haven't quite figured out how to deal with in a calm manner yet.

If anyone knows how to move house in an orderly fashion, however, it should be footballers. Such is the frantic nature of the transfer window, players can find themselves on the move within a moment's notice, forced to settle into a new town or, as is often the case, a new country.

With that said, a bit of advice must never go amiss. And that's exactly what Manchester City star Erling Haaland has given new Liverpool man Dominik Szoboszlai.

The duo played for Red Bull Salzburg together, and have clearly remained friends since.

What's the latest on Dominik Szoboszlai and Liverpool

Szoboszlai is Liverpool's biggest signing of the summer so far, arriving for a reported £60m, as the Reds look to rebuild what was a struggling midfield last season.

The 22-year-old joins Alexis Mac Allister on the list of arrivals at Anfield, with Southampton's Romeo Lavia also linked with making the move to Merseyside this summer.

By the end of the window, if Jurgen Klopp has signed three new midfielders, he may consider it a successful transfer window and one which could see his side competing for the league title, or at least finishing in the Premier League top four once again.

Last season, Liverpool finished outside the Champions League places for the first time in a full season under Klopp, and that clearly sent alarm bells, as the German has not messed about this summer, already spending close to £100m.

What did Haaland say to Szoboszlai?

Speaking about his Liverpool move, Szoboszlai revealed the advice that Haaland gave him, telling Nemzeti Sport, via Goal: "We've talked. So much so that Erling Haaland has also advised on finding real estate, and it could very well be that we become neighbours.

"I learned from him that several players live halfway between Manchester and Liverpool in a quiet area where privacy can be preserved, and on Monday I will see what he was talking about, I am very curious. And of course, putting our friendship aside during the Liverpool-Manchester City matches, it will surely be a fantastic experience to play against each other.

"I'll do some training on Monday, I have some paperwork to do, and then look at some potential properties where I'd like to live. Then I have to go to Leipzig, pack up my stuff, say goodbye to my former club, thank everyone for their support, love and encouragement and then to Budapest. But on the 10th at the latest I will be back in Liverpool because on the 11th I will be training for my new team."

Liverpool's first pre-season game takes place against Karsruher in Germany on July 17, in an upcoming fixture which could see Szoboszlai and Mac Allister make their debuts for the Reds.

Arsenal still need to agree the yearly payment structure over the fee for Declan Rice, but once this is finalised, the deal will be completed, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Rice to Arsenal?

Arsenal have fought off interest from Manchester City and now appear very close to securing a record-breaking transfer for the West Ham captain.

The Gunners initially had two bids rejected, but a mega-offer of £100m, with £5m in add-ons, has been deemed acceptable as an overall package.

However, Romano has revealed that the structure of the payments of the initial £100m is still yet to be agreed, with West Ham wanting the payment made in less time.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano indicated that this would be the final hurdle before officially completing the deal.

"There is an agreement on the fee, £100 million plus £5 million in add-ons, a club record fee for Arsenal, a historical fee for English football as Declan Rice is going to be the most expensive player ever.

"It's just a matter of hours probably, but it's just about the payment terms. As I told you, Arsenal want to pay in four years, and West Ham want the £100 million guaranteed fee to be paid in 18 months. So he's about this detail, then the deal will be done."

What will Rice bring to Arsenal?

The England midfielder will come at a high price, but Arsenal are investing in a signing who could help them challenge at the top level for years to come.

Rice will arrive as an experienced Premier League captain, with European experience under his belt, and fits the age profile that Mikel Arteta has targeted in the last few seasons.

At 24, he can form a midfield trio with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz for the next few years, and he can help replace the leadership void which will be left if Granit Xhaka leaves the club.

Rice could play as both a number six, in front of the back four, and further forward, and this tactical flexibility will be something Arteta can use when setting up his team for bigger games.

The Englishman ranks highly for interceptions as per FBref, and his presence in the middle when facing tough opponents could give Arsenal an extra aggressive edge, something which they often lacked over the years.

He is a signing that can help Arsenal bridge the gap between themselves and Manchester City, as they attempt to challenge for the title again, and beating their rivals to the signing is a huge statement of intent from the club.

West Bromwich Albion are set to lose key defender Dara O'Shea to Premier League side Burnley, but Carlos Corberan can give supporters reason to believe by making an exciting signing at the other end of the field.

O'Shea is reportedly the subject of interest from the Clarets in a deal that could eventually be worth up to £10m in what is undoubtedly a major blow for the Baggies as they attempt to improve on last term's ninth-place finish in the Championship.

However, that sizable fee can be used to not only bring in a replacement for the Republic of Ireland international at the back, but also players in one or two other positions.

One area Albion could do with further strengthening is up front, and former West Brom striker Kevin Campbell has tipped the Midlands club to move for Peterborough United star Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Who is Peterborough United striker Jonson Clarke-Harris?

Clarke-Harris is not exactly an up-and-coming striker, but he has proved his quality in League One by winning the Golden Boot on a couple of occasions.

The 28-year-old led the scoring charts again in the third tier last season with 27 goals in 48 games, yet Peterborough somehow missed out on promotion after capitulating in their play-off semi-final with Sheffield Wednesday.

A player boasting over 400 appearances at senior level, having started his career by becoming Coventry City's youngest ever player aged 16 in 2010, Clarke-Harris is someone who can bring knowhow to West Brom – and goals aplenty.

As Campbell told West Brom News: "I’m sure if West Brom were to bring him in and help him, he can be a difference maker."

Clarke-Harris averaged 0.59 goals per 90 minutes during the regular League One season last time out, as per FBref, which is more than any West Brom player could manage, albeit in a division higher.

Indeed, aside from Daryl Dike (0.52), who is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, no Albion player averaged more than 0.33 goals per 90 minutes than the much-travelled striker, whom Football Observatory suggests could be available for a fee of £4m.

Clarke-Harris not only has power and an eye for goal, he also has plenty of pace to burn, as nicely put by his former Rotherham United boss Steve Evans. "He's quicker than Usain Bolt over 10 metres," Evans said.

It would be easy to dismiss Clarke-Harris as a player who can perform in League One but is unable to take the step up to the Championship, yet he scored 0.36 goals every 90 minutes in a poor Peterborough team the last time he played at that level – better than any Albion player other than Dike.

While it may be a defender Corberan needs to prioritise if O'Shea's move to Burnley goes through, signing striker Clarke-Harris would help soften the blow somewhat and ensure supporters do not lose all hope of a promotion push next season.