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Leeds United fans will have loved watching Eddie Nketiah bag a hat-trick for England U21s on Tuesday evening, but they may not have liked what he said after the match.

Indeed, the 20-year-old publicly aired his complaints about a lack of playing time at Elland Road this season, and you can certainly understand why he is unhappy.

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The striker’s grievances are entirely understandable, as he has played just 162 minutes of league football for the Whites this term – scoring twice in that time.

With the xG table showing that Leeds have some issues with their finishing, you’d think a player who has scored at such a rate would be given a chance, but he’s still yet to start a league match for the Yorkshire outfit.

Of course, having a player air his complaints in public isn’t a great look for any football club, so Andrea Radrizzani attempted to calm the situation by taking a page out of Donald Trump’s book and simply labelling it as fake news.

However, the Italian’s comments didn’t fly with a number of supporters, as one fan called him out by telling him (in some not so appropriate language) that Nketiah’s comments hadn’t been misinterpreted, but were printed exactly as he said them.

This led to the owner quickly backtracking with a rather bizarre reply, changing the subject completely.

This whole situation is rather strange.

Radrizzani was seemingly unwilling to admit that Nketiah had complained about the way he was being used by the Yorkshire club, but when he was called out by a fan it was like he’d suddenly suffered from amnesia and forgotten the original conversation.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford on Monday to face Manchester United in a match that could have huge implications for the race to finish in the top four.

Harry Maguire and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are two men who could have a decisive say.

On the chalkboard

The Gunners have had the better campaign to date as they sit in fourth place after six games. They have won three of their first six Premier League matches, with their latest coming against Aston Villa last weekend.

The Red Devils have not had it so good, meanwhile, having won just two of their first six. They were particularly disappointing last Sunday, with West Ham needing to do little to earn their 2-0 victory.

This is a game that both teams will be desperate to win, then, and it should prove to be a thrilling encounter.

One battle, in particular, could prove to be key in deciding the outcome.

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Battle between two heavyweights

Aubameyang’s influence on the Arsenal attack cannot be understated.

He has already scored six goals in the Premier League this season, while he added another in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt. In fact, he has scored in all but one match this campaign. The one fixture he didn’t bag in? The loss against Liverpool, the Gunners’ only defeat so far.

It is absolutely essential that Maguire is at the top of his game to keep the Gabon international under wraps, then.

So far this term, he has not faced any strikers of truly world-class quality. Jamie Vardy is the only one who is remotely comparable to that level, and the 26-year-old played with him for a number of years at Leicester City.

Against West Ham, the former Sheffield United man had arguably his worst game since moving to Manchester. In particular, he was found wanting as Andriy Yarmolenko opened the scoring. He left far too much space for the Ukraine international to take the ball and bury it into the bottom corner and he simply cannot afford Aubameyang the same sort of freedom.

The former Borussia Dortmund man, too, will need to keep an eye on Maguire in possession. He has averaged 63.8 passes per game so far this season, more than all but two of his teammates, while he has averaged 4.8 accurate long balls per game.

With United aiming to build from the back, Aubameyang cannot afford to allow the England international to feel comfortable on the ball. Pressure, whenever he has it at his feet, will be vital.

The two are huge players for their respective sides, and they are among the best players in the division.

Keep an eye on their duel during this match; it promises to be an important one.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has spoken to BBC Africa about his failed attempt to leave the club back in the summer.

The Ivory Coast international was the subject of interest from Arsenal and Everton, and was said to be ‘devastated’ after no such move materialised – Zaha had even handed in a transfer request.

Since then, the former Manchester United man has appeared in all eight of the Eagles’ Premier League games – Zaha hasn’t found the back of the net, but has registered one assist.

What did he say?

Speaking to BBC Africa after picking up an award for ‘Philanthropic Endeavour’, Zaha said: “I had to put my head down and play my football.

“I would have been hindering my own progress by moaning and not wanting to perform properly.

“I have too much respect for my manager, the fans and my team-mates to treat them that way. It was a thing where ‘OK, this hasn’t happened but I’ve got to get on with it’.

“I had to nail down and just get on with it because the team deserved that.”

Oozes maturity and understanding

Any Palace fan who was annoyed with the forward’s antics in the summer simply cannot maintain that ill-feeling after reading Zaha’s comments.

It is evident that he respects Crystal Palace and those at the club, a place where he has risen from an academy graduate into arguably one of the greatest players to have ever pulled on the shirt.

Zaha is spot on. If he had downed tools and moaned, his chances of getting a move away would’ve become even slimmer, so it is in his best interests to knuckle down and get on with things.

The 26-year-old wants to better himself and perform in the Champions League – that much is evident in this interview with the player.

That isn’t a problem.

Causing a stir amongst the squad because he didn’t get his wish would be a problem, and while Zaha may have been entitled to throw a tantrum given the fact that it appears he was misled by Steve Parish and the board, the attacker has handled things with great maturity and understanding.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to The Chronicle’s Mark Douglas, Newcastle’s summer interest in Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen was genuine, and the youngster fits the profile of what the Magpies are looking for.

What’s the word?

Reports in recent months had suggested Newcastle were keeping tabs on the 22-year-old and had scouts watching Hull’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Amiens in July.

Now, in a Newcastle Q&A on The Chronicle, Douglas has delivered his verdict on whether the Magpies are indeed interested in the winger.

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He said: “They like Bowen and Steve Nickson’s scouting team have watched him a few times. Their interest in Bowen in the summer was genuine – although I do recall Steve Bruce playing down any imminent bid in the rain at Preston.

“They simply wouldn’t meet Hull’s asking price – but in January, with six months left on his deal, will the Tigers cut that £20million tag? That’s on them but Newcastle’s plan is to start bringing in younger, up-and-coming talent and he ticks every box.”

Goal-scoring boost

Despite playing 43 of his 46 games as a right-winger, Bowen showed his remarkable goal-scoring touch with 22 strikes in the Championship last term.

The Tigers winger had a real purple patch of form in the middle of the campaign, with 14 goals in 16 games between December 22 and March 16. The traditional drop-off in form that’s accustomed with English football in the winter months didn’t seem to register with Bowen, and he was a major reason behind Hull’s consistent form.

Such were his impressive showings, the 22-year-old cleaned up at the end of season awards for the club, and earned himself a place in the EFL Team of the Season. Bringing him in January would give Newcastle a goal-scoring option out wide, and relieve some of the pressure on summer signing Joelinton to fire the Magpies to victory week-in and week-out.

And if anyone thought he is a one-season wonder, then his start to the current campaign has certainly silenced those claims. Bowen has rifled in four goals in six appearances for the Championship side, and has significantly improved his averages in both shots and dribbles per game from last season. A January swoop seems like such a no-brainer.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…

The Champions League is finally back.

Barcelona’s group opener against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, however, left a lot to be desired.

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw, with the Catalan giants struggling to find a way through against their Bundesliga opponents.

Ernesto Valverde will surely have to go back to the drawing board and make a tweak or two for future fixtures if Barca want to come out of a tough group that also includes Inter Milan and Slavia Prague.

One man, in particular, fluffed his lines in a game where Barca needed him to turn up.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Luis Suarez endured a difficult night, with Valverde’s men registering seven shots to Dortmund’s 13 and Barcelona’s number nine failing to make any sort of impact.

Suarez had 70.4% passing accuracy on the night, attempting only 27 passes and registering just 41 touches during the game.

Only four players had fewer touches and two of them were substitutes. Another was Jordi Alba, who was injured before half-time and the final player was the goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

His passing accuracy was the worst in the whole team and he also had second-most unsuccessful touches within the Blaugrana ranks – three to his name.

When we factor in that he also had only one shot on target and three overall throughout the game, it becomes much clearer that his performance was not at the required standard.

Valverde will now have to decide whether the 32-year-old remains the right man for the job or whether a change is needed. Only time will tell.

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Tottenham fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot would prefer a move to Liverpool over their club, according to Paris United.

As mentioned in the article, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has allegedly spoken to the French international in a bid to convince him to swap Paris for north London.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video below to see for yourself…

However it is understood that the 23-year-old would prefer to team up with Jurgen Klopp and league leaders Liverpool, if he were to move to England.

Tottenham have lost Mousa Dembele this month as he was sold to Guangzhou R&F (as per the BBC), so the north London-based side need a new face in midfield to replace the imposing Belgian international.

Let’s see how Spurs supporters reacted on Twitter amid claims the Frenchman is far more keen on a move to Anfield…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has confirmed that summer signings Tomer Hemed, Beram Kayal and Erhun Oztumer are still not quite ready as they ‘need to get a bit fitter’ before they’re ready for more than a short cameo appearance.

Hemed was signed on a permanent deal from Brighton after the Seagulls agreed to cancel the striker’s contract, whilst Kayal was also signed from the Premier League side but on a loan deal instead of a permanent agreement.

In Oztumer’s case, the midfielder was signed from Bolton on a free transfer after he was granted permission to leave by the EFL.

What did he say?

Bowyer said: “Erhun Oztumer, Tomer Hemed and Beram Kayal all need to get a bit fitter. Beram played a game behind closed doors on Tuesday and got 75 minutes. He’s coming back from injury so it’s about getting them up to speed.”

Give them all the time they need

Whilst the aforementioned trio are quality additions who will presumably have a big impact, there should be no worries from the Charlton faithful concerning Bowyer’s update and they should all be given ample time to work up to speed.

The Addicks are flying right now and have won three and drawn two of their five Championship games, with the likes of Lyle Taylor in fine form and carrying the baton superbly so far with four league goals to his name.

Hemed has played 45 Championship minutes already for the south Londoners whereas Oztumer has played 62 minutes, and whilst they will surely have a big role to play along with Kayal, there is no urgent need for the trio to get back to action.

Charlton are performing well above expectations having only just achieved promotion after winning the League One playoffs, so Kayal, Hemed and Oztumer should be allowed to rest, recuperate and take all the time they need to get to 100%.

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An update has emerged on Sunderland and their interest in signing Cardiff City defender Aden Flint in the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Football League World, the Black Cats are eyeing up a swoop for the centre-back as Lee Johnson looks to improve his squad at the Stadium of Light.

The report does not reveal whether they are looking into a loan or permanent switch for the giant enforcer, or whether or not Cardiff are willing to part ways with the 32-year-old.

Imagine him & Doyle

Johnson must ensure that he is able to get a deal over the line for Flint, as he could seal a dream partnership for Sunderland by starting him alongside youngster Callum Doyle at the back.

The Cardiff monster is as experienced as they come in the EFL and has been playing in the Championship for a number of seasons. He has racked up 242 appearances in the second tier, having played 112 times in League One prior to getting his chance higher up the leagues.

Last year, former Bluebirds boss Mick McCarthy heaped praise on the player, saying: “He has been great, hasn’t he? I always admired him and thought he was a top defender when he got his moves. I was kind of surprised that he had been out on loan. But I had a word with him, the first week I was in and he has been brilliant. I am amazed at his resilience, how he has come back, having been three months off with a hamstring. He has been brilliant.”

He has a career average WhoScored rating of 7.12, winning an impressive 5.7 aerial battles per game throughout his playing days. This suggests that McCarthy’s comments are accurate, as Flint has proven with his performances that he is a top defender at Championship and League One level.

By contrast, Doyle is at the other end of his career and still learning his trade as a defender. The 18-year-old has started 24 games for Sunderland this season and averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.79. This shows that the Manchester City loanee has had a strong start to life at senior level, and playing next to an experienced head in the form of Flint could further aid his development.

This means that they could be the perfect pairing, as Johnson would be mixing Flint’s experience and guile with Doyle’s youthfulness and ability on the ball. They could complement each other well and the latter could benefit greatly from having such an established EFL player alongside him in the second half of the campaign.

AND in other news, Sunderland plotting swoop for 72-goal machine who’s a “real threat”, Johnson would love him…

Everton have appointed Duncan Ferguson as their interim manager whilst they search for a candidate to take the permanent role in leading the squad at Goodison Park, and after interviewing Vitor Pereira this week, there has been an update on progress.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports reporter, Vinny O’Connor, was live at Finch Farm yesterday to give an update on the progress on the Everton manager search, and the potential of Pereira being appointed.

O’Connor told Sky Sports News:

“As regards to Vitor Pereira, at this moment, we understand that no appointment is imminent.

“Vitor Pereira, we are told, is one of several candidates in line for the Everton manager’s job.”

Sky Sports have reported a number of candidates who could potentially become the new manager to take on the challenge at Everton, with both Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney being named.

Fans surely buzzing

Everton fans will surely be buzzing that there have been no offers made, already taking to social media to share their thoughts on Pereira being appointed for the managerial role, and he has not had a welcoming reception so far, with one fan tweeting:

“Start worrying, sacked in the Turkish league, the hierarchy of this club is frightening, we are going down!”

Pereira’s recent record after being sacked for the second time by Fenerbahce and relegating 1860 Munich to the German third league is surely the reason fans are uncomfortable with the idea of having the Portuguese manager put in place to try to save Everton’s season, where there is no room for error in the remaining few months as the side is currently only three points off the relegation zone.

Moshiri has already been advised to pull away from signing the former Porto manager according to reports, with the Everton board worried about making any rash decisions due to the fragile situation at Everton. Indeed, we agree with those sentiments, and so do plenty of fans who will be keen to ensure that Pereira isn’t offered the gig at Goodison Park.

However, a decision will need to be made soon as the Toffees have an important game against Brentford in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and the Toffees will be hoping they can salvage something from their season by having a good cup run.

In other news: Alan Myers drops claim on Christophe Galtier

With just one win in their 11 previous Premier League games, Everton have not had a particularly successful season under Rafa Benitez so far this season.

Now that the January transfer window is close to opening, this could give Benitez a good opportunity to make some changes to his squad that he thinks would benefit the team as a whole, whether that be bringing new players in or getting rid of current ones.

One current Everton player that should be in consideration for a January exit is midfielder Andre Gomes.

Even though he’s only made six appearances in the Premier League for the Toffees this season, Gomes has failed to show Benitez why he should be a regular figure for Everton, particularly in a defensive regard having been described as being reckless at the back in the past by Everton journalist Dave Prentice.

In those six appearances, the 28-year-old has only managed to rack up an average of 0.2 clearances and interceptions per game, an average of getting dribbled past 2.2 times per game as well as winning just 30% of his duels, which goes to show why Everton have conceded four goals in the two league games he’s started this season.

His previous appearance for Everton in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge saw Gomes, who is currently valued at £18m according to Transfermarkt, deliver a poor display that ultimately earned him an overall match rating of 5.8/10 from SofaScore, making him comfortably Everton’s lowest-rated player on the day.

Gomes’ overall performances this season have earned him a disappointing overall rating of 6.2/10 from WhoScored, making him the lowest-rated Everton player to have started more than one league game so far this season.

With all of this in mind and the fact that he has a significant injury record under his belt since arriving at Goodison Park from Barcelona back in 2018 on loan before signing on a permanent basis a year later in a deal worth a reported fee of £22m, it could be time to bring his time at Everton to a close.

If Benitez does axe Gomes in January, they will have to make sure they sign a new midfielder to replace him if they can.

In other news: Moshiri could replicate Gray masterclass at Everton with Jan move for 30 G/A starlet – opinion