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Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes the Whites should copy Liverpool and sign a proper left-back this summer, as they did with Andy Robertson.

The Lowdown: Alioski set to leave

Marcelo Bielsa will need to be on the lookout for a new left-back in the next transfer window, with Ezgjan Alioski almost certain to leave Elland Road.

The 28-year-old isn’t a natural in that position, however, filling in admirably but not always looking completely comfortably there.

Former Leeds midfielder James Milner played at left-back for Liverpool for a full season before Jurgen Klopp brought in Robertson from Hull City, making a huge difference to the Reds with his attacking prowess.

The Latest: Mills calls for established left-back to arrive

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills has called for Leeds to adopt the same approach, signing an out-and-out left-back who can help take the Whites up another level:

“He’s (Alioski) done incredibly well to fill in, I would say. He’s been fantastic for social media and he seems like a fantastic guy who’s done a very good job for Leeds.

“But if you’re looking to go to the next level…

“Go back to Liverpool, they tried it with James Milner, they tried it with other players at full-back and it didn’t work. They then get in Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Robertson and they go to a whole new level. It’s their position, it’s what they are used to doing.

“Players can only fill in for so long before they get found out. If it’s not natural, against the better teams you start to get found out and that’s where it becomes a bit of an issue.”

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The Verdict: Copy Liverpool’s approach

There is only so long that a player can thrive in an auxiliary role, and while Alioski has been a fantastic servant for Leeds, it would be nice to see a proper left-back come in at Elland Road.

Someone like Whites-linked Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico seems perfect, in that respect, possessing a wealth of experience at club and international level, winning 27 caps for Argentina and being valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.

Robertson showed the difference it can make, giving Liverpool more natural balance down the left flank, and a new signing in that role could do the same for Leeds.

In other news, a pundit has hinted at an attacking Leeds player leaving the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United are monitoring Club Brugge winger Noa Lang ahead of the summer window.

That’s according to the reliable Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, who shared the news in his transfer notebook on Tuesday evening.

McGrath claims the Whites have watched Lang, with the 21-year-old recently turning his loan from Ajax into a permanent deal.

He’s played all across the front line this season, scoring 16 goals and registering 10 assists in just 33 games during the current campaign.

Leeds aren’t the only side keen on Lang, with the Dutch starlet having a host of admirers.

Transfer Tavern take

The report claims that Leeds view Lang as a player who can provide competition for Jack Harrison and Raphinha, so we feel he could well come in at the expense of Helder Costa.

Marcelo Bielsa has handed Costa just 13 league starts this season and the club are thought to be willing to listen to offers for the Portuguese winger this summer.

Should he seal an Elland Road exit, it seems as if Victor Orta could be on to his replacement in Lang, who may well fit right in under Bielsa.

He has an eye for goal, can play on either flank or through the middle and is still early into his career. Valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, he could come at a price similar to the one Leeds paid for Raphinha (£17m), who has been a revelation in Yorkshire.

In other news: Noel Whelan makes big Marcelo Bielsa claim, find out more here. 

Mark Warburton will be looking to witness a reaction from his Queens Park Rangers side this afternoon as they head to the north-east for another Championship outing.

The Rs endured a late second-half collapse against Rotherham United last time out and even though there is little to play for at this stage of the season, a win over Middlesbrough will bring much joy back in west London.

But what sort of lineup could we see from the 58-year-old at the Riverside Stadium today? Here’s our predicted XI as well as the latest team and injury news from the Superhoops camp…

There could be as many as four changes and a welcome sight in defence following fresh injury updates this week.

According to Warburton, there is a chance that Jordy de Wijs is able to feature despite suffering a broken nose up at Rotherham. “Hopefully he’ll be okay this morning and okay to travel,” the QPR boss revealed to West London Sport.

Whilst skipper Geoff Cameron is expected to be unavailable once again. Therefore, the backline should remain unchanged, meaning it will be Seng Dieng between the sticks, with de Wijs in between Yoann Barbet and Rob Dickie.

Osman Kakay has impressed at right wing-back, delivering an assist for Lyndon Dykes’ opener on Tuesday night, so he should keep Todd Kane out the side but Warburton should be able to welcome back Lee Wallace after a rest in midweek.

He’ll replace Niko Hamalainen on the left after a disastrous showing. The 24-year-old will be lucky to feature again this season after that performance.

In midfield, we could finally see Dominic Ball get a rare start with Stefan Johansen expected to remain as a key cog in that engine room.

There should also be returns for Chris Willock and Ilias Chair, who were both surprisingly dropped for the trip to Yorkshire – their creative presence in attacking midfield was sorely missed and Warburton will think twice before doing that again.

It means young duo George Thomas, 24 and Charlie Kelman, 19, will drop to the bench.

Dykes, who is in red-hot form with 12 goals for the season, will lead the line once more in the absence of the suspended Charlie Austin.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than Dieng: QPR ace who lost possession 16x offered Warburton nothing last time out…

David Moyes must put his foot down and reject a rumoured swap deal involving West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

What’s the word?

According to the Express, Loftus-Cheek is one of three players the Stamford Bridge outfit may look to present in exchange for Rice’s signature this summer.

Chelsea failed to sign Rice last year when West Ham held firm at an £80m valuation, and the Irons are thought to have since increased their asking price to £100m.

Frank Lampard’s sacking was expected to bring a halt to the Blues’ interest in taking Rice back to south west London, yet Thomas Tuchel has not scrubbed his predecessors’ plans.

But the German is prioritising the arrival of a new striker and has Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku under consideration, which would leave the Blues clutching at straws to fund a pursuit of Rice.

As such, Chelsea are tipped to potentially offer West Ham their choice of Loftus-Cheek, Andreas Christiansen or Tammy Abraham in hopes of bringing down the Hammers’ asking price.

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The London Stadium natives have been linked with a potential move for Abraham recently, while £60,000-per-week Loftus-Cheek is considered to be a direct replacement for Rice.

Should West Ham accept Loftus-Cheek for Rice?

Rice’s services are bound to be highly sought-after among the Premier League’s established elite clubs this summer, after once again proving to be a key part of West Ham’s plans and further establishing himself on the international stage.

The 22-year-old was named as the Man of the Match during England’s recent World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Poland, despite playing the closing stages of the latter tie with a lateral knee ligament injury.

Rice’s issue meant he missed West Ham’s wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City last week, the first Premier League games that the Irons’ vice-captain had sat out since May 2019 after 68 straight starts.

He already has interest from Manchester United as well, who could use Jesse Lingard to negotiate a lower fee, but reports by The Sun claim West Ham have no interest in selling one star to retain the one they have on loan.

Rival interest will also ensure the Hammers are not in a position where they must accept a downgrade to sell Rice to Chelsea – a player Moyes claims suitors would need “the Bank of England and the Royal Bank of Scotland” to sign.

Loftus-Cheek would certainly be a step down in quality for the Irons, and send out the wrong message to the rest of the squad and potential summer targets over their aspirations of sustaining this season’s remarkable challenge for European football.

The Chelsea man – who Gary Neville claims is “a massive talent” – has struggled to impress consistently this season while on loan with relegation-threatened Fulham, having offered just a single goal and no assists in 26 Premier League games for the Cottagers.

His defensive contributions pale into insignificance beside Rice’s, too, with Loftus-Cheek trailing for tackles (1.9 to 0.9), interceptions (2 to 0.2), fouls committed (0.7 to 1.1) and clearances (1.2 to 0.5) per game in the top-flight this term, per WhoScored.

If Rice is to leave West Ham at the end of the season, they need to be earning top-dollar to sign a ready-made replacement – not accepting discounted approaches for players that will stagnate their progress as a club.

AND in other news, West Ham eye 23-year-old talent once backed to become “world-class”…

Leeds United have been linked with an incredible move for Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero, in what would surely be the biggest coup of Victor Orta’s career.

The Argentine has been one of the best strikers in Premier League history, with only Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole scoring more goals in the competition.

He has been called a ‘genius’ by Frank Lampard in the past and will go down as one of the greatest foreign imports the English game has seen.

Aguero has confirmed that he will leave City at the end of the season, alerting a number of a clubs who could look to snap him up.

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Leeds linked with Aguero move

Leeds are thought to be one of those teams, with 90min claiming Marcelo Bielsa is interested in a stunning move for the world-renowned star.

It is stated that Aguero has been ‘pinpointed’ as a replacement for likely outgoing striker Rodrigo, with Marcelo Bielsa keen to link up with his fellow countryman.

He also wouldn’t have to move house, given Manchester and Leeds are in relatively close proximity, which acts as a further bonus for the player.

Transfer Tavern take

Aguero may be turning 33 this summer, but he could be a fantastic addition for Leeds, still possessing outrageous ability in the final third.

That eye for goal and match-winning instinct could take the Whites up another level next season, so at least attempting to sign him makes complete sense.

His mentality could rub off on those around him, having won four Premier League titles and being on the cusp of clinching a fifth.

Of course, a move would surely depend on Orta convincing him to take a wage-cut, but at 33 perhaps the chance to link up with his countryman Bielsa could tempt him into a short-term deal.

If the Whites’ DoF could pull it off, given he has built his reputation at Leeds off finding bargains and young talent (BBC), it would be a real show of intent and a mega coup.

In other news, one pundit believes a key Leeds player should be surprisingly dropped against Fulham. Find out who it is here.

As relayed by reliable journalist James Pearce, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have confirmed the £543 million sale of 10% stake in their company to RedBird Capital Partners – prompting many Reds supporters to drop their wide array of verdicts on social media.

The multi-million pound investment deal, as explained by the Athletic, now values FSG at around $7.35 billion (£5.32 billion) – coming as a potentially big financial boost for Liverpool amid the coronavirus pandemic.

American basketball superstar LeBron James, who has long held a stake in the Merseyside giants, will also a gain a stake in the Boston Red Sox as a result of these negotiations.

In terms of what it means for the Reds and manager Jurgen Klopp, the agreement will allow FSG to navigate these unprecedented financial circumstances brought upon by the pandemic (The Athletic).

As well as reducing club debts accumulated over these last 12 months, it authorises Liverpool to continue their careful and calculated transfer strategy despite huge losses since the pandemic began.

Given these benefits, it’s little wonder some Reds fans sees this as ‘good news’, but other supporters are also disappointed it won’t be the huge transfer kitty injection they’d hoped for.

Find all of their social media verdicts down below.

Liverpool fans react to FSG development.

“Good news”

Credit: @nochdawe

“Hold me James”

Credit: @WeHaveKlopp

“Wow FSG not spending who would’ve thunk it”

Credit: @ChrisHPE

“SIIIUUUUU”

Credit: @LFC_Ox

“Just means Liverpool are a massive, massive club.”

Credit: @wesrowe123

“This good James it is very good.”

Credit: @MrCharlieGill

“That can only be good news if it happens”

Credit: @tomehoban

“Announce Mbappe”

Credit: @davidc98

In other news: Liverpool fans blast this transfer rumour, find out more here.

Pep Guardiola has been handed a huge injury boost at Manchester City ahead of the Carabao Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur, as Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be fit for the game at Wembley.

The Belgian international was forced off through injury in the FA Cup Semi-Final defeat against Chelsea recently and missed the midweek win over Aston Villa.

However, Pep Guardiola confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the talismanic midfielder is feeling ‘much better’ and that he had trained with the first-team squad ahead of Sunday’s game.

It will undoubtedly be a massive boost for the Spanish manager if De Bruyne is fit to play, as the 29-year-old has been a driving force behind the Citizens’ superb season thus far.

In 24 top-flight appearances, the former Wolfsburg man has contributed five goals and 11 assists, averaging an excellent 7.56/10 rating for his performances.

This comfortably ranks him as City’s best performer in the top-flight this season, whilst his performances in the Champions League have also been exceptional, so it is clear just how important he is in Guardiola’s side.

Spurs’ new manager Ryan Mason will surely be worried that City could dominate the final on Sunday should De Bruyne start, as he clearly has the ability to dictate the game and turn it in City’s favour, whilst his 3.3 shots per game average in the Premier League immediately marks him out as a serious goal threat.

Last season, De Bruyne earned a lot of praise from Premier League legend Thierry Henry, with the Frenchman suggesting that:

“Kevin saw me at Vincent Kompany’s testimonial (at the start of the season) and he said: ‘This year, I’ll get you,’ and I said: ‘You will because you are just incredible’.

“His brain is somewhere else, it’s just ridiculous. I came across him (with Belgium) and worked with him and he’s one of those guys you just have to let play because if you start to understand and comprehend what he’s doing, you’re going to have a headache. He’s on another planet.”

Therefore, if De Bruyne is fit to play then Guardiola should definitely hand him a start, as he could prove to be the game-changer at Wembley.

And, in other news… Mansour call is massive news for Pep, De Bruyne will be delighted 

According to a report by journalist Sid Lowe in The Guardian, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is understood to be referencing Manchester City as the club not being ‘fully committed’ to the European Super League (ESL), which apparently played a heavy hand in the breakaway division’s eventual suspension. 

Indeed, as per this report, the Sky Blues are whom Perez is referencing when he opened up over one of the six Premier League founding clubs first getting cold feet over the project.

He explained that ‘one of the English clubs’ didn’t seem so interested and that doubt ‘spread to the rest’ of the teams (The Guardian), eventually resulting in many clubs announcing they’d be withdrawing from the ESL plans.

With Lowe explaining that this originally unnamed club is indeed City, many Sky Blues supporters erupted at this claim – with one fan calling it ‘massive’.

The proposed breakaway could have had untold consequences for English football, especially considering that UEFA threatened to ban involved sides from domestic competition and even warned that players may not be able to represent their national teams (Sam Cunningham on Twitter).

Given the huge ESL tipping point in which City allegedly played a heavy part, it’s little wonder this has grabbed plenty of attention from fans.  Lots of Sky Blues supporters protested over their club’s involvement in the controversial plans, with many now overjoyed their side eventually played a big role in its suspension.

Find some of their verdicts below.

Man City fans erupt over ESL claim

“We’re saving football”

Credit: @Prince_Ederson

“Massive”

Credit: @PelvisPoker

“We joined the ESL to bring it down. In the process, became friends with UEFA as well. And now lesser competition for Haaland.

Masterclass.”

Credit: @damned_reality

“Proud to be a blue now”

Credit: @FodenCTID

“THATS MY CLUB SAVING FOOTBALL”

Credit: @mxnciteh

“Well done Man City, good riddance Mr Perez!!”

Credit: @skyblue9320

“We’re massive”

Credit: @alexmcfc_1

“Joined just to dismantle them from inside, my owner”

Credit: @CityJoul

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to this ‘best news’, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Frank McAvennie refused to rule out Jose Mourinho becoming the new Celtic manager.

The Portuguese, who was sacked by Tottenham earlier this month, has recently emerged as a shock candidate to replace Neil Lennon at Parkhead.

Reports believe that almost straight after Mourinho was relieved of his duties in north London, he was approached by the Hoops about the vacant role in Paradise.

Mourinho endured a wretched campaign at Tottenham, although he was perhaps harshly sacked just six days before the Carabao Cup final, which they ended up losing 1-0 to against Manchester City last month.

It means that the Special One failed to win silverware for the first time in his career, but could the lure of trying to become top dogs in Scotland once again appeal to him?

McAvennie told Football FanCast:

“I know he likes Celtic – when Celtic played in the UEFA Cup final against Porto, he couldn’t believe the fans and said that night ‘it’s a club that I would love to manage’, but I think he meant with those kind of supporters, rather than to come to Scotland.

“Would I like Mourinho up there? God yeah. It would be a breath of fresh air into Scottish football. Do I think it will happen? No, but I would love it. Never rule anything out, I’ve been in football too long, because just when you say something you end up looking like a fool. “

Writing a message on Twitter, Czech Republic ambassador Libor Secka has proposed a charity match between West Ham United and Slavia Prague, with many Hammers fans in agreement and pleading for it to happen.

The two clubs have been enjoying a great relationship recently, arguably highlighted by the Hammers’ acquisitions of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal in the summer, and the ambassador to the Czech Republic in London has thought of a worthwhile initiative for a good cause.

This would be to raise money for Isla Caton and her treatment for a rare form of child cancer called Neuroblastoma, with further care needed in Barcelona as the fight continues (JustGiving).

After meeting with the child’s family recently, Secka has proposed a charity match between Slavia Prague and West Ham United, prompting many West Ham fans to support the idea on Twitter. He wrote: “Without addressing the Boards of both clubs is not possible to organise Charity match for Isla Caton between Slavia Prague and WHU. Do you support my effort to go ahead with the initiative?”.

As the prospective event could support an important cause, while giving the Irons and Slavia a chance to play each other, it’s little wonder that so many Hammers fans are in full support of the prospect.

Check out some of the verdicts from social media below.

West Ham fans adore Slavia charity match proposal

“I think it will be lovely to see all the teams play ! See how West Ham cope with Slavia and all for a good cause, Mr. Ambassador if you could use your power to help this it will be amazing! I’m in”

Credit: @Thehammerone1

“Libor this would be an amazing gesture. Isla’ s family and WHU supporters would flock to see this game and support this little girl. Make it happen please and GSB please”

Credit: @Roberto120916

“PLEASEEEEE”

Credit: @Shaneo_300

“Huge respect”

Credit: @SenorSoucek

“Yesssssssssss”

Credit: @joelitt78828048

“An absolutely wonderful idea!”

Credit: @IronessWest

“100%”

Credit: @ScoutSoucek

“Ohhh yesss this would be amazing has to happen and for a great cause now too”

Credit: @CristianoCruzJ

In other news: West Ham are readying a swoop for this £18 million-rated ace, find out more here.