Southampton find themselves in a very tricky predicament, with it now being a very real possibility for them to go down at the end of the season. 

Again, like last season, the Saints simply haven’t been good enough and that reflects in their current league standing – 18th.

For a side who were consistently battling for Europe just a few seasons ago, their decline has been rapid but that is what happens when you chop and change your team and manager every year.

Bad decisions have caught up with Southampton but they still have plenty of time to get out of the trouble they currently find themselves in.

If they do and again they manage to stay in the Premier League, that has to be the alert they need to get active in the transfer market.

Too often their signings fail to have an impact but someone who would undoubtedly be a strong capture is Toulouse centre-back Christopher Jullien.

Jullien, (who is valued at £5.4 million on Transfermarkt) is a player that Southampton have previously been linked (as per Yahoo Sport via GFFN) with over a number of transfer windows, but never committed to actually signing.

It’s unbeknown as to why because the French giant would be a fantastic, imposing option at the heart of the defence for Southampton.

The 25-year-old has 23 games under his belt this season, of which four of those games have resulted in clean-sheets.

His performances last season brought him into the limelight for sides like Southampton to take an interest. With his showings this year as well,  there is no doubt Christopher Jullien would be better than many of the current options Southampton have.

Do you agree… Let us know!

[ad_pod ]Leeds are set to be without Kemar Roofe for considerable time due to a knee injury, and Izzy Brown now has the perfect chance to make a huge impact at his loan club.

What’s the word?

Leeds have suffered another huge injury setback, as Roofe suffered knee ligament damage during the win over Swansea, reports Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The 26 year-old, who has struck 14 times in the Championship this season, is expected to return before the end of the season, but it seems highly unlikely he’ll play a significant role in the run-in given the seriousness of knee ligament injuries.

Whether he returns this campaign or not, the Whites need a new number ten while the ex-Oxford United ace is out of action, and that offers Brown the chance to re-pay the club’s faith in him.

On the chalkboard

Brown stepped on to the Elland Road turf for the first time on Monday afternoon, taking part in an Under-23’s match against Bolton.

While he only played 45 minutes and was reportedlyÂlimping when he was withdrawn at half time, the injury is not expected to be serious, and he is now another 45 minutes closer to full fitness.

The 22 year-old is yet to feature for Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team after several setbacks on the road back from a knee injury, but his skill, vision and work rate can provide a fitting replacement for Roofe, who has adopted a slightly deeper position since Patrick Bamford’s return to the starting XI.

The Chelsea youngster will not offer the goal threat that Roofe is capable of, but his intelligence and eye for a pass in the middle of the attack will help break down deep defences, and could even pave the way for Bamford to go on a goalscoring run.

Roofe’s injury is a massive setback without a doubt, but Brown is on the verge of showing why Bielsa and the club have stood by him through his long road to recovery.

Marcelo Bielsa suffered a huge blow to his Leeds United promotion hopes, with the news that influential centre-back Pontus Janss0n has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a knee injury.

The Swedish international picked up the injury during Saturday’s hugely disappointing defeat to rivals Sheffield United, who leapfrogged the Whites into second place in the table.

According to Sky Sports, Jansson has already been ruled out for the visit of Millwall, but the club are hopeful that he will be back for the following week’s trip to Birmingham.

The loss of such an important player is potentially devastating news for Bielsa, especially in such a tight race for the two automatic promotion spots.

His influence on the back line cannot be underestimated, and he is one of the main reasons that Leeds are sitting on the verge of a Premier League return.

With goal difference likely to be very significant, they will need a tight ship at the back in the remaining weeks, with Leeds already having a worse ratio that both Norwich and the Blades.

Fortunately, his absence should be minimised by the international break, and Jansson will remain in England for treatment, instead of linking up with his Swedish teammates.

The defender has made more than 70 appearances for the club since arriving from Torino in 2017, and Bielsa will be hoping his spell on the sidelines is short-lived.

What are your thoughts on the loss of Jansson? Would you be confident in whoever Bielsa brings him in to replace him? Let us know your thoughts…

واصل التونسي فرجاني ساسي، لاعب وسط الزمالك، تصرفاته الغريبة مع الحكام في مباريات فريقه في مسابقة الدوري المصري، والتي كان أخرهم طرده أمام المصري البورسعيدي.

فاز الزمالك على المصري البورسعيدي بهدف دون رد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الحادية والثلاثون من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، التي أقيمت على ستاد برج العرب، بالإسكندرية.

وكشف مراسل بطولات، أن الحكم أمين عمر، حكم المباراة، دون في تقريره تعدي فرجاني ساسي، عليه لفظا ومحاولة التعدي عليه والتعامل معه بشكل غير لائق بجانب الاستمرار في استفزازه ببعض الكلمات بعد تعرضه للطرد.

ومن جانبه، قال مرتضى منصور، رئيس نادي الزمالك، خلال مداخلة هاتفية ببرنامج “البريمو” عبر قناة “تن”: “وقعت عقوبة مالية كبيرة على فرجاني ساسي، لكي يعرف أن نادي الزمالك لا يوجد به مثل هذه التصرفات، مع أنه شُتم وضُرب من لاعبي المصري بشكل قوي”.

واقعة طرد فرجاني ساسي وتهجمه على الحكام، ليست الأولى التي يقوم بها خلال مباريات الزمالك في مسابقة الدوري المصري هذا الموسم.

الطرد الأول الذي حصل عليه فرجاني ساسي كان في مباراة الزمالك والمقاولون العرب، في الجولة الخامسة من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بعدما حصل على الإنذار الثاني في الدقيقة الـ85 من عمر المباراة بعد تدخل قوي مع لاعب المقاولون. شاهد طرد فرجاني ساسي أمام المقاولون

ثم وأفاد مراسل “بطولات” في مباراة الزمالك ونادي مصر، التي جمعت بينهما في الجولة العشرون من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، أن الغضب سيطر على لاعبي الزمالك بسبب أداء الحكم الدولي أحمد الغندور، بعد احتسابه 4 دقائق فقط وقت بدل الضائع للشوط الثاني.

وعبر لاعب خط الوسط التونسي، فرجاني ساسي عن غضبه عند مغادرة الملعب، قائلًا: “الحكام هنا صفر”. طالع التفاصيل

ثم طرده في مباراة الزمالك والمصري البورسعيدي، في الدقيقة 37، بعد تعديه لفظًا على حكم المباراة. شاهد لحظة طرد فرجاني ساسي

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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has confirmed that Jack Grealish is in his thinking for Saturday’s Championship clash with Derby County.

What’s the update from Smith?

The Express & Star quotes Smith as saying:

“This gives everyone a boost. It has been well documented that results-wise it has not been good. I don’t put that just down to Jack.

“He’s trained well so is available for selection. Whether he starts or not, we will wait and see but he has trained well enough. He is pushing for a starting spot on Saturday.

“I have said before I believe he is the best player in the league and any team that loses a player of that quality would suffer. We have suffered a little bit through Jack’s loss. It will be nice to have him back.”

Well, Smith has not confirmed that Grealish will start the clash with Derby, but that seems very likely as the club chases a result.

According to the Villa boss, Grealish ‘is the best player in the league’, which will have certainly boosted the midfielder’s ego as he closes on a return.

There is no question that the 23-year-old has been missed and Villa need him to hit the ground running on his return, which will come against Derby, regardless of whether that is from the start or off the bench.

How has Grealish performed this season?

The Englishman played 21 Championship games for Villa earlier this season before picking up a shin injury against West Bromwich Albion in December.

The 5ft 9in ace has contributed two goals and four assists this term and had been in very good form before he picked up his injury.

Indeed, three of the attacker’s assists and two of his goals came in the six games before he was ruled out for what has proved to be 13 league matches thus far.

Villa have not won in the Championship since the end of January, drawing three and losing two of their last five in the second tier.

The importance of the clash with Derby simply cannot be downplayed as Smith’s side chase a playoff position.

And the return of Grealish has come at the perfect time.

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Spurs travel north for their battle with Burnley at Turf Moor, buffed by the news that Harry Kane is back and ready for action having recovered from his recurring ankle injury.

Fortunately for the Lilywhites, they have hardly missed the England captain’s absence due to the electric form of Heung-min Son who, should Mauricio Pochettino do the maths ahead of a busy run of fixtures, should be dropped for the Clarets clash.

On the chalkboard

Spurs have proved in the last month that they aren’t the one man team many football fans label them as being – instead, the likes of the aforementioned Son and even Fernando Llorente have stepped up to the plate and delivered the vital goals that have kept the north London outfit in the title race.

Kane’s immediate recall for this weekend’s clash would surely be a no brainer for many Spurs fans and, while it may be a risk to thrust the only-just-recovered number 9 back in against one of the Premier League’s most physical sides, Pochettino must think about what his team needs and when, in a period where they have three games in seven days.

Why, then, should Son, who has scored in three consecutive games, be dropped against Burnley instead?

Kane loves scoring against Burnley

The 25-year-old has chalked up five goals and an assist in seven games against the Clarets and will be keen to add to that stellar record in their next meeting.

Meanwhile, Son is in desperate need of a rest having played 89 minutes or more in the last four Premier League games and the full 90 minutes against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. The clash with Burnley seems like the perfect time to give him a break.

Plus, Pochettino has plenty of other attacking midfielders to choose from so there is no need for Son to be restored in his left-wing role so soon, and Llorente might be a better partner for Kane up front this game anyway – Sean Dyche’s side are adept at dealing with balls into the box and sit very deep so the Spaniard’s height may be more useful than Son’s pace.

Chelsea next up

A battle with the Blues is just around the corner – Wednesday, to be precise – and a different approach will be required for that game. Starting Kane in two games so close to each other after the striker has just returned from injury should not be considered by Pochettino, who would be better served bringing Son back in for the Blues clash.

There’s good news for fans of City, Liverpool, Spurs and United in the video below…

Maurizio Sarri’s side struggled to break down teams who sit deep so perhaps Spurs’ joy will come – like it did the last time the two London clubs met – on the counter, where 26-year-old Son’s pace will be crucial.

After all is Arsenal, where Pochettino will hopefully be able to unleash a fully recovered, fully rested Kane and field his strongest side against their bitter rivals. Leaving Son out this weekend might be an unthinkable decision to make but, considering how hectic the fixture schedule is in the next seven days, it would be an extremely smart decision for the Spurs boss to make.

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Jack Clarke has returned to full first-team training with Leeds United, as reported by Sky Sports.

The 18-year-old winger has been out of action since being taken ill whilst on the bench in February’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. 

Prior to his absence, Clarke had been making waves in the Whites’ first team. The young attacker made his senior debut for Marcelo Bielsa’s side against Brentford in October and hasn’t looked back since. He made his first start for the club in their 2-0 over Derby County at Elland Road, and shone in that fixture.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

To date, the academy graduate has made 17 appearances for the club in all competitions, registering two goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt’s stats. 

His return will be a massive boost for Bielsa who will require all hands on deck at Leeds as they continue to chase the Championship title.

Leeds fans are certainly glad to have the forward on his way back, with many taking to Twitter to congratulate Clarke on his return to the fold…

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Liverpool fans on Twitter have been discussing a move for Leicester star James Maddison, debating whether or not the Englishman would be a good fit for the club after impressing so far this season.

The 22-year-old signed for the Foxes from Norwich for a fee of around £20m back in the summer, having impressed for the Canaries in the previous campaign with 14 goals and eight assists in 44 Championship appearances.

How did Mane score THAT goal against Bayern last week? Did he dazzle them with Firmino’s teeth? 442oons speculate in the video below…

Maddison has carried that form into the Premier League with six goals and six assists so far, his latest effort catching the eye of spectators due to the pure technique on show – a wonderful, curled free-kick into the top left corner against Burnley.

The Reds have lacked a potent No.10 in midfield since the departure of Philippe Coutinho, and much has been made of the current midfield’s lack of creativity.

Naturally, as Jurgen Klopp’s midfield carries more pragmatic types such as James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, fans are keen to see a more forward-thinking option, hence the debate over a potential move for Maddison.

Let’s see what the Liverpool supporters are saying about the Foxes’ No.10 on Twitter…

نفى أحمد حمدي لاعب الجونة جلوس نادر شوقي مدير الشركة المسئولة عن إدارة النادي الساحلي لمناقشة عرض روبن كازان الروسي.

وكان أحمد حمدي قد تلقى عرضًا خلال الفترة السابقة للانضمام لصفوف روبن كازان لكن لم تكتمل المفاوضات بالنجاح.

وقال أحمد حمدي خلال مداخلة ببرنامج “الماتش” المذاع على قناة “صدى البلد”: “نادر شوقي لم يجلس معي عقب مباراة طنطا لمناقسة العرض معي كما قال، ورد الجونة على روبن كازان الروسي ظهر في هذا الوقت بعد أن تم غلق القيد هناك وضاعت الفرصة”.

وأضاف: “السرعة في التواصل كانت مطلوبة وهذا لم يحدث، لم يكن لدي أي أزمة إذا تم رفض العرض، ومشكلتي الوحيدة في التجاهل والتأخر في الرد”.

وتابع: “حسام غالي أرسل لي رسالة نصها (أنت غير موجود معنا في مباراة المصري) عقب تصريحاتي الأولى”.

طالع أيضًا.. نادر شوقي يكشف كواليس أزمة أحمد حمدي مع الجونة بسبب العرض الروسي

وأردف: “خلال 48 ساعة سأعود لتدريبات الجونة، أنا لاعب محترف ومرتبط بتعاقد مع الفريق”.

وواصل: “نادر شوقي يريد أن يجعل الجميع ينظر لي على أنني أتحدث في توقيت غير مناسب وهذا يشتت الفريق”.

واختتم: “اعتراضي كله كان بسبب عدم جلوس أحد معي وتجاهلي، وعندما جاء والدي ليقابله رفض”.

What a missed opportunity that was! Manchester United had the chance to reach an FA Cup semi-final where only Manchester City looked a threat, but they blew it and it proves how right United are not give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the job just yet.

The attacking football has been exciting. It’s fast, it’s dynamic and it does what Jose Mourinho failed to do in his tenure, get the most out of their wealth of forward-facing talent. However, when they lose the ball, the whole United side looks at sea and that’s down to Solskjaer’s careless nature.

There’s a reason he didn’t succeed at Cardiff, and that’s because they weren’t organised enough to deal with playing against teams who had more of the ball and were better than them, which was probably every team in the Premier League at the time. This weakness is shown less at United because they’re on the front foot in most games, but it rears its head on occasions.

Wolves are confident on their home turf, and it showed in their ability to retain the ball and attack with intent. That will have been encouraged by their knowledge that Solskjaer’s side are there for the taking if you go at them. PSG at Old Trafford and Arsenal last week proved this.

It’s clear United need investment at the back in the summer. Jose Mourinho obviously knew it, and that seems to be the reason why he didn’t feel he could attack with the freedom the current manager is doing. If he did, then United would struggle to defend the large spaces they leave at the back, just as they did against Wolves.

Mourinho would most probably have won that game on Saturday, and it once again shows that United must be cautious not to make a romantic appointment and bide their time to see if the Norweigan wises up defensively between now and the end of the season.

Man United fans, do you think the Wolves defeat was Solskjaer’s fault or his players’? Join the discussion by commenting below…