Leeds United fans on Twitter are downhearted after Phil Hay’s latest update all but confirmed Samu Saiz will be leaving the club permanently this summer.
The midfielder became somewhat of a hero at Elland Road before he moved back to Spain on loan in January.
The 28-year-old has been less than impressive at Getafe though, scoring just once and playing only 300 minutes since he joined the La Liga side.
This led to many Whites fans hoping he was in line for a return, but that now seems unlikely as the Yorkshire Evening Post writer confirmed he was looking for a move elsewhere.
The Spaniard was a revelation when he first arrived, and he quickly became a key man at the Whites. Unfortunately, he was one of a few players whose form didn’t improve after the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa due to apparent homesickness.
A lot of the fanbase will undoubtedly miss Saiz as he was often a shining light during poor periods for the club.
Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying in response to Hay’s update on Twitter…
شدد الدولي البرتغالي، جواو فيليكس، مُهاجم فريق أتلتيكو مدريد، على صعوبة مواجهة فريق برشلونة في الدوري الإسباني.
أتلتيكو مدريد يستقبل برشلونة، مساء السبت، في تمام العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب “واندا متروبوليتانو”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة العاشرة من الليجا.
اقرأ أيضًا.. أوبلاك يحدد مفتاح انتصار أتلتيكو مدريد على برشلونة في الليجا
وقال فيليكس في تصريحات لموقع ناديه الرسمي: “نحن مؤخرًا نلعب بشكل جيد جدًا، حققنا نتائج جيدة ولدينا الدوافع”.
وأضاف: “نحن نعرف برشلونة يريد أنّ يستحوذ أكثر على الكرة، وذلك سوف يجعلنا نركض أكثر من المعتاد، ولكن نحن سنلعب من أجل أنّ نُقدم مباراة رائعة”.
وأتم تصريحاته: “إنها مُباراة رائعة، أنا مُستعد للعب، والاستمتاع بها على أكمل وجه، لقد بدأت الموسم بشكل جيد للغاية، ولا بد لي من مواصلة العمل بهذه الطريقة لإسعاد الجماهير”.
Everton turned to Marco Silva to head a transition period that would see Everton compete financially and competitively with the big six of English football.
They made a decent start to life under the Portuguese manager, who himself had a mixed reputation after decent spells at Watford and Hull that ultimately ended badly. He arrived bringing with him Richarlison for £40m from the Hornets, before acquiring Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes, Bernard among others.
Everton suffered a tricky run of form between December and March, but things did start to improve for the Toffees after a well-earned draw against rivals Liverpool.
That proved to be the catalyst for an end-of-season revival in form, energy and confidence. Everton ended the season strong with wins against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. So, overall, did the players earn their wages this season?
[snack_break title=”Goalkeepers”]
Jordan Pickford (£5,200,000 p/y)
He’s made errors this season but overall he’s done ok. Sometimes he looks a bit manic and lacking composure, but he’s doing alright overall.
Has he earned his wage? Just about.
Maarten Stekelenburg (£1,560,000 p/y)
He’s a good back-up option and does ok when called upon.
Has he earned his wage? Just about.
[snack_break title=”Defenders”]
Seamus Coleman (£3,640,000 p/y)
Always an attacking threat down the right-hand side, always committed and always passionate. He’s a real asset for Everton.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Leighton Baines (£3,640,000 p/y)
His best days are behind him and he’s been replaced by Lucas Digne.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely not.
Michael Keane (£3,120,000 p/y)
He’s found his best form in the final months of the season and looks an accomplished, reliable defender for Everton.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Kurt Zouma (£2,080,000 p/y)
After a really promising start to life at Chelsea, opportunities haven’t come for Zouma. It didn’t work out for him at Stoke, but at Everton, he’s rediscovered some of his best form.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Phil Jagielka (£2,600,000 p/y)
When needed he steps up and does a very good job considering he’s an ageing centre-back who rarely gets a run in the team.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Yerry Mina (£6,240,000 p/y)
There were high hopes for Mina when he came to Everton from Barcelona but it hasn’t worked out for him. He’s been outclassed by better players this season.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely not.
Lucas Digne (£4,680,000 p/y)
One of Everton’s most exciting attacking options – from left-back! Has a wicked cross, great striker of the ball and gets forward well. What a signing he’s been.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
[snack_break title=”Midfielders”]
Andre Gomes (£5,800,000 p/y)
It will be such a shame for Everton if they can’t keep hold of the Barcelona loanee because he’s been immense for them. Gifted on the ball, powerful when he strides forward and a very intelligent all-around midfielder.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (£5,200,000 p/y)
Everton’s most gifted playmaker has provided a cutting edge this season and gone some way to justifying his mammoth price tag. He’s got the ability to score great goals, to assist, and even when he’s struggling on the ball you know he’ll work hard off it.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
James McCarthy (£2,600,000 p/y)
Hasn’t played enough unfortunately. Though on form he’s a tenacious and classy midfielder.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely not.
Idrissa Gueye (£3,640,000 p/y)
Always one of Everton’s best players. Tenacious, good on the ball and reliable. He’s been linked with a move away and he might just fancy himself at a Champions League club.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Morgan Schneiderlin (£5,200,000 p/y)
Hasn’t been the signing everyone hoped, and hasn’t truly kicked on since his time at Manchester United. Southampton might have been the best place for him all along. He’s a neat and committed player though and does well from time to time.
Has he earned his wage? Just about.
Tom Davies (£1,300,000 p/y)
Hasn’t developed into the player fans hoped he would, but he’s still young and has a lot to learn.
Has he earned his wage? Just about.
[snack_break title=”Forwards”]
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Theo Walcott (£5,200,000 p/y)
Struggled in his final season at Arsenal and he’s struggling at Everton. Always got the ability to score a goal, whip in a good cross and use his pace to be dangerous, but overall he doesn’t do enough.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely not.
Bernard (£6,240,000 p/y)
On a free transfer, he’s been an amazing signing. He’s quick, skilful, direct and very intelligent as well. He’s unpredictable and can be that player who makes a difference in a tight game.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Cenk Tosun (£3,120,000 p/y)
Hasn’t worked for him since his move to the Premier League. He tries hard but he’s quite a static forward and Premier League football is evolving past the era where those types of players succeed.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely not.
Oumar Niasse (£2,860,000 p/y)
Didn’t play much before disappointing in Cardiff as well.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely not.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£1,040,000 p/y)
Not everyone rates the youngster but he works hard, is strong in the air, can play with the ball on the ground as well and loves to run in behind. He’s versatile and helps wherever needed.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Richarlison (£4,680,000 p/y)
Everton spent big money on the Brazilian and he’s done very well since arriving. He’s scored 13 Premier League goals this year and poses a threat whenever he plays. Can only see him improving more with each year that passes.
Has he earned his wage? Definitely has.
Ademola Lookman (£1,196,000 p/y)
Lookman has never been an Everton regular, but he’s got the skill and talent to suggest he could be one day. Hasn’t been trusted to start much under Silva, but with a space needing filling down the right wing, perhaps he’ll be ready to step up next season.
كشف أحمد شوبير حارس مرمى الأهلي السابق والإعلامي الحالي عن طاقم تحكيم مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
الأهلي يستعد لمواجهة الزمالك في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا والذي يحتضنه استاد القاهرة الدولي.
وقال شوبير في تصريحات إذاعية عبر أثير راديو “أون سبورت”: “المغربي رضوان جيد سيدير المباراة وهو من الحكام المميزين في إفريقيا، ويمتلك شخصية حازمة ولا يخشي شيء وأدار مباريات للأهلي والزمالك من قبل”.
وأختتم: “وحكم الفيديو جاني إسكازوي الذي أدار مباراة الأهلي والوداد في نصف النهائي”.
جدير بالذكر أن الأهلي تأهل للدور النهائي بعدما فاز على الوداد المغربي بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف بمجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب، وصعد الزمالك لهذا الدور بعدما انتصر على الرجاء بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف.
Teddy Sheringham insists that Tottenham Hotspur can play without pressure in the Champions League final on Saturday, per BetStars.
What’s he said?
Sheringham is, of course, a Champions League winner, having played a key role in Manchester United’s 1999 triumph against Bayern Munich.
He spent a total of seven years with Spurs in his career, across two spells, and is currently the club’s 10th-highest goalscorer, with 124 goals.
And he believes that, while Liverpool are the favourites in the showpiece in Madrid, Spurs can play without the burden of expectation, such has been their miraculous run to the final.
He said, when asked if there was more pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s side: “Yes, I think there is. The way in which Tottenham has made it to the Champions League final has been a proper adventure.
“It looked like they were well and truly down and out of different ties along the way, even in the early rounds when they just made it through.
“Having done so well in the league this season, the pressure is definitely on Liverpool.”
Their only free hit
Sheringham is being a tad naive here as this may be the only time that Spurs reach a Champions League final.
Their run has been an against-all-odds triumph, with wins over Manchester City and Ajax reinforcing a belief among fans that destiny may well be playing a part in their campaign.
Yet they cannot afford to waste this opportunity.
Liverpool are, on paper, a better team than Spurs but Mauricio Pochettino and his side will know the Reds inside out and backwards; they certainly stand a better chance of beating Liverpool than they would have of beating Barcelona.
This, then, is both a free hit and perhaps their one shot at immortality.
For Tottenham, the stakes really couldn’t be higher.
Leeds fans have been frantic since reports emerged that Qatar Sports Investments are interested in buying a share of the club.
As soon as the rumours began, supporters were dreaming about the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar lining up at Elland Road. Although many of these comments are tongue in cheek, fans still have high expectations around the potential arrival of the Qataris.
Why wouldn’t they? This is the same financial group that has pumped over €1b into PSG over the last decade or so.
The Parc des Princes has seen some of the biggest names in the world take to the pitch since the financial group took charge back in 2011. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Dani Alves are just a handful of examples, but the Yorkshire side shouldn’t expect the same type of results if the Qataris can striker a deal with Andrea Radrizzani.
The Whites would most certainly not be the financial group’s top priority. They have spent years setting the French side up to become the force they are today. It’s incredibly unlikely that they’re going to prioritise a Championship team over the European giants they have created.
Leeds are unlikely to become a force in English football again under the ownership of QSI. This move would likely be more akin to Sheikh Mansour’s City Football Group’s acquisitions of Girona, NYCFC and Melbourne Victory. They would act as an extension of PSG, which may seem like a good thing to begin with, but in terms of long term success, it may be detrimental.
Girona have had first dibs on any Man City loanees over the past few years, with the likes of Patrick Roberts, Pablo Maffeo and Douglas Luiz making the move from Manchester to North East Spain.
If Leeds are to fit into this same model, then it would likely be enough to get them promoted from the Championship. But once the Yorkshire club arrives in the Premier League, they may go the same way as Girona. Due to the influx of loanees, they became very unsettled and didn’t gel, which ultimately led to their relegation from La Liga.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side could suffer the same fate, becoming nothing more than a yo-yo team set up to service a much bigger side who are competing in Europe.
This would completely strip the historic club of their identity, and it would be a tragedy for the whole of English football if Leeds were to become PSG’s B team.
Tottenham fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was reported by The Sun that Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake may be of interest in a £40m swoop.
The Dutch international has been billed as a potential replacement for Toby Alderweireld, the report states, as the Belgian’s £25m release clause comes into effect for this summer’s transfer window.
Watch the best UCL final reactions from Liverpool and Spurs fans (and their enemies) in the video below…
Ake has become a fan favourite at the Vitality Stadium after signing from Chelsea, where he has developed into one of the best defenders outside the top six under Eddie Howe.
The Champions League finalists would be getting an outstanding player if they signed 24-year-old Ake, although the reported £40m price tag wouldn’t be ideal.
A number of Spurs fans also feel the same way about the Dutchman – would a replacement for Alderweireld even be needed with Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez waiting in reserve?
Let’s take a look at what the Spurs supporters have been saying about Ake on Twitter…