Leeds United would have walked off at the end of a first-leg stalemate at Norwich City pleased with the grit on display in defence, even if their attacking game was somewhat non-existent.

The likes of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu in the heart of the Whites back four ensured the Canaries were kept at arm's length throughout, receiving various plaudits after the dust had settled at Carrow Road.

Yet, there would have been some frustration amongst the Leeds fanbase at the lack of creativity on show when the visitors from West Yorkshire attempted to bomb forward with Wilfried Gnonto notably failing to spark into life in Norfolk.

Wilfried Gnonto's performance vs Norwich in numbers

The Italian winger was hauled off by Farke on the 70-minute mark, with his performance below-par compared to the standards he's set before down the flanks for Leeds.

Helping himself to nine goals during the regular campaign, there was no danger from a Canaries perspective that he would add more strikes to his account in the lunchtime kick-off with just one effort being registered which was blocked by a yellow shirt.

Only amassing 34 touches of the ball too, with nervy Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier even bettering this lacklustre total with 46, the ex-FC Zurich dynamo was also quiet with his accurate passes tally only coming in at 13.

Leeds Live's Beren Cross dished out a poor 5/10 rating to Gnonto post-match as a result, with Cross stating that the out-of-sorts 20-year-old 'battled well' but 'never got' into dangerous enough positions to regularly test the home side's back four.

Gnonto's numbers vs Norwich

Minutes played

70

Touches

34

Accurate passes

13/17 (76%)

Shots on target

0

Successful dribbles

1/3

Duels won

4/10

Possession lost

14x

Stats by Sofascore

Giving possession up 14 times in total at Carrow Road also, Farke could now look to drop his usually dependable ace to freshen up the attack for the second leg.

The main option to come in as the Italian's replacement looks to be Daniel James, who will hope to battle back from his recent injury issues and become a key star in Leeds progressing to Wembley this coming Thursday night if selected.

The player that could replace Gnonto

Given a very brief three-minute run-out against David Wagner's hosts on Sunday lunchtime, James could now be drafted in from the start to give the Whites more energy and drive going forward to overwhelm a tricky Norwich side back in West Yorkshire.

The tenacious Welshman managed to win two duels despite only being on the pitch a matter of moments in the first leg, eager to leave his mark on proceedings in a more obvious way in the second match-up now.

When the two teams met in the regular season at Elland Road, James ended up assisted the only goal of the game to hand Leeds a narrow 1-0 victory – the ex-Manchester United attacker beautifully picking out Patrick Bamford with a sublime cross to head home.

Bamford won't be present owing to injury, but Farke will pray James can be as effective as he was in this close encounter back in January when push comes to shove in the playoffs.

Picking up a staggering 20 goal contributions from 44 clashes before these tense contests got underway, James will have the bit between his teeth to star in the second leg having had to become a background figure as of late with his injury troubles.

Whatever happens, Farke will just want a more open affair on home soil with Leeds potentially putting on a show to then seal a huge showdown at Wembley to be just one game away from a Premier League return.

Related Leeds star with 99% passing was Farke's best player vs Norwich

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Leeds United will know, if they do manage to seal promotion up to the Premier League, that there are a number of problem areas that will need to be strengthened in order to adjust to the step-up.

The main position that has caused concern this season has arguably been the left-back spot, with Junior Firpo now the main body occupying this spot after the likes of Djed Spence and Sam Byram have played there as well this season.

Yet, Daniel Farke could be hesitant to leap back into the top flight with the ex-Barcelona man as his main option down the left flank, with Firpo having struggled in the elite division before – only contributing to one clean sheet being picked up from 19 games played, when last at the level.

The Whites look to be already actively shopping for a replacement for Firpo therefore, with Leeds' list of targets taking them to the Eredivisie, where they have previously struck gold with the purchase of Crysencio Summerville.

Leeds looking for new left-back

According to a report from Spanish outlet AS earlier this week, Leeds are looking at current PEC Zwolle defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty as a potential new left-back addition this summer, with the 21-year-old starring in this position in the Netherlands this season.

Often utilised as a centre-back at previous employers NAC Breda, his 11th-placed club in the top Dutch division in Zwolle have succeeded in playing him down the left flank this campaign instead which has certainly caught the eye of the Whites.

Confident with the ball at his feet as an attacking defender, as seen in this goal back in 2018, MacNulty has one goal and two assists next to his name from 29 games this campaign.

That has also piqued the interest of Enzo Maresca's title-winning Leicester City, who could well be seen as the frontrunners for the 6 foot 2 titan's signature if Leeds fail to win promotion from the Championship.

Leeds will just pray that they can get in another gem from the Netherlands like Summerville if they beat Maresca's men to this deal, with the pair even potentially striking up a deadly partnership in England by both playing down the left-hand side.

How MacNulty compares to Firpo

With Leeds exciting fans this season with a whole host of young gems shining, with the glaring example being 18-year-old Archie Gray, bringing in another raw star of the future in MacNulty feels like a signing that should slot seamlessly into Farke's side.

MacNulty could go on to be viewed as an upgrade on Firpo if given time to flourish under the German, with his numbers – according to FBref – not far off the up-and-down 27-year-old's, who has come into his own in 2024 with seven assists notched up.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international has the same attacking, full-throttle approach when on ball to that of Firpo's, making 4.36 progressive passes this year on average per 90 minutes pulling on a Zwolle strip.

Firpo does just beat MacNulty, with 5.04 next to his name in contrast, but the 21-year-old should only get better with time and the fact he would be surrounded by exceptional talents such as Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto if he relocated to England should also see him thrive.

MacNulty's ability to also play in the heart of defence – where he played 33 of his 38 games for Breda – will be another trait Farke loves when assessing the 21-year-old's suitability for the Leeds squad, with question marks surrounding the futures of Joe Rodon and Liam Cooper at Elland Road for very different reasons at centre-back.

Leeds will know Firpo's electric form this year could be a flash in the pan again, and with the success story of Summerville clear for all to see after joining from Feyenoord, with 30 goal contributions this campaign, MacNulty could be a risky buy that pays off.

49ers could drop Meslier by signing "outstanding" EFL star for Leeds

The Whites are reportedly interested in signing a goalkeeper from the Championship.

By
Dan Emery

May 2, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Em ótimo momento na carreira, o atacante Lucão, hoje no Guarani, pediu intensidade máxima do grupo nas próximas partidas da Série B. Segundo o centroavante, a meta de todos no elenco é melhorar o desempenho em campo em 2021.

Bucks encerrou jejum de 50 anos: veja os jejuns que ainda duram no esporte

– O grupo vem trabalhando para evoluir e para melhorar a posição na tabela de classificação da Série B. O elenco está batalhando para crescer de produção e para fazer um grande segundo semestre. – disse.

VAI SEGUIR NO G4? SIMULE OS JOGOS DO GUARANI NA SÉRIE B

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O jogador destacou o bom momento que vive na carreira.

– Estou feliz aqui e buscando crescer com todos. Quero que esse segundo semestre seja muito bom para mim e para o Guarani. – concluiu

West Ham United are going to part ways with David Moyes after the conclusion of the 2023/24 Premier League season, ending an illustrious partnership that has seen three European campaigns, winning the Europa Conference League last year.

Moyes has achieved great things in east London and has recorded successive top-seven finishes after West Ham recorded such a finish only once since the 2008/09 campaign – under Slaven Bilic in 2015/16.

Declan Rice's rise and rise from the academy to play a central role in the success has been one of the glowing successes of the Scotsman's reign, while a strengthened squad across all areas has set incoming manager Julen Lopetegui up for success.

But what does that look like? Hammers supporters are worried that appointing the Spaniard has been a circumspect decision, edging away from past interest in exciting Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, aged 39, who plays delightful football and has won a wealth of silverware in Portugal to boot.

Amorim is understood to have a £13m release clause in his contract, perhaps dissuading Tim Steidten and co from accelerating interest. Time will tell if Lopetegui's experience will pay off for West Ham.

Moyes has tacitly resigned himself to his fate at this stage and indeed he cut a forlorn figure during his struggling side's 5-0 loss against Chelsea last weekend – it was the visage of a manager who has accepted their looming departure.

His £51m club-record signing, Lucas Paqueta, continued his dramatic decline as he awaits a probable transfer this summer. Should that happen, the incoming boss could strike gold immediately by dropping the Brazilian for an up-and-coming prospect.

Lucas Paqueta's season in numbers

Paqueta has been a sensational addition to the West Ham fold, instrumental in securing silverware last season and even playing the surgical threaded pass through to Jarrod Bowen against Fiorentina last June, who then bagged the late winning goal in the Conference League final.

His exploits last term led former midfield peer Rice to praise his "mind-boggling" ability, but he has raised his game even higher this season with displays that have colourfully highlighted Manchester City's interest.

In all competitions this season, the 26-year-old has scored eight goals and seven assists, blending attacking sharpness with defensive solidity – it is the balanced nature of his skill set that has skyrocketed him into a position as one of the Premier League's leading playmakers.

As per FBref, the Brazil international ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 2% for tackles and the top 4% for aerial duels won per 90.

Matches played

28

29

Matches started

27

29

Goals

4

4

Assists

3

6

G/A Rate

0.25

0.34

Pass completion

80%

75%

Big chances created

3

12

Touches per game

57.2

66.1

Shots per game

1.9

1.4

Key passes per game

1.1

1.5

Dribbles per game

1.2

1.4

Ball recoveries per game

6.0

6.4

Tackles per game

2.5

2.3

Duels won per game

6.1

7.8

Alternating between a wide and central attacking midfield role, Paqueta has proven himself and it's no wonder that Pep Guardiola's side view him as an "ideal" target despite his £85m release clause.

All this said, Paqueta's standards have fallen off a proverbial cliff recently, perhaps a by-product of this inevitable summer saga.

Against Chelsea, he was particularly sorry, branded with a 3/10 match rating by The Evening Standard's Malik Ouzia, who wrote that he 'looks to have phoned it in at this point'.

​​​​This final phase of Moyes' tenure – league fixtures against Luton Town and Manchester City – are effectively dead rubber now, with a miracle needed to secure a top-seven finish.

Paqueta is patently disinterested and Lopetegui could indeed ditch him, unleashing George Earthy in the South American's stead.

Why Lopetegui should unleash George Earthy

Earthy's Premier League debut ended bitterly after the teenager replacing Michail Antonio with 82 minutes on the clock against Fulham in April, colliding with Edson Alvarez late on and being stretchered off the pitch with a head injury.

The talented midfielder, aged 19, was described as a "terrific footballer and a great little technician" by Moyes following the incident and his performances at U21 level speak of the quality that led to his first-team promotion.

Across 26 performances for the youth team this season, the No. 10 has scored 13 goals and added ten assists, with his prolificness winning over Moyes and suggesting that he has a big part to play in the years to come at the London Stadium.

In the EFL Trophy, against senior lower-league opposition, Earthy excelled across his five outings, scoring three goals, providing one assist, completing 90% of his passes, creating three big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes, 3.0 ball recoveries and 1.0 dribble per game, as per Sofascore.

His technical quality is evident and his dynamism and potency in attacking sequences suggest that he might indeed be the perfect young Hammer to make a real impression at West Ham.

Since Paqueta is on the out, in all likelihood, what has Lopetegui got to lose? Moyes has already demonstrated his eagerness to involve Earthy in the senior set-up, and by ditching the Brazilian for a homegrown prospect, he might just set in motion a chain of events that could see the club unleash its biggest talent since Rice.

Lopetegui must ditch 2/10 West Ham ace who was worse than Paqueta

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ByAngus Sinclair May 6, 2024

Indian board invites a fresh tender for the rights to the national teams’ kit and official merchandise

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2020The BCCI has invited a fresh tender for the rights to the Indian cricket teams’ kit and official merchandise. This puts in doubt the continuation of apparel giant Nike’s 14-year-old association with Indian cricket.Nike had been manufacturing the kits for both India’s men and women international teams, and was their official merchandise supplier. The company’s last deal – worth INR 370 crore ($50 million approx.) over four years – comes up for renewal in September.In 2016, Nike had pledged the decided amount for the extension of its deal. The fresh tender suggests the two partners have not been able to reach a similar agreement this time around. Owing to the Covid-19-induced lockdown and absence of cricket, Nike is believed to have asked for an extension to its four-year contract or a renewal at a discounted price.During the pandemic, the BCCI has had to cut short South Africa’s tour of India and cancel the Asia Cup and the tours to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The women’s team didn’t make their trip to England.Given Nike’s supposed request for a deal at a discounted price, the BCCI is believed to have taken the route of a fresh tender in the interest of fairness to others who might want to sponsor Indian cricket. This doesn’t rule out the possibility of Nike bidding too, but it will likely be at a slashed price. It is not yet clear if Nike was offered a first right of refusal by the virtue of being the incumbent sponsor.

A Leeds United star could be forced to leave the club against his wishes this summer, according to recent reports.

Leeds summer transfer rumours

Leeds fell short of automatic promotion back to the Premier League in the normal Championship campaign after they won just one of their last five league outings in 2023/24. However, Daniel Farke's side can still secure a swift return to the top flight this season via the play-offs. The Whites crushed Norwich City last week and are due to meet Southampton in the showpiece final on May 26.

Should Leeds go on to beat the Saints in the play-off final and earn promotion to the Premier League, it is likely to dictate what business they do this summer, with some of the higher-profile names linked with the Whites likely only viable transfer options if they have Premier League money to spend. For example, Leeds chiefs would reportedly 'jump at the chance' to re-sign Raphinha from FC Barcelona.

Elsewhere, West Ham defender Ben Johnson is set to be available as a free agent as Leeds wait to snap him up, while the Peacocks are also thought to be considering a move for former midfielder Kalvin Phillips

.

Pundit John Wenham also expressed his view recently that Leeds may table a "very" quick bid for Joe Rodon if they achieve promotion, coming after reports he could cost as little as £10 million.

However, it is not just Leeds' incomings which could be impacted by the league they are plying their trade in come the start of 2024/25.

£25,000-p/w Leeds star expected to leave

This comes after a report from The Sunday People claims that while defender Liam Cooper is desperate to stay at Leeds this summer, Farke is waiting to see if promotion is secured to the Premier League before making a decision on his future.

David Anderson has suggested that Cooper’s Leeds future will be decided after the final whistle next Sunday, and while the Scottish defender is said to want to remain at the club and reach ten years at Elland Road, they look “unlikely” to offer him a new deal if promotion is secured.

Despite the aforementioned report, Daniel Farke is clearly an admirer of Cooper and the work he has put in during his time in North Yorkshire. Speaking earlier this year, the German labelled both Cooper and the also departing Luke Ayling as "outstanding".

“They are outstanding. Luke has played a lot. Liam started the first game, sacrificed his body to score. Now, he has to accept he is just a sub in the 90th minute. Big personalities expect to play,” Farke said.

“It can be a problem. How they have handled it, they know I value them. They are not 25 anymore, this league is relentless. Not easy to accept, quite difficult. But they are outstanding. They give everything.”

Cooper, who joined Leeds United from Chesterfield in 2014 for around £500,000, has notched 284 appearances across all competitions for the Whites, scoring 11 and assisting six in that time.

يستمر الدولي المصري محمد صلاح، لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ليفربول الإنجليزي، في تحقيق وتحطيم الأرقام القياسية ببطولة البريمرليج.

النجم المصري تمكن من صناعة هدف وتسجيل آخر في مواجهة نيوكاسل، ليكرر الأمر للمباراة الثانية على التوالي بعد أن صنع الحدث ضد مانشستر سيتي الجولة الماضية، مع فريق ليفربول.

طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | لمسة سحرية.. محمد صلاح يُسجل هدف تعادل ليفربول الثاني أمام نيوكاسل

بثنائية الصناعة والتسجيل، أصبح النجم المصري محمد صلاح أكثر لاعب في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي، يُسجل ويصنع في نفس المباراة.

وتخطى محمد صلاح واين روني، حيث كان الإنجليزي قد فعل الأمر ذاته في 36 مباراة مختلفة، قبل أن يحطم ذلك الرقم الفرعون المصري وتصبح هذه المباراة هي الـ37 له.

بعد ذلك سجل محمد صلاح هدفه الثاني، ليصبح 13 هدفًا في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم، بعدما تفوق على النرويجي إيرلينج هالاند.

Pakistan batsman Abid Ali was cleared of significant injury but will take no further part in Pakistan’s opening intra-squad match after he was hit in the helmet while fielding at short leg at the Incora County Ground in Derby.Abid Ali required lengthy treatment on the field after he was felled by the full force of a Haider Ali clip to leg and, after an ambulance was driven to the middle to help tend to him, there was palpable relief when he was able to get on a stretcher unaided and sit up as he was taken from the ground. Abid Ali later underwent scans which cleared him of concussion.”Abid is absolutely fine. He underwent a precautionary CT scan which has also returned normal,” Pakistan team doctor Sohail Saleen said. The opener, who has played three Tests, will sit out the final day of the warm-up match and is scheduled to return to training on Wednesday.That will come as relief to the tourists following a day in which their batsmen found form in the bright sunshine. After the bowlers had dominated on the first two days, Pakistan’s coaching staff will have enjoyed seeing Babar Azam bat for more than three hours for a half-century while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with an unbeaten 81, his second fifty of the game.Teenager Haider also made 51 as Team White closed on 245 for 5 – with a lead of 313 runs – after Team Green slumped to 181 all out with Sohail Khan taking 5 for 50.Asad Shafiq’s hopes of building on his overnight half-century were ended by Babar’s direct hit from cover in the third over of the morning which sparked a collapse in which four wickets fell for three runs. Faheem Ashraf edged a lifting ball from Shaheen Afridi who then tempted Yasir Shah into cutting a wide ball to gully.Imad Wasim fell across his stumps to be lbw to Sohail and after a few defiant blows, Wahab Riaz skied a pull to long leg.That gave Team White a lead of 68 but they lost Imam-ul-Haq cheaply to Naseem Shah for the second time in the match when he edged a ball that moved away low to third slip.When the players returned after lunch, Abbas brought one back to have Shan Masood lbw but Haider Ali grew in confidence and he reached 50 by cutting Yasir for his seventh four. But the 19-year-old was out in the next over when Ashraf got one through his defence and Fawad Alam got a leading edge off Yasir to backward point.Yasir had a fascinating duel with Azam who dispatched his team-mate over the ropes at long-on and clipped him past mid-on for another boundary.But it was far from one-way traffic and after Yasir almost defeated an attempted cut, he had the last word when Azam was lbw playing forward and the rest of the evening session belonged to the increasingly fluent Rizwan.

Today, Manchester United’s season ends. A shocking campaign overall could conclude in triumph as they take on their nosy neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

However, this isn’t only a game to achieve silverware; it’s all but confirmed that it’ll be Erik ten Hag’s last game in charge.

Unfortunately, history isn’t exactly on his side, having suffered defeat in this exact scenario last season.

United are most definitely the underdogs, but there’s one player who could just end the Ducthman’s time at the club with a bang, who’ll come into the side for Amad Diallo.

Why Amad Diallo drops out of the side

There’s no two ways about it: Amad has become one of United’s most influential players in the last few weeks.

The number 16 started three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career, scoring and assisting in one of those matches against Newcastle United.

It’s a shame that a pre-season injury ruined the majority of his campaign, but he’s finally showcased his talent across his nine league appearances.

Ten Hag’s tricky winger will fancy his chances of making the starting lineup today, and the United faithful will also hope to see him feature from the off, but one player simply has to return, therefore pushing the 21-year-old out of the team.

Why Marcus Rashford has to be unleashed by Ten Hag

Just three years ago, football scout Jacek Kulig described Marcus Rashford as a “future legend” of Man United, but today, he’s arguably the most criticised player in the squad.

After scoring 30 goals across all competitions last season, the expectation was for the number ten to progress even further, or at least put up similar numbers.

Unfortunately, he’s fallen well below that mark this time around, netting just seven times in the Premier League in 26 starts, but the role he could play against City could be vital.

It’s expected that the proceedings could follow a similar pattern to United’s 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup match, where Rashford was a threat throughout.

Goals

1

Key passes

5

Shots

4

Big chances created

2

Pass accuracy

90%

For the majority of the game, Pep Guardiola’s side are guaranteed to dominate possession and the attacking statistics, most likely from minute one.

Therefore, the only joy that United will get in the final third will inevitably be on the counterattack, which is the exact scenario where the 26-year-old thrives, as shown by his stats versus Liverpool.

The left-winger's pace in behind will provide United with an out-ball, whereas Amad’s inclusion would make Ten Hag’s side more prone to the press, given that he likes to come short to receive the ball.

Furthermore, Rashford can also produce a moment of magic out of nothing, which Man City will be all too familiar with, having suffered from his quality at the Etihad this season already.

To conclude, Rashford has a point to prove, and there’s no better platform than Wembley Stadium to prove why he’s still one of the best forwards in Europe, especially with his exclusion from the England squad on his mind.

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ByTom Lever May 24, 2024

Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso has aimed a subtle jibe at former Viola star Federico Chiesa after seeing him join Liverpool for €12m (£10m/$13m).

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Forward left Florence in 2020Injuries impacted spell with BianconeriNow finds himself at AnfieldWHAT HAPPENED?

European Championship winner Chiesa left Florence when linking up with Juventus as part of a €60m (£51m/$67m) transfer back in 2020. He spent four years in Turin, taking in 131 appearances across all competitions, but only registered 32 goals.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Injuries held the talented forward back at times, preventing him from making the desired impact with the Bianconeri. After entering the final year of his contract, the decision has been made to take on a new challenge in England.

WHAT COMMISSO SAID

Commisso has faced criticism from supporters of his club for offloading their most prized assets – with Dusan Vlahovic and Nico Gonzalez also leaving for Juve – but reports him as saying: “Well, what should I do if they [Juventus] are the only team that comes with the money? We made a great deal with Vlahovic, the most important in my five years. And look at Chiesa: I read that he joined Liverpool for €12m. I had sold him for nearly €60m. Who did good business there, the others or Rocco?”

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Pressed on whether he takes any delight in seeing offloaded stars struggle, Commisso added: “No, not at all. They made decisions, and we earned as much money as we could. I wanted Vlahovic to stay, but reaching an agreement with his agent was impossible. Chiesa had already been sold to Juventus when I arrived [in 2019], but I kept him. He wanted to leave, and I promised we’d sell him the following season, but under our conditions.”