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The Bundesliga club have retooled enough to give England's captain a decent chance of winning an elusive first medal

Harry Kane might actually be the unluckiest footballer in known history. What else is the England captain supposed to do to win his first trophy?

Last year, he had arguably his best season in recent memory, came close to smashing Robert Lewandowski's Bundesliga scoring record, and did everything he possibly could to drag the Bavarians to a league title, only to see the rest of the team collapse around him.

He arrived at Euro 2024 exhausted and unfit, but still found the net three times and came within an expansive Spain counter-attack of at least forcing extra-time in the final. Had he been fit and firing, England would have been better poised to win the whole thing. But he has saved his country so many times and it's unfortunate that he simply didn't have the legs to do so this time.

Soon begins another season to chase a medal, then. And, just a few weeks into the transfer window, it's a case of so far so good for Bayern. There can be no guarantee that the trophies will flow but the Bavarians are certainly giving off the right signals so far.

There remains the threat of big names leaving Bayern but Vincent Kompany will undoubtedly be confident that 2025 can be their year. The year that Kane finally ends his trophy curse.

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  Catching Bayer Leverkusen

  Bayer Leverkusen were deserved Bundesliga winners last year. For all of the criticism Bayern came under for their subpar season – some of it deserved – nothing short of a perfect campaign would have seen them pip Xabi Alonso's side to the title. He oversaw one of the great football seasons in recent history, coming within one game of an undefeated treble-winning campaign.

  All of the pieces of a dominant side were there. Leverkusen were solid defensively – conceding 24 goals in the league all season. But they were devastating at the other end too, finding the net 89 times in 34 games. They accrued 90 points, and consistently found the net in the dying minutes.

  This was a side that was well-drilled, stuck to its exciting playing style, and always believed that it could find the net – right up until the last second. Asking Bayern to keep up with that pace – Kane or not – would've be frankly unreasonable.

  Closing the gap this season is the big challenge.

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  Problem areas

  So, how do Bayern do it? For one, they must hope that Leverkusen drop off in some way. A sceptic might say that the number of late goals that the reigning champions provided last season was simply unsustainable. If a few of those don't go in this campaign, they could certainly be more catchable. Champions League football will undoubtedly add further stress to their schedule – which can only be a good thing for Bayern.

  But they really have to look inward here. Kompany has an interesting squad to work with, old in some areas and concerningly youthful in others. The failings of Dayot Upamecano at centre-back, Alphonso Davies at left-back and a glut of players in central midfield leaves the Bavarians needing solutions.

  They could also use an extra attacking player to provide some creative spark when Kane and Jamal Musiala are unable to carry all of the load. And perhaps more broadly, this squad needs to be deeper, younger, and armed with new ideas. Bayern have gone stale.

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  Olise arrives

  Crystal Palace must have known that they were going to lose Michael Olise. Oliver Glasner had worked wonders with the French talent at the end of last season – who always seemed to be destined for a big move. Still, it would have been nice to see the winger remain at Palace for at least one more year, if only to see how he and Eberechi Eze could perform together over the course of a full season.

  But when the Bavarians came in for him, Palace couldn't say no. The whole process moved quickly, especially considering most of the football world's attention was firmly on Euro 2024. Kompany finished the deal all the same, bringing the promising Frenchman to Germany in what is an admittedly shrewd next step in his career. How he fits into the side remains to be seen. Jamal Musiala is the centrepiece of the Bavarian attack, and tends to operate in similar areas.

  That's arguably a good problem for Kompany to have, though. Olise, after all, is still just 22, and figures to lead the next era of this Bavarian attack.

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  Palhinha gets his move

  Finally. Joao Palhinha has wanted to be a Bayern player for almost a year now. He almost was in July 2023. The player had already flown to Munich and undergone his medical before Fulham called the deal off. It was messy, with the London club insisting on having a replacement lined up before their Portuguese midfielder put pen to paper in Germany.

  But after a deal for Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fell through, Fulham demanded that Palhinha return. He swiftly signed a new deal at Craven Cottage, pledging his future to the club until 2028. Rumours of a move didn't relent, however, and there was always a sense that the right bid could still lure him overseas.

  Palhinha went about the 2023-24 season like a pro. He won the most tackles in the Premier League, and anchored a solid Fulham side that managed a respectable 13th-placed finish. Bayern, meanwhile, struggled without a specialist to anchor then-manager Thomas Tuchel's midfield. Now – although they have a different manager – they finally have the right man for the job.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has met with Nico Williams' agent as the Blaugrana look to sign the forward ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea.

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• Deco met Williams' agent
• Barcelona looking to sign Williams
• Chelsea and Arsenal remain interested in winger

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Deco caught up with Williams' representative Felix Tainta in Zaragoza on Wednesday as they discussed contract terms for the Spain and Athletic Club attacker. The Blaugrana have been linked with the young winger for quite some time and are now trying to seal a transfer ahead of Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Earlier this week, reported that both the Gunners and the Blues remain keen on roping in the winger, who recently starred for Spain and played a key role in his team lifting their record fourth European Championship title.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  With Williams and Lamine Yamal doing wonders together for La Roja in international football, Barcelona fans will hope that the duo will be able to replicate that magic in club football for their side in the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  Hansi Frlick's side have already begun pre-season and will next travel to the US for friendly matches against clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid later this month.

The emergence of Archie Gray as a regular starter for Leeds United has been pleasing to see as the 17-year-old has nailed down a place in Daniel Farke's XI, with 31 league starts.

With zero first-team appearances prior to the current campaign, it was a bold move by the head coach to bring the youngster in to be a prominent senior performer.

It is one that has paid off for the Whites on the pitch as the England youth international has been an excellent operator throughout the season so far.

However, the bulk of his appearances have come at right-back – away from his natural position in central midfield – and Farke could now elevate Gray further by unleashing Connor Roberts in defence to free up the teenage gem to play in the middle of the park.

Connor Roberts' impressive attacking quality

The full-back was signed on loan from Premier League side Burnley on deadline day and has already offered a glimpse of the attacking quality he can provide from a right-back position.

He has produced one goal and one assist in five substitute appearances for Leeds in the Championship so far, with his assist coming in the form of an excellent cross along the six-yard box for Patrick Bamford against Plymouth on Saturday.

Last season, the 28-year-old dynamo racked up four goals and six assists in 39 starts for Burnley as they won the Championship title under Vincent Kompany.

This means that the Welsh defender, who The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell once claimed has "boundless energy", has been directly involved in 12 goals (five goals and seven assists) in 39 starts in the second tier since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

He is an experienced operator at that level and could be a reliable option for Farke to call upon at right-back, which would then free up Gray to step into midfield, where his performances could improve.

The stats that show Gray could shine more in midfield

The 17-year-old dynamo was recently provided an opportunity to shine in the middle of the park against Chelsea in the FA Cup last week and won the Player of the Match, despite the Blues winning 3-2.

Gray came through the U21s as a central or attacking midfielder before being utilised at right-back by Farke, and his quality in his favoured role was on show at Stamford Bridge.

As you can see in the table above, the academy graduate thrived in midfield against the Premier League side as he outperformed his average output at right-back in the Championship in a number of key metrics, in and out of possession.

Whilst it was a small sample size, given that it was one game, it does provide a glimpse of what he could do with regular minutes in midfield in the league.

Gray could offer more on the ball, as a passer and a dribbler, and compete to win more duels to regain possession for his side out of possession, than he does at right-back.

Therefore, Farke could elevate the youngster's performances and make him even better by unleashing Roberts at right-back to bring the teenage starlet into midfield.

Enzo Maresca says Chelsea are being forced to sell their academy players due to the Premier League's financial rules.

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• Chelsea set to sell Gallagher to Madrid
• Have lost a host of academy players recently
• Blues boss says rules are forcing their hand

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In recent years, the Blues have parted ways with many players who have come through their youth system. Conor Gallagher is the latest homegrown talent set to be sold on, following the likes of Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount, Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi out the door.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The seemingly imminent loss of Gallagher has sparked anger among Chelsea supporters, but new boss Maresca says the club's hands are tied as their need to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules means they must sell players.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Asked about Chelsea's academy sales, Maresca told reporters: "But this is not Chelsea’s problem. These are the rules. All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It’s all of the Premier League clubs’ problems."

  When asked if the club still aims to develop their own players, Maresca said: "Absolutely. I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy, but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it. It’s not only us; it’s all the Premier League clubs. It’s a shame because in Italy we have Francesco Totti at Roma, 20 years with the same club. A one-club man — we love that in football; the fans want to see that. But with the rules now, it is different from the past."

  The Italian argued that the league would have to change its rules, adding: "If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Chelsea continue their pre-season preparations with friendlies against Real Madrid and Inter this week before they kick off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a home game against Manchester City on August 18.

After placing sporting director Dan Ashworth on gardening leave amid links with Manchester United, Newcastle United have turned their attention towards a potential replacement.

Newcastle's next sporting director

Ashworth spent just two years at St James' Park before seemingly being lured away by Manchester United. The Red Devils and Newcastle are now reportedly working on a hefty compensation package, as the Magpies prepare to lose one of the highest-rated sporting directors around.

CEO Darren Eales confirmed the departure of Ashworth, saying via the club's official website: "We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however our exciting journey doesn't stop and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately. We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United and we wish him and his family well for the future."

£60,000-p/w Newcastle star to return from injury earlier than Howe expected

Relief for the Magpies…

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 14, 2024

Without him, PIF must turn elsewhere at a crucial stage of their project, having seen Eddie Howe's side fall away in the current campaign after qualifying for the Champions League last season. Hoping to ensure a swift return to European football next season, Newcastle are reportedly looking to speed up Ashworth's exit before naming his replacement.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle have held internal talks over Monaco transfer chief Paul Mitchell, having worked with recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson to act as an agent to reach out to options, with Steve Nickson leading that search. Mitchell is reportedly keen on a Premier League return after previous stints at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Now a board member at AS Monaco, Mitchell doesn't have the same gardening leave as Ashworth in what would be a welcomed boost for PIF and Newcastle, should they decide to appoint the 42-year-old. With a busy summer ahead, Newcastle must get their next decision right in the hunt to replace the Old Trafford-bound Ashworth.

Paul Mitchell's best signings

Mitchell's best work arguably came at Southampton, when the Saints enjoyed their best moments in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman. As the Saints' head of scouting, Mitchell played a large role in the recruitment behind that rise, as shown by some of Southampton's best signings from 2012 to 2014.

At a time when Newcastle need to get their summer recruitment right after failing in that department last summer, Mitchell has a proven track record of finding top players for bargain prices. And as the Magpies look to stay in line with Financial Fair Play rules, bargains will be the name of a game that their top target has become an expert at.

Replacing someone of Ashworth's expertise is no easy task, and that will become apparent in the coming months for PIF, but Mitchell isn't exactly an inexperienced man, himself. With Monaco, Southampton, Spurs and RB Leipzig under his belt, the role at St James' Park would simply be the latest impressive string to his bow.

Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are thought to be “planning talks” with a Premier League manager over possibly replacing Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd manager rumours

The Red Devils still have the chance to win silverware in the FA Cup which could salvage what has been a disappointing second season under Ten Hag. An early Champions League exit alongside an underwhelming Premier League campaign has resulted in plenty of speculation over Ratcliffe making a big change in the Old Trafford dugout.

Man Utd have made important offer to sign record-breaking teenager

He’s been catching the eye in England.

By
Charlie Smith

Mar 26, 2024

There hasn’t been a shortage of possible candidates to take over from Ten Hag, although his future appears to be a 50/50 call at this moment in time. Initial talks have reportedly been held with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, whereas England boss Gareth Southgate has also been heavily linked as a leading candidate.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is another to be mooted as an option after impressing in north London, and surprisingly, Brentford’s Thomas Frank has been named as the new top target.

However, yet another new name has now emerged in the last 48 hours, one that could come as a real surprise to some.

Man Utd “planning talks” with Gary O’Neil

According to ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden, Man United and Ratcliffe are now “planning talks” with Wolves manager Gary O’Neil.

Within his report, Ogden says that INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, is leading the attempts to build a new coaching structure with a possible new head coach.

It is added that O’Neil ‘has been made aware of United's interest, with senior figures from the club expressing a desire to discuss his intentions’, however, ‘the role that they may be prepared to offer is not known’.

O’Neil only took over at Wolves days before the new season and impressed in an opening weekend defeat at Old Trafford. Since then, he has guided his side to a number of impressive wins, including against Manchester City and has his side in the top half of the table above the likes of Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Prior to his time at Molineux, O’Neil was in charge of Bournemouth, where he was hailed by pundit Danny Murphy, who said: “I’ve got to give Gary O’Neil a mention. His first managerial post, he’s been terrific. He conducts himself well, he’s proactive with his substitutions.

“He always sets them up positively. They’re not a negative side. They always try and go after the game and he deserves credit again. The team was really well balanced, well structured. It played confidently. It didn’t look like a side struggling down the bottom.”

You could argue the 40-year-old, who plays a 4-2-3-1 system, is still inexperienced as a manager, so taking control at Old Trafford could be viewed as a huge gamble by Ratcliffe and INEOS, but it looks as if it will be one to keep an eye on.

Manchester United posted a £40m ($51m) loss related to Covid but were able to avoid a PSR punishment from the Premier League.

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• United's 'exceptional' £40m loss explained
• Were given so-called 'exceptional allowance'
• Red Devils posted losses due to Covid-19

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Earlier this week, Stefan Borson, a football finance expert, told talkSPORT that United would have failed Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) if they had not been granted an "exceptional allowance", after accounting for a £40 million loss due to Covid in 2021-22.

  "United would have failed PSR for the season just gone, save for two things," Borson said. "One, they were given, it appears, an exceptional allowance of £40m for Covid in 2022, which no other club had.

  "On top of that, it seems they have been given an allowance for around £35m of exceptional costs relating to the share sale to (Sir Jim) Ratcliffe.

  "The only way in which they can make the 2023-24 PSR number, and this is not just my view based on publicly available information in the US, was by having these allowances."

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  THE EXPLANATION

  The Athletic has now explained the verbiage used. The term "exceptional" in this instance does not imply any special treatment – merely it is a term that is used by clubs in their accounts to explain costs that aren't regular.

  Per football finance expert Kieran Maguire, United have to declare their losses related to Covid because they are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and therefore must disclose more information. The £40m loss is attributed to the club cancelling their 2021 summer tour, debts incurred from commercial partners, United being unable to fulfil certain sponsorship obligations and rebates owed to broadcasters.

  While United had to share their losses in publicly-available accounts, The Athletic's report reveals that their Premier League rivals used a private method to submit details of Covid-linked losses. Clubs were allowed to incorporate the financial impact of Covid in their PSR calculations, which explains how United and others were able to avoid being penalised.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  United's financial statements reveal that the club lost £241.7m ($281m) across the three years of Covid-19. Two other clubs, Tottenham and Arsenal, are reported to have Covid losses of over £100m ($127m).

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United have not broken any rules with their accounting and are now preparing for the new season. They play Manchester City in the Community Shield this weekend before kicking off the Premier League campaign against Fulham the following Friday.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick "has the feeling" Ilkay Gundogan will stay amid reports the Fenerbahce-linked midfielder wants to leave the club.

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• Gundogan joined Barcelona in 2023
• Linked with Fenerbahce amid reports he wants to leave
• Manager Flick believes German will stay

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gundogan was not part of the Barcelona squad that beat Valencia 2-1 on Saturday, with manager Flick saying the 33-year-old was "dizzy" and they agreed he would sit out the contest. Amid reports the German international wants to move on from the La Liga team after just one year, Flick has provided an update on the midfielder's future – while not giving too much away.

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  WHAT HANSI FLICK SAID

  He said, via Sport: "As you know, he has had some problems and felt a bit dizzy. We agreed that he would stay at home and I have spoken to him to see how he felt, but what we said to each other remains between us. I have the feeling that he will stay."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gundogan swapped Manchester City for Barcelona last summer after seven years but reports suggest he wants out, amid interest from Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce and the Saudi Pro League. The German has one year left on his contract and if he receives a good offer, Barca are reportedly not going to stand in his way.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Following their opening win of the new La Liga season, Barcelona return to action next Saturday at home to Athletic Club. It remains to be seen if Gundogan will still be at the Catalan outfit for that fixture or by the time the transfer window shuts at the end of August.

There hasn't been an awful lot to cheer about for Chelsea fans this season, as an embarrassing defeat seemingly follows every impressive win.

Mauricio Pochettino has struggled to build a cohesive team out of his expensively assembled squad of youngsters, but he has been able to rely on the hardworking Conor Gallagher.

A popular player at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher has been in impressive form for the Blues this year, although, with consistent reports linking him with moves away, he might not be playing in blue for much longer.

That said, Cobham might be about to provide Pochettino with the perfect replacement should the worst happen.

Conor Gallagher's season in numbers

Gallagher played a reasonably important role for Chelsea last season, making 45 appearances across the campaign. However, with only 21 being starts, it would have been fair to have described him as a squad player, more than an essential part of the first team.

However, this year, the Epsom-born gem has already made 41 appearances for Pochettino, and a whopping 37 of those have been starts, meaning he has quickly become one of the most pivotal players in the Argentine's setup.

His output has also dramatically increased, as the Englishman returned just three goals and one assist last season, whereas this year, he has already scored five goals and provided eight assists.

So, with his improvement clearly visible and his undeniable importance to the team, it seems absurd that the 24-year-old could still be sold, but that's still the case.

According to a report from last week from ESPN, due to the looming threat of profit and sustainability punishments, Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah will be made available to be sold in the summer, which will be music to the ears of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, who have tried to sign the midfielder in the past.

Ultimately, selling the popular player would be a massive mistake from a playing and PR point of view, but Cobham could be about to provide Pochettino with the perfect replacement if Gallagher is sold.

Why fans should be excited about Leo Castledine

The Cobham talent in question is 18-year-old Leo Castledine. He has been on fire for the U21s this season and looks ready to make a name for himself with the first team next year.

This season alone, the Kingston upon Thames-born gem has scored nine goals, provided nine assists in just 21 appearances, and excelled in midfield and out wide on occasion.

Across his whole youth career thus far, the "terrific" teen, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored 35 goals and provided 16 assists, meaning that he averages a goal involvement every 1.96 games.

It would be a massive step-up for the boyhood Chelsea fan to start playing regular first-team football, but with club legend John Terry describing him as "a magnet in the box" and Mango waxing lyrical about his "technical excellence," it seems more a matter of when rather than if he takes up a central role in the Blues' midfield.

Ultimately, it would be wise for Todd Boehly and Co to keep hold of Gallagher for at least a few more seasons, but if they do sell him in the summer, Poch could do a lot worse than bringing Castledine into the first team as a potential long-term replacement.

Chelsea were bled dry by Conte flop who earned 3x more than Gallagher

The talented star just couldn’t make it work at Stamford Bridge.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 9, 2024

Daniel Farke will know his Leeds United side cannot keep stuttering in the Championship if they want to secure automatic promotion instead of settling for the unwanted stresses of the playoffs.

The Whites are going through a sticky patch of form right at the time where teams need to pick up crunch results to ensure their season doesn't unfortunately fizzle out, with Farke's men last winning at the start of the month versus Hull City.

Since then, only a point has been secured from their next three second-tier clashes with only one strike also rippling the back of the net from a Whites perspective.

This could result in the German boss tinkering with his Leeds XI drastically in order to try and spark a reaction from his low-on-confidence group, with plenty of selection dilemmas for the 47-year-old to address.

Leeds team news vs Middlesbrough

Leeds will be without Connor Roberts who is unavailable for selection away at Middlesbrough, with the Welsh loanee looking likely to be out for the game at the Riverside Stadium and the clash at Queens Park Rangers after owing to injury issues.

Pascal Struijk is also another known absentee for the clash on the road at Michael Carrick's Boro, the former Ajax centre-back missing since the end of December and that looks very much likely to continue until the end of the campaign.

Farke drops Piroe in predicted Leeds lineup vs Middlesbrough

The possible starting XI that the German head coach could select on Monday night.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 21, 2024

Away from those injury concerns, there are a number of selection conundrums for Farke to still ponder based on form alone with Joel Piroe unspectacular last time out versus Blackburn Rovers.

The former Swansea City man has only bagged one goal in his last 11 Championship appearances, fearful he could face the chop after his anonymous showing against the Riversiders too – the out-of-sorts Whites number seven seeing his two efforts blocked at Elland Road when trying to fire home past Aynsley Pears.

Moreover, with Roberts ruled out, there could well be a tinker from Farke in the central midfield positions to accompany Ilia Gruev.

Archie Gray looks likely to return to the right-back spot with the Burnley loanee unfit to play, freeing up a space for Glen Kamara to return to the Leeds lineup after sitting out the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn.

Glen Kamara's season in numbers

The former Rangers man has been largely a permanent fixture in the Whites team chasing an immediate return to the Premier League this season, proving himself to be a shrewd purchase by amassing 36 appearances to date.

The Finland international's absence was arguably felt in the narrow lunchtime defeat to Blackburn last time out, with Gray winning just 50% of his duels against John Eustace's men in that crushing 1-0 loss.

Gray would also come away from the contest with an 84% pass accuracy, which is below Kamara's average this season when the ex-Rangers man has cooly been able to strut his stuff for Leeds from deep.

Kamara has averaged a superior 93% pass accuracy this season when playing, according to Sofascore, with Leeds needing a calm and measured head like the Finnish midfielder if the game at Boro becomes tetchy and tense.

Moreover, even when Leeds have put in a shoddy display recently, Kamara has shone all the same.

The measured 28-year-old managed to tee up Crysencio Summerville to score a spectacular strike away at Vicarage Road to close out March, picking up his third assist in Leeds white in the process.

In that same game, Mateo Joseph would also be a hero by scoring the equalising strike a matter of seconds after being introduced into the contest.

Now, the 20-year-old striker will hope he's given the nod to start up top over an uninspiring Piroe tonight knowing that the centre-forward spot at Leeds is very much up for grabs currently.

Mateo Joseph's season in numbers

With Bamford also misfiring of late for Leeds in that lone striker role – the former Boro attacker not scoring since the 8th of March for Farke's men – Joseph's chance to shine in the spotlight from the start could finally come at the Riverside.

The 20-year-old striker has impressed in spurts playing in the first team this season, firing in four goals from 24 games with all of those minutes restricted to fleeting appearances from off the bench.

Joseph would only need six minutes of action to bag a crucial equaliser against Watford, managing just seven touches of the ball before instinctively finding the back of the net against a bewildered Hornets side.

Chelsea have also felt the goalscoring wrath of the young hotshot in the FA Cup earlier this campaign, with the Spanish attacker helping himself to a brace in the action-packed tie at Stamford Bridge back in February.

Previously hailed as being "dynamite" by football scout Antonio Mango when emerging as a name tipped for greatness at Leeds, Farke must be tempted to give the full-throttle forward a chance to impress from the get-go to unsettle Carrick's men to try and pick up a much-needed victory.

Leeds will look to keep up their good form against Boro over their last five head-to-head meetings when they travel to the Riverside, with none of these past clashes being as pressurised and as meaningful as the one tonight however.

Farke switching up his Whites lineup here and there could well make the difference, knowing that another disappointing result will just make the games to follow after Boro away even more nervy as the end of the regular season comes into view at a lightning pace.

Farke could unearth Bamford heir in Leeds' "class" academy forward

The Whites boss could have an exciting future duo in the young gem and Mateo Joseph.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 19, 2024