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When Pablo Hernandez finally departs Leeds, he will leave behind him one of the biggest legacies that has been left at Elland Road in the last decade.

The Spaniard may now be in the twilight of his career and struggling to have a big impact on the pitch, but he is still a magician, a player capable of unlocking even the sternest of defences.

When he signed for the club permanently in January 2017, he became part of a new age for Leeds, one led by Andrea Radrizzani.

Since then, the duo have helped to lead a remarkable charge towards Premier League football. Radrizzani’s investment has been game-changing behind the scenes but on the field, Hernandez has been remarkable.

He has won the club’s Player of the Year award three years in a row and was even named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year for 2018/19. He is a stalwart of Elland Road and during his time in Yorkshire, has contributed 36 goals and 41 assists.

It’s a splendid record and it would take quite something for a fellow Leeds player to replicate those numbers. Who the Whites look to replace him with in the coming years will be interesting to see.

They have a number of young players coming through in attacking areas, from Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood to Jack Jenkins. However, the player we want to focus on is Charlie Allen, someone we believe is already showing shades of Hernandez.

The 17-year-old penned permanent terms over the summer and after playing four times for Linfield’s senior side, he has made steady strides in the Leeds academy.

Like Hernandez, he possesses the ability to play in attacking midfield and also on the right-hand side. He has scored once this term but has provided two assists for his teammates, showing glimpses of vibrant creativity.

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Allen is incredibly mature for his age and after becoming Linfield’s youngest ever player at 15 years and five months, he has already been on the scene for a while. Though, he has more than just creativity in his locker.

The teenager was named on The Guardian’s Next Gen list for 2020, where they wrote the following: “[Allen is] two-footed, blessed with adhesive close control, impressive vision, passing range and finishing ability.”

That sounds remarkably similar to Hernandez, someone who glides across the turf and passes opponents with ease.

Importantly, he’s not been told to simplify his game either. Irish FA Elite Performance Director Jim Magilton said, when Allen signed: “He has always had that wonderful ability to go past people which is a dying art. We didn’t want to coach that out of him and it was an insistence of mine to give him the confidence to keep playing that way.”

Having already played multiple times at senior level albeit not at Leeds, he is likely to be further ahead in his development than a fair few players in the Leeds academy.

However, before he earns his chance in the Leeds first team, he will need to prove himself at U23 level. He has made just the two Premier League 2 appearances this term so that will be an area he looks to improve upon in the future.

If he can do that, Marcelo Bielsa may well have a ready-made Hernandez heir right in front of him. After all, the Northern Irishman has very similar qualities.

AND in other news, 3 new signings, Bielsa favourite axed: How Leeds’ XI could look after deadline day…

Argentine publication El Intransigente reported earlier this week that West Ham United are interested in signing River Plate right-back Gonzalo Montiel, and it could prove to be bad news for Ryan Fredericks.

Claims over the past month have cast a dark shadow over Fredericks’ long-term future at the London Stadium, with David Moyes thought to be open to parting ways with the Manuel Pellegrini signing.

Fredericks has even been touted to be at the top of the Hammers’ shortlist of players they are looking to sell in the January transfer window, having fallen heavily out of favour this season following the £5.5m million arrival of Vladimir Coufal in the summer.

Moyes had started the season with Fredericks firmly his first-choice option at right-back, but has only trusted the 28-year-old to play 91 minutes of Premier League football since limping off early into the second half of September’s 4-0 win over Wolves with a hamstring injury.

Coufal has been without a serious rival for the right-back spot since making his Irons debut, with the 28-year-old playing all but 95 minutes of top-flight action since joining from Slavia Prague, having only sat out last month’s goalless draw with Southampton.

Moyes has even taken to omitting Fredericks from his 18-man matchday squad for five league games and counting, plus Monday night’s FA Cup third round win at Stockport County, and any interest in Montiel would suggest the former Fulham defender has reached the end of the line in east London.

Montiel is said to have many suitors assessing his situation in Argentina, with AS Roma, Bologna, Olympique Lyonnais and West Ham all presenting potential offers of life in Europe to the 24-year-old.

He is a key player at River Plate, where he graduated from the club’s academy to make his senior debut in 2016, starting 11 of their 12 Copa Libertadores ties this season while offering one goal and six assists.

It remains to be seen if Montiel does leave the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti this winter, but his efforts under Marcelo Gallardo would suggest he would be a far superior rival to Coufal than Fredericks has been.

Fredericks has been a creative option during West Ham’s Premier League fixtures when given a chance to show his worth this season, yet has failed to match his offensive contribution of 2.0 key balls and 0.6 accurate crosses a game with the same defensive support, per SofaScore.

The 28-year-old makes just 0.8 successful tackles and wins only 1.8 of his ground duels, to allow Coufal to retain the position with ease through his 3.1 successful tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 4.2 ground duels won, 1.5 accurate crosses and 1.5 key balls.

As for Montiel, the eight-cap Argentina international boasted 1.8 successful tackles, a strong 2.2 interceptions and won 3.2 ground duels a game to help River Plate keep six clean sheets in the Copa Libertadores on route to the semi-finals.

The £7m-rated talent also offered 1.2 accurate crosses, 1.6 key balls, took 0.8 shots and never shied from the ball with 68.8 touches on average.

With Montiel four years younger than both Coufal and Fredericks, he also has longevity over the pair, and should prove a true rival for the right-back role if Moyes is backed in the transfer market.

AND in other news, GSB must back Moyes with WHU move for “devastating” 17-goal star with “explosive pace”…

Many Everton fans have been left fuming as a clip emerged of Andy Robertson challenging Allan in the Merseyside derby.

In the clip, the Liverpool defender can be seen lunging in on the Brazil international after passing the ball to his captain Jordan Henderson. However, the incident happened off of the ball and it is up for debatable whether Robertson meant to do it or not.

The game finished 2-2, with Carlo Ancelotti’s team twice coming from behind through goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, before Richarlison got himself sent off in the closing minutes.

However, if Robertson had been sent off for the challenge on Allan, then it may have been a completely different match, but in a game that was jam-packed full of incidents, that is purely hypothetical.

Everton fan reaction to Robertson challenge

These members of the Goodison Park faithful were fuming on Twitter after looking back at the incident, with one Everton supporter describing the challenge from Robertson as ‘dreadful’:

Evertonians, should Robertson have been sent off? Comment below with your views!

Leeds United had a manic summer transfer window.

The Whites spent almost £100m on new talent, and they also managed to find loan deals for a number of their young talents, but one thing they didn’t do effectively was shifting their deadwood.

The Ouasim Bouy nightmare goes on, Laurens De Bock remains on the books even though he went out on loan, while Conor Shaughnessy is somehow still a Leeds player.

One man who looked as though he was going to leave this summer was Jay Roy Grot, but an infection has put the brakes on any potential exit for the Dutchman, and that’s something that Leeds need to rectify in January.

The Whites aren’t set for a busy January window. Phil Hay recently documented how much the club hate operating in the winter, but with Grot nowhere near the first-team and seemingly open to a move away, the club needs to do right by him and let him continue his career elsewhere.

It shouldn’t be that tough of a task, Grot is a 6 ft 4 physically-gifted 22-year-old with experience playing for Netherlands U21s. Add into that the fact that he had plenty of suitors this summer, Leeds’ only job in January may be to greenlight his exit.

After reading that description, you may ask why Leeds aren’t willing to take a punt on him themselves, but he just hasn’t looked up to scratch when playing in England. He has been described as ‘lazy’ by Noel Whelan during his first season with the club on BBC Radio Leeds (via Football Insider).

The club are in a lucky position in that they don’t need to think too much about what they need to do in January due to their successful summer window, and barring an injury crisis, they won’t need to think about incomings as the squad is already well-stocked in almost every position.

Victor Orta can sit back and relax for the rest of the season, and while he may need to pick up the phone to find a new home for Grot, he shouldn’t find that too hard of a task.

MatériaMais Notícias

Já de férias, Lucas apareceu em um vídeo na internet cantando funk com uma letra que faz piada com Ricardo Oliveira. A careta do camisa 9 no jogo do Brasileirão, motivo de resposta dos palmeirenses após o título da Copa do Brasil, foi citada na música: “Os caras só quer ‘ganhar’. Eles estão de brincadeira, e quem fez boca murcha foi o Ricardo Oliveira”.

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“Nóis ‘ganha’ mais gostoso, que nóis gosta da virada. Você pode fazer 5 a 0 que o Palmeiras vai virar”, canta um homem ao lado de Lucas, usando a medalha de campeão da Copa do Brasil. O lateral faz a batida do funk, rindo.

Lucas foi um dos jogadores que mais se irritaram com o Santos. Ele foi expulso na primeira final após considerar que Lucas Lima o acertou no rosto – o lateral respondeu dando uma bolada no meia alvinegro. Depois, durante a festa do título, rasgou o pôster de campeão do Santos, feito por uma editora antes dos times se enfrentarem no Allianz Parque.

continua após a publicidade

Glasgow Rangers had a quiet end to the transfer window as they only brought in Bongani Zungu on deadline day and now the pressure is on Ross Wilson to deliver before October 25th…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Alfredo Morelos wants a new deal after being called up by Colombia. The 24-year-old striker stayed at the Ibrox outfit amid interest from Lille. However, Rangers refused to sell him as the Ligue 1 side couldn’t meet their £20m asking price and sources close to the situation have confirmed that his representatives want a brand new contract as a reward for his loyalty.

Wilson under pressure

Morelos signed an extension last year, earning him wages worth more than £30,000-a-week, which will run out in 2023.

However, The Daily Record revealed that Al Duhail are also interested in signing the 6-cap Colombian international. The Qatari club have two weeks until their transfer window closes to sort out any deal.

Whilst Rangers have played hardball over the striker all summer, they must now secure him to a new contract. Sticking with the injury-prone Cedric Itten and Jermain Defoe, who is evidently entering the twilight of his career, seems rather silly. Wilson will be well aware that this is a risky strategy as it’s only going to put him under pressure if Morelos does end up moving to the Middle East.

Morelos has scored more goals than his two teammates combined this season so far – the Colombian has scored five goals in all competitions, via Transfermarkt, whilst averaging 2.9 shots and 1.3 key passes per Scottish Premiership game, as per SofaScore.

He also registered an assist against Ross County before the international break, which implies he has added another dimension to his game as well.

Hailed as an “outstanding” player by Colombia boss Carlos Queiroz, Morelos must be tied down to a new deal at all costs, otherwise Wilson and the rest of the Rangers hierarchy will be held to account.

Get it done, Gers, by any means necessary!

AND in other news, Jack Wilshere: Ross Wilson must win the race to sign Rangers target…

Celtic are closing in on a new signing this week and if reports are to be believed, then it’s an absolute masterstroke from Nick Hammond…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Scottish champions are on the verge of clinching Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull after a long-term contract was agreed between the player and the club.

It’s claimed that the Hoops have submitted a bid in excess of £2m to their SPFL rivals and hope to strike a deal out before the end of the week.

The 21-year-old signed a new deal back in March in order to maintain his value and very nearly became a Bhoys player last summer before his move collapsed after a medical.

Bargain hunters

Neil Lennon is landing one of the SPFL’s brightest young talents in Turnbull, so it’s no wonder he’s moving quick to secure him this time around with Tom Rogic heading out the exit door.

During the 2018/19 campaign, the Well playmaker provided 16 goals and seven assists but missed the majority of last season due to surgery.

Although he does seem to be back on track having averaged a whopping 3.6 key passes, 3.6 crosses and 3.4 shots per game in the opening five matches of this season (via WhoScored).

It means he is averaging more critical passes than current number ten Ryan Christie as well as more crosses than both of Lennon’s first-choice full-backs.

The 2019 SFWA Young Player of the Year was described as an “elegant” player by Lennon last year while Hoops skipper Scott Brown believes he’s got the “winning mentality” and would be a “fantastic” addition.

In addition to that, Well legend James McFadden has claimed that Turnbull is a “special talent” who’s “technically gifted”.

Parkhead will clearly reap the rewards from this one for years to come going by the aforementioned endorsements, all for a little over £2m.

AND in other news, Celtic keen on signing former Premier League flop…

Brighton are reportedly among several Premier League clubs hoping to sign Rhian Brewster on loan from Liverpool.

Goal.com reported that the Seagulls have made enquiries about a potential loan move for the 20-year-old, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Burnley also among the interested clubs.

According to Goal.com, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will evaluate the youngster in pre-season and then decide on whether or not to loan him out for the 2020/21 campaign.

Brewster goes into the new season buoyed by a prolific loan spell at Swansea last term, when he found the net 11 times in 22 games and helped them to reach the Championship play-offs. He also has a Champions League winner’s medal from his time at Liverpool and won the Golden Boot in England’s Under-17 World Cup triumph three years ago.

Opportunities have been limited for him so far at Anfield, with his only three senior Reds appearances all coming in domestic cup competitions, and the 20-year-old has yet to feature in the Premier League.

He may well get the chance to do so at Brighton, even if Neal Maupay would be difficult to displace after the Frenchman hit 10 top-flight goals in his debut season at the Amex Stadium. The emergence of Aaron Connolly into the first team picture would provide further competition for Brewster if he joins the Seagulls, while veteran Glenn Murray is also at Graham Potter’s disposal.

However, the potential loan arrival of the Liverpool youngster could spell bad news for two men at Brighton whose own loan moves haven’t been as fruitful. Jurgen Locadia has been loaned out to Hoffenheim and FC Cincinnati, with a somewhat respectable haul of six goals in 15 games for those two clubs.

Florin Andone’s fortunes have been even less encouraging, with just two goals in 12 appearances at Galatasaray as his spell in Turkey was ended prematurely by injuries.

Brewster’s goal haul may have come in the Championship but he has nonetheless been in flying form in recent months, which is more than can be said for Locadia and especially Andone.

If Brighton can beat off stiff competition to sign the 20-year-old on loan from Liverpool, it could leave the two Seagulls outcasts facing an even bleaker future at the Amex. Indeed, it may prompt them to seek a future elsewhere, particularly if the Reds youngster picks up where he left off with Swansea.

Brighton fans, can you see Brewster coming to the club on loan for the 2020/21 season? Share your views in the comments section below!

WBA fans have seen some comings and goings in the transfer market over the years.

Whether it’s the Tony Pulis, Gary Megson or Bryan Robson eras in the hot seat; the Baggies faithful have seen an array of new signings arrive over the years at the club, with some good and some damn right bad; where for every Chris Brunt, there unfortunately has been a Sebastian Blanco that has donned the famous West Brom shirt.

In our latest Baggies quiz we have compiled a quiz on the most obscure signings of recent times, can you recognise them all?

Newcastle United’s prospective takeover by a Saudi-led consortium continues to be dragged on well into May, and Chronicle Live reporter Lee Ryder has issued a fresh update into the current situation.

He claims that the deal is with the Premier League now, so it’s on them to ratify the move before it can be officially complete.

Ryder also suggests there’s another hurdle to get past and that’ll be the transfer of funds from the Middle East into Mike Ashley’s bank account.

In a recent Q&A posted late last night, he said:

“The state of play is that the entire situation is now with the Premier League. They have to come to a decision whether the Premier League owner’s and director’s test gets a pass or not. What would then happen is that the funds would need to be transferred from the Middle East consortium into Ashley’s account. So we’re still waiting for two hurdles to be overcome.”

Lee Ryder – Chronicle Live

Amanda Staveley, who was part of Manchester City’s takeover by Sheikh Mansour, is part of the consortium trying to take charge of the northeast giants as are the Reuben brothers who ranked second on the Sunday Times’ ‘Rich List’ for 2019.

The House of Saud also reported yesterday that everything should be complete ahead of next week and explained other reasons for a delay.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

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So it appears as if the Magpies should be entering a new era in the very near future, much to the delight of the St James’ Park faithful, you’d imagine.

AND in other news, Newcastle fans react to fresh Kalidou Koulibaly reports…