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Leeds United’s decision to pass on the youthful talents of Oliver McBurnie back in 2010 has turned out to be an absolutely mindless piece of business.

The 6 foot 2 forward failed to impress whilst on the books at Elland Road as an academy product where he played alongside the likes of Lewie Coyle and Tyler Denton, who too have moved on from the west Yorkshire outfit.

McBurnie was released by the club at U14 level in 2010, and ultimately, he hasn’t looked back since.

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He found himself down in League One at nearby Bradford by 2013 where he had to endure a gruelling spell in non-league football at Chester, but this would have only shaped him to become the top-flight star he is today.

The frontman would go on to sign for United’s Championship rivals Swansea City for a measly £250k in 2015, but how has he fared since then?

Where is McBurnie now?

Well following a 24-goal campaign at the Liberty Stadium, McBurnie attracted the interest of the Premier League, which is where he finds himself today.

He joined Sheffield United in a whopping £20m deal in the summer and has become a frequent presence in leading the line for Chris Wilder.

McBurnie has made 26 appearances in the big time this term, scoring four goals, including a strike against Manchester United – a team he once featured for in the Milk Cup, three years after his Leeds exit.

The striker has been averaging 1.5 shots, 1.2 clearances and one tackle per game, via WhoScored, so he’s been having an influence at either end of the pitch with the Blades sat contending for Europe in seventh place, just two points behind the top five.

But it’s not just Bramall Lane that has seen his exploits first hand this campaign as he’s managed to earn nine caps for his national team, Scotland – starting two of their Euro 2020 qualifiers.

With McBurnie arguably surpassing his £20m value in the Premier League, Leeds have undoubtedly missed out on a massive opportunity. Not just because of his goalscoring prowess, but such figures would have landed the club some lucrative finances.

AND in other news, Phil Hay names Leeds’ PRICETAG for STAR midfielder Kalvin Phillips…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Mauricio Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur earlier last week and was very quickly replaced by Jose Mourinho.

This mammoth news is bound to send shockwaves through English football, and this move could directly affect Leeds United.

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Of course, we’re talking about the possibility that Jack Clarke could be recalled in January.

There has been plenty of speculation around the winger in recent months, and Phil Hay has outright stated that he expects him to return to Spurs once the winter window opens. Even though it was already likely, the chances of that happening may have just skyrocketed.

It was made very clear that Pochettino simply didn’t want Clarke as a part of his squad this season, and that his signing this summer was ultimately Daniel Levy’s call.

However, the new manager may fancy having a closer look at Clarke, and when you consider that his recall was already looking likely, the sacking of Pochettino may have been the final straw for the teenager’s Leeds United career.

Reports suggest that Levy never even wanted to loan the teenager back to Leeds this summer, and it’s clear that the chairman is an admirer of the youngster.

It’s unknown whether or not Mourinho has ever even seen Clarke play, but he may want to take a look at him in more detail by recalling him, especially if Levy gives him a glowing review.

The new Spurs boss has already said he’s excited about getting to work with Tottenham’s academy players and given Clarke is only 18, this might speed up his potential return to north London.

Wolves have taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and are arguably one of the top eight clubs in the country right now, if not the top six.

The incredible work in the transfer market, ably assisted by Jorge Mendes’ client list, has seen Nuno Espírito Santo create an exciting, vibrant team and a squad that is the envy of many within the Premier League. There really is no end to what this team can achieve, providing they can keep this whole setup together.

Like all clubs, Wolves’ journey has been a work in progress and for every successful signing like Raul Jimenez, there has been a Jamie O’Hara that hasn’t duly delivered over the past 10 years.

In the latest Wolves quiz, we are challenging you supporters to see if you can remember how much you spent on a collection of players; some that were good, some that were bad and some that were damn right ugly.

There are 15 transfer fees to navigate, let’s see how good your Wolves knowledge is…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers.

Marco Silva says Mason Holgate’s return to the starting XI is fully deserved after watching the 23-year-old training.

What did he say?

Holgate has found some rare game time this past week, starting against both Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford. Manager Silva has had nothing but praise Holgate for his actions thus far and even claimed he visited his office for advice.

Silva told Everton: “Mason understood our defensive idea really well from the first day I came. He is a clever player.

“But it is one thing if you know [what is required], another if you practice every single day.

“Mason came to my office not just because he wasn’t playing, he wanted to know what he should do in a different way to improve.

“It is easy for Mason to understand the job we have been doing with the central defenders since we [Silva and his staff] joined the Club. We will do the same with Mason.

“Sometimes it is up to them to work every single day in the way I think is best to perform and develop football players.

“Mason has a very good profile as a central defender, in my opinion, he has the talent and quality.”

Time for a permanent role

Holgate may have come back into the side because of injuries, but he has applied himself better than most this season. The form of both Michael Keane and Mina has been questionable all season, as the club still sits just two points above the drop zone.

Keane has also been at fault for goals conceded on international duty, as he put in poor performances for England. Indeed, all of these signs point towards a starting role for Holgate in replace of either Keane or Mina.

The former Barnsley defender has also pitched in on the goals since his return to the side. His smart assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin against the Seagulls gave Everton the lead at that time. Plus, in midweek, his first goal for the club broke the deadlock against Watford, helping progress the club to the next round.

It is clear with yet another injury scare to Mina that he needs rest, so maybe it is time for a permanent starting role for Holgate.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Jonjo Shelvey has enjoyed mixed fortunes this season, but he could begin to find more consistency and become more important for his side if played in a more advanced role.

On the chalkboard

When Steve Bruce first arrived he made the former Liverpool man a central part of his plans, deploying him in a deep-lying role in midfield behind Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff.

The Magpies boss likely designed that system to make the most of Shelvey’s long-range passing ability, but it was quickly found out and cost Newcastle points early on.

Since then the 27-year-old has proved his worth with displays against West Ham and Bournemouth, but he’d be a lot more effective if he was able to play further forward.

It is an alteration that could work given Newcastle’s preferred 5-2-3 formation, as it would allow both Shelvey and Hayden to focus on the best aspects of their game, with the latter excelling defensively this term.

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Playmaker

In his typical inconsistent fashion Shelvey has underperformed with a pass accuracy of 71% this season, but in averaging 3.1 successful long balls per game he is an important factor in the Magpies’ attack.

Playing closer to Joelinton could work wonders. It would help the Brazilian get more involved in play and increase the number of opportunities he would receive, as Shelvey would likely be able to improve on his 1.4 key passes per game.

That return highlights the midfielder’s skill at producing chances, with the wingers often the beneficiaries, and suggests Newcastle are already a little reliant on his quality.

In a more attacking role Shelvey would have his defensive responsibility reduced, which also suits him. He has managed just 0.9 tackles per game compared to Hayden’s 2.9, so there is little point in restricting him to play alongside his midfield teammate.

Shelvey has also shown that he knows where the goal is. He has two goals this term from just six league starts, and his power could allow him to rifle home chances in and around the penalty box.

The key here is Joelinton though. There is a clear lack of service for the 23-year-old, who ranks 50th in the league for shots per game, with a measly 1.7. Shelvey would help to address that issue, and if he can get the striker scoring more then Newcastle should become a strong attacking team.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Leeds United have been linked with a move for West Brom’s 19-year-old full-back Nathan Ferguson this week as Football Insider have reported that the club are compiling a dossier about the defender.

The Baggies man has started 11 matches for Slaven Bilic’s side already this term, and with West Brom losing just one game so far this campaign it’s fair to say that he’s had a good start to life in the senior team at The Hawthorns.

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Makings of a top player

The defender has all the makings of a top player. The fact that he’s reportedly being watched by Juventus and Atletico Madrid tells you all you need to know, and his manager has been full of praise for him this season.

“Nathan is talented: he reminds me of Declan Rice, ” Bilic said. “He is only 18 on paper but his head and mind is like he’s 25 or 27. He’s a kid in a positive way in that he is not afraid to play.

“That’s the good thing about being young because he is thinking positively. It’s our job, and his family’s, to keep him humble and then there is no doubt that he has an extremely bright future and great career in front of him.” the Croatian manager noted.

Dilemma

Of course, signing a player with so much touted potential is an exciting prospect, but it will leave Marcelo Bielsa with a dilemma if he were to join the club.

Why are Leeds fans the best in the country? Find out in the video below…

Full-back is a position where Leeds have a lot of cover with Barry Douglas, Ezgjan Alioski, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas all capable of playing that role to a high standard.

It’s already tough enough for the Argentine to choose between those four players on a weekly basis at the moment, but if you add Ferguson to the equation, it becomes an almost impossible task.

After all, Ayling’s return to the side has seen Dallas have to move into the middle of the park, such are their options in wide defensive roles.

The teenager would be a great addition to the squad, particularly if they beat some of the names in for him, but if Bielsa wanted to incorporate him into the team right away, he would have a very tough decision to make.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

After starting his career at Arsenal’s Hale End academy, Bukayo Saka has progressed through the ranks at the club and now finds himself in a position where he can become a first-team regular. However, once upon a time, the same was once expected from Alex Iwobi as a youngster breaking through the academy and into the first team.

Saka, 18, has made a name for himself in a short space of time. His performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League placed his name on the footballing map after he scored his first goal since signing a professional contract for Arsenal.

The youngster also provided two assists in Germany as the Gunners’ cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Commerzbank-Arena.

Saka finds himself in a similar situation to where Everton forward Alex Iwobi was at the age of 20. The exciting, dazzling and intricate forward-thinking player looked set to provide a breath of fresh air at the club. Fleeting injections of exuberance had the Arsenal fans speculating over how high he could rise, a feeling that was at least partly manufactured by murmurs from inside the club.

Former manager Arsene Wenger hinted that his quality exceeded his youthful years and that he would continue on an upward trajectory, per Arsenal.com.

“The trick about him is that you forget how old he is when you seem him play. You never imagine that he’s 20 years old.

“I believe as well, looking back where he was one-and-a-half years ago and where he is today, what is very interesting with Alex Iwobi is that he is consistently moving upwards.”

Up, up and up, all the way to Everton. Wenger’s words do not represent the prophetic tale of progress that they represented back in January 2017, with his £40m summer switch representing a notable step down away from the big-six.

The media simply fuelled the hype, with Paul Merson gushing over Iwobi after an impressive performance against FC Basel in the Champions League.

While speaking to Sky Sports’ The Fantasy Football Club (via the Daily Express), the pundit drew comparisons with two of Arsenal’s most prestigious and internationally renowned talents.

“He was outstanding again against Basel on Wednesday night. He’s got a very good football brain. That’s what I like about him.

“He is playing with people whose football brains are at the top of their game, in the likes of Sanchez and Ozil.

But Iwobi has never quite managed to reach the heights that were once expected of him, and the fact he now plys his trade for a club who have finished in the top-four just once during the Premier League era underlines how much he still has to prove.

Saka, meanwhile, is at a similar junction to the one Iwobi found himself at when he was breaking through. Filled with promise, poise and expectation, the youngster has made a bright opening to the season.

His performance at Old Trafford stood out to Gunners’ fans during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

The links between Saka and Iwobi are clear: they are both attacking midfielder products of an Arsenal academy that have been hailed for their ability to organically produce high-class footballers.

The youngster who could yet become the player Iwobi was once expected to become has already scored one goal and provided three assists in five games this season, stats that suggest a success story is simmering beneath the surface.

Significantly, the club need to learn from the mistakes they made with Iwobi.

Too much was expected of the Nigeria international and his failure to mirror the hyperbole spreading through the media soon led to criticism from fans, with their expectations remaining much higher than what could reasonably be expected of an inexperienced flair player looking to make his mark at a top-four chasing outfit.

Saka needs to be nurtured, given the time to mature in order to get used to the physicality of the Premier League.

Having experienced players around him will quicken the process and help him to thrive at the top level.

Pundits will naturally sensationalise his ability in light of his most outstanding performances, but the lesson of Iwobi’s career so far should serve as a telling reminder for fans to not expect too much too soon.

Lots of Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after they heard that Christian Benteke had scored his first goal since April.

The 6 foot 3 striker found the back of the net just three minutes after coming on for Belgium against San Marino, as Roberto Martinez’s side recorded a 9-0 victory.

It was Benteke’s first strike since his headed effort against Arsenal back in April, his one and only goal from the 2018/19 campaign.

In total, the 28-year-old has netted just four goals in his last 58 games for the Eagles across all competitions – you could say that it is a surprise to even see him in the Belgium squad, let alone scoring.

One would presume that Palace fans are hoping this goal will give their £27m forward a bit of much-needed confidence in front of goal, although the quality of the opposition – and the fact that goalkeeper Simone Benedettini didn’t even dive – somewhat reduces the validity of the strike.

Let’s see how the Eagles supporters on Twitter reacted to the shock event…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

Queens Park Rangers were handed their first defeat in four Championship games on Saturday afternoon as they gifted West Brom all three points.

They started the afternoon just one point behind the west Midlands club and managed to keep them quiet throughout the first half, restricting them to only two shots – none of which were on target, per SofaScore.

But in the second half, two errors handed the Baggies a 2-0 victory.

The first came within eight minutes as young full-back Nathan Ferguson was allowed so much time and space on the ball before he fired in from 25 yards.

And then less than ten minutes from time, Yoann Barbet received his marching orders as he was adjudged to have brought down substitute Hal Robson-Kanu whilst being the last man.

Matheus Pereira stepped up and slotted the free-kick underneath the wall to stun goalkeeper Joe Lumley.

QPR struggled to cope with the dangerous width that Slaven Bilic’s men had at their disposal, nowhere more so than on the right flank where Todd Kane was particularly underwhelming.

The former Chelsea graduate had to face the goalscorer Ferguson as well as West Ham loanee Grady Diangana all afternoon, and he struggled to cope.

Kane lost possession a massive 25 times which would have only invited the pressure straight back onto the home side with the aforementioned duo a key threat throughout the game, recording four shots between them.

The 26-year-old also conceded one foul, won just half of his six ground duels, and registered a poor 66% passing success rate, per SofaScore.

Ferguson was allowed time and space in the exact area in which Kane should have been defending – if he had put some pressure on the youngster then maybe he wouldn’t have been able to pull the trigger from range.

The game could have gone a different way if that were the case, making Kane a significant factor in the Rs’ downfall.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

It is early days but Fabian Delph has impressed for Everton since his summer arrival, and there are signs that suggest he will be an adequate replacement for Idrissa Gueye.

The Senegal international had been a key player for the Toffees in recent years and his form earned him a £30m move to PSG, leaving a big gap in the Everton midfield.

There are not many players at the highest level who are capable of fulfilling the role Gueye did to such a high level, and his consistency makes him quite unique as a result.

He provided so much energy in the middle of the pitch but since coming into the team it appears that Delph will make up for what was lost, and perhaps provide that bit extra that Everton are looking for.

Whilst the England international may not be able to match the 75 interceptions Gueye made in the Premier League last term, he does provide greater quality on the ball and should be able to perform as an effective box-to-box player for Marco Silva.

Although it falls some way below Gueye’s average of 2.2, Delph’s rate of one interception per game suggests he is able to read danger, and his average of 4.5 tackles proves he can prevent such threat and transition into a break for his team, with an ability to run with the ball also.

That ability on the ball is a key factor of Delph’s all-round game, one area of his play which places him above Gueye.

The PSG man had a pass accuracy of 84% last term which matches that of Delph this season, but he averaged ten passes less per game, and that indicates that Everton now possess two ball-playing midfielders in the middle of the pitch, with Andre Gomes or Morgan Schneiderlin acting as Delph’s partner.

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The England international also provides leadership to Everton, which is otherwise sorely lacking. His attempt to galvanise his team against Bournemouth is exactly what they need to get their season going, and considering he was brought in for £10m, his addition can be regarded as a very good piece of business.

There are still concerns over his fitness. He has already missed three league games and his predecessor only missed a total of five last season, with such reliability making him central to Silva’s plans.

Despite that, the 29-year-old hasn’t taken long to show what he is all about, and if he can make improvements in running with the ball and cutting out passes, then the impact of Gueye’s absence will be negligible.