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Manchester City fans have taken to Twitter in good spirits after it was revealed that ten key first-team players would be missing out on international duty with their respective nations.

John Stones, Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Aguero and David Silva are all set to stay at the Etihad Stadium during the international break for various different reasons.

What is behind Liverpool’s recent title race slip ups? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video above…

At this stage of the season, it is pivotal for the Citizens to keep everyone fresh in order to keep up with Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title – Pep Guardiola’s men are now two points behind the Reds, albeit with a game in hand.

City have just eight games left, and whilst their squad depth is impressive, they need their main stars fit if they are to defend their title.

Understandably, fans of the reigning champions on Twitter are glad to see that so many key players are set to miss out on international duty…

If all goes to plan, Leeds will be playing Premier League football next season, and it will be catastrophic if they fail to go up, after a brilliant campaign so far.

Most people assume it is a case of when, not if, they win promotion, although Norwich City and Sheffield United would argue otherwise.

Marcelo Bielsa has done a fantastic job, and once they reach the Promised Land, they will need more of his brilliance to build a squad capable of staying there.

Despite all the talent in the team, one thing they lack is Premier League experience.

It is something that Bielsa will need to address, and we think the first person he should turn to is former academy graduate, James Milner.

With his contract situation a somewhat unclear — some say it runs out this summer, while others say it runs until 2020 — either way, he is a player that would help develop Leeds’ young squad.

Milner is 33-years-old now, and has seen less game time for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season. Whether he is out of contract at the end of the season, or entering the final year of his deal, both the player and club may decide it would be the right time for him to move elsewhere.

The player has always maintained he was disappointed when he was sold to Newcastle in 2004, but insisted he was glad to do so, knowing that the transfer fee helped secure Leeds’ future due to their financial problems.

His love of the club he played for from junior level is evident, and a move home to become part of the Bielsa revolution, may be too much of a temptation for him to turn down.

Given his age and years of service to the Anfield club, it is difficult to see that they would command a huge fee for their popular player — if he does have another year on his contract, that is — and it would surely be a move that would prove popular with Leeds fans.

Would you be glad to see the return of one of your former stars Leeds fans? Give us your thoughts on what you think the club need next year…

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Josh Cullen has been in impressive form for Charlton Athletic on loan this season, and the standard of his performances have earned him recognition away from the Valley.

Indeed, the 22-year-old has earned his first ever international call-up to the Ireland squad to face Gibraltar and Georgia in a pair of Euro 2020 qualifiers, replacing the injured Ronan Curtis.

Cullen will join fellow central midfielders Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan and Harry Arter as he bids to break into the starting XI.

Shortly after news broke concerning his late call-up, Cullen took to Twitter to reveal his delight at Mick McCarthy’s decision to draft him into the squad.

The call-up represents a landmark moment in the West Ham academy product’s career. Cullen’s bid to establish himself at the top level has not been a smooth process, but his latest achievement suggests that he has made significant strides forward in League One this season.

In response to his tweet, supporters turned out in their numbers to heap praise on the impressive loanee and urged him to remain injury free with the Addicks battling for promotion.

Here’s what fans of Charlton, West Ham and Bradford City had to say in response to Cullen’s post:

وجه حميد أحداد مهاجم الزمالك المعار إلى صفوف الرجاء رسالة إلى جماهير وإدارة الفريق المغربي قبل مواجهة الزمالك في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلاقي الزمالك نظيره الرجاء المغربي مساء غدا الأحد في تمام التاسعة مساءا بتوقيت القاهرة لخوض المواجهة المرتقبة بين الفريقين في نصف النهائي.

وكتب أحداد عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع التواصل الإجتماعي “انستجرام”: “رسالة حب وتقدير إلى كل مكونات فريق الرجاء الرياضي، أود شكر كل من ساندني وظل يشجع وينوه بمجهوداتي داخل هذا الفريق العظيم الذي أفتخر فيه بالتجربة التي قضيتها داخله مع جماهيره الوفية التي لن تفارق وجداني”.

وتابع: “الجماهير التي من أجلها نقاتل في رقعة الميدان ونحن عازمون على حصد الألقاب والبطولات، أعتز كذلك بالفترة التي عشتها مع رفاقي وإخواني اللاعبين وأشكرهم على حسن معاملتهم وأتمنى لهم كامل التوفيق والنجاح في القادم من المحطات”.

وأتم: “فخور كذلك بالجهاز التقني للفريق من مدرب ومساعدين وأشكرهم على كل توجيهاتهم القيمة التي استفدت منها الكثير، أحيي الطاقمين الإداري والطبي وباقي العاملين بالفريق على تضحياتهم في سبيل لاعبي الفريق، وأغتنم الفرصة لأشكر المكتب المسير لنادي الرجاء الرياضي وكافة المنخرطين، شكرا لكم جميعا”.

يذكر أن مسؤولي الرجاء حاولوا بشتى الطرق مع إدارة الزمالك أن يشارك حميد أحداد في مباراة الفريقين ولكن مسؤولوا القلعة البيضاء أصروا على تفعيل بند عدم مشاركة اللاعب ضد فريقه في العقد المبرم بينهما.

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رسالة حب وتقدير إلى كل مكونات فريق الرجاء الرياضي ، أود شكر كل من ساندني وظل يشجع وينوه بمجهوداتي داخل هذا الفريق العظيم الذي أفتخر فيه بالتجربة التي قضيتها داخله مع جماهيره الوفية التي لن تفارق وجداني، الجماهير التي من أجلها نقاتل في رقعة الميدان ونحن عازمين على حصد الألقاب والبطولات، أعتز كذلك بالفترة التي عشتها مع رفاقي وإخواني اللاعبين وأشكرهم على حسن معاملتهم وأتمنى لهم كامل التوفيق والنجاح في القادم من المحطات، فخور كذلك بالجهاز التقني للفريق من مدرب ومساعدين وأشكرهم على كل توجيهاتهم القيمة التي استفدت منها الكثير، أحيي الطاقمين الإداري والطبي وباقي العاملين بالفريق على تضحياتهم في سبيل لاعبي الفريق، وأغتنم الفرصة لأشكر المكتب المسير لنادي الرجاء الرياضي وكافة المنخرطين، شكرا لكم جميعاً 💚🙏🏻🙏🏻

A post shared by ⚜️H.A⚜️17 (@hamid.ahadad) on Oct 16, 2020 at 12:58pm PDT

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Brentford’s Yoann Barbet is currently in discussions to renew his contract, according to Football.London.

He’s a player Aston Villa were understood to have been interested in adding to their squad in January but with the Frenchman’s future still unclear, should they revive their interest in the defender?

What’s the word?

Barbet is set to become a free agent this summer with his contract at the Bees expiring at the end of the season. However, the Frenchman has claimed that talks are ongoing to keep him with the London based club.

The ex-Bordeaux man told Football.London: “We’ve been talking but there is nothing at the moment.”

Villa have had a prior interest in the 25-year-old, with the player speaking about rumours of a possible move to the club just a matter of months ago. However, loan moves for Kortney Hause and Tyrone Mings were preferred at the time.

No verdict has been reached between Brentford and Barbet yet but it’s unclear as to whether Villa are still monitoring him.

Perfect Mings alternative

The loanee from Bournemouth has been an instant hit in the Midlands but the player has been linked with Southampton, according to the Sunday Mirror, (17/03, page 72), via HITC.

Although his loss would be incredibly difficult to deal with, Barbet offers a very good alternative. Mings would likely come at a hefty price and therefore the Bees centre-back would represent far better business for the club.

Villa have a number of central defenders on loan, with Axel Tuanzebe and Hause both not permanent members of the squad either. Therefore the club would struggle for numbers in defence if all three were to depart.

Barbet has been part of a Bees defensive line that has conceded four goals less than Villa this term, despite sitting eight places below them. The fact he’s made more challenges per game than any defender currently at Villa also bodes particularly well.

Dean Smith has worked with the French defender before, having previously been the manager of Brentford and as a result, knows the player better than most. Potentially costing nothing, he would be the ideal replacement if they fail to land Mings.

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Marcelo Bielsa will be lacking a vital defensive lynchpin when Leeds United host Millwall at Elland Road after the international break, with Pontus Jansson set to be sidelined.

Dicussion over who exactly will replace the Sweden international is running rife in Yorkshire. The obvious solution is to restore Gaetano Berardi into the team, but he has spent a considerable length of time on the sideline through injury this season.

Kalvin Phillips, who enjoyed a decent spell in central defence during the winter months, also represents a viable option.

However, a handful of the Whites faithful have taken to Twitter to call for 6ft 4 colossus Aapo Halme to make only his second Championship start of the season.

Millwall are a side renowned for their added physicality, so it’s easy to understand why the fans have identified the Finnish defender as the man who is best equipped to replace Jansson.

The inexperienced 20-year-old has offered much more than just a commanding aerial presence when he has been called upon this season, and it’s his ability to combine his commanding aerial presence with a composed approach to possession-based football which has really caught the eye.

Here’s what the Leeds fans have had to say about Halme:

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The Sun are reporting that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United are lining up a summer transfer for Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale.

What’s the word, then?

Per the original report, the wantaway Welsh international is one of a series of names on the Old Trafford club’s radar for after the end of the season, already handed to Ed Woodward.

Bale is no stranger to United as the pair have met on numerous occasions, mostly during the 29-year-old’s time at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Before that, the left winger, who can also play out on the right or as a forward, progressed through the academy at Southampton.

He got his big move to north London in 2007 and then a switch to Madrid, where he has netted 102 times in 225 appearances so far, for a then-world-record-fee of £85.3 million.

Look beyond the name, a better option is out there

In this case, the Red Devils must look beyond the glitzy name of Bale as there is a better option out there, Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho – another rumoured target.

The former Manchester City man is a full ten years younger than Bale, so has the potential to be a key player in the north west for longer.

And if Woodward is seeking a left winger who can operate on the opposite flank as well as a series of other attacking positions in Bale, Sancho can do exactly the same.

The 19-year-old is as versatile as they come, able to play both right and left wing and essentially a much fresher version of the Wales star.

They both could cost roughly the same fee, meaning that there could be no significant increase on what they are prepared to spend on Bale, compared to Sancho.

This is a no-brainer if there ever was one for the Man United hierarchy, a chance to really think about the future and display to fans that a long-term vision is in place.

One would feel that, with plenty of other areas needing recruitment in the summer and without the bottomless funds of a Man City, Solskjaer won’t be able to sign both and he must make the right decision.

يعاني فريق الرجاء المغربي من أزمة كبيرة بين صفوفه بسبب غياب 8 لاعبين عن قائمته قبل ساعات من مواجهة الزمالك المرتقبة بدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الرجاء يستضيف الزمالك في التاسعة مساء اليوم على ملعب مركب محمد الخامس، بذهاب نصف نهائي البطولة القارية.

وأفاد موقع “360 سبورت” المغربي، وفقًا لمصدر بنادي الرجاء، أن نتيجة الفحوصات الطبية الدقيقة التي خضع لها كل من عبد الرحيم شاكير، والليبي سند الورفلي وزميله عبد الجليل أجبيرة إضافة إلى عمر بوطيب، كشفت استحالة مشاركتهم أمام الزمالك في مباراة اليوم.

طالع أيضًا.. تشكيل الزمالك أمام الرجاء.. أحمد عيد أساسيا وإسلام حابر بديل ساسي

وشدد المصدر أن الجهاز الطبي للنادي المغربي يسعي لتجهيز هؤلاء اللاعبين من أجل مباراة الإياب في القاهرة والمقررة مساء السبت المقبل.

وينضم إلى قائمة غيابات الرجاء أيضًا، كل من أيوب نناح ومحمد زريدة، بسبب إصابتهما بفيروس كورونا.

طالع أيضًا.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الزمالك والرجاء في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

كما يعاني الرجاء من غياب الثنائي أسامة سكحان لعدم قيده بالقائمة الإفريقية، وحميد أحداد المعار من الزمالك لنهاية العقد الذي يربطه بالفريق الأخضر.

يذكر، أن الزمالك سيواجه منافسه الرجاء يوم 24 من أكتوبر الجاري في مباراة الإياب بدوري أبطال إفريقيا، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

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Fernando Llorente is expected to be available for Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League clash with Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Llorente was not included against Crystal Palace last week due to a concussion, but has returned to training ahead of the quarter-final first leg with City.

The Spaniard will, of course, not be in the starting XI against the Citizens. Well, not unless Harry Kane is a late withdrawal.

However, the Tottenham fans feel that Llorente might be able to have a say against City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It has been another tough campaign for the 34-year-old, but he has contributed seven goals in all competitions for Spurs this term, including one in the Champions League.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

And the news that he has returned to training ahead of the all-English tie has been welcomed by the Tottenham fans on social media.

A selection of the Twitter reaction is available to view below:

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Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn returned to the starting XI and produced a man-of-the-match performance in the 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground on Wednesday night, and he proved he is destined for the Premier League next season with or without the Midlands outfit.

The Scotland international joined the Championship club for an undisclosed fee last summer and has quickly gone on to make a big impression at Villa Park, becoming a key player in the middle of the park.

Following a two-match suspension having accumulated 10 booking over the course of the league campaign, the 24-year-old sat out the draw with Stoke City and the win against Derby County, before having to settle for a spot on the substitutes’ bench for the second city derby on Sunday.

However, with the scoreline at 0-0 the former Hibernian man and gave his side some fresh impetus in the final third, and he was rewarded with the impact he made with a spot in the XI in place of Glenn Whelan against Martin O’Neill’s side.

McGinn didn’t disappoint despite the visitors falling 1-0 behind with just three minutes on the clock, as he scored two brilliant first-half goals to give Villa a crucial advantage as they continue to close on the play-off positions.

The Scot needed to make an impression from an attacking point of view and he certainly did that with his two goals coming from four shots in total – he was unfortunate not to get a hat-trick when he saw one of his efforts hit the woodwork.

It wasn’t just his work going forward that was good either and he proved that he is an all-round midfielder by also winning two aerial duels, as well as making three interceptions and three tackles for his team.

A WhoScored rating of 9.48 is nothing to be sniffed at and given his all-action box-to-box displays and the fact that he has four goals and eight assists to his name in the Championship this term, he is ready for a move to the Premier League, and it will happen whether Villa win promotion or not come what May.