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Raheem Sterling this, Raheem Sterling that. The media’s most-wanted-individual-turned-media-darling is hogging all of the headlines right now, and rightly so in fairness.

Seven goals in his last four games, including hat-tricks against Watford and the Czech Republic, the Manchester City forward is at the top of his game, showing world-class ability in the process.

However, one man who plays alongside him at club level, but doesn’t get near enough media coverage for his exquisite ability, is Leroy Sane.

442oons have charted the entire career of Man City’s main man Sergio Aguero through song in the hilarious video below…

The German international appears to be trusted less by Pep Guardiola, having made just 18 league starts compared to Sterling’s 24 – even then, Sane has still managed to score eight goals and record nine assists.

At international level, during a time where Joachim Low has been notably ruthless since his side’s World Cup embarrassment in dropping names such as Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng, Sane has stepped up to the plate.

His performance against the Netherlands on Sunday evening was one to behold, and showed that, even despite suffering racist abuse from his nation’s own supporters, he can be trusted by his coaches to fulfil his duties to an exceptional standard.

The former Schalke winger netted Germany’s opening goal against the Dutch with an excellent effort inside the far post, his strike being one of two shots from a total three that managed to hit the target.

Sane impressed throughout against stellar names such as Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt in the opposition defence, and managed to complete an eye-catching three dribbles, which drew a whopping five fouls from the Dutch players.

Much of the focus has rightly been on his City counterpart Sterling, but Sane’s excellent performance for his country could well be the catalyst for him stepping out from the Englishman’s shadow in the closing weeks of the season.

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Phil Neville has made the ridiculous assertion that Manchester United need to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier this summer, per Sky Sports.

Dier has struggled for form this season but Neville, the manager of the England Women’s team, believes that the 25-year-old should be on the club’s shortlist for the summer.

What’s the word?

Dier has been a key member of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad in recent seasons, making a total of 204 appearances for the club.

However, this season, Dier has struggled for form and consistency, enduring an injury-hit campaign.

He has completed 90 minutes 10 times in the Premier League, struggling with both appendicitis and tonsillitis.

Nevertheless, Neville believes that the England international would be a shrewd addition for United.

Asked by Sky Sports to name his dream signings for his former club, he said: “Eric Dier as the holding midfield player and Philippe Coutinho, who there has been a bit of speculation about.

“You have to have British players in a title-winning team. [Ander] Herrera, Fred and [Scott] McTominay are part of the squad. [Nemanja] Matic, this season, has had a dip.”

Has he watched Dier?

This is an absolutely ridiculous assertion from Neville.

Dier has endured a below-average season at best and a poor one at worst.

Per WhoScored, he averages a total of 1.5 tackles per game in the Premier League – this is a player who is routinely deployed in a defensive midfield role – as well as 1.3 fouls. He makes just 0.4 blocks across 90 minutes on average along with 0.9 interceptions.

In attack, he completes 0.1 dribbles across a game, meaning he may as well not carry the ball forward at all. He also has 0.4 shots per game, 0.4 key passes and has a pass completion rate of just 84.3%.

This is far from the elite central midfielder that United need.

As for the claim that a title-winning team needs a British player, that does not even bear unpicking, such is its sheer stupidity. But for argument’s sake, just two British players made 30+ Premier League appearances for Man City last season, and a mere four made above 17.

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Tottenham Hotspur supporters on the Spurs Community forum have been discussing the starting XI they would pick for the Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The north London outfit will look to retain their spot in the top four against Pep Guardiola’s men, whom they beat 4-4 on aggregate on Wednesday to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

With Moussa Sissoko picking up a groin injury against the Cityzens, and with continued doubts over the fitness of Eric Dier and Harry Winks, one fan believes that Mauricio Pochettino should rotate his side and start centre-back Juan Foyth as a defensive midfielder at the weekend.

The positives

The 21-year-old looks to be ready-made for the role.

He is decent in possession of the ball, loves a tackle and an interception and isn’t particularly slow.

Given his centre-back background he should conceivably be disciplined from a positional sense, and that would certainly help him if he was coming up against David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.

Of course, he should also be more reliable than the attack-minded duo of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, who would otherwise have to be trusted to perform more defensively against the Premier League champions.

The negatives

On WhoScored the Argentine’s weaknesses are listed as his concentration, his discipline and his ability to win aerial duels.

All of those can be crucial traits in a defensive midfield position, and those shortcomings would certainly be a worry against City.

Three yellow cards in 706 minutes on the pitch in the top flight this term is a particularly worrying stat, as he will be coming up against tricky players that could easily get the better of him at the Etihad.

Verdict

So what should Pochettino do?

While it may be tempting to give Foyth a go in this position in the future, he shouldn’t do it against a team that will surely be out for revenge as they bid to win the Premier League title.

Playing Victor Wanyama flanked by Alli and Eriksen would still be a safer bet than blooding the South American youngster in such a big game – experience is key.

يرى أحمد حسن قائد منتخب مصر المعتزل ولاعب إندرلخت البلجيكي سابقًا أن بيراميدز يحتاج لمدرب كبير يقود الفريق خلال الفترة المقبلة خلفًا للكرواتي أنتي تشاتشيتش المدير الفني الحالي.

وخسر بيراميدز فرصة التتويج بلقب الكونفدرالية للمرة الأولى في تاريخه بعد هزيمته أمام نهضة بركان بهدفٍ وحيدة في مباراة مثيرة للجدل تحكيميًا أدارها السنغالي أليوم نيانت.

وقال أحمد حسن خلال مداخلة هاتفية عبر برنامج “نمبر وان” المذاع على قناة “النهار”: “كنا نتمنى أن يحقق بيراميدز بطولة الكونفدرالية لأنها ستضاف لمصر وحينها سنكون متسيدن للكرة الإفريقية”.

طالع أيضًا.. مدرب نهضة بركان: درسنا نقاط قوة بيراميدز.. واستحقينا لقب الكونفدرالية

وأضاف: “بيراميدز كان لديه فرصة كبيرة، وواضح من البداية أن المدير الفني انتي تشاتشيتش ضعيف فنيًا، بيراميدز لم يصل لهدفه، الموسم الماضي نجاحه أكثر من الموسم الحالي، وحتى في آخر 5 جولات كنا ننافس على الدوري ووصلنا لنهائي الكأس”.

وتابع: “مدرب بيراميدز كان يجب عليه أن يبدأ بالغاني جون أنطوي كمهاجم أساسي لأنه هداف الفريق وكان يتحتم عليه أن يبدأ بالقوة الضاربة”.

وواصل: “كان على مدرب بيراميدز أن يلعب بنفس الطريقة التي استخدمها الأهلي والزمالك في المغرب”.

وأردف: “خلق الداوفع في بيراميدز غير متواجد والدليل النتائج، ويجب على مسئولي النادي أن يتعاقدوا مع مدير فني كبير صاحب إمكانيات فنية تتناسب مع اللاعبين”.

واستأنف: “بيراميدز اشترى إسلام عيسي بـ45 مليون جنيهًا ويبحث له الآن عن إعارة”.

وأضاف: “كما قلت سابقًا، أتمنى من رمضان صبحي أن يكون خليفة محمد صلاح (لاعب ليفربول الإنجليزي الحالي) في الدوري الإسباني أو الايطالي وإمكانياته تسمح بذلك ولكن هو اختار الانضمام لنادي بيراميدز”.

واختتم: “لدي علامة استفهام على انضمام شريف اكرامي لنادي بيراميدز رغم أن هناك ثلاث حراس مميزين وهو رحل من الأهلي لكي يشارك”.

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Leicester are interested in completing a deal to sign Daniel Sturridge in the summer, according to The Sun. But is he a risk worth taking?

What’s the word?

Brendan Rodgers is reportedly plotting a reunion with Sturridge according to The Sun who are claiming he could join the Foxes on a free transfer.

The forward’s contract ends in the summer, meaning he’d be free to talk to clubs when his current deal ends in June.

At 29, Sturridge has started just five times in all competitions for Leicester this season so it’s hardly a surprise that Jurgen Klopp has been willing to let his contract run down.

According to The Sun’s report, Liverpool are also set to be braced by interest from MLS clubs.

Career revival on the cards?

Sturridge has had a torrid time with injuries in recent seasons and has gone from being one of the most prolific strikers in the league to sitting among the substitutes, forced out of the team by the dynamic trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Given how sensational they’ve been, Klopp’s team selection is more than understandable. But, if Sturridge was to make the move to the King Power then he’d be set for a career revival.

Rodgers is the manager he flourished under the most when the pair were at Liverpool together. In the 2013/14 season, the Englishman scored 21 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, almost helping them to the title.

Although his injury record is concerning and makes the deal a risk, a Rodgers and Sturridge partnership has the potential to be a dream link up for the Foxes.

Jamie Vardy has been tasked with scoring the brunt of the goals in the Leicester side for a while, but with Sturridge they’d have someone else capable of finding the net regularly too.

On a free transfer, it would represent far better business than Kelechi Iheanacho and Islam Slimani have been for the club.

اعترف جرانيت تشاكا لاعب آرسنال أنهم ارتكبوا أخطاءً في مباراة الأمس أمام ليستر سيتي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وخسر الجانرز بهدف دون رد، في الجولة السادسة، في ملعب الإمارات.

وقال تشاكا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “لقد كانت مواجهة ليستر سيتي فرصة كبيرة بالنسبة لنا من أجل الصعود في جدول الدوري، أردنا الفوز ولكننا خسرنا في النهاية”.

وأضاف: “لم يكن لدى ليستر سوى هدفه، وحصلنا على بعض الفرص في الشوط الأول، من الصعب إيجاد الكلمات للتعبير عقب المباراة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أرتيتا: أشعر بالأسف على لاعبي آرسنال ولا أعرف سبب إلغاء هدف لاكازيت

وواصل: “لقد ارتكبنا بعض الأخطاء، وعندما تفعل ذلك في هذا المستوى من اللعبة، فأنت تُعاقب”.

واستكمل: “الأخطاء جزء من كرة القدم، علينا تحليلها، نتطلع إلى الأمام واتخاذ الخطوة التالية يوم الخميس، ثم نذهب إلى أولد ترافورد لتحقيق شيء ما”.

ويواجه آرسنال نظيره دوندالك يوم الخميس في ثاني جولات دور مجموعات الدوري الأوروبي، قبل ملاقاة مانشستر يونايتد يوم الأحد في الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

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Leeds United fans are struggling to agree with each other about the selection headache presented to Marcelo Bielsa after Kemar Roofe was cleared to return to first-team action.

Fans have been calling for Patrick Bamford’s head after his poor performance and penalty miss against Millwall this weekend, and with Roofe cleared to return from injury before the next game Leeds fans are speculating that Bamford might not get another sniff at the first team this season.

Roofe has been one of Leeds’ most important players this season netting 14 Championship goals as the Whites battle it out for spot in the top two.

Bamford himself has shown flashes of brilliance with a brace against West Brom a particular highlight of his Leeds career.

Leeds fans have been at odds about which striker should get the nod on Twitter after Roofe was cleared to return to full training following his knee injury, which saw him miss over a month of action.

Here’s a look at how Leeds fans reacted to news of Roofe’s potential return on Twitter…

Rafael Benitez could leave his post at the end of the season if Mike Ashley and his cronies do not meet his demands.

Rafael Benitez cuts a frustrated figure thanks to lack of movement of a possible new deal, and though it is obvious he wants to remain at the club – having endured every adverse condition thrown at him – he is apparently ready to end his Newcastle career if Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley are not willing to meet his demands (as per The Northern Echo).

For anyone who has been following the club’s recent activity – or lack of in this situation – it will come as no surprise to learn what Benitez is seeking. The Spaniard wants guarantees over the club’s transfer plans for the period of his future contract and the size of the kitty he will have available to him in the immediate should they remain in the Premier League – which, as it stands, they most certainly are.

Benitez is also said to be concerned with Mike Ashley’s stance on recruiting or retaining players over the age of 30. As it stands, Benitez would not be able to sign forward Salomon Rondon – which we understand to be a priority, despite the player turn 30 in September.

We think it is fair to say that if Rafael Benitez left his post at St James’ Park then the club would struggle to find someone as capable to replace him, or anyone silly enough to actually want the job. Yes, Newcastle are a huge club, but with Ashley in charge, the manager position is a poisoned chalice. A lack of funding and a general disconnect between the boardroom and fans makes it one of the most toxic roles in football at the moment, and why would anyone reputable want to buy into that?

Ashley needs to change his ways or leave; the latter of which being the preference for many, we are sure.

Newcastle fans, how badly would Benitez’s departure damage your chances next season? Let us know in the comments below…

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Kemar Roofe has been passed fit for Leeds United as the Whites head to Birmingham City in the Championship this weekend.

The forward has been on the sidelines since picking up a knee injury against Swansea City in the middle of February.

However, ahead of the trip to Birmingham, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa revealed that the 26-year-old was available once again.

Roofe has scored 14 Championship goals for the Whites this season and his return is absolutely vital at a key period of the season.

Indeed, Bielsa’s side currently sit second in the Championship having won four of their last five matches, including a 3-2 success over Millwall last time out.

It is a huge few days for Leeds as they travel to Birmingham this weekend before making the trip to Preston North End on Tuesday night.

And Roofe is now ready to play his part.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the club’s supporters can be seen below:

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Leeds United fans on Twitter are split after rumours circulated that Caleb Ekuban’s loan move to Trabzonspor would be made permanent this summer.

Ekuban’s agent told Tuttomercatoweb that the striker is loving life in Turkey and strongly suggested that the wheels are already in motion to make his move permanent.

The Ghana international has been a polarising figure at Elland Road – despite a poor goalscoring return from the striker many believed that he had something to offer the club.

Ekuban scored just once in 20 league appearances for the Whites but he never got a chance to play under Marcelo Bielsa.

Certain sections of the fanbase believe that Bielsa would have gotten the best out of Ekuban whilst others believe the 25-year-old is a lost cause.

The striker’s goalscoring returns haven’t been brilliant at his new club either, having netted just five times in 23 appearances so far this season.

Here’s what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter…