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Leeds United’s U23 side secured the Professional Development League North title following a 2-0 win against Colchester United on Monday, and Clarke Oduor was one of their impressive performers on the night.

The 19-year-old has been with the Yorkshire outfit for many years having progressed through the club’s academy, and he is beginning to make a real impact.

The teenager made his first-team debut as a late substitute against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup in January, but that is still the only occasion he has been involved in the 18-man squad under Marcelo Bielsa.

Still, he has obviously made an impression having signed a new one-and-a-half year contract last month, with Leeds having the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Usually a winger the Kenyan started at left-back in Essex, and while he was only on the pitch for the opening 45 minutes he still made a big impression.

Oduor got forward well, didn’t stop running and produced some threatening crosses, and in many ways he is replicating Elland Road favourite Ezgjan Alioski in terms of style.

The Macedonia international has become a real hero among the Leeds faithful after seamlessly making the switch to left-back in recent months despite primarily being a winger, and his African teammate showed that he could follow a similar path on Monday.

With the endurance he has and the end product he showed at times, he could be another versatile option for Bielsa and the Yorkshire outfit for many years to come.

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Charlton signed out for the international break with a 0-0 draw away at Bristol Rovers and, while the scoreline might not be too impressive, the manner in which the Addicks fought to take a point from the game in dreadful conditions was commendable.

It was difficult to pick a man of the match from the game, with each and every man in a much-changed side battling to the final whistle, although London News Online’s Kevin Nolan seems to have a clear favourite in Josh Cullen, who was once again excellent in midfield.

Here’s what Nolan had to say about the West Ham loanee:

“The Addicks were also well-served in midfield, where Josh Cullen, still lacking a goal to seal his growing influence, was superb. Continuing the fine form he showed in the back-to-back Valley victories over Portsmouth and Burton Albion, Cullen was a restless hive of industry.

“Called up to Ireland’s senior squad by manager Mick McCarthy, who caught him in midweek action, the sawn-off dynamo, if given his chance, is likely to remind Dublin’s Aviva of another insatiable midfielder who swapped Charlton’s red for Ireland’s green with great distinction. Kinsella Mark Two to coin an obvious phrase.”

Indeed, the Irishman has been tireless in the middle of the park and has without a doubt earned a break from club competition.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Deputising at the base of midfield for Krystian Bielik in the win over Burton last week, the 22-year-old built on his excellent showing in the previous victory over Portsmouth, but his display against the Pirates may be the most impressive out of the three considering the dismal weather.

Given the obvious Charlton and Ireland links, Nolan has gone as far as to compare Cullen with ex-Addick Mark Kinsella, who was a key player for the Valley outfit in their Premier League heydays. Will Cullen achieve similar success?

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According to The Mirror, Liverpool could reportedly lose millions of pounds if their former player, Philippe Coutinho, decides to join Manchester United and put an end to his Barcelona nightmare.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Spanish giants smashed their transfer record to bring the Brazilian international to Catalonia at the beginning of 2018, but things haven’t been easy for Coutinho since his arrival at the Camp Nou.

After starring for the Blaugrana in the second half of last season with 10 goals and six assists, the 26-year-old has spent a lot of the current campaign either on the bench, or being played out of position and struggling to hit a run of form – his performances have led to boos from the Barcelona fans.

Jurgen Klopp has gotten quite inventive with his excuses this season. FFC’s James Jones think he has no one but himself to blame for Liverpol’s poor form in the video below…

He has scored just eight goals and made five more this term, and has reportedly issued a come-and-get-me plea to the Red Devils who have been linked with a £100m move.

A rare Michael Edwards blunder?

Liverpool and Barcelona shook on a reported £142m fee when Coutinho left the Premier League for La Liga, although a portion of that sum is dependant on bonuses, containing clauses that won’t be met if the former Inter man leaves the club.

Those clauses are as follows. Liverpool will be handed £4.4m for every 25 La Liga appearances that Coutinho makes, which they have already received once and look set to do so again before the summer with the playmaker currently on 43 appearances – however, if he leaves, the Reds could miss out on at least £8.8m and potentially £13.2m as part of the original agreement.

It would obviously have been tough for sporting director Michael Edwards to have foreseen this unfortunate situation regarding the Brazilian’s unsuccessful time in Spain, although he could potentially have done more to secure the additional sums and secure the whole fee for Liverpool; especially given how desperate Barcelona were to sign him at the time.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are also set to receive £4.4m if Barcelona qualify for the Champions League, which they should do, and another £4.4m if they win the prestigious competition – if they don’t win it this season and Coutinho leaves, that clause will be wiped from existence.

While they clearly got great money for the 26-year-old, in total the Reds could miss out on £17.6m if Coutinho joins their arch-rivals United. Could Edwards have done better? Potentially.

Almost every Newcastle fan is hoping that Rafa Benitez will pledge his future to the club soon, but much will depend on money — but not the amount they are willing to pay the Spaniard, but how much he will be able to spend.

In a saga that seems to have gone on as long as the Brexit negotiations, fans are still largely in the dark about the outcome.

In fact, it would be hard to say what will happen first — A Brexit deal, or a Rafa one!

Benitez has always insisted that wages are not his priority or motivation, and it is, and has always been, about being given the chance to take his Newcastle United vision forward, and having the backing to do so.

A report in the Daily Mirror claims that Benitez will be offered a new three-year deal worth £5 million a year, but that figure is largely irrelevant in his musings over a new deal.

As is always the case with Benitez, it is about football. His one concern is that the club are not prepared to turn the page on annual relegation battles, and start to look ahead with a little more ambition.

He is the one person in a management or boardroom role that actually gets it. He understands supporters’ frustrations. He knows what they want. He also, crucially, know how to deliver it.

Most owners of football clubs, whether actively trying to sell their business or maintain it, would want to share that ambition, and see their investment appreciate in value as they improve.

Why Mike Ashley never seems to see that, is a question only he can answer, but unfortunately, he rarely does interviews, and when he does, they are carefully stage-managed affairs with his preferred media partner.

While salary will always be considered, the club could offer Benitez £20m a year, and without the assurances of a competitive budget to improve the squad, he still would not sign — and good for him.

It was suggested, by a certain radio pundit with an axe to grind over Rafa — who we shall not give unwarranted exposure to by naming him — that he has enough money that he should spend some of his own cash to buy players (I know… ludicrous, right?).

Well, if Ashley offers him a contract of £105m a year, then he might well be able to do that!

Newcastle should never have let it get to this stage, that much we already know, but they have, and it is now time to stop bluffing, and go all-in with Rafa.

Give the man the money to bring success to Tyneside — and by success, we don’t mean winning trophies left, right and centre, we just mean giving the Geordie fans a team to be proud to support.

Once they can go to games to watch and actually enjoy them, instead of every week, wondering if it is going to be another defeat, and potentially, another nail hammered into their Premier League coffin.

What do you think of the Rafa Benitez contract situation? Will he get the tools he needs to take the club onto the next rung of the ladder? Let us know your thoughts…

نشبت أزمة في صفوف فريق الكرة بطنطا بعد غياب 8 لاعبين عن الحضور للنادي قبل مواجهة المصري ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

ويلتقي طنطا أمام منافسه المصري مساء الأحد المقبل ضمن منافسات المسابقة المحلية.

وقال مصدر بنادي طنطا في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات”: “تغيب 8 من اللاعبين المعارين للنادي، ما أثار استياء رضا عبدالعال من تصرف اللاعبين وذلك بعد غيابهم عقب الحصول على جميع مستحقاتهم”.

وفى وقت سابق، كان رضا عبدالعال قد هاجم بند الإعارات مؤكدا أنها تضر الأندية ولا تفيدها بسبب رحيل اللاعبين قبل مباراة المصري البورسعيدي الأخيرة.

وأضاف: “هروب المعارين جاء قبل مباراة المصري البورسعيدي الأخيرة رغم الحصول علي مستحقاتهم أثار غضب المدير الفني رضا عبدالعال”.

وواصل: اللاعبون الذين غابوا من الإعارات هم ثنائي الزمالك حسين فيصل وهاني رشدي بالإضافة لهشام شعبان وحامد حمدان وغيرهم من النجوم”.

Newcastle know they need to spend wisely in the summer if they want to improve their league standing next season.

Currently, the Magpies will be confident of avoiding relegation now that they’re six points away from the relegation zone.

But that shouldn’t stop the players performing to the very best of their abilities. Indeed, if anything they need to continue their fine form to ensure they stay away from playing Championship football next season.

Rafa Benitez is a fantastic manager that Newcastle fans everywhere are begging to stay at the club.

With the ability to spend in the summer, that is something he may do and a player who should be top of his list is Genk’s Leandro Trossard.

Trossard, (who is valued at £12.6 million on Transfermarkt) has enjoyed a superb individual season with Genk in the Belgian Pro League, exactly like he did last campaign as well.

He may go unnoticed because of the inferior league he currently plays in but that shouldn’t distract a team like Newcastle taking a risk on him.

With an outstanding return of 18 goals and eight assists so far this season, the winger has more than proven his worth, hence the interest from the likes of Arsenal – as per Football.London last month.

But although a move to Emirates Stadium might be more glamorous than a club like Newcastle, with the latter, he will be guaranteed game-time and gain the opportunity to become the latest star at St James’ Park, whereas with Arsenal it would be a lot harder to do that.

Having already taken a punt on Miguel Almiron who played in the MLS, a highly-rated star that is soon to break into Belgian’s national team hardly seems like a potential mistake.

Do you agree… Let us know!

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Reports in Turkey claim Newcastle are interested in signing the new Ozil – Mainz 05 wonderkid Erkan Eyibil.

What’s the story?

According to Turkish Football, Eyibil is attracting interest from “a growing number of clubs” with Newcastle and West Ham both keeping tabs on the teenager.

At 17, he is yet to make an appearance for Mainz’s senior side, but has scored nine goals and added four assists this season for the Under-19 side.

The report says the Turkish press have dubbed the diminutive playmaker as the “new Ozil” due to his vision and guile, but should the Magpies make a summer swoop?

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Savvy business

Newcastle have been heavily criticised for their transfer business under Mike Ashley, and rightly so, but signing Eyibil before the big clubs jump in would be a sign of improvement.

The Mainz starlet scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win last weekend, taking his total tally across all Mainz youth teams to 38 goals, as well as a remarkable 31 assists.

He has shot through the youth ranks of the German national team, making appearances for the Under-15s, Under-16s, Under-17s and Under-18s in the last few years, racking up three goals along the way.

Even if the youngster does not feature in the first team immediately, penning such a talented player to a long-term deal would be a stroke of genius from Ashley and the club, and could eventually land them a huge profit if he moves on to the bigger and better things that he seems destined for.

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Axel Tuanzebe has revealed that he could make his Aston Villa return in the club’s home Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers on March 30.

What’s the update?

Tuanzebe told Villa’s official website:

“It’s really good to be back. I’m at a stage where I’m building my fitness in order to be ready for the Blackburn game.

“When you’re out with a bone injury there’s not a lot you can do but rest. It’s been a long process of healing. But I’m back in full training now and doing my extras – doing everything I can to be ready to play.

“The Blackburn game gives me the chance to build up the lungs and the legs and get ready for the run of games that the Championship requires. It’s great to be back around the lads and I’m ready to go again for a big finish to the season.”

Tuanzebe has been unavailable for selection since picking up a foot injury during Villa’s 2-2 draw with Stoke City in the Championship on December 15.

The 21-year-old was sent back to his parent club Manchester United to recover, but he returned to Villa earlier this month.

The centre-back has revealed that he could be ready for Villa’s next game with Blackburn, although it remains to be seen whether head coach Dean Smith throws the England Under-21 international straight back into action.

How big of a boost is it for Villa?

Huge. Absolutely massive. Tuanzebe had a shaky start to the campaign, but was switched to central defence upon Smith’s arrival as head coach.

Between the start of October and middle of December, the on-loan Man United ace was excellent for Villa.

Injuries to the likes of Tommy Elphick and James Chester means that Kortney Hause has recently been moved from left-back to central defence to play alongside Tyrone Mings.

But the thought of Mings – who has been excellent since arriving from Bournemouth – operating alongside a fit and hungry Tuanzebe will be very exciting for the Villa fans.

A brilliant run of form has seen Villa move into the playoff positions in the Championship and the return of Tuanzebe is a monumental boost.

Christopher Nkunku was a relative unknown in English football until he was linked with Arsenal, and now the fans see him as the heir to Aaron Ramsey.

The PSG midfielder overnight became the name on everyone’s lips when he was linked by BBC Sport with a move to north London in the January transfer window, but after a move failed to materialise, it is looking like the Gunners are going for round two to sign the Frenchman this summer, and news is they have received a big boost.

According to French outlets Le Parisien and Paris Team, the 21-year-old midfielder is unhappy with his playing time under Thomas Tuchel and is keen to not sign a deal with at PSG and move on from the France capital, with Arsenal in the run in to sign the midfielder this summer.

With a previous attempt to sign the midfielder already documented, it is likely Unai Emery will make a move back in for the PSG man when the transfer window opens, and with a reported transfer fee of £30 million, the midfielder could be a realistic signing for the Gunners.

Nkunku, who is valued at £10.8 million (by Transfermarkt), is a player with the potential to grow into a top midfielder and thrive in the Premier League having already established himself as a first-team player in Ligue 1, now it is up to the Arsenal transfer board to go in for the playmaker and make him one of the first signings of the summer.

Emery made a mistake in missing out on the French midfielder and opting to bring in Denis Suarez, who has yet to start a game for the club, and the Spanish manager can’t afford to be wasteful with time this summer and must go in for Nkunku as quickly as possible.

Arsenal fans, should the club sign Nkunku this summer? Let us know!

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Loads of Celtic fans have been reflecting on the Old Firm, and they’re not too happy with Neil Lennon’s in-game decisions.

The dust has settled on the third and final Old Firm derby of the campaign, but the talking points are still raging on.

Scott Brown is of course the subject of most of the controversy having played a part in both of Rangers’ red cards, and fans are loving what the skipper said after the match.

Obviously though, there was a game of football that took place, and all the talk surrounding Brown, Alfredo Morelos and whatever madness occurred near the benches at full time seems to have distracted from that.

Some Bhoys fans are keeping their eyes fixed firmly on what matters though, and they’re highlighting a number of poor decisions Lennon made as his side surrendered more and more of the game to their arch-rivals in the second half.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

The boss brought off Jonny Hayes at half time, who was playing extremely well, and used all three of his subs before the 74th minute, in which Dedryck Boyata picked up an injury.

The Hoops then had to play on with ten men due to Lennon’s early moves, and the Twitter reactions down below do not make pretty reading…