Aston Villa captain Micah Richards is set to remain with his club despite numerous links away from the club, reports say.
The defender was believed would exit the side during the window but would now remain beyond the winter window.
Steve Bruce still has him in his plans and he featured the player during the 2-2 draw with Preston North End on Matchday 18. Premier League side West Ham were willing to snap up the veteran. Hull City and Sunderland were also linked to the star last summer but the player decided to remain.
He struggled to get action time during former boss Roberto Di Matteo but seems to have hope with Bruce in charge, possibly why he decided to remain at the club.
Richards still has two years and half on his current deal and it seems the 28-year old hopes for a renewal with time. He only just recovered from a knee injury and would hope Bruce selects him for forthcoming games. (more…)
After 12 years away from top-flight English football Leeds United fans are seriously hoping to get Champions League football and United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is also hopeful.
Phillips won the EFL Young Player of the Month award last month and wants to make even greater exploits in the Premier League The youngster would have been but a boy when Leeds were relegated from the Premier League but it has not stopped him from hoping for a promotion.
“I went to Elland Road for the first time when I was nine years old. I was sat in the top tier and the atmosphere was mad. I just remember thinking ‘imagine of I was out there.’ Making my home debut was a really special day for me and my family, and to score a goal is something that’ll always be in my heart.
“When I walked out for the game, I thought it was mental. It would be a dream come true for me to be in the Premier League with this team,” Phillips disclosed to BBC Sport. (more…)
Leeds United does not believe that the club president, Massimo Cellino broke any of the Football Association rules after his name was mentioned in a report investigating corruption in British football.
The film footage recorded by undercover reporters for The Daily Telegraph allegedly shows Cellino discussing the prospective sale of a 20% share in the club to a fake Far East firm, in return for profits on player transfers.
Third-party ownership of players is banned under FA and FIFA regulations, but Leeds have described the allegations against the president as “a non-story”.
The statement read: “Leeds United and MrCellino were contacted yesterday (Wednesday September 28) by The Daily Telegraph in relation to their investigation in football, which has involved undercover reporters purporting to represent an investment and sports management company.
“The Daily Telegraph informed Leeds United and MrCellino that they were considering publishing an article and asked Leeds United and MrCellino to respond to a number of questions. Through the club’s solicitors, a request was made to The Daily Telegraph for a full copy of any transcript involving MrCellino and/or any related audio and visual recordings.
“The Daily Telegraph refused to provide such information and as such the club declined to respond further at the time. The club has reviewed the supposed ‘evidence’ that The Daily Telegraph have published. At no time in this video clip has MrCellino suggested getting around the FA’s rules on third-party ownership of players.
“In complete contrast to what has been suggested, MrCellino has made a perfectly proper suggestion which is entirely consistent with the FA’s regulations, as the only parties entitled to take benefit from ownership of a player is the club itself.”
The allegations broke out just 24 hours after the former England manager Sam Allardyce and the FA mutually agreed that he would leave the England managerial job due to a similar report by the newspaper, in which the 61-year-old was recorded claiming he could offer guidance on how to “get round” transfer rules.
Leeds United appointed current manager Garry Monk this summer but he is fighting to retain the job after just four games.
Leeds could only pick up one point from three games and barely game it past the first round of the Football League featuring against Fleetwood. The former Swansea manager is reported to be losing the confidence bestowed on him rapidly, fuelling the convictions of his critics.
Club owner Massimo Cellino is reported to be having issues with the new coach with his performance in his opening three games, according to David Anderson of the Daily Mirror. The English Championship outfit played League One club Fleetwood, almost losing the game until a goal in the last minute. The game was decided by a penalty shootout and turned out to be a life saver. Next Monk couldn’t do a thing as they were thumped by Queen Park Rangers 3-0 in the first game of the season. The team couldn’t spring any magic despite playing host to Birmingham so they lost 2-1. The only point they have so far in the Championship was gotten when they forced Fulham to a 1-1 draw.
The Daily Mail report say Cellino is most willing to salvage the situation before it becomes embarrassing. Monk has funds to get fresh legs into the team, but to be fair he lost some players too. The report added that had Leeds lost the game, United could have been in the market searching for a replacement before the next game, but the draw at Fulham gave him a lifeline. Monk finally saved his job when he supervised the 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. The scare is not over as they play Luton Town in the second round of the EFL Cup. They play hosts to Huddersfield in the West Yorkshire derby as well.
If you are looking at the latest news of Leeds United, this club has had players like Kemar Roffe who took on Lorcan Shannon recently of Shelbourne.
Indeed, Leeds United played a good game recently which was a friendly match between them and Shelbourne. Garry Monk definitely was happy with the match, ticking off the points that matter, no failures in the field and no injuries as well as a goal that led to the team winning over Shelbourne.
Even if the head coach seemed to be preoccupied with meetings, the Leeds United team was quite well prepared to take on Shelbourne in the game that was played out in Tolka Park. When the game ended within 14 minutes Leeds players and supporters were chanting hymns of how the team is ready to go up this season. The football game that they played was fluent and without flaws. They gave their opponent little opportunities to score. Monk would be looking to sign up new players as the new season is about to start. There are certain positions that are weak inside the team and hence, Monk would need to address these positions by taking on new players. Souleymane Doukara took his position soon enough and scored at the first chance he got.
Shelbourne on the other hand, have a league fixture coming up on the weekend and the friendly match that they played with Leeds was not one they were prepared for. Leeds on the other hand, had some bright united players who took the chances that came to them and they shot out when they could. Indeed, many of the fans of Shelbourne tried to pass comments and put them off, but Monk leading the united team was not deterred by such comments and they ended the match with a neat win.
Arsenal legend and Frenchman, Patrick Vieira advises his name sake who has garnered huge media attention.
Leeds United’s Ronaldo Vieira has gained serious attention in the past month and has now caught the attention of his namesake – former France and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.
The World Cup winner posted on a popular social media website, Twitter, via i2i Soccer Academy, a signed jersey reading:
“To Ronaldo. Good luck, from Patrick Vieira.”
According to their Twitter, the Frenchman spent a considerable amount of time talking to young players who are part of their scheme. Ronaldo Vieira penned his first professional contract with Leeds United last week, a deal which will see him stay at Elland Road for the next two years. The Portuguese youngster recently made his debut for the Leeds first-team, coming on as a late substitute against Preston North End. This came just days after he had signed a new deal at the club. He agreed a two-year professional deal at the start of the month.
The 17 year-old is highly rated by the Whites and was snapped up last summer after leaving the i2i Academy. Starting his youth career in Portugal with Benfica, Vieira then moved to York City before joining the New York-based i2i. His preferred position is in the center of midfield and his main qualities are his speed, power and strength. The midfielder, who was born in Guinea Bissau, made his senior debut for Leeds on May 7th in a league game against Preston. There is a long road ahead for Leeds’ Vieira. But if he carries on this trajectory the sky is the limit, and no doubt Patrick Vieira will be keeping a lookout on his progress.
Leeds United have developed a fine reputation in recent years for developing young talent and have helped many others grow into talented players in the time past. The question on everyone lips is if the player would be another Leeds hit.