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Leeds United are submitting a bid to bring Hamilton Academical teenager Josh McDonald to Yorkshire, Football Insider report.

What’s the latest Leeds transfer news?

The Whites currently find themselves in a battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, with Javi Gracia’s side just one point above the drop zone.

However, Leeds are still looking to add to their Thorp Arch pool talent and are set to sign teenage winger Ilias Akhomach from Barcelona this summer.

Another youngster in McDonald, dubbed an “exceptional talent” by coaches, also seems to be on the Elland Road radar, regardless of what division Leeds are in next season.

Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey shared an update from Leeds in the last 48 hours, revealing that the Whites are submitting an offer for McDonald.

He adds that the club have been in contact with the player and his family and are looking to pip Rangers to the midfielder’s signature.

Bigger problems for Orta and Leeds…

Things haven’t been going to plan for Orta and Leeds ever since they parted ways with Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine’s successor, Jesse Marsch, was sacked back in February and Gracia is looking to pick up the pieces of a squad that was largely assembled by Orta and Marsch.

Leeds supporters turned on the sporting director and the board during the 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday, as reported by Phil Hay. Therefore, you could argue that the Whites have bigger problems to deal with instead of looking to sign a teenager in McDonald.

The Scotland U18 international could well turn out to be a future star, however, Leeds could find themselves back in the Championship if things don’t go to plan in the next six games, which would undo all of the hard work put in by Andrea Radrizzani, Orta and Bielsa to get the Whites back in the Premier League.

It seems as if a move for McDonald will be one to keep an eye on, though, and who knows, the midfielder may well be the next promising gem to come through the Thorp Arch ranks and into the first team over time.

Tottenham Hotspur have made initial contact with Julian Nagelsmann's camp over the vacancy in north London following Antonio Conte's departure.

Will Nagelsmann replace Conte?

It has been a whirlwind of a past week in the managerial circle with both Conte and Nagelsmann finding themselves out of a job over the weekend.

Reports would suggest Conte's dismissal was a long time coming, with the north London club having drawn up a shortlist over recent weeks for his potential successor.

However, Nagelsmann may have taken some by surprise as Bayern Munich pounced on the opportunity to appoint Thomas Tuchel amid his links to Spurs.

And it seems as if Nagelsmann's availability has seriously interested Spurs with insider Graeme Bailey telling the Talking Transfers podcast contact has been made:

"The reports suggesting the day after [Nagelsmann's sacking] that there'd been contact isn't true, from what I'm told from people close to him. But there has been contact between third parties now, Tottenham are letting him know that there is an interest there."

Is Nagelsmann right for Spurs?

Tottenham's recent history of managers has shown a different approach with Daniel Levy bringing in 'proven winners' who may have been brought in for a quick trophy fix in north London.

Spurs' trophy drought is well documented within the game and the likes of Jose Mourinho and Conte were two short-term options which have failed to deliver on their reputation.

And with this method from the Spurs board now another failure on their record, it does feel as if the logical step is to return to a manager of Mauricio Pochettino's mould.

The Argentine has been linked with the job in north London but reports would suggest he has not been contacted by Spurs with some board members holding reservations about reappointing him.

And in Nagelsmann they could well have that with the 35-year-old having a lot of experience at big clubs despite his young age.

But the big issue seems to be that the German is keen to wait until the summer to assess his options with suggestions the Real Madrid job could potentially open up for him.

Although it is understandable why Nagelsmann may think this way, after Conte, Spurs surely want a manager who is only interested in the north London club.

And it seems as if Pochettino is keen to make his return to Spurs after over three years since his sacking in 2019.

Nagelsmann has displayed a lot of positives for Spurs with his attacking style of football, favourable age and experience with players at the highest level.

But it will be interesting to see whether the pressure grows on Levy to make an appointment before the end of the season depending on how the results unfold under Cristian Stellini.

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، كارلو أنشيلوتي، عن قائمة اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة إشبيلية في الجولة الثامنة عشر من الدوري الإسباني.

ويلتقي ريال مدريد وإشبيلية غدًا الأحد، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في تمام الساعة الخامسة والربع مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”.

ويحتل ريال مدريد المركز الثالث في سلم ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 37 نقطة مع مباراة إضافية مؤجلة، بينما يأتي إشبيلية في المركز الحادي عشر برصيد 22 نقطة.

وشهدت قائمة ريال مدريد غياب فينيسيوس جونيور عن المباراة، بسبب إيقافه وحصوله على عدة بطاقات صفراء.

اقرأ ايضاً.. أنشيلوتي يكشف عن أسوأ لحظاته في 2024.. ويوضح حالة ميندي وموعد عودة ألابا قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة إشبيلية في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا، أندريه لونين، سيرجيو ميستر.

خط الدفاع: لوكاس فاسكيز، خيسوس فاييخو، فران جارسيا، أنطونيو روديجر، فيرلاند ميندي، راوؤل أسينسيو.

خط الوسط: جود بيلينجهام، إدواردو كامافينجا، فيدي فالفيردي، لوكا مودريتش، أوريلين تشواميني، أردا جولر، داني سيبايوس.

خط الهجوم: كيليان مبابي، إندريك، رودريجو، إبراهيم دياز.

📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados!
🆚 @SevillaFC #RealMadridSevillaFC pic.twitter.com/lp3IR7ford — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 21, 2024

Sean Dyche has finally got Everton closer to their best in the Premier League, enjoying a successful season that even a ten-point deduction has failed to completely disrupt. The Toffees are already back out of the relegation zone after the deduction and would be in the top half of England's top flight if it wasn't for the loss of those aforementioned points.

With it all coming together for Everton, the January transfer window could be a dangerous month, with those at Goodison Park potentially forced into a battle to keep hold of their best players. Planning ahead, the Toffees have reportedly already reached a decision regarding one particular player who has attracted interest.

Everton transfer news

Whilst arrivals such as Jack Harrison and Ashley Young will get some credit for how they've settled in, it's been the likes of Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure who have stood out for Dyche, helping Everton to pick up some crucial points.

Their last win over Newcastle United summed up how good they can be when at their best under the former Burnley boss, and now, Everton will only look to kick on. If they can keep their star players then they may just return to the heights they once found themselves at, especially if one specific player stays put as planned.

According to Football Insider, Everton are set to reject offers for Jarrad Branthwaite in January, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Having just signed a contract extension at the club until June 2027, it looks as though the star defender is set to stay put for now and help his side as they continue to climb back up the Premier League table in a major boost for Dyche and co. Everton will hope that the case remains the same in the summer transfer window.

"Outstanding" Branthwaite the key to Everton survival

Branthwaite's rise into Everton's first-team has been vital for Dyche's side so far this season, and even at 21 years old, the central defender stands tall as one of the Toffees' best options – Branthwaite's stats prove as much.

Jarrad Branthwaite

14

68

22

Michael Keane

2

7

4

James Tarkowski

14

59

26

It's no surprise that the defender has earned high praise throughout the season as a result of his performances. That includes from England U21s boss and ex-Everton midfielder Lee Carsley, who said (via the Liverpool Echo): "There were a few players that could've worn the armband. It was a way of showing Jarrad how well we think he's doing at present as well. I think it's part of the game he can add to in terms of leadership.

"He leads by example, he's not too loud, he's quite a quiet guy but the way he plays, he's very imposing. I thought he was excellent tonight and it's something that he should be proud of to lead the team out.

"It was (a) low-key (response), he's very much a team player. I'm not sure he was too keen on being the one in the limelight, you've seen that tonight both he and Jarell (Quansah), they play like men. I thought they were outstanding, they played with real matureness in their defending, it was good to see."

Opener Hasitha Boyagoda racked up the highest score in Youth ODIs, 191 off 152 balls, as he took Sri Lanka to their highest-ever Under-19 total of 414

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2018Sri Lanka players celebrate a wicket•Getty Images

Sri Lanka opener Hasitha Boyagoda and left-arm spinner Haren Buddila lead a brutal rout of Kenya, of 311 runs in the ninth place playoff in Lincoln. Boyagoda racked up the highest score in Under-19 ODIs, scoring 191 off 152 balls, as he took Sri Lanka Under-19 to their highest-ever ODI total of 419 for 4. In reply, Kenya were bowled out for 108 with a four-for from Buddila.Opting to bat, Sri Lanka’s openers brought up 87 runs in 11.2 overs. Boyagoda went on to stitch a 147-run partnership with Nishan Madushka (60) for the second wicket, and was then involved in an 89-run partnership with Jehan Daniel (37 off 24). Kenya seamers Sachin Bhudia and Jasraj Kundi were thrashed for over 60 runs in their respective six-over spells. It was Rene Were who found some respite with Boyagoda’s wicket, but after the batsman had struck 28 fours and two sixes. Soon, an unbeaten 21-ball 53 from captain Kamindu Mendis took Sri Lanka’s total past 400.Kenya slid in the chase from 18 for 0 to 49 for 6 in a span of nine overs, as Nipun Malinga removed the openers before Buddila ran through the middle and lower order. Allrounder Thomas Ochieng provided the only resistance, scoring 45 off 63 balls. Only two other Kenya batsmen reached double-digit scores, as they were flattened in 35.5 overs. Buddila finished with figures of 4 for 27 in 10 overs.

Australia allrounder James Faulkner will return to county cricket next season, having played a vital role in Lancashire’s 2015 NatWest Blast triumph

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-2017James Faulkner has signed a two-year T20 deal with Lancashire. The Australia allrounder will return to county cricket next season, having played a vital role in Lancashire’s 2015 NatWest Blast triumph.Faulkner, 27, has played 94 times for his country, predominately in the white-ball formats, and was Man of the Match during the 2015 World Cup final. His stock of left-arm seam and slower balls has also made him a regular performer at the IPL.”I’m absolutely delighted to be returning to play for Lancashire Lightning in the T20 Blast for the next two years,” Faulkner said. “I absolutely loved my time with the club in 2015 and Finals Day at Edgbaston still lives very long in the memory for me.”I’m very excited to come back and work with Glen Chapple and the rest of the squad who are an extremely talented and exciting group of players. Emirates Old Trafford is an amazing place to play cricket and I can’t wait to reunite with the squad next summer. I’m determined to win the T20 Blast trophy back for the club.”Since lifting the trophy for the first time in 2015 – when Faulkner took 25 wickets and scored 302 runs – Lancashire have twice failed to get out of the group stages. Now in his second season as Lancashire’s head coach, Chapple has turned to a proven competitor to try and improve their T20 fortunes.”I’m really pleased to have secured the services of James for the next two years in the T20 Blast. He is a world-class cricketer and he played an important role in our success in 2015 when we won the competition,” Chapple said.”Signing James on a two-year contract gives us some continuity and stability in terms of our T20 overseas player which is what we were looking for so we’re thrilled to bring him back to Emirates Old Trafford. He’s a great individual to have in the dressing room and his experience at international level will really benefit the squad.”Faulkner’s previous experience of playing in England wasn’t all positive, however. He was given a two-year driving ban and fined £10,000 after being caught nearly three times over the alcohol limit, a transgression that also cost him his place in Australia’s limited-overs squads for the 2015 tour.

Manchester City are looking at a move to sign Rennes attacker Jeremy Doku to replace Riyad Mahrez, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news?

Pep Guardiola and those at the Etihad have signed one player so far this summer in midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Croatia international made the move from Premier League rivals Chelsea, and he looks set to fill the void left by Ilkay Gundogan, who left for Barcelona upon the expiration of his City contract.

Another player who looks like he will need to be replaced is Mahrez, with the Algeria international ending his time in Manchester by joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise appears to be a potential target and manager Roy Hodgson has recently admitted clubs are circling around the player.

“We have a fight on our hands to make sure he stays with us. We had two outstanding wingers who were almost the best in the league – Michael Olise on the right side and Wilf on the left. We don’t have Wilf anymore. Clubs are circling around Olise.”

However, it isn’t only Olise on the radar at the Etihad, with an update emerging on Doku. Romano took to Twitter on Tuesday to share a transfer update he’s heard from the Etihad. He stated that Doku is now on the list to replace Mahrez alongside Olise.

“Manchester City now add Jeremy Doku to the list to replace Riyad Mahrez as new winger.

“Alongside Michael Olise (who’s in both City and Chelsea lists), Doku is one of the priority names being considered by Man City.”

Who is Jeremy Doku?

Doku is 21 years of age and is primarily a right-winger who can also turn out on the left when required. A 14-cap Belgium international, Doku began his career after coming through the academy at Anderlecht and made 37 senior appearances for the club before joining Rennes in 2020.

Since then, the attacker has turned out on 90 occasions for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 11 times and providing 10 assists, and he appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €28m Transfermarkt valuation.

Doku was hailed as “simply amazing” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig back in 2021, and he is seemingly going from strength to strength.

As per FBref, Doku has been compared to Man City star Kevin de Bruyne over the past 12 months and ranks highly in a number of areas compared to midfielders. He places in the top 1% for goals, successful take-ons, shot-creating actions, touches, progressive passes, showing how he could be an extremely shrewd addition to Guardiola’s side, joining the likes of De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish as creative options in the final third.

You can see why Doku has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer following his form in recent times, however, Aston Villa are also keen on the wide attacker, so City may need to make their move relatively soon, or they could miss out on a deal.

Du Plessis, captain of South Africa’s Test and T20 teams, was also named as AB de Villiers’ successor in ODIs

Firdose Moonda11-Sep-20171:34

Du Plessis, South Africa’s new all-format captain

Faf du Plessis will captain South Africa in all formats after being confirmed as AB de Villiers’ successor in ODIs. Du Plessis has been in charge of the T20 team since February 2013 and the Test squad since August last year. Du Plessis is likely to take the ODI team to the 2019 World Cup.Du Plessis’ first assignment as South Africa’s captain in all formats will be a home series against Bangladesh later this month, which consists of two Tests, three ODIs and three T20s. He is also the marquee player for the Stellenbosch franchise in the T20 Global League which will run from November 3 to December 16. He will then lead South Africa against India, who are due to visit for a full tour including four Tests, and four Tests against Australia. Du Plessis will not have an away series until at least July 2018, when South Africa are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka.Du Plessis’ heavy workload may be lightened with the assurance that he will have de Villiers back in the Test team. De Villiers confirmed his availability for South Africa across all three formats after a lengthy period of uncertainty over his commitment. De Villiers has not played Test cricket for South Africa since January last year and former players including former captain Graeme Smith confirmed de Villiers was contemplating Test retirement before being convinced to play on.De Villiers has missed series’ against New Zealand (home and away), Australia (away), Sri Lanka (home) and England (away). Although South Africa performed well initially, winning all eight trophies on offer in the 2016-17 summer, they returned from a long tour of England without a series win, but with a myriad problems in their Test batting line-up. De Villiers’ return should help sort out that problem.Faf du Plessis will also have AB de Villiers’ presence in all formats•Associated Press

Du Plessis has long been lauded as the best leader of his peers, and the players in both the T20 and Test squads have bought into his philosophy. “He has established himself as one of the best leaders in world cricket and this was reflected in his appointment as the captain for the World XI currently engaged in the T20 Series against Pakistan,” Haroon Lorgat, CSA CEO said.All that remains is for du Plessis to establish a rapport with the new coach Ottis Gibson, who will arrive in the country in a week’s time. Gibson takes over from Russell Domingo, and will remain in charge until the 2019 World Cup. Du Plessis has not worked with Gibson before, but at the end of the England series, said he had spoken to some members of the England team to get some insight into his coaching style.South Africa have not had one captain across formats since 2010, when Smith, who had led in all formats since 2003, gave up the T20 captaincy. Then, Johan Botha took over for a brief period before de Villiers was made limited-overs captain in 2011. De Villiers handed over the T20 reins to du Plessis two years later. He had hoped to succeed Smith as Test captain but lost out to Hashim Amla.De Villiers eventually led South Africa in Tests when Amla stepped down in January 2016. De Villiers only captained in a temporary role before injury saw du Plessis take charge of the Test team. Du Plessis had captained in ODIs before, nine times between 2013 and 2016, when de Villiers was either injured or unavailable.

Mauricio Pochettino admitted his Chelsea team were second best in defeat to Manchester United but says that he is not worried about the loss.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chelsea lose 2-1 to Man Utd
• Have more losses this season than wins
• But Pochettino not worried by defeat

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Erik Ten Hag's side won the match 2-1 thanks to a Scott McTominay double on either side of a Cole Palmer strike. The Blues boss revealed that he was not worried about the loss and said that the result came down to his side lacking the same energy compared to Manchester United. The Argentine said his team were tired on after having to contend with Brighton on the weekend with only 10 men after captain Conor Gallagher was sent off.

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• WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

  In the post-match press conference, the Argentine said: "I'm not worried because there's too many circumstances which need to explain why we didn't perform, to play with Brighton with one less for so long may have affected the energy, and we need to recover too many players from injury, to have different options and be more competitive.

  "That's not an excuse, only that they were better. In which percentage? Maybe 10 per cent, but we need to be focused, recover the players and get ready for Sunday. We miss players, we played nearly with the same players we faced Brighton with, and we were a man down for 60 minutes. Manchester United had a day more to prepare, and we had many young players on our bench. It's not an excuse, but that's the reality."

  "I'm not disappointed because we gave everything, but we didn't match the energy or aggressiveness. We created chances, maybe enough to draw the game."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea have already lost more games this season than they have won, and they now sit only one point closer to the Champions League spots as compared to the relegation zone. The Blues' results have run very hot and cold as over the last five matches, they have won 4-1 to Tottenham Hotspur, drawn 4-4 to Manchester City and won 3-2 over Brighton but also suffered losses to Newcastle United and the Red Devils.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Pochettino's men will have little time to rest as they return to action against Everton on Sunday, December 10 as they look to try and stay in the top 10.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly still in the race for Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott, as Julen Lopetegui looks to rebuild his side this summer.

The Spaniard has begun the task of a well-needed clear out, in which the Old Gold have made almost £80m in sales so far.

Next, the former Real Madrid boss is expected to focus on introducing players that could become part of a new era at Molineux, with youngster Alex Scott still named as a talent that is wanted in the Midlands.

Links between the teenager and Wolves span back to March, where Dean Jones, via GIVEMESPORT, predicted a ‘summer bidding war’ for the thriving English midfielder.

Amidst Wolves’ Financial Fair Play (FFP) battles, suspicion regarding the club’s interest in the £25m-rated starlet disappeared, however news this week reinstated the belief that the Englishman could arrive at Molineux.

According to The Athletic, the 19-year-old is still ‘very much on Wolves’ radar’, and now that sales, there is hope that the Midlands side ‘could bend the rules’ in the bid to secure the talent.

How good is Alex Scott?

Lauded as “terrific” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Bristol City gem was named the Championship’s Young Player of the Year for the 2022/23 campaign.

The teenager burst onto the scene the season prior, securing himself as a firm starter for the Robins, making 38 appearances and contributing to six goals and assists in his first senior term, via Transfermarkt.

Scott’s battery is yet to run out, as he carried the form of his debut campaign to last season, in which he made 42 Championship appearances as the club’s star man.

The central midfielder hit a high in the FA Cup, where he shone against treble winners Manchester City during his side’s 3-0 defeat to the European champions.

Following the game, the teen was praised as being “unbelievable” by Pep Guardiola, in a game that earned him a 7.0 match rating for a blistering 90-minute display against the best of the best, via Sofascore.

His performance on that day suggested that the teenager is ready for the jump to the top tier.

Against City, the Guernsey-born starlet won nine ground duels and two aerial duels up against a midfield including Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

The youngster could be a revelation in Lopetegui’s new-look side and an asset in midfield alongside other talents in the ranks at Molineux.

Joao Gomes arrived at the club in January from Flamengo and has impressed so far, giving Wolves fans a glimpse of what he could offer in his first full season.

Should Lopetegui secure the signing of Scott, the Old Gold could have a midfield partnership that many would envy, in two young talents capable of dictating play in the engine room.

Both players are innate tacklers, as highlighted by their averages across their respective seasons based on their minutes played.

As per FBref, Gomes averaged a monstrous four tackles per 90 in his half-season at Molineux, as well as averaging 2.62 progressive passes per 90 to show his ability in dispatching the ball to advanced areas.

Similar numbers were hit by Scott, who over 3381 minutes in the Championship averaged 2.05 tackles per game, as well as 1.41 blocks showing the tenacious nature of the Englishman’s playing style.

Like Gomes, the 19-year-old exercised his abilities in advanced areas, averaging 2.34 progressive carries per 90 to show how rounded his talents in the middle of the park are.

Lopetegui could unearth a powerful duo by signing Scott, however, the club must act fast in their pursuit of the in-demand starlet.