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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

As quoted by The Shields Gazette, Newcastle ace Isaac Hayden has opened up on why he thinks he hasn’t received a call-up to the England squad yet.

What did he say?

The 24-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the current campaign in the centre of midfield for Steve Bruce’s side, but missed out on a place in the Three Lions squad for the upcoming EURO 2020 qualifiers.

Now, Hayden has suggested England boss Gareth Southgate’s intent on getting more attacking players into the side has hurt his chances of a call-up.

Watch Newcastle United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He said: “I think the issue is that with the way that England play, they tend to go with a lot more attacking, ‘flairy’ type of players in that area. They rarely restrain themselves – from what I see looking in from the outside, Gareth only really has one or two players who can play in that more (defensive) position.

“Unfortunately, for me, I’ve got Jordan Henderson, Liverpool captain and Champions League winner, who in the last couple of years has really stepped up his game to the levels where he is now. Then you’ve obviously also got Declan Rice, who’s 20, and who has quit the Ireland, so it’s difficult to leave him out.

“It’s difficult for me to get in there, but I think the most important thing for me is to just keep playing the games I’m doing. If I’m playing the games and performing to the required level, then if I get in, I get in. If not, I’ll carry on playing and working.”

Disappointment

Despite claims he wanted to move back to London with his family, Hayden stayed put at Newcastle over the summer, and has shown incredible professionalism in knuckling down and getting the job done.

The former Arsenal academy product can consider himself desperately unlucky to miss out on a place in the England squad. The holding midfield role is a specialist position, and the 24-year-old has taken to the task well under both Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce.

Hayden averaged an impressive 2.9 tackles and 1.6 interceptions in the Premier League last season, whilst Henderson managed just 1.4 tackles and 0.9 interceptions.

If the comparison with the Liverpool star is unfair because the Reds tend to dominate games, then the fact Hayden’s numbers slightly better what Rice produced at West Ham too (2.9 tackles and 1.5 interceptions) should underline how unlucky the Newcastle man is.

Hayden’s biggest problem perhaps? He simply goes about his job with the minimum of fuss. But if he continues to keep up his form over the course of the campaign, Southgate would be foolish to ignore him.

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Leeds’ deadline day didn’t offer too much chaos but despite adding Illan Meslier and Eddie Nketiah on loan, they received a huge boost with the confirmation that Kalvin Phillips would be staying and discussing new terms.

The news was confirmed by Yorkshire Evening Post and Phil Hay of The Athletic as the player’s agent Kevin Sharp revealed he would be sitting down immediately to talk about an updated contract.

Phillips was one of the stars in the Leeds side last term, playing 44 times across both midfield and defence, winning 2.6 tackles per game and the same number of aerial duels. He was a stalwart for Marcelo Bielsa and he should now be buoyed by the fact he doesn’t have anything lingering over his future.

The reaction to him staying was understandably that of delight on Twitter. Two fans focused on Victor Orta, throwing praise towards the Director of Football. One said he had pulled a blinder this window by keeping the 24-year-old in Yorkshire.

A fellow supporter said that it was the best signing of the window whilst another described it as the best news of the summer.

Phillips attracted £14m interest from Aston Villa during the course of the transfer market whilst he also caught the eye of Wolves and Bournemouth.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

During the 2018/19 season, West Brom weren’t particularly inundated with technically-gifted wide players.

Harvey Barnes was exceptional, scoring nine times and assisting six goals, but after he was recalled by Leicester, they struggled out on the flanks.

Not only that, but they also failed to find much creativity in central areas beyond what was being offered by the strikers when Barnes left.

However, they may have just discovered someone capable of ending their issues on the flanks.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

On the chalkboard

Last week, West Brom were linked with free agent Opa Nguette.

The Senegalese’s contract with Ligue 2 side Metz came to an end this summer and it doesn’t appear as though he’s short on potential new destinations.

Club Brugge and Genk have both made an offer for the 24-year-old whilst Albion have reportedly made an enquiry according to Goal.

If they follow through with the move and offer him terms, the potential arrival could be game-changing for Slaven Bilic’s side.

The Baggies lacked a direct threat on the wings last term but Nguette could help put that issue to bed, having scored seven goals for Metz in 2018/19.

But it’s his statistics in Ligue 1 that stand out, a division the French side were relegated from before last season.

In 2017/18, he proved his direct qualities by completing a hugely impressive 2.2 dribbles per game across 17 matches. Previously, he’d managed 2 dribbles a match in 2016/17, appearing 33 times.

And it’s in that facet where he could prove the difference if he arrives at the Hawthorns.

Watch fans explain why the Football League is better than the Premier League in the video below…

The closest anyone came to matching that last term in the Championship was Kyle Edwards, who completed 2 dribbles per 90 minutes for Albion. However, he only started on three occasions.

Next in the list of players still currently on their books was Matt Phillips who managed 1.6, but there was quite a drop after that with Mason Holgate, now back at Everton, making 1.2 dribbles.

Having proven to be a consistent performer in this aspect of the game in one of Europe’s top five leagues, Nguette could be a real danger if he played in the Championship.

As such, West Brom must consider offering him a deal.

علّق يورجن كلوب مدرب فريق ليفربول، على الفوز الذي حققوه في مباراة اليوم أمام وست هام في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الحادية والعشرين في ملعب لندن الأولمبي حيث فاز ليفربول بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف. أهداف مباراة ليفربول ووست هام

وقال كلوب في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “سجلنا ثلاثة أهداف رائعة، أنا سعيد للغاية، أشعر بالرضا التام، كانت مباراة رائعة، احترافية جدًا، سيطرنا عليها بشكل كبير جدًا”.

وأضاف: “هؤلاء الأولاد مجموعة رائعة، إنهم لا يكونون سعداء عندما لا ينجحون ولا يفوزون، كان هذا خطأي، عدم إخبارهم بالمعلومات الصحيحة”.

وواصل: “البدلاء يشاركون ويقدمون كل ما لديهم، كان هناك جونز، كانت كلماتي الأخيرة له قبل مشاركته (من فضلك كن وقحًا، جرب شيئًا ما، كن نشطًا ومثل هذه الأشياء)، لم أكن أعتقد أنه سيبدأ بتلك الطريقة ويصنع هدفًا من أول لمسة (هدف محمد صلاح الأول)”.

وتابع: “كانت تمريرة شاكيري كذلك رائعة، لقد لعب بشكل جيد حقًا، ربما كان في إمكانه اللعب لمدة 90 دقيقة ولكن هذه هي المشكلة في الوقت الحالي، لم يلعب الكثير من المباريات وواجه قبل ذلك مشاكل إصابة طفيفة”.

وأردف: “أشعر بالقلق باستمرار بشأن الإصابات، قلق دائم، نحاول إنقاذ الجميع، كما كان الحال مع ميلنر كذلك”.

واستمر: “ولكن على حد علمي في الوقت الحالي لم يحدث شيء اليوم بسبب الإصابة، لعبنا مباراة جيدة وحصلنا على 3 نقاط، أمر رائع للغاية”.

وعن إصابة جويل ماتيب وآخر تطورات حالته، قال الألماني: “ليس لدينا التشخيص النهائي، يجب أن يلقي المتخصصون نظرة وأشياء من هذا القبيل حتى نعرف بالضبط”.

واختتم: “لذلك لا شيء نقول عنه حتى يتم فعل شيء ما، سننتظر”.

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Per Express & Star journalist Matt Wilson on Twitter, West Brom’s U18 coach Mike Scott is leaving the club to become Derby’s head of academy coaching.

As Wilson says, Scott will leave Albion behind after 11 years, becoming the second key figure to leave from behind the scenes this summer.

Only last month Aston Villa were able to snatch academy manager Mark Harrison from under West Brom’s noses as the club’s youth set-up continues to find itself in a bit of a sticky situation.

Only last week 16-year-old Louie Barry departed whilst Morgan Rogers also looks set to leave.

And news of Scott’s departure left fans of the club in dismay on social media as they found it difficult to comprehend what was happening.

One supporter claimed that something wasn’t right with Albion whilst another said the Midlands outfit were hanging by their fingertips.

A further individual commented that the club was falling apart and another simply urged them to liquidate.

Scott did some fantastic work with the Baggies, not least in helping them reach the FA Youth Cup semi-finals last season.

West Brom knocked out Arsenal along the way as they enjoyed a thoroughly productive run deep into the competition.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

أشاد جوزيه مورينيو، المدير الفني لتوتنهام الإنجليزي، بثنائي هجوم فريقه، هاري كين وسون هيونج مين، كما امتدح لاعبه بيير إيميل هوبيرج، عقب الفوز على آرسنال.

وفاز توتنهام على آرسنال بهدفين دون رد، في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وتحدث مورينيو لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس” عقب المباراة.

وعن هاري كين وسون هيونج مين، قال: “هاري كين يقذف الكرات في منطقة الجزاء، سون في أول 60 دقيقة كجناح ثم كمهاجم ثان”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مورينيو بعد فوز توتنهام على آرسنال: تهانينا لأرتيتا.. ولم نعد للوضع الطبيعي!

وأضاف: “الأمر لا يتعلق فقط بتسجيل الأهداف وكونهما لاعبين من الطراز العالمي، يتعلق الأمر بأن تكون لاعبًا رائعًا وأن تبذل قصارى جهدك من أجل الفريق”.

وبشأن هوبيرج، أكد: “بيير هو أولا وقبل كل شيء ذكي للغاية، إنه يقرأ المباراة جيدًا، سيكون مدربًا يومًا ما بالتأكيد”.

وأتم: “إنه يسأل باستمرار أسئلة حول سبب قيامنا بهذا وذاك، جسديًا إنه قوي جدًا جدًا وتقنيًا إنه أفضل بكثير مما يعتقده الناس”.

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West Ham United have tabled a £20m bid for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, per ClaretandHugh.

What’s the word?

The Irons are attempting to beat a number of rival teams to the Portugal international this summer.  Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, the latter of whom he spent the 2018-19 season on loan with, are both credited with an interest.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side previously saw an £18m bid for the midfielder rejected but they have now returned with a fresh offer as they attempt to secure one of their top targets.

ClaretandHugh quote a source who claims that Gomes is the manager’s “number one target”, with the club attempting to bring in help for Declan Rice in midfield.

The Hammers are said to be willing to go as high as £25m to secure the 25-year-old.

The report also claims that West Ham will attempt to sign a striker this summer; Football FanCast understands that Aleksandar Mitrovic and Salomon Rondon are both key targets.

Succession planning

Mark Noble won’t be playing much next season if Gomes comes in.

The Hammers captain enjoyed an excellent end to the season but turned 32 last month and his legs are beginning to falter.

The signing of the Barca star, then, would be an excellent way to plan for his eventual retirement, with Gomes set to partner Rice in midfield at the London Stadium.

While that is not the most dynamic midfield in the Premier League, it will lower the average age of the starting XI without compromising on quality.

Gomes, after all, has been there and done it all with the Liga giants and will be out to do similar in London if the deal is completed.

The Irons would do well to get this one over the line.

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Some Manchester City fans on Twitter are looking particularly foolish right now after last night’s hugely significant 1-0 win over Leicester.

As most of you will already know, the Citizens scraped past the Foxes courtesy of Vincent Kompany’s goal-of-the-season contender, a fierce strike into the top right corner from 30 yards out.

Relive all the drama of Man City v Spurs through the eyes Spurs’ fans in the video below…

It is these kind of games, in which so much is at stake, where the Belgian centre-back thrives.

He always seems to come up trumps for his club in crucial moments, and the impact of his strike against Brendan Rodgers’ men was reminiscent of his thumping header against Manchester United in 2012, which put City in the driving seat for the title.

His leadership and calmness in these situations is pivotal, and it is probably why Pep Guardiola decided to play him against the likes of Jamie Vardy and James Maddison, two nippy players who many thought would cause the ageing Kompany some issues.

Many City fans on Twitter were moaning about the captain’s inclusion in the starting eleven prior to kick-off on Monday night, and they have been forced to eat their words after the 33-year-old’s match-winning performance…

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Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves shone and scored a brilliant free-kick in his side’s 3-1 win against Arsenal at Molineux on Wednesday night, and his display didn’t go unnoticed by Tottenham Hotspur fans who are keen for their club to sign him.

The 22-year-old was one of Wolves’ biggest stars in the Championship last term and he has brought that form into the Premier League during the current campaign, scoring four goals and providing a further two assists in 32 top-flight outings.

His stunning set-piece against the Gunners was particularly impressive and proves the quality he has in his locker when it comes to taking free-kicks, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Spurs supporters who were clearly watching on as their arch-rivals suffered a defeat in the exciting race for a top-four finish.

Should Neves end up arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium he would likely be competing with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Christian Eriksen – if he stays – for a spot in the starting XI.

Speaking about the Portuguese’s latest performance, one Spurs fan said it’s “my dream” to see him play for his team, while another said “get him in a Spurs shirt”.

Relive all the drama of Man City v Spurs through the eyes Spurs’ fans in the video below…

Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy may well choose to make waves in the summer transfer window following two without any additions, but it remains to be seen whether they would be interested in Neves.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to slam Tim Sherwood, after the former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager claimed that Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez won’t want to see his former side win the Premier League title.

Sherwood was discussing the Reds’ trip to St James’ Park next week, where Benitez, who almost led Liverpool to the title in 2009, could put a serious dent in his former employers’ title aspirations by grabbing a result.

Chelsea fans were giving it large at Anfield on Sunday. Watch their afternoon get slowly ruined in the video below…

Speaking about the fixture, Sherwood said as quoted by The Express: “Contrary to what people might believe, Rafa Benitez does not want Liverpool to win the league.

“I don’t think he will. As much as the Liverpool fans will believe that Rafa will be a Liverpool fan, he won’t want to be the manager who never won the league and let Jurgen Klopp win it.”

Benitez is held in high regard by the Anfield faithful after guiding them to the last of their five European Cup successes with the famous night in Istanbul back in 2005, and he has always spoken fondly of the club whenever the opportunity has arisen.

As a result, the Reds supporters on Twitter haven’t taken kindly to Sherwood’s suggestion that he will want to see them fail, as seen by their angry responses to his comments…