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Rob Lee has dropped a quite worrying claim on Newcastle United involving the Premier League’s decision to aim to have fans in the stadiums this season.

The top flight are hoping that fans will be allowed back into St. James’ Park for the North East club’s final home game of the 2020/21 term against Sheffield United.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Lee has claimed that having supporters back inside the stadium ‘could go either way’, but also admitted that it could be ‘detrimental’ to the Tyneside club’s players as the Blades will know that they can go there and quieten the crowd:

“I think it could go either way but the fans will 100% be behind the team from kick-off. However, Sheffield United will know if they go there and can quieten the crowd then it could be detrimental to the Newcastle players.

“Kevin Keegan used to say to us in the first 10-15 minutes go out and entertain the crowd and get them on your side and then they’ll be behind you for the entire match.

“That’s what Newcastle fans want to see right from the off their team flying into players, pressing the opposition and creating chances and then they’ll get behind you.”

Fans need to get behind Newcastle

If fans are to be allowed back into the ground for that match, every single Magpie will need to get behind the team as it could well turn out to be a vital moment in their season.

The Toon are currently in a relegation battle, and no matter what fans think of Steve Bruce, projecting that frustration onto the players could prove costly.

As Lee points out,  the Toon Army can have a huge impact one way or the other, and it is indeed worrying to think what could happen if it goes the wrong way.

In other news, find out which Newcastle ace ‘will leave this summer’ according to one pundit here!

As Manchester City recover from what has been a torrid last week, losing the FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea followed by the European Super League saga, Pep Guardiola’s side are back to winning ways after a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening. 

Goals from Phil Foden and Rodrigo clinched a crucial three points from 1-0 down with City now on the way to a fifth Premier League title and third under Guardiola – coming just in time ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

John McGinn gave Villa a very early lead after John Stones failed to clear a pass in behind though, and the Englishman didn’t exactly have the best evening.

He has arguably been City’s most improved player this season, partnering summer signing Ruben Dias to superb effect, but at Villa Park he played a hand in the home side’s opener and later got sent off for a reckless challenge on Jacob Ramsey – with one fan calling him a ‘liability’ as a result.

Despite his incredible form this season, many Sky Blues weren’t impressed with last night’s showing – with the 26-year-old unsurprisingly managing a measly 5.0 rating on SofaScore.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans slam Stones

“We all knew John Stones form was a fugazi, sell him in the summer and bring in Koundé”

Credit: @cxtizn

“Blatant red, Stones has been awful from the first minute”

Credit: @molmcfc

“Stones starting to become liability again. England, Chelsea and this”

Credit: @chrisSw31332053

“John Stones form since his England return has been woeful. Don’t get it”

Credit: @SiCurtis87

“Stones had a shocking game.. At fault for their goal as well..”

Credit: @MCFC_Vision

“Stones has been worryingly shocking recently

– Aston Villa red and cost goal

-BVB didn’t cover Haaland for the goal in the second goal

-England mistake

-Leeds should’ve gone in for the 1st goal and was pathetic slow for the 2nd

Laporte return”

Credit: @acacac2410

“100% a red btw. Stones had a shocking half”

Credit: @mcfctj_

“John Stones look awful today”

Credit: @mac_marb

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to a Romano claim, find out more here.

Alex McLeish believes John Kennedy could still be named Celtic’s new permanent manager.

Kennedy has been in interim charge of the Hoops following Neil Lennon’s resignation back in February.

The Scot, who prefers a 4-4-2 system (Transfermarkt), has been linked with the permanent role recently.

Reports suggested he could increase his chances of earning the job on a full-time basis with a win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup, but despite the loss to Steven Gerrard’s side, McLeish still thinks the 37-year-old has a chance.

McLeish 62, was speaking to Football Insider and dropped an inside claim by sharing what a mutual friend has told him.

“I always believed that the go-to guys for these kinds of decisions is the players.

“John has got a good reputation. A friend of mine up in Glasgow is very pally with him and he thinks that John could definitely step up. John’s got to be believing that as well.

“If the players were really vociferous in terms of saying: ‘John’s been superb…’ They have been very, very supportive of the interim manager.

“I think that Celtic will be looking for more experience in a coach than John has at this moment. Although, he has been in and around the first team for donkey’s years.

“I believe that the Celtic fans will be looking for the announcement of a big name.”

Transfer Tavern take

In our opinion, Kennedy shouldn’t be handed the managerial role on a permanent basis for exactly the reason McLeish states.

He may well still prove a handy assistant to any new boss that potentially comes in, but with no senior managerial experience under his belt prior to the interim Hoops role, it could prove too big of a challenge.

Celtic still have a few months to get a new boss in and settled ahead of the 2021/22 season and a busy transfer window, so they don’t have to rush things just yet.

However, should they remain without a manager when the transfer window opens, we may well see the club panic and hand Kennedy the reins.

In other news: Roy Keane to Celtic twist emerges following behind-the-scenes development, find out more here. 

Newcastle are ‘keen to retain’ defender Federico Fernandez, whose contract expires this summer, according to The Athletic correspondent Chris Waugh.

Fernandez agreed a one-year extension to his deal back in March 2020, ensuring he would remain at the club for the Premier League’s restart.

Fernandez a valuable member of the Newcastle squad

The Argentine centre-back moved to St James’ Park from Swansea for a fee of £6m in 2018 and has gone on to rack up 74 appearances for the Magpies. The 32-year-old has also captained the Magpies on five occasions.

He was a regular during the first half of the current season, missing only one game due to pandemic protocols.

A thigh muscle strain kept him out of action from mid-January until the beginning of March, but he has returned to the bench for Newcastle’s last three Premier League fixtures.

Fernandez has averaged 1.5 tackles, 5.6 clearances and 1.9 successful aerial duels per 90 minutes this season (via WhoScored). His clearances average is better than anyone else in Steve Bruce’s squad, with Jamaal Lascelles a distant second on 4.4 (via WhoScored).

Will Fernandez accept a pay cut like Gayle?

According to Spotrac, he’s currently earning just over £47,000 a week on Tyneside, which makes him the club’s fifth-highest earner.

He may be expected to accept reduced terms in the manner of team-mate Dwight Gayle, who has already agreed a contract extension (via The Athletic).

Elsewhere, Waugh reported that Andy Carroll’s Newcastle stay could be prolonged despite scoring only one goal in the past two seasons.

Transfer Tavern verdict

On balance, it makes sense to retain an experienced Premier League defender in Fernandez rather than letting him walk away for free.

Newcastle don’t want to be spending what Waugh describes as a ‘limited budget’ on filling out their squad. They’ll focus what they have on the outstanding problem areas.

In other news, players have reportedly been left raging at one of their team-mates for his recent comments.

Harry Wilson’s permanent departure from Liverpool this summer is ‘looking likely’, The Athletic journalist Caoimhe O’Neill reports. 

The lowdown

Wilson made just his second senior appearance for Liverpool in the League Cup Round of 16 against Arsenal before joining Cardiff City on loan – it is Wilson’s fifth temporary spell away from Anfield.

He spent the 2019/20 campaign at Bournemouth after previous stints at Derby County, Hull City and Crewe Alexandra.

A hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Birmingham City last weekend took Wilson to seven Championship goals for the season, alongside his 12 assists (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

O’Neill expects Wilson to prepare for the 2021/22 season with Liverpool before making a permanent exit.

The Reds demanded £15million for Wilson last summer and, as it stands, that price-tag hasn’t changed.

Burnley were rebuffed in their £12million approach for the Wales international and it’s understood that they won’t revive their interest. He has two years left on his contract.

The verdict

Liverpool couldn’t have asked for much more from Wilson while out on loan.

The 24-year-old ranks second in the division for assists and was labelled a ‘magic’ player by Neil Harris, who was in charge in South Wales until January.

He would be a good squad player for the Reds, deployed predominantly in cup competitions.

But Wilson is good enough to be playing consistent Premier League football, albeit in the bottom half of the division, so it could be a win win for all parties for the Reds to finally cash in this summer.

In other news, fans have been reacting to this sensational Mohamed Salah claim.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has claimed that their on-loan winger, Jack Harrison, would be a good squad player at his parent club Manchester City, but that he could be a “force” if he moved to Elland Road permanently.

Harrison signed for City from New York City in January 2018 and was immediately shipped out on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough where he only made four appearances during the second half of the season.

After signing an initial two-year loan deal at Leeds in the summer of 2018, Harrison then signed another one-year loan deal last summer and it’s expected that the move will become permanent at the end of the season.

Speaking on why Harrison would be a good squad player at Man City but why it would be better for him to stay at Leeds, Norris told FFC exclusively:

“He would be a good squad player for them but I just don’t think he would get the game time, but I think he would suit City and he could be a capable squad player.

“At Leeds though I think he could be a big force and name so I would like to see him stick it out and see what happens over the next year or two.”

Since 2018, Harrison has made 124 appearances for Leeds, becoming a crucial player in Marcelo Bielsa’s incredibly attacking side.

It has been reported that Leeds will be able to sign Harrison for a bargain price of just £11 million this summer as Man City have no plans to include him into their side.

Leeds United are not believed to be interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore this summer, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Marcelo Bielsa will likely be aiming to make key additions to strengthen his squad over the summer transfer window and show that Leeds’ first season back in the Premier League has been no fluke, with another strong campaign required in 2021/22.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Leeds’ interest in Traore ‘dismissed’

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Traore, with the £31.5m-valued forward potentially leaving Wolves at the end of the season.

According to Football Insider, however, sources at Leeds have ‘dismissed’ those claims, with Bielsa not viewing him as an option moving forward.

Transfer Tavern take

When he is in full flow, Traore is a hugely exciting player to watch, as illustrated by some electric performances last season. However, given the money Leeds would have to spend on him, it would be a big risk.

The Spaniard ultimately flatters to deceive in the final third too often, scoring just one goal and registering two assists in 31 league appearances this season.

That level of inconsistency is unlikely to appeal to Bielsa, with wide men such as Raphinha and Jack Harrison delivering more regularly with 12 goal involvements apiece in the league. Therefore, Leeds are probably right to back away from a move for Traore.

In other news, Leeds are thought to be interested in signing an international full-back this summer – find out who it is here.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could land a dream Gjanni Alioski successor in Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa.

What’s the story?

With reports in recent weeks suggesting that Alioski is on his way out of Elland Road once his contract expires, it’s no surprise to see the Whites eyeing a new left-back.

And, according to Sosa’s agent, Franjo Vranjkovic, the Yorkshire club have actually submitted a bid to Stuttgart to sign the Croatian in the summer transfer window.

He added: “The most important thing for him is to make a transfer to England because he has an offer from Leeds United.”

Bye-bye Alioski

With Alioski seemingly on his way out, the arrival of Sosa would be the absolute perfect situation for Bielsa, with the left-back well suited to the Leeds boss’ style of play.

Sosa does his best work going forward, being a real attacking outlet for his side, and has registered a remarkable ten assists in the Bundesliga alone – which is more than any Leeds player has managed, and five times that of Alioski (2).

His ability to deliver pin-point crosses into the box has become a real trademark of his, and it’s something that Stuttgart’s sporting director, Sven Mislintat, has raved about.

He said: “Borna’s said himself that David Beckham is his role model, and I think he has the same qualities. He puts in crosses from every angle: sometimes chipped, sometimes drilled, sometimes flat, sometimes in behind, sometimes to the front post, other times to the back post. His left foot is a real weapon.”

And it isn’t just his attacking instincts and technical ability that marks him out as perfect for Bielsa-ball, with the left-back also rugged in the challenge too.

As per Sofascore, he wins exactly 50% of his total duels (just one per cent lower than Alioski), and makes more than double the amount of interceptions and clearances per game than the current Leeds left-back.

And, at only 23, he’s got plenty of time to grow, and his manager at Stuttgart, Pellegrino Matarazzo, has declared that he’s got “huge potential”.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

He said: “Borna has blossomed. We all knew about his huge potential – now he’s delivering over 90 minutes on a consistent basis.”

If Bielsa is looking for a left-back to really nail down a place at Elland Road for the next few years at least, then the £13m-rated Sosa is the man he needs.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is interested in this star who’s side just got relegated…

Former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has been the latest coach to be linked with a move to Celtic.

Speculation has mounted in recent days, with reports suggesting the Hoops approached the 58-year-old following his sacking in north London.

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has now had his say on the rumours regarding Celtic and Mourinho. The Sun journalist was asked by a Hoops fan on Friday evening if there is any truth in the links to the Portuguese native.

He replied in three simple words: “Can’t see it.”

Transfer Tavern take

We’re with Nixon here in feeling that a move for Mourinho won’t gather any real pace.

For starters, look at his salary at Spurs. He was thought to be on a £15m-per-year deal in the English capital. Former Celtic managers Neil Lennon and Brendan Rodgers were on £2.4m-a-year and £2.3m-a-year respectively, so that just shows the huge financial comparison.

Roma and Valencia are also thought to be keen on Mourinho’s services, so due to the money which would be required to lure him to Parkhead amid interest from other clubs, we can’t see this one materialising.

In other news: ‘More advanced’ – Nixon provides Celtic director of football update, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting to the SPFL’s release of fixtures for the remainder of the Premiership campaign.

The Gers have already confirmed their status as champions for the 55th time, but even though the title is wrapped up, there are still five games left to play (BBC). Of course, the league will now be split into the top six and the bottom six, with the teams in each group to play each other once more.

On Monday, the Ibrox outfit discovered when and where they will play their remaining matches. First, they will face Hibernian at home before travelling to St. Johnstone. The final Old Firm derby of the campaign against Celtic will take place at Ibrox on 2nd May with the Gers then facing Livingston on the road. The final match of the team will take place at their home against Aberdeen – on that day, they are likely to finally lift the Premiership trophy.

The fixture list was shared on the Gers’ official Twitter account, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say below

“Beautiful.”

Credit: @Follow_Follow_

“Title party on the Saturday is absolute scenes”

Credit: @KingAribo7

“5 games spread over 6 weeks with last 2 fixtures 3 days apart. 10 days between games 1 & 2, 11 days between games 2 & 3 and 10 days between games 3 & 4. Farcical.”

Credit: @55titles2021

“Sunday old firm, am I a joke to you”

Credit: @staunchdaviderc

“Surprised they didn’t try and fire Hibs or Aberdeen as the additional away trip…shows the nonsense the split is though.”

Credit: @_inexcelsisdeo

“So the previous 3 old firm games were purposely the last in the fixtures but because we are to lift the League Trophy they have changed it to Aberdeen???? Who is this to suit ???”

Credit: @aptrm80

In other news, this man has been tipped to Rangers’ Player of the Year.