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Real Madrid’s hopes of retaining their La Liga title all but ended in a brutal manner as they fell to an away defeat in El Clasico, and fans were particularly unhappy at a number of their star players.

Heroes turned to villains as the Champions League holders were unable to close the gap on Barcelona, who are now 12 points at the top of the table, and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was particularly poor.

What happened to Benzema in El Clasico?

The striker looked way off the pace as he struggled to make an impact upfront, and the 35-year-old’s physical decline started to appear less than a year after his stellar individual campaign helped Real win their 14th European Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were out-possessed and outshot at the Camp Nou, and whilst the Italian’s tactics have started to be questioned, Benzema stood out as one of the poorest performers because of his poor attacking movement.

This was particularly noticable when exciting winger Vinicius Junior was single-handedly trying to create chances, but found himself alone in the Barcelona box. This was in stark contrast to how Barcelona’s attackers would fly forward, which ultimately led to Franck Kessie’s late winner.

Real Madrid legend Guti even highlighted this as an issue, claiming the pair of attackers were too isolated from the rest of the team, and fans were quick to lay the blame at Benzema’s physical decline.

The best of the reaction to his performance can be seen below.

Leeds United saw plenty of heroes forged in their triumphant return to the Premier League in 2020, but arguably none more so than Patrick Bamford.

The wiry striker joined amidst great scrutiny from the English media, the likes of which would persist throughout his time with the Whites before he would eventually fire them into silence.

It seems that the 29-year-old's career never truly got going until he moved to Elland Road, where he became an integral spearhead at the front of Marcelo Bielsa's infamous system.

The English forward was actually one of his first signings in that summer of 2018, as he parted with £7m to tempt him from Middlesbrough. This is a figure that would only continue to rise alongside his performances.

Whilst injuries might have marred his recent campaigns, Bamford remains a great servant to the club and will likely go down in their history for his goalscoring efforts in firing them back to the big time.

How much is Patrick Bamford worth?

With a first season at the club stuttered due to various ailments, the 2019/20 campaign would see him notch 16 goals as they cruised out of the Championship, a feat that had troubled so many before them.

However, this was arguably when the media scrutiny reached its apex on the marksman. Many believed he did not have what it took to thrive in the Premier League, yet he would actually outperform his earlier tally by scoring 17 and assisting a further eight as Leeds finished ninth.

Radio presenter Matt Abbott even took to Twitter to wax lyrical about Bamford, claiming: "Absolutely stunning from Bamford. I realise folk'll moan about the fact that he hit the post, but I'm not having it – he's #LUFC personified right now".

Not only has he become a huge fan favourite, but FootballTransfers suggest that his value has soared alongside his standing in the game. They rate the apex of his expected Transfer Value at €16.8m (£14.7m), marking a 111% increase since signing.

The former Chelsea man has been a marvellous transfer for the club, serving as one of the numerous acts that Bielsa must be commended for. Whilst he has struggled of late for fitness and form, should he recapture his old ways then relegation would be far from a threat to this giant of the English game.

Former Tottenham Hotspur player and current talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara is thrilled by the news that Daniel Levy is eyeing a move for former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The Lowdown: Conte on the way out

Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy dropped a massive update on Tottenham’s future this week, revealing there is “growing belief” Antonio Conte will depart before the end of this season.

The Italian is of course out of contract in the summer, but work has already begun on finding his replacement, with Reddy revealing a whole host of names on the shortlist.

Indeed, Pochettino is seen as the front-runner, with some members of the playing squad “hankering for the brave, progressive style” the Argentine would bring, but Roberto De Zerbi, Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel, Marco Silva and Thomas Frank are all in the mix as well.

The Latest: O’Hara reacts

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Hara only has one man in mind for the job, practically begging Levy to bring Pochettino back:

“You don’t need three candidates. Get Pochettino in. Bring that sexy man back that everyone can see. That’s all we need, so get him in.

“There’s candidates and there are good managers out there – you can say Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Frank – but no.

“Pochettino needs to come back to the football club. He’s got unfinished business. He left when Daniel Levy was being tight and now Daniel Levy has realised he can’t do that anymore.”

The Verdict: Slow your roll…

Reddy reports in her update for Sky that Tottenham chiefs will not be ruled by emotion, and we believe that is certainly the right mindset for the hierarchy to hold.

Yes, Pochettino has been called a “genius” by his old Spurs players and drawn praise from greats such as Pep Guardiola, but the other candidates are certainly no pushovers.

Frank’s Brentford lost their first Premier League game since October this weekend, Enrique has won multiple league titles with Barcelona and De Zerbi’s Brighton have the fourth-highest expected goals in the top flight this season, behind only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Lilywhites chiefs absolutely have to get this appointment right with rumours swirling of possible investments and takeovers, and there’s no guarantee things would go differently the second time around under Pochettino.

Southampton will welcome Leicester City to the south coast in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and manager Ruben Selles will be desperate for a positive result to narrow the four-point gulf from safety.

Indeed, Saints are currently bottom of the league table after 24 matches with just 18 points, and a win could place the outfit just one point behind Leeds United in 17th, who face Chelsea away from home this weekend.

Despite winning at Stamford Bridge themselves two weeks ago – in Selles’ first outing in the dugout since Nathan Jones’ dismissal – the Hampshire-based club have lost ten of their past 12 league encounters, and further woes against the Foxes could prove to be the hammer blow that eradicates any ounce of confidence in rectifying the sombre situation.

And given that League Two outfit Grimsby Town defeated Saints on their own ground in the FA Cup fifth round a matter of days prior, the importance of a positive response has not been so profound for some time for the club.

With this in mind, this is how Football FanCast expects Southampton to field their eleven against Leicester, seeking to attain an invaluable victory…

How might Southampton line up against Leicester?

Predicted XI: (GK) Bazunu; (RB) Maitland-Niles, (CB) Bednarek, (CB) Bella-Kotchap, (LB) Perraud; (RM) Aribo, (CM) Lavia, (CM) Ward-Prowse, (LM) Elyounoussi; (ST) Sulemana, (ST) Onuachu.

Southampton’s Spanish boss could make as many as six changes to the side that were dismally felled by the Mariners in midweek.

Gavin Bazunu will deputise between the sticks once again, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could replace Kyle Walker-Peters at right-back; Jan Bednarek and Armel Bella-Kotchap will unite in central defence once again, having kept a clean sheet at Chelsea before shipping just once against the Whites.

In midfield, the impressive Romeo Lavia will retain his robust role, while the “elite” – as dubbed by Ian Wright – captain James Ward-Prowse will return to the fold after making an impact off the bench in the FA Cup, providing two key passes and one assist in that second-half cameo.

On the wide flanks, Joe Aribo and Norwegian star Mohamed Elyounoussi will hope to bring a dynamic dimension to the fold, with the former, a £10m signing from Rangers in the summer, making his first league start of 2023.

Imposing forward and wily young winger Kamaldeen Sulemana will form an offensive partnership once more, hoping to finally break the oppositions resistance and bear fruit for their new outfit, with the “disappointing” – as branded by Jacob Tanswell – Adam Armstrong pushed back to the bench after failing to impress against Grimsby.

While Jesse Marsch’s sacking from Leeds United a matter of weeks ago was unsurprising, the decision that was taken in order to replace him was somewhat of a shock.

The Whites cast their net out in search of a swift appointment but were knocked back several times, first by the disciple of Marcelo Bielsa – Carlos Corberan – who signed a new deal at West Bromwich Albion and then by Andoni Iraola who was blocked by his club, Rayo Vallecano.

As a result, Victor Orta and co were left with limited options, ultimately looking towards his fellow countryman in Javi Gracia.

A strange appointment it indeed looks, and when considering he reportedly doesn’t even have a work permit, the hire becomes even more perplexing.

The former Watford boss at least arrives with experience in English football and indeed the Premier League, but it will be an uphill battle to keep the Yorkshire side in the division.

Fortunately, he does have a number of talented young players to call upon, one of which is Giorginio Rutter.

What impact could Rutter have under Gracia?

The year of 2023 has been a troubling one not just for Leeds, who have not won a game since the resumption of the league following the World Cup, but also for new signing Rutter.

Signed from Hoffenheim in the winter, the 20-year-old looks a raw but exciting talent. That said, he is yet to find the net in his five Premier League games and 109 minutes of action.

Those are limited involvements indeed but under Gracia, he could well thrive.

After all, this is a manager who once coached a certain Richarlison to prominence all those years ago at Vicarage Road with the Brazilian – now a £60m footballer at Spurs – playing under Gracia’s tutelage for the Hornets.

Although he failed to score for the Spaniard, he is undoubtedly one of the most notable players the new Leeds boss has worked with.

The Brazil international is a master of the dark arts when it comes to his off-the-ball work, making himself a nuisance for opposition defenders.

But he is indeed a competent footballer too, using his pace and trickery to work openings for both himself and his teammates. It is those qualities that have seen him ultimately go on to score 48 times in the Premier League.

Capable of operating as a centre-forward or out on the flanks, there are clear parallels with Rutter who plays in similar areas of the pitch.

At Leeds, the Frenchman has exclusively played as a striker but with Patrick Bamford now back in the fold, could play out wide. That said, with Gracia previously favouring a 4-4-2, perhaps the duo could operate together in the same side.

But what makes this comparison to Richarlison all the more obvious is their skill set, with scout Jacek Kulig once hailing the “clinical finisher” for his “blistering pace.”

Described as ‘part centre-forward, part jet-heeled winger’ by the Bundesliga website, the 20-year-old was among the 50 quickest players in Germany’s top tier with a top speed of 21.46 mph, just 2 mph quicker than that of the current Spurs attacker.

Rutter’s ‘direct running and mesmerising dribbling’ as per Bundesliga.com only add further comparisons, with such a player only set to get better as the years go on.

Leeds, and Gracia, however, will just have to hope that progression happens in the next few weeks. He will be key to any chance the Elland Road outfit has of staying up.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who is on loan at Inter Milan, as a potential replacement for Harry Kane.

The Lowdown: Kane’s future in doubt?

The latter’s contract is currently set to expire at the end of next season, but there has been some good news for Tottenham fans in recent days, as it has emerged that talks about a new deal have already commenced.

That said, there is no guarantee that the Englishman will commit to a new contract, given that it has also been reported that he is ‘full of doubts’ about extending his stay in N17, so Antonio Conte may have to start thinking about replacements for the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

The Latest: Tottenham keen on Lukaku

According to a report from Spanish sources (via The Boy Hotspur), the Lilywhites are keen on signing Lukaku if Kane decides he does not want to sign a new deal with Tottenham.

It is explained that Inter Milan have no interest in signing the Belgian forward on a permanent deal this summer, while the player himself has no intention of returning to his parent club, perhaps opening the door for a move to north London.

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The Verdict: Avoid

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has hailed Lukaku as a ‘complete’ striker who ‘can win games on his own’, and his record in front of goal with Inter is fantastic, scoring 68 times in 109 appearances while also claiming 17 assists.

However, the 29-year-old did struggle the last time he played in the Premier League, only managing eight goals in 26 top-flight games for Chelsea, and the fact that he has only netted twice in the Serie A this season indicates that he is perhaps past his best.

Of course, Tottenham will be hoping that they have no need to sign a new striker this summer, given that contract talks with Kane seem to be progressing. However, if they do enter the market, Lukaku should not be one of Conte’s targets.

Everton have a great chance of survival in their Premier League relegation battle this season following Sean Dyche’s arrival at Goodison Park, as their performances have already had a rapid turnaround in just three games.

The former Burnley boss has secured two victories and is currently unbeaten at home, collecting six points from nine which has helped the Toffees quickly climb into a safe position of 16th but with 15 fixtures remaining and just one point clear of the relegation zone, there is still a long way to go.

Indeed, should Dyche secure survival in the Premier League he will surely be backed by the Everton hierarchy to improve and reinvest in the team this summer, especially after the failure to replace Anthony Gordon in the January transfer window.

However, the Everton boss may already have his heir to the departed winger in Everton academy graduate Lewis Dobbin who is currently thriving on loan with Derby County.

How is Lewis Dobbin performing on loan?

The talented 20-year-old – hailed “relentless” and a “crowd lifter” by BBC Radio Derby reporter Dominic Dietrich – made the move to League One to earn some first-team football this season and has shown glimpses of his ability during his time so far with the Rams.

Over 29 League One appearances, Dobbin has scored two goals, registered four assists and created four big chances, as well as averaging 1.3 shots on goal, one successful dribble and 2.5 duels won per game, proving that he is providing a potent attacking threat.

Dobbin has provided most of his goal contributions in wide-forward positions for Derby, proving comfortable on both the left and the right wing, with his goal in their FA Cup replay in November earning him high praise from manager Paul Warne:

“It was nice for Dobbs to get a screamer and that was the highlight of the game really. We could see it had a chance as soon as he hit it.

“His work-rate gets him in the team and goals are the cherry on top of that, but it was one of those moments that was a joy to watch.”

The young forward who penned a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Everton in January 2022 has been rising through the ranks of the Merseyside youth set-up since he was 11 years old and has since earned recognition on the international stage with two caps for the England U19s.

Now Dobbin could get his golden opportunity to follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduate Gordon by taking his position at Goodison Park and becoming a first-team regular next season under Dyche.

With that being said, the future is looking bright for the Everton youth prospect and if he can continue to flourish whilst on loan it would surely put him in a good position to compete for a spot with his parent club in the near future.

Presenter and YouTuber Conor McGilligan has hit out at Leeds United after former manager Jesse Marsch is set to take over at Southampton.

The Lowdown: Marsch news

Marsch was dismissed at Elland Road over a week ago, with the Whites still currently on the hunt to bring in his successor.

However, the American hasn’t wasted any time in finding a new job and looks set to take charge of Southampton after they sacked Nathan Jones on Sunday. The former Leeds boss is the lead candidate at St Mary’s and talks went well on Monday, as per The Athletic.

The Latest: McGilligan fuming

McGlligan, presenter of One Leeds Fan Channel, took to Twitter to react to the news regarding Southampton and Marsch. He hit out at those at Elland Road, describing the club as a ‘joke’, in a ‘grim state’ and ‘desperate’.

“We are a joke – you might laugh at the appointment, but another club have made a managerial appointment look less farcical than Leeds United. This is such a grim state the club are in right now. Desperate.”

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The Verdict: Next weekend…

You’d expect that Andrea Radrizzani, the 49ers Enterprises and Victor Orta have been left extremely frustrated with how the club’s search for a new manager has played out, and this update won’t help things.

Marsch was brought in at Leeds relatively quickly after Marcelo Bielsa left the club 12 months ago, but things haven’t gone as smoothly this time around. Another relegation rival securing a new manager within days compared to Leeds taking over a week isn’t ideal, so we can understand McGilligan’s frustration.

The two sides actually meet at Elland Road next weekend, so it’ll be extremely interesting to see the reception Marsch receives, as Joe Donnohue says – ‘petrol on a bonfire’.

Leeds United are yet to make an approach for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, according to Phil Hay for The Athletic.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou linked with Leeds

The Whites were quickly linked with a move for the Hoops boss after parting ways with Jesse Marsch last Monday. The Australian was believed to be on the radar at Elland Road, with recent reports suggesting that a move was still possible.

Postecoglou has admitted that he will not be distracted by the “noise” of rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League, and it seems as if Leeds are yet to make an official move for the 57-year-old.

The Latest: No approach for Postecoglou – so far

Reliable Leeds reporter Hay shared a story for The Athletic on Saturday regarding Leeds’ search for a new manager.

When it came to Postecoglou, the reporter claimed that no approach has been made so far, although ‘Leeds are not oblivious to the Australian’s impact at Parkhead’.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed that he stays

Postecoglou has transformed Celtic after taking over in the summer of 2021, taking them back into the Champions League group stage after a five-year absence, and it does feel inevitable that he will take on a Premier League job at some point.

However, Celtic will be hoping that now isn’t the right time for him to exit, with the Hoops on course for back-to-back Premiership titles under the 57-year-old.

Postecoglou’s contract at Parkhead does expire in the summer, so it could be a wise move by club chiefs to try and extend that deal and potentially insert a release clause, should both parties wish to do so.

Joe Nicholson has claimed on The Roar podcast that Danny Batth and Dan Ballard will be crucial for Sunderland against Millwall.

The Lowdown: Sunderland up against it

Sunderland are set to face one of the most in-form teams when it comes to playing at home this season with Millwall losing just two games in the Championship thus far.

As if that wasn’t a difficult enough task already, the fact that Sunderland are set to be without their top scorer in the form of Ross Stewart is a monumental blow for Tony Mowbray who will be relying on youngster Joe Gelhardt.

Mowbray will indeed be able to once again call upon Batth and Ballard who will be very important as Sunderland look to keep Millwall at bay from set pieces as they’ve scored the most from dead-ball scenarios in the league.

The Latest: Millwall dangerous from set pieces

Batth and Ballard are six foot two and six foot one respectively, so Nicholson believes they will be key to Sunderland not shipping goals from set piece this weekend.

He said: (17:20) “Yeah that’s been a concern for Sunderland in the past, set pieces, especially earlier in the season when they had lots of injuries and now they’ve lost Stewart for the season while he’s a striker, he is quite effective in his own penalty area clearing corners.

“They’ve now got Danny Batth back from injury and Dan Ballard they’ve played the last two and formed what looks like a good partnership, so that could be really important with Millwall kind of posing that threat from set pieces, that’s definitely one to watch out for.”

The Verdict: Mowbray faces a tough test

Given that Sunderland currently boast the youngest squad on average in the Championship, it will be a huge ask for them to go away to The Den that’s likely to be sold out given limited tickets are left on sale, and pick up a positive result.

This is mainly because Millwall are indeed higher in the table than Sunderland, very rarely lose at home and will be right up for revenge after the Black Cats inflicted a 3-0 defeat on them earlier in the season.

All teams will be gutted when they concede from set pieces as they’re very cheap goals to be given away and Mowbray will surely have been doing his work on the training pitch to scheme up a way to combat Millwall’s obvious threat from dead-ball situations.