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Zimbabwe have a new captain in Chamu Chibhabha, who is returning to the side after 19 months

The Preview by Mohammad Isam29-Feb-2020Big pictureThe Mashrafe Mortaza retirement speculation circus has taken the spotlight in Bangladesh, turning the ODI series against Zimbabwe into a bit of a sideshow. To add more spice to the unfolding melodrama, BCB president Nazmul Hassan has already said that this is going to be Mashrafe’s last series as captain.But we mustn’t get carried away and consider the fact that Bangladesh are playing their first ODI after seven months with several changes in personnel, which certainly warrants a discussion. To start with, the team management could hand an ODI debut to Mohammad Naim, who impressed against India in November. Meanwhile, Liton Das could be given the No. 3 role, a position he has batted in on nine occasions averaging a paltry 15.87.Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah will then have to bat around Mohammad Mithun and Afif Hossain, who is a like-for-like replacement for Sabbir Rahman. Mohammad Saifuddin is returning from a back injury, although it is likely that the team management will be monitoring his workload.For Zimbabwe, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine will form the batting core, but how a new combination at the top – most likely Chamu Chibhabha opening with Timycen Maruma – and an iffy lower order shape up could determine their fate. Bowling-wise, a bit of pace and some accurate legspin from Tinotenda Mutombodzi could make the difference.Form guide
Bangladesh LLLLL
Zimbabwe LLLLL
Chamu Chibhabha has taken over as the new Zimbabwe ODI captain•Getty ImagesIn the spotlightMashrafe, sure, Mushfiqur Rahim is in the side too. In the one-off Test last week, Mushfiqur completed his third double-hundred in Tests, looking in sublime form. Bangladesh will expect their most experienced batsman to play the dual role of anchor and enforcer depending on the situation of the game. All in the shadow of the ongoing drama around his choosing not to travel to Pakistan.Chamu Chibhabha will have a lot to prove as he not only returns to the ODI team after July 2018, but also takes over as first time captain . A sedate top-order batsman who bowls brisk medium-pace, Chibahbha made a total of 77 runs in his last first-class match.Team newsFrom the squad against Sri Lanka last year, Anamul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Rubel Hossain have made way for captain Mashrafe, Saifuddin and Liton. Naim could make his debut, while Bangladesh have Taijul Islam, Al Amin Hossain and Shafiul Islam as bowling options.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal 2 Mohammad Naim, 3 Liton Das, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 11 Mustafizur RahmanChibhabha and Maruma are the likely new opening pair, though Tinashe Kamunhukamwe could also be in the picture. Zimbabwe also have 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Wesley Madhevere fresh out of the Under-19 side.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Chamu Chibhabha (capt), 2 Timycen Maruma, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Brendan Taylor (wk), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Tinotenda Mutombodzi, 8 Donald Tiripano, 9 Ainsley Ndlovu, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Carl MumbaPitch and conditionsSylhet typically offers a pitch without much grass and with even bounce. Plenty of runs are available if batsmen give it a bit of time. The weather should be clear.Stats and triviaTamim Iqbal is 108 runs short of becoming the first Bangladesh batsman to score 7000 ODI runs.Bangladesh have won the only ODI played at this venue, against West Indies in December 2018.

Tottenham are said to be very keen on bringing in a £60 million striker as chairman Daniel Levy and the recruitment team eye up Harry Kane successors.

Spurs sporadically linked with new centre-forward

While Richarlison is Spurs' current second top scorer in the league and has recently come into a rich vein of form, there is a real case to be made that the Brazilian isn't quite the long-term 20-plus-goal per-season striker which Ange Postecoglou could benefit from.

Tottenham readying bid for £43m player as Ange looks to tie up deals quick

They’re increasingly likely to make a move.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 21, 2024

There are even suggestions that Tottenham could opt to sell Richarlison and upgrade if they receive a big enough offer for him this summer, which perhaps adds fuel to the fire that a striker signing could well be possible.

Alasdair Gold hinted that Spurs are in contention for Brentford striker Ivan Toney earlier this week, and the England international would be quite a stellar capture if they can beat other top suitors to his signature.

"I would love to see Tottenham nick him off of Brentford and get there before Arsenal do," said Teddy Sheringham on Toney potentially joining Spurs.

"Toney has got something about him. He carries himself well and can take on the mantle of being the main man at a club. Everyone is suggesting that he could be the icing on the cake for Arsenal, but I think he could be a big, big player for Tottenham at this moment in time."

There are other, cheaper and more attainable names mentioned regarding the centre-forward role, though, with Union St. Gillosie striker Mohamed Amoura having quite the season.

Amoura has admirers at Spurs who've been running the rule over him in recent weeks, according to reports, and the Algeria sensation may well be one to watch when the transfer window reopens.

Another striker apparently attracting Postecoglou's attention is Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman is already into double figures with 10 Serie A goals this season, and his performances are said to be turning heads in north London.

Tottenham really want to sign Zirkzee as price tag revealed

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, as translated by Sport Witness, Tottenham have a strong interest in signing Zirkzee but Bologna could demand up to £60m to part company with their talisman.

It is unclear whether this valuation is enough to deter Spurs, but they will have to pay close to a record fee amid the growing clamour for Zirkzee's services.

"It was an excellent goal from a player with extraordinary qualities," said manager Thiago Motta, after a strike away to Sassuolo earlier this campaign.

"He scored a similar goal in training. Joshua is very talented, but I want to emphasize that he also works very hard for it."

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Depois de ficar um longo período afastado dos gramados em virtude da Covid-19, John Kennedy retornou ao Fluminense no final de maio e fez trabalhos para recuperar o condicionamento físico. O atleta, de 19 anos, segue treinando com a equipe Sub-23 do Tricolor para readquirir a forma física e ficar à disposição do técnico Roger Machado.

> Confira a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro

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Com isso, o atleta superou o lateral Samuel Xavier e foi o jogador do Fluminense que ficou mais tempo longo dos gramados devido à Covid-19. A última vez em que ele esteve em campo foina vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Botafogo pelo Campeonato Carioca, no dia 17 de abril.

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

Cria de Xerém, o atacante é uma das grandes promessas do clube carioca. Ele temoito jogos disputados e dois gols marcados na temporada. Até o momento, foram15 partidas e 4 bolas na rede desde que subiu para o time profissional em 2020.

O Fluminense volta a campo na quartano duelo contra o RB Bragantino, pela terceira fase da Copa do Brasil, às 21h30 , no Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid. Na primeira partida, o Tricolor venceu por 2 a 0 e pode garantir a classificação com um simples empate.

O Fluminense segue embalado na temporada e terá uma maratona de jogos em junho. Além da Copa do Brasil, a equipe comandada por Roger Machado terá pela frente sete rodadas do Brasileirão no mês. Bons testes antes dos duelos contra o Cerro Porteño pelas oitavas de finais da Copa Libertadores, que serão realizados nos dias 13 e 20 de julho.

Sunderland are now glancing nervously at the Championship relegation zone, the Black Cats unbelievably finding themselves just nine points off the dreaded bottom three after suffering six defeats on the spin in the second tier.

At one point, the main goal for the Wearside outfit was attempting to achieve promotion to the Premier League. Now, the more immediate aim could well just be to bring stability back into the building and stop the rot before they sink any further down the league standings.

New bodies in through the door in January haven't exactly exploded into life to help raise spirits for Mike Dodds' men, with Romaine Mundle scoring his first goal for Sunderland against Southampton last time out generating somewhat of a smile from the Black Cats fanbase amidst a quiet start otherwise from the ex-Tottenham Hotspur youth player.

Sunderland would love to turn back the clock and have one former loanee back on their books to make the mood more positive, with the one-time Black Cats attacker in question starring down the right wing – where Mundle has lined up for his new team – in the Premier League now.

Antoine Semenyo's time at Sunderland

Antoine Semenyo's brief loan spell at Sunderland has been somewhat forgotten about, considering how little impact the current AFC Bournemouth attacker made on those at the Stadium of Light back in 2020 and also what he has since gone on to achieve after the short-term move.

Still, the now 24-year-old winger – despite only managing to play 184 minutes for the Wearside outfit at the time – was well thought of by then Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson during his short spell.

Parkinson would praise Semenyo for being a "dangerous" presence for his then League One Black Cats team from off the bench, but the young loanee would never really be able to displace the likes of Charlie Wyke and Chris Maguire who were experienced and reliable heads up top.

The Ghana international would never really kick into gear for the Wearside giants, making just seven appearances before returning to Bristol City goalless.

Yet, regardless of this underwhelming loan stint so early into his career, Semenyo would go from strength to strength after this back at his parent club.

Not even the most optimistic Sunderland fan would have predicted that Semenyo would go on to have a career in the Premier League after failing to break into the Black Cats' first team, but the Wearside oufit must now watch on knowing the peaks Semenyo has managed to get to wondering if they could have utilised the Cherries star more effectively at the Stadium of Light.

Antoine Semenyo's statistics since leaving Sunderland

Semenyo would eventually turn into a creative, goalscoring menace back at Ashton Gate, Bristol City rewarded for continuing to persist with their one-time Academy prospect until he would repay their unwavering faith with exceptional displays back.

Semenyo's breakthrough 2021/22 campaign would see him score eight goals and pick up 12 assists from 31 appearances, becoming a key performer for the Robins that season in the process after previously fading in and out of contests.

He would even be called up to the Ghana squad off the back of this standout campaign, with interest from higher-up suitors following closely behind.

It was going to take a hefty bid for Bristol City to part ways with their star man, and when top-flight side Bournemouth offered up £9m to try and persuade the Robins to offload their breakout winger, it was an offer the second-tier club couldn't refuse.

Still, although Bristol City managed to bank a respectable £9m, Semenyo doesn't quite break into their top five record departures looking at the table above.

His exit will sting more now when you look at how swimmingly he's taken to top-flight life, however, with the Cherries winger onto five goals now this campaign in such a demanding and tricky division.

Sunderland will aim not to be so hasty in writing off Mundle like they were with Semenyo on loan, with the Bournemouth number 24 standing out once more recently playing the role of goalscoring hero in a 2-0 away win at Burnley for Andoni Iraola's men.

Mundle will hope he can settle into his new surroundings better after breaking his duck against Russell Martin's Saints, with the Black Cats in desperate need of a dependable figure in attack like Semenyo now to end their disastrous run of losses.

Romaine Mundle's struggles at Sunderland

Mundle did shine in spurts at St. Mary's away from his deflected strike catching Gavin Bazunu off-guard, the ex-Standard Liege man winning four duels in total to try and stop a Southampton comeback.

Yet, Sunderland need a prolific figure in attack – especially with Jack Clarke in the Stadium of Light treatment room – and so Mundle will have to show this hunger and desire to score goals on a consistent basis away from this one-off contest versus the Saints to further impress.

The 20-year-old has struggled to get consistent first-team minutes away from this game which hasn't helped him fully acclimatise, averaging just 46 minutes per match so far in a Sunderland strip.

The stuttering Wearside outfit will need to be patient and hope Mundle can blossom into a hero for the club over time alongside their other inexperienced squad members.

They will be anxious about history repeating itself considering that Semenyo was once disregarded as an underwhelming winger whilst on loan, and has since gone on to become a devastatingly effective attacker for Bournemouth in the top flight.

Sunderland succumbed to their fifth straight Championship loss last night at the hands of high-flying Leicester City, veteran striker Jamie Vardy proving to be the difference-maker with an early strike for the Foxes in the 1-0 Black Cats loss.

Mike Dodds will have been encouraged by the performances of some of his players in the narrow defeat – with the stuttering Wearside outfit amassing 17 shots on the Leicester goal to the away side's lesser ten – but the scoreline would still make for grim reading at the end all the same.

There were some notable under-performers from a Sunderland perspective as well, especially Pierre Ekwah in the centre of the park who was substituted off dead on the hour mark by Dodds after a dire showing at the Stadium of Light.

Pierre Ekwah's performance vs Leicester in numbers

With the likes of Chris Rigg standing out in midfield as a lively presence, Dodds' bold team selection to start the energetic 16-year-old somewhat paying off, Ekwah's poor night was further exposed unfortunately by the teenager looking bright.

Whilst Rigg would win duels aplenty – with seven notched up next to his name by the end of the 90 minutes – Ekwah would duck his brave responsibilities on the contrary against Enzo Maresca's men by winning just one duel all game with zero aerial duels even attempted.

The 22-year-old Frenchman was also unable to spark into life from an attacking point of view, failing to register a single effort on Mads Hermansen's goal alongside coming away from the 1-0 loss without a single completed dribble.

The below-par Sunderland number 39 might well find himself axed from Dodds' starting eleven for his side's next second-tier match away at Southampton as a result, with Leo Hjelde at left-back also guilty of having an off-day against the Foxes to further trouble Dodds' upcoming team selections.

Leo Hjelde's performance vs Leicester in numbers

The January recruit from Leeds United also struggled against Leicester, with the explosive Abdul Fatawu for the away side causing all sorts of issues for the former Whites man and the rest of the Sunderland back four to contend with.

The entertaining 19-year-old winger would end the contest at the Stadium of Light with a 100% successful dribble rate next to this name, Dodds' men unable to lay a glove on the Leicester number 18 for large spells of the game.

Hjelde, meanwhile, squandered possession 17 times in total to allow Maresca's men to grow in confidence on their travels further, on top of only completing two accurate crosses from down the channels to attempt to unnerve the visitors when foraying forward.

Hjelde's numbers vs Leicester

Minutes played

90

Duels won

5/9

Possession lost

17x

Touches

63

Accurate passes

28/36 (78%)

Accurate crosses

2/6

Stats by Sofascore

As can be seen in the table above, Hjelde likely walked off the pitch unsatisfied with his showing and potentially worried that Dodds could roll the dice by selecting a new left-back over the poor 20-year-old for the trip to Saints coming up this weekend.

The Norwegian defender would pick up an unsatisfactory 4/10 rating from Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith after the 1-0 defeat, described as 'really struggling' when Leicester bombed forward with venom early on by Smith.

The 6 foot 2 full-back could breathe a little easier over his first-team spot owing to Sunderland's lack of other options that could come in to replace Hjelde, with Niall Huggins and Dennis Cirkin long-term casualties in the treatment room at left-back.

But, with the Black Cats in dire straits at the moment, Dodds could just make some surprising calls regardless involving his starting elevens to try and gain some positive results soon.

The tour had suffered a blow after Sri Lanka’s government said they received news of a “possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lanka team”

Umar Farooq in Lahore13-Sep-2019PCB chairman Ehsan Mani reiterated his confidence in Pakistan hosting Sri Lanka later this month, saying neither he nor his board was looking to shift the series to a neutral venue.According to the original schedule, both teams will be playing three T20Is and three ODIs in Lahore and Karachi between September 27 and October 9. But doubts over those matches actually taking place surfaced earlier this week when the Sri Lankan government received news of a “possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lanka team”. This development came two days after SLC named their touring squads without ten frontline players who refused to travel.Mani, addressing the press in Lahore on Friday, said the PCB was in discussion with the SLC and that he expected the tour to continue as planned. “Our decision is very clear and we are not exploring any other neutral venue. We don’t have the time to shift or lookout for any other option right now. Our default position is that it is Pakistan’s home series and it will be played in the country. This has been the understanding right from the start and we are in discussions with the Sri Lanka board and they are also very positive about sending their team.”SLC had committed to the tour after a thorough security assessment, but with less than two weeks for the first match, their government has asked for another round of checks to be made. It is also understood that the Pakistan ambassador to Colombo met with the Sri Lankan defence secretary on Thursday and that the SLC has prompted the Sri Lankan defence ministry for an updated threat assessment.”We didn’t get any negative feedback from their board and they never said that they are not coming,” Mani said. “All they are seeking is their government’s permission and they are engaging with them. There are speculations that they are sending their under-strength team but it’s their prerogative. But what is important that international cricket will be played in Pakistan, and Sri Lanka is fulfilling their commitment.”Comprising six games, this will be the longest international series in Pakistan for a decade. It will also mark the first international action in Pakistan in 18 months. The tour was supposed to include two Test matches as well but they have been postponed to December. The PCB wants to host them in Pakistan as well and see this limited-overs series as a trial run towards that ultimate aim.On a different note, but directly relevant, is the appointment of the ICC officials for the series. ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB has already informed them about the schedule but the ICC will carry out its own assessment of the security situation prior to sending match officials.The National Stadium in Karachi will host the ODIs, while the T20Is will be held in Lahore. These will be the first ODIs to take place in Pakistan since Zimbabwe toured for a three-match ODI series in 2015; all the international cricket since the 2017 PSL final has been in the form of T20Is.

Slovenia star Josip Ilicic has revealed the touching words that Declan Rice said to him during his team's Euro 2024 clash against England on Tuesday.

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• Ilicic took two breaks from football
• Slovenia star battled spells of depression
• Revealed Rice's message to him

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In 2020, Ilicic took a break from football to address some mental health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic and then took another sabbatical less than two years later amid further issues with depression. However, he returned to action with Maribor in 2022 and impressed enough to earn a place in Slovenia's Euro 2024 squad.

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  The 36-year-old came off the bench to feature in his team's final group stage match against England as the two teams played out a goalless draw on Tuesday and he has revealed that an opponent, Arsenal midfielder Rice, had some pleasant words for him.

• WHAT ILICIC SAID

  "I am sincerely pleased, even today when I entered the pitch a player complimented me and told me that he respects me a lot, this pleases me. The whole world knows my story," he told .

  In saying the player in question was "An Arsenal midfielder, you know the name well," Ilicic revealed it was Rice with whom he had the exchange.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  After finishing third in their group, Ilicic and Slovenia have booked their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024. However, it is not yet known which team they will take on in the first knockout round of the competition.

La Roja are yet again set to blend youth with experience as they aim to win their fourth continental crime this summer

The most recent golden generation of Spanish football has officially passed. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba having left the national team set-up for good, the last dregs of one of the greatest international sides of all-time have disappeared.

But that doesn't mean La Roja are without talent. The most-recent Nations League winners reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 with a side that combined youth with experience, and though Luis Enrique has since moved on, his replacement – Luis de la Fuente – has maintained that philosophy since taking over the reins.

They will face a fight to make it out of their group, however, having been drawn alongside defending European champions Italy and fellow Nations League finalists Croatia, meaning De la Fuente cannot afford any missteps. So, who has the Spain boss decided to take to Germany? GOAL takes a look at La Roja's 26-strong squad below…

GettyGOALKEEPERS

Unai Simon was installed as Spain's starting goalkeeper ahead of the delayed Euro 2020, and has kept the role ever since, though he is now coming under strong pressure from David Raya, whose improved performances for Arsenal could yet earn him the No.1 shirt in Germany.

Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Robert Sanchez have fallen out of favour at club level for Real Madrid and Chelsea, respectively, opening the door for uncapped Real Sociedad 'keeper Alex Remiro to become third-choice.

David RayaArsenalAlex RemiroReal SociedadUnai SimonAthletic ClubAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS

Despite moving to the Saudi Pro League, Aymeric Laporte remains first-choice at the back for Spain, and looks set to be partnered by Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand in Germany.

The full-back positions also look settled, with Alejandro Grimaldo likely to be rewarded for his superb season at Bayer Leverkusen with a starting role on the left, while Dani Carvajal will take up his usual role on the right flank.

Dani CarvajalReal MadridMarc CucurellaChelseaAlejandro GrimaldoBayer LeverkusenAymeric LaporteAl-NassrRobin Le NormandReal SociedadNachoReal MadridJesus NavasSevillaDani VivianAthletic ClubGetty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

There's no question who Spain's best player is heading into the Euros, with Rodri remaining the most impressive defensive midfielder in the game right now as he bosses central areas for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, while also popping up with an occasional important goal.

Pedri who could also offer so much if he can stay healthy. His Barca team-mate Fermin Lopez may also get a look, while Fabian Ruiz could have an important role to play after a series of impressive showings for former Spain boss Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain.

Alex BaenaVillarrealFermin LopezBarcelonaMikel MerinoReal SociedadPedriBarcelonaRodriManchester CityFabian RuizParis Saint-GermainMartin ZubimendiReal SociedadENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Lamine Yamal has been, quite comfortably, the best young player in Europe this season, but like so many Barcelona starlets, will need to see his game time managed. Still, he figures to be a must-start if fit.

Alvaro Morata will likely have the central role nailed down, meanwhile, but there are questions to answer on the left-hand side of the forward line. Dani Olmo can certainly play out wide, but is at his most effective slightly tucked in. That would seem to open up space for Nico Williams, who has improved immensely for Athletic Club this season.

Ferran Torres will perhaps get a look, too, as he's provided some timely goals for Barca this season, and could be a strong option off the bench. Ayoze Perez was a surprise inclusion following a solid season at Real Betis.

JoseluReal MadridAlvaro MorataAtletico MadridDani OlmoRB LeipzigMikel OyarzabalReal SociedadAyoze Perez Real BetisFerran TorresBarcelonaNico WilliamsAthletic ClubLamine YamalBarcelona

Ahead of her taking on the USWNT with South Korea, Casey Phair's former coach has explained what makes her similar to American icon Tobin Heath.

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Phair grew up in U.S. but represents South KoreaHad same coach as Heath at PDA programHe explains comparisons to USWNT icon & IbrahimovicWHAT HAPPENED?

Phair, who became the youngest player in Women's World Cup history last year, was born in South Korea but moved to the U.S. with her family as a baby and it was there she discovered a love for soccer. Soon enough, it was apparent that she had real talent and she would join the Players Development Academy in New Jersey, a program that helped develop USWNT stars such as Heath, Heather O'Reilly and Casey Murphy, likely to be the starting goalkeeper for the upcoming friendlies with South Korea.

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When she was 15 years old, around the time that she was training with U.S. and South Korea youth national team camps, Mike O'Neill was her coach, a man who was there over 20 years ago when Heath came through, and he noticed similarities in the two players.

WHAT O'NEILL SAID

Speaking to GOAL, O'Neill said of Phair: "She would be in training and just try stuff. She would try a rainbow flick or whatever. It’s rare. So many times in the girls’ game, too many coaches try to kind of get that out of their system – pass, pass, pass, pass. If you watch Tobin Heath, she was obsessed. Tobin Heath’s hero was Ronaldinho. She would go on YouTube and try to do everything Ronaldinho was doing.

"When Tobin Heath played, we didn't say: ‘Maybe don't take on that fifth player', but: 'Have fun thinking of one-v-two [situations], find a friend, troll four players and find a friend’. We did the same thing with [Phair]. We would just say: ‘Have at it, but just make a decision. Maybe if you troll four, you've got to slip in your friend and let her have it’. That sort of became the mantra with her: ‘Keep trying things, keep going at people, keep expressing yourself’. And she does."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Such creativity would earn Phair a nickname at PDA, too, that of 'Ibra', after another of the coaches drew comparisons between her approach to the game and that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"With Ibra, it’s like this boyish smile," O'Neill explained. "He's got this little boy mentality when he plays but he's got this physical swagger about him too, and presence. That was her nickname because she was so individually exciting and athletic and dominant, and she had this swagger, but she had this swagger that was never obnoxious because she always had this impish grin, like she was having fun doing it. Everything that she did, she did with a certain level of joy."

Leeds United return to action on Saturday afternoon as they host Ipswich Town in a mammoth Championship clash at Elland Road.

The Tractor Boys are currently second and ten points clear of the Whites in the race to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League.

A win for Daniel Farke's side will cut the gap to single digits but three points for the opposition would put them 13 points clear and give Leeds a mountain to climb during the second half of the season.

The Whites were held to a 1-1 draw by Coventry at Elland Road last time out and the German tactician could look to make some changes to his starting XI from that match.

With this in mind, here is FFC's predicted Leeds line-up to face Kieran McKenna's Ipswich in Yorkshire this weekend…

1 Illan Meslier

Starting off between the sticks, French giant Illan Meslier should maintain his position as the number one ahead of Karl Darlow. He has started every single Championship game so far this season and there has not been anything to indicate that will change this weekend.

2 Djed Spence

At right-back, Djed Spence could start in his natural position for the first time this season in order to facilitate a change on the other flank for the Whites.

The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender is a dynamic full-back who could provide an attacking thrust down the right on his favoured foot against the Tractor Boys, instead of being shifted onto his weaker foot.

3 Joe Rodon

At the heart of the defence, the Wales international Joe Rodon could be tasked with keeping out the likes of George Hirst, Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson.

The Spurs loanee won eight of his nine duels and made three tackles, one interception, one block, and one clearance last time out against Coventry.

4 Pascal Struijk

Alongside Rodon, Pascal Struijk could don the armband once again to lead the Whites into battle. The Dutch central defender made three interceptions and two tackles against Coventry last weekend.

5 Junior Firpo

The first personnel change to the XI could come at left-back as Junior Firpo has been back in training and is likely to be in contention to feature on Saturday.

Stuart Dallas, Sam Byram, and Jamie Shackleton, who are all capable of playing on the left side of the defence, are all unavailable for selection through injury.

Firpo is a natural left-footer and would, therefore, offer more balance in possession down that flank, rather than Spence having to come inside onto his right.

The former Barcelona full-back's last start came in the 1-1 draw away at Rotherham earlier this season and he won eight of his 16 duels and created one chance in 70 minutes on the pitch.

6 Glen Kamara

In midfield, Glen Kamara could once again line up in the middle of the park. The summer signing from Rangers has been a metronome for the Whites with his pass success rate of 92%.

He has also provided a bit of bite with 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game to go along with a duel success rate of 66%, which shows that the Finland international is able to dominate opposition players in physical contests.

7 Ethan Ampadu

Alongside Kamara, the Wales international Ethan Ampadu could retain his position as Leeds' midfield enforcer in front of the back four.

He has made 3.6 tackles and interceptions combined and 7.6 ball recoveries per match across 22 Championship starts since his transfer from Chelsea.

Ahead of this match, Farke revealed that the central midfielder is ready to feature once again in spite of the workload he has been put through so far this season.

8 Jaidon Anthony

The second alteration to the XI could come on the right side of the attack as Jaidon Anthony could be unleashed from the start over Daniel James.

Farke has confirmed that there will be rotation in order to manage the busy festive schedule and that could open the door for the Bournemouth loanee to come in.

Anthony has only started two league matches so far this season, and has scored one goal, and could be given a rare chance to impress.

James managed zero goals, zero assists, and one key pass in the last two matches – both of which he started – and could be rested for this clash.

9 Mateo Joseph

In the number ten role, Farke could spring a surprise by finally unleashing academy starlet Mateo Joseph from the start ahead of Joel Piroe.

This may seem like a risk on paper, given the opposition, but the head coach has previously made bold decisions with young players.

For example, he handed a full league debut to Max Aarons at Norwich against Ipswich in their East Anglian derby clash at Portman Road in 2018 at the age of 18.

Of course, the England U21 international went on to be a crucial player for the Canaries and Joseph could follow in his footsteps with a breakthrough performance on Saturday.

Joseph has scored 19 goals in 33 U21 matches for Leeds and could provide a "threat" – as was once claimed by his former boss Michael Skubala – at the top end of the pitch.

Piroe has failed to register a goal or an assist in his last three league outings and could be ditched to make way for the talented young ace.

10 Crysencio Summerville

On the left flank, Crysencio Summerville should keep his place as the Dutch winger has consistently been a standout performer for the Whites out wide this season.

He has produced ten goals, six assists, and ten 'big chances' created in 19 league appearances from the left wing, which shows that the talented young gem has the potential to be a match-winner for the Whites.