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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…

QPR travel to Elland Road this Saturday to take on Leeds in what could be an enticing top-eight clash.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side sit 3rd in the Championship with seven wins from 14 games, whereas Mark Warburton’s men have won the same amount of matches but sit 8th having suffered two more defeats than Leeds – the R’s backline is the second-worst in the division, as only bottom-placed Barnsley have conceded more goals.

A win for the Londoners would take them above Leeds, and with a number of quality players on show such as Eberechi Eze and Pablo Hernandez, it should be an exciting Championship spectacle.

Aside from Hernandez, however, there are two Leeds players who Warburton must warn his players about…

Kalvin Phillips 

The 23-year-old Leeds academy graduate is arguably Bielsa’s most important player due to the role he performs in the side.

Phillips – who Aston Villa made a £15m offer for back in the summer – records a huge 4.1 tackles per game in the Championship, and Warburton should be warning his players about him; not for his attacking prowess, but his defensive qualities and ability to destroy the opposition’s good attacking play.

Additionally, Phillips has won the WhoScored Man of the Match award three times already this season – QPR must work out how to make attacking inroads without being halted by the effective defensive midfielder. Identifying weaknesses in his game, or ways to circumvent his influence, is a must.

Eddie Nketiah 

While it’s certainly likely the man on loan from Arsenal doesn’t start this game – all of his ten Championship appearances have come from the bench this term – the R’s must still know all about Nketiah and how to defend against him.

The 20-year-old has an unerringly ability to find the back of the net without needing a huge amount of chances, having scored three goals in just 265 minutes of league action while taking only 1.2 shots per game.

The England U21 international netted the winning goal against Brentford back in August, and also scored a vital equaliser against Preston in the game before last, despite playing just 13 minutes.

It may take a while for him to come into the fray on Saturday, but QPR’s defence must know what to do when he does cross the white line.

Arsenal defender Sokratis was on the receiving end of criticism from fans despite the Greece international keeping a clean sheet during the Gunners’ 1-0 victory against Bournemouth on Sunday.

A goal from David Luiz meant that Arsenal secured all three points and moved up to third in the Premier League, behind only Liverpool and Manchester City. However, supporters were not pleased with the performance of the Brazilian’s centre back partner.

In spite of where the Gunners find themselves, a number of fans remain unconvinced by Sokratis and have made sure to let him know about it.

One supporter said that he cannot wait for him to be sold in the summer transfer window, while another unfavourably compared him to his team-mate Shkodran Mustafi, who has yet to play in the Premier League this season.

Here you will find some of the best responses from Arsenal fans. Take a look below:

نجح منتخب إيطاليا في تحقيق الفوز بمباراته الثالثة على التوالي في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم، بالتغلب على ليتوانيا بهدفين دون رد.

والتقى منتخب إيطاليا مع ليتوانيا في الجولة الثالثة لتصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لمونديال قطر 2022.

شهد تشكيل إيطاليا عدة تغييرات عن المباريات السابقة، حيث شارك ستيفان الشعراوي وفيدريكو بيرنادريسكي أساسيان في الهجوم.

هدف المباراة الأول أحرزه ستيفانو سينسي في الدقيقة 48، بتسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء سكنت الشباك لتسفر عن الهدف الأول لإيطاليا.

وقبل إطلاق صافرة النهاية، احتسب الحكم ركلة جزاء لصالح إيطاليا بعد تدخل على كييزا.

وأضاف تشيرو إيموبيلي الهدف الثاني لإيطاليا من ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | جريزمان يقود فرنسا للفوز على البوسنة والهرسك في تصفيات كأس العالم

وكانت إيطاليا تغلبت على أيرلندا الشمالية وبلغاريا في الجولتين الأولى والثانية بهدفين دون رد.

وبهذا الفوز يحصد منتخب إيطاليا ثلاث نقاط إضافية ويرفع رصيده في صدارة مجموعته إلى 9 نقاط.

في المركز الثاني يتواجد منتخب سويسرا بـ 6 نقاط، وحصل منتخبا بلغاريا وأيرلندا الشمالية على نقطة لكل منهما بعد تعادلهما في لقاء اليوم، أما منتخب ليتوانيا يتذيل المجموعة بلا نقاط. أهدف مباراة إيطاليا وليتوانيا

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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… 

Aston Villa will play their third game in just under seven days on Saturday as they welcome a stern Burnley side to Villa Park.

Dean Smith will yet again be looking for better fortunes in the Premier League as they have started the season with just one victory in six matches.

Last time out, they were disappointingly defeated by a ten-man Arsenal side despite the west Midlands outfit holding the lead twice, and obviously having that player advantage.

There are no easy games in the top-flight and that trend continues as ninth-placed Burnley make the trip from Lancashire on Saturday.

Sean Dyche’s men managed to keep Teemu Pukki quiet last weekend so it’s likely that their defence will hold the keys to whether Villa can pick up their second win of the season or not.

On the Chalkboard

Most notably, James Tarkowski, who is likely to be the most crucial figure in stopping Villa’s barren frontline from scoring.

Until the Arsenal match, the Villans had scored just four goals and the Gunners’ defence is up there with the worst in the league, having faced more shots than anyone else in Europe prior to kickoff, so too much shouldn’t be taken from the match on that basis.

Tarkowski is winning 4.3 aerial duels per game on average while also averaging a massive 4.2 clearances and 2.3 tackles per match, via WhoScored.

It’s pretty obvious to suggest that Smith will lineup with just the one striker, their only fit senior option too, in Wesley.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Their club-record man has netted twice this season, including a decent effort against Arsenal, but he will have to improve in other areas if he is going to have success against the 26-year-old.

Wesley has won just 1.7 aerial duels per game and also registers 2.3 unsuccessful touches per match too – something that the two-time England international should thrive off.

It’s the battle of two titans at Villa Park and who comes out on top could well decide the game.

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Liverpool have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season and many fans believe Roberto Firmino has been the stand-out performer so far.

As a result, they believe he is deserving of Liverpool’s Player of the Month award ahead of other notable performers such as Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.

The Reds have a 100% record in their five matches so far, and the Brazilian has scored two and assisted three in those games, earning praise from Jurgen Klopp in the process.

Other Liverpool fans have tipped Salah, who has been typically prolific, whilst Matip has also shown improvement in his game since returning from the summer break, with Liverpool conceding only twice in the three league matches he has played.

Firmino, though, scored a landmark 50th Premier League goal with his strike against Burnley, and it’s not just his football which has impressed fans, as his reaction to the dispute between Mane and Salah has amused many.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Here are some of the reactions from Liverpool fans who want to see Firmino named Player of the month.

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Just look at the calibre of players he is able to call his peers. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen, Dries Mertens and Toby Aldeweireld are all his compatriots, and despite being a youngster he’s breaking into the starting XI for one of the most talented teams in the world.

It’s not as if his position is lacking competition either. He’s earned 25 caps by the age of 22 despite the fact he’s had to compete with the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Axel Witsel, Radja Nainggolan and Mousa Dembele for a spot in the midfield.

Seeing him line up alongside these global superstars makes you realise just how lucky Leicester are to have him, and many Foxes fans will be well aware that he’s more than capable of surpassing some of his Belgium teammates’ achievements.

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فتح نادي آرسنال تحقيقًا مع مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، بيير إيمريك أوباميانج، للحديث عن انتهاك بروتوكول فيروس كورونا المستجد، كوفيد 19، بسبب رسم وشم جديد “تاتو”.

وظهر فيديو يوم 10 فبراير الماضي يجمع أوباميانج ورسام التاتو الشهير، نيكولاس برنال، وهو ما يدل على انتهاك المهاجم الجابوني للإجراءات الاحترازية لضمان السلامة من الإصابة بالفيروس.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أرتيتا يُثير القلق حول أوباميانج بعد هاتريك مباراة آرسنال وليدز يونايتد

سيتحدث آرسنال مع أوباميانج بشأن الفيديو المنشور عبر “إنستجرام”، خاصة وأن المهاجم وبرنال لم يرتديا كمامة واقية من فيروس كورونا، بحسب ما ذكرت شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”.

لم يتضح بعد مكان أو وقت تسجيل هذا الفيديو حتى الآن، لكنه انتشر قبل 6 أيام عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي الشهير.

الجدير بالذكر أن هناك قرارًا من طرف الحكومة البريطانية بغلق جميع صالونات الوشم أثناء انتشار الوباء في المدن الإنجليزية.

سُحبت قبل قليل، قرعة ربع نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم لموسم 2020/2021، حيث أسفرت عن مباريات قوية.

اقرأ أيضًا.. زاها: عانيت من الاكتئاب والاحباط في مانشستر يونايتد

قطبا مدينة مانشستر، سيتي ويونايتد، سيخوضان مواجهتان قويتان، إذ سيلعب الأول مع إيفرتون بينما مانشستر يونايتد يصطدم بـ ليستر سيتي. نتائج قرعة دور ربع نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي

– إيفرتون × مانشستر سيتي.

– بورنموث × ساوثهامبتون.

– مانشستر يونايتد × ليستر سيتي.

– شيفيلد يونايتد × بارنسلي أو تشيلسي.

Here’s your Official #EmiratesFACup quarter-final draw 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Jp5rJQrW5Z — Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 11, 2021

كشف مصدر داخل نادي الجونة، عن اقتراب الفريق من التعاقد مع مهاجم الزمالك خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الحالية.

الجونة يحتل المركز الثالث في ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 18 نقطة.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “الجونة يقترب من التعاقد مع عمر السعيد لاعب الزمالك على سبيل الإعارة لمدة 6 أشهر والاعلان الرسمي خلال ساعات.

طالع | صور | الزمالك يوافق على إعارة ثنائي الشباب إلى أسوان ونادي زد

وترغب إدارة الجونة في تدعيم صفوف الفريق خاصة بمركز المهاجم لتعويض رحيل لاعبه والتر بواليا إلى الأهلي في فترة الانتقالات الحالية.

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While Tottenham have yet to finalise a deal for Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombélé, the London Evening Standard claim that a fee has been agreed and the Lilywhites hope a deal will be completed by the end of the week.

The technically outstanding midfielder impressed for Lyon last season, registering eight goal contributions (one goal, seven assists) in Ligue 1, and he also rated highly when performing in the Champions League for the French side having attained an average rating of 7.4 per Whoscored.

His performances at club level have translated into opportunities on the international stage, and to date, the 22-year-old has amassed six caps for France. Seemingly, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are poised to sign an enterprising midfielder endowed with great promise, but what have the experts had to say about him?

Bruno Génésio, former Lyon player and manager

“He is strong physically and above all technically. With the first touch he manages to pass even three players, and when he starts, he is difficult to stop.

“He’s precise with his passing, he has a nice dribble. I do not like comparisons, but in fact Ndombélé can be a new Pogba.”

Evidenced by his goal contributions and by the comments of his former manager, as reported by Tuttosport (via Goal), one of the 22-year-old’s primary strengths is his passing ability – a quality very much aligned with the expansive style of play that Pochettino has established at Spurs.

Impressively, the Frenchman averaged 1.4 key passes in the league last season, and he flaunted an impressive pass success rate of 89.1%. He was clearly involved in the playmaking endeavours of his side, averaging almost 58 passes (57.7) a game.

Mark Langdon, Digital Football Editor Racing Post

“He’s one of the best around for his age. In terms of playing style, Ndombélé is about as close as you’re going to get to Moussa Dembele.”

Langdon was full of praise for the midfielder while speaking to talkSPORT. While considering that Spurs have yet to replace Dembele, who departed for China in January, such comparisons are likely to delight the Tottenham faithful.

Capable of operating as a central midfielder or in a slightly deeper role as a defensive midfielder, such versatility and tactical flexibility will be of tremendous benefit to Tottenham’s midfield.

In addition to his impressive passing and attacking statistics, he has proven to be defensively competent, a prerequisite of any good box-to-box midfielder.

Last season, he averaged almost two tackles (1.9) per league game, while also achieving just shy of one interception (0.9) per game.

Julien Laurens, French football expert

“There is some Yaya Touré in him. The way he drives the ball forward, his technical ability, his power. At 1m81, he is not the tallest, but he is so strong and it’s so hard to get the ball off him. He is perfectly suited for the Premier League and England is surely his most likely destination once he leaves Lyon.”

As French football expert Julien Laurens alluded to in an article for Unibet, Ndombélé’s skill set is well-suited to the physical demands of the Premier League. He even compared the Frenchman to Yaya Toure, a modern Premier League great, and Tottenham supporters will be delighted if their new signing is able to emulate the success that the Ivorian midfielder enjoyed during his time in England’s top-flight.

Verdict

Given the wide-ranging admiration for the midfielder and the acknowledgement of his technical and physical qualities, one senses that Tottenham are on the brink of landing a tremendous talent – one that will help elevate the quality of their squad.