Look at him now: Jimmy Kebe and Leeds United

Jimmy Kebe is one of those players Leeds United fans will back at and think, ‘oh, yeah, that happened’.

The winger picked up a bit of a following at Reading thanks to his effective brand of kick and run football. With a little bit of skill added, of course.

The Brian McDermott gamble which paid off, Kebe was a real Championship hero. He could have done great things within the perimeters of the second tier – either becoming a Royals legend or cementing himself as a ‘get of out of league card’. You know, the kind of mercenary who gets the job done at the lower levels but cannot be trusted in the top flight.

Unfortunately, Kebe wanted another slice of the cake. And this one did not digest too well. A disastrous move to Premier League side Crystal Palace was where the sugary treat started its journey and a shocking mess back in the Championship with Leeds United was where it ended. Appropriately matching our biological metaphor.

Kebe switched to Elland Road to reunite with former boss Brian McDermott in 2014. “He has fantastic pace, he is a real team player, and he made and scored goals for (Reading) in the Championship and the Premier League,” McDermott told the official club site (via Yorkshire Evening Post). “I’m delighted he’s come on board and I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”

Some things are best left in the past, and Jimmy Kebe is one of them.

The winger debuted in a six-goal drubbing at the hands of rivals Sheffield Wednesday, which pretty much set the tone for the rest of his ‘career’ at the club. In nine appearances for the club, he managed just one a single goal. Quite sad really.

At times he looked like his old spritely self, in the sense that he sprinted up and down the line like a hyperactive dog, but his energy was very, very rarely ever coupled with an end product. Both Kebe and his biggest fan, McDermott, did not last too long in West Yorkshire.

The Malian retired in 2015 to pursue a career in poker, where, apparently, he is not doing badly (as per Poker News).

Leeds fans, what are some memories that stand out? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Opinion: Theo Walcott looks a better fit for Southampton than Everton after Goodison Park failure

Despite only joining Everton in last year’s January transfer window, Theo Walcott’s career at Goodison Park looks all but over.

The 30-year-old has been hugely disappointing this season, and the Daily Mirror reports the Merseyside club are now looking to sell him with Southampton said to be interested.

Given some of his performances this term, some may feel the Saints should stay far away from their former player, especially at his age.

Too often Walcott has underwhelmed in front of goal during the current campaign with poor first touches pushing him into difficult angles, while he has been caught offside too many times.

Indeed, he’s holding the Merseyside club back at this moment in time and should be put on the list of players to be sold this summer, with his best days quite clearly behind him.

It’s safe to say that not many Everton fans would be sad to see him go with Richarlison and Bernard in their ranks.

Still, assessing Southampton’s squad, the England international could yet be a decent capture if Ralph Hasenhuttl can help him with the above areas of his game.

The Saints need a new wide man and probably a new centre-forward, too, positions Walcott can play in.

And from the former Arsenal man’s perspective, Southampton look like a much better fit for him than his current club Everton given the way Hasenhuttl has them playing.

In contrast to the Toffees who look to play short and retain possession under Marco Silva, Southampton are a bit more direct, moving the ball quicker and in behind into space.

That and the overall counter-attacking style Hasenhuttl has implemented since replacing Mark Hughes in the St. Mary’s dugout might suit Walcott better.

The Everton forward’s biggest strength is, of course, pace, giving him the potential to become quite the asset for a coach such as Hasenhuttl.

Arsenal fans on Twitter desperate for Granit Xhaka to start tonight

Arsenal fans on Twitter are one of the most fickle and demanding fan bases out there. Nothing is ever right for the Gunners, and ahead of their clash with Watford at Vicarage Road tonight, the supporters all seem to want the returning Granit Xhaka to start in the middle of their midfield after his injury lay-off.

The Swiss midfielder is a superb option for the Gunners and when he plays he makes Unai Emery’s side tick. In the early days of Xhaka’s career at The Emirates he came in for plenty of abuse from his own fans, and now it seems that the stick he’s taken over the years isn’t all down to him. As soon as he’s been given a chance to start alongside Lucas Torreira he’s shown what he can do creatively from deep.

Later tonight, Watford will surely be set to sit deep and look to use the pace of Gerard Deulofeu and Andre Gray who will be playing off of Troy Deeney and looking to hit the Gunners on the break. However, when Arsenal go forward they’ll be up against a tough Watford side who will be tough to break down, so having Xhaka’s passing range from deep could be key to getting three points on the road.

You can read the Gunners’ calls for Xhaka here:

The Gunners are desperate for Xhaka to return and star, and Watford won’t know what’s hit them if he’s on his top form.

Tottenham fans react to Mauricio Pochettino’s concerning admission

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Mauricio Pochettino’s English has come a long way since he arrived at Southampton in 2013.

The Argentine relied on a translator until he felt he was able to fluently respond to questions in front of the media, and he has now established himself as something of a favourite in the British press.

Passionate, tongue-in-cheek and refreshingly honest answers have become the norm, but Tottenham’s manager can occasionally throw up some bizarre comments as well.

And his latest press conference discussing his side’s motivation for the rest of the season has left some fans in a state of confusion and, for some, huge concern.

The 47-year-old essentially claimed that Spurs’ motivation is wavering, with the squad stretched to its bare bones at times and still fighting on two fronts.

In response to his comments, plenty of fans were struggling to sympathise with his sentiments and suggested that there is absolutely no excuse not to feel motivated with the top-four hanging in the balance.

And the Lilywhites faithful will certainly be hoping their club are at their fighting best when they take on Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime.

Here’s what the fans had to say in response to Pochettino’s admission…

برشلونة ومانشستر سيتي يُراقبان قاهر ريال مدريد

يُتابع أكثر من نادٍ أوروبي، الدولي الفرنسي ماركوس تورام، مهاجم فريق بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ الألماني، تمهيدًا لضمه في نافذة الانتقالات الصيفية القادمة.

تورام، تألق مع جلادباخ هذا الموسم، وآخرها الثنائية التي أحرزها في شباك ريال مدريد، بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

تألق تورام رفقة فريقه في الدوري الألماني ودوري أبطال أوروبا، جعل مدرب منتخب فرنسا ديدييه ديشامب، يقرر استدعاءه لقائمة الديوك اللندنية، لمباراتي البرتغال وكرواتيا في دوري الأمم الأوروبية (طالع قائمة فرنسا).

اقرأ أيضًا.. بعد تألقه.. ميلان يستعد لشراء إبراهيم دياز “نهائيًا” من ريال مدريد

وبحسب صحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية، فإن العديد من الأندية، على رأسها برشلونة وريال مدريد الإسبانيين، يراقبان صاحب الـ”23″ عامًا.

وأوضحت الصحيفة أنّ هناك اهتماما أيضًا من جانب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وتحديدًا مانشستر سيتي وصيف البريميرليج، إلى جانب ناديين من الدوري الإيطالي، وهم يوفنتوس واي سي ميلان.

تورام والذي يُجيد اللعب في مركز المُهاجم، والجناح الأيمن والأيسر، شارك في 10 مباريات بمُختلف المُسابقات هذا الموسم، وسجّل ثلاثة أهداف وقدم خمس تمريرات حاسمة.

Moussa Marega is the striker West Ham desperately need this summer

West Ham’s main problem is well documented and simply put, it’s their inconsistency. Seeing as the board put in a lot of effort to bring Manuel Pellegrini to the club, they should continue to support him this summer.

A Premier League-winning boss is what West Ham have in Pellegrini and his ability cannot be put to waste.

Under the Chilean, a better style of football is being played but results don’t necessarily do a huge amount of justice to the improvements that have been made at West Ham this season.

The Hammers are still striving to win a place in the top ten with only a few games to go but their time could be better invested considering who they should sign over the summer.

It will be a massive chance for West Ham to strengthen their squad and with all of their current strikers’ futures in doubt, the need for someone like Porto’s Moussa Marega is obvious. Marega, (who is valued at £27 million on Transfermarkt) is a striker that has been on West Ham’s radar (as per Portuguese outlet CMJornal) for a number of windows now so could this finally be the summer that he arrives at the London Stadium?

Porto’s main man has again been destructive in-front of goal, providing 18 goals and 11 assists in all competitions so far. He’s incredibly strong, holds up the ball, can pick a pass and is deadly in the final third, so it’s a no-brainer.

An absolute beast.

The Mali international recently turned 28 and despite West Ham being keen on recruiting some younger players this summer, the experienced Marega presents himself as a brilliant option. You Irons fans will know better than anyone that there has been a lack of a real centre-forward for years and the African ace really would solve that.

How nice does that sound?

Would you want West Ham to try and sign Moussa Marega… Join the discussion and let us know!

Manchester United: Eric Bailly isn’t finished yet

What had felt like a triumphant return soon turned into another misery for Eric Bailly in his 50th Premier League appearance on Sunday.

He was doing a solid job in neutralizing Gonzalo Higuain’s threat, before an unfortunate challenge saw him suffer a nasty looking knee injury.

Just as Manchester United were regaining somewhat defensive stability, Bailly’s injury undoes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s planning. He’ll be out for the season and needs to work hard to return before next season, depending on just how serious his ailment may be. It’s no secret that the Red Devils will look to reinforce their defence with stronger players next season, but Bailly shouldn’t be used as a sacrificial lamb to make way.

Granted, his style of defending is unconventional and he’s too aggressive occasionally, but he’s more effective than multiple other defenders. Bailly isn’t as error-prone as Marcos Rojo nor does he turn off like Phil Jones, but his lack of fitness plagues his development. However, Bailly’s impressive chemistry with Victor Lindelof proves there’s something potentially special between them.

The Ivory Coast international’s only made around 17 appearances in all competitions this season, but United haven’t lost many with him. Be it a luck charm or what not, his stats prove he’s a reliable figure. In limited appearances, Bailly’s averaged 3.1 clearances, 1.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game in the Premier League (stats via WhoScored).

Bailly’s distribution is also miles ahead of the other shaky figures. He’s confident, ruthless and in due time can become a defensive pillar who can be suited alongside any newcoming defenders with ease.

United fans, do you think Bailly can be a regular next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

We believe in you: Newcastle fans throw their support behind misfiring Muto

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Newcastle United signed Yoshinori Muto from Mainz last summer.

The 26-year-old arrived off the back of a 10-goal season in Germany, and having represented Japan at the 2018 World Cup.

It would be fair to say that Muto struggled to make his mark in England, though, scoring just once in 17 Premier League appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

Muto only started five league fixtures for the Magpies, meanwhile, but he took to social media on Monday to thank for the club’s fans for their support.

It is not the worst move in the world after a difficult campaign, and as expected, the Newcastle supporters were out in their numbers to praise the attacker.

It remains to be seen whether Muto is able to make his mark in English football.

However, judging by the reaction of a number of Newcastle fans, he still has the support of the St James’ Park faithful.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Alfie Doughty could be the next player to shine under Lee Bowyer at Charlton

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Lee Bowyer has established himself as one of the top young managers the EFL has to offer this season, with his Charlton side on an unbelievable run in 2019 and pushing for automatic promotion.

The former midfielder is ready and willing to bring youth players through to the first team if they have earned it and the likes of George Lapslie, who has made 25 league appearances this campaign, have benefited greatly.

With Roland Duchatelet likely to be reluctant to provide Bowyer with much in the way of funding this summer, the Addicks boss may be forced to comb the academy for his next first team star: that could well be Alfie Doughty.

The left-sider was in sensational form for the Addicks Under-23’s on Tuesday as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Burnley and will surely have caught Bowyer’s eye at The Valley.

The 19-year-old opened the scoring after the returning Jake Forster-Caskey pinged a free-kick over to the left, allowing him to get his knee over the ball and unleash a howitzer of a half-volley past Aiden Stone in net for the Clarets, who had absolutely no chance.

How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…

Mere moments later, the teenager nearly had his second but fired wide, although his excellent all-round showing would see him get the brace he deserved in the latter stages, with yet another left-footed half-volley.

Clearly he has a knack for scoring special goals; some Charlton fans may remember the 60-yard, first-time strike he score for the Addicks Under-18’s in the FA Youth Cup in December 2017.

The former Kingstonian loanee was heavily involved in his side’s creation on Tuesday and was a constant threat down the left wing with his trickery and vision. Despite being listed as a defender on Charlton’s official website, his two-goal performance in a more advanced position suggests the youngster has a lot more to offer on the front foot.

One thing is for certain, if he can keep registering displays of that calibre, it will only be a matter of time before he makes his first team bow.

Spineless: QPR fans fuming after Blackburn defeat

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Queens Park Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Blackburn Rovers on Friday and fans are frustrated with the team’s inability to find form, as well as the whole direction of the club.

The R’s are now 17th in the Championship, having won just one of their last five games.

QPR have endured a tumultuous season, sacking manager Steve McClaren at the beginning of the month. John Eustace is currently in charge.

They have won 13 of their 43 games thus far this season and, while they are surely safe, their season is drifting.

Indeed, they lie eight points clear of 22nd-placed Rotherham and, with three games of the campaign remaining, it is highly unlikely they will be dropping through the trapdoor.

QPR were relegated from the Premier League in 2014-15 and have remained in the Championship since.

While fans, obviously, hoped to be promoted at the first time of asking, they finished 12th in 2015-16 and in the two seasons following, finished 18th and 16th.

This season has not been much better – they cannot finish higher than 13th.

And fans have ripped into the club and the team on Twitter after their latest loss.

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