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Manchester City fans have taken to Twitter in good spirits after it was revealed that ten key first-team players would be missing out on international duty with their respective nations.

John Stones, Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Aguero and David Silva are all set to stay at the Etihad Stadium during the international break for various different reasons.

What is behind Liverpool’s recent title race slip ups? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video above…

At this stage of the season, it is pivotal for the Citizens to keep everyone fresh in order to keep up with Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title – Pep Guardiola’s men are now two points behind the Reds, albeit with a game in hand.

City have just eight games left, and whilst their squad depth is impressive, they need their main stars fit if they are to defend their title.

Understandably, fans of the reigning champions on Twitter are glad to see that so many key players are set to miss out on international duty…

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Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter to ridicule Romelu Lukaku, after Federico Pastorello – the striker’s agent – told Sky Sports that his client ‘sees himself in La Liga one day’, and mentioned Real Madrid and Barcelona as potential destinations.

Lukaku has scored 15 goals this season, with 9 of them have coming since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped into the managerial hotseat.

Which “global superstar” has just been named Man Utd’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video above…

Despite his respectable tally, his overall play has mainly been the source of mockery throughout the current campaign, where his woeful first touch and inability to finish simple chances at times have led to fans insulting his talents.

It goes without saying that Real Madrid and Barcelona are arguably the two biggest clubs in the world, and can attract almost any player that they want.

As a result of that, Pastorello’s comments have led to United fans finding the quotes to be of some humour, as seen by their replies on Twitter…

The good times at Leyton Orient look to have returned after a few seasons of misery.

Sitting pretty at the top of the National League table with two games in hand and with a visit to Wembley in the FA Trophy final on the horizon, fortunes have turned for the better for the historic east London club.

And the performances of the players are catching the eye of some big teams with the Sun reporting that centre-back Dan Happe is subject to interest from Wolves, Brighton and Norwich for the 20-year-old defender despite making just 11 appearances for Orient this season.

Now an England C player, Happe has been a regular starter in the Orient team in place for Josh Coulson, who has been out of the O’s team with a hamstring injury, and his mature performances in the first-team resulted in the defender being nominated for the club’s Player of the Month for both January and February.

With 12-months left on his contract and big clubs sniffing around for his signature, Orient must do everything in their power to keep hold of Happe, even if they are offered the £200,000 the club value him at according to the Sun.

Happe’s rise from bench player to a vital first-team starter this season has been a story that the fans have loved, and his performances at the back in the second half of the season are a huge part as to why Orient are in a good position to return to the Football League.

The towering English defender has come up through the club and will likely want to remain with the club should they win promotion to League Two and see if he can handle the quality and pressure of competing in the Football League, and Orient should act on this ambition by offering the youngster a new contract.

His performances alone this season already warrant a new deal, but with interest from big clubs now added into the mix, Orient have to act quickly to sign up their new hottest prospect as a sign of ambition as they continue their rebuild to the Football League.

Orient fans, should the club keep Happe at the club despite Premier League interest? 

Despite Leeds United’s first team seemingly stuttering in their quest for promotion to the Premier League, their under-23 side showed no sign of slowing down as they marched to the Professional Development League North title on Monday evening.

A 2-0 win at Colchester United was enough to hand Carlos Corberan’s men the club’s fifth development league championship, following Burnley’s 3-2 defeat at Bristol City earlier in the day.

The club has a history of offering opportunities to young players, including current first-team regulars Jack Clarke and Kalvin Phillips. So, who could be next to make the step-up?

Ryan Edmondson

Having already tasted first-team action with two senior appearances, Edmondson’s brace at Colchester will certainly have given Head Coach Marcelo Bielsa food for thought with eight huge games of the Championship season remaining.

The 17-year-old has now netted 14 times for the under-23 side this season and his physicality could provide a different option to first-team regulars Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford.

Mateusz Bogusz

Poland under-20 international Bogusz missed Monday’s title-clinching win due to his national team commitments, but he has consistently demonstrated his capabilities since his January move from Ruch Chorzow.

At just 17, the midfielder has already spoken about how he trains with the Leeds first team almost every day and his range of passing, link-up play and eye for goal has caught the attention of the Leeds faithful during his short time with the Whites.

Hugo Diaz

Under-23 captain Diaz has already flirted with the first team after making his debut against Preston at the end of last season.

The former Deportivo La Coruna defender has been one of the standout players this season with some impressive recent displays, including a man-of-the-match performance against Bolton which led to calls for a step back up to the senior team.

Aapo Halme

Another to have missed the Colchester game due to an international call-up, Halme is seemingly on track to becoming a first-team regular.

The Finland under-21 defender has made five appearances for the Whites this season, including in an FA Cup tie at QPR where Halme claimed his first Leeds goal.

With Pontus Jansson struggling with injury, and uncertainties over Gaetano Berardi’s reliability, there have been several calls for Halme’s inclusion in this weekend’s crunch battle versus Millwall.

يتفاوض 4 لاعبين من برشلونة الإسباني، على تجديد عقودهم مع الفريق الكتالوني في الموسم الجاري.

وبحسب شبكة “ESPN” تأتي هذه المفاوضات كجزء من إجراءات خفض الرواتب، في ظل تأثير وباء كورونا على الوضع الاقتصادي للنادي.

ويؤكد التقرير أن ثنائي البارسا، فيليب كوتينيو وأنطوان جريزمان، من بين اللاعبين، الذين يتفاوضون على عقود جديدة.

ويجري سيرجيو بوسكيتس وسيرجي روبرتو، محادثات أيضًا بشأن تجديد الشروط حيث يواصل برشلونة البحث عن طرق للحد من التداعيات المالية لوباء كورونا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير تكشف تطورات حالة جوردي ألبا قبل مباراة الكلاسيكو

وكان برشلونة قد أعلن عن تجديد عقود رباعي الفريق جيرارد بيكيه ومارك أندريه تير شتيجن وفرينكي دي يونج وكليمنت لينجليه بالفعل (طالع التفاصيل).

وأكد برشلونة أن العقود الجديدة للرباعي تتضمن تعديلاً مؤقتًا للراتب بسبب الظروف الحالية التي أحدثتها أزمة فيروس كورونا.

وقالت مصادر لـ “ESPN” إن هذا يعني أنهم قبلوا تخفيض أجورهم لموسم 2020-21 ولكن سيتم دفع أجرهم في السنوات الأخيرة من عقودهم الجديدة.

ويتفاوض كوتينيو وجريزمان، اللذان تستمر عقودهما حتى 2023 و 2024 على التوالي، على تعديل مماثل لعقودهما، مما سيساعد النادي على خفض الإنفاق لهذا الموسم.

Liverpool are looking to repeat their success with Andrew Robertson and Georginjo Wijnaldum by plotting move for £10 million-rated Norwich City star.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on recruiting Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey this summer, with a club source revealing that Liverpool recruitment chief Michael Edwards has been keeping close tabs on the defender sending scouts on regular trips to Carrow Road this season.

The versatile player, who is valued at £3.15 million (by Transfermarkt), possesses all the characteristics of an accomplished modern defender and can operate in defensive midfield as well as central defence and left-back and has become a stalwart presence in the starting line-up since making his first league appearance in December.

It is likely that Norwich City will be incredibly keen on keeping the player as they look almost certain to make the jump into the Premier League at the end of the season, but their resolve will certainly be tested come summer with Premier League clubs circling.

We can understand why Liverpool are so keen on the player having already seen a number of their low-profile signings excel at the top level. Particularly Andrew Robertson, so FSG could pull off another masterstroke by bringing the Norwich City man to Anfield.

The flying Scotsman made his start at Dundee United before being recruited by Hull City, where he enjoyed an incredibly impressive three years – at least, in a personal sense – before being recruited by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to fill a gaping void at left-back.

Indeed, Robertson is the perfect example of why Premier League sides do not have to spend big to find a gem, and if Godfrey is anything close to hit touted quality, they have a star for the future.

Liverpool fans, would you prefer to see your club make big money signings, or take a punt on more potential hidden gems? Let us know in the comments

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England face Czech Republic on Friday in the first of 10 Euro 2020 qualifiers and Crystal Palace fans will be watching on with frowns – if they even watch at all – after the controversial omission of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the squad.

The impressive youngster lost out to Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold for a spot but England Under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd has insisted via The Daily Mail that he should not let the perceived setback be just that:

“There are lot of players now who are of dual nationality, particularly in younger age groups. All we can do is provide an environment in which they are going to learn, improve and want to come back to. If a player wants to leave then there’s nothing we can do.

“As far as Aaron is concerned, we think a lot of him and Gareth thinks a lot of him. Aaron has got plenty of time. The thing is now we live in a microwave society where you get half a cap and people think you should be in the senior team.”

Indeed, at 21 years of age, the Eagles defender has at least a decade of football ahead of him and therefore plenty of time to break into the Three Lions’ first team should that be where his loyalties lie.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

The right-back is also eligible to play for the DR Congo, whom he has featured for already at youth level, but certainly has the quality to feature for the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists in the future.

Having broken through to the Palace first team due to injuries, the number 29 might have been hoping that history would repeat itself on the international stage but, regardless of the three right-sided defenders being reduced to two, it hasn’t.

Perhaps more infuriating for Wan-Bissaka than his initial exclusion from the squad is why he wasn’t called upon when the aforementioned Alexander-Arnold withdrew on Wednesday due to a back injury – could this be the final straw for the tireless tackler?

It’s no secret that big changes are being lined up at Rangers this summer and although that could be unsettling for players, fans are excited at that prospect.

Steven Gerrard hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons in his first-in-charge of the Light Blues but only improvements can be made from him, so long as he gets sufficient backing over the summer. New faces will be largely beneficial to Gerrard and his team, with each capable of bringing new ideas and talents to the team.

Whilst securing second spot in the league, it’s about time Rangers went one step further and beat Celtic to the title for the first time since 2011.

The services of a talented defender will have to be acquired in order to fulfil that ambition and reigniting their interest in Bournemouth’s Jack Simpson wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. Simpson, (who is valued at £450k on Transfermarkt) was a player of interest – according to the Sunday Mail via the Scottish Sun back in August – to Rangers last summer but after a deal failed to materialise, the two went their separate ways.

For Jack Simpson, it’s been yet another season of false hope with only six appearances to his name.

As a highly-rated 22-year-old, it goes without saying that he needs more time on the pitch than that. Why not offer him the chance to do that at one of the biggest clubs in Europe?

Indeed, with Joe Worrall returning to Nottingham Forest and Gareth McAuley out of contract, the need for a new defender at Ibrox is obvious and that is a role Jack Simpson can fulfil. Yes, it’s an ambitious move but that’s the thinking required to get the club back on the up.

A big money move for Hearts star John Souttar has been touted but why waste the money? Gerrard needs short-term success if he’s going to wholly convince during his time in Glasgow and cannot afford not to win a trophy. Save the money, get a loan in and work on strengthening the attack.

Rangers fans, are you still interested in Jack Simpson? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Loads of Rangers fans have been running the rule over their latest transfer target, as the Gers reportedly want to sign Aberdeen loanee Greg Stewart.

According to The Daily Record, Stewart’s move to Ibrox is “edging closer”, as the club have stepped up their pursuit of the forward in the last 24 hours.

Stewart, who has joined Aberdeen on loan in January, will be out of contract this summer, effectively making him a bargain regardless of what wages are on offer.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Pl>ymaker FC…

The Birmingham ace has spent time with four different Scottish sides now, but has only managed to rack up 22 appearances in England since joining the Blues in 2016.

This, combined with the fact that he has not exactly been a sure-fire starter with the Dons this season, has got plenty of Gers fans turning their noses up at the prospect of bringing him to Glasgow.

However, the forward does possess that little bit of craft and guile that could help Steven Gerrard’s side unlock deep defences, something they have struggled with this season.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans are split on moving for Stewart…

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The Sun are reporting that Borussia Dortmund and former Manchester City winger Jadon Sancho is top of Manchester United’s transfer list for the summer window.

What’s the word, then?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly considering four England stars to sign after the season’s end, Sancho, West Ham United’s Declan Rice, Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Crystal Palace and Leicester City’s Harry Maguire.

Sancho is just 19 and one of the brightest prospects in Europe.

After breaking onto the Bundesliga scene in 2017/2018, he’s made 47 senior appearances for Dortmund, scoring 10 goals, bagging a remarkable 21 assists and breaking into Gareth Southgate’s England squad to become a full international.

Sanchez out, Sancho in

It’s time Man United admit that the deal to bring Alexis Sanchez in from Arsenal was a complete disaster and get rid of the Chilean.

At the moment, the 30-year-old is hoovering up wages with little contribution to Solskjaer’s recent success, his ridiculous £350,000 per week salary could even be disturbing the harmony of the squad.

It makes perfect sense to give up on Sanchez now and identify the wage waster’s perfect replacement, Sancho, and make the wonderkid a Red Devil.

In the 19-year-old, who is valued at £72 million by Transfermarkt, United would be signing the player they thought they were getting in Sanchez – but a much younger and better version.

Like Sanchez, Sancho likes to play out on the wing, although he is versatile enough to suit most positions within the attack, from central attacking midfielder to striker.

One could perhaps argue that replacing a left winger with a right winger would make no sense, however, while left wing by trade, the injury-prone ex-Gunner Sanchez has played on both flanks in Manchester.

And, despite the fact it would presumably take a ludicrous fee to sign someone who hasn’t even made 50 appearances in one of Europe’s top five leagues yet, Ed Woodward must pay whatever it takes to bring in one of the brightest talents in world football to fill the boots of an ageing and useless former star.