Swansea Injury News: Bersant Celina a doubt for Norwich clash but absence would give Bony a chance

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According to Swansea City’s official website, attacking midfielder Bersant Celina is a doubt for Saturday’s clash with top of the table Norwich, but this could allow Wilfried Bony his chance to start.

What’s the latest?

The Swans website reports that Celina was due to link up with the Kosovan national team for matches against Malta and Azerbaijan during this international break, but the 22-year-old was forced to stay in Wales for treatment on a groin injury.

He will now be assessed ahead of Norwich’s visit on Saturday, but the club have not offered any firm return date.

The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

Celina was signed by Potter for £3m from Manchester City this summer after he impressed on a loan spell with Ipswich last season, scoring seven league goals in 35 appearances for the Tractor Boys.

He has continued that form with his new club too and, generally playing in the number 10 role, he has netted twice and provided one assist for the Swans.

Bony’s chance

There is no doubt that Celina would be a big miss if he is ruled out for Saturday’s clash with the league leaders. However, it could allow striker Wilfried Bony his first major chance to impress Potter since returning from a long-term injury.

The Ivory Coast international replaced Celina late on in the Swans’ last game against Bolton, but he could be included from the start up alongside the in-form Oliver McBurnie to give Potter’s side a frightening attacking threat.

Bony has been out for nine months after damaging knee ligaments in a Premier League game against Leicester back in February. The 29-year-old is a top striker though and, now in his second spell with Swansea, he has netted 38 times in 89 appearances for the club.

So, Swansea fans, would you like to see Bony start on Saturday? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

HYS: Who is West Ham’s signing of the summer?

West Ham were the busiest team in the Premier League this summer, but who will prove to the Hammers’ best summer signing?

West Ham have started the season very poorly, but there is still an overriding sense of hope due to the mass overhaul that took place in the summer.

The much-maligned owners brought in a world class manager, and backed him up with the capital he wanted, bringing in a whopping nine players.

Jack Wilshere on a free signing may be the smartest piece of business, while the deadline day capture of Arsenal forward Lucas Perez could prove to be quite the bargain.

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Felipe Anderson was brilliant in the loss to Arsenal, and fans have high hopes that the Brazilian winger can be their next Dimitri Payet-style superstar.

Then there is Carlos Sanchez, who despite not being a glamorous signing could actually prove to the most necessary capture of the lot.

One man who hasn’t impressed thus far is £22m signing Issa Diop, who was at fault for the crucial goal at the Emirates Stadium.

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So, West Ham fans, who do you think is your signing of the summer? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…

Leeds owner Radrizzani set to keep the faith with the under-fire Christiansen

According to reports in the Yorkshire Evening Post, under-pressure Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen still expects to be in charge after the international break with owner Andrea Radrizzani set to keep the faith with the 44-year-old.

Six wins, two draws and just one defeat had seen the Whites top the Championship standings nine matches into the season, but the Yorkshire outfit have lost six and picked up just a single victory since a win against Ipswich Town towards the end of September.

The latest of those defeats came in a 3-1 loss against Brentford at Griffin Park on Saturday, which saw Leeds drop down to 10th in the league table.

Christiansen’s men were particularly sluggish in the first-half against the Bees and the former APOEL FC chief stated afterwards that he believes his side will learn from their mistakes following an improved second-half showing.

His situation was certainly not helped by midfielder Mateusz Klich’s activity on Twitter earlier this week, which suggest he is unhappy at not being given much of an opportunity by his manager.

While the Dane will have the opportunity to work on the training pitch with the majority of his players during the international break, the likes of Stuart Dallas, Pontus Jansson and Eunan O’Kane face crucial World Cup qualifying play-off fixtures with their respective countries.

Leeds play host to Middlesbrough a week on Sunday and it could prove to be an interesting atmosphere considering it will be the first time that Boro boss Garry Monk has returned to Elland Road since he decided not to stay during the summer.

Fans react as Leeds’ play-off dream dies at home to Norwich

Leeds United’s hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs took a fatal blow on Saturday when they failed to beat Norwich City at Elland Road.3-0 down at half-time thanks to a Stephen Naismith goal and a Nelson Oliveira double, the home side actually gave a spirited attempt to try and claw their back for a vital three points but just could get the all important fourth goal.They fought until the death and goals from Chris Wood, Kyle Bartley and Pablo Hernandez put them on the verge of one of the great Football League comebacks.With Fulham also drawing in their match and Sheffield Wednesday winning, only a Fulham loss, a Leeds win and a gargantuan swing in goal difference, 14 goals, would see them reach the play-offs and it’s obviously incredibly unlikely.The afternoon’s results were of course joyous for opposition fans with Sheffield Wednesday now guaranteed their spot in the race for promotion alongside Reading and Huddersfield. Fulham fans are of course confident too.Rival fans took to Twitter to rub it in to Leeds supporters…

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Proof Man United’s players are better than Man City’s?

The Manchester Derby will soon be upon us this weekend so it’s time to start thinking about which of the players on show in the first big title clash of the season will be in your FanDuel side.

Games like this require the big players to stand up and be counted but it’s also the opportunity for others to make a name for themselves in the most hostile of atmospheres. In a game that’ll likely boil over at some point, especially given the nature of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola on the side-line, you need to consider players that will keep their cool as well as be in good form to win you FanDuel points.

Here at FootballFanCast we can’t wait to see who’s going to grab the headlines in the biggest game of the season so far and FanDuel players need to make sure they’ve done their homework ahead of the fixture that could make or break their weekend.

Fortunately we’ve got some inside knowledge for you to peruse over now and if you haven’t set up an account just yet, this weekend could be the most exciting time to do it. FanDuel will match your first deposit all the way up to £400 so get going before Saturday’s huge match-up.

Could it be the big man for the big occasion? Zlatan Ibrahimovic goes into the game with three Premier League goals to his name and is bound to want to get one over both United’s title rivals and of course Pep Guardiola.

In second, you can’t rule out Wayne Rooney from producing the goods. He loves the Derby and scored one of the best goals the fixture has ever seen with his bicycle kick in 2011.

Third sees the ever-improving Raheem Sterling who, after getting a rough time of it last year, has bounced back to be one of Guardiola’s key players and will relish the challenge of proving himself on this massive stage.

In fourth we’ve got the other City player in the list Fernandinho, who has taken to the deep-lying playmaker role like a duck to water and will no doubt be vital to his team’s chances of controlling the game.

Then, finally, we have Juan Mata. The Spaniard must have been cursing his luck when Mourinho arrived but has so far featured in every match and as a big game player you can’t rule him out from doing the business this weekend.

There you have it, the five players to consider for your FanDuel team this weekend. United seem to have the edge ahead of kick-off, will that still be the case come full-time?

Think you know football? Prove it and win big money: http://po.st/FanDuelEd400

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'Let's go to the USA mummy!' – Incoming USWNT boss Emma Hayes reveals son's heart-warming 'endorsement' that helped her make 'hard' decision to leave Chelsea

Emma Hayes has revealed the heart-warming response from her son that helped her decide to take the United States women's national team job.

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  • Hayes to leave Chelsea at end of season
  • Will take charge of USWNT ahead of Olympics
  • Reveals how son helped her make tough decision
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Hayes will leave Chelsea at the end of the current season, bringing 12 incredible and illustrious years at the club to a close. She has helped turn the Blues into the dominant force in English women's football but is now set to take on a new challenge in international football, with the USWNT.

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  • WHAT HAYES SAID

    Speaking to about the decision to make the switch, Hayes recalled the moment she spoke to Harry, her five-year-old son, about the possibility of going to the United States. "I asked him, ‘Mummy’s got the chance to go and coach the USA team or we can stay here?’ and his reaction really helped me," she said. "I didn’t know what he was going to say, but he smiled, he hugged me, he kissed me and he said, ‘Let’s go to the USA, mummy, I’m really excited, I want to go to the USA!’ and I almost couldn’t believe it. That was it, that was the endorsement I needed."

    Hayes was in a difficult moment at the time U.S. Soccer's interest became known as she had just lost her father. However, she praised the federation for its "support" and said that the role was "impossible to turn down" once they had spoken about how best to make it work.

    "Truthfully, I was grieving, and I couldn’t think of anything else. I didn’t have any feeling at that point,” Hayes recalled. "So, I just felt like it was hard to make a life-changing decision, at a time that just didn’t feel right, so reaching that decision with almost a compromise to start at the end of this season was, I think, the only way I could have done it. I really can’t say enough good things about US Soccer and the way they’ve supported that decision and made me feel wanted. They’ve made me feel valued enough that they supported it. Once they agreed to all the things that really mattered to me, it was impossible to turn down."

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Hayes will certainly not be eased into the USWNT role as her first few weeks in the job will be focused on the upcoming Olympic women's football tournament, with the nation aiming to win a record-extending fifth gold medal. With four World Cup titles also to its name, the U.S. has been the biggest side in international women's soccer for a long time now.

    "Without doubt, it is a major reason I accepted the job, to go to an Olympics, a World Cup, and be leading out the most established women’s football nation,” Hayes added. "When the time comes, I will give it absolutely everything I’ve got. I know what the Olympics means to America and I’ve been made aware of that from my time living out there."

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  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Hayes has won 15 major honours in her time in charge of Chelsea. This season, the Blues are still alive in all four of the competitions they compete in, too, so could well add plenty to that total before the manager departs.

Liverpool player ratings vs West Ham: Cody Gakpo's impressive Roberto Firmino impersonation leads Reds to comeback win

The Dutch striker netted a long-range equaliser before Joel Matip headed the winner to seal a 2-1 victory at the London Stadium

Liverpool’s top-four dreams are still alive after they came from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on Wednesday.

Lucas Paqueta fired the Hammers into a 12th-minute lead, only for Cody Gakpo to equalise with a superbly-struck 25-yarder soon after.

Diogo Jota missed a pair of good chances and Jarrod Bowen had a goal ruled out for a tight offside, before Joel Matip, back in the side due to Ibrahima Konate’s injury, bulleted home a header midway through the second half to put the Reds in front.

And they were able to hold onto their lead, surviving a late penalty shout against substitute Thiago Alcantara which left Hammers boss David Moyes fuming at the final whistle.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from the London Stadium…

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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Alisson Becker (6/10):

    Has to do better with the opener, which seemed to wrong-foot him. Did fine thereafter, including a superb interception to deny Ings.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

    A joy to watch in possession, but the risks of his new role were also highlighted as West Ham got plenty of joy down Liverpool's right flank. Played in a little more orthodox fashion after the break.

    Joel Matip (8/10):

    Back in the side in style! Bullet header to give his side the lead. Played well generally after a nervy start.

    Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

    Huge touch to deny Antonio and some big headers won in his own box. Got away with some lax stuff for Bowen's disallowed goal.

    Andy Robertson (7/10):

    Good battle with Bowen, and delivered the corner from which Matip made it 2-1.

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    Midfield

    Fabinho (7/10):

    Much improved in terms of his reading of the game and recoveries in midfield. One of his best performances of the season.

    Jordan Henderson (6/10):

    Some good work out wide in the first half, but without the ball he looked leggy.

    Curtis Jones (8/10):

    Excellent off the ball and used it really well too, taking responsibility and showing composure throughout. Quietly having a pretty good run of form.

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    Attack

    Mohamed Salah (6/10):

    A threat without being at his polished best.

    Cody Gakpo (8/10):

    Superb strike to level the game. His Roberto Firmino impression looks like it's going to be a good one. Classy on the ball and links the play really well.

    Diogo Jota (5/10):

    Missed two great chances in the first half and was scruffy with his final ball.

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    Subs & Manager

    Luis Diaz (7/10):

    Got plenty of the ball and looked hungry and lively.

    Thiago Alcantara (7/10):

    Helped Liverpool regain control of the game with his poise and passing.

    Darwin Nunez (5/10):

    Came on and wasted a good counter-attacking chance. Has to tidy his game up, though his work-rate is unquestionable.

    James Milner (N/A):

    On late and immediately rattled someone.

    Jurgen Klopp (7/10):

    The intensity looks to be back in his team's play. Made the right subs at the right time.

Chukwuemeka, Garnacho & the 31 NXGN wonderkids who could become Premier League stars

The talented teenagers you simply have to keep an eye on this season

The Premier League is back, and that means that clubs up and down the country are looking for new heroes who can help make their dreams come true.

Naturally, most eyes will be on big-money summer signings, but there is nothing better than when a teenager breaks into the first team and makes an instant impact.

We've asked our friends at NXGN to help us pick out the most likely players born in 2003 or later to make that leap in 2022-23.

This time last season, they correctly predicted that Anthony Elanga, Harvey Elliott and Tino Livramento were set for breakout seasons, so keep an eye out for these names in the coming weeks and months..

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    Stefan Bajcetic (Liverpool)

    Liverpool beat both Manchester United and the threat of Brexit to bring Bajcetic to Merseyside in December 2020, and the Spain youth international's progress has been mightily impressive ever since.

    The 17-year-old, who can play in either defensive midfield or as a centre-back, has spent pre-season training with Jurgen Klopp's first team and impressed in his friendly appearances.

    Regarded as a potential long-term replacement for Fabinho at Anfield, do not be surprised to see Bajcetic make his competitive debut for the club at some stage in 2022-23.

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    Sammy Braybrooke (Leicester City)

    Captain of England's Under-18s, Braybrooke has been likened to Luka Modric due to both his physical likeness and his role as a playmaking midfielder.

    The 18-year-old reportedly turned down interest from the Bundesliga to sign a professional deal at Leicester, and played a full season of Under-23s football last term.

    Braybrooke has trained with Brendan Rodgers' first-team on a number of occasions over the past year, and now seems ready for a step up to first-team football, though perhaps that will come out on loan rather than straight away at the King Power Stadium.

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    Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea)

    The most experienced player in terms of Premier League appearances on this list, it looked for a long time this summer that Chukwuemeka would not be playing in England in 2022-23.

    The 18-year-old was left out of Aston Villa's squad for their pre-season tour after rejecting a new contract, leading to Barcelona and AC Milan stepping up their push to sign the star of England's Under-19 European Championship-winning side.

    Chelsea, however, stole in to agree a £20 million deal for midfielder Chukwuemeka, and though he could yet be loaned out again to ensure he gets plenty of first-team opportunities, English football fans should be glad that they will get to see him perform close up for a while longer.

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    Levi Colwill (Chelsea)

    Though owned by Chelsea, Colwill's breakout Premier League season is now set to come at Brighton, whom he has just joined on loan.

    The 19-year-old shone for Huddersfield Town as they reached the Championship play-off final last season, and the centre-back is now primed to make his mark on the top-flight.

    Already an England Under-21 international, many Chelsea fans believed he was ready to step up at Stamford Bridge, but the prospect of more minutes elsewhere is set to see another academy graduate depart the Blues.

Willian brinca com Luxemburgo mais calmo e se dispõe a mudar de função

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos principais jogadores do Palmeiras desde 2017, Willian tem sido mais usado por Vanderlei Luxemburgo como centroavante, substituindo Luiz Adriano. Ainda que não seja sua função de origem, o atacante contou que houve uma conversa com o treinador para tratar deste tema.

– Já joguei das duas formas, tive esta conversa com o professor Vanderlei. Não sou um centroavante de origem, como o Luiz Adriano, que além da facilidade para proteger a bola tem mais corpo e mais altura, com boa mobilidade e qualidade. Quando ele achar que for importante, como já joguei agora, estou pronto para aproveitar as oportunidades e dar bons resultados – pontuou.

Luxa e Willian já tinham trabalhado juntos em 2015, no Cruzeiro. E o atacante brincou com a nova fase do treinador, mais “light”.

– Trabalhei com ele em 2015, apesar que ele já deu uma acalmada, vamos dizer assim (risos). Ele tem uma coisa diferente, consegue resgatar algo bem profundo do atleta. Isto é importante. Ninguém está acomodado pela estrutura, temos motivos de sobra para fazermos o que amamos. Queremos conquistar e ele é vencedor – contou.

– Ele sempre foi um cara mais intenso, até falei com o (Antonio) Mello (preparador físico de Luxa), que está mais tranquilo. Daqui a pouco tem uma cobrança positiva, sem desrespeitar. Ele fora do campo é um cara totalmente doce, bem tranquilo, está sempre conversando conosco. A gente percebe esta calma dele – acrescentou.

Ainda que tenha começado o ano como reserva, Willian entrou em todas as partidas de 2020 – tanto na Florida Cup, quanto no Paulistão. Autor de dois gols na temporada, ele já foi citado como peça importante do grupo por Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

– São mais de 150 jogos no Palmeiras, 40 gols, 16 assistências… 70% do tempo como titular. O elenco sempre teve qualidade, com uma disputa grande para iniciar o jogo. Sempre enfatizei o respeito, a dedicação no dia a dia. Fico feliz pelos números, pelo título de 2018, e estou querendo viver o momento. Estou me preparando mais, criando e aproveitando as situações, com longevidade de carreira. O início está sendo bem especial, de forma saudável. Quero focar nesta competição e no início, manter a regularidade, porque 2020 será um ano bem especial, para mim e para o clube. Temos tudo para conquistar coisas importantes aqui – completou.

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Belief is the biggest gain – Mashrafe

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has said the major gain from the 2016 World T20 was the belief within the team that they can win in this format

Mohammad Isam27-Mar-2016Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has said the major gain from the 2016 World T20 was the belief within the team that they can win in this format. The Bangladesh squad arrived in Dhaka on Sunday following their 75-run defeat to New Zealand in Kolkata the previous evening, their last game of the tournament.Having made it to the Super 10s stage, Bangladesh did not win any of their Group 2 games. It was a disappointing result after having reached the final of the preceding Asia Cup with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan for the first time in Twenty20 cricket.”I don’t think anyone would be interested to take positives but there were some in this tournament,” Mashrafe said. “I think we were able to create a base for the T20 team. It was important for the players to develop a mindset for this format. It will be hard to beat us in this format from now on. I think it is crucial to have the belief whether you can win or not. Previously in T20s, we didn’t believe we could beat any team.”Bangladesh’s results were not different from the 2014 World T20, where they also made it through the first round but then lost all their games in the main draw. The difference lay in the margins – this time Bangladesh ran Australia close, and then lost a chase to India by one run after losing three wickets off the last three balls of the match.Their campaign was also hit by the bowling bans slapped on fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and spinner Arafat Sunny.Mashrafe revealed the team management had asked the BCB to see if Taskin could bowl if he didn’t bowl bouncers during the World T20.”If I speak specifically, then I can say that we accepted Sunny’s report. He has also accepted that he has to correct his action,” Mashrafe said. “Taskin’s was quite shocking. Everyone has said it, not just us. A lot of experts have agreed that there’s nothing wrong with Taskin’s bowling action. But there’s always a doubt since he has been pulled up.”Different questions come to mind when you see that his normal deliveries were fine but had problems with three bouncers. We even told the BCB that perhaps we can have him if he doesn’t bowl the bouncer. But at the end of the day that didn’t happen.”The issue of Nasir Hossain’s continued exclusion from the final XI despite being in the original squad became contentious towards the end of Bangladesh’s tournament. Shuvagata Hom was preferred after he replaced Taskin ahead of the Australia game, but it was hard to understand why Nasir was chosen in the first place when the management ultimately went for the replacement player.”These decisions are not taken by one person. We do it together,” Mashrafe said. “The combination prevented us from playing Nasir but he could have played. But the collective decision went against him. I backed Nasir in the 2015 World Cup. He is a useful cricketer. I want him to improve in his game and serve Bangladesh for a long time.”

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