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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

It’s certainly proving to be a popular topic among Birmingham City fans.

So much so that journalist Brian Dick was almost going around in circles when discussing Birmingham City, but more importantly the situation surrounding Lee Camp.

What’s he said?

Speaking during a Q&A for Birmingham Live, Dick laid out his views on the goalkeeping hierarchy at St Andrew’s and what he thinks of Birmingham’s current number one.

“I do think he gets blamed for some goals that aren’t his fault – but someone made this point on Twitter a few months back and I agree with, every time he makes any kind of save it gets eulogised about.

“Honestly, I still think he’s the best option Clotet has got.”

The best a manager can get?

If Camp really is the best option that Birmingham have at their disposal right now, they are in serious trouble going forward.

As we have covered before on FFC, he is proving to be a liability for the Blues and has already cost them a number of points this season, points that could end up costing them at the end of the season.

After all, he arguably lost his team the game when he allowed Kalvin Phillips’ effort to squirm under him last weekend.

Whilst Birmingham are in need of scoring more goals – Jutkiewicz has only netted three so far this term – they also need to re-examine their options when it comes to the goalkeeping department.

If they keep Camp in goal for much longer they are at risk of finding themselves in a relegation battle they may not be able to get out of.

Whether Clotet needs to spend money in the window or use one of the other goalkeepers they have at their disposal, it doesn’t matter.

But whilst Dick might seem to be in the fan club when it comes to Camp, the fact is he poses a threat to any prosperity that Birmingham may hold this season and needs to be given time away from the team to improve.

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Leeds came away with a 2-0 victory from Oakwell on Sunday as Eddie Nketiah and Mateusz Klich were on the scoresheet against Barnsley.

However, before the match even kicked off there was a rather comical moment in the tunnel surrounding the regular joker of the pack, Ezgjan Alioski.

In a video posted on Twitter, the North Macedonian can be seen teasing a former Leeds man in Aapo Halme.

Halme left Elland Road over the summer and was making his first appearance against his ex-employers but couldn’t get the best of his old teammates.

Alioski’s words in the tunnel provoked quite the reaction from Leeds fans on Twitter who were all quick to throw love his way.

One said that was the reason they got him on the back of their shirt while a further individual suggested he was an absolute nutter.

Another fan went as far as saying they wanted to name their child after him.

The left-sided player has played six times in the Championship this term, scoring once in the process and has since cemented his place over Barry Douglas.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Loan Watch series, which takes a closer look at those players who are aiming to galvanise their careers away from the spotlight of their parent club.

It is no secret that West Brom have quite the impressive academy setup, but a number of its starlets have found it hard to break into the first-team over recent years.

In fact, it’s actually been regarded as one of the best in the country.

Rekeem Harper made his debut over two years ago but has made just 27 appearances since then, including a meagre six minutes this season.

Whilst the fate of some of their other promising talents was already decided before the season had begun – both Sam Field and Jonathan Leko were sent on loan to Charlton Athletic for the season.

And Kyle Edwards and Nathan Ferguson were the lucky pair trusted with a place amongst the first-team setup.

But they could well be joined by one of the Addicks’ loan duo before they know it, thanks to the cunning recall clause embedded as part of their move.

Leko has particularly performed well down at the Valley, and could certainly be in line for a return to the west Midlands come January

If Grady Diangana continues to dazzle whilst himself being on loan at West Brom, then he’s likely to return to West Ham to compete for a spot in their Premier League lineup.

He’s already earned a call-up to England’s Under-21 squad.

It would make sense for Leko to be the natural replacement should that actually happen in January.

The 20-year-old has scored one goal and laid on two assists in just 343 minutes of football, also picking up one Man of the Match award, per WhoScored.

His attacking output for Charlton has been more than reasonable, averaging 1.4 shots per game as well as 1.2 dribbles per match.

Only Diangana has registered more goals and dribbles than the young winger, which goes to show that he could easily rival his Baggies teammates if he came back.

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أجرى مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، كريم بنزيما، حوارًا مع مجلة “Icon” الإسبانية، حيث تحدث عن صفاته الشخصية وبداياته الصعبة مع الملكي.

ويعد بنزيما أحد أبرز اللاعبين في ريال مدريد خلال الموسمين الماضي والحالي تحت قيادة المدير الفني زين الدين زيدان، حيث أصبح الاعتماد عليه لقيادة هجوم الفريق الإسباني بعد رحيل كريستيانو رونالدو، إلى يوفنتوس في عام 2018.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماركا: مارس الفرصة الأخيرة لبقاء راموس مع ريال مدريد

وجاءت تفاصيل المقابلة بين بنزيما ومجلة “Icon” كالتالي:

هل المال يجلب السعادة؟

– “لا، أعتقد أن الناس ستتفق مع تلك المقولة، المال يجعل الكثير من الأشياء أسهل، لكن الأمر لا يتطلب الملايين لأكون سعيدًا، عندما كنت صغيرًا، لم يكن لدي أي شيء على الإطلاق لكنني كنت سعيدًا حيث كان يمكنني أن أبقى طوال اليوم أركل الكرة في الحائط ومرآب منزلي، كنت طفلًا أعيش من أجل كرة القدم فقط”.

حدثنا عن الصداقة في حياتك؟

– “ليس لدي سوى صديق واحد فقط، وهذا ما يدل على أن الصداقة أمر مهم جدًا بالنسبة لي”.

وعن والدك؟

– “أنا شخص كثير الطلبات، ولذلك فأنا ممتن لوالدي لأن ما أصبحت عليه في الوقت الحالي يرجع لعقليتي الصلبة وكذلك لجودة التعليم الذي تلقيته خلال مراحل دراستي”.

وماذا عن الانتقال إلى ريال مدريد؟

– “كان عمري 21 عامًا فقط، سافرت بمفردي للانضمام إلى ريال مدريد ولم تتمكن عائلتي من مرافقتي كنت أقضي كل وقتي معهم، لذلك كانت بداياتي صعبة للغاية”.

ما هي أهمية وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي بالنسبة لك؟

– “تمنحني الفرصة لأكون بالقرب مع من يحبونني، هذه هي العلاقة التي يجب أن تكون بيني وبين جمهوري أكثر من مجرد كرة القدم وهذا ما يجعلني أقوم بنشر بعض صوري مع أطفالي لأنهم رائعون ويستحقون ذلك”.

وقضية فالبوينا والابتزاز الجنسي؟

– “لحظة صعبة للغاية في مسيرة كانت بها العديد من لحظات الصعود والهبوط التي عشتها، لكن كل إنسان يواجه تحديات، رغم صعوبة الموقف الذي مررت به لكن كان لدي الدعم والقدرة النفسية الكافية للتعامل مع الأجواء المحيطة خاصة وأنني شخص لا أستسلم أبدًا”.

وماذا عن صورتك أمام الرأي العام؟

– “لماذا تريد أن تقلق بشأن هذا إذا كنت تتصرف على طبيعتك؟ عليك أن تحب نفسك، إذا انتظرت أن يقول لك الناس أنهم يحبونك، فأنت لم تفهم أي شيء في الحياة”.

وفيروس كورونا؟

– “آمل أن نخرج من هذه الفوضى قريبًا، لا نحب اللعب بدون جمهور، لكننا اعتدنا على الوضع الحالي أيضًا، لأننا نحب كرة القدم ونحن سعداء بالاستمرار بالملاعب”.

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Oh David Luiz. Arsenal have gotten used to seeing their centre-backs making costly mistakes – after all, the north London side have had to bare witness to Shkodran Mustafi in recent years.

But following his shock dead-line day arrival from rivals Chelsea, David Luiz has come into Unai Emery’s line-up from the second Premier League game of the season.

The Brazil international started again against Liverpool, and boy did he have a day to forget. The veteran centre-back was penalised for pulling back Mohamed Salah inside the penalty area, before getting torn apart for the Egyptian’s second goal just minutes later.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

After seeing the 32-year-old’s horror performance, Arsenal fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the summer signing.

Many supporters of the north London side were fuming with the defender’s mistakes and suggested Chelsea had the right idea in selling him.

Indeed, some insisted Luiz could have no complaints, with one fan in particular claiming that the centre-back simply isn’t “good enough”.

Check out some of the reaction of Arsenal fans below:

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Neil Lennon has rubbished reports that he wants to sign Sergio Quintero, claiming he’s never heard of the Ecuador U20 international, according to BBC Sportsound.

What’s the story?

Lennon was speaking after the 3-1 victory in Bosnia over FK Sarajevo in the first round of Champions League qualification and the Celtic boss stated he’s not interested in the midfielder: “The name’s not cropped up at all, he’s not popped up on the radar.”

The 20-year-old did well at the recent U20 World Cup but given Lennon’s stance, it looks unlikely that we’ll see the Imbabura Sporting Club midfielder in the Hoops anytime soon.

The silver lining

While Quintero impressed in the U20 World Cup with his Ecuador side that reached the semi-finals his signing would surely result in Ewan Henderson dropping further down the pecking order in Celtic’s midfield. Quintero would come in to provide competition for Scott Brown and Callum McGregor as the two midfielders tasked with sitting in front of the back four (although Lennon lined his side up in a 3-5-1-1 against FK Sarajevo that was more to do with not having a right-back he trusts in the squad rather than a massive tactical shift from the Northern Irishman).

With Nir Bitton already capable of doing the ‘destroyer’ role that we saw from Quintero at the U20 World Cup it would mean even more competition for Henderson as he looks to get more game time in the Celtic side. Big things are expected of the 19-year-old Scot and he was starting to look like someone capable of playing more regularly towards the end of last season and a move for the Ecuadorian would surely impact on his playing time.

Missing out on Quintero would give Lennon the perfect excuse to play the prodigious Henderson more, accelerating his development as opposed to seeing it hindered by the arrival of a potentially big-money signing in the shape of the Ecuadorian.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking on talkSPORT, Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham has labelled reported target Harry Maguire as “perfect” for the club, and drew comparisons between the defender and some Premier League stalwarts.

What did he say?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Leicester centre-back is still very much a prime target for United this summer, but that the Red Devils have so far been unwilling to match the valuation being placed on the 26-year-old.

Sheringham has now given his seal of approval on a potential deal, and claimed that Maguire’s organisation skills hearkened back to the likes of Tony Adams and John Terry.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

He said: “I think he would be perfect. I think he’s got a calming effect on player’s around him and he doesn’t panic when he gets on the ball. He’s good in both boxes, which is always a big plus for central defenders.

“Players like Tony Adams, Steve Bruce and John Terry – they’re organised – they don’t have to be lightning quick and instead organise people around them and make sure there’s no gaps at the back and that’s what being a centre half is all about for me.”

A real presence

Whether Maguire is considered to be worth the big-money the Foxes are demanding for him is besides the point; in signing him, United would be getting a Premier League-proven defender who has shown all the characteristics of being a modern-day centre-back.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

A technically proficient defender boasting an impressive 85.6% pass accuracy last year, Maguire would undoubtedly improve a rearguard that conceded 54 goals in the Premier League – the highest of any side in the top six.

United are in dire need of a commanding centre-half; someone who can organise, cajole and lead from the back. Maguire’s performances at Leicester and at international level with England has shown he is certainly capable of doing just that.

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كشف عماد عبد العزيز، رئيس اللجنة المؤقتة لإدارة نادي الزمالك، عن توقيع بروتوكول مع وزارة الإنتاج الحربي من أجل إنشاء فرع القلعة البيضاء الجديد بمدينة السادس من أكتوبر.

وقال عماد عبد العزيز خلال مداخلة ببرنامج “نهارك أبيض” عبر شاشة قناة “الزمالك”: “تم اليوم توقيع بروتوكول مع السيد وزير الدولة للإنتاج الحربي لإنشاء فرع السادس من أكتوبر، وسوف يتم عرض تصور المشروع خلال يومين من أجل بدء التنفيذ، فهو حلم أعضاء النادي”.

وتابع: “وهذه من ضمن الأخبار السعيدة التي كان قد تحدث عنها خالد الغندور، وسيكون هناك مزيدًا من المفاجآت خلال الفترة المقبلة”.

طالع أيضا.. الزمالك يعلن تقدمه بشكوى رسمية ضد سانت إيتيان ويؤكد: لن نضم لاعب آخر

وأضاف: “يجرى الآن تصور إنشائي من خلال شركات متخصصة تابعة لوزارة الإنتاج الحربي، ونفكر في البدء بمبنى اجتماعي ومناطق حدائق وملعب كرة قدم، لأنه يجب أن يلعب ويتدرب لاعبو الفريق على ملاعب صالحة، وستكون بأمر الله مطابقة للمواصفات العالمية”.

وأتم: “إلى الآن الصفقات حسمت، ومن الوارد أن تكون هناك صفقات أخرى، ولكن استطعنا إسعاد جماهير الزمالك بالتعاقد مع مروان حمدي وسيف الدين الجزيري وأيمن حفني، فهم إضافة للعناصر الموجودة، ولو لم يتم التعاقد مع صفقات أخرى فنحن سعداء بما تم”.

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Many an eyebrow was raised in the past week when Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United confirmed that they had sold Edimilson Fernandes to Mainz of the Bundesliga for an undisclosed fee.

The international with Switzerland arrived at London Stadium from FC Sion in the summer of 2016 and was an instant hit in east London, winning the hearts of fans with a match-winning performance against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

But as time went by the 23-year-old was forced into different positions such as right-back and attacking midfield by different managers amid injury crises.

This and injuries of his own meant that things started to go a bit pear-shaped for the central midfielder, culminating in him falling out of the Swiss national squad and being sent out on loan at Fiorentina last summer.

When he returned at the end of the 2018/2019 campaign, he was told he was surplus to requirements and shipped off to Germany permanently.

Today, three Football FanCast writers give their verdicts on whether West Ham have made the right move in selling Fernandes…

Harry Sherlock

“Fernandes was never likely to play at West Ham in the coming season. He’s already 23 and he never really showed that he was likely to deliver on his potential in east London. His 48 appearances are hardly memorable and the Hammers now have money that they can reinvest into the squad, hopefully by bringing in another midfielder with greater quality who can reinforce the centre of the pitch. Shifting Fernandes, then, was a necessary step; the Hammers aren’t likely to regret it.”

Matt Dawson

“Given the performances of Fernandes whilst he was on loan in Italy West Ham were absolutely right to let him go. Although he’s 23, he seems like one of those promising players who is destined to never achieve their full potential. If he couldn’t cut it in Italy then it’s highly unlikely he’d have been able to do the business in Premier League. The Hammers have done the right thing.”

Christy Malyan

“I saw a lot of promise in Fernandes – a very athletic player who featured in a few different capacities during his time at West Ham. But the Irons’ squad does require streamlining and at the age of 23, it does feel like his Irons career had reached a point of now or never. It seems West Ham were convinced it’s a case of the latter, however, I would’ve given the midfielder a final chance next season to try and stake a claim for a first-team role.”

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Manchester United are on the hunt for a whole host of new signings after another poor campaign, though this time they’ve been left outside the top four and trophyless.

As is typical of the football off-season, constant transfer rumours surround all clubs, but perhaps not quite as many as Manchester United. The Red Devils are reportedly targeting several players in a summer overhaul and the latest to reportedly become available is none other than Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng.

The centre-back was once a force in European football and considered one of the best in the world in his position, though a rapid decline has seen him lose favour in the Bayern side as well as the German national team.

The ex-Manchester City man, who moved to Bavaria for just £12.15 million in 2011, could well be looking to move to prolong his career and continue playing regular football at the top level.

With Solskjaer struggling to find consistency in his back four, signing a centre-back looks to be of paramount importance. Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have had some of their worst seasons in a United jersey, and only Victor Lindelof has earned any real praise for his outings this year.

With the Man Unitd hierarchy looking to improve the defensive options available to their manager, not all fans are happy with the latest player to be linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Here’s what they’ve had to say about Boateng…