West Ham United fans were left fuming with Thilo Kehrer’s latest performance against Aston Villa at the weekend.
The Lowdown: Held to a draw
The Hammers were held to a 1-1 draw against Villa on Sunday, with David Moyes insisting that it was two points dropped for his side, given the amount 0f chances they created.
It was yet another frustrating result for West Ham fans, with their side now sitting in 17th place, outside of the relegation zone on goal difference alone, and one player received particularly scathing criticism on social media…
The Latest: Kehrer slammed
Fans took to Twitter during the game to express their frustration with what they deemed to be another very poor performance from Kehrer.
They said:
“Kehrer is a terrible player!” – @TerryD_
“Thilo Kehrer is a walking liability – horrific decision making and should be nowhere near a starting spot. He was tragic for PSG and how he gets near the Germany team is a mystery.” – @i_am_seamus
“How on earth does Kehrer have caps for Germany he’s awful” – @brad_hass4
“Kehrer is useless.” – @GEORGEALLXN
“Kehrer being targeted, positional/decision making terrible.” – @Stannystan
“Kehrer has been shocking, not getting close enough to Moreno allowing too much time on the ball. Watkins should’ve buried that chance such a massive let off for us.” – @AzamWHUFC
The Verdict: Must improve
It is not the first time that the German has received criticism for his performances this season, with journalist Stefan Bienkowski describing a performance for his national side as ‘horrendous’ back in November.
With an average Sofascore rating of 6.65, the 26-year-old is ranked as the worst-performing defender in the entire West Ham squad, which is extremely disappointing from a player who is clearly talented, given that he has 24 caps for Germany.
As such, Moyes will have to carefully consider whether to start Kehrer in West Ham’s next Premier League match, which is at home against Southampton at the beginning of April.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter is expected to remain in charge at Stamford Bridge for the rest of the season, according to reports in the last 48 hours.
The Lowdown: Uncertain future
The Premier League boss has been under huge pressure after a poor run of form, which has seen several candidate names being linked to take over in the capital.
Todd Boehly reportedly made contact with Mauricio Pochettino and is an admirer of Zinedine Zidane, but the 47-year-old has since secured his side a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
After Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, the Blues coach was spotted celebrating with the owner in the tunnel, who appears to have made a short-term decision on his future.
The Latest: Potter set to stay
According to the The Daily Mail’s Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel, Chelsea are expected to give Potter ‘breathing space’ which will mean he can ‘at least’ see out the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
Boehly’s consistent backing is said to have been ‘rewarded’, with concerns that he might have had to dismiss the manager now ‘nothing he needs to worry about’.
The Verdict: Risk worth taking
Potter will know that two back-to-back victories won’t have completely removed him from the spotlight but Chelsea deciding to put their full faith in him is a risk worth taking.
The Solihull-born coach has won 11, drawn seven and lost ten of his 28 games in charge so far, but qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League is a huge statement to make, with cross-town rivals Tottenham crashing out on Wednesday to show just how easily it can all fall apart in Europe.
Kai Havertz has also publicly admitted that the players are 100% behind him to succeed so it’s time for them to step up and start picking up results should they want Potter to remain in the dugout.
West Ham summer signing Gianluca Scamacca has been linked with an exit as reports from Italy make a surprise claim.
The Lowdown: Hammers player exodus?
Members of the Irons squad have been linked with potential moves away this summer.
The most obvious of these names is midfield sensation Declan Rice, who has been attracting serious interest from Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the agent of West Ham forward and current Torino loanee Nikola Vlasic has reportedly explained that the Croatia international would like to remain in Serie A.
The Latest: Scamacca eyeing West Ham exit…
Now, Italian news website PLANETAMILAN.it have shared an update involving Scamacca, as the 24-year-old allegedly ‘wants to return’ to play in Serie A.
Indeed, the striker has found it difficult to fully break into manager David Moyes’ starting eleven and is now eyeing a summer exit.
However, as AC Milan take an interest, West Ham won’t let him go for cheap – with this report claiming they will demand around £44 million for his services.
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The Verdict: Pinch of salt?
Just half way through his first season at West Ham, Scamacca is currently still finding his feet again after an injury lay-off and it could take more time for him to adapt life in the Premier League.
The Italy international suffered a knee problem mid-way through January, just after he scored in West Ham’s 2-2 draw away to Leeds, and it’s been difficult for him to fight his way back into Moyes’ eleven since.
That being said, Scamacca has netted seven goals in all competitions this season, and a hot streak of form towards the end of this campaign could seriously bring up those numbers.
Called a ‘quality’ player by members of the media, we believe the former Sassuolo star still has plenty to prove in claret and blue.
Journalist Charles Watts has hinted that Bukayo Saka should be fit for Arsenal’s next game, despite appearing to pick up a knock in their previous win.
What happened to Bukayo Saka?
The winger has been in sensational form for the league leaders this season, and was one of the stars of the show as Arsenal came from behind to win last weekend.
Saka scored the Gunners’ equaliser against Aston Villa, but was also involved in some heavy-handed duels with left-back Alex Moreno, and was limping towards the end of the game.
Mikel Arteta has spoken out about the heavy tackling Saka has had to face this season amid fears that he could pick up an injury if he is not afforded the protection he should be given.
However, Watts appears confident the winger will be available for his side’s trip to Leicester City, claiming on his YouTube channel that he is expected to make the trip as Arsenal face yet another important game in their title challenge.
He said: “Saka, in terms of team news for him, yes, he got a bit of a battering against Villa at the weekend, we saw how much he was limping. But he got through the game. He was still on there at the end, he was still sprinting.
“So Arsenal will assess him as the week goes on and make a decision on him, but I’d be very surprised if Bukayo Saka isn’t fit to feature against Leicester at the weekend.”
How important is Saka to Arsenal?
Saka is a remarkable figure of consistency when it comes to fitness, as he has featured in all of Arsenal’s last 65 league matches, which is currently more than anyone else in the Premier League.
The England international has been in sensational form, notching up nine goals and eight assists in 23 league games, scoring against Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool – proving himself as Arsenal’s main star in their biggest matches.
Based on this, you would imagine Arsenal will need Saka to continue his high level of performance if they are to go on and win the league, and an injury to their star man could prove pivotal, with Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey already absent.
Being able to select him this weekend will therefore be a massive relief for Arteta, and if he is fit, Saka will likely continue in his starting role on the right wing.
In the early years of the Premier League, in particular, Leeds United were responsible for some of the most iconic moments; strikes, victories, and defeats. Meanwhile, before the beginning of the new era of English football, it was the Yorkshire club on top with incredible success. In fact, one year before the Premier League kicked off, they sat on the English football throne, having won the league title.
Now back in the Premier League for what will be a third season come August, Leeds will be hoping to enjoy more moments to remember, whilst seeing certain players rise to fame in the process.
With that said, we’ve ranked the most famous players in Leeds United’s history.
There are plenty of players in separate positions; you're going to see Leeds' most famous forwards, Leeds' most famous midfielders, and even Leeds' most famous defenders.
10) Ian Harte
When you hear the name Ian Harte, your mind can’t help but instantly picture his incredible free-kick in the 2001 Champions League quarter-final against Deportivo La Coruna.
The full-back was a crucial part of the side that reached the Champions League last four that season.
In addition, he was a key player in the last real golden years of both the Leeds side and the Republic of Ireland national team.
A sorely underrated left-back.
9) Lee Bowyer
It could be argued that Lee Bowyer’s fame has increased since he swapped the pitch for the technical area.
As a player, he impressed many, especially when at Leeds.
Indeed, he played in the semi-finals of both the UEFA Cup and the Champions League with the Whites.
Meanwhile, as a manager, he has taken charge of Charlton Athletic, and, most recently, Birmingham, where he left in July of this year.
8) Mark Viduka
When we think of underrated strikers, we think of Mark Viduka.
The Australian was a goal scoring machine at Leeds United, even netting four in one game against Liverpool at one stage. In total, he scored 71 goals in 164 appearances for the Yorkshire club.
Viduka was a deadly finisher and also had the ability to score goals from distance, with a truly deadly strike on him.
An Australia legend, too, Viduka may go down as one of the most famous cult heroes of the Premier League era.
7) Gordon Strachan
Football – FA Carling Premier League – West Ham United v Coventry City – 12/2/01
Coventry City Manager Gordon Strachan and West Ham Manager Harry Redknapp
Mandatory Credit:Action Images / Darren Walsh
Digital
Like Bowyer, Gordon Strachan’s fame has arguably increased after his playing days.
When on the pitch, Strachan won a league title at Elland Road to match his Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, as a manager, Strachan has taken charge of Scotland, Celtic, Middlesbrough, and Southampton, most of which with great success.
However, he may well still get the warmest reception at Elland Road.
6) Gary McAllister
Most may know Gary McAllister for his time at Liverpool, but the midfielder actually made far more appearances for Leeds United, where he remains one of the best players to ever play for the club.
During his time at Elland Road, McAllister won one league title, which came in 1992.
He is perhaps better known for his time at Liverpool, but he is one of the greatest players to ever pull on the white shirt.
He even went on to manage the club briefly in 2008.
5) Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
More famous for his time at Chelsea, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink may have only spent one season at Leeds United, but he remains one of the most famous players to feature for the Yorkshire club.
The Dutchman ranks 15th in the Premier League’s all-time top goal scorers list, with 127 goals to his name.
Hasselbaink may well be best known for his time at Chelsea but he was smashing balls into the back of the net at Leeds long before rocking up at Stamford Bridge.
He is one of the very best strikers in Premier League history.
4) James Milner
Still going to this day, James Milner will go down as one of the most iconic Premier League players of all time when he eventually retires.
And he’ll do so having been born and bred at Elland Road. Since his Leeds United days, Milner has won it all in club football, from Premier League titles to Champions League trophies.
Milner went from strength to strength, winning multiple England caps, and playing for both Manchester City and Liverpool.
It wouldn't be a surprise if he ended up as a truly terrific manager too.
3) Robbie Fowler
One of the best goal scorers that the Premier League has ever seen, Robbie Fowler is another player on this list who played for both Leeds United and Liverpool.
At Anfield, he is known as God, which, as you can guess, correlates with his incredible legacy at the club.
Meanwhile, at Leeds, he didn’t exactly have the worst of times, scoring 14 goals in 32 games.
He also bagged the club a decent fee when he left, at a time when the club really needed the money.
2) Rio Ferdinand
Now, this one will be controversial. Leeds fans don’t exactly hold a special place for Rio Ferdinand, to say the least, who jumped ship to rivals Manchester United in 2002, before going on to win six Premier League titles, one Champions League, and plenty of other honours at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand was also able to nail down a spot in the England squad, representing his country at multiple European Championships and World Cups.
He was a truly elite centre-back from the moment he made his debut at West Ham, such was his range of passing and breadth of defensive skill.
He may have left, but Ferdinand remains one of Leeds' best ever players.
1) Eric Cantona
Leeds United v Wimbledon 15/8/92 Premier League
Mandatory Credit : Action Images
Eric Cantona (Leeds) is challenged by Scott Fitzgerald (Wimbledon)
Like Ferdinand, Eric Cantona played for both Leeds United and Manchester United during his career, making the move from Elland Road to Old Trafford. He remains one of the best players to ever play for both clubs.
Of course, one could make the argument that he is one of the biggest mistakes in Leeds history.
They sold him for just over £1m and he went on to inspire United to an era of unprecedented glory.
Still, what a player.
So, there you have it, our list of the most famous players to ever play for Leeds United. Were there any surprises? Did we leave anyone out? Let us know!
Those at Elland Road will be well aware that success forms a correlation with fame.
It remains to be seen how many current Leeds players will be added to this list come the end of the season.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has said that ‘there are legs’ in speculation linking Leeds United with a move for Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Lowdown: Nuno rumours
Nuno appears to be on the Elland Road managerial radar despite the club confirming this week that Michael Skubala will remain in temporary charge.
Reports have suggested that an interview has been held between the Whites and the Al-Ittihad manager, who is a surprise contender to take over in Yorkshire. There has even been speculation claiming that Leeds plan to pay Nuno’s €5m release clause.
The Latest: Jacobs’ comments
Talking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs appeared to confirm that Leeds are eyeing the former Wolves and Tottenham manager. However, the journalist then said that moves for either Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard could be a worry.
“There are legs in the Nuno Espirito Santo links and he’s a manager that comes with Premier League experience.
“I think that there’s more of a worry around Lampard or Gerrard. Gerrard is probably, of those two, the one that has been more closely linked because Leeds need a manager with a proven capability of firefighting. It’s not easy to walk into that Leeds United dressing room mid-season.”
As Jacobs mentions, Nuno has the Premier League experience that appears to be required at Leeds right now. Without a top flight victory since November, the Whites find themselves in another battle to avoid the drop, with Nuno impressing in Saudi Arabia, winning his last seven games.
Even if the worst was to happen and Leeds were to be relegated back to the Championship, the 49-year-old has experience of guiding a club back to the Premier Legaue, winning the second-tier title at Molineux.
Overall, Nuno has 211 wins as a manager from 428 games, so he could be the ideal candidate at this moment in time after moves for Raul, Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola, Arne Slot and Marcelo Gallardo failed to go through.
Leeds United’s search for a manager drags on, but another name has cropped up that could be of interest…
What is the latest on Marcelo Gallardo to Leeds?
That’s according to journalist Ariel Senosiain, as reported by German Garcia Grova (via Sport Witness), who claim that the Whites want Marcelo Gallardo to be their next boss.
So much so that it is noted that chairman Andrea Radrizzani had made contact with the 47-year-old ‘a few weeks ago’, clearly envisioning Jesse Marsch’s downfall ahead of time.
The Yorkshire outfit awaits the response from the former River Plate boss who only left in December 2022, after a nearly nine-year spell in his homeland.
What would Gallardo’s appointment mean for Leeds?
Appointing a manager of his calibre would be an enthralling one for Leeds fans, but somewhat risky given his lack of experience in Europe.
His main venture into management remains with Los Millonarios barring a short spell at Club Nacional, as he oversaw 424 matches before stepping down of his own volition.
To maintain 1.88 points per game throughout that period does mark him out as an exceptional manager, with his play style also capturing the imagination as he combined success with style.
He would win nine trophies whilst at River Plate but would do so with an enthralling high press system that drew attention from many across the world.
Even Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has praised his work at the club, claiming:
“What Gallardo has done with River is incredible. Every year three coaches are named as the best in the world, and he’s never among them. I can’t understand it. It’s as if there’s nothing else in the world apart from Europe.”
Such was his philosophy that he actually has drawn comparisons to another great Argentinian coach in Mauricio Pochettino, as journalist Alasdair Gold noted:
“Gallardo is certainly growing his reputation and some people believe he’s similar to Pochettino in style”.
The former Tottenham Hotspur coach saw his methods thrive in the Premier League, and despite not being able to end Spurs’ barren trophy run, he still increased his pedigree enough to secure him the Paris Saint-Germain job after.
However, Gallardo is not a wholly all-action boss, as within his first season in Argentina he adopted a pragmatic defensive approach with which he build the foundation for his future success.
Given their current predicament, this would suit Leeds perfectly, as they have conceded 36 goals already in just 21 games and have not won since domestic football recommenced.
As a proven winner with tactical flexibility, tempting him to Elland Road would mark a huge coup as he would likely continue his ‘incredible’ job from Buenos Aires to west Yorkshire.
Danny Higginbotham believes Marcus Rashford cut a frustrated figure during Manchester United’s disappointing draw last night.
The Lowdown: Ten Hag will be frustrated
Despite coming back from 2-0 down against a bitter rival, Erik ten Hag will likely be furious with his side, who put themselves into a difficult position against a relegation-threatened opponent.
When Man United found themselves 2-0 down against Leeds United, it was clear that something had to change – and that’s what happened when Wout Weghorst was hooked off after 59 minutes.
This then allowed the in-form Rashford to be moved more centrally as Jadon Sancho took up a spot out on the wing, and that appears to have been a smart move given how frustrated Rashford appeared to look, according to Higginbotham.
The Latest: Rashford has to be the main man
It’s bizarre given Rashford’s form of late that Ten Hag would force him into a different position to the one he’s been thriving in, and it didn’t pay off until he got moved, as Higginbotham stated on The 2 Robbies podcast.
He said: “He played three different positions in the game. The first half, Garnacho obviously was playing left wing, so that meant Rashford went to the right wing.
“I think he cuts a frustrated figure in that position. He’s been at his best on the left, driving inside, and when he doesn’t play on the left, I think it affects other players. I think it affects Luke Shaw, who wants to get into that space that would naturally be left by Rashford tucking inside, but because Garnacho was there, Luke Shaw didn’t have any space to get into.”
The Verdict: Man United must keep Rashford fit and firing
Rashford hasn’t just been one of Man United’s most in-form players, but one of the Premier League’s best players. Since the turn of the year, last night’s goal means he’s now scored five times in 2023, which is more than Liverpool and Chelsea have managed as a team, and led to analyst Statman Dave labelling him a ‘monster’.
Especially when the player who took his natural and favoured spot on the left was an 18-year-old in Garnacho – who’s got just one senior goal to his name – it’s perhaps unlikely Ten Hag will set up like this anytime soon.
Given the sheer number of important games Man United have coming up including two matches against Barcelona and a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United, Ten Hag must ensure Rashford doesn’t get the hump by being moved out of position and keep him fit during this run of games.
Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici added to Tottenham Hotspur’s squad in the January transfer window by bringing in Arnaut Danjuma and Pedro Porro from Villarreal and Sporting Lisbon respectively.
The pair have both arrived on loan and could join permanently in the summer, and they could play a big part in the second half of the season as Spurs push for a top-four finish in the Premier League again.
Whilst the main focus for the club will now be on finishing the current campaign strongly and winning silverware, via the FA Cup or Champions League, Paratici and Conte could also have one eye on the summer.
Football London recently reported that Spurs will be in the market to add two central defenders to their squad, as they would like to sign a left-sided centre-back and a player who can be deployed in the middle or on the right of the back three.
The report named RB Leipzig enforcer Josko Gvardiol as one of the club’s top targets to improve their backline but added that they are unlikely to sign him ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as he may be out of their price range and could have more attractive suitors.
Conte could now land a dream alternative to the Croatian by moving on from the World Cup star to pursue a deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, who is also reportedly of interest to Tottenham.
Both players are 21-year-old left-footed, centre-backs who play in the Bundesliga, and this makes for a fair comparison between them and their form this season.
Hincapie has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.78 across 16 appearances in the German top flight for Leverkusen this term. The £80m-rated gem has completed 82% of his attempted passes and made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per match, whilst winning 53% of his individual duels.
Meanwhile, Gvardiol has averaged a rating of 6.74 and made 1.3 tackles and interceptions per outing, winning 58% of his battles whilst completing 89% of his passes in the Bundesliga for Leipzig, as per Sofascore.
Both Hincapie and Gvardiol also rank in the top 3% of players in their position in Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed per 90 over the last 365 days, which suggests that they would suit the outside left centre-back role in Conte’s system, driving out from the back to build up play.
These statistics suggest that Hincapie, who has been dubbed “dominant in the air” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would be a dream alternative to Gvardiol if Tottenham are unable to afford, or convince, the Croatian in the summer.
The Ecuador international has performed to a similarly excellent standard in the Bundesliga this season and provides similar qualities as a left-footed defender who suits playing in a wider role, which is why Conte must push Paratici to secure a deal for the 21-year-old as a dream alternative to the Leipzig gem.
Aside from recruiting a new top-class centre-forward, it would appear that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is also keen to secure ‘another leading midfielder’ ahead of next season, having already strengthened with the signing of Casemiro last summer.
According to The Mirror, a possible target for the Red Devils could well be West Ham United captain Declan Rice, with the Old Trafford giants – along with Premier League rivals Chelsea – said to be ‘monitoring’ the 24-year-old’s situation.
Although the suggestion is that Arsenal are leading the way for the Englishman’s signature at present, there will no doubt be an almighty scramble among the division’s elite clubs to win the race, particularly amid claims that he could now be worth around £60m.
With Irons manager David Moyes having previously valued the 39-cap sensation at a fee of more than £150m, that potential drop in asking price comes with the player having just 17 months remaining on his existing deal at the London Stadium.
The signing of the former Chelsea academy asset could help to take United to “another level”, with Rice having arguably been the “best central midfielder in the country” in recent times, according to Paul Parker.
Securing the services of such a highly-coveted star who has racked up 221 games for West Ham across all fronts could well allow Ten Hag the chance to offload the peripheral figure of Scott McTominay, with the Scotland international having been attracting notable interest of late.
Although it would appear that the 26-year-old is unlikely to be sold this month, his long-term future at the Theatre of Dreams does appear somewhat uncertain, having started just one league game since the 6-3 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City in early October.
Having been described as “not good enough” by club legend Roy Keane, the United academy graduate has failed to truly win over fans and pundits alike since emerging into the first team during Jose Mourinho’s tenure, with it set to be no real surprise if he is moved on in the near future.
The difference in quality with Rice is laid bare by the fact that the West Ham captain has averaged 2.3 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game from his 20 league appearances this season, while McTominay has averaged just 1.3 and 0.6 respectively for the same two metrics from his 15 outings.
Equally, Rice’s ball-winning brilliance is showcased by his ranking in the top 7% in Europe’s big five leagues among those in his position for interceptions made, while the current Red Devils dud ranks in the bottom 45% in that regard.
The Three Lions star also comes out on top for his composure in possession, as he ranks in the top 6% for pass completion and averages 1.3 key passes per game this term, while McTominay ranks in just the top 46% for pass completion and averages only 0.2 key passes per 90.
That should indicate the potential improvement that Ten Hag could make to his midfield by snapping up the £60k-per-week “force of nature” – as lauded by journalist Rob Blanchette – from the London Stadium.