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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

West Bromwich Albion return to Championship action this weekend after their quest for promotion to the promised land was put on hold for two weeks.

The Baggies host a Sheffield Wednesday side that currently sit on the cusp of the playoffs at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

Slaven Bilic’s men have a two-point cushion over the chasing pack of Preston North End and Leeds United, so they will be looking for a result to keep them at arm’s length.

Although, their task is made all that more difficult through the absence of midfield duo Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers, who have started every single league game together this season.

One man’s loss is another man’s gain.

Bilic does not have a wealth of reliable options in the role, so it really could be a free-for-all for a spot in the starting line up.

Each potential replacement comes with some sort of drawback – Gareth Barry has only just returned from a career-threatening injury, Filip Krovinovic is more of a number ten, Chris Brunt has played just 13 minutes from three substitute appearances, and Semi Ajayi is centre-back by trade.

How about Rekeem Harper?

The 19-year-old box-to-box prospect has only played six minutes in the league this campaign and has not even featured in a matchday squad since August.

Which is somewhat perplexing considering how desperate the club were to keep hold of him in the summer amidst interest from the likes of Juventus and Liverpool.

Now there is a huge opportunity to prove himself.

His manager’s incoming decision on team selection will speak volumes about his future career, and not necessarily just in the west Midlands.

If he plays?

It will give him a chance to showcase the talent that has had him hyped up as one of the Baggies’ brightest young talents – Total Football Analysis have compared his style of play to both former Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele and their current powerhouse Tanguy Ndombele as he possesses raw power, passing and strong dribbling.

West Brom fans have only seen him feature 27 times since his debut in August 2017, so there is a case to be made over how unfulfilled his potential really is – Harper was just the second player born post-2000 to play in the top-flight.

The Albion starlet needs to grasp this chance if it’s handed to him so that he can forge a career in the blue and white stripes.

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If he doesn’t play?

Then his time at the Hawthorns may be coming to an end as if he can’t start in the absence of two players in his position, then what hope does he have for the rest of the season.

Bilic clearly doesn’t fancy him too much as he’s not even been named as a substitute in 14 straight league outings.

His lack of game time under the Croatian must also open up serious doubts to any potential suitors that may want to take him on loan, or if push comes to shove, permanently.

We will surely soon find out Harper’s true destiny by full-time on Saturday afternoon.

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…

Jurgen Klopp has continued the mind games with Manchester City after stating that their performance at Anfield last season “was probably the biggest show of respect” he faced as a manager.

What did he say?

The German’s comments come not long after Pep Guardiola and Sadio Mane went back and forth about the claims of the Senegal international diving. Now, it seems the Liverpool boss wants to keep the ball rolling.

Klopp told Sky Sports: “In the last couple of years, we both gave a lot of respect for each other. City’s performance at Liverpool last season was probably the biggest show of respect one of my teams ever got. That’s how it is.

“They played differently to what they usually do – that’s true. But, that’s football. We all have to make a plan for one game, and in this specific case against one of the best sides in the world.

“We play at home, and last season we played a game at theirs where we lost by 11 millimetres otherwise the ball was in [John Stones’ clearance on the goal line] and it was another draw.

“I think that would have been deserved, so there are tight games and that’s how it is when high-quality teams face each other, so I expect another tight game.”

Close as it gets

As the two met at Anfield last season, both clubs were laying down a marker for an early title chase. The draw left both sides on 20 points after eight games, extending City’s winless run at Anfield to 15 years.

However, Riyad Mahrez had a glorious chance to snatch three points and surely alter the course of the upcoming season. The winger blazed over a penalty in the dying seconds of the game in a moment that saw City squander an opportunity to stamp their authority on the title race.

Now, this time around, things may be just as close. City have a growing injury list and are visiting the stadium where they never win. Last year, City had just 51% of the ball against the Reds, which in a Guardiola side, does show an awful lot of respect.

Later in the season, Stones’ clearance off the line was saved by millimetres at the Etihad, as the champions went onto win the title by a point.

It was a title race defined by the finest of fine margins and, despite the fact Liverpool could go nine-points clear this weekend, it looks like we could be set for a similar scenario this season.

Many West Ham United fans were left questioning what Ryan Fredericks must have done wrong after Manuel Pellegrini opted against starting the right-back at home to Newcastle on Saturday.

Fredericks had begun each of the Irons’ opening nine Premier League fixtures, but fell to the bench against Sheffield United last week and remained on the back-up list for the visit of the Magpies.

Some Hammers fans could not understand why Pellegrini favoured Pablo Zabaleta over the 27-year-old, though, with one suggesting there must be an agenda against Fredericks, while many simply questioned the Argentine’s decision not to play the 5 foot 11 defender.

Every Premier League club’s WORST player is named and shamed in the video below…

Fredericks had averaged 2.8 successful tackles per ninety minutes from 4.1 attempts in his nine top-flight appearances of the term before falling to the bench, along with recording 1.0 interceptions, 0.9 blocks and 1.0 key balls, per WhoScored data.

Zabaleta, meanwhile, did not register a successful tackle against Sheffield United until the 90th-minute last week, in a performance also encompassing three interceptions, two clearances and one key pass.

So when West Ham announced that Zabaleta would be starting instead of Fredericks against Newcastle, these were some of the reactions offered…

Alan Shearer has included Steve Bruce and Allan Saint-Maximin in his Premier League Team of the Week, and fans believe the winger is well-deserving of inclusion.

He was a menace against West Ham on Saturday, particularly in the first half as he got in behind the defence on frequent occasions, and though he didn’t find the target himself he did help his side to a 2-0 lead at the break.

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The Frenchman is beginning to win over the crowd at St James’ Park with his pace and direct style, and if he is able to maintain a rate of 3.6 successful dribbles per game then he should be very popular.

Many supporters have used Shearer’s nomination – which shows the pundit rates the 22-year-old – to show their support for the winger, who was left feeling grateful at receiving recognition from such a Magpies icon.

Here are some of the reactions from fans to Shearer’s selection, many of whom are telling Saint-Maximin that he deserves to be included.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

To suggest Gaetano Berardi was under pressure at Leeds would be an understatement.

Following his eighth red card since arriving from Sampdoria in 2014, one that for him was fortunately overturned, he bounced back in brilliant fashion against Birmingham.

Talk about his future at Elland Road has been lingering over him for the last two weeks. Will a new contract will be given to him? Supporters certainly hope not.

That being said, his outing against Birmingham and the almighty presence of Lukas Jutkiewicz on Saturday did enough to swat away the doubters for the time being.

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Berardi should be on his final warning at Leeds now. There have simply been too many red cards and moments of ill-discipline in his time in west Yorkshire but he passed his first strike under Marcelo Bielsa with flying colours.

He not only looked composed and comfortable but also relaxed on the ball. Is this really Berardi we’re talking about? It almost seems hard to believe.

What benefitted Berardi greatly this weekend was the fact he was playing in a three-man defence composed of the Swiss, Ben White and Luke Ayling.

We’ve documented in the past how he’s more suited to that system and giving him cover certainly enabled for a more comfortable afternoon for Leeds as they secured a clean sheet.

It feels out of place to suggest Berardi was one of the difference-makers on the club’s centenary but it would be harsh to claim otherwise.

Why are Leeds fans the best in the country? Find out in the video below…

Coming up against the 6 foot 1 frame of Jutkiewicz, he won four aerial duels throughout the game and also committed just one foul. Not only that, but the 31-year-old also came away victorious from two challenges, via WhoScored.

Playing at left centre-back in a three-man defence looks to suit the defender far more than in a two. This could be because he’s playing closer to the more natural left-back role he’s occupied at other times in his career.

He was given a platform to thrive and after droves of criticism in recent weeks, the central defender proved he does have what it takes.

The challenge for Berardi now is whether he can establish consistency. If he is indeed on a final warning in terms of earning a new contract, he’ll have to produce performances like this on a regular basis.

That’s certainly easier said than done for such an error-prone individual.

Everton are having a torrid time as of late.

Indeed, the Toffees have had a shocking start to the season as they sit in the relegation zone after eight league games.

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There haven’t been many bright sparks for the Merseyside outfit this term, but despite the team’s poor results one player has continued to impress.

Indeed, Lucas Digne’s performances haven’t wavered during Everton’s dip, and the French left-back retweeted a stat that shows just how good he has been this term.

The Frenchman shared a stat to his followers that shows he has created the second-highest number of chances of defenders in the top-flight – two of those have led to assists and he also has a goal in the League Cup.

Only Trent Alexander-Arnold has created more opportunities than the Everton man from the back this term.

Check out the real life version of FIFA 20’s Volta Football in the video below…

If the Toffees were more clinical in front of goal then Digne would have many more assists to his name, though we’re not sure the Goodison faithful will be overly chuffed with him retweeting posts that also show just how lethal the Scouser across the park is.

The Manchester-born defender spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where he was trusted to hold the line for 30 Championship games for the promotion-chasing side. Blackburn Rovers are the latest club to host his talents on a temporary basis.

We’re sensing a potential Kompany replacement somewhere down the line, as it is clear the young prospect aspires to be like his parent club’s skipper.

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أفادت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن نادي تشيلسي موافق على رحيل الظهير الأيسر إيمرسون بالميري، وسط اهتمام كبير من داخل إيطاليا باللاعب.

مدافع روما السابق هدفًا لـ إنتر ميلان ونابولي، اللذين ارتبطا بالتعاقد مع اللاعب في يناير الماضي.

وحسب موقع “كالشيو ميركاتو” الإيطالي، لايزال نابولي وإنتر يراقبان عن كثب اللاعب صاحب الـ26 عامًا والذي سينتهي عقده في يونيو 2022.

يزعم التقرير أن تشيلسي منفتح على بيع إيمرسون، وفقًا لشروطهم فقط، وبحسب ما أفاد مصدر بالنادي الإنجليزي، أن البلوز موافق على 20 مليون يورو لرحيل اللاعب.

إيمرسون لعب 11 مباراة هذا الموسم في جميع المسابقات حتى الآن، ومباراة واحدة فقط مع توماس توخيل في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي وكانت أمام بارنسلي.

إيمرسون لعب 12 مباراة مع المنتخب الإيطالي منذ أن ظهر لأول مرة في سبتمبر 2018.

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Steve Bruce has revealed that Jonjo Shelvey picked up a knee injury against Arsenal, and the Magpies now look dangerously short of options in the middle of the park.

What’s the word?

We were unsure how Bruce was going to line his new-look Newcastle side up, but the former Sheffield Wednesday boss opted for a 5-3-2 in the 1-0 defeat to the Gunners.

Everything fell apart after left-back Jetro Willems replaced Shelvey though, and now it seems the ex-Liverpool midfielder may miss more than just the final 40 minutes of Sunday’s clash.

This could become a major issue if the gaffer wants to continue with three central midfielders.

As reported by The Chronicle, he said: “Jonjo was injured. We don’t think it’s too serious, but he was restricted in his movement.

“We don’t expect it to be too bad.”

And then there were three

The good news of course is that Bruce doesn’t believe the injury to be severe, but the Englishman has suffered a serious knee injury before, so they certainly can’t rush him back.

Even if he only misses a couple of games, Jack Colback was not included in the club’s Premier League squad, while Mo Diame left Tyneside when his contract expired this summer.

This means the manager now only has three fit players for the position – Sean Longstaff, Isaac Hayden and Ki Sung-yeung.

Longstaff himself has only just recovered from injury and is still very new to top-flight football, while Ki has only played 19 times for the club.

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Put simply, Hayden is now the sole fit midfielder with any real experience and there is absolutely zero depth, meaning one more injury could force Bruce into the type of decision he made on Sunday, forcing someone to play out of position.

That failed move effectively won the game for Arsenal thanks to Willems’ mistake and the lack of shape once Shelvey went off, and Magpies fans better hope Shelvey recovers quickly, or it may not be the last time we see the boss shoehorn players into their second of third best positions.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Rather bizarrely, Leeds will go into the new campaign without a replacement for Pontus Jansson.

The Swede left for a measly £5.5m earlier in the transfer window, joining Brentford after it was claimed he had problems with his attitude.

Ben White has arrived on loan from Brighton but despite Marcelo Bielsa being described as a big fan, it would be foolish to place faith in someone so young who has minimal experience at this level.

As a result, the Argentine must place more faith in one of his best performers from the previous season.

On the chalkboard

Leeds fans haven’t been shy in making their feelings felt on their defensive frailties in pre-season.

It seems to have been a huge issue for the Whites after they lost 4-0 to Manchester United with Gaetano Berardi next to Liam Cooper.

White, himself, made an error against Cagliari which makes things increasingly uncertain going into their opening match of the season.

Cooper, of course, was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year but who he lines up alongside on the opening weekend remains to be seen.

After Berardi was sent off in the playoffs he won’t feature on Sunday, but one man who needs to be given more responsibility in that area of the pitch is Kalvin Phillips.

The defensive midfielder was the subject of a £15m bid from Aston Villa towards the back end of last week and played 13 times at centre back last term.

Defensively he was exceptional throughout 2018/19, making 2.6 tackles per game whilst also winning 2.6 aerial duels on average each match.

When playing at the heart of defence, he lost just twice which proves Leeds can still perform when he’s trusted in that position.

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With options limited in that part of the pitch, there are far worse ideas than giving Phillips a consistent run at centre-back.

In July 2018, the 23-year-old told Leeds Live: “As long as I’m playing games I’m not really fussed where I play. Like I said, I can play anywhere in midfield, I can play centre-half so obviously it’s a good thing to have when you can be a utility player as well.”

And that can play into his hands providing he does stay at the club next season.

Phillips has proven himself to be an excellent utility player but it could be in defence where he shines in 2019/20.

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