Chief football writer Graham Smyth and reporter Joe Urquhart discussed Leeds United’s current situation on Inside Elland Road podcast and touched upon the subject of Kalvin Phillips.

The 24-year-old midfielder missed Leeds’ clash against Middlesbrough at the end of February and while Marcelo Bielsa insisted the team can cope well without him, Smyth doesn’t seem to fully agree with that statement.

He highlighted that their opposition had more control due to the player’s absence and even though he does admit it’s not the end of the world if he’s not there, it still makes quite a difference.

Here’s what he said for Inside Elland Road podcast (27/2/2020): “I slightly disagree with Bielsa that Leeds United cope well without Phillips. I don’t think they cope brilliantly. I think they cope okay, but I don’t think they cope brilliantly and I feel like they’d have had a lot more control in that game. Boro would have had a lot less success in the middle of the pitch and Leeds would have had the ball more I think.”

Of course, the crucial player he is, Phillips has already recorded 31 games in the ongoing Championship campaign, only missing clashes when he was suspended or injured. When he’s fit and available, however, he always starts every single game, which is evident in his appearance right from the start in every single one of those 31 games he’s played so far.

Coping without him is difficult for Leeds given he averages the highest amount of tackles (2.8, via WhoScored), crosses and long-balls per game, so Smyth does appear to have a point.  It remains to be seen, however, if they can keep the momentum going until the end of the season and keep hold of their position or even improve on it by jumping over league leaders, West Brom.

Leeds fans, do you think your team can cope well without Phillips in the squad? Do you agree with Bielsa or Smyth in this case? Let us know in the comments down below!

The Sun is reporting that Arsenal are still interested in Wilfried Zaha.

What’s the story?

The report says that the Gunners are still interested in making a move for the Ivory Coast international – they had a bid turned down for him by Crystal Palace last summer.

They say that he is rated at £75m by the Eagles, who have already identified Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin as a potential replacement.

However, Palace face competition from Everton.

No return

There was plenty of interest in the 27-year-old last year. Arsenal appeared to be desperate to take him to the Emirates Stadium, whilst Bayern Munich were also interested in the former Manchester United youngster. In the end though, he ended up staying at Selhurst Park.

Last term, Zaha set the Premier League alight, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists. However, he has been a shadow of that player this time around – he has three goals and five assists in just five less appearances than the whole of the previous campaign.

The failed move appears to have rocked him, and he has struggled to live up to his usual high standards. He has done little recently to justify the reported £75m price-tag that Steve Parish and co want for their star asset, and Arsenal would be wise to avoid such an investment.

It is not as though Mikel Arteta does not have enough attacking options at his disposal. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah are already in his squad, which indicates that another forward shouldn’t be the priority.

Not only that, Arteta has also indicated that he will not have a huge amount of money to spend this summer. He recently said: “The damage caused by the club not being in the Champions League for the third season is really big. Financially the impact is enormous because the structure of this club is built to be in the Champions League and you can sustain that for one year or two, but then after you have to start making decisions”.

Surely that would make a £75m spend on one player all but impossible? Perhaps they could move some things around if a truly special player came along, but Zaha has not put himself in that category this season.

Given his recent showing, Raul Sanllehi and co had a lucky escape last summer. They should look for more cost-effective targets rather than spending big on an out-of-form player.

Elsewhere, Arsenal fans loved this man’s performance against West Ham.

It’s not often that you draw praise from Roy Keane. The Irishman is a man full of disdain, someone who rarely speaks with too much enthusiasm. However, ex-Rangers midfielder Billy Gilmour allowed him to do just that, two and a half years on from leaving Ibrox.

Over a glass of wine and a piece of chocolate, he claimed Gilmour made him stand out. “He looked world-class,” were the words muttered by the former Manchester United man on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday (08/03).

Gilmour looked at home in Chelsea’s midfield against Liverpool in the FA Cup last week, winning two tackles and making two dribbles, but it was against Everton on his first Premier League start that his class shone through.

On Sunday he played 43 forward passes and registered a success rate of 93%.

How Rangers could do with a player like him in the middle of the park, particularly now they sit 13 points off their Old Firm rivals in the race for the SPFL title.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but it’s clear to see they’re missing a player of his qualities. A measly fee of £500,000 was paid for Gilmour in 2017 as the midfielder left Scotland at the tender age of 15. The Light Blues couldn’t even bring in a decent price for his services.

Unable to sign professional terms, the Gers were at the mercy of the jaws of one of the biggest clubs in world football. It’s hardly surprising that he left given Chelsea had come calling. Though, despite all of that, Rangers should be ruing from letting him slip through their grasp.

Pedro Caixinha was the man in charge when his exit was sanctioned. The Portuguese even met with the player’s parents in a bid to get him to stay in Glasgow, as did SFA Performance Director Malky Mackay. Ultimately, their efforts in trying to get him to stay didn’t prove fruitless.

Chelsea’s academy hasn’t had too many success stories so at first glance his future would have been best served in Scotland, rather than in West London. Mackay even detailed those very facts. However, he’s now proving their words wrong in impressive fashion.

Of course, there is still a long way to go in his career but he’s already showing signs of becoming a top player at this level. Picking up the Man of the Match award on his very first Premier League start was fine evidence of that.

Unlike some, he has the drive and will to get forward in midfield, something very few at Rangers have. For example, in their 1-0 win over Braga a few weeks ago, Scott Arfield completed just 12 forward passes. Ryan Jack managed only 22 while Steven Davis amassed 27, via WhoScored.

As for their 3-2 win over the same opposition, Davis came out on top in midfield with 30 forward balls (graphic above). It’s clear that with Gilmour in their ranks, they’d be more forward-thinking in possession in the final third.

With Steven Gerrard chopping and changing Rangers’ midfield, Gilmour is a player with the potential to have become ever-present at Ibrox. The very fact he was so positive with the ball at his feet on Sunday is evidence of that.

Speaking about him on Sunday, former footballer Karen Carney said:

“Billy Gilmour recycled everything, played everything really simple – one and two touch. He poured energy into that midfield and played at a level way beyond his 18 years. He’s got it all. I’m really impressed. Do you play him in the Champions League? I certainly would. I wouldn’t have any hesitation.”

It was fine praise for the teenager, someone who now looks to have a bright future in the game. Unfortunately for Rangers, that won’t be with them. His exit is one they will live to regret for years to come.

Meanwhile, Rangers fans were FUMING with one man who had an ABSOLUTE HOWLER…

Kevin Phillips has claimed he would have been “gutted” if he was in the Tottenham Hotspur squad that was criticised by manager Jose Mourinho earlier this week, per Football Insider.

What’s the word?

Mourinho said after the encounter with RB Leipzig, which Spurs lost 3-0, leading to a 4-0 aggregate defeat in the Champions League Round of 16, that the entirety of the Bundesliga club’s bench would find its way into his first-team.

Phillips, though, does not believe that his players will have been thrilled to hear the Portuguese’s comments.

Of course, Spurs have a number of injury problems to contend with; Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Steven Bergwijn, Moussa Sissoko, and Hugo Lloris have all been out recently.

He said: “Mourinho knows what he is saying, he is not daft.

“He is clever in what he says and getting his message out there, whether that is a reminder to the owner that he needs player in the summer, funds need to be made available.

“If I am a player out there, running around, putting a shift in and your manager says that their bench could get in our starting eleven I would be gutted.

“That, from your own manager? Wow. I understand what he is saying because at the moment they probably could! But whether it is right or wrong…”

Whining

This isn’t a surprise.

Mourinho has been in a negative mood since the injury crisis started to bite and has used it as a way of managing expectations.

Spurs are currently eighth in the Premier League, out of the FA Cup and also out of the Champions League.

No clues whatsoever: Which seasons do these iconic Spurs images belong to?

They have nothing to fight for apart from Champions League qualification and Mourinho’s comments will surely have been designed to light a fire under the players he does have available.

Phillips, 46, is right to call attention to it, though, and to claim that the players may not have been happy to hear it.

It remains to be seen if it has the desired effect.

Meanwhile, Spurs fans love this Mourinho decision!

Everton could be starting their transfer business early but The Athletic’s Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland fears that the club’s interest in Gabriel Magalhaes being leaked is a bad sign, speaking on the latest episode of the Gwlad Tidings podcast (March 20).

What did he say?

Carlo Ancelotti started off strongly in his reign as Everton manager but recent results indicate that there is plenty of improvement needed, particularly in defence.

The three and four goals conceded away at Arsenal and Chelsea respectively throw doubt on Everton’s back four, so it is little surprise that the Italian boss is seeking reinforcements in that area.

The Mirror reported earlier this week that Gabriel was a potential target for the Toffees, while also suggesting that Yerry Mina and Michael Keane could depart.

That may be greeted as a positive by some Evertonians but the news is not so good in Boyland’s eyes, as he believes the fact that the story has broke in March is a sign that a deal is unlikely to be completed.

Speaking on The Athletic’s Gwlad Tidings podcast, he said:

“I’m always slightly sceptical when these rumours come out now. We’re only in March and it almost feels like this has come out too early. We hope from a club perspective, from a supporter perspective, is that Everton do the business behind closed doors, interest is not leaked and then the deal is kind of just announced maybe in May. Everton say we’ve signed a pre-contract with Gabriel.

“The fact this has come out in March suggests to me that people want this information out. It might be Lille trying to drive up an asking price, it might be the agent looking to drum up extra interest. It might be the agent looking to force Everton’s hand and get the deal over the line even sooner. Everton might want to look like their busy in the transfer market, although that’s the least likely option here.”

Setback or not?

Boyland is right to suggest that there could be ramifications of this news breaking, but he has failed to understand the positive effect of this development.

Everton’s interest being made public knowledge causes issues as it may lead other clubs to make their move or for his reported £30m price tag to change, as the journalist suggests, but it should also have an impact on the current Toffees players.

Watch Everton Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

If Keane or Mina are aware of the interest in the 22-year-old then it should motivate them to improve and up their performances in the remaining matches of the season, otherwise they risk being sold.

As a result, Everton should benefit from defensive improvement and if the centre-back pair still fall below the standard required, then it could act as confirmation to Ancelotti that they simply aren’t good enough.

Did he play for Everton? Simple question but a lot tougher than you think…

Gabriel’s 1.8 tackles and 3.3 clearances per game show where his best attributes lie, and his Champions League experience could give him an advantage over Everton’s current defenders when it comes to winning Ancelotti’s trust, so it is clear to see why the interest is there.

In other news, Everton fans have been reacting to the club’s interest in one of the most highly-rated prospects in Europe…

Is self-isolation making you as bored as anything right now Spurs fans? Then look no further than these last-minute winners on enemy territory.

From Gareth Bale’s thunderbolt in the 2012/13 season to Eric Dier beating the Hammers backline as if he were Harry Kane back in 2014.

The rivalry is often said to be pretty much one-sided from a West Ham perspective, after all they haven’t been able to face Millwall for several years now, but that won’t stop those of Spurs persuasion from loving the goals in the clip above.

Daniel Levy once made matters worse by playing hard during David Gold’s negotiations for Emmanuel Adebayor back in the winter window of 2015, leading to the following tweet.

While the north Londoners have moved on, those on the east side of the capital have not.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

AND in other news, Last summer was Levy’s WORST transfer window at Spurs…

According to Football Insider, Leeds United will be in the race to land Rhian Brewster this summer, but it could depend on a couple of crucial factors.

What’s the word?

It’s claimed that the Yorkshire side missed out on the impressive 20-year-old in the January transfer window with the English starlet opting to join Championship rivals Swansea City on loan instead.

Best of the Decade: Top scorers & creators – Can you name them?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

A source has told Football Insider that those at Elland Road are continuing to monitor Brewster ahead of a second attempt ahead of the new season.

However, this will only be able to happen if Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gives the green light for another loan move – something that may be bolstered if the Reds clinch Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.

Second time lucky?

Brewster has gone on to be a prolific source of goals for the Swans in the second tier since moving to the Liberty Stadium. He’s found the net four times in just 919 minutes of action, via Transfermarkt.

Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa had to settle for Jean-Kevin Augustin instead, and he’s only been able to make three short cameo appearances, so that is looking more like a disaster as every week passes.

The Liverpool youngster has been lauded as “exceptional” and “fearless” in the past and is clearly rated highly by Klopp despite a lack of senior opportunities.

It’s also believed that there could be a chance he progresses up onto another Premier League club rather than returning to the Championship, so Leeds would need to ensure promotion so they can springboard to the front of the interested pack.

Therefore, if the Whites hold a genuine interest in Brewster, then they’ll need to firstly, be a top-flight team once again, and secondly, hope that the popular German sanctions another temporary exit.

AND in other news, Leeds fans react to huge Andrea Radrizzani claim…

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAndrew Strauss played a controlled innings to ensure England didn’t wobble in their run chase•Getty Images

Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott hit unbeaten half-centuries to guide England to an emphatic nine-wicket win in the second Test at Edgbaston to give them a 2-0 lead in the series. Both batsmen finished on 53 with the second-wicket pair making light work of a potentially testing surface as the hosts completed their sixth consecutive Test victory midway through the afternoon session.England did the hard work before lunch and when they resumed 47 were needed with the bite gone from Pakistan’s attack. Strauss went to his fifty from 108 balls then Trott brought up the same milestone, his second fifty of the match, with a powerful cover drive which levelled the scores. Strauss secured victory via a rather inglorious inside edge but he’ll be highly satisfied by another successful outing,The day began with thoughts of Pakistan continuing their resurgence from the third evening, but in the end it proved a stroll for England. The visitors had left themselves far too much ground to make up after crumbling for 72 on the opening day and they couldn’t create enough opportunities to defend the low target. Two more chances did go begging off Strauss, both to the hero of the previous day Zulqarnain Haider, although the first was very difficult and the second came with less than 50 needed.It took England just 11 balls to wrap up Pakistan’s innings as Stuart Broad, lighter in the wallet after his fine for throwing the ball at Haider yesterday, had Mohammad Asif taken in the gully. However, Pakistan managed the early breakthrough they desperately wanted when Cook’s poor run continued as his stumps were demolished by Mohammad Amir. Cook’s footwork was nowhere and he is becoming a serious concern, although with Ian Bell still injured and the England selectors not keen on major structural changes he is likely to have the remainder of the series to revive his season.Amir’s eight-over opening spell was another eye-catching display from the 18-year-old and he could easily have collected a second scalp as he beat the outside edges of Strauss and Trott. Saeed Ajmal was introduced for the eighth over and nearly followed Graeme Swann’s lead by striking straight away, but Haider couldn’t gather Strauss’s thick outside edge. It was a tough chance, but the type of opportunity that needed to stick if Pakistan were to stay in the contest.The pitch was also offering uneven bounce for both the spinner and the quicks. Trott was beaten by consecutive shooters outside off stump, while Strauss received a grubber from Ajmal that just missed the timber. However, the two batsmen displayed impressive watchfulness and rotated the strike well with regular quick singles.Boundaries were hard to come by, but both Strauss and Trott timed the ball nicely when the opportunity came. Trott produced the shot of the morning when he flicked Asif through midwicket, and he continues to develop into an increasingly reassuring figure at No. 3, while Strauss produced a sweet cover drive off Ajmal shortly before the break.Much had been expected of Ajmal after his five-wicket haul in the first innings, but he wasn’t able to provide the same threat as Swann. He couldn’t quite find the right pace for the surface to extract the optimal turn and, tellingly, couldn’t send down a maiden until his tenth over. Once again England proved far too strong for inexperienced opposition and Pakistan will have to show more of their second-innings spirit to avoid a whitewash.

Despite leaving the club towards the end of last year, Mauricio Pochettino’s name continues to be intrinsically linked with Tottenham.

The Argentine was replaced by Jose Mourinho after a stuttering start to the season saw them drop to 14th in the Premier League at the time of his sacking.

The Greatest Bargains in Premier League history – How much did they cost?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Now, amidst the current financial struggles that sides are facing due to the current climate, The Telegraph have claimed Spurs have opened negotiations with their former boss over a reduction in payments – the report claims that Pochettino is “still getting paid his £8.5m salary during his break from management”.

After hearing about the report, Spurs fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

A couple of Spurs fans simply urged the club to bring Pochettino back.

Judging by the reaction of most of these Spurs fans, it’s safe to say Pochettino still holds a special place in their hearts.

The Argentine was at the club for five years, and whilst he may not have won any trophies to show for it, he certainly established Spurs as a core part of the ‘big six’ in the top-flight.

Whether Pochettino will be willing to do his old side a favour with the severance package remains to be seen however.

Meanwhile, Alasdair Gold names the Spurs starlet akin to Marcus Edwards.

Gary Stead, the former New Zealand batsman, has been appointed the High Performance director and head coach of the Canterbury team. Stead replaces Bob Carter, who has joined the New Zealand coaching staff under Mike Hesson.Stead, who played five Tests in 1999 against India, South Africa and West Indies, said he was “excited and proud” to be given the job. He is currently in Sri Lanka as the coach of New Zealand team playing the Women’s World Twenty20. The new assignment will be his first coaching stint in first-class cricket and with a men’s team.Lee Germon, the Canterbury Cricket chief executive, said that Stead was a stand-out applicant and his lack of experience in four-day cricket was “discussed thoroughly”.”When we scoped this role we were determined to find a top quality candidate who could not only coach our Wizards side but develop and implement a high performance system and environment for our elite athletes,” Germon said.”Gary brings top-level coaching and playing experience, a varied background in the high performance area of our sport and an impressive playing record for Canterbury and New Zealand. He is about to complete the prestigious coach accelerator programme and is very highly regarded by both players and fellow coaches.”Stead’s first-class career spanned 14 years, during which he scored 4984 runs with 10 centuries.