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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa could enjoy a surprisingly shrewd reunion with Andre Ayew amid Carlton Palmer’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The Ghanaian is set to leave Championship side Swansea following the expiry of his contract this summer, and Palmer has suggested the Whites as a team who should be looking to explore signing him on a free transfer.

The former England defender told Football Transfer Tavern: “Swansea have only let him go because they didn’t get promoted and he’s their highest-paid player. 17 goals in the Championship, 16 goals the season before stands to reason that he will go up and score goals in the Premier League. If he weighs in with 10 or 12 goals for you, and you take him on a free, that could be some good business.”

Shrewd signing for Bielsa

While signing a 31-year-old on a free transfer is hardly something which is likely to get Leeds fans excited, it could be the type of smart move which ticks a lot of boxes for Bielsa.

Ayew himself has previously spoken about just how highly he rates the Whites manager and the kind of connection he has built up with the Argentine after their time together at Marseille. The Ghanaian said: “I appreciate Marcelo Bielsa enormously. He is an incredible manager. We had a very very strong relationship at Marseille. And there you have it. That’s all I can say.”

Despite his age, it appears that Ayew has lost none of his appetite, with Swansea boss Steve Cooper saying: “We know he has the ability, he can be as good as anyone in the league and he can play at a higher level.

“But the fact he is showing the commitment and work-rate he is, means it is rubbing off on everybody. It is certainly motivating me to see a player so committed to what we are doing.”

The 91-cap Ayew is someone has been dubbed as a “game-changer” by his former manager Slaven Bilic, while his Swansea teammate Yan Dhanda is also a huge fan, saying: “Andre is a goalscorer. He scores goals, and if you put the ball in the box nine times out of 10 Andre is going to be in the right position and he is going to score.”

With 17 goals in the Championship last season, and the ability to play through the middle and out wide, Ayew would represent an experienced option for Bielsa to add to his squad.

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Given that the Whites manager already knows him from his time at Marseille, along with Ayew’s previous Premier League experience, this seems the kind of low-risk signing who could bring decent rewards for Leeds.

Meanwhile, Leeds are keen on signing this Premier League star…

The French champions are exploring hiring the Roma boss to replace Christophe Galtier, a move that would have massive implications at Parc des Princes

Picture it: It's December 2023. Paris Saint-Germain are 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1. They have topped their Champions League group, beating Manchester United twice en route to an undefeated European slate. Eleven individuals have now become a well-oiled machine, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe running for all 90 minutes. No player takes any unsanctioned flights or eats fast food late at night. And the manager, Jose Mourinho, has the Parisians playing the counter-attacking football of dreams.

This is what PSG's world could look like if everything goes to plan over the next six months. The Parisians have been heavily linked with bringing in the mercurial Portuguese manager for some weeks now, with current boss Christophe Galtier looking increasingly likely to be fired at the end of the season.

PSG hope that Mourinho's no-nonsense attitude and scathing ripostes of the media will earn the respect of their fans. They will surely bank on 'The Special One's' status to bring the egos that currently run rampant in Paris into check. Ultimately, the narcissist-in-chief could be the man to pull the strands of a messy team together.

Except, it probably won't work like that. Mourinho might be a short-term solution in Paris, his notoriously stern managerial style bringing temporary peace to a chaotic club. But over a long period, this will undoubtedly go badly wrong, with Mourinho serving as the antithesis to the change that PSG need.

If it happens, the whole thing promises to be totally unmissable.

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  The logic behind it

  In a way, hiring Mourinho makes some sense. PSG have never had a complete manager, one to quell all of the club's many issues. Instead, they have relied on overcorrection with each new hire.

  Thomas Tuchel was a masterful tactician, but was too controlling of those in the dressing room and could not handle PSG's erratic superstars. The board responded by bringing in the good vibes and modern style of Mauricio Pochettino, but he was simply too free-spirited and idealistic for a club that required more rigidity.

  The next solution was Galtier. He was French, slightly scary looking, and knowledgeable about Ligue 1. His smart 3-4-3 system looked to be the right fit to get the best out of the Parisians' front three. He also denied PSG the title in 2021 while in charge of Lille. The club, in effect, hired the man who had beat them.

  However, it hasn't worked out. The tactics have gone stale, and Galtier has started fiddling with his formations. Although they will win Ligue 1, European success is nowhere to be found. Off the pitch, he has let Neymar and, most recently, Lionel Messi, get away with antics in droves. And perhaps most importantly, the fiercely loyal ultras have fallen out of love with the manager. That he is from the wrong part of France hasn't helped, either.

  So, Mourinho appears to be the next step. This is very much in line with the same old model, despite the fact that PSG insist that they are trying to change.

  Mourinho can rile up a fanbase. He has handled superstars with some success in the past. He will have the Parisians playing in a recognised style, and will demand the absolute respect of a dressing room that seems to have little of it for their current manager. He is also an expert in cup competitions, and has won the Champions League twice. So far, so rational.

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  A manager who demands control

  But management doesn't work like that. In reality, PSG is the last place Mourinho should be. It's a dysfunctional institution, and throwing the Portuguese into that powder keg is akin to setting the timer on a ticking bomb.

  It all starts with the mandate of a Mourinho managerial appointment: power. He has made a career off functioning as a dictatorial figure. He demands control from top to bottom, both internally with his squad, and externally with the media. Mourinho is a totalitarian leader, and he needs to be made to feel as such in order to be a success.

  And there's evidence for that set up working. It brought domestic success to Chelsea (twice), a Champions League to Inter, and helped Real Madrid piece together one of the best seasons in La Liga history. It brought a promising, if admittedly short, period of success for Tottenham, and has delivered a European trophy for Roma, with perhaps another to come this season.

  But in the past, when that control has started to fall apart, so too has Mourinho. In 2007, his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reached a breaking point — forcing the manager out of the door. In 2013, Madrid's dressing room was left in tatters by a Mourinho who criticised his own players, refereeing and the media. He left at the end of the season, one he later called the worst of his career.

  The same has since happened at Manchester United and Tottenham, with the manager feeling undercut by either the board above him or the players he coaches.

  And this is a terrible sign for PSG. Galtier has been engulfed by an open power struggle with football advisor Luis Campos, who has made a point of repeatedly undermining the manager both in the press and in the dressing room. Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi isn't exactly known for his laissez-faire approach, either.

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  'I have a universal dimension'

  There is an obviously curated segment of Tottenham's 2019 All or Nothing' series where Mourinho meets with Harry Kane. During the one-minute exchange, Mourinho speaks on his so-called "universal dimension" and promises his immense influence can help Kane reach a new level of superstardom. Kane, captivated by the promise, agrees. It was Mourinho asserting his ego, stating that his own personal brand outweighs that of the England captain. And, as it turned out, Mourinho was right.

  Kane would go on to have arguably the best 18 months of his career at that point, upping his goal and assist totals after a forgettable 2018-19 campaign.

  Mourinho did the same with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Madrid forward scored 60 goals in 2011 under the Portuguese's guidance, before winning the Ballon d'Or two years later. Didier Drogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Karim Benzema have all benefited from his methods, too. There is reason to suggest, then, that Mourinho could handle the massive names in the PSG dressing room.

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  When it all goes wrong

  But a series of high-profile arguments with the kind of big-brand, social media obsessed players that PSG's dressing room is full of should offer reason for caution.

  The best example is, perhaps, Paul Pogba. The France international repeatedly butted heads with the manager, with a series of incidents seeing Mourinho antagonise United's record signing. Mourinho publically criticised Pogba for his work rate in 2018, and insinuated that the player didn't focus enough on football. He also lambasted him for flying to Miami for treatment and suggested that one of Pogba's Instagram posts poked fun at his team-mates. It culminated with Mourinho stripping Pogba of the vice-captaincy, and arguing with him in training in a now-infamous video.

  And Mourinho hasn't really coached a player of that notoriety since then. Kane and Son Heung-min are big names, but not social media stars. Mbappe and Neymar, though, are the very definition of the kind of personal brand that he relentlessly clashed with.

  In the past, before social media profiles of individuals outweighed the clubs they represent, the manager has been able to out-ego the biggest personalities he has coached. This time, it looks like a losing battle — one Mourinho will likely not concede.

How to watch Rayo Vallecano against Barcelona in La Liga in the USA, as well as the kick-off time and team news.

Barcelona are looking pretty on top of the La Liga standings and they take on Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecano on Wednesday.

💻 Watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona live on ESPN+ today!

📺 Watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona live on Viaplay today!

Xavi's men have earned clean sheets in four successive league games now, but have scored in just one – the 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday that took the Blaugrana 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Rayo Vallecano will be looking to get back to winning ways after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Real Sociedad over the weekend, as Andoni Iraola's side would look to keep their top-five hopes alive.

GOAL brings you details on how to watch the game on TV in the U.S., as well as how to stream it live online.

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  Kick-off time

  Game:	Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona
  Date:	April 26, 2023
  Kick-off:	4pm EDT
  Venue:	Estadio de Vallecas

  The Primera Division game between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona is scheduled for April 26, 2023, at the Estadio de Vallecas stadium in the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas, Spain.

  It will kick off at 4pm EDT in the USA.

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  How to watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona online – TV channels & live streams

  TV channels & streaming options

  Country	TV channel	Live stream
  U.S.	ESPN Deportes	ESPN+, Fubo, DirecTV Stream

  In the United States (USA), the game can be watched live on ESPN+, ESPN Deportes (Spanish-language), Fubo and DirecTV Stream.

• Crédito: Getty
  

  Team news & squads

  Rayo Vallecano team news

  The hosts will miss Radamel Falcao who is out with a muscle injury, while Santi Comesana is suspended for Barca's visit due to the accumulation of five yellow cards.

  Meanwhile, Alejandro Catena and Alvaro Garcia return after missing the Sociedad defeat due to a ban.

  A likely change in attack can see Sergio Camello start in place of Raul de Tomas.

  Rayo Vallecano possible XI: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F. Garcia; Ciss, Valentin; Palazon, Trejo, A. Garcia; Camello

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers	Dimitrievski, Morro, D. Lopez
  Defenders	Catena, Lejeune, Mumin, Saveljich, Suarez, F. Garcia, Chavarria, Balliu, Hernandez
  Midfielders	U. Lopez, Ciss, Valentin, Trejo, Pozo, A. Garcia, Palazon, Sanchez
  Forwards	Camello, De Tomas, Martin

  Barcelona team news

  Sergio Busquets is also suspended with five bookings to his name, while Ousmane Dembele, Sergi Roberto, and Andreas Christensen are still struggling with their injuries.

  Busquets' void in the middle of the park is expected to be filled by Franck Kessie, with Gavi, Frenkie De Jong and Pedri fighting for the other two spots in midfield.

  Pedri can alternately compete with Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati a little further up, while Robert Lewandowski is likely to start despite failing to score in four straight competitive games.

  Barcelona possible XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Balde; Gavi, Kessie, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres

  Position	Players
  Goalkeepers	Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas
  Defenders	Araujo, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, Garcia, Balde, Riad
  Midfielders	Pedri, Kessie, De Jong, Casado, Gavi, Torre
  Forwards	Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Torres, Raphinha, Yamal

  Head-to-head record

  Date	Result	Competition
  August 14, 2022	Barcelona 0-0 Rayo Vallecano	La Liga
  April 25, 2022	Barcelona 0-1 Rayo Vallecano	La Liga
  October 27, 2021	Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Barcelona	La Liga
  January 28, 2021	Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Barcelona	Copa del Rey
  March 9, 2019	Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano	La Liga

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  Useful links

  • Barcelona team page

  • Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

  • Are Barca Messi's only option?

Barcelona picked up a hard-fought win over Atletico Madrid thanks to an Ousmane Dembele strike, moving three points clear at the top in the process.

Antoine Griezmann had to score. The French midfielder had received the ball at an inviting height three yards from goal, with time enough to pick his spot. But he scuffed his shot, allowing a retreating Ronald Araujo to clear the ball off the line and preserve Barcelona's 1-0 lead.

It was the last act of a tense matchup between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, with Araujo's heroics proving vital as Xavi's men emerged from the Wanda Metropolitano with all three points.

Barca created relatively few chances, but were ultimately the more clinical of the two sides. Dembele grabbed the only goal, while Araujo and Andreas Christensen put in admirable performances in central defence to keep a surging Atleti side out and establish a three-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the La Liga summit.

Dembele opened the scoring for Blaugrana in sublime fashion. Pedri picked up the ball in central midfield 22 minutes in and evaded two defenders with a superb show of dribbling ability before feeding Gavi, who then flicked it on to a wide-open Dembele. The French international was celebrating before his first-time shot hit the back of the net as Jan Oblak was left with no change in the Atleti net.

After falling behind, the hosts woke up. Jose Maria Gimenez sent a header wide. Greizmann had a shot tipped around the post. Marcos Llorente struck a volley into the side-netting. But the home side couldn't find an equalizer before half-time. Still, they continued to press forward in the second period and seemed to frustrate a tired Barcelona with their constant pressing. Tempers frayed in stoppage time as Stefan Savic and Ferran Torres were both sent off for a WWE-worthy brawl before Griezmann was eventually presented with the golden chance Atleti craved, but it went begging and the visitors held on for the win.

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  The Winners

  Pedri:

  The one real standout of a four-man fluid Barca midfield, Pedri flourished in a free-roaming role. The Spanish midfielder set up Barca's only goal with a wonderful run and flick to the feet of Gavi. He played with tempo, too, running at defenders and trying to link up with the rest of Barca's attacking unit. Pedri didn't quite figure things out defensively, and should've helped track the roaming Marcos Llorente. Still, if Barca are to stick with this system, Pedri will have few complaints.

  Ousmane Dembele:

  Dembele has often been the subject of criticism for his lack of finishing ability, but he showed little hesitation in putting the Blaugrana into the lead Saturday evening. His finish was a classy one, smashed into the far corner past a sprawling Jan Oblak. He was also the most active of the Barca wide players, constantly running at Atleti defenders and offering an attacking outlet in a match where his team were largely pinned back. The winger has now scored in back-to-back games – a good sign with Robert Lewandowski suspended.

  Ronald Araujo:

  It was clear Sunday night just how much Barcelona have missed their Uruguayan centre-back. Araujo endured an unsteady first few minutes, but really grew into the game, and flourished under pressure. His last-minute clearance off the line was the highlight, but the defender was a calming presence for most of the second half. He didn't lose an aerial dual and refused to be drawn out of position by the energetic Antoine Griezmann. Araujo's partnership with Andreas Christensen worked well Saturday evening, and might be the solution to Barca's defensive woes for the rest of the season.

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  The Losers

  Joao Felix:

  If Felix wants a move amid ongoing links with Manchester United, he's not doing much to suggest he deserves it. While it's certainly true that Diego Simeone isn't the attacking coach that would get the best out of the young Portuguese, Felix had plenty of space here, and didn't do much with it. He lost the ball too often, and wasn't on the same wavelength as either Griezmann or Pablo Barrios. Felix faded even further when Alvaro Morata came on, and Atletico went more direct.

  Diego Simeone:

  It's not really the Simeone way, but it's fair to wonder what this Atletico side might do if they adopted a more forward-thinking setup. He has a litany of expansive, creative players in his lineup, but they often feel misused and blunted by a rigid system. In truth, Atleti were much better after they conceded, forced to search for an equalizer. Simeone sides of old were far more balanced, able to hit on the counter but also squeeze the life out of opposing attacks. This iteration of Atletico can't quite do that, and it might be time for Simeone to change his approach. If he doesn't, his time at the club could soon come to an end.

  Ansu Fati:

  Xavi must be puzzled as to how to get the best out of his young forward. Fati is locked in competition with a handful of other attacking players for minutes, and he hasn't really seized his chances of late. His winner against Intercity in the Copa Del Rey suggested that better times may be on the way, and it was enough to warrant a spot in the XI here. But he was often lost in a fluid front three, exposing the fragility of a Barca attack that never really got going. Space was at a premium Sunday evening, and Fati never found it.

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  Barcelona Ratings: Defence

  Marc Andre Ter Stegen (6/10):

  Made a tidy save to deny Griezmann in the first half, but his distribution was lacking. Not always a reliable presence.

  Jules Kounde (6/10):

  Unconvincing going forward, but equipped himself well at the back.

  Ronald Araujo (8/10):

  Shaky early, but found his footing. He proved to be vital when Barcelona were under pressure in the dying minutes.

  Andreas Christensen (7/10):

  Rock solid at the back and kept possession ticking nicely. He was adventurous on the ball, linking up with Balde and Pedri well.

  Alejandro Balde (5/10):

  Spent most of his time roaming forward as part of Barca's fluid attacking setup. But he was often caught out of position, allowing Atleti to cause problems down his side.

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  Midfield

  Frenkie de Jong (6/10):

  Was tasked with a more passive role, shielding for the more advanced Pedri. Kept the ball moving nicely. Could have offered more coverage for the struggling Balde. Subbed after an hour.

  Sergio Busquets (6/10):

  Very solid on the ball but looks increasingly vulnerable in defensive transitions at his age. Really struggled to deal with the excellent Griezmann as the game wore on, and needed to be subbed earlier than he was.

  Gavi (6/10):

  Played one lovely pass to set up Dembele for the opener, but faded out of the game. Can't be faulted for his effort, but he didn't quite have the attacking influence that Barca needed to put Atleti away.

PSG conceded twice inside the first 20 minutes and turned in a morbid performance without some of their big names, all with Bayern Munich lurking.

Paris Saint-Germain struggled from the first minute against Monaco, their injury-stricken side which is now also dealing with illness being torn apart by an aggressive home team.

They failed to find an attacking rhythm in response to Monaco's fast start, losing 3-1 and heightening fears of what could be a difficult 90 minutes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, potentially without Lionel Messi.

Monaco thoroughly enjoyed the opening exchanges. Aleksandr Golovin took advantage of a series of ricochets inside the PSG box before poking home past Gianluigi Donnarumma for a 1-0 lead inside three minutes. Yissam Ben Yedder added a second about 15 minutes later, dispossessing young centre-back E.C. Bitshiabu and lashing the ball into the bottom corner.

A virus struck PSG's camp prior to the match, and with a litany of players – including Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe – already sidelined, the Ligue 1 leaders faltered. There was some resistance, with teenager Warren Zaire-Emery pulling one back shortly before the break, but Ben Yedder quashed any notions of a comeback, scoring his second in first-half injury time.

Christophe Galtier brought Bitshiabu off at half-time, and also introduced some younger faces for more attacking thrust within the first few minutes of the second half. But none of the changes flipped the game.

The Parisians still have a healthy seven-point lead atop the table, and will likely do enough to win Ligue 1. This match, though, set off alarm bells ahead of a massive Champions League tie, and showed how bad PSG can be without their star men.

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  The Winners

  Wissam Ben Yedder:

  It's genuinely quite nice to see that the striker can still put in these kinds of performances at 32 years old. Ben Yedder was at his direct, devastating best on Saturday. He scored twice, making both finishes look almost effortless, while also grabbing an assist. There was nothing fancy about his game; Ben Yedder did a lot of running in straight lines towards goal. But he didn't need to be technical or flashy. Monaco were always going to play on the break, and Ben Yedder was the perfect player to spearhead the attack.

  Warren Zaire-Emery:

  It's not necessarily a good thing that PSG's best performer was a 16-year-old. But when it's someone of Zaire-Emery's quality and potential, Galtier can probably live with it. Zaire-Emery put in a memorable showing against Monaco, winning the ball back with regularity, keeping it moving, and scoring PSG's only goal. On another day, with a fit and firing team around him, Zaire-Emery would receive more praise for this kind of performance. It's just a shame that it came in a loss.

  Presnel Kimpembe:

  Silver linings, eh? In an otherwise difficult afternoon, at least Kimpembe was able to see the pitch for the first time since November. On the other hand, it probably wasn't great to watch a 17-year-old make a couple of mistakes while playing in his usual spot during the first half.

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  The Losers

  E.C Bitshiabu:

  The defender is just 17. He will, in all likelihood, become a far better footballer than he showed on Saturday. But he had a miserable 45 minutes against Monaco. Bitshiabu failed to clear the ball in the run up for Monaco's first goal, and was far too easily dispossessed for their second. He was nowhere to be found, either, when Ben Yedder ran through for the third. Bitshiabu was forced into the lineup by necessity after injuries and a freak illness struck Galtier's squad. Perhaps his hasty involvement impacted the quality of his performance. Still, he, unfortunately, has to be held responsible for at least of some of PSG's failures.

  Neymar:

  Neymar cannot do everything, especially when he's still quite clearly reeling from an ankle knock sustained two months ago. Still, with Mbappe and Messi both out, the Brazilian needed to show something. Instead, he dribbled, dived and failed to register a shot on target. It was all a bit concerning, especially given that Neymar might be expected to carry the weight again on Tuesday night against Bayern. He will need to be far better in that fixture.

  Christophe Galtier:

  What was Galtier supposed to do? He had five players out altogether due to injury, and a further three unable to start. Monaco, meanwhile, are playing some of their best football of the season, with Ben Yedder in fine form. It all amounted to an inevitably difficult afternoon for the PSG manager. And he set up his team in perhaps the best way possible, given the options at his disposal. There were some good signs. Warren Zaire-Emery was excellent, while Donnarumma made some excellent saves. But it was difficult to pick out another good performance, which is a concern for the manager who is starting to deal with external presssure.

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  PSG Ratings: Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):

  Denied Golovin from close range to prevent Monaco from taking a 3-1 lead. Produced a few more saves to stop things from getting out of hand.

  EC Bitshiabu (4/10):

  Made a big mistake in the run-up to Monaco's second, and should have done better for their first.

  Marquinhos (5/10):

  Completed the most passes in the match, which is good. But was also very poor defensively, especially for the first two goals.

  Danilo Pereira (5/10):

  Poor at right centre-back, not much better at centre-midfield, and substituted with one eye on Bayern.

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  Midfield

  Juan Bernat (6/10):

  One of very few good performers on the day, Bernat was energetic on the left wing and did his job defensively — although he could have protected Bitshiabu more effectively.

  Carlos Soler (5/10):

  Anonymous.

  Vitinha (6/10):

  Improved after a string of poor performances, but lacks the creativity needed from the middle of the park.

  Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):

  An incredibly mature performance from the 16-year-old. Looked comfortable on the ball, grabbed a goal. PSG's standout.

  Timothee Pembele (5/10):

  Replaced Achraf Hakimi, which isn't really fair in terms of shoes to fill. Got into good positions, though.

Leeds United have been handed a major boost in their chase for Bournemouth starlet Ajani Burchall.

What’s the story?

Reports from Football Insider claimed that with Burchall having rejected a scholarship deal with the Cherries, Leeds had registered their interest in signing him this summer.

Now, the 16-year-old himself has confirmed via his Instagram that he will be leaving the Championship side, which comes as a major boost to the likes of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, Aston Villa and Arsenal, who are all said to be interested in him.

Mark Jackson’s dream prospect

Bournemouth’s official club website notes that Burchall is “predominantly plays wide and is an exciting forward player who likes to take opponents on and has an eye for goal, while also being a hard-working, tough-tackling winger” – exactly the kind of traits that will have U23s coach Mark Jackson grinning from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, Burchall’s teammate at the Cherries, Steve Cook, said after his debut: “You could see how special a player he is. His first involvement was checked his shoulder, cut across a player and won his foul. For a 16-year-old, that awareness, that knowhow, I think the club have produced a really good player.

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“On Saturday, we had a few players who have come through the youth system, so it’s terrific. The club’s been known for that and I think Ajani has got great talent. He obviously can’t train with us day-to-day because he’s at school! But I’m sure he’s got a very good future and a very proud moment for his family.”

Given the kind of player that has thrived under Bielsa – hard-working with a team-first attitude – Burchall seems exactly like the kind of prospect who could really make a name for himself for Jackson and the club’s U23s.

The Whites have made a conscientious effort to strengthen the club’s academy with the signings of the likes of Sam Greenwood in recent transfer windows. Burchall could follow in those footsteps and further add to the quality of the Leeds’ youth set-up under Jackson.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this Bundesliga sensation…

Who were the players who led Spain to their first-ever World Cup win and what has happened to them since?

Spain were one of the favourites to lift the World Cup in 2010 heading into the tournament.

They had convincingly won Euro 2008 and more or less the same squad was named by manager Vicente del Bosque for the South Africa finals.

However, in the very first match, they suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Switzerland, with Gelson Fernandes scoring early in the second half to upset the European champions.

In the second match, they steadied the ship with a 2-0 victory over Honduras, courtesy of a brace from David Villa, while they beat Chile 2-1 in the final group-stage game to finish as table-toppers.

In the quarterfinals, Spain clashed with Paraguay and it was Villa once again who came to the rescue as he scored the winner in the 82nd minute.

In the last four, Spain defeated Germany 1-0 with Carles Puyol scoring from a corner to set up a summit clash with Netherlands.

In the final, John Heitinga received his second yellow in extra time which left Netherlands with 10 men on the pitch.

Spain started attacking with more teeth and finally, in the 116th minute, Andres Iniesta latched on to a ball from Cesc Fabregas and found the far corner to score the winner and give Spain their first and only World Cup trophy to date.

Who were part of the squad that made history, though, and what's happened to them since?

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  Iker Casillas – Goalkeeper

  Casillas has made 167 appearances for Spain, the second-most for the national team.

  He kept five clean sheets at the 2010 World Cup and won the Yashin Award for best goalkeeper.

  The Real Madrid legend retired from professional football in August 2020 and returned to his boyhood club as a deputy to the general director of the Real Madrid Foundation.

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  Sergio Ramos – Right-back

  Ramos is the most-capped (180) player in the history of the Spanish national team.

  He was playing as a right back-back back in 2010 and kept a close eye on Dirk Kuyt in the final.  

  The defender ishis country's eighth-highest all-time goalscorer and also holds the record for most international victories for Spain with 131 matches won.

  After ending his association with Real Madrid, Ramos moved to PSG in 2021.

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  Carles Puyol – Centre-back

  The legendary centre-back has made 100 appearances for Spain and will always be remembered as one of the greatest ever.

  He scored the winner against Germany in the semi-finals and put in another impressive shift in the final.

  Puyol is currently Barcelona's Assistant Sporting Director.

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  Gerard Pique – Centre-back

  Pique made his international debut on February 11, 2009 and has made 102 appearances since then for Spain.

  He was a key member of the World Cup winning squad and retired from the national team after the 2018 edition.

  He recently announced his decision to hang up his boots altogether, having represented Barcelona for almost his entire career.

A big transfer claim has been dropped on Joe Willock and his future at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Newcastle want Willock permanently

It is not secret of the desire for the St. James’ Park faithful to sign Willock on a permanent deal from Arsenal, with Steve Bruce even admitting to talkSPORT recently that they will be looking to make his move to the North East a permanent one after his loan spell ends.

Willock has also reportedly told his teammates that he would like to stay for the 2021/22 term as well, potentially on a permanent basis.

The Latest: McLeish backs Willock deal

McLeish, who is now a pundit after previously managing in the Premier League, has backed the Tyneside club to sign Willock permanently in some comments that he has made to Football Insider:

“Oh, my word. You talk about ‘impact’, that is a great word.

“Another great word is inspirational and that’s what the kid has been.

“To come up with the vital goals he’s come up with in recent weeks, it was truly incredible. 

“He’s ready to be plucked by Newcastle, depending on who they’re targeting for next season to make it not as stressful a season.”

The Verdict: Newcastle should sign Willock

Although it may not be an easy deal to do, given his form and potential, the Magpies should be looking to try and lure Willock away from the Emirates Stadium permanently.

The 21-year-old offers athleticism and the ability to carry the ball from midfield, and his knack for a goal, with which he has scored no fewer than five important ones already, is an asset very hard to turn down.

The Gunners may be looking for a mass clear-out at the Emirates Stadium after a disappointing season, and with them potentially out of Europe, they will need to find a way to raise some cash.

Given that they were willing to let Willock go out on loan in the first place, the Toon could be a major beneficiary in the summer window.

In other news, find out what five Willock alternatives NUFC could sign here!

After Kalvin Phillips was ruled out with a minor injury against Brighton, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa turned to Robin Koch as the man to fill the void in midfield.

A centre-back by trade, the summer signing endured a difficult game in a wholly unfamiliar position, and Leeds Live’s Beren Cross outlined one of the key problems the German faced, saying that “his passing had nothing like the expanse of Phillips’s, nor the accuracy at critical moments as attacks were threatening to build.”

With reports in recent days claiming that Leeds have made signing a new holding midfielder a priority for the upcoming summer transfer window, some much-needed cover for Phillips is set to arrive. However, for the here and now, rather than turning to Koch, Bielsa must surely now unleash academy starlet Nohan Kenneh.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay dubbed the teenager as “supremely gifted”, and he’s capable of playing in holding midfield as well as further back in central defence. Also, at a imposing 6 foot 2, he seems to have the physical attributes to hold his own at Premier League level.

The 18-year-old has already admitted to modelling himself on Phillips, while he also added that he’s a fan of Arsenal Invincible Patrick Vieira too. He said: “Currently I look up to Kalvin Phillips as (we) both play in a similar position, but I occasionally watch videos of Patrick Vieira for his qualities in midfield.”

Describing himself as someone who is “aggressive and hard-working who likes to break down play”, but also likes “getting forward and scoring long-range goals”, Kenneh seems like he could thrive in the anchor man role if given the chance by Bielsa.

This season he has spent all of his time with the club’s academy side, making 11 appearances at Premier League 2 level and helping them clinch the Division 2 title recently.

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The next step for those batch of players who tasted academy success is to make their mark on the first team, and given the injury problems faced by Phillips last weekend and this season as a whole, Kenneh should be the man to whom Bielsa turns sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, a Leeds source has revealed the club’s exciting plans for the summer…

Bayern Munich earned another memorable victory over Barcelona, this time beating the Spanish club 2-0 on Tuesday.

Barcelona took Bayern Munich's star this summer, but the German club continue to torment the Blaugrana with or without Robert Lewandowski.

Talk of a new era, spurred on by the Lewandowski signing, will be put on hold, even if the Catalans were much better this time around than they have been in recent meetings. They were actually in control for much of the first half, but were far too wasteful in front of the net.

From the famous 8-2 to a pair of 3-0 results last season, Bayern Munich have humbled Barcelona in recent years, and Xavi's team were quieted once again at the Allianz Arena.

Lucas Hernandez seized the momentum with a header early in the second half, while an absolutely dazzling finish from Leroy Sane sealed Barcelona's fate.

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  The Winners

  Dayot Upamecano:

  A wall. An absolute wall.

  What a performance from the French defender, who was handed the start over Matthijs de Ligt. He paid back Julian Nagelsmann in a big way.

  Upamecano was virtually faultless, going toe-to-toe with his former team-mate Lewandowski all day. He snuffed out several clear-cut chances, essentially saving the game several times before Bayern Munich's attack turned on.

  He was often criticised in his first season with Bayern Munich, but he's a key man now.

  Leroy Sane:

  What can you say about that goal?

  It's moments of magic like Sane's that get fans out of their seats, and boy did they rise at the Allianz. Sane can do things that few in the world can match.

  There's something special about seeing him in full stride, although Barcelona won't feel as happy to have witnessed it. As he ran straight through Barcelona's new-look defence, all they could do was chase what must have felt like a shadow.

  And as Sane tapped his shot past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and into the back of the net, the game was effectively over.

  The Bayern Munich way:

  The players and coaches change, but the results sure don't. Bayern are Bayern, no matter who wears the shirt.

  Lewandowski was on the other side, but it didn't matter. Bayern Munich had others pick up the slack.

  As Gary Lineker once famously said, "Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win."

  No one better exemplifies that than Bayern Munich – when you come to their home, you know what you're in for. It may not have been as dominant in as years past, but it was equally effective.

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  The Losers

  Robert Lewandowski:

  This wasn't the homecoming he dreamed about.

  Lewandowski was all smiles before the match, greeting his former team-mates in the tunnel. He embraced Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich, players who stood alongside him as he became arguably the best in the world.

  But, playing in his former home, Lewandowski didn't look like the best in the world. Instead, he looked oddly human.

  Lewandowski was uncharacteristically wasteful, even if he was as dominant as usual when it came to chance creation.

  Chances were missed and moments were wasted, as Lewandowski and Barcelona were never able to seize control of the game, even if they should have.

  Marcos Alonso:

  For 45 minutes, Alonso demonstrated exactly why Barcelona signed him from Chelsea. He looked like the stopgap everyone expected to be, an exceptional left-back to bridge the gap from Jordi Alba to the next generation.

  One moment of negligence doesn't lose him that status, but it did contribute to Barcelona losing the game.

  It was a mental lapse that those that follow Chelsea would be familiar with. With the game still scoreless after a strong Barcelona first half, Alonso completely turned off for a set piece.

  Lucas Hernandez dashed in, and Alonso was left defending no one. Completely free with his header, it was an easy finish for the French World Cup winner.

  Ousmane Dembele:

  Dembele has played himself into a different stratosphere this year, becoming one of the most dangerous wingers in the world. Becuse of that, the expectations are now higher.

  World-class wingers aren't allowed to be as wasteful as Dembele was because, wow, was he wasteful. Dembele gave the ball away time and time again as Barcelona's attack lacked the needed edge in the final third.

  Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres… Barcelona can survive a day when they aren't at their best. But, at this point, they can't win these big games unless Dembele is an absolute killer, and he simply wasn't on Tuesday night.

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  Barcelona Ratings: Defence

  Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (5/10):

  Absolutely undone by Sane, but so was the entire Barcelona defence.

  Marcos Alonso (5/10):

  Solid, except for one moment, but it was the one moment that counted.

  Andreas Christensen (7/10):

  Didn't do much wrong and won every duel he was a part of.

  Ronald Araujo (6/10):

  Nothing spectacular.

  Jules Kounde (6/10):

  Played at right-back. Not much offensively, but was okay in defence.

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  Midfield

  Pedri (7/10):

  What a player he is. Deserved at least one or two goal contributions. Arguably Barcelona's best man – though he should have finished better.

  Sergio Busquets (6/10):

  Started over Kessie, was good on the ball, but did have a few scary moments as Bayern Munich overran the midfield.

  Gavi (7/10):

  All intensity as a new contract nears. Fantastic on the ball, but was sacrificed after the goals.