All posts by h79snht.top

West Ham United's interest in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is "definitely real", according to journalist Dean Jones.

What is the latest news regarding Joao Palhinha?

The Hammers are reportedly interested in bringing the 27-year-old to the London Stadium as they look to replace their departing club captain Declan Rice, who is set to join Arsenal for a record £105m fee.

They aren't the only side with interest in the Portuguese defensive midfielder, with Football Insider reporting that Premier League sides Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa have all explored the possibility of bringing the player to their respective club. However, a number of these sides have since "cooled their interest" and are focusing on other targets for the position.

Fulham are believed to be intent on keeping one of their stars this summer and have placed a £90m pricetag on the former Sporting man, according to reports, in an attempt to dissuade potential suitors.

The report states that the Cottagers have used the record fee received for Rice as a benchmark, with the club believing the pair perform at a similar level. This position of strength with negotiations is also helped by the fact that the Portugal international has four more years remaining on his contract.

Palhinha isn't the only option the Irons are considering, with Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria and Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez also making the shortlist. ExWHUEmployee told The West Ham Way podcast that the club are set to begin opening approaches for all three targets soon.

Speaking on The Football Terrace's Done Deal show, transfer insider Jones, who is a Fulham fan, revealed that the threat of West Ham swooping in for the midfielder is real, whilst the Hammers also have another name on their shortlist to potentially partner the 27-year-old:

"As a Fulham fan, I'd be happy if we just got the squad we had from last season going into the new one, because the threat around Palhinha is definitely real from West Ham. I just hope, and I think that he'll end up staying with us rather than going to West Ham.

"West Ham is obviously one that is going to get interesting in the next few days. They're going for Denis Zakaria, looking at a loan with a view to an option to sign him further down the line but they are also looking at Palhinha as a signing that would happen alongside him."

How good is Joao Palhinha?

Palhinha enjoyed a fantastic debut campaign with the Cottagers last season, winning the club's Player of the Season award as they finished in the top half of the Premier League for the first time in over a decade.

Referred to as "the master destroyer" by The Athletic's Peter Rutzler, the 27-year-old led the division across a key defensive category following his now bargain £20m move from Portugal.

The midfielder led the league in tackles made quite comfortably with 147. That was ahead of second-placed Moises Caicedo who could only manage 100 last campaign, showcasing why so sides maintain an interest in the midfielder.

WhoScored ranked Palhinha as the fifth-best player for his club last campaign, and the sixth-best defensive midfielder in the Premier League last season with an average rating of 6.93.

An intangible factor that will also make his side desperate to keep him is his availability, with the midfielder missing zero games through injury last season and making 40 appearances across all competitions for the London side.

A player who has received praise from managers in the past, including former coach Ruben Amorim who described him as a "special" talent, it's clear to see why David Moyes is so desperate to bring the Cottagers Player of the Year to the London Stadium

حقق منتخب أستراليا فوزًا ساحقًا على نظيره اللبناني بخمسة أهداف دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الثلاثاء على ملعب “كانبرا” بالعاصمة الأسترالية، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من المجموعة التاسعة في تصفيات آسيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

افتتح المنتخب الأسترالي التسجيل في الدقيقة الثانية من بداية المباراة عن طريق كوسيني ينجي، مستغلاً غياب التغطية الدفاعية اللبنانية.

وواصل المنتخب الأسترالي سيطرته على مجريات المباراة، وأحرز جاكسون إيرفين الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة الثانية من بداية الشوط الثاني برأسية رائعة.

وبعد ذلك بدقيقة واحدة فقط، سجل جودوين الهدف الثالث لأستراليا، مستغلاً مهاراته الفردية في تسجيل هدف رائع.

طالع أيضًا | لوفاة والده.. مانشيني يستبعد لاعب منتخب السعودية قبل مباراة طاجيكستان

وازدادت معاناة المنتخب اللبناني بعد تسجيل جاك إيرديل الهدف الرابع في الدقيقة 68، لينهي آمال لبنان في العودة للقاء.

واختتم جودوين مهرجان الأهداف بتسجيله الهدف الخامس في الدقيقة 81، مستغلاً الأخطاء الدفاعية المتكررة للمنتخب اللبناني.

بهذا الفوز، يرفع المنتخب الأسترالي رصيده إلى 12 نقطة في صدارة المجموعة التاسعة، بينما يتواجد منتخب فلسطين في المركز الثاني برصيد 4 نقاط، ويليه لبنان بنقطتين وبنجلادش بنقطة واحدة. أهداف مباراة لبنان وأستراليا في تصفيات آسيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم

While Faf du Plessis looks to come out on top in the midst of pressure of playing a big game, New Zealand will look to defend their streak of seven straight ODI series wins at home

Andrew McGlashan03-Mar-20172:26

‘This series hasn’t seen our best cricket yet’ – Faf du Plessis

“Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse, playing cricket is not,” Keith Miller, the great Australia allrounder once said.If it is accepted that the results of sporting contests require a dose of perspective now and again, it wouldn’t really be sport if there wasn’t the talk of pressure.It abounded at Eden Park on Friday as New Zealand and South Africa prepared for the deciding one-day international (although AB de Villiers started it straight after the Hamilton defeat). Perhaps the series was always destined to finish this way.If either side hoped that they could finally move on from semi-final two years ago – New Zealand are no doubt happier for the memories to linger – then they will have been disappointed. It was a frequent topic around the T20 two weeks ago; this time it has a little more relevance.New Zealand are defending a record of seven straight home ODI series wins (and eight trophies counting the Chappell-Hadlee that was on offer for the World Cup match against Australia) and South Africa need to win to regain the No. 1 ranking that they lost after the Hamilton defeat. So who is the pressure on?”Us for playing big moments, and New Zealand as home team with a very good record of maintaining home series’,” Faf du Plessis said. “They would be very disappointed to not keep that record strong. For us it is the pressure of playing a big game and trying to come out on top.”Victory in the opening match of this series gave South Africa a run of 12 wins on the bounce, but New Zealand have pushed them harder than either an under-strength Australia or the overpowered Sri Lanka managed on home soil.The last time the teams played a high-pressure game at Eden Park, both camps were left misty-eyed•AFP

While the series win and No. 1 ranking are of great importance to South Africa, the significance of this match does not extend to that of a Champions Trophy or World Cup knockout game. Since that semi-final at Eden Park, South Africa have faced five deciding ODIs: against Bangladesh, New Zealand, India, England (coming from 2-0 down) and in the Caribbean triangular last year. They won the middle three of those, losing to Bangladesh and being knocked out in the final group match in West Indies.That is a mixed bag of results, but winning in India and coming from 2-0 down in a five-match series is not to be sniffed at. However, it does suggest that for all the baggage of Eden Park there won’t really be much learnt by the outcome, although du Plessis was willing to play his part and give the “pressure” value a tweak.”Definitely from pressure point of view, since [the World Cup], this could be the one that has most value to it,” he said. “Other series have gone 5-0, 5-0, so for the relevance of getting into a big moment, this is big in terms of that.”New Zealand’s success rate in deciding matches since the World Cup, where it should be remembered they did not handle the pressure of the final very well, is a mixed bag. Wins against Zimbabwe, Australia and Pakistan (although the latter was effectively just a two-match series) have been countered by defeats at the hands of England, South Africa and India. While du Plessis did not attempt to downplay the decider much, Tim Southee acknowledged the World Cup semi-final but also how New Zealand never try to elevate one game above another.”A few guys were involved but we are just looking forward to going out in a deciding match against the best side in the world,” Southee said. “The excitement level lifts a little bit. But I think that was one of our strengths through the World Cup. No matter what stage we were at throughout that tournament, our preparation and levelness around the group didn’t change. The guys will be naturally excited, there’s a little bit more at stake, but we’ll prepare the same way.”

Mark Stoneman and Kumar Sangakkara guided Surrey to a comfortable first victory in the competition this season as the visitors easily chased down an amended target

ECB Reporters Network30-Apr-2017
ScorecardKumar Sangakkara eased Surrey to a comfortable cahse•Getty Images

The left-handed combination of Mark Stoneman and Kumar Sangakkara guided Surrey to a comfortable first victory in the competition this season as the visitors easily chased down the amended target of 182 in 29 overs in Cardiff.After Dominic Sibley was out in the fourth over, the second wicket pair put on 125 in rapid time with Stoneman scoring 74 from 48 balls, with a high proportion of his runs – 56 – coming in boundaries.The Glamorgan bowlers struggled with a wet ball, as the sparse crowd were treated to a masterclass from the Sri Lankan batsman, who was undefeated on 81 with eleven fours as Surrey won with five overs remaining.Surrey, who won the toss and on a green tinged pitch and an unfavourable weather forecast, chose to field first. Gareth Batty’s decision was immediately vindicated when Jade Dernbach trapped David Lloyd with the third ball of the innings, and two overs later knocked back Kiran Carlson’s off stump.Jacques Rudolph and Colin Ingram then resurrected the Glamorgan innings with some positive strokeplay, with Ingram striking Ravi Rampaul for one of the biggest sixes seen on the ground, a massive blow that landed some 150 yards away over backward square leg.Rudolph, no less effective, followed up the 121 he scored against Gloucestershire in the opening game, by scoring 57 from 65 balls, with nine fours, before he was bowled off the inside-edge by Sam Curran.Ingram, who before the game was awarded his county cap, struck two other sixes and four fours in his 72, made from 96 balls, before he was caught on the long-on boundary attempting another maximum.After the third-wicket pair had added 113 in 20.2 overs, Surrey’s attack assumed control, with Dernbach rewarded for bowling a full length in his opening overs, then restricting Glamorgan’s progress towards the end of the innings with his back-of-the-hand slower deliveries.Batty also bowled a miserly spell, with figures of 10-1-36-1, and with Glamorgan’s late-order batsmen finding various ways of getting out – caught off the back of the bat and a comical run out – the home team were dismissed for 239 with nine balls of their innings remaining.

Fulham are keen on a deal to sign Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah and may be helped in their pursuit by AC Milan's focus on trying to sign Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Yunus Musah?

According to The Sun, Fulham are looking to sign USA international Musah from Valencia this summer in a deal that could cost in the region of £20 million to complete.

The report states that Valencia are willing to part ways with the enforcer and AC Milan are also keen to secure his services; however, the Italian giants are yet to reach his asking price.

La Gazzetta dello Sport via Ghanaweb detail that Jose Mourinho's Roma have registered an interest in Musah and have been impressed by his profile and versatility.

Calciomercato state that AC Milan want to bring in Tijjani Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar this window and have cooled their pursuit of Musah due to a gap in valuation between both themselves and Valencia.

AC Milan are said to have offered Valencia a package with add-ons reaching around £15.4 million; however, the Spanish outfit are looking to hold out for a better financial package.

Capology understand that Musah earns around €28,846 (£24,689) per week on a contract that runs until the summer of 2026.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has indicated that AC Milan's focus on sealing a deal for Chelsea ace Pulisic may have 'opened the door' for Fulham to firm up their interest in bringing Musah to Craven Cottage.

Jones stated: "Yunus Musah was expected to close a deal with AC Milan and the contacts around that deal with Valencia are not in doubt. But nothing has been finalised and, at a time when Milan interest focused on tying up Pulisic, it might have opened the door for Fulham to show Musah a path to the Premier League.

"Fulham have long-standing ties to the US and already have Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson in the squad. Their interest in Musah is real and, over the past couple of days, a £20million deal has started to turn from a fantasy towards something a bit more realistic.

"He’s a wonderful player, still so young too, and this would be a really clever signing if they can pull it off. They can’t give him European football and that’s one downside of any offer from his point of view, as he really wants to head in that direction. But Fulham have other positives and a Milan misstep here has opened the door."

Who else could Fulham target this summer?

Fulham boss Marco Silva will be desperate to build on the positive inroads his side made in the Premier League last season and will have several targets on his list to bolster the Cottagers' squad.

Midfield is an area likely to see some movement over the next few weeks and Coventry City star Gustavo Hamer has emerged as a potential incoming and is now into the last year of his contract at the Sky Blues, as per Sky Sports.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has taken to Twitter to describe a new development in Fulham's chase of Manchester United midfielder Fred, stating: "Understand Fred has now picked new agents, same group as Gabriel Jesus. He could leave as Fulham will bid for Fred but also Saudi clubs want him. He’s under contract until 2024 at Man United but understands that playing a more important role is key now for his future."

Former Everton defender Yerry Mina could also be on his way to Craven Cottage and Fulham are 'expected' to make an offer for the Colombia international if they lose some depth in central defence during the window, as per The Sun.

وجه جابرييل جيسوس، لاعب فريق آرسنال، تحذيرًا قويًا إلى ليفربول في ظل سباق المنافسة على لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وفاز ليفربول، في الجولة الثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي، ضد برايتون بهدفين مقابل هدف.

اقرأ أيضًا.. روي كين: ليفربول الفائز بنتيجة مباراة مانشستر سيتي وآرسنال

في حين تعادل مانشستر سيتي مع آرسنال سلبيًا بدون أهداف، في قمة منافسات الجولة نفسها من البطولة.

ويتصدر ليفربول جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 67 نقطة، بفارق نقطتين عن آرسنال و3 نقاط عن مانشستر سيتي.

وقال جيسوس في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” الإنجليزية: “إنه الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، دوري صعب وأي شيء يمكن أن يحدث”.

وأضاف: “الفارق مع ليفربول نقطتين فقط، ومن ثم لدينا فارق أهداف جيد جدًا، كل شيء مهم في النهاية”.

وواصل: “ولكن لا يزال هناك الكثير من المباريات، لدينا أيضًا دوري أبطال أوروبا، هذا هو أجمل جزء من الموسم، أنت تحاول الفوز بكل الألقاب”.

Leeds United target Charlie Taylor is a 'dependable' player that wouldn't be a risky signing for the Whites this summer amid speculation linking him with a move to Elland Road, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Charlie Taylor?

According to journalist Phil Hay of The Athletic, Taylor is a target for Leeds United and could be brought in as a replacement for Junior Firpo this summer.

Hay wrote: "Defensively, Leeds require a left-back having decided to listen to enquiries for Junior Firpo. They have been repeatedly linked with Ryan Manning, who is on a free transfer after parting company with Swansea City, and they are pondering bidding for Burnley’s Charlie Taylor, the defender who came through the academy at Elland Road".

Of course, Taylor was at Leeds United between 2011 and 2017, amassing 104 appearances for the Whites in all competitions and notching three goals and and 13 assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Nevertheless, the £25k-a-week ace left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Leeds United support when he turned down a new contract at the club to head to Burnley in 2017, as per Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old was berated by then-Leeds United boss Garry Monk just before he left to join Burnley and reportedly refused to play in the last match of their 2016/17 campaign against Wigan Athletic, as the former Whites manager revealed: "There's no sugar-coating this – Charlie refused to play the game."

Now he could be set for a dramatic return to his former employers in a deal that would divide the support of the Elland Road side down the middle.

Speaking to Football FanCast, transfer insider Jones believes that Taylor would be a 'dependable' asset for Leeds United should he indeed make a comeback this summer.

Jones told FFC: "Certainly the new manager Farke will be helped by a deal like this and we've seen what Charlie Taylor's capable of, he's a very dependable player. That's the sort of thing that Leeds need next season, they don't want to take any risks and they don't want anyone letting them down. Charlie Taylor wouldn't do that."

Would Charlie Taylor be a good signing for Leeds United?

As always, the Sky Bet Championship is an extremely difficult division to navigate and having players like Taylor around with plenty of previous experience can prove to be pivotal to a side like Leeds United's promotion hopes.

Last term, the York-born left-back was almost ever present for Burnley, featuring 41 times in all competitions and producing two assists as the Clarets strolled to a return to the Premier League, as per Transfermarkt.

Defensively, Taylor stood up to the challenge for Vincent Kompany's side in 2022/23 and completed around 1.8 clearances per match in the English second tier, according to WhoScored.

In the eight league competitions ranked below Europe's top five divisions, Taylor has excelled in terms of passes attempted, getting through around 76.28 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the third percentile for this metric, as shown on FBRef.

Despite the obvious negativity that may emerge from some quarters if he was to rejoin the club, there is no doubt Taylor is an experienced performer that could help make Leeds United a solid outfit in 2023/24.

A Kane Williamson hundred and a Josh Hazlewood six-for highlighted yet another Champions Trophy washout between Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston

The Report by Brydon Coverdale02-Jun-2017No result

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:54

Fleming: Hazlewood the rock in Australia’s attack

History never repeats, the iconic New Zealand band Split Enz would have us believe. Turns out they didn’t know what they were talking about. History very much repeated on Friday at Edgbaston, where back in 2013 Australia and New Zealand had met in a Champions Trophy group match. On that occasion, the first innings was completed and the chase was underway when rain washed the game away. And this year? Ditto.There was enough play in this match for Kane Williamson to score his first ODI hundred against Australia, Josh Hazlewood to claim a career-best six-wicket haul, and Luke Ronchi to spark concern among his former countrymen with a 33-ball half-century. But there was not enough for a result, with Australia’s chase only nine overs old – 11 short of the 20 required – when the rain set in. And so the points from the match were shared.It leaves both teams searching for victories from their remaining two games against Bangladesh and England, although depending on results and net run-rates, it could be possible to progress past the group with just one win and this no-result. New Zealand likely felt the more disappointed by the weather, for with Australia at 53 for 3 from nine overs in pursuit of 235 from 33, Kane Williamson’s men would have fancied their chances.David Warner had been caught behind for 18 slashing at Trent Boult, a scratchy-looking Aaron Finch had chipped a catch to midwicket off Adam Milne for 8, and Moises Henriques sent a return catch to Milne for 18 from what turned out to be the final ball of the game. It left Australia in the remarkable position of having five of their past six ODIs at Edgbaston washed out, during a period that stretches back to their 2005 tour of England.Earlier, Williamson had won the toss and chosen to bat on what he thought looked a good pitch for run-making. Steven Smith said he would have bowled anyway. For much of New Zealand’s innings it seemed that Williamson had made the better assessment as he amassed a century and a hefty total loomed, but a late collapse and six-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood kept Australia firmly in the contest.Williamson was run out for an even 100 and it sparked a period of rapid decline for New Zealand, who lost their last seven wickets for 37 in the space of six overs. Hazlewood mopped up the lower order in emphatic fashion, finishing with a career-best 6 for 52 as New Zealand failed by an over to last their reduced allotment of 46 overs.It was quite the turnaround after Australia were first mauled by a man who used to be one of their own. Ronchi blasted his way to a 33-ball half-century to justify his inclusion ahead of Tom Latham, before Williamson and Ross Taylor combined for a 99-run partnership that kept New Zealand on the right path.The Australians were rusty in the field – Ronchi was dropped by Mitchell Starc at mid-on and also survived when Australia muffed what should have been a straightforward run-out – and looked like a side that had not played ODI cricket for several months. Smith said at the toss that he was pleased his fast bowlers would have first use of the conditions, but they were not helped by an almost total lack of swing.In fact, the only thing swinging in the early overs was Ronchi’s bat, as he thumped boundaries all around the ground. He lost his opening partner, Martin Guptill, whose leading edge was caught at point off Hazlewood for 26, and almost lost his own wicket he gave up on an attempted single only to see the throw miss, and Matthew Wade fail to gather the ball cleanly, allowing Ronchi to make his ground.A lengthy rain delay in the tenth over reduced the contest to 46 overs per side, and Ronchi scored quickly upon the resumption. Australia knew what he could do – he had smashed a 22-ball ODI fifty for Australia against West Indies back in 2008, but this time they were on the receiving end. To add to their frustration, after Ronchi was dropped by Starc at mid-on off Pat Cummins he crunched the next two balls for a four and a six.His stay ended on 65 off 43 balls when he was caught at point off John Hastings, but New Zealand by that stage were 117 for 2 and had more than 30 overs remaining to build on their total. That was precisely what Williamson and Taylor set out to do, two of the most level-headed of international batsmen compiling a common-sense partnership that by just a single run failed to become their fourth consecutive ODI century stand in England.Hastings managed to deceive Taylor (46) with a slower cross-seamer that was skied to cover, but if the hundred partnership was not to eventuate then a personal century for New Zealand’s captain would have to suffice. Williamson brought up his hundred from his 96th delivery but perished soon afterwards, run out with eight fours and three sixes to his name.And then came the carnage. Neil Broom was caught in the deep off Hazlewood, Corey Anderson skied a catch off Pat Cummins in the next over, James Neesham whacked a catch to mid-on off Hazlewood in the next. And Hazlewood finished things quickly in his next over with three wickets in four balls, running through Milne, Mitchell Santner and Boult.It left the Australians needing 292 from 46 overs, which was then altered to 235 off 33 overs following further rain during the innings break. It turned out that even the 20 overs needed to consititute a match was unattainable.

أكد توماس توخيل، المدير الفني لفريق بايرن ميونخ، أنه لا ينوي مشاهدة مباراة باير ليفركوزن الحاسمة في الدوري الألماني، يوم الأحد المقبل.

ويلتقي باير ليفركوزن مع نظيره فيردر بريمن، في الجولة التاسعة والعشرين من الدوري الألماني.

اقرأ أيضًا | خطأ طفولي.. توخيل يهاجم التحكيم بعد تعادل بايرن ميونخ مع آرسنال

ويتصدر ليفركوزن حاليًا المركز الأول برصيد 76، بفارق 16 نقطة عن بايرن ميونخ حامل اللقب.

وفي حال فوز باير ليفركوزن على فيردر بريمن بعد غد الأحد، فإنه سيحسم لقب الدوري الألماني موسم 2023/24 بشكل رسمي.

وقال توخيل في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي إن سبورتس” العالمية: “لن أتابع مباراة باير ليفركوزن يوم الأحد، سأشاهد مباراة آرسنال (ضد أستون فيلا)”.

ويستعد بايرن ميونخ لمواجهة آرسنال يوم الأربعاء المقبل، في إياب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا على ملعب “الأليانز آرينا” حيث انتهت مباراة الذهاب بنتيجة 2-2.

وأضاف: “أمامنا عدة أيام بين مواجهتي كولون وآرسنال، لكن هناك تفكير في ضم بعض اللاعبين الآخرين وإجراء بعض التغييرات”.

وواصل: “إذا أجرينا تغييرات، فسنمنح اللاعبين بعض الإيقاع ليوم الأربعاء وليس لإراحة أي شخص”.

The departure of Leeds United defender Maximilian Wober on loan this summer is "the first real kick in the teeth" for fans this window, claims journalist Phil Hay.

Is Maximilian Wober leaving Leeds United this summer?

The last few months have been undeniably tough for both Leeds and their fans. Not only have the club had to deal with a final-day relegation back from the Premier League – a league they spent 16 years trying to reach – but they have also seen a flood of players abandon the team in the aftermath.

So far, the club have seen eight players leave Yorkshire, including their leading goalscorer for last season, Rodrigo, and three first-team players they only signed last season.

The number could soon be nine, though, as Austrian international Wober is looking increasingly like he will be joining Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach in the coming days as a deal between the sides is 'close', per The Athletic.

Akin to several of his Leeds teammates, the 25-year-old only joined the side last season, moving from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg in a deal that cost the Whites a reported £11m.

This decision to loan out another of the team's first team players, especially one that has only recently joined, has upset the fans, including journalist Phil Hay.

He explained his feelings on The Square Ball YouTube channel, saying:

"Wober seems to me to be the first real kick in the teeth in terms of departures from Leeds.

"I think the other players who have gone, and there is clearly this issue about the loans and I think at some point the club are going to have to explain, you know, on the record about how this is working and what the upside is."

How good is Maximilian Wober?

Unfortunately for Leeds fans, Wober looks to be a reasonably good player and one they could certainly make good use of in the second tier next season.

Despite last season being an unmitigated disaster for the Yorkshire club, the Vienna-born defender came out relatively unscathed, earning himself an average rating of 6.63 across his 16 Premier League games, which, considering the team around him, is quite impressive,

His underlying numbers are surprisingly impressive and suggest that he could thrive within the right setup.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the 25-year-old sits in the 1% for expected assists and blocks, the top 4% for progressive passes received, the top 9% for touches in the opposition penalty area, the top 13% for assists, the top 15% for shot-creating actions and tackles, the top 17% for progressive carries and interceptions, all per 90.

He certainly impressed former manager Jesse Marsch who, before the Austrian had kicked a ball for Leeds, said:

"Well, the one thing I know about Max is he's a leader. He is a very intelligent player and he's gifted. In that sense, he can play multiple positions."

It's an unfortunate situation for Leeds, and Hay's assessment feels depressingly accurate. Hopefully, the 49ers can find a suitable replacement in what is left of the summer transfer window.