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Craig Hope has relayed a key update on the final game of the 2019/20 Premier League season for Newcastle United versus Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as a spokesperson for the Northumbria Police (via Daily Mail) said that the fixture ‘has been discussed’ and at this current moment in time will be played at St. James’ Park.

As per the journalist, the match had been one of those that had been previously flagged by the police as possibly high-risk because of fears that the supporters from both sets of teams could end up gathering at the stadium despite lock down and social distancing regulations that have been put into place to try and stop the global pandemic from spreading across the country.

There was a worry first of all because the Reds have now been confirmed as champions of the top flight after Chelsea won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, meaning that they could not mathematically catch the Anfield outfit.

Given that it would be their last match of the campaign, there was a fear that the LFC faithful would gather around the stadium to celebrate their title win, and thus breaking lock down rules.

On the other hand, there was also a worry that some members of the Toon faithful would also gather around St. James’ Park to potentially celebrate the end of the Mike Ashley era, assuming that England’s highest division approve of the proposed takeover in the North East around that time.

Having both sets of fans there could have possibly put a strain on the local police, but it seems as if the game will still be played at the Magpies’ home ground until something else changes.

Geordies, would you be worries about a potential gathering outside the stadium? Comment below!

Key Information about Hayes Lane

Hayes Lane is the home stadium of Greater London located Bromley Football Club, and it is also used by Crystal Palace Women and Cray Wanderers who are the oldest association football club in London and the joint-second oldest in the world.

The stadium has a capacity of 5,000, including 1,300 seats, and it first opened in 1938 which was the same year the Lilywhites moved in. Hayes Lane is made up of four famous stands; the John Fiorini Stand (main), the Glyn Beverly Stand, the North Terrace, and the Cricket Club Side (away supporters).

A history of Hayes Lane

Bromley first moved into Hayes Lane in 1938 from their previous ground which was on the same road, and it originally features one 2,500 all-seater stand on one side of the pitch with the rest surrounded by banking. Famously, Hayes Lane was opened by former FIFA president Sir Stanley Rous on 3 September 1938, as Bromley hosted Walthamstow Avenue only for them to face a 6-1 thrashing. A record attendance was set and still stands from 1948, ten years after the ground first opened.

The record is 10,798, and it was set between Bromley and a Nigeria XI. Floodlights were introduced to the stadium for the first time in 1960, and were famously used during a game between Japan and Isthmian League XI later in the year. This now meant that Bromley could play night-time fixtures in darker conditions for the first time.

The other three stands were initially built as concrete terraces so that both ends of the pitch were covered, and the original stand burned down in October 1992 with it being replaced by a smaller 320-seat stand which was opened the following year.

In order to meet ground requirements and regulations after winning promotion to the National League for the first time in their history, they had to obtain seats from the London Aquatics Centre in order to install them behind one of the goals. It was not until April 2017 that Bromley announced that work would begin on a 1,450-seat stand at the sound end of Hayes Lane. In addition to this major redevelopment, the playing surface was converted from grass to 3G. The brand new stand had recently opened in the summer of 2019 and was named in honour of former club chairman Glyn Beverly.

Hayes Lane famously hosted five games at the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup which is an international football tournament for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA. The tournament was hosted by Barawa Football Association with all games held around London.

Tickets to Watch Bromley at Hayes Lane

Adult season tickets are priced at £200 which works out to be just £8.70 per game. Concession (over-65s and students over-21) season tickets cost £135, and under-16s and young student season tickets are priced at just £65. Adult matchday tickets cost £15 with concessions at £10, and students/children at £5.

Related Links

http://www.bromleyfc.tv/ – Official website of Bromley FC

Jose Mourinho has a choice to make if Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier leaves north London in the summer, reports say.Â

The 60-cap Ivory Coast international wanted to leave last year but a move to AC Milan failed to materialise.

Now Tottenham are reportedly trying to get rid of the right-back as talks have ‘intensified’ between the two clubs over the past week or so.

Stefano Pioli’s side will have to sell either Andrea Conti or David Calabria to make room for the ex-Paris Saint-Germain ace.

Aurier is a controversial character who has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons more often than not, after his conduct came under scrutiny from the club for making a string of high-profile mistakes.

The Lilywhites have been linked to Turkey full-back Zeki Celik, but he is apparently “just one of the names on the list” if Aurier leaves, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian transfer guru claims Spurs are considering several options, which makes perfect sense, as they are also in the running to sign Norwich City’s Max Aarons and have recently registered their interest in Arsenal academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Kyle Walker-Peters has already left the club, so Mourinho will have to fill two right-back spots if he decides to sell Aurier in the summer.

As Alasdair Gold pointed out, Spurs need to improve the amount of homegrown players in the squad and losing Walker-Peters and potentially Danny Rose as well could lead the Lilywhites to taking a look at some of the British talent on offer like Aarons and Maitland-Niles.

On the other hand, Celik has played Champions League football, which might put him at an advantage over his Premier League counterparts. The 23-year-old, who is only slightly older than Aarons and Maitland-Niles, is an aggressive tackler and potent counter-attacking threat on the right flank for Lille, who has plenty of experience at the top levels of the game despite his young age.

However, Spurs face stiff competition from Everton to sign the£18m-valued defender, so it remains to be seen if Daniel Levy can get a deal done in the summer.

Tottenham fans, do you think Levy should sign Celik? Let us know your views in the comments below!

After finishing the season with a victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final, the Gunners faithful will be looking forward to their first full season under Mikel Arteta, after the Spaniard was appointed as manager in December last year.

The club has already completed the signing of Willian from Chelsea, but have plenty more business to do if Arteta and the board want to climb their way back up the table to contend with the big English clubs once again.

Arsenal have reportedly found themselves with £100million to spend this summer, which will prove pivotal due to the financial implications that COVID-19 has had on the footballing world.

After a disappointing finish in the league table, missing out on both Champions League and Europa League football next season – the club will likely struggle to attract the best players in the game, but will likely do their best to bring in the most realistic players possible, so who might that be?

Gabriel Magalhães

The 22-year-old defender has been linked with a move away from Lille this summer, with Arsenal reportedly looking like the frontrunners for the Brazilian’s signature having agreed a £22 million transfer.

Central defence is an area that the club will need to strengthen, and Gabriel would be a great player to do so – in 24 league appearances, the defender has averaged 1.7 tackles, 3.3 clearances, and 3.5 aerial duels won per game.

Manchester United and Napoli were also linked with a move for the player, but it appears that Arsenal will be completing the signing soon.

Thomas Partey

It has been no secret that the Gunners are desperate to sign the Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder – but it has been reported that the player’s wage demands will be the most difficult agreement between himself and Arsenal, with Partey wanting £200,000 a week to complete the move.

His numbers warrant the price, however, with the Ghanaian midfielder averaging 2 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, and 1.9 aerial duels won per game. The addition of Partey would be very important for the club, with both Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira being linked with moves away from the club.

Diego Carlos

Another Brazilian defender on our list is Sevilla’s Diego Carlos – with him being linked with a move to the North London club this summer. Both Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are said to want Carlos as part of a squad overhaul, but the player will likely come at a price.

The defender’s release clause at Sevilla is £68 million, a price that is likely going to be too high for the club to meet with current financial circumstances – with both Sokratis and Calum Chambers reportedly up for sale this summer to try and raise funds. The 27-year-old has helped Sevilla reach the final of the Europa League this season, as well as a 4th place finish in La Liga.

Dani Ceballos

The Spanish midfielder was on loan at Arsenal last season, and the club is looking to try and secure another year-long loan deal for the player with Real Madrid. It has been reported, however, that Ceballos is waiting on a bid from La Liga side Real Betis before committing his future to the Gunners.

Despite being happy to return to Arsenal next season, and with Arteta likely to make him apart of his plans for next season, the midfielder is also keen on a move back to former club Betis, where he made his debut. Only time will tell on the situation with Ceballos, but the Gunners should look to try and secure his services sooner or later, as the player is likely to flourish under fellow countryman Arteta.

Philippe Coutinho

The 28-year-old has been in great form for Bayern Munich this season – the Brazilian was sent out on loan by parent club Barcelona at the start of last season despite showing signs of his quality for the club. In his 23 league games for Bayern this season, Coutinho scored 8 goals with 6 assists from attacking midfield and even scored a brace against his Barcelona in the semi-final thrashing which saw Bayern victors in an 8-2 win.

It has been reported that the Gunners are keen to bring the midfielder to the Emirates – with suggestions that the club could sign the maestro for just £9 million, plus exiled midfielder Matteo Guendouzi. Coutinho would be a great signing for Arsenal and could be just the player they need to reach the upper echelons of English football again.

Sheffield United supporters will want the club to sign some players whilst the transfer window is open, but the latest transfer news to happen surrounding the Blades is a temporary departure.

Sheffield United have posted on their website that highly rated youngster Rhys Norrington-Davies will be heading to Championship side Luton Town on a season-long loan.

It is a big step up for the player, as he has played on loan at both Barrow in the National League and Rochdale in League One in recent times.

The loan move will benefit all parties as it means Norrington-Davies can get some much-needed experience in a tough division and it also highlights how promising he is that he has managed to pick up a loan move to the Championship after being in the National League not too long ago.

He is also an U21 international for Wales which highlights he has a good future ahead of him, so if he can have a good season at Luton there is no doubt that he could be in with a shout of playing for the Blades sooner rather than later.

It also bodes well for the Blades that they have a player for the future who is a left-back, as they missed out on the signing of Antonee Robinson to Fulham, and the reliable Enda Stevens is 30, so he won’t be around forever and Norrington-Davies could be the ideal future replacement for him.

Sheffield United fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!

Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope has been described by former Premier League player Craig Burley as “one of the best out there”, with the ex-Chelsea midfielder imploring his former club to sign the 28-year-old.

The Blues have indeed been linked with a potential move for the Clarets netminder (as per 90min.com) as Frank Lampard seeks an upgrade on the much-maligned Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Burley has also tipped Pope to usurp Jordan Pickford as England’s first-choice ‘keeper ahead of the European Championship next summer, with the twice-capped Burnley stopper featuring in Gareth Southgate’s squad for this week’s UEFA Nations League fixtures.

The ex-Scotland international told ESPN FC [via Daily Express]: “I still think Nick Pope at Burnley is one of the best out there. I don’t know what the scenario is with Burnley in terms of the fee that they would want for him, of course they don’t want to sell him.

“But I do think that come the Euros in 2021, if he continues the way he did last year, Jordan Pickford won’t be England No 1, or I would be surprised if he was England No 1 come the Euros, that’s how well Pope played, and that’s been noticed.

“I don’t know if Lampard likes him but for me, that would be a much better scenario than Kepa starting the season.”

It is no surprise that ex-Chelsea player Burley wants his former club to sign Pope, given the 28-year-old’s excellent form during the 2019/20 season.

The Burnley goalkeeper racked up 15 clean sheets in the Premier League, just one fewer than Golden Glove winner Ederson of Manchester City. He also had the fourth-highest total of saves out of any ‘keeper in the division last term with 120 – Pickford had 94 while Kepa made just 55 (as per premierleague.com).

While Pope conceded three more league goals than Kepa last season (50 to 47), the Spaniard played five fewer games, with his concession average of 1.42 per game higher than the Burnley man’s 1.32.

Chelsea have already splurged almost £130m in the current transfer window, so the Clarets will likely be hoping that Lampard may not have much more cash to throw at potential new signings. If the Blues manage to raise funds by offloading unwanted players, though, they could continue to test Burnley’s resolve in their pursuit of Pope, whose ever-present status in last season’s Premier League illustrates the enormity of his importance to Sean Dyche’s squad.

There is still just over a month left in this transfer window and it could be a nervy one at Turf Moor if Chelsea act on Burley’s advice and try to bring Pope to Stamford Bridge.

Burnley fans, how hard it would be to replace Pope if he leaves for Chelsea? Have your say by commenting below!

It’s safe to say Leeds have already enjoyed a lively start to the new season.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were hugely unlucky to be on the wrong side of a 4-3 thriller in their opening Premier League game of the campaign against Liverpool, before bowing out on penalties to Hull in the Carabao Cup in mid-week.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…



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Now, the Whites turn their attentions back towards the league, with a clash against fellow newly-promoted side Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Having run the changes for the game against Hull on Wednesday, Bielsa will no doubt revert to type, and go with his more senior options. And with that in mind, below is a look at how Leeds could line up against Fulham.

Despite naming him as captain against the Tigers, Kiko Casilla is likely to drop back to the bench, with Illan Meslier coming back in to take the starting goalkeeper slot.

In front of him, Bielsa will further ring the changes, with a complete revamp of the back-line that started against Hull, with Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas all taking their places in the starting line-up.

Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez should form the central midfield trio, with Jack Harrison coming in on the left flank. One key decision Bielsa may be tempted to do, is keeping Ian Poveda in the team, and hoping that a game at home to Fulham – which should theoretically be the ‘easiest’ game of the season given the Cottagers earned promotion via the play-offs – could see him finally make his mark for the club.

And up front, the sooner Rodrigo starts firing the better, and what better chance to do that then on Saturday?

Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Dallas; Phillips, Klich, Hernandez, Harrison, Poveda; Rodrigo

Fulham’s last Premier League campaign ended in abject failure as the Whites were relegated at the first time of asking, and one reason for that was undoubtedly their lack of quality in the midfield.

Jean Michael Seri and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa were named amongst the worst signings of the season at the end of that campaign, while Tom Cairney’s Championship form didn’t carry through as many would have hoped as he scored just one goal and contributed one assist.

Luckily, that may not be such an issue this time around.

Anguissa looks like a new man fresh from his loan spell with Villarreal that caught Real Madrid’s attention, while the deadline day addition of Ruben Loftus-Cheek could add something that Fulham have missed for almost a decade.

Indeed, nobody has come close to matching what Mousa Dembele brought to Fulham’s midfield in the eight years since he joined Tottenham, but Loftus-Cheek could finally bring what Dembele once did.

The above infographic compares Loftus-Cheek’s season at Crystal Palace, a term in which he was a starter for a team tipped to struggle, to Dembele’s final full season at Craven Cottage.

There are obvious physical similarities between the pair with both Loftus-Cheek and Dembele being stocky and imposing midfielders, but their statistical makeup is also alarmingly similar.

Despite Dembele being considered as one of the league’s best dribblers during his stay in England, the Chelsea man may actually be a better ball carrier, averaging more dribbles per game than the left-footer did in his final season at Fulham.

The Belgian just about edges the key passes and shots on goal statistics, but that is to be expected as he was still transitioning from being a striker, appearing often as a second striker or a number 10, while his younger counterpart was playing a deeper role for Palace.

Despite Dembele having more key passes and shots, Loftus-Cheek was actually more productive, having more goal contributions during the two seasons we’re comparing.

The one startling difference is the pair’s defensive output, with Dembele averaging over three tackles per game during that season at Fulham, while the England international averaged less than 1, but with Harrison Reed and Anguissa likely to have more defensive responsibility than Danny Murphy did back in the day, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Fingers crossed Loftus-Cheek can be just as good as Dembele was for Fulham.

Celtic will want to put the past few days behind them as they have suffered two defeats which could impact on their hopes domestically and in Europe.

After a chastening home defeat against Glasgow Rangers left them four points behind their rivals in the Premiership, the Hoops began their Europa League group stage campaign with a 1-3 home loss to AC Milan.

Manager Neil Lennon remains upbeat about the season despite those setbacks as he spoke following the Milan defeat.

What Neil Lennon had to say following the Milan defeat

Speaking via the Daily Record, the Celtic manager said: “We’re making too much of one result and one performance. We will come back stronger than ever and we’re looking forward to the challenge and the challenges that lie ahead. We’re not panicking, we’re staying calm.

“We have a great belief in the players and I have every right to believe in them because of what they have done and what they can do. I am past the stage of my career where criticising players probably works and I don’t think they deserve it.

“I think they should be cut a bit of slack. They will come again and they will be stronger than ever and looking at them they have got the bit between the teeth again.”

Lennon eager to move on from poor results

Despite the bad week, it is fair for the manager to remain upbeat, as Celtic still have a game in hand in the Premiership and five more games in their Europa League group. His mentality also shows that he is the right man to get them out of this rough patch, as he has guided them to four league titles and multiple domestic cups at the helm of the club.

Lennon has only lost 47 of his 308 games in charge, so his record at Parkhead across his two managerial stints commands respect.

The manager has had a lot of success in Glasgow and has the second best win percentage in the Bhoys’ history, just behind Martin O’Neill, so there is no reason for Celtic to panic despite consecutive home defeats.

Celtic fans, have a look at the fan base discussing Lennon after the Old Firm defeat here!

It’s been an interesting week to follow Leeds United.

The club are in the midst of an injury crisis, but that didn’t stop them from getting their best result of the season on Friday as they beat Aston Villa 3-0 at Villa Park.

However, one issue that was apparent at Villa Park was the fact that the Whites missed Kalvin Phillips quite a lot.

Indeed, Bielsa’s replacement for Phillips was subbed off after just 20 minutes of action and going forward he may have to find another alternative as Pascal Struijk showed he wasn’t up to scratch on Friday.

In the same week that it was reported that Leeds were planning talks with Ouasim Bouy to terminate his contract, it’s hard to not look at United’s first-team picture and think about how things could have worked out differently for Bouy and that he could have been a valuable asset during this time.

Now, we’re not saying that he should be a first-teamer or that he hasn’t played his part in his own misfortunes, because he has, but if he wasn’t completely frozen out of the team, now would have been the time to give him a chance.

Bouy could easily have slotted into the Kalvin Phillips role, being a natural defensive midfielder himself, and he certainly had the eye for a pass that the Yorkshire Pirlo has built his career on.

“He was a creative player with a golden left foot. He scored tremendous goals but he had this great feeling for when to play the through pass and how to put attackers in good positions to score. That was his great asset,” One of Bouy’s former coaches said of him.

However, for one reason or another, his career has gone off the rails and he’s never played a game for Leeds United, despite once being touted as a wonderkid.

Bielsa froze him out almost as soon as he arrived, but perhaps if the Argentine had given him more of a shot to prove himself, he wouldn’t have such a sticky situation in defensive midfield right now.

Unfortunately, it seems as though Bouy’s chance to make any sort of impact at Leeds has been and gone.