Kalvin Phillips has had a season to remember for Leeds United, hasn’t he?

One of the many benefactors from Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival at Elland Road last summer, the midfielder has developed into a key player for his side this year and has all the ingredients needed to become a modern-day hero for the Yorkshire-based outfit.

With Phillips expected to start in the first-leg of Leeds’ play-off semi-final against Derby County on Saturday, he will be hoping that by delivering yet another outstanding performance for the club, he can help them move one step closer to securing promotion to the Premier League.

If the Whites are successful in achieving this goal over the coming weeks, they will be able to provide the 23-year-old with the platform to thrive against the very best that England has to offer.

However, despite already being an extremely gifted player, Phillips could take his game to new heights if Bielsa brings in Ander Iturraspe when the transfer window opens in July.

According to El Gol Digital, the Athletic Bilbao midfielder is reportedly interested in reuniting with his former manager next season if Leeds make it into the top-flight via the play-offs.

Although the arrival of Iturraspe at Elland Road would lead to him directly competing with Phillips for his position, he could use his wealth of experience to help mentor the Whites ace.

Having played over 300 games for Bilbao during his 11-year career, the 30-year-old knows just what it takes to compete against the world’s best and so by passing on what he has learned to Phillips, he could help him fulfil his potential.

Available on a free transfer in the summer having failed to agree a new deal with Bilbao (via HITC), Iturraspe could turn out to be the perfect signing for Leeds as he not only would he be a significant upgrade on Adam Forshaw but he could also develop the talents of those around him.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa bring in Iturraspe in the summer? Could the Spaniard’s arrival turn out to be a boost for Phillips? Let us know below.

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According to French outlet L’Equipe, Brentford defender Yoann Barbet is attracting the interest of Wolves. However, a number of other clubs are also tracking the player so his signature won’t be easy to obtain.

What’s the word?

Barbet has been a rock at the back since moving to English football and has shone in a Brentford side who have defied expectations over the last few seasons.

The French defender’s contract is due to expire in the summer and as a result, there is no shortage of interest for the 25-year-old. L’Equipe is reporting that Wolves will face competition from Ligue 1 sides Angers and Montpellier, as well as Norwich and Leeds.

In previous months the Frenchman has been targeted by Aston Villa too. Back in December, the Express & Star claimed that Dean Smith had been looking at him. It’s unknown whether the Villans still have an interest in the player though.

At the moment, Transfermarkt rates the centre back at £900,000 but given he’s out of contract in July he wouldn’t cost a penny should he became a free agent.

Exactly what Wolves need

Wolves would be foolish to miss out on the chance to sign Barbet this summer. Their squad has looked particularly thin in recent months and a lack of squad depth has been a pretty major problem.

Considering there is the possibility of playing in the Europa League next season, they’ll need to invest in more bodies to help spread the workload.

However, given that their first team is already pretty settled Nuno Santo needs to be targeting squad players, rather than international stars who might upset some of their key figures.

Barbet wouldn’t walk straight into this Wolves team and as a result represents the perfect example of what kind of signings the club has to make this summer.

On a free transfer, there would be no risk to the deal and they should have no concerns about whether he can make the step up to the Premier League.

Wolves’ defence is primarily made up of players who flourished in the Championship so Nuno will be hoping Barbet can repeat the trick if he signs.

They say that there is a fine line between genius and madness, and no player encapsulates that more than Alfredo Morelos.

The Rangers striker is without question one of the most talented players in the Scottish Premiership, spearheading Steven Gerrard’s side that will comfortably finish second in the table largely down to the Colombian’s 17 goals and eight assists in the league this season, but with all these contributions in front of goal comes eight yellow cards and four red cards.

Morelos’ disciplinary record has been the centre of much attention, with some fans thinking that the striker might be better off away from Scotland if this unwanted record continues into next season, and according to the player himself, he won’t be short of suitors.

Speaking to Primer Tiempo via Football Scotland, Morelos has revealed he has significant interest from clubs heading into the summer transfer window, saying: “There is a lot of speculation about my possible departure, but there is nothing concrete yet.

“I know that there are many interested clubs asking and as soon as there is something official I will be announcing it.”

Rangers could be in for a big payday if they decide to cash in on their troublesome attacker, but even if a massive bid comes in for Morelos, who is valued at £2.7 million on Transfermarkt, Gerrard must do all he can to keep hold of his star striker.

Morelos’ yellow and red card record is something to behold, but what the striker offers in terms of goals and assists is something Rangers will find hard to replace, and although a big fee will be tempting, the club simply can’t let go of their most important player if they are to challenge with Celtic next season.

Rangers fans, should the club keep hold of Morelos at all costs? Let us know!

Given their transfer embargo, you can expect Chelsea to promote a few players from their loan army to the senior squad for the next campaign.

As things stand, though, it does not look like Fikayo Tomori will be one of them, with the 21-year-old continuing to be linked with another loan move.

Tomori, who has impressed at Derby County this season, is said to be a summer target for Celtic (Daily Record).

And given the confidence Maurizio Sarri has in David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger, it would not be a surprise to see the England U21 international depart Stamford Bridge temporarily again.

Needing regular minutes, from Tomori’s perspective, it would be the correct call, with Sarri unlikely to give him that.

That being said, a move to Celtic is probably not what the Chelsea academy product needs.

After such a strong campaign in the Championship, the next step for Tomori has to be the Premier League.

And while it would be a huge step up for the central defender, he looks more than ready for it with his strength, pace to make recovery tackles and composure on the ball.

A Chelsea loanee who has gone under the radar compared to others, he really could be the Blues’ secret weapon next season if Sarri gives him a chance, and the transfer ban makes it even more logical for the Italian to do just that.

A defensive partnership that involves Rudiger and Tomori would be daunting for any onrushing attackers, as their pace, power and tackling ability would make them a frightening combo.

With his ability, to move to a division as weak as the Scottish League would be a side or even arguably a backwards step.

At 21 and considering his talent, Tomori really needs to be playing in one of Europe’s top leagues now.

Chelsea fans, where would you like to see Tomori playing his football next season? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Southampton played out a 3-3 thriller with Bournemouth at the weekend and could have taken all three points had they managed to hold on in the final ten minutes but, given that they had already forfeited their 1-0 lead, the result against an attacking Cherries side was impressive nonetheless.

The point meant that the Saints are mathematically safe with two games remaining and so much credit has to go to Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has completely turned their season around since taking over back in December.

A number of players have benefitted greatly under the Austrian’s guidance but none more so than Yan Valery, who has blossomed into one of the brightest, young defensive talents since.

When Cedric Soares departed on loan to Inter Milan in January, huge pressure to hold down the right-back spot was placed on 20-year-old Valery’s shoulders, but he has coped with it remarkably well and his performance at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday was the latest in a number of impressive showings.

Completing five tackles – more than Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse put together – the Frenchman was a rock at the back for Southampton but was equally important on the front foot, as he teed up Matt Targett for his side’s third of the afternoon.

From last minute penalties to being taken apart by local rivals, fans pick the moments that defined their clubs’ seasons in the video below…

Only Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (86) took more touches than Valery (67) while the number 49’s seven crosses were bested only by Ward-Prowse – Saints’ creative hub.

With a performance like that far from a fluke, Southampton will be extremely thankful that they managed to tie the starlet down until 2023 just over a month ago – there would surely have been a number of suitors in the summer otherwise, with Valery’s previous deal set to expire imminently. Certainly, the decision was Ralph Krueger’s last great contribution to the south coast outfit before his departure was announced earlier this month.

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Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to slam Michael Oliver, after the referee sent off Ainsley Maitland-Niles in harsh fashion as the Gunners crashed to a 3-0 defeat against Leicester – they have now conceded three times in their last three matches against Crystal Palace, Wolves and the Foxes.

The Arsenal academy graduate received his first booking for a shoulder-to-shoulder clash with Ben Chilwell, which seemed very soft.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Bhav runs down his Arsenal transfer wish list in the video below…

Maitland-Niles was then given his marching orders for a desperate lunge on James Maddison, which left the England Under-21 star rolling on the floor – replays show that the Arsenal full-back didn’t actually make much contact with the attacking midfielder.

His dismissal set the tempo for the rest of the game and saw Unai Emery’s men concede three second-half goals, leading to yet another loss which has put a huge dent in their top four hopes.

Let’s see what the Arsenal fans on Twitter are saying about Oliver’s refereeing…

يشعر لاعب آرسنال توماس بارتي بحالة من الثقة والتفاؤل تجاه قدرته على العودة سريعًا إلى الملاعب بعد تعرضه للإصابة.

واضطر اللاعب البالغ من العمر 27 عامًا إلى الخروج من الشوط الأول في مباراة هزيمة آرسنال 3-0 على أرضه أمام أستون فيلا يوم الأحد الماضي بسبب مشكلة في الفخذ.

وكان من المقرر أن يتواصل بارتي مع غانا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي، لكنه ظل في آرسنال لإجراء مزيد من الاختبارات والعلاج.

وذكرت شبكة “جول” العالمية أن مصدر مقرب من بارتي أكد أن لاعب خط الوسط يشعر بثقة كبيرة أن الإصابة التي يعاني منها طفيفة.

وأفاد المصدر، حسب ما أوضحت الشبكة، أن بارتي واثق من قدرته على العودة قريبًا جدًا.

ويواجه آرسنال نظيره ليدز يونايتد يوم الأحد المقبل، في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

يُذكر أن بارتي انتقل إلى آرسنال قادمًا من أتلتيكو مدريد، في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي لهذا العام.

[ad_pod ]BBC Radio Solent journalist Adam Blackmore has revealed on Twitter that Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted Fraser Forster could make a shock return to the starting XI for the trip to West Ham United on Saturday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, despite being the club’s first-choice option for a number of seasons previously, the 31-year-old hasn’t made a single appearance for Saints since the 5-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day 2017.

Firstly he paid for a run of poor form to find himself behind Alex McCarthy in the pecking order, and the arrival of Angus Gunn last summer only served to push him down to being the third-choice stopper.

From last minute penalties to being taken apart by local rivals, fans pick the moments that defined their clubs’ seasons in the video below…

However, he has returned to the fold and been on the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks with McCarthy injured, and now Hasenhuttl has suggested he could be named on the team-sheet at the London Stadium.

Blackmore tweeted: #saintsfc manager Ralph Hasenhuttl set to ring the changes at West Ham on Saturday. Told me that Fraser Forster might come in – “if you want to give him a chance it’s a good moment for this.”

Good idea?

It certainly is.

Southampton are safe now so the final two matches of the season are pressure-free and give Hasenhuttl a chance to look at some of the players he may not have seen a lot of – Forster included.

The Austrian will be able to make a judgement on whether the stopper is good enough to be involved next season, as well as putting him in the shop window should he have already decided that he wants to move the former Newcastle United man on during the summer window.

[ad_pod ]West Brom’s managerial search seems to be a merry-go-round of speculation that doesn’t appear as though it’ll ever end.Express & Star claimed last weekend that Technical Director Luke Dowling had held talks with Chris Hughton and Slavisa Jokanovic. Also linked have been Patrick Vieira and Danny Cowley.However, the latest name to take their fancy is Bruno Labbadia who is now set to meet with Dowling this week. That’s according to both Express & Star and John Percy.Reacting to the news on Twitter there was a mixed response from Baggies supporters over his possible appointment.One supporter claimed it would be exciting but quickly reflected upon things in a negative light by suggesting the club wouldn’t give him the funds to rebuild the team. A further fan ridiculed West Brom, hinting they’d make a mess of the negotiations.Another individual tweeted that his money was on Jimmy Shan or Darren Moore returning. Given the way Albion have operated in the past, it wouldn’t be the most shocking of updates if one of them was to come back.Was Darren Moore’s sacking unfair? The Pl>ymaker FC squad name which Championship bosses should have gone instead in the video below…Labbadia has done a sterling job in Germany and is set to leave Wolfsburg, who he guided to sixth place in the Bundesliga, at the end of the season. Last term, the 53-year-old saved them from relegation.Here’s the best of the debate.

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Writing his Sky Sports column, David Prutton thinks Sheffield United’s campaign will get even better with his final day predictions.

Just a few weeks ago the Blades didn’t look to be on track for automatic promotion, but now the former Leeds midfielder expects the Yorkshire club to lift silverware at the end of the season.

What’s been said then?

Prutton has backed Sheffield United to win the league title on the final day, as they travel to the Bet365 stadium while Norwich have a tough matchup against Aston Villa.

The 37-year-old wrote that he expects there to be one final twist at the top end of the Championship.

“It looked like it was going to go to the wire for automatic promotion in the Sky Bet Championship, but Leeds’ collapse allowed Sheffield United to seal it before the final day, which I must admit I didn’t see coming! Boy have the Blades been celebrating since.

“Chris Wilder is a driven individual, though, and he will want his team to win at Stoke and give themselves a chance of silverware. They are three points behind Norwich, with a better goal difference, so the title can still be won.

“I fancy Sheffield United to turn up at Stoke and nick all three points, and Norwich have a difficult trip to Aston Villa. You don’t know how many changes Dean Smith will make in that one with the play-offs coming up, but I have a feeling they could sneak the win and give the Blades the opportunity to claim the title.”

One more celebration

One thing is for certain, this weekend Sheffield United will be in a party mood, and that could mean free-flowing attacking football.

As long United’s players aren’t still bearing heavy heads after last weekend’s festivities they should brush aside Stoke, whilst Norwich could struggle against an Aston Villa side who will want to go into the playoffs on a high.

The Canaries have seemingly taken their foot off the gas in recent weeks, as their spot in the Premier League was all but sealed last month. The East Anglian outfit have won just one of their previous five games, and they could easily relinquish their grip on the league title.

Celebrations shared on the club’s Twitter after promotion was confirmed showed the affinity between the players and the fans at Bramall Lane. The squad will undoubtedly want to deliver the dream league title so that they can do it all over again.