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Leeds United are reportedly preparing a loan bid for Chelsea’s Reece James, who has raised eyebrows since he joined Wigan Athletic on loan last season. 

However, the complications of another homegrown player arriving at Elland Road has got some fans speculating as to how the club could respond to James’ potential arrival.

After an impressive spell at Wigan in the 2018/19 campaign, James returned to Chelsea where he has slowly emerged into the first-team picture under manager Frank Lampard, appearing in the Champions League group stage – although the 19-year-old is yet to make a Premier League appearance so far this season.

With Leeds having won just one of their last four Championship fixtures, the potential arrival of James in January has excited some of the club’s fanbase, though some fans have speculated that his arrival could pave the way for Jack Clarke – on loan from Tottenham Hotspur – to depart back to north London.

Given James’ ability, it’s no surprise that this rumour has got fans talking on social media.

Here’s what some of the Whites faithful had to say about Clarke and Nketiah in light of the recent report…

He’s huffing, he’s puffing, but he can’t break the door down.You just wonder how many hints he’s going to have to give before Marcelo Bielsa starts paying attention.It’s no secret that there are a lot of Leeds fans who have been crying out for Eddie Nketiah to start ahead of Patrick Bamford, but it just seems that no matter how hard he tries, there just hasn’t been that breakthrough.Which is perhaps why he’s being forced to try some new methods to show the Leeds boss exactly what he can do.

He posted a video to his Twitter feed yesterday of himself scoring during training with the England U21 side, capped off by a very impressive no-look finish for one of his efforts.

Leeds fans when they saw the video couldn’t contain themselves, and used it as yet another opportunity to demand that he be given more chances under Bielsa.

So far he’s netted four times for the Whites, two of which were late strikes in the league.

Here’s some of the reaction.

Whether it’s pressure from the fans, or it’s pressure from himself in scoring as many goals as he can to get him to notice, you just wonder how much longer we’re going to have to wait before he starts becoming a first-team regular.

It’s fair to say that Dean Smith is one of the best managers Aston Villa have had in recent years.

The Villans finally returned to the Premier League under the tutelage of the former Brentford boss, and this Thursday marked one year since Smith took over at Villa Park.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It’s certainly been an eventful year for the Midlands club since the 48-year-old was appointed.

Largely it’s been full of positives as Aston Villa achieved promotion last season. However, Smith has said there is only one moment that he didn’t enjoy since he took charge.

Indeed, Smith said that he’s enjoyed every moment of being Aston Villa manager, except for their game against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium last term.

Just reading that last sentence has probably brought back terrible memories for a number of Villa fans, as their team were beaten 3-0 by the Lancashire outfit back in January.

You can understand why the gaffer didn’t enjoy watching his team get hammered by a side that they should have been beating, as the Latics finished 13 places below Villa last term.

Some Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to discuss the daunting run of upcoming fixtures.After the Eagles take on West Ham this Saturday, they face Manchester City at Selhurst Park and Arsenal at The Emirates, before also welcoming in-form Leicester to SE25.

Palace then go away to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, before welcoming European champions Liverpool to south London to round off a scary-looking run of fixtures.

Oddly, you would be forgiven for thinking Roy Hodgson’s men have somewhat of a chance in the majority of these fixtures given their form against the big six lately – they have certainly caused a few shocks in recent years.

Palace beat Manchester City and Arsenal away last season, while they also beat Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this term – the south Londoners definitely like being the underdog, it seems.

Let’s take a look at how the Palace fans on Twitter reacted to hearing their upcoming fixtures…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

According to former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan, Manchester United are looking to make a move for Aston Villa star John McGinn in January – per quotes on Football Insider.

What’s he said?

Villa have endured a tough spell in the Premier League as of late, picking up just one victory from their opening six matches.

Though, some of their playoff heroes have continued their rich vein of personal form – most notably McGinn, who ranks as their best player according to WhoScored ratings at an average of 7.54 per game.

He’s scored two goals, assisted one and picked up the Man of the Match award in half of their fixtures, continuing on from last season’s campaign where his seven goals and nine assists majorly contributed towards their promotion.

Over the summer, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted United to sign his fellow countryman, and it appears they may well be thinking along the same lines this time around.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed:

“He’s Villa’s one shining light. When you watch Villa, McGinn is the best player every game. He is involved in everything and is a fantastic player.

“That is why Manchester United are looking at him for January. That’s what I’ve been told. They’re scouting him. I think they could do with someone like McGinn. He would be far better for them than someone else like Juan Mata.”

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A worrying but expected sign

It’s fair to say that Villa aren’t one of the top sides in the Premier League having only just returned to the top-flight this season, so it is understandable that when any player stands out, it is likely to bring interest from the financial heavyweights in the division.

As the previous statistics suggest, he’s been far and away one of their most impressive players and one that they’ll need to keep hold of at least until the summer if they want to remain in the big time.

Losing McGinn in January could seriously put their survival hopes at risk, considering the club already occupy a relegation place, that’s not something they’ll want to happen unless they are forced to do so.

The club does have riches in the central midfield position, but no player is like the Scot, and his absence would undoubtedly create a big void in the attacking phase. They should, therefore, be fearing the worst if United are circling around.

Having made a public promise to give youngsters a chance in the first-team, it seems Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keeping his word.

The Norwegian saw the fruits of such an approach during the club’s pre-season tour in the summer, where the likes of Mason Greenwood, Tahith Chong and Axel Tuanzebe all shined at various points.

And having resisted the temptation to throw them into the deep end in the Premier League, Solskjaer has changed tack for the side’s opening game of the Europa League against Astana.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the United boss confirmed the likes of Greenwood, Tuanzebe and Sergio Romero would all be starting.

Now, ahead of the evening kick-off, the club’s official Twitter account has revealed that 19-year-old midfielder Angel Gomes has also been given a rare opportunity to start.

After hearing about the team selection, United fans flooded to Twitter to share their thoughts on the situation.

Many supporters of the Manchester side appear to be in dreamland with the news, with one fan in particular saying it is the best moment of his life – bit far perhaps.

Some fans hailed Solskjaer’s decision to hand the youngsters a chance, with many revelling in how exciting the team is.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

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West Ham United made it eight points from their five Premier League matches this season with a goalless draw against Aston Villa on Monday night.

The Hammers actually finished the contest with 10 men as Arthur Masuaku picked up a second yellow card in the 67th minute.

Following the sending off, West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini decided to replace Felipe Anderson with Pablo Zabaleta in order to get an extra defender on the field.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It was not a surprise that Zabaleta entered the action as the visitors looked to consolidate.

However, it would be fair to say that the decision to replace Anderson did not go down very well with the West Ham fans on social media.

Find out a how a world-record-holding freestyler got on with the worst football in the world in the video below…

All things considered, a point away to Villa is far from a disastrous result, particularly with Masuaku’s red card making it a difficult conclusion.

That said, the London club’s fans hated the tactical decision from Pellegrini, as shown by the Twitter reaction below:

Leeds presenter Joe Wainman believes that Dan James was always destined to sign for the club, even suggesting he is like a son to Marcelo Bielsa.

The Lowdown: Leeds finally capture James

Leeds signing of £16.2m-valued James (Transfermarkt) had been two years in the making. The Whites had been close to capturing the Wales international in 2019, but the move from Swansea City fell apart on deadline day.

He of course moved to Manchester United before finally switching to Elland Road in the summer for a fee of £25m (BBC).

The Latest: Wainman makes James claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Wainman believes James was always going to end up with the Whites. He said:

“I just felt that it was always going to be Leeds United’s deal because they were so big on him. Victor Orta very big on him. Of course, Bielsa, he’s like Bielsa’s son, I think. It was always going to happen.”

The Verdict: Finally

It is hard to understate just how close James was close to moving to Yorkshire – he was even pictured holding up a Leeds shirt before the transfer fell apart (inews). Two years later, the Whites finally have their man, and he has already made five appearances in all competitions for the club (Transfermarkt).

How much of an impact he has remains to be seen – he is yet to score or provide an assist as of yet – but if Bielsa was that desperate to capture him, he clearly has a certain ability. After all, the Argentinian is a hero in Leeds and, so far, the vast majority of his decisions have paid off.

In other news, Noel Whelan is delighted with these club plans.

At one point, it seemed destined for Burnley to go down this season. However, Sean Dyche’s side’s resurgence following Christmas has been palpable. After being pitted at the bottom for a prolonged period, Burnley now find themselves two points clear of the relegation zone.

The Clarets are unbeaten in six, having taken full points against West Ham United as well as relegation rivals Fulham and Huddersfield Town. The courageous draw at Old Trafford, in which they displayed some exemplary stubborn defending, proved Burnley had regained last season’s form, exemplified in them having kept two clean sheets and conceded only five in last six games.

With defenders Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and captain Tom Heaton in inspired form and striking duo Wood and Barnes scoring again, Burnley’s survival hopes have been strengthened. Dyche’s brilliant turnaround might’ve earned him a Premier League manager of the month nomination, but he needs to keep strengthening his side’s resolve.

In this final stretch, Burnley host top six sides in Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal while travelling to Merseyside twice. While the victories against relegation rivals were vital, the Clarets need to keep gaining maximum points to assure safety. In a league like the Premier League, this unpredictable relegation battle could soon turn on their heads.

The Clarets have to dig their heels in and bully opponents into surrendering points. While tough times lay await, Burnley’s recent resurgence indicates that they should live to fight another season in the English top-flight.

Dyche has largely turned it around but he’ll know more than anyone not to get too comfortable if those at Turf Moor are going to stay in the Premier League, considering the run in they have.

A number of Sheffield Wednesday fans have criticised Lewis Wing after he produced a poor performance in the Owls’ 2-1 defeat to Oxford United.

Darren Moore’s side were in League One action on Saturday afternoon, hoping to build on their impressive 2-1 win at Wigan Athletic in midweek. Instead, Wednesday produced a hugely disappointing showing, losing 1-2 at Hillsborough and conceding yet another stoppage-time goal, having equalised earlier on in the match.

It was a match in which various Owls players failed to impress as they took another step backwards in an increasingly frustrating season.

One player who had a particularly poor day was Wing, who received a four-out-of-10 rating from Yorkshire Live’s Dom Howson and was described as “off the pace” by the journalist. The 26-year-old also lost possession 17 times overall, conceded three fouls and came off second best in five of his eight duels.

Sheff Wed fans slam Wing showing

The midfielder’s performance didn’t go unnoticed with some Wednesday fans, who took to Twitter to slate his “shocking” display against Oxford.

“Also how Johnson starts over Brown confuses me, sorry but Wing has offered nothing this season yet”

Credit: @Bananaman1982

“Dunkley, Iorfa, Johnson, Wing all awful yesterday. Never seen 2 CB unable to pass, head or organise as bad as those 2. Desperately missed Hutchinson at the back”

Credit: @alexstocks3

“The team isn’t good enough! There are players in that team that aren’t good enough. Whoever’s involved in our recruitment & scouting needs to go! ALL NEED TO GO!!! Wing, Johnson, Dunkley are woeful. There are a few others that played today that need to look at themselves”

Credit: @MFF_abdul

“Lewis Wing stinks”

Credit: @harrison_h1

“Dom Iorfa showing why nobody came in for him this summer. BPF, Johnson, Wing, Dunkley absolutely shocking”

Credit: @JonOwls1867

“Where is this Lewis Wing? You know, the one we were told we were lucky he even agreed to play in League One”

Credit: @GeoffSWFC

In other news, Sheff Wed have reportedly started contract talks with one player. Find out who it is here.