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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Despite being given a major boost ahead of the match by seeing some of his injury doubts over key stars clear up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t guide Manchester United to a fourth consecutive away win on Saturday.

The Norwegian boss admitted in his pre-match press conference that the likes of Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof would have to undergo late tests before being considered for the clash against Bournemouth.

“They got some treatment yesterday, a little bit more treatment today, a light session and hopefully they’re ready. I can’t tell you exactly now.”

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So once he got the green light from his medical staff that the trio would be fit and raring to go against Eddie Howe’s men, surely the United manager would have opted to stick with the tried-and-trusted set-up that has served him so well in recent games? Barring the win over Norwich, the Red Devils have played with a back-three since their impressive 1-1 draw against Liverpool – indeed they saw off Chelsea for the second time this season by using their new formation.

Insted, Solskjaer chose to revert to a four-man defence, and the tactical gamble back-fired as United succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Cherries.

On the chalkboard

Lining up with a defence of Ashley Young at left-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right-hand side, and Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as a central defensive pairing, the Red Devils were almost at full strength – barring of course the absence of Luke Shaw.

But the nature of the only goal of the game really exposed the weaknesses in their defensive set-up, and not having that extra man as they have done in recent matches, cost them. A ball into the box was chested down by Josh King, before the Norway international could take his time, swivel with his back to goal, before slotting it past David de Gea. Wan-Bissaka hardly covered himself with glory by over-committing himself to making a challenge, but United’s defence parted like the Red Sea.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

With a five-man defence, someone like Marcos Rojo or Phil Jones would have been occupying the space, or even marking King tightly. Instead, the Bournemouth forward had all the time in the world to simply do what he wanted. Solskjaer took a major risk by changing something that evidently wasn’t broke, and in the end, he paid for it.

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…

With Eddie Nketiah picking up an injury that will apparently see him out of action for three weeks it seemed as if it would be time for Ryan Edmondson to get an opportunity in the first-team.

However, one former Leeds United player believes that the teenager isn’t trusted by Marcelo Bielsa, and he also states that he should be looking for a way out of the club in January.

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What’s been said then?

Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan gave his view on Edmondson’s current situation.

“I would think he’s almost certain to go on loan in January if he remains out of the squad. He will want to go on loan, as he will feel ready for senior football.

“He’s been banging in the goals for the Under-23s, but there comes a time when you out-grow that level and need to play against professionals.

“Edmondson doesn’t seem to be making any headway and it’s telling he wasn’t even on the bench against QPR when Eddie Nketiah pulled out. Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t trust him.”

We mastered the trick in the video below in 8 attempts… could you do better?

Absolutely right

Whelan has hit the nail on the head with this one.

If Edmondson isn’t at a level where Bielsa feels he can trust him yet, then he must go and prove himself out on loan.

He’s done pretty much all he can to make his case with the U23s as he netted 20 goals for the youth team last season, but if the Argentine still doesn’t want to use him after that, it seems that getting some senior experience elsewhere is the right thing to do.

It might seem harsh given the 18-year-old scored a hat-trick for the senior side in pre-season against Tadcaster Albion. However, if he can’t get into the squad even when there’s just one fit centre-forward, it’s a damning indictment of how much Bielsa doesn’t rate him.

A successful loan spell could be exactly what the teenager needs to show Bielsa that he can trust him.

Even that might not be enough, however.

Despite needing to replace Jack Clarke, Sunderland reportedly pulled out of talks to sign a 23-year-old winger in what would have been a loan deal from Liverpool this season.

Sunderland transfer news

On paper, losing Clarke to Ipswich Town is a major blow. On the pitch, however, it seems to have played little part. Regis Le Bris' side are flying high at the top of the Championship as the only side to have taken maximum points from their first four games. The Black Cats may have taken their time in search of their latest permanent manager, but patience has so far been a virtue.

Whether those at the Stadium of Light can credit their summer transfer business for such a blistering start remains to be seen. After all, the Black Cats didn't exactly splash the Clarke money, instead mainly focusing on free deals for the likes of Wilson Isidor and Ian Poveda.

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They also reportedly missed out on the chance to sign a replacement for their former star man. According to reports in Mexico, as relayed by LFC Transfer Room, Sunderland pulled out of a deal to sign Cesar Huertas having failed to agree terms. The Pumas winger would have joined Liverpool before heading out on loan to Wearside, only for the Black Cats to cause the deal to fall through.

A player who Liverpool certainly deemed good enough to welcome to Anfield, Sunderland may have missed a trick by pulling out of such a loan deal this summer.

Huertas could have replaced Clarke

If Sunderland are in good stead without a big-money replacement for Clarke, then the mind can only wonder just how good they'd be had they signed Huertas on loan for the season. The 23-year-old enjoyed quite the campaign for Pumas last time out and more than showcased his ability to become the main man elsewhere.

Appearances

39

28

Goals

15

9

Assists

4

9

Whilst Huertas failed to match Clarke on the goals front, his all round brilliance is clear to see with nine goals and nine assists representing his eye for both creating and finding the back of the net himself.

When the January transfer window swings open, it will be interesting to see whether Liverpool move to sign the winger again and Sunderland find themselves in position to land a loan deal for a second time.

Of course, as things stand, those at the Stadium of Light will be holding no regrets over their summer business. They sit top of the Championship, unbeaten and flying under new boss Le Bris.

After impressing on the opening day with a surprise hat-trick away at Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion attacker Josh Maja would struggle following up that magic display versus Leeds United at the Hawthorns.

The ex-Fulham man would register just one effort on Ilian Meslier's goal all game, which ended up being an off-target shot at that, and so Carlos Corberan could well be prioritising another new striker in through the door to compete with the 25-year-old, between now and transfer deadline day at the end of the month.

The Championship promotion candidates might well now be targeting this centre-forward as a new recruit, who was even once on the books of Manchester United as a youngster.

West Brom's search for a striker

According to football journalist Pete O'Rourke, West Brom had made an initial enquiry for Preston North End striker Will Keane, to try and bolster up top.

It has since transpired that the Baggies have actually put forward a bid for the ex-Red Devils man, which has been rejected, as per Lancashire Post journalist George Hodgson, as Corberan and Co continue to try and add depth to the striker positions with Brandon Thomas-Asante now at Coventry City.

What Keane would offer West Brom

Gifted his first-team debut at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson was still in charge, Keane's career hasn't been all smooth sailing, after walking away from the Theatre of Dreams for good in 2016.

Last campaign, the experienced 31-year-old did come into his own for the Lilywhites, however, as he now potentially prepares to usurp Maja's starting spot as the lone striker on his arrival to the Baggies.

In 2023/24 in the second tier, Keane would fire in 13 goals for his Lancashire outfit, including this instinctive finish finding the back of the net within the first minute at a stunned Elland Road.

Getting into double digits for the Lilywhites means the 31-year-old poacher has bagged ten or more goals in a league campaign for three seasons on the trot, having very much got back into his goalscoring groove when lining up for Wigan Athletic before moving to Preston, with 50 goals tallied up from 133 Latics appearances.

Player

League played

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

Keane

Championship

157

33

8

Keane

League One

99

39

12

Maja

Championship

46

6

3

Maja

League One

24

15

2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Maja isn't quite as accustomed to the rough and tumble of the EFL as Keane is, when glancing at their comparative goalscoring numbers, but the former Sunderland youth player will hope his moment in the spotlight in the second tier can come this campaign, after that devastating opening day hat-trick.

He might well have to fight it out for a starting spot in Corberan's team though, if Keane enters in through the door, who fired in a goal every 203 minutes last campaign in the Championship when in the thick of the action.

The five-time Republic of Ireland international also far outperformed his xG of 9.82, with 13 overall strikes bagged instead.

Keane could potentially become even more of a potent finisher at West Brom, therefore, surrounded by the likes of Tom Fellows attempting to put chances on a plate for him, as the Baggies push any lingering annoyance of Thomas-Asante leaving to one side.

Even described as possessing a touch "like Berbatov" according to BBC Radio Lancashire analyst Steve Eyre last season, after dazzling in a big win over Coventry, Keane will want to kick on and show there's still a hungry goal machine in his system if he does move to West Brom, even at 31 years of age.

That glowing compliment would have really been encouraging for the ex-Man United man to hear, who didn't quite live up to his hype at Old Trafford as a wide-eyed teenager, but he could be key to Corberan and Co's promotion hopes.

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A Leeds United player who started against West Brom last weekend is pushing to leave the club in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Leeds lose numerous key players

Failing to leap from the Championship to the Premier League last season was a bitter blow for Daniel Farke and his players, following their playoff final defeat to Southampton at Wembley.

It immediately threw the futures of certain key players into doubt, with a number of Leeds heroes feeling like they should be playing Premier League football. Crysencio Summerville has departed for West Ham, having been voted the Championship's best player in 2023/24, but he wasn't the only individual to move on.

Highly-rated teenager Archie Gray also left, completing a move to Tottenham amid much interest from Brentford, acting as an undoubted blow for Leeds, given the vast potential he possesses.

Then there's Georginio Rutter, who has recently left for Brighton this summer, meaning three of the most influential figures for Farke have moved on to pastures new. Now, it looks as though Leeds could have to deal with another damaging exit, following a significant update.

Leeds star pushing to leave Elland Road

Writing on X in response to a question from a fan, Tavolieri said that Gnonto is "pushing to leave" Leeds this summer, potentially wanting to go a similar route to Summerville, Gray and Rutter as Leeds look for another winger after Largie Ramazani's arrival.

While no doubt hugely frustrating for Whites supporters, there is an inevitability about Gnonto looking to exit the club this summer, perhaps not helped by the fact that so many other key individuals have departed in the same transfer window, once again hampering their chances of promotion.

The £20,000-a-week Italian has started both of Leeds' opening Championship fixtures this season, at home to Portsmouth and away to West Brom, scoring against the former, showing that Farke still considers him one of the first names on his team sheet.

Gnonto's talent is undeniable, and at just 20 years of age there could still be so much more to come from him, with former coach Michael Skubala once saying of him: "He’s a great lad, he’s a special player. He’s a credit to Leeds, he’s a credit to himself and he’s a really nice player to work with."

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If the young winger has made up his mind, though, there is a repeat of last summer when the Italian went on strike looking to push through an exit. The hope is that the Whites manage to persuade him to stay put for another season, but if not, they need to spend the money received for him wisely.

One of the biggest jobs at hand for the incoming Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea is to sort out the goalkeeper position.

Edouard Mendy is reportedly close to sealing a move to Saudi Arabia, whilst Kepa Arrizabalaga has never fully convinced anyone of his first-team credentials since his £71.6m to Stamford Bridge.

Therefore, this has opened up a pathway for a new goalkeeper in West London and Robert Sanchez has been tipped to become this figure.

What’s the latest on Robert Sanchez to Chelsea?

According to Express Sport, the proposed move of Anderlecht’s Bart Verbruggen to the South Coast could have a domino effect that may see Sanchez arrive in the capital.

This outlet details that the 25-year-old is “keen to leave” this window following a public fallout with Roberto De Zerbi, with the Blues among those keeping tabs on the situation.

Manchester United has also been rumoured to be interested in the Spaniard, with it believed to potentially cost a fee of around £28m to entice Brighton to sell.

If a move to Chelsea materialised, it would see Sanchez reunited with former Brighton goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts, who left the Seagulls with Graham Potter back in September 2022.

Is Robert Sanchez a good signing for Chelsea?

Since making his Brighton debut in November 2020, the two-cap international has made 90 appearances in all competitions, whilst keeping a respectable 29 clean sheets.

Last campaign, he began extremely strongly, starting the first 22 encounters, however, he only managed one outing in the final 16 outings, with Jason Steele often preferred.

Despite this, there is still enough evidence to suggest that he is more than capable of regularly starting for Chelsea and is a more reliable option than Kepa.

Incredibly, Sanchez stands at a colossal 6 foot 6, dwarfing his compatriot, and his use of this massive size is indicated by the fact that during the 2021/22 season, the £25k-per-week man registered the most high claims (60) in the division, as he was an indispensable component of the side that achieved a then club-record highest league finish.

Meanwhile, Kepa simply doesn’t possess this dominance or presence and is unable to fill his defenders with any confidence, making just two high claims in the same season and 15 last term.

Previously, his former manager Frank Lampard has said he “needs to go back to basics” and must improve – these comments were made three years ago to portray the endless and defining narrative surrounding the unreliability of Chelsea’s suspect shot-stopper.

Therefore, with Sanchez potentially available for an extremely modest fee and searching for a chance to reignite his career, a move to the 2021 Champions League winners could be an unbelievable fit for both parties.

Described as a “monster” by Potter, Sanchez would be an excellent step within the Chelsea rebuild.

US Open star Rickie Fowler has admitted that he could soon own a stake in Leeds United, along with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, following 49ers Enterprises' recent takeover of the club.

How will the takeover benefit Leeds?

It's all change at Elland Road this summer, with so much going on that supporters barely have any time to breathe. The Whites' relegation from the Premier League has led to the club searching for a new manager, while a sporting director also has to come in, following Victor Orta's exit.

Perhaps the biggest news of the lot is the 49ers' takeover, however, with the deal going through recently and heralding the start of a new era at Leeds.

The hope is that it makes the Whites a more financially powerful force moving forward, and despite heading down into the second tier, they will hopefully still be able to spend big on signings and work on improving other aspects of the club, including redeveloping Elland Road.

It could even be that golfing star and Leeds fan Fowler, who has placed as high as fourth in the world ranking in the past, invests in the club, following a fresh update.

What's the situation with Rickie Fowler?

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of this week's US Open, Fowler admitted that he could eventually own a stake in Leeds along with Spieth and Thomas, also joking about Whites fan Billy Foster, who caddies for Matt Fitzpatrick:

"Not yet, technically. There is the group that's moving forward with being involved with Leeds. Myself, JT (Justin Thomas) and Jordan (Spieth) potentially will be a part of it.

"He (Foster) didn't know about it from the start. But we told him after knowing he is a huge Leeds United supporter. It's cool to have those opportunities. I know we are looking into it. It will be fun if we get to be a part of it. If not, we will continue to root for Leeds to see if we can help out Billy."

This is exciting to hear from a Leeds perspective, at a time when celebrity owners are all the rage, not least at Wrexham, where Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have transformed the club, guiding them into League 2.

They have shown the power that having famous owners can have, in terms of marketing the club and giving it a bigger worldwide following, so having Fowler, Spieth and Thomas as part of the Whites could be hugely beneficial off the pitch.

While relegation was clearly bitterly disappointing, things do appear to be heading in the right direction under the 49ers – now it's a case of nailing both the managerial and sporting director appointments.

A Chelsea fan has serenaded American owner Todd Boehly having been left excited by the recent managerial appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.

What’s the latest on Todd Boehly and Chelsea?

Back in May 2021, the 49-year-old billionaire led a consortium which completed a £4.25bn takeover of the Blues, ending Roman Abramovich’s 19-year ownership of the club.

While some may have expected a period of calmness to follow under the new ownership as they adapted to life owning a Premier League club, quite the opposite has happened.

Indeed, from that moment up until the end of the most recent January transfer window, Chelsea have spent a reported £556m on transfer under Boehly and more will no doubt be spent in the coming weeks and months.

What’s more, Thomas Tuchel was fired, as was his replacement Graham Potter, while Frank Lampard was questionably reappointed in a disastrous spell as interim boss – and now Pochettino has been handed the reins.

The Argentinian has a big job on his hands as he looks to steady the ship that sunk all the way down to 12th in the Premier League last season.

At least, though, it seems some supporters are more than excited for the new era and have high hopes for what Pochettino can achieve at Stamford Bridge.

In footage circulated on Twitter, a fan in Riyadh – the capital of Saudi Arabia – sang to Boehly and then told the American that Chelsea will win the league with their new head coach.

What is the Benoit Badiashile song at Chelsea?

Despite all the chaos and disappointment that has swept over Stamford Bridge since the 49-year-old arrived, this fan was delighted to meet the club’s owner.

He even sang a terrace song: “Todd Boehly went to France in a Lamborghini, brought us back a centre-back, Benoit Badiashile!”

The supporter then said: “I promise you Todd, that we’re going to get the league with Mauricio Pochettino,” to which Boehly replied: “Yes, Pochettino is going to be great.”

All in all, it seems as though there certainly are high expectations for Pochettino to bring back the glory days to Chelsea. Only time will tell whether the Argentinian will deliver, or end up suffering the same fate as Tuchel and Potter.

Arsenal's season ended in a carnival atmosphere at the Emirates, as the sun beat down on a beautiful day for one-half of north London football.

Brushing aside Wolverhampton Wanderers by 5-0, the players and staff were lauded by a home support keen to show their thanks for such an impressive season, where they defied all the odds and brought Champions League football back to the club.

However, Mikel Arteta will not be one to rest on his laurels. He knows that the work is far from done, as for all their progression it still marked a trophyless term where Manchester City pipped them to the title.

This could explain why interest has so sharply turned towards the transfer market, with Declan Rice the big name on everybody's lips. The Gunners' interest in West Ham United's captain is the worst-kept secret in English football, and it seems they are poised to battle hard to secure his signature.

In an effort to increase their chances, or hand him the perfect teammate to play with, this push has coincided with reports linking them with Mason Mount as well. In this potential double swoop, Arteta could form a sensational midfield to supplement the already phenomenal Martin Odegaard. Although, with the 24-year-old set to command a £70m fee from Chelsea, it will not be a cheap one.

Would Mason Mount and Declan Rice play well together?

One of the greatly underrated aspects of a good partnership, whether it be in the engine room, up front or at the heart of defence, is communication.

Journalist Art de Roche even outlined this recently with regard to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, noting how the Brazilian's preference to speak in French has allowed them to build such a strong bond.

Fortunately for Arteta, should he tempt both Mount and Rice to the Emirates, these two already share an unrivalled rapport given they grew up through the Chelsea youth ranks together.

Now, their shared assets could prove supplementary, as one has developed into a keen creator, and the other a defensive enforcer.

Mount has endured a trying injury-hit campaign with the Blues, yet has still managed nine goal contributions in all competitions. This has allowed a 7.05 average rating in the league to be mustered, upheld through 1.3 key passes and 1.4 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

talkSPORT pundit Dean Saunders even lauded him as part of England's "world-class" group of players before the World Cup too, suggesting that even during a weaker season his quality shines through.

After all, it was only last year when the England international posted 11 goals and ten assists in the league alone, highlighting his statistical success can mirror his work rate.

Now, placing this kind of creativity with Rice could immediately see both of them shine, as a pairing that would fight for one another as if they were brothers.

The Irons' star man, with his 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 1.5 clearances per game, via Sofascore, would provide the perfect defensive foundation for his potential teammate to thrive.

Whether they start as a six and an eight beside one another, or with Mount in an even more advanced role, these two in the same team could offer that perfect connection needed to only bolster the good vibes at the Emirates, propelling them ever-closer to that coveted title.

Manchester United look set to lose one of their first-team players this summer, with Football Insider reporting that Scott McTominay wants to exit the club during the transfer window.

Who are Manchester United selling this summer?

The midfielder has been in and around the Red Devils' starting eleven for about seven years now, having really broken into the reckoning for them back in the 2016/17 campaign. That year, at just 19 years of age, he played in 17 Premier League outings for the club and his appearance tally has only grown since then. The Scot has since turned out on 143 occasions in the top-flight, 99 of which have been starts.

He's been used frequently again this season, with 23 appearances in the league. However, under Erik ten Hag, he has struggled to establish himself as a starter on a regular basis as he has in the past, with only ten starts to his name. It means that this campaign has seen the least amount of action for McTominay since the 2019/20 season.

Now, it appears that he could want out of United, with a report from Football Insider stating that the midfielder wants to leave the club during the summer window. He has told friends that he plans to try and exit Old Trafford in order to get more regular minutes, with the player well aware that he needs to be getting onto the field a lot more.

In addition, with other midfield options potentially coming into the equation, there is every chance he could fall even further down the pecking order, and with the Scotland man desperate for minutes, that would be a further blow to the player.

Are Man United letting Scott McTominay go?

The Red Devils then could finally bring an end to McTominay's stint at the club this transfer window. Having come up through the ranks at Old Trafford, it would be sad for them to see one of their own youth team players leave, but it could work out better for player and club.

The 26-year-old has proven that he can still deliver when called upon by Ten Hag though, and it suggests that more regular action could get the best out of him again. For example, for the club this season, he has still averaged 1.4 tackles per game, a better rate than Fred, Raphael Varane and Christian Eriksen, showing that he remains one of their best options in terms of standing in front of the defence and stopping opposition attacks.

He's been lauded in the past for his abilities too, with football journalist Josh Bunting commending him for one of his previous performances by admitting he had been a "standout" for the side when thrown onto the field, whereas he was also once hailed as a "physical monster" by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The midfielder can still do a good job in the centre of the field – so if he does leave United for first-team football, it could be a good move for the player if he can get regular minutes and show his footballing abilities. If they did let him go too, CIES Football Observatory suggest his value could be around £26m, so United could also fetch quite a respectable fee.