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Lionel Messi has been billed as the most influential player in MLS by Nashville coach Gary Smith, with there nobody else that “can do what he can do”.

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• All-time great moved to the States in 2023
• Remains a talismanic presence at 36 years of age
• Poses problems to any team that he faces

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Nashville found that out to their cost in a CONCACAF Champions Cup meeting with Inter Miami. Messi was forced out of a clash in Florida on Wednesday through injury, but he found the target in both legs of a last-16 encounter and contributed significantly to a 5-3 aggregate success for the Herons.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi inspired Inter Miami to a 2-0 first-half lead at Chase Stadium in midweek, before leaving proceedings five minutes after the restart, and Smith concedes that containing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains an almost impossible task for all of the domestic opponents that he comes up against in America.

• WHAT SMITH SAID ABOUT MESSI

  Smith said of being on the receiving end of more Messi magic and his importance to the Inter Miami cause: “He's such a huge influence on the rest of the group. Yes, they have other very good players. But there is no one that can do what he can do. There is an infinite amount of trust in his decisions, his techniques, his ability. As soon as he gets on the ball everyone else goes into gear. And that's a real problem. That's a problem for individuals playing against him, it's a problem for the midfield players and defenders, because they're now seeing runners that they wouldn't normally see. Maybe one or two players that have got that sort of confidence from the rest of their team-mates around the league. Not many. And nobody at the level, of course, that this guy can produce.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  It remains to be seen when Messi will be back in action for Inter Miami, as he is nursing a muscle complaint in his right leg. He will not figure in a meeting with D.C. United on Saturday, with international duty in the Argentina camp set to follow that fixture if the 36-year-old is deemed fit enough to link up with his country.

Netherlands boss Andries Jonker has slammed the UEFA calendar as "complete chaos" and claimed it gives "priority" to men's football over women's.

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• Lots of frustration around women's football calendar
• Stars like Williamson & Miedema have spoken out
• Netherlands boss Jonker latest to air concerns

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  There has been a lot of debate over the women's football calendar in recent weeks, with qualifiers for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro to be played in two international breaks that come in June and July, once most European seasons have ended. England boss Sarina Wiegman expressed her worries during the Lionesses' February camp and many players have done so in the past, too, such as Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema.

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• WHAT JONKER SAID

  Netherlands boss Jonker has now expressed his frustration with the calendar, telling reporters: "In women's football, there is a need for calm and vision. In my view, it is complete chaos. July 16, in the middle of summer, we have to play a Euro qualifier. How are we going to do that? The end of the season is at the end of May. Then we have to play an international period and a month later we have to play football again. UEFA has determined that and there is nothing to argue with that. That is a distinguished problem.

  "It has to do with the full calendar of the women and not wanting to play at the same time as the men. Then that calendar gets completely full. The men have priority and the women have to adapt to that. This is really not acceptable. Most players have no rest at all."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Concerns over the schedule come at a time when injuries are ravaging the women's game, too. Players continue to be struck down by devastating ACL ruptures, with the likes of Williamson, Miedema, Beth Mead, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Jill Roord just a few of the names to have been hit with such a setback in recent times.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Indeed, the Netherlands will be without Miedema for their upcoming Euro qualifiers because she has had to have a further surgery after making her return from an ACL injury back in October.

  "It's the same knee again," she said when the news was announced. "I was just on the way back and felt myself getting stronger mentally and physically. Soon, I'll have to go back to the gym. It's hard and frustrating. When will this stop for me?"

Chelsea hadn't messed around this summer. With the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, a world-class manager, and a whole host of talent acquired to their squad, it felt like the Blues were heading back to their former best.

Yet, after breaking the bank on the likes of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, to name a few, they currently find themselves in an unsatisfactory mid-table position with three defeats from their opening eight matches.

While Pochettino will be given time to mould the squad how he wants it, patience on their current stars could wear thin if significant ground hasn't been made on the Champions League places come January, which could lead to more mass spending.

Unsurprisingly, a whole host of stars have already been touted with a winter move to Stamford Bridge, and one of Europe's brightest young talents, Jamal Musiala, is the latest name to be linked.

Are Chelsea interested in Jamal Musiala?

A graduate of Chelsea's youth academy, who departed the club for Bayern Munich aged 16, would make a huge U-turn on his career if he was to return to Stamford Bridge.

According to 90min, Premier League clubs are showing an interest in Musiala, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

The report details that Bayern remain confident of tying the 20-year-old down to a long-term contract, however, with several clubs enquiring about his availability, a potential bidding war could ensue.

Currently valued at €92.3m (£80m) according to Football Transfers and with another three years left on his contract, the Blues will need to splash the cash in order to lure him to west London, either in January or next summer.

What would Jamal Musiala bring to Chelsea?

One of Chelsea's most fateful mistakes was allowing Musiala to depart for Bayern in 2019 after failing to convince the youngster to commit his future to the London club.

All will be forgiven, however, if the Blues manage to pull off a sensational move to prise the youngster away from Germany and back to England.

The attacking midfield sensation, who has been nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy Award, is the shining light of a German side crying out for a rebuild and an unwavering cog of Bayern's merciless winning machine.

Combining his electric pace and remarkable dribbling to a devastating effect, the youngster has been compared to the great Lionel Messi for how he carries the ball in perpetual motion, breezing past defenders like the ball is stuck to his feet and supplying a relentless end product to match.

With an astonishing 12 goals and 13 assists in 33 Bundesliga matches last term, Musiala showcased why the footballing world is salivating over his talents, seamlessly slotting into pockets of space and appearing to be the perfect heir to Muller's throne.

Lauded as a "future Ballon d'Or" winner by teammate Alphonso Davies for how he's dominated on the world stage at just 20-years-old, Musiala has shown that his potential is limitless.

The youngster's former coach, Andre Martin, reinforced the above back in 2021, saying: "Technically outstanding, very skillful, and a player who can score all types of goals, inside and outside the box. And he's a great dribbler and likes to take players on, as he did against Schalke. He later became a No.10 and has become as much of a creator as a goalscorer."

The description of his qualities suggests that Chelsea must reverse the mistake they made four years ago and go all out to sign one of the best young talents on the planet.

Matt Turner says point deductions are discussed among players, with Nottingham Forest being punished as Manchester City wait to discover their fate.

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• Forest stung with four-point penalty
• Everton had six taken off them
• Questions asked of City & Chelsea

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The United States international is currently on the books at the City Ground and has seen his domestic employers slip into the Premier League relegation zone on the back of being hit with a four-point penalty for Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breaches.

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  WHAT TURNER SAID

  Everton have also been sanctioned this season, and may yet be stung again, while questions continue to be asked of what will happen to big-spending City and Chelsea. Turner says that subject will be addressed in dressing rooms across the country, with the USMNT goalkeeper telling the : “It definitely gets spoken about (among the players). It's challenging because it's the great unknown, right? It's unprecedented times I feel like in the Premier League, in some facets. Is it just: if you break the rules you get one certain amount of points deducted? Or is it depending on how bad the breach is? And what's the threshold? We don't know, so the players are waiting to see.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Forest have nine games remaining this season, with Turner relieved to discover at this stage what is required in order to preserve top-flight status. He added, with the Reds only one point from safety as things stand: “It's better now that you know your fate is now in your own hands. Now you know exactly where you stand, and I think all players in general do better when their roles are clearly defined. So now we know how many points we've got off, we can approach it…it's easier when everything's in in your own control.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While Forest know what they need to do in order to counter Financial Fair Play punishments, speculation continues to rage when it comes to the likes of City and Chelsea – with talk of big points deductions or potential demotion out of the Premier League doing the rounds.

Manchester United chiefs are not happy with Erik ten Hag, with a new report sharing one thing the club are concerned about the Dutchman.

Could Man Utd sack Ten Hag?

The Red Devils have endured a tricky start to the new campaign, losing four of their eight Premier League fixtures so far and suffering back-to-back defeats in the Champions League.

As a result, there has been speculation over the future of the 53-year-old, who was asked if he was concerned about his future earlier this month, to which Ten Hag said:

"Last season: brilliant, terrific, more than we could expect but also when we went into this project we knew there would be common gaps and in this moment we are in a very difficult period, as everyone can see.

"But we come out together, we are fighting together, we are sticking together, behind each other, it's me, the directors, the team, all together, we will fight and this is not us. We know we have to do better and in togetherness we will come out."

Recent reports on Ten Hag’s future have claimed that the club are not yet thinking of sacking the manager following his impressive first season at Old Trafford, however, it looks as if club officials aren’t impressed with one aspect of his management.

Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey shared a Man Utd update on Ten Hag on Monday, claiming those at Old Trafford are not happy with the Dutchman on the way he has recently handled the situation of three players.

It is believed that the club hierarchy are majorly concerned about how Ten Hag has managed some of his squad, including Harry Maguire, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho, and feel he may lack the skills needed to manage a dressing room full of high-profile players.

Man Utd news; Maguire, Sancho and Greenwood latest

The three players in question have been a hot topic of conversation in recent months, with Greenwood sent out on loan to Spanish side Getafe during the summer window, with the latest Greenwood transfer reports saying he could move to La Liga on a permanent basis. Meanwhile, Sancho has been left out of the squad since the beginning of September, with Ten Hag citing training issues as his reason. Recent reports on Sancho's future say he too could be on the way out of the club.

Maguire has turned out under Ten Hag recently after being stripped of the captaincy over the summer, however, the latest Maguire transfer news has claimed that the centre-back’s agent is actively looking for a move away in January as he looks to save his England career.

Ten Hag hasn’t had it easy at Old Trafford, with a decision also being made on Cristiano Ronaldo last year, and the way he has dealt with Maguire, Sancho and Greenwood doesn’t look like it’s been taken well by those higher up at the club, so if things don't turn around on the pitch, he may come under pressure soon.

Manchester United have sent scouts to watch a talented defender as Erik ten Hag ramps up his search for quality additions ahead of the mid-season window, according to reports.

Man Utd updates: Joao Neves price, Sheffield Utd victory, Maguire praised

According to a Man Utd transfer update, Benfica midfielder Joao Neves has been lined up as a potential replacement for Red Devils midfielder Casemiro and it has been revealed how much boss Ten Hag may need to shell out to land the 19-year-old. The report states that the club could have to pay a fee in the region of £61million for the Portugal international, which they would be willing to pay as the long-term future of their midfield becomes a priority at Old Trafford.

On Saturday night, the Red Devils secured a vital three points in the Premier League away to Sheffield United, with strikes from Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot enough to rubber stamp a 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane despite an Oliver McBurnie equaliser from the penalty spot. United now find themselves eighth in the league table at the time of writing and have achieved back-to-back wins in the English top flight for the first time this campaign.

England international Harry Maguire has been praised by Manchester United boss Ten Hag for his impact against the Blades after a man-of-the-match performance against his former employers. Ten Hag said:

"I have to say Harry is playing like we want him to play. Very proactive out of possession, dominating his opponent, stepping in when necessary, reading the game, good covering but also in possession very proactive, stepping in, delivering good passes, switching, yes, I am happy with his performance."

Man Utd transfer update – Sacha Boey

A new Man Utd transfer update from Turkey, via Sport Witness, have claimed that the Red Devils are believed to have sent scouts to watch Galatasaray full-back Sacha Boey in action against Besiktas, where the home side emerged 2-1 victors. Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley also sent delegations to be in attendance at the derby clash, while officials from unnamed clubs in Spain, France and Italy also took in the encounter to examine the 23-year-old.

Described by TurkishFootball.com as somebody who has great technical ability and the capacity to read the game perfectly, Boey has made 69 appearances in all competitions for Galatasaray, registering three goals and four assists in the process (Boey stats – Transfermarkt).

This term, the Frenchman has been in impressive form for his current employers, averaging around 2.6 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per match in the Turkish Super Lig, as per WhoScored. Boey is clearly highly regarded around Europe, and it will be interesting to see whether Manchester United decide to formalize their interest in the right-sided defender.

A series of clips shows Mikel Arteta used to refuse to celebrate goals against Arsenal when at he was Pep Guardiola's assistant Manchester City.

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• Arteta was at City for over three years
• Rejoined Arsenal in 2019
• Arsenal face City in key game

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Footage of Arteta sat in the City dugout has shown he would remain seated, rather than up celebrating, when City would score against Arsenal. Arteta spent three-and-a-half years as Guardiola’s assistant before returning as manager to the club he finished his career at. Arteta does not share the same affinity with City and few would be surprised if he celebrates lavishly on Sunday should he beat his former club.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID ABOUT ARTETA

  In 2023, Guardiola spoke about Arteta's refusal to celebrate. He said: "I know he went to his club, the team he dreams of. He's a supporter, he was a captain there. He loves the club.

  "I remember here when we scored goals he jumped a lot except against one team. He was sitting there – it was Arsenal. I said, 'That guy likes Arsenal'. Like here, if I'm training as assistant and Barcelona call me, I go."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arteta has transformed Arsenal into City's key challengers in the past two seasons and they’re vying for the title once again. Arteta's team are top of the Premier League and are arguably more equipped than ever to end their Etihad hoodoo and seize initiative in the title race.

Tensions are boiling over between Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto and Lazio as the attacking midfielder confirms he wants to leave the club.

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• Lazio lose to Juventus and Rome
• Fans criticise midfielder
• Alberto says he wants to leave

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tensions are rising at Lazio after recent losses to Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final and Roma in the Rome Derby in recent weeks. Fans witnessed their side win 4-1 against bottom of the league Salernitana in the last fixture but also took this as an opportunity to protest against the players and board. Prior to kick-off, a banner saying: 'You are not worthy of wearing our shirt' was shown within the stadium. Midfielder Alberto has since voiced his desire to leave the club – despite being contracted until 2027.

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• WHAT ALBERTO SAID

  Speaking to , Alberto said: "I hope to enjoy the last games and then we'll see. They have been difficult weeks, I will not be part of the project next year, I asked the club to release me from my contract and I do not want to receive one more euro from Lazio. I will leave the next four years that remain on my contract to others, it is fair to take a step aside in this club that has given me so much. I think the time has come time to leave my salary to the club for other."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Spaniard has since taken to his personal Instagram account to write the following message to the fanbase: "I'm grateful for the displays of affection, my relationship with the Lazio fans is excellent and it's just a source of pride.

  "I thank them for everything they have done in my years at the club, especially to the guys from the Curva Nord and the Tribuna Tevere who have always supported me.

  "I will always have you in my heart. I will continue to work hard and give my all on the pitch until the last minute of the last match, as I always have."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ALBERTO?

  Whether or not his future lies within Italy remains to be seen. For now – if he stays within the starting line-up after these comments – Alberto must concentrate on the upcoming fixture against Genoa on April 19. Lazio also have an opportunity for redemption against Juventus, with the second-leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final also on the horizon.

Leeds United could be set to lose one of their first-team stars in January alongside Wilfried Gnonto, according to a reliable journalist.

Wilfried Gnonto's links to Everton

Over the summer, Gnonto was wanted by Everton and did everything in his power to force through a move before the deadline, from handing in a transfer request to refusing to play until the club acknowledged his wishes, but in the end, he remained at Elland Road. However, Daniel Farke’s star headed straight for the tunnel following the 4-1 Championship victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday, with journalist Dean Jones suggesting that he could once again be one to watch regarding a possible exit at the start of next year.

In addition, Crysencio Summerville was the subject of interest from Everton, Burnley and Bournemouth during the last window, and whilst a deal for the right-winger failed to come to fruition, clubs may decide to try and revisit a deal considering his excellent start to the season.

The Netherlands youth international has emerged as the Whites’ overall best-performing player so far this term with a match rating of 7.75 (WhoScored – Leeds statistics) so he’s likely to still be on the radar of his trio of admirers, with an update now emerging on the 22-year-old’s future in South Yorkshire.

Ben Jacobs offers Leeds update on Crysencio Summerville

Speaking to GiveMeSport, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs admitted that Crysencio Summerville’s future is in the air at Leeds, but suggested that he is more likely to stay than Gnonto.

"A January exit is by no means guaranteed because he is integral to Leeds at the moment. Naturally, there's going to be interest, as there was over the summer. Everton, Bournemouth and Burnley, for example, have all looked at the player.

"That is highly significant in all of this because Summerville really likes Leeds and is settled at Leeds. He felt, over the summer, that Leeds was the best place for him to be, which means that Leeds have got a bit more control over this one than with Gnonto."

In the Championship this season, Summerville has racked up a remarkable ten contributions, six goals and four assists, in 11 appearances (Transfermarkt – Summerville statistics), with his prolific form in the final third having previously seen him dubbed an “explosive” forward by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The Rotterdam-born £15k-per-week earner (Leeds salaries), has also recorded 40 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any other of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Leeds statistics), highlighting his desire to hit the back of the net.

Furthermore, Summerville is a versatile operator having been deployed in six different positions over the grass since the start of his career, including in three roles across the frontline and the same number in the midfield, so even the thought of losing his services will be a huge blow to Farke and Leeds.

Leeds United head into the last weekend before the November international break in third place in the Championship and eight points off the automatic places.

The Whites could close the gap to within a two-game swing if results go their way but their current position shows that they have had a strong start to life back in the second tier.

German head coach Daniel Farke was brought in over the summer and has been able to get the side firing after their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

His business throughout the summer transfer window has played an important role in their recent success as nine new players were brought in.

Joel Piroe, Jaidon Anthony, Djed Spence, Glen Kamara, Joe Rodon, Ilia Gruev, Sam Byram, Ethan Ampadu, and Karl Darlow were all signed either permanently or on loan.

However, an impressive start to the campaign may not stop the Whites from making further additions to the squad in the upcoming January transfer window, as Angus Kinnear revealed last month that funds are available to bolster the team – if needed.

One player who has recently been linked with a switch to Elland Road at the start of next year is AFC Wimbledon centre-forward Ali Al-Hamadi.

Leeds United transfer news – Ali Al-Hamadi

According to a report from TEAMtalk, EFL outfits Blackburn Rovers and Derby County are both interested in a possible deal to land the Iraq international in January.

Leeds have also been credited with an interest in the talented marksman and Wimbledon are said to be reluctant to lose him ahead of the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, the League Two outfit are bracing themselves for possible offers from the aforementioned clubs after they turned down approaches from Barnsley and Peterborough over the summer.

Before the last transfer window slammed shut, journalist Darren Witcoop reported that they were looking for a fee in excess of £1.2m for the impressive finisher.

It remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are willing to meet Wimbledon's valuation. However, Al-Hamadi could be an exciting addition to Farke's squad and a lethal partner for current first-team ace Georgino Rutter if he is able to make the step up to Championship football.

The right-footed whiz could provide Piroe with competition for his place to ensure that there is no complacency amongst the frontline, as the Dutch forward has struggled in recent weeks.

He scored four goals in his first five Championship outings for the Whites and has since managed just one goal and one assist in seven clashes.

However, Farke does not have the options to adequately replace him in the XI, even for a few matches, as Patrick Bamford has failed to provide a goal or an assist in seven league games this season, despite racking up 1.16 xG.

This suggests that Leeds could benefit from snapping up a talented forward who could keep Piroe on his toes and provide Rutter with another attacker to link up with at the top end of the pitch.

Rutter's statistics this season

The French maestro has enjoyed a phenomenal start to the 2023/24 campaign and has showcased his ability to make a consistent impact in the final third as a scorer and a creator.

Playing in a hybrid forward role that sees him start as the focal point whilst having the freedom to drop deep to collect the ball and make things happen, Rutter has been an exceptional creative talent for Farke.

The former Hoffenheim starlet has created a staggering 14 'big chances' in 13 Championship starts and created 2.6 key passes per match, to go along with his three league strikes.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig recently revealed that the attacker leads the way in the division for 'big chances' created and hailed him as a "joy to watch".

After struggling, with zero goals and one assist in 11 matches, in the Premier League last season, Rutter has been able to hit his stride at Elland Road this term and has proven himself to be an influential figure at the top end of the pitch as Leeds fight to return to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

The statistics that show why Al-Hamadi could be a good signing for Leeds

Signing the 21-year-old ace would be a gamble by Farke and the Whites as the attacker is yet to prove himself as a consistent performer outside of League Two.

However, the talented youngster has plenty of years ahead of him to develop and grow and could be brought in as someone with the potential to make an immediate impact whilst also being a long-term project who could improve over time.

Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson once described Al-Hamadi as a "great foil" for his strike partner as his ability to play off the shoulder of the last defender causes panic and creates space between the lines for another player to drop into.

This could make him a perfect ace to play alongside Rutter as the French magician could thrive in the space that the Iraq international is able to create with his movement and centre-forward play – given his outstanding creative quality.

Al-Hamadi's form throughout 2023 also suggests that the potential is there for him to provide goals and assists on a regular basis if he is able to make the step up to Championship level.

The impressive youngster has contributed with four goals and five assists in 13 league starts throughout the 2023/24 campaign, after managing an eye-catching ten goals and one assist in 15 starts in the second half of last term.

This means that the 6 foot 2 Wimbledon star has contributed with 14 goals and six assists in his last 28 league matches for the club, which is an average of one goal contribution every 1.4 matches – compared to Piroe's one every 3.5 games over the last seven outings.

He could, therefore, be a lethal partner for Rutter in 2024 – with their respective ability to score and assist goals on a regular basis – and excellent competition for the Dutch marksman if Farke is able to secure a deal for his services, and help him to adapt to Championship football.