RAPH DIAMOND YOURI THE MAN
Roberts: We’re lucky to have Raphinha.. £17m fee was a steal Rodgers backs Tielemans to be future boss
TYLER ROBERTS has hailed Raphinha as “an absolute steal” as Leeds prepare to fend off summer bids for the Brazilian sensation.
The 24-year-old winger arrived from Rennes in October in a £17million switch following Leeds’ promotion, and is proving arguably the bargain of the Premier League season.
Barcelona and Liverpool have been linked with a player who has scored four goals and provided five assists for the Whites.
Although Marcelo Bielsa’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Wolves on Friday night, Raphinha was again their most creative source.
Wales forward Roberts (right) said: “I think Raphinha’s definitely a steal. In training you can just see straight away he’s a typical skilful Brazilian player.
“But his work ethic as well is outstanding, and it goes so well in our team. We are lucky to have him and I think he’s worth a lot of money.
“He’s definitely a great player and I enjoy working with him and playing with him.”
Bielsa’s unyielding commitment to attack has seen Leeds labelled the ‘Great Entertainers’ and earned comparisons with Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle team of the mid-1990s.
Roberts added: “The manager gives us freedom to pretty much weave where we want, but always with high energy and always trying to create chances. We’re always playing the same and he’s an enjoyable manager to play under.
“I think we’ve adapted to it very well, although we’ve obviously had Marcelo for a few years now. We can only keep trying to get better and better.”
Patrick Bamford was left fuming at Molineux after having a goal rubbed out by VAR for a marginal offside.
It added to the Leeds frustration, with the winning strike a freak own-goal when Adama Traore’s shot bounced off the woodwork and into the net off goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Bamford, who was watched by England boss Gareth Southgate, tweeted: “Gutted for the lads tonight, robbed of a point. But at least it’s ‘making the game better’. We go again Tuesday.”
Roberts said: “It’s unfortunate and I personally think that when it’s that tight then it should be a goal. But those are the rules nowadays and we have to take it.”
He also expressed sympathy for Meslier, whose own-goal came five days after his horror show in a thumping at Arsenal.
Roberts said: “It was just a freak goal but it was performance where all the boys were pushing to the end – it just wasn’t meant to be.”
He insists Leeds will be fired up this week back at Elland Road, and vowed: “We’ll rest up, take the positives and we’ll be ready to go again on Tuesday against Southampton.”
Tielemans and Rodgers
BRENDAN RODGERS says he can spot a managerial maestro of the future in young Leicester star Youri Tielemans.
Foxes manager Rodgers is renowned for absorbing every fresh bit of information and know-how he can on the coaching aspect of the game.
And he reckons that he’s been seeing something similar in the 23-year-old Belgian international, and that sets him apart from the rest.
The defensive midfielder will be at the heart of Rodgers’ strategy today for the crucial clash at Aston Villa, as Leicester try to maintain their push for a top-four spot.
Former Anderlecht and Monaco man Tielemans (right, front) joked that his boss thinks he’s after his job – but takes it as a huge compliment.
Tielemans said: “He thinks I can be a manager. I don’t know why, you’d have to ask him.
“Maybe it’s because I am never a problem. I live quite a quiet life. I’m a good family man.”
Rodgers says there’s a lot
more to it than just that, and can’t believe Tielemans is still so young.
He said: “Youri has been brilliant to work with. He deserves all the accolades he gets. It’s easy to forget he’s 23.
“His tactical view of the game is at the highest level and now he’s got used to the physical side of the game here.
“He’s been off to the gym to get himself stronger. That side of things can make it tough when you first come over and sample the physicality of the Premier League.
“But Youri sees the passes so early as well, so he’s able to give himself the time and space he needs more often than not, even from tight situations.”
And the Leicester boss is determined to keep Tielemans under contract at the King Power long-term.
Rodgers said: “I would love to keep him here. He’s a really, really important player at this football club.
“He’s got a couple of years left on his contract but I know it’s something the club will be speaking to him and his representatives about.”
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER insists he has the backing of Manchester United’s owners to bring stellar targets like Erling Haaland to Old Trafford.
United failed in a bid to sign Haaland a year ago when the brilliant Norwegian striker decided to join Borussia Dortmund from Molde over concerns that Solskjaer’s future in Manchester was less than secure.
When the Reds then refused to pay £120million for Haaland’s Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho in the summer, the Florida-based Glazer family were hammered for running the club on the cheap.
But Solskjaer is buoyant about his chances of landing a contract extension. And he also feels that after a top-four finish last season, United will be in pole position to land the kind of world-class talent the fans crave if he can once again qualify for the Champions League.
Solskjaer said: “We’ve got a plan to become a very successful Man United team – and a team that top players want to play for.
“It’s down to us to keep improving and getting closer to the trophies.
“The owners keep backing the club and myself and hopefully we can improve the team.”
He will have just one year left on his contract in the summer – but the 47-year-old has no doubts that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will give him the time and resources to finish the job.
Solskjaer said: “I talk to Ed all the time and I know we will keep on discussing the progress of the team.”
Dortmund will cash in on either Haaland or
Sancho in the summer after taking a financial hit during the pandemic.
With United’s interest in
Sancho cooling after paying Atalanta £37m for teenager Amad Diallo last month, they are likely to once again target Haaland.
It would make sense for Dortmund to sell after it was revealed that the striker (right) has a contract clause which will be triggered in 2022 limiting any fee to £65m.
United face Newcastle at Old Trafford today looking to consolidate their position behind leaders Manchester City after thumping Real Sociedad in Turin on Thursday night to take a huge step towards the last 16 of the Europa League. Edinson
Cavani (below) is likely to return to lead Solskjaer’s attack.
And the United boss has been so delighted with the Colombian since his arrival for free in the summer that only the Manchester weather could prevent the 34-year-old from signing a contract extension.
Solskjaer said: “I will sit down with Edinson at the end of the season, but so far, so good. I just hope the weather in Manchester will improve for him!
“I haven’t been surprised by Edinson, just impressed. I spoke to Ander Herrera, Diego Forlan and other players who knew Edinson and every one of them sang his praises for his attitude and his personality.
“When you’re a footballer, there is a spell early on in your career when you’re young and you’re eager.
“Then you enter a stage halfway through when you come to think you’re invincible. But then you get towards the end – and that’s when you really make the most of it.
“Edinson isn’t going to let his career be cut short through any lack of desire or determination or lack of work.”