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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…

Just recently, Barcelona’s icon, Carles Puyol, talked to the Independent about his professional career, life at La Masia, his teammates and much more.

But one other thing he discussed was his potential return to the club and Blaugrana’s decisions on Victor Valdes.

What did he say?

Puyol is Blaugrana through and through.

The now 41-year-old former centre-back played a total of 593 games for Barcelona throughout his career and even managed to bag 19 goals and 13 assists in the process.

Needless to say, he won a plethora of silverware for his cabinet during his stay at the Catalan capital and is still highly regarded within the club.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Recently, however, as he explained to the Independent as well, he declined a business proposition from Barcelona, stating that now is not the right time for him to return.

But he also commented on the club’s decision to sack Valdes, another former player of the club, shortly after his initial appointment. And if his words are anything go by, Puyol thinks that the focus of the club might be in the wrong place.

Here’s what he said in full:

“This was not the right moment [to come back]. Perhaps one day, but I am developing other projects. I firmly believe in education through sports, that you can learn empathy, resilience, the skills to face adversity. I’m not sure of the reasons why Victor was fired, but it is not easy working with the young teams of Barcelona. People focus on results but we need to focus on training our young players.”

A hidden message

Puyol was never the one to mince words.

If there’s something on his mind, he will say it out loud – that was his approach on the pitch, strong, aggressive and brave – and that’s the approach he takes in life as well.

Watch Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale answer the internet’s weirdest questions in the video below…

And even though he doesn’t know what the reason behind Valdes’ sacking was, he does seem to believe Barcelona are currently focusing on the wrong things with their emphasis on the results.

Of course, the results are everything that matters at the end of the day and modern football doesn’t give clubs or coaches a chance to risk results in favour of youth development.

This does make things a lot more difficult for any young player but it also makes life difficult for the coaches in question.

Valdes had the right idea but that clearly wasn’t on the same page as Barcelona’s view of how things should work.

Puyol maybe didn’t say anything directly to the Catalans but his refusal to go back, which we already discussed before, and this critique may speak louder than his recent words.

Let’s see what happens in the future.

[ad_pod ]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…Marcelo Bielsa won the FIFA Fair Play award on Monday night as he was rewarded for his efforts in allowing his team to concede against Aston Villa last season. However, that decision has seemingly been laughed at by a host of pundits.

What have they said?

Leeds may have drawn at the weekend but they remain top of the Championship after bouncing back from their playoff heartbreak last season.

Despite a new campaign now being upon us, the demons of last term have quickly begun to unravel again for the Whites.

Bielsa managed to scoop the award for fair play at FIFA’s recent The Best awards this week but it wasn’t something that many in the football world took too kindly too.

That was certainly the case on BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday night as those appearing on the show laughed at the Argentine as they took a massive swipe in his direction.

Appearing on the show, this was just some of the reaction.

“You must be joking” – Micah Richards.

“Do previous misdemeanours not count?” – Chris Sutton.

“I’ve had to check with five different sources to make sure that someone wasn’t taking the mickey” – Mark Chapman.

Controversial?

Considering what happened last season it may come as somewhat of a shock to see the 64-year-old be rewarded with his fair play.

For the situation is was awarded for it seems justified but perhaps not when you dig further back into one of the major talking points from 2018/19.

Earlier this year there was, of course, the infamous spygate incident when Leeds sent someone to watch Derby train.

Bielsa ended up paying the £200k fine himself and since then his conduct has been far better, showing great professionalism in what he does.

He allowed Aston Villa to score in a clash at Elland Road last term following some unsavoury scenes while he also donated £1.9m to one of his former teams, Newell’s Old Boys, all the way back in October.

It is unsurprising given the events of spygate that the first reaction was to laugh but it would be wrong to suggest Bielsa didn’t do other things deserving of the award.

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West Ham United fans are hopeful that Lukasz Fabianski recovers quickly after being forced off against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The goalkeeper pulled up after taking a goal kick and was substituted in the 34th minute, to be replaced by Roberto.

Fabianski had already conceded prior to his sub, with Joshua King cancelling out Andriy Yarmolenko’s 10th-minute opener. Callum Wilson scored past his replacement, only for Aaron Cresswell to equalise in the 74th minute and earn his side a point.

The 34-year-old has been manager Manuel Pellegrini’s undisputed first-choice in east London, playing in every game of the Premier League season thus far, while also featuring in all 38 games of the top-flight campaign in 2018/19.

Ominously for the Irons, Roberto, his replacement on Saturday, conceded four in midweek as they lost 4-0 to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup.

As such, fans are hoping – and some even praying – the former Swansea City stopper makes a quick recovery.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to Riafan, Crystal Palace sent scouts to watch Artem Dzyuba in action as Russia took on Scotland in a UEFA European Championship qualifier, whilst Everton and Wolves also had representatives present.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the powerful Russian striker managed to find the back of the net against Steve Clarke’s Scotland side in front of the aforementioned Premier League clubs’ scouts, as he helped his country to a vital 2-1 win.

Dzyuba now has six goals in five European Championship qualifiers following his latest strike, whilst he has already grabbed four goals and recorded three assists in just eight Russian Premier League matches so far this season.

The 6-foot-5 frontman is certainly an experienced figure with 37 caps for his country, 148 appearances for Zenit St Petersburg and 158 for Spartak Moscow, although he wouldn’t be a good signing for the Eagles.

Steve Parish still not learning his lesson 

Back in the summer, we detailed how Palace chairman Steve Parish still hasn’t learned his lesson amid links to ageing Premier League stars James McCarthy and Nathaniel Clyne.

The article outlines how Palace have a number of players who are either 30 or over, or are approaching the landmark age, and states that this transfer approach is not a sustainable one.

So, if the news that they are lining up a move for 31-year-old Dzyuba is true, it would serve to suggest that the Eagles still haven’t learned their lesson in recruiting younger players who would be able to improve and net them a healthy profit when they eventually move on.

Signing the almost-veteran Dzyuba would potentially fill a gap up top for a few years, before he becomes a problem that needs to be moved on – most likely for peanuts, if any fee at all.

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England continued their fine form with yet another victory in the Euro 2020 qualification stage, but it wasn’t without its nervy moments.

Michael Keane’s blunder in the first minute gifted Kosovo the lead before Gareth Southgate’s men hit back with five more without reply.

The visitors wormed their way back into the match with two quick goals after the break including a penalty which was conceded by Manchester United’s £80m man Harry Maguire.

Harry Kane then missed a penalty of his own, keeping the game at 5-3.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Allowing three goals against a side of Kosovo’s nature is far from ideal and it has led to several Villa fans wondering why their star man, Tyrone Mings, wasn’t involved especially after defensive mistakes costing England a possible clean sheet.

The 26-year-old was called up by Southgate for the very first time last week but didn’t feature in either qualifier.

One supporter claimed that Mings would have been the best central defender on the pitch if he had played while another added that the 6 foot 5 Villa star is worth £80bn based on Maguire’s poor performance.

A further member of the Villa Park faithful blasted the decision to call him up by labelling it as a ‘waste.’

You can read more of the reaction below:

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Spurs came back from one down to emerge 2-1 victors over Watford on Wednesday night thanks to goals from the returning Heung-min Son and Fernando Llorente, after the Hornets took the lead before half-time through Craig Cathcart.

Llorente had blocked Adrian Mariappa’s effort and the resulting corner was whipped in by Jose Holebas, missed by Spurs ‘keeper Lloris and duly nodded home as the visitors capitalised on what was far from the Frenchman’s first mistake between the sticks.

He may be a World Cup winner but Lloris’ decision making and positional sense can be questionable and the 32-year-old should count himself lucky that the Lilywhites attack was on song to secure the three points in the end.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video above to see for yourself…

Despite the occasional mistake, Lloris’ ownership of the number 1 shirt has hardly been challenged since his arrival at White Hart Lane in 2012, although, in his compatriot Paulo Gazzaniga, Mauricio Pochettino now has a viable replacement for the captain should he continue to mess up.

Former Southampton man Gazzaniga has impressed in Lloris’ stead – mostly in cup clashes – and it may not be too long before the 27-year-old snatches the gloves.

Here’s how Spurs fans reacted to Lloris’ performance on Twitter…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Liverpool may be reigning European champions and on paper their opponents look favourable, but they will still need to be wary in the Champions League group stage as they seek to retain the title.

Poor away record

The Reds lost just once away from home in the Premier League last season, but it was a different story in Europe as they lost all of their away group matches, as well as succumbing to a 3-0 loss at the Nou Camp.

Whilst wins against Porto and Bayern Munich were positives, there are still signs that Liverpool have not fully overcome those difficulties away from Anfield – they would have drawn with Southampton had Danny Ings not missed from yards out in their first Premier League away clash of the season.

Napoli, Red Bull Salzburg and K.R.C Genk make up what some believe is a comfortable group for Liverpool, but there are reasons why they could struggle.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Firstly, Liverpool found Napoli tough opponents in last year’s Champions League. They lost at San Paolo and but for magical moments from Mo Salah and Alisson, they would have failed to get the three points they needed in the final group game to qualify.

Furthermore, Salzburg and Genk both possessed superb home records last season. Salzburg lost none of their 23 home matches, whilst Genk lost just three out of 28. It could be pointed out that their domestic leagues are of a lower standard, but that was also the case for FK Crvena zvezda, who defeated Liverpool 2-0 last year.

Reason to be wary

European nights at Anfield have got Liverpool out of difficult situations on multiple occasions, so if there is any chance of an early exit it will be because of under-performance in away matches.

It is only Salzburg’s second appearance in the competition but they pose a significant threat, and proved last season that they are capable of beating high-quality teams with a 3-1 second-leg win over Napoli, although the Italians did have a three-goal advantage heading into the match.

Napoli themselves possess a manager with a wealth of European experience and success in Carlo Ancelotti, and after strengthening in the summer with the additions of Kostas Manolas and Hirving Lozano, they could be better prepared for the visit to Anfield this time around.

Liverpool will look to challenge in the Premier League once again and therefore it will be difficult to maintain the same levels of energy, effort and consistency in the Champions League, and that could lead to negative results on the road. Too many of those and Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the European title will quickly fade away.

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West Bromwich Albion secured the permanent signing of striker Daryl Dike on New Years Day, with the 21-year-old making his Baggies debut against QPR on Saturday.

Although the USA international’s first game for the West Midlands outfit didn’t go to plan, with Albion losing 1-0, there will be plenty of excitement regarding what the former-Orlando City man can do based on his previous spell in the Championship on loan at Barnsley last season.

Under current West Brom manager Valerien Ismael, Dike scored nine goals in 22 appearances for the South Yorkshire outfit, helping them to secure a play-off place.

The 21-year-old returned to the MLS outfit, where former Manchester United star Nani had played, with the Portuguese labelling Dike “a special boy.”

Now at The Hawthorns, the £9m-rated striker will be looking to go one better than last season and secure promotion to the Premier League. What is for sure is that if the American can replicate similar form to that of last term, the Baggies’ bid for promotion will certainly be boosted.

Ismael’s side are currently fifth in the Championship, seven points off of the automatic promotion places and in need of an extra goal source.

The Black Country club are the league’s best defenders, having conceded just 20 goals. However, they’re the second-tier’s joint-tenth top scorers with 31 goals. First place Fulham have scored more than double with 64 in one game less.

It’s a major issue that needs to be resolved immediately. In fact, the Baggies haven’t particularly had a recognised goal scorer they could rely on for a handful of seasons now, with former loanee Romelu Lukaku enjoying the most fruitful campaign since the Belgian made the temporary move to The Hawthorns from Chelsea.

The striker scored 17 goals in the 2012/13 campaign, helping Albion to an eighth-placed finish. Similarities can certainly be drawn between the two strikers.

After all, his former teammate Jordan Williams once said: “Daryl has got a rocket of a right foot. I think he’s similar to Lukaku. He hasn’t scored as many goals yet, but he can hit a ball just as hard.”

Stood at 6 foot 2, Dike is only four centimetres shorter than the Belgian, with the use of their respective physicality a major part of both players’ games.

Of course, if Dike was to evolve into a world-class talisman-like Lukaku, Albion fans would be delighted. However, it is certainly realistic to expect the American to score double digits by the end of the season.

If so, the Baggies may have an improved shot at an instant return to the Premier League.

AND in other news, West Brom eye swoop for “dominant” £5.4m-rated beast, he’s miles better than Hugill…

Rangers have enjoyed a strong first transfer window under manager Gio van Bronckhorst as they have made two additions to their ranks at Ibrox.

James Sands has arrived on an 18-month loan from New York City FC and John Souttar is poised to arrive in the summer after penning a pre-contract agreement with the central defender.

Football Scotland reporter Mark Hendry has claimed that the Dutch head coach is now eyeing up a deal for a Scottish youth international this month.

He Tweeted: “EXCLUSIVE! Rangers interested in Motherwell and Scotland prospect Bailey Rice as Manchester City also weigh up move.”

Patterson 2.0

Van Bronckhorst could land the club’s next Nathan Patterson by securing a swoop for Rice this month as he is a promising young player with the potential to break into the first team down the line.

The right-back made the breakthrough at Ibrox and went on to play 27 times in the senior side before being sold to Premier League side Everton for a club-record transfer fee this month.

Managing director Stewart Robertson explained the thinking behind the sale, saying: 

“This is a deal which fits with our long-term, strategic vision for the club. We have been very clear that player trading is an important element of our business model but only when the circumstances suit Rangers.

“We are delighted for Nathan and his family, wish them all the best for the future and they will always be welcome back at Ibrox.”

This shows that the club are looking to bleed through youngsters from the academy and into the first-team in the hope of developing them into a player who can make them a large profit in the future.

Therefore, the signing of Rice could be a shrewd deal as he could follow in the footsteps of Patterson by impressing in the youth teams before breaking into van Bronckhorst’s side in the years to come.

Rice has captained Scotland at youth level and is said to be one of Motherwell’s most talented prospects, which suggests that he has the potential to grow into a top player.

The fact that Rangers and Manchester City have become alerted to his possible availability also indicates that they have seen enough from him at such a young age to believe that he could be a valuable asset moving forward.

This means that he could be the next Patterson for Rangers and Scotland in the future and that is why van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson must work hard to pip Pep Guardiola’s side to his signature.

AND in other news, Major development emerges in “groundbreaking” Rangers move, GvB will be buzzing…

After not playing for a couple of weeks over the Christmas period, Leeds United are finally back in action when they take on Burnley at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side’s last Premier League outing came when they were beaten comprehensively by Arsenal in mid-December, and they face a Clarets outfit who are also in a perilous position near the bottom of the table.

The Whites were handed a significant boost ahead of the game, though, with Bielsa confirming that centre-back Diego Llorente is fit and available again for selection. If he comes through any late fitness checks, he surely must start against Sean Dyche’s side.

The “imperious” Spaniard became a regular in Leeds’ defence in the final few weeks of the 2020/21 season, starting 13 of the last 14 games in the top flight and coming up with some impressive performances, not least netting a late equaliser against Liverpool.

He earned a WhoScored match rating of 6.90 for that campaign, which marked him out as the Whites’ second-best centre-back after Cooper, who was also the only player at the club to win more headers per game than Llorente’s 2.2.

Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan raved: “He looked every bit that leader and that quality centre-half that we were all expecting when he signed for the football club. There was great excitement about him it took a long time to get to see him consistently.

“But when we did, we saw him grow and grow and grow. We saw him get stronger and better as the games went on. If you ask any Leeds United fan who watched him in that second part of the season and ask them who would be the first centre-half on the team sheet, they would say Llorente.”

With the Whites shipping an abysmal 11 goals in their past two Premier League games – albeit against Manchester City and Arsenal – having Llorente back could go a long way to restoring a bit of calm and composure in defence.

The £16.2m-rated ace could well be the game-changing return in defence which swings things back in Leeds’ favour heading into tomorrow’s clash against Burnley.

Meanwhile, this Championship ace “would jump” at the chance to join Leeds…