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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…

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was quick to single out Jurgen Klopp when asked what other managers he respects, and it could be because there is some similarity between the two.

What did he say?

Simeone has had great success since taking over Atletico, guiding them to the La Liga title in 2014 and Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016, building up a club to compete with powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid.

In that sense, Klopp has achieved similar in his position, and for that Simeone has commended his efforts, but is also impressed by his man-management style and his close relationship with his players.

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In an interview with El Larguero, translated by Empire of the Kop, in response to a question about which managers he respects, Simeone said:

“A manager that I respect? Jürgen Klopp without a doubt. He had to lose things, as well as winning some beautiful things, but he’s always done it with one style. I see him really close to his players.”

There is a lot he admires, therefore, not just his winning habit and impressive trophy wins, but overcoming adversity by staying true to his philosophy.

Similar mentality

The former Argentina international knows all about hardship, too, having lost twice in the Champions League final – both times to Real Madrid – and it is possible he sees some of his own traits and experiences in the German.

Like Klopp, he has built a strong team spirit and gets on well with his players – he wouldn’t be in his ninth year as Atletico manager without that. A recent clip of their Champions League clash against Lokomotiv Moscow shows how hard they are willing to work for their manager and the desire each of his players is willing to put in, and that is only present because of his influence.

Liverpool currently show similar levels of commitment, and it is clear to see they love playing for the club and for Klopp, with post-match embraces a frequent theme of his tenure at Anfield.

Though the pair think differently about the game tactically, with Simeone basing his success on defensive organisation, and Klopp a high-intensity style, they understand the key components of the game.

They each know how essential it is for their players to cover the basics of the game, to work hard and constantly try to improve, and that is why both of their clubs have progressed so much since they took over.

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…

Arsene Wenger talked to beIN SPORTS USA (via Daily Star) and has discussed some of the world’s best strikers. And according to the iconic manager, one player from the Real Madrid squad deserves more praise than he’s currently getting.

What did he say?

There are certainly a number of world-class forwards out there.

And while it’s definitely difficult to choose just one player in particular, the former Arsenal manager and one of the all-time greats, Wenger, has urged everyone not to forget about Karim Benzema, Real Madrid’s veteran forward.

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Of course, seeing how they’re both French, it isn’t really a surprise that Wenger is a true fan of Los Blancos’ 31-year-old but he makes a compelling argument as to why exactly Benzema should be getting more praise.

Here’s what he said in full:

“I would not forget [Karim] Benzema. He’s been a regular player at Madrid for nine or 10 years now. It’s not my village, it’s Real Madrid. When I watch him play, I’m a fan of how intelligent his game is. The timing and creativity of his pass makes him able to play No.10. And he is good in the air. In the last year, I know Benzema has not had a lot of credit. But if you look at his performances, they are absolutely unbelievable and he deserves credit. Against all the odds, he has shown huge character and made top-quality performances.”

Real Madrid’s hero

Wenger is actually absolutely spot on – Benzema is one of those players that people somehow often forget about and while the attention is always on other people, he keeps performing silently and more importantly, on a consistent basis.

So far this season, there is no doubt – the 31-year-old has been one of Real Madrid’s stand out performers across all competitions.

In the nine games he played for Los Blancos in the 2019/20 campaign, he has already scored a total of six goals and assisted a further two. On the whole, in the 474 games he’s played for the club in total, he has scored 154 goals and assisted a further 88 in the process.

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

His contribution is definitely something that’s not really discussed enough in general and as far as underrated Real Madrid stars go, Benzema is definitely up there at the very top.

But as Wenger has pointed out – despite the quality and skill he has demonstrated for the last decade or so – he’s rarely given any credit.

Maybe this year, if he can continue this trend and remain one of the more influential figures on and off the pitch for the Galacticos, he will get the recognition he so clearly deserves.

Only time will tell.

Adrian has spoken out of his ambition to be Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice as he considers himself a No.1 goalkeeper.

In an interview with The Telegraph he stated that his mindset isn’t to be happy sitting on the bench, but many Liverpool fans think it is a role he may have to accept.

Alisson returned to full fitness this week and looks set to start against Manchester United, a prospect many supporters are likely to be looking forward to for the trip to Old Trafford.

It is an unfortunate situation for Adrian, as he has performed well since coming into the side – conceding only six goals in eight league games – as well as proving the hero in the Super Cup penalty shootout, but Alisson is the best goalkeeper in Europe according to a UEFA award, and therefore is likely to be drafted straight back into the starting line-up.

And judging by the reactions to the Spaniard’s comments, that is certainly something the Anfield faithful want to see happen.

Gary Rowett has been appointed as the new manager of Millwall (via millwallfc.co.uk).

The 45-year-old becomes the permanent successor to Neil Harris, who resigned from his position earlier in October (via BBC Sport).

He will not be officially in charge of the team for their game against Cardiff City, with caretaker Adam Barrett set to oversee the fixture at the Den. Rowett’s first game in the dugout is set to be on Saturday when the Lions take on his former club Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.

Millwall are currently 17th in the Championship table, with just five points between them and the relegation zone (BBC Sport).

It would be fair to say that Rowett has a very solid record at Championship level. Indeed, he has won 71 and drawn 61 matches in the second tier from the 180 he has taken charge of (via Transfermarkt).

His best season arguably came whilst he was in charge of Derby County, as he guided the Rams into the play-offs before ultimately losing in the semi-finals to Fulham (BBC Sport).

Millwall fans seem to be happy with Rowett becoming the new manager, with most suggesting that he will be a solid appointment for the London club.

Here is how some supporters reacted to his appointment on Twitter…

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

Real Madrid are finally back in business as Los Blancos will welcome Leganes to the Santiago Bernabeu for a mid-week La Liga clash. And seeing how Eden Hazard will also be making his return to the squad, his performance might make or break the game in hand.

On the chalkboard

Even though a lot was and still is expected from Real Madrid’s 28-year-old Galactico, we still haven’t seen him fully emerge from his cocoon and start wreaking havoc through the Spanish top-flight.

So far, Hazard has played a total of seven games for Los Blancos across all competitions and has one goal and two assists under his belt.

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Considering the reputation and the pedigree with which he arrived from the blue side of London, this is nowhere near his very best.

But Real Madrid will certainly need him to find his groove and find it fast.

And there’s no time like the present to do exactly that. Still, Leganes have a young ace who will be ready to take the spotlight away from the Belgian bomber – Oscar Rodriguez.

Hazard vs Rodriguez

This clash just might be won with either of the two aforementioned players having a better game than their counterpart.

We know how deadly and effective Hazard can be and there’s no doubt that once he finds his form, he’ll start dropping his opponents like flies.

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

And so far, even though the figures have not been as impressive as expected, the Belgian is still making an impact for the Galacticos.

Apart from the goal and an assist in La Liga, he also registered one shot, 1,3 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game. He was also dispossessed 2.5 times and had 1.8 unsuccessful touches per game as well.

But Rodriguez, even though he is just 21, is not really behind Hazard at all.

The Spaniard has two goals under his belt in La Liga and has done so with 2.2 shots, 0.9 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game.

Not to mention that he is also quite secure while on the ball with 0.4 dispossessions and 1.9 unsuccessful touches per game.

By all means, this seems like a rather close battle between two similar players.

Hazard is obviously the more experienced one with a much bigger reputation but we should not discard the youngster that easily.

If he is given enough space and time, he can be deadly as well, and the stats support that.

Let’s see who comes out on top in the end.

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…

There’s some good news and some bad news.

Although whether or not the good news consumes the bad news and becomes the dominant feature in this saga, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Swansea City defender Joe Rodon has been linked with a move to Sheffield United in recent days (The Sun on Sunday, 27/10, Page 61), but that move hit a potential setback during the recent South Wales Derby as he suffered a serious injury.

However, there has been an update on both fronts as Swans boss Steve Cooper pointed out this week.

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What’s he said?

Speaking ahead of his side’s game with Wigan Athletic, Cooper said that the injury will keep him out for around three months, which could cause problems with any potential medicals during the transfer window.

He later went on to say though that he didn’t have any concerns with other teams snooping around his players.

“We’ve got a lot of good young players, there’s no doubt about that, and if they do well at championship level then the Premier League is the obvious next step up. If a club or player does well then there’s always that ambition and that possibility that they move up to the next level which is the Premier League.

“If some of our players are attracting interest, I think it’s a good thing, because it means they’re playing well and it means we’ve got good players.”

Wouldn’t be the first time

Swansea City have had a history of selling off their young players for money rather than keeping them and developing them; the likes of Joe Allen, Daniel James and Ben Davies to name but a few.

Sheffield United know this all too well as they brought in Oli McBurnie from South Wales over the summer. So judging by Cooper’s comments, and Swansea City’s past, it looks as if they aren’t going to stand in the way of Rodon leaving the Liberty Stadium this winter if a reasonable bid were to come in.

Now the only problem will be whether or not the £2.25m-rated defender’s injury will be enough to put off the Blades from going in after him.

Do Sheffield United want to take a risk with someone who is going to be returning to full fitness around about the same time that the transfer window is set to close?

Add to that the time it would take him to get settled into the system at Bramall Lane and you’re potentially looking at March by the time you start to see the full benefit.

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…

Speaking to The Athletic, Chris Smalling has hailed former Manchester United man Angel Di Maria as “one of the best players I’ve ever seen”.

What did he say?

The 31-year-old arrived in a £59.7m deal from La Liga giants Real Madrid, but failed to deliver on all the hype and expectation that surrounded his move to Old Trafford.

The Argentina international managed four goals and 12 assists across all competitions, but only stayed at the club for the duration of one season. The winger has now revived his career at French side Paris Saint-Germain, and he has registered an impressive 76 goals and 77 assists in 195 appearances in total.

Now, Smalling has opened up on his ex-teammate’s abilities, and admitted a sense of regret that the Argentine couldn’t make a success of it at Old Trafford.

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He said: “This might surprise you but Angel Di Maria was one of the best players I’ve ever seen. It ended sourly, but when he first signed he looked incredible.

“He did it on the field at the start too, he chipped a goal at Leicester and I thought he would take us to the next level. All of us watched him and thought ‘we just need to get him the ball and he’ll do something special’.

“It’s a shame it ended for him so quickly at Old Trafford, that he has been considered a flop because he’s a great player.”

Crying shame

Having been a consistently impressive performer in his time at Real Madrid, seeing Di Maria not carve out a long and successful Old Trafford career is a crying shame. The Argentine played 190 times for Los Blancos and provided an unbelievable 85 assists. As a flying winger, the 31-year-old seemed like the perfect United player.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

He had an internationally recognised reputation, and some of the technical characteristics that the Old Trafford faithful had come to watch and love with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo. Di Maria’s searing directness and excellent dribbling abilities – he has an impressive career average of 1.6 dribbles and 2.4 shots per game – is the kind of edge-of-your-seat action that United fans would have loved to have seen on a regular basis.

Instead, they cashed in on the Argentine, when if they had perhaps held their nerve and persuaded him to stay an extra year, may have gotten the peak Di Maria they initially hoped they were getting.

Liverpool supporters have been looking back fondly at the career of Fernando Torres after the Reds’ 2-0 win against Chelsea back in 2010.

The former Spain international scored both goals that sealed all three points for the home side after a comprehensive victory over their rivals. The win meant that Roy Hodgson’s side moved into the top half of the table after a tough start to the 2010/11 campaign.

Torres ended up leaving the club two months later and went to Chelsea for £50m, but left an everlasting legacy at Anfield with his goalscoring record.

He scored 81 goals and conjured up 20 assists in 142 appearances and had his best period at the club in his debut season, where he found the net on 24 occasions in 33 Premier League outings.

Supporters were left drooling about Torres’ performance against a team that he would later move to and made their feelings clear on social media.

One fan described him as ‘the punisher’, while another supporter said that he was ‘totally unplayable’ when he played in Merseyside.

Here you will find some of the best comments from Liverpool fans:

Charlton fans have taken to Twitter to react to Lee Bowyer’s post-Millwall comments following the 2-1 defeat, and it is clear to see that they aren’t in agreement with him.

The 42-year-old Charlton boss said: “We were better than them, I thought, from start to finish. We should have won the game and to come away with nothing, is so disappointing.”

While on paper his words seem normal enough, it does seem strange of Bowyer to say that his side were better than Millwall from start to finish if you look at the statistics.

Gary Rowett’s side had more shots than the Addicks, completed more dribbles and had five more corners – the Lions also made one more key pass than their opponents, and won a substantial 27 more offensive aerial duels.

It really didn’t look like a game that Charlton dominated by any means, whether you were to have actually watched the game or look at the stats – Bowyer’s comments do sound inaccurate on the basis of how the game played out.

Significantly, that is a sentiment that some Charlton fans on Twitter agree with…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…

Leeds United’s defence has been nigh on impeccable this season.

The Whites have conceded just nine goals in 16 matches this term. However, there is still one area where they can look to improve.

Indeed, 44 per cent of the goals they have conceded this season have come from set-piece situations, and while United can be satisfied with their performances at the back this term, they should always be striving for perfection, and that is one glaring area in which they can improve.

Fortunately, the Whites have been linked with a defender who could alleviate a number of their set-piece problems upon his arrival, and his WhoScored stats show exactly what he’d bring to the team.

The man in question is Daniel Ayala, and the above graph shows just how dominant in the air the Spaniard is.

In nine of his 16 matches this season the centre-back has won four or more aerial duels, and with Leeds struggling from set-plays this term, it seems as if he’d be a perfect addition to their backline.

It’s not just from set-pieces either, long balls and big strikers have caused United problems in the past.

A great example of this would be their two games against Birmingham City last season.

Lukas Jutkiewicz caused the club huge issues across those matches last term, and that wasn’t only down to his prowess from set-pieces. For a measure of how dominant he was, the Blues striker won a staggering 24 aerial duels across the two games he played against United last term as the Second City outfit did the double over the Yorkshire outfit.

In one match he won an incredible 18 aerial duels when they met back in April before the forward then won a further ten against the Whites this season too.

Not only would the arrival of Ayala cut out the issues from dead-ball scenarios, but the £3.6m-rated defender could also help stifle any teams that attempt to have success by playing route one football against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.