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Leeds United’s No.9s during their Premier League years have usually performed exceptionally well. Out of the eight who have worn the shirt, only two players have failed to hit double figures.

The current holder of the shirt is Patrick Bamford, who has every chance of keeping the No.9 jersey in the coming years provided he puts his injury problems behind him.

The Englishman scored an impressive 17 goals in his first season playing in the top flight at Elland Road. A dip last season due to what felt like an injury curse may lead many to forget just how good a goalscorer Bamford is, but next season will hopefully provide some timely reminders.

With Raphinha potentially on his way out of the exit door this summer, the responsibility will fall on Bamford once again to find the goals in this Leeds side. Under Jesse Marsch, the striker will hope to put his injury troubles behind and kick on once more.

Those before Bamford, if you cast your minds back, didn’t have a bad time in front of goal, either, as revealed by TransferMarkt.

Every Leeds No.9 ranked on Premier League goals scored

Noel Whelan – 0 goals

Ian Rush – 3 goals

Tony Yeboah – 12 goals

Lee Chapman – 15 goals

Patrick Bamford – 19 goals

Brian Deane – 27 goals

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 34 goals

Mark Viduka – 59 goals

As you can see, it is Mark Viduka who leads the way for Premier League goals scored by Leeds United number nines. The Australian did everything he could to keep Leeds afloat, but couldn’t do enough to prevent the drop in the end, as the Yorkshire club suffered relegation in 2004.

Behind Viduka is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The forward enjoyed an affluent spell at Elland Road before making a big-money move to Chelsea, netting on 34 occasions.

Brian Deane provided a healthy return of 27 strikes, while Lee Chapman only featured for Leeds during one Premier League season and Yeboah’s Elland Road spell was explosive but shortlived.

The only real flops in the list of number nines are Noel Whelan and, surprisingly, Ian Rush, although the Liverpool legend was very much in the latter stages of his career when he turned out for the Whites.

Now, the responsibility lies with Bamford. 35 goals away from Viduka, can the former Chelsea forward become the most successful number nine in Leeds United’s Premier League history?

He’s got a long way to go but at 28 years of age, the England international still has a few years left to try and whittle down his predecessor’s tally.

Manchester United have in the ‘last hours’ emerged as suitors for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, according to Sky Sports Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The lowdown: Rapid rise to prominence

A product of the academy system at Atalanta, Bastoni made the switch to Serie A giants Inter in 2017 and spent time on loan at Parma before enjoying a staggering breakthrough into senior action.

Having flourished through the youth international ranks, the towering centre-back went from strength to strength to become a fully-fledged member of the first-team plans at the San Siro and the senior Italian national team.

The 23-year-old has now amassed 118 appearances for i Nerazzurri with the Italian media saying he ‘plays with the personality of a veteran’, and he’s attracted serious interest from Tottenham Hotspur recently.

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However, it seems as though the Red Devils are throwing their hat into the ring for the possible big-name signing…

The latest: Di Marzio makes huge claim

In a report cited on Twitter, the Italian journalist has claimed that Manchester United have ‘been moving’ for Bastoni.

He says that the Old Trafford interest has surfaced in the ‘last hours’ after Tottenham boss Antonio Conte initiated contact regarding the defender once hailed as ‘world class’ by Italian football expert Kaustubh Pandey.

The report also states that United could compete with Tottenham and Newcastle for the signing of Lille defender Sven Botman.

The verdict: Make it happen

Valued at £54million and under contract in Italy until 2024 (Transfermarkt), any move for Bastoni would undoubtedly involve an eye-watering figure.

However, having conceded 57 times in the Premier League last term – more than eight other sides in the top ten – there can be little doubting that the defensive department needs addressing by new manager Erik ten Hag as a priority.

During the 2021/22 campaign, the 14-cap ace earned an outstanding 7.10 Sofascore rating in Serie A, winning 4.1 duels and making 1.1 interceptions on average per game whilst helping keep eight clean sheets in the process.

That elite level form, combined with his already superstar status and the astronomically high ceiling the Italian could feasibly reach as he heads towards his peak, make the 6 foot 2 star a superb potential capture for the Red Devils and one Ten Hag and John Murtough should be pushing hard to make a reality.

In other news, Erik ten Hag could be key in luring this star to Old Trafford.

Manchester United have already had a taste of Erik Ten Hag’s wrath in terms of the changes that he could make to the squad this summer, after reports emerged that the defensive duo of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly are not in the Dutchman’s plans.

One other player who we feel should not be a part of the 52-year-old’s plans for the Red Devils moving forward is Fred.

Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk four years ago in a deal worth a reported £52m, the £120k-per-week Brazilian has failed to repay that hefty price tag.

With 157 appearances under his belt for the Red Devils across all competitions, the 29-year-old has only netted eight goals and delivered just 13 assists in the process.

Just over a year after he made the move to Old Trafford, the midfielder was questioned by Gary Neville over what sort of player he is, what he offers the team and why the club’s decided to pay such a big fee for him.

In fact, in a poll ran by Football FanCast, 92% of participants claimed that United paid too much money for the midfielder.

Now that Fred’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023, the upcoming transfer window could be the ideal time for United to cash in on the Brazil international and give Ten Hag the chance to totally refresh the midfield.

In terms of who the Red Devils could look to as a replacement for the 29-year-old misfit, one player with whom they have been linked recently and who could fit the bill is Wolves star Ruben Neves.

Having made 212 appearances for the Midlands club, the 25-year-old has scored 24 goals and delivered 12 assists along the way. With 142 Premier League games under his belt, Neves could be an ideal younger replacement for Fred with plenty of top-flight experience to his name as well.

Labelled a “maestro” by Tim Spiers, the journalist also described one of the Portugal midfielder’s goals in 2018 as “stunning.”

To compare the duo’s most recent league campaign with their respective clubs, Neves recorded more passes, shots, dribbles and crosses than the Brazilian, showing how impressive the Wolves midfielder is on the ball.

Off the ball, the Portugal international made more interceptions, won more tackles and made more successful pressures than Fred (FBRef), highlighting his all-round strengths and attributes in midfield.

With a reported price tag of £50m, signing Neves and getting rid of Fred could be the move which gets Ten Hag’s period in charge of United off to a flying start.

In other news: MUFC eyeing £50m dynamo who’s “a nightmare for defenders”, he’s better than Rashford

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has ‘decided to leave’ the club this summer, according to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown: Bayern interest

News recently emerged that Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have shown an interest in signing Mane as the Senegalese ace’s deal heads into its final 12 months.

Despite remaining coy when asked about his future in the build-up to Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final, the 30-year-old now appears to be coming towards the end of a six-year spell on Merseyside.

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That’s after a fresh update from one renowned journalist has claimed the man signed for £34million from Southampton in 2016 (BBC), has come to a decision over where his future lies…

The latest: ‘He’s ready’

Taking to Twitter, Romano has claimed that Mane is now ‘ready’ to move on with Bayern Munich once again mentioned as the leading contender to acquire his services.

He said: “Sadio Mané has decided to leave Liverpool this summer. He’s ready for a new experience after many special years with Reds – it will be confirmed to the club. FC Bayern are strong contenders – but it’s still open and not completed as Sadio wanted to wait for the final.”

The verdict: Monumental blow

Although an exit of this magnitude has been in the offing for some time now, it’s no less hard to take when it seemingly becomes a reality.

Whilst from a business perspective cashing in on the £72million valued ace now when there is still scope to receive a decent transfer fee makes sense, losing a player who contributed a magnificent 23 goals and five assists during 2021/22 is a damaging loss to the Anfield attacking ranks.

Where the club has perhaps been at its best in recent years has been in the recruitment department, as well as enduring maximum value from players sold. In this instance, this will be the first major test for Julian Ward in his new role as Sporting Director.

The Senegal star once hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by football writer Liam Bekker has netted 120 goals in a red shirt and to replace someone of that goalscoring prowess is no easy task. Despite the January arrival of Luis Diaz and the threat of Diogo Jota, an addition is surely imperative if Liverpool are going to fight on all four trophy fronts once more under Jurgen Klopp.

In other news: Liverpool are ‘willing’ to sanction move for La Liga starlet. Read more here

Liverpool midfielder Thiago has a good chance of being fit for this weekend’s Champions League final, according to reliable journalist Paul Joyce.

The Lowdown: Season-defining match

The Reds face their biggest game of a monumental season on Saturday night as they come up against Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris.

Victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side would seal a trophy treble this season, further outlining their status as one of the greatest English club sides of all time.

Liverpool have been sweating over the fitness of Thiago after he limped out of last Sunday’s 3-1 win over Wolves in the Premier League, but a major update has now emerged.

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The Latest: Joyce drops Thiago boost

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Joyce communicated Klopp’s comments that Thiago is now looking likely to be fit for the final on Saturday, having made a swift recovery from his weekend knock.

The journalist stated: “Jurgen Klopp said Thiago Alcantara has a good chance of making the Champions League final. He will train this afternoon. Klopp: ‘It is surprisingly good’.”

The Verdict: Massive news for Liverpool

This is an absolutely enormous boost for Liverpool, with Thiago enjoying a sensational season, proving to be one of the best midfielders in the country.

He has posted a 90% passing success rate this term, ranking him in the 92nd percentile for positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues (as per FBRef) and bettered only by sporadic first-teamer Curtis Jones among Klopp’s midfielders.

The 31-year-old brings so much class and control to the Reds’ midfield, while he also has the experience of winning Champions League finals with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Therefore, Liverpool being without him on Saturday would have given Real Madrid a huge boost, allowing their midfield a greater chance of dictating proceedings.

While there is no guarantee that Thiago will definitely be fit for two days’ time, this update certainly suggests that his progress is positive. His potential inclusion could be pivotal as to whether or not he and his team-mates are celebrating in Paris on Saturday night.

In other news, Liverpool are set to listen to offers for one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Rangers could be set to receive a substantial fee should they decide to sell midfielder Glen Kamara this summer, according to former Scotland defender Alan Hutton.

The lowdown: Agreement in place

This comes following an initial report from Football Insider claiming that the Ibrox club are ‘willing to listen to offers’ for Kamara during the upcoming transfer window.

It was claimed that ‘sources’ close to the Teddy Bears have confirmed that there is an ‘agreement’ between the club and the 26-year-old that a move will materialise at a certain price after Aston Villa were previously linked when Steven Gerrard took the Premier League job.

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Now, as the end of the season fast approaches, one heavily connected Gers man has had his say…

The latest: Hutton makes ‘huge’ claim

Speaking to Football Insider, regular Rangers TV pundit Hutton has outlined what it would take to prize Kamara away this summer, calling his initial move to Ibrox ‘laughable’.

The 37-year-old said: “As important to the club as he is, I think it has to be £10million, round about that. Some people might think that’s huge, but in terms of what it gives to the team and what it has done, he’s pivotal to what Rangers do.

“He has had times where he’s been a little bit up and down and started from the bench. But every time he comes on he proves his worth to the team. I think £10million is a good number, in my opinion. Especially in today’s market, if you look Nathan Patterson going for £16million. I know there’s a lot of potential there but we’re talking about a ready-made midfielder.

“He’s played at a high level already and Rangers did excellently well to get him for £50,000. An absolute steal, it’s laughable to see what he’s turned into. He’s only going to get better, he’s still a good age so definitely around that mark.”

The verdict: Big decision looms

Having missed out on an automatic place in next season’s UEFA Champions League group stages, the Light Blues hierarchy may look to make up some of the financial shortfalls with major player sales such as Kamara.

However, having scored four times and provided five assists in 51 appearances this season, featuring in 78 minutes per Scottish Premiership game on average (Sofascore), the Finland international remains just so integral to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side and therefore should only be sold at the very top of his valuation.

Under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), there is certainly no rush to cash in on the 42-cap ace and as such Rangers can afford to hold out for at least Hutton’s mooted £10million asking price.

In other news, find out what ‘massive blow’ Rangers have now been dealt here!

Leeds United have been dealt yet another injury setback ahead of their Premier League meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Phil Hay, who revealed in a recent article for The Athletic that, after being withdrawn in the 37th minute of the 3-0 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday evening, Jack Harrison now looks as if will be ruled out of the weekend’s clash with the Seagulls.

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Concerning the 25-year-old’s injury, Hay wrote: “Others are simply injured, like Harrison, who went down in the 37th minute and is probably beyond Marsch’s reach for the meeting with Brighton.”

Marsch will be fuming

With Leeds now in need of something of a miracle if they are to secure Premier League survival following their recent run of three straight losses, the news that Harrison could now be ruled out of what is undoubtedly a season-defining fixture this Sunday is sure to have left Jesse Marsch fuming.

Indeed, with Daniel James being ruled out for the remainder of the season after receiving a straight red card against Chelsea on Wednesday, as well as both Tyler Roberts and Crysencio Summerville being unavailable for the last two fixtures of the current campaign due to injury, the further loss of Harrison in the Whites’ attacking arsenal will undoubtedly come as a huge blow.

And, while it is true that the £13.5m-rated winger has not been in the best form of his career this season, the 25-year-old has still scored seven goals, registered one assist and created three big chances over his 33 Premier League outings – with the £60k-per-week forward being Leeds’ second-top scorer in the top flight this term.

As such, with it now being absolutely essential that the Whites secure all three points against Brighton this weekend, it is clear to see that the loss of Harrison would come as a huge blow to Marsch’s chances of doing so – with a loss at Elland Road, coupled with a Burnley win over Tottenham Hotspur, being enough to condemn Leeds to the Championship.

AND in other news: Forget James: “Completely anonymous” dud should’ve just played his last game for Leeds

Wolverhampton Wanderers have a Portuguese starlet on their hands in Chiquinho and the 22-year-old is looking to replicate the progress shown by Diogo Jota and Daniel Podence amidst his ambitions of breaking into the first team.

What’s the latest?

That is according to Journalist Josh Holland, via GIVEMESPORT, who believes Chiquinho is eager to become one of the first names of the team sheet.

Holland said: “He’s aspiring and going to want to show his worth to then follow in the footsteps of Diogo Jota and Daniel Podence by getting into that Portugal team.

“I don’t blame Tim [Spiers] for being an admirer of him. I think when he came on against Arsenal, when they lost 1-0, he was just running at Arsenal.

“It’s just something that Wolves miss when Traore is not there. It’s whether he’s got that final product that Traore obviously struggled with.”

On the chalkboard

Jota’s rise to prominence serves as the golden example that the £2.2m-rated Chiquinho will be looking to follow.

The 25-year-old broke into the Portuguese national team during his time at Molineux and has since gone on to make 24 appearances in a time span that has seen him become an elite forward under Jurgen Klopp’s management at Liverpool.

22-year-old Chiquinho, who has been dubbed “magic” by Estoril U23’s head coach Vasco Botelho da Costa, demonstrated his promising potential in his 20-minute cameo against Chelsea on Saturday. The two goals that Wolves scored were both assisted by the former Estoril asset, leaving the Old Gold faithful questioning why he is not being given more minutes.

His “explosiveness” as highlighted his former coach Vasco Botelho da Costa, was the game-changer for Lage’s side and scorer of the last-minute equaliser Conor Coady gave the starlet all the plaudits: “I went into the box, hoping Chiquinho would get it. I thought he was outstanding when he came on.

“He’s a young lad who’s learning every day and he took the game to Chelsea, he ran at them every single time he got the ball, and he always put a ball inside the box.”

With that in mind, he’s clearly a young individual with the world at his feet and if he can find some end product in the Midlands, he stands a great chance of following Jota’s impressive lead at Wolves.

In other news: Lage can land huge Jimenez upgrade for Wolves in £82k-p/w “monster”, he’d be “perfect”