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India captain Virat Kohli has suggested that KL Rahul will keep in the upcoming T20Is too, as it has given them an option of playing an extra batsman in the XI.Rahul kept wickets in three ODIs against Australia at home – starting after Rishabh Pant suffered a concussion in the first game while batting – even though Pant was fit to play in the third game in Bengaluru, and Kohli said a day before the first T20I in New Zealand in Auckland that Rahul “doing really well with the [keeping] gloves” had “opened up another kind of scenario” for them.With Shikhar Dhawan’s injury, Rahul is also going to get back to opening in the T20Is in New Zealand.”[Dhawan’s injury] will certainly alter a few plans for us… in the one-day game, we’ll have to think of sticking to the same what we did in Rajkot (in the second ODI), that will probably work best for us as a side, have another guy at the top and let KL just express himself at that position where he played really well,” Kohli said. “In T20 cricket, obviously the dynamics change a little bit more, because we do have lower-order batsmen who have done well. We have a few more options there in terms of solidifying that spot and probably let KL bat at the top.”Him doing really well with the gloves has really opened up another kind of scenario for us where it gives us a lot more balance in terms of playing an extra batter. If he can keep that well, and perform well with the bat, then why not? As I said, this is something that we are looking to continue for a while. And nothing taken away from anyone else, it’s just what brings the best balance to the side.”With Pant unavailable for the second ODI against Australia and three openers to accommodate in the XI, Rahul kept wickets and scored a smashing 80 off 52 balls at No. 5 to turn the series around for India. Rahul was asked to open again in the decider with Dhawan’s injury, but with five dismissals behind the stumps in the series and that impressive half-century in Rajkot, Kohli said they were going to “persist” with Rahul keeping and batting in the middle order for some more time.BCCI

Rahul has been moved around the batting order over the years, but has cemented a position for himself at the top in more recent times, and that has led to more consistent returns with the bat: he averages 47.86 and 45.50 in ODIs and T20Is in the last 12 months respectively, both higher than his career average.”It’s amazing. He is open to accepting any kind of role, whatever the team wants – he is a total team man and you can tell the way he keeps as well,” Kohli said of Rahul’s evolution. “He is always looking for an opportunity and looking to make a play, and he is not nervous about it; the collection of throws and getting to the stumps every ball, and he is just in the game. I think he relishes that much more than just being on the field and it’s showing. He is more involved in the game, he is able to look at the field placements as well, so I think it engages him into the game in the right manner. It’s wonderful to have a guy who can do both things well and bring balance to the team.”Dhawan and Sharma were India’s original openers in limited-overs formats but Dhawan’s succession of injuries and Rahul’s form have put a spanner in the works. For now, India named Sanju Samson as Dhawan’s replacement for the T20Is and Prithvi Shaw for the three ODIs to follow. India also have Mayank Agarwal, who was called up during the 50-over World Cup last year, and Shubman Gill in the ranks, who are currently representing India A in New Zealand.”Continuity [is a problem], yes,” Kohli accepted. “But in the meantime, if you talk about replacements, we have a lot of T20 players around, and people who are very experienced when it comes to playing T20 cricket, having played a lot of matches in the IPL and on ‘A’ tours and other series.”I don’t see an issue of replacement. But yes, an issue of continuity for sure. Look, whenever he (Dhawan) is back in the team – he’s done well in the last game that he played – so we’d love to have him back and have that balance in the team where we can really go in with the best batting line-up that we have. But in the meantime, we don’t have any issues with the replacements.”

Over the last few months, Arsenal have built a reputation as intelligent operators in the transfer market.

For example, the arrivals of Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and even David Raya have all proven to be brilliant moves that have dramatically improved the team's quality.

However, while Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have bought well, they've also sold well.

Just a few years ago the pair sanctioned the sale of a Hale End gem for £25m whose value has since cratered and is now worth less than Eddie Nketiah.

Eddie Nketiah's transfer valuation in 2024

Nketiah joined the Gunners as a 14-year-old after being released by cross-city rivals Chelsea and has since become an important member of Arteta's squad.

The academy graduate made his debut for the first team in a Europa League match against Bate Borisov in September 2017, but he made his full debut the following season in the same competition, as Arsenal beat Vorskla Poltava 3-0.

Eddie Nketiah's full Arsenal debut
Vorskla Poltava 0 – 3 Arsenal: November 2018
GK – Petr Cech
RB – Stephan Lichtsteiner
CB – Carl Jenkinson
CB – Rob Holding
LB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM – Mohamed Elneny
CM – Matteo Guendouzi
RM – Joe Willock
CAM – Aaron Ramsey
LM – Emile Smith Rowe
ST – Eddie Nketiah

He would make sporadic appearances over the following years and even spend six months on loan with Leeds United in the 2019/20 season before getting a real chance in the first team in the latter half of the 2021/22 campaign, scoring ten goals and providing one assist in 27 appearances as Arsenal came close to securing top four.

The following year, he was just as crucial in the club's title charge when Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for several months with a knee injury, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 39 games.

However, as valuable as he was last year, the 24-year-old's opportunities have been severely limited this season with the arrival of Kai Havertz.

With his role reduced in the team and his £100k-per-week contract set to run until June 2027, Arsenal appear set to sell their academy product, with West Ham United one of several clubs heavily touted for his signature at a price of around £43m.

It wouldn't be the first time they have successfully cashed in on an academy gem either, and if Nketiah's career mirrors Joe Willock's, then the club could be playing a blinder.

Joe Willock's transfer value after leaving Arsenal

Like Nketiah, Willock fought his way through Arsenal's various youth sides before making his full debut for the first time in the Europa League clash against Bate Borisov in September 2017.

Over the next few seasons, the Waltham Forest-born midfielder made 78 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists before being sent on loan to Newcastle United for the second half of the 2020/21 campaign. In that period, he scored eight goals in just 14 games.

This excellent run of form saw the Magpies spend £25m to secure the Englishman's signature that summer.

Joe Willock's Newcastle career
Season	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
Appearances	14	31	43	11
Goals	8	2	3	2
Assists	0	0	6	0
Goal Involvements per Match	0.57	0.06	0.20	0.18
All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, in the 85 appearances since, the 24-year-old has scored just seven goals and provided six assists, which would explain why his valuation has plunged since the transfer, with the Football Transfers' Expected Value model pricing the Toon star at just €23m, or £20m, which is £5m less than he was sold for and a whopping £23m less than the price Nketiah could fetch.

West Ham signing Eddie Nketiah now possible as Arsenal make decision

The Hammers are a serious destination for him.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 17, 2024

Ultimately, Arsenal's decision to sell Willock was the right one, and if they can repeat the trick with Nketiah this summer, they must jump at the chance.

Mohammad Rizwan fell five runs short of a maiden hundred before Australia’s quicks wrapped up victory

The Report by Andrew McGlashan24-Nov-2019Australia were made to work harder than appeared likely in securing an innings-and-five-run victory on the fourth day at the Gabba as Babar Azam scored a magnificently classy second Test hundred and Mohammad Rizwan fell five runs short of his first before the tail went down swinging.When Pakistan were reduced to 5 for 94 in the morning session – the same position they found themselves in the first innings – the prospect of Australia needing the second new ball or coming close to batting again seemed far-fetched. However, Azam and Rizwan added 132 for the sixth wicket then Rizwan was joined by Yasir Shah to put on 79 for the seventh.The loss of Rizwan for 95, moments before the second new ball was taken, ended the resistance and the Pakistan fast bowlers were in for a good time, not a long time. Josh Hazlewood finished with 4 for 63 in what was Australia’s 13th straight victory at home against Pakistan.Azam played an outstanding knock, a fine response to the poor stroke in the first innings which left Pakistan in trouble. He barely put a foot wrong this time, scoring freely around the wicket, with the driving standing out as so often in a typical Azam innings. There were no nervous nineties for him as he pulled Pat Cummins through midwicket before driving wide of mid-off to bring up his first overseas hundred off 160 balls.Nathan Lyon brought his innings to a halt when a quicker delivery found the edge and Tim Paine took a sharp catch, but that was not a prelude to a swift conclusion as Rizwan matched Azam stroke for stroke only to upper cut Hazlewood to third man moments before the second new ball.Significant damage had been done to Pakistan’s top order on the third evening and they resumed on 3 for 64. There were promising signs in the first hour as Azam and Shan Masood repelled the Australia quicks, although Masood was challenged by considerable seam movement Cummins extracted from the fourth-day wicket.It was Cummins who struck first when Masood got a thin top edge on a hook and in the next over Hazlewood produced a peach to take a nick from Iftikhar Ahmed. Pakistan have had no contribution from two of their top six in this match – Ahmed and Haris Sohail – and it will give them plenty to ponder ahead of the Adelaide Test on Friday.Babar Azam celebrates his century•AFPAustralia sensed an early wrap-up but then hit the roadblock. A sweetly-timed drive off Mitchell Starc took Azam to his half-century; his judgement of length against pace and spin was a standout feature of the innings. There was moment of mild concern on 75 when Australia reviewed an lbw shout from Hazlewood which was umpire’s call on trimming the bails.Azam’s Test career has been on an upward curve over the last 12 months and he tuned up stylishly with a hundred against Australia A, but this could yet be a crucial moment in the career of a batsman who is earmarked as one who can join the elite.Rizwan, in his second Test, had shown his feisty qualities in the first innings before edging a Cummins delivery which was a borderline no-ball that many felt should have been called. He played second fiddle to Azam for the first part of his innings but became more aggressive during the afternoon and evening session. His duel with Lyon – whom he slog-swept to bring up his maiden Test fifty from 86 balls – was especially absorbing. The offspinner targeted the footmarks created by Starc and Rizwan was keen to use his feet, highlighted by a wonderful drive through the covers that almost brought applause from the bowler himself.On 92 it appeared he may have fallen to one of the great short leg catches when Marnus Labuschagne moved with a paddle sweep, the ball lobbing behind square with Labuschagne flinging himself full length to get the ball in his fingertips but the third umpire ruled it had been grounded. Subsequent replays suggested it hadn’t hit the bat in any event.Perhaps keen to reach three figures before the new ball, Rizwan’s eyes lit up when Hazlewood’s first ball back was short outside off and he sent it straight to Lyon at third man. The only question then was whether the final three wickets would make Australia’s openers pad up. Yasir – whose batting was encouraging for Pakistan in both innings – missed a maiden Test fifty when he got a leading edge to mid-off and three overs later Matthew Wade’s catch at long-on was the final act in another comprehensive Gabba victory for Australia.

Harry Kane did not hesitate to say he would swap his personal achievements for England to win Euro 2024 on Sunday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Kane yet to win silverware
• Has chance to lead England to glory
• Must beat a brilliant Spain side

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  At 30-years-old, Kane is desperate to end his trophyless run at the top level. The former Tottenham striker says he would trade all of the Golden Boots, all the Team of the Season awards and every other personal accolade to win a trophy as captain of England.

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• WHAT KANE SAID

  Speaking at England's press conference ahead of the final, Kane said: "It's no secret that I haven't won a team trophy and every year goes by I'm more motivated and more determined to change that. Tomorrow night I have an opportunity to win one of the biggest you could ever win and make history with my nation, [and] I'm extremely proud to be English.

  "No question, I'd swap everything I've done in my career to have a special night and a win tomorrow evening. That's not the case. There's a lot of hard work until that moment but I'm really determined to make tomorrow night a special one."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane is one of the greatest strikers of the modern era and he tops the list of players who deserve to have a winner's medal hanging on his wall. England failed at Euro 2020, but the skipper should have learned his lesson ahead of this weekend's clash and will hope to use his experience to lead his country one step further.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR KANE AND ENGLAND?

  Kane will lead England out in Berlin on Sunday night to face Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Should the Englishman score, he will likely take home the Golden Boot unless Dani Olmo matches him on the opposition side.

Ange Postecoglou needs time but there is no questioning the potential of this resurgent Tottenham Hotspur side, challenging for Champions League football once again after slumping to an eighth-place Premier League finish last year.

Despite the summer sale of Harry Kane, Postecoglou has married into Daniel Levy's way of life in north London and the shrewd recruitment has formed the bodywork of a new era, the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson, Guglielmo Vicario and more.

These players are part of this new wave in part thanks to their athleticism and the dynamic sheen to their skill sets – even shot-stopper Vicario is of the modern cut, ranking among the top 10% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches per 90, as per FBref, highlighting his ball-playing presence.

This style of play is a far cry from the counter-playing, conservative styles of recent managers, and for this reason, certain erstwhile phenoms might not thrive under Postecoglou's wing, with Christian Eriksen among them.

Christian Eriksen's Spurs career

Tottenham signed Eriksen from Ajax as a 21-year-old for a £11.5m fee back in 2013, with the promising Dane considered one of Europe's most exciting young midfielders at the time.

While he never won silverware with Tottenham, the now-32-year-old has earned his place among the upper echelon of the club's modern stars, described as a “world-class player” by former Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy during his time in the capital.

Amassing 305 appearances, he scored 69 goals and supplied 90 assists for Spurs, supercharging Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-min Son in their attacking exploits, striking fear into Europe, at their best, as one of the deadliest offensive units around.

But midway through the 2019/20 campaign, out of contract the upcoming summer, Eriksen completed a £17m transfer to Inter Milan after choosing not to extend his deal.

Christian Eriksen's current market value

At present, Eriksen plays for Manchester United and while he enjoyed fruitful success last season, scoring twice and providing ten assists for his teammates across 44 appearances as he won the Carabao Cup, he has slumped into mediocrity this term.

Reflecting this, Football Transfers mark his current value at just £11m, which is a staggering drop-off from his £53m value while plying his trade under Mauricio Pochettino for Tottenham.

Of course, he's ageing and it's only natural that he would see such a depreciation, but in hindsight, Spurs got the best out of the player during the brightest days of his career, and he would certainly not make the grade at present, under Postecoglou.

Eriksen would flop in Ange's system

Eriksen is a player of immense technical quality and unparalleled resilience, coming back from cardiac arrest at the 2021 European Championships to continue his Premier League career with Brentford and then United.

When he does hang up the boots, he will go down as one of the Premier League's greatest contemporary midfielders, but the playermaker struggling to impress at the Theatre of Dreams right now and would unquestionably flop with Postecoglou's system.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Passsing

Tackling

Key passes

Taking set-pieces

Postecoglou relies on fluency and energy, his players must work tirelessly and possess a sense of multi-functionality to make things tick.

Maddison, who is probably the Lilywhites' closest stylistic match to Eriksen, averages 1.4 dribbles and 5.6 successful duels per outing, whereas Eriksen averages 0.2 dribbles and 1.3 successful duels, as per Sofascore.

There are no two ways about it: it's grim reading, and for a Man United side striving for success and a place in the top four ahead of Tottenham, he's hardly proving to outplay Maddison or indeed prove himself worthy of a regular starting berth.

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Criticised for his "dire" display against Fulham last weekend by Manchester United correspondent Samuel Luckhurst, who handed him a 4/10 match rating for the Manchester Evening News, it does appear that he is approaching the twilight stage of his career in English football.

Considering all this, it would seem that while Eriksen was a defining part of Tottenham's brightest, most exciting era across the past few decades, he would not work within Postecoglou's set-up and is best remembered for his past performances.

حدد مسؤولو اتحاد الكرة موعد فتح باب الترشح لانتخابات مجلس الإدارة الجديد، وذلك بعد انتهاء فترة ولاية المجلس الحالي.

ويتولى إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم في الوقت الحالي، مجلس منتخب برئاسة جمال علام، الذي تولى المهمة في عام 2022.

وتقرر فتح باب الترشح لانتخابات اتحاد الكرة يوم 10 نوفمبر المقبل.

طالع | فرج عامر يعلن موقفه من الترشح في انتخابات اتحاد الكرة.. ويوجه الشكر إلى بيراميدز

بينما يتم عقد الجمعية العمومية لـ انتخاب المجلس الجديد لإدارة الاتحاد، في العاشر من شهر ديسمبر المقبل.

يذكر، أنه سيتم إجراء فعاليات انتخابات اتحاد الكرة في مقر مشروع الهدف بمدينة السادس من أكتوبر.

Tottenham Hotspur's squad has been riddled with injury and suspension issues throughout the 2023/24 campaign and one of their key depth options has now been linked with a move away from the club.

Saudi Pro League interest in Spurs defender

Ange Postecoglou has needed to call upon Emerson Royal in several positions so far this season to cover for various players, but he is now attracting interest from Saudi Arabia. According to Premier League Brasil, Al-Nassr have made the Brazilian full-back a target this month and sent over a proposal of €25m (£21.5m) to sign him from the North London club – and Daniel Levy has made his mind up.

It states that Tottenham have turned it down as Levy has decided that it was not enough to tempt him into cashing in on the 25-year-old battler. The report adds that the Saudi Pro League side will soon raise their offer for the defender but they do not state exactly how much the second bid will be worth.

However, the article suggests that Al-Nassr should 'up the ante' and fire in an offer of €35m (£30m), which would make Emerson the joint-fifth most expensive sale in the club's history if a deal went through at that price.

Tottenham's club record sales (via Transfermarkt)
Player	Fee received	Club joined
Gareth Bale	£87m	Real Madrid
Harry Kane	£82m	Bayern Munich
Kyle Walker	£45m	Manchester City
Dimitar Berbatov	£33m	Manchester United
Luka Modric	£30m	Real Madrid

It remains to be seen how much it would take for Spurs to cash in on the versatile defender as Premier League Brasil also reveal that the club are not interested in negotiating at this time – they do not want to lose him midway through a season with so many gaps emerging in the squad. They add that Al-Nassr will have to offer a 'high sum' in order to convince Levy and Postecoglou to part ways with the former Barcelona full-back.

Emerson's versatility is a life saver for Ange

The Brazil international's versatility has been extremely useful for the Australian head coach in the Premier League so far this season, as he has been needed to cover for the likes of Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, and Destiny Udogie at times. Emerson has featured six times as a centre-back, five times as a left-back, and played three matches in his natural role on the right of the back four.

The £40k-per-week ace, who was hailed by Postecoglou as being one of the "best trainers" and having an "unbelievable" work ethic, has been a solid defensive option for Spurs.

Emerson in the 2023/24 Premier League season (via FBref)
Statistic (per 90)	Percentile rank vs full-backs
Tackles (2.75)	Top 18%
Interceptions (1.61)	Top 13%
Blocks (1.49)	Top 15%
Clearances (4.70)	Top 1%
Aerial duels won (1.38)	Top 18%

As you can see in the table above, Emerson ranks highly amongst his positional peers in a number of key defensive metrics, albeit his appearances at centre-back have helped to boost his output when it comes to clearances and aerial duels contested.

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Luke Randall

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His quality and versatility as a depth option for Postecoglou should indeed force Levy to reject any and all bids until the end of the January transfer window, potentially cashing in this summer when finding a replacement will be easier.

Liverpool have identified a "candidate" to take a big backroom role at the club this summer, according to an update from reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Klopp announces shock Liverpool exit

The Reds were rocked on Friday when Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, bringing an end to a legendary spell at the club. It was a piece of news that came from nowhere, even though the German had informed those high up of his decision back in November, and supporters have been left stunned.

The 56-year-old cited an increasing lack of energy as a key reason for deciding to move on this summer, at which point he will be approaching nine years in the role. It has been a period of huge success for Liverpool, including Champions League and Premier League glory, and Klopp will be leaving as one of the most iconic figures in Reds history.

Liverpool could sign dream Klopp heir with swoop for "serial winner"

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ByAngus Sinclair Jan 26, 2024

It isn't only the manager who will depart, however, with his coaching staff moving on as well, including highly rated assistant manager Pep Lijnders. Jorg Schmadtke is also leaving as sporting director as early as next month, with the German always only on a short-term contract.

Liverpool identify potential sporting director

According to Di Marzio on X, Liverpool see Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes as a potential option to replace Schmadtke as sporting director this summer.

"Richard Hughes is a candidate at @LFC to replace Jorg Schmadtke as Sporting Director at the [start] of next season. He is currently working as Technical Director at @afcbournemouth."

The Klopp news is clearly going to dominate the headlines for some time given the vast influence he has and the fact that he is a huge name in the world of football, but nailing Schmadtke's replacement is also hugely important.

The role of a sporting director in the modern game is so important in terms of working with the manager on new signings – Michael Edwards and Klopp had a wonderful working relationship in the past, signing the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson – so it is vital that Liverpool's next manager has the right person alongside them.

Not a huge amount will be known about Hughes by Reds fans, but if FSG believe he is the ideal figure to come in and even be an upgrade on Schmadtke, they have to be trusted. In fact, the Scot is a former player and once knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup, scoring the only goal of the game for Portsmouth in a fifth-round replay back in 2004.

Liverpool could land dream Alonso alternative in 44 y/o "genius"

This exciting manager could be the perfect under-the-radar replacement for the departing Jurgen Klopp.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 27, 2024

For all their faults as owners, FSG still managed to acquire Klopp's signature back in 2015, and other impressive appointments have also been made since then, including that of Edwards. This is a huge period that they must get right, however, or risk setting Liverpool back after making so much headway under their legendary current boss.

Hyderabad has been confirmed as the venue for the IPL final on May 12 after Chennai Super Kings failed to provide a solution to the long-standing issue of the three disputed – and closed – stands at MA Chidambaram Stadium. However, Chennai will get to host the first play-off match – Qualifier 1 – on May 7 while Vishakapatnam will stage the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 on May 8 and 10.As reported last week, Super Kings – the defending champions and, therefore, the rightful hosts of the final – had been given time by the IPL authorities to identify a way around the problem. ESPNcricinfo understands that the Super Kings management has since conveyed its inability to do so by May 12, and the final has now gone to Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, the home venue of last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad.ESPNcricinfo understands that the BCCI opted to retain Chepauk to host Qualifier 1 since it wanted to credit Super Kings for winning the title last year. Super Kings have hosted four home games so far this season, including the season-opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore, with the stands closed. However, IPL officials were concerned about the bad optics the vacant stands present, especially on TV, for the marquee matches.The Chennai corporation had closed the three stands – I, J and K, adding up to roughly 12,000 seats – in 2012 as there were discrepancies when the stadium was refurbished before the World Cup in 2011. Only once since then have they been opened to the public, after the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association got special permission to do so for an India v Pakistan ODI in December 2012.The BCCI wanted to stage the playoffs at the prominent venues but with the league phase only ending on May 5, it is believed there was not enough time to get venues like Mumbai and Bengaluru ready. Also, with the general elections running parallel to the IPL, the other big venues were ruled out.

Leeds United turn their attention back to Championship action this weekend as they travel away from Yorkshire to Wales to take on Cardiff City on Saturday.

The Whites are seven points off the automatic promotion places as it stands and need to hit a strong run of form over the coming weeks to pile the pressure on the likes of Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

Daniel Farke's side have only won two of their last six league matches heading into their clash with the Bluebirds this weekend but did run out 3-0 winners against Peterborough in the FA Cup last time out.

Ethan Ampadu scored two and Patrick Bamford added a sensational volley to secure the club's passage through to the fourth round, where they will face Plymouth Argyle.

Despite the emphatic victory, the German head coach could look to make some alterations to his starting XI from that game, and here is FFC's predicted Leeds XI to take on Cardiff.

1 Illan Meslier

Farke has already confirmed that Illan Meslier will start between the sticks after serving a three-match ban for his sending-off against Preston North End on Boxing Day.

Kristoffer Klaesson started the last two games, against Birmingham in the league and Peterborough in the FA Cup, and Leeds won both clashes 3-0.

However, two clean sheets and two wins in two appearances has not been enough to tempt the manager to stick with the 23-year-old stopper for this one.

2 Archie Gray

Archie Gray could return to right-back for this clash after being selected in his natural central midfield position. He has been a regular starter in the number two role, with 22 starts, and has averaged 2.8 tackles and interceptions per match.

3 Joe Rodon

At the heart of the defence, there is no question that Joe Rodon should start once again for the Whites. He was named the club's Player of the Month for December, which illustrates how impressive the titan has been of late.

Pascal Struijk has been ruled out and Liam Cooper is a major doubt for this game, whilst Charlie Cresswell will not be involved, which has left the Wales international as possibly the only senior centre-back available.

4 Ethan Ampadu

Alongside Rodon, Ethan Ampadu could be forced out of his natural holding midfield position once more to play at centre-back due to the dearth of options available to Farke.

He produced two goals and one assist in that role against Peterborough and could look to use his ball-playing skills in possession to help the team to build up from the back.

5 Sam Byram

At left-back, Sam Byram could return to the starting XI after missing out against Peterborough through injury. Junior Firpo started in his place but the English stopper has been the first-choice in that position and is available to face Cardiff.

The former Norwich ace has started 18 Championship games so far this term and made 3.2 tackles and interceptions per match for the Whites.

Whereas, Firpo has only been trusted to start one of his six league appearances this season and this does not suggest that Farke sees him as a regular starter in his side.

6 Ilia Gruev

Another player who has struggled for starts this term is central midfielder Ilia Gruev but the need to play Ampadu at centre-back could provide the summer signing with an opportunity to start in the middle of the park, for the third time in the league.

This could be a huge chance for him to earn more game time moving forward by proving to the head coach that he has the quality to make a big impact from the start.

7 Glen Kamara

Farke could bring Glen Kamara back into the starting XI in midfield to partner Gruev. Gray started in this position against Peterborough but he could move to right-back over Jamie Shackleton, which would open the door for the Finland international to return.

The 28-year-old dynamo has been a metronome in possession for Leeds in the Championship with a phenomenal pass success rate of 93%, which shows that he rarely gives the ball away.

8 Dan James

Another change to the XI could be Welsh international Dan James being brought back into the side ahead of Italy international Wilfried Gnonto.

23/24 Championship

Wilfried Gnonto (via Sofascore)

Appearances

20

Starts

Seven

Goals

One

Assists

One

Big chances created

Zero

As you can see in the table above, the former Zurich star has not made a significant impact at the top end of the pitch with the opportunities that he has had to perform.

Whereas, James has produced eight goals, five assists, and nine 'big chances' created in 20 Championship starts for Leeds so far this season.

9 Georginio Rutter

In the number ten position, Georgino Rutter should come in to replace Joel Piroe, who has one goal and zero assists in his last eight outings for the club in all competitions.

Meanwhile, the French magician has been an outstanding creator for the side with nine assists and 17 'big chances' created in 24 league appearances this term.

10 Crysencio Summerville

On the left of the attack, Crysencio Summerville must be reinstated into the starting line-up after being handed a rest against Peterborough last weekend.

The Dutch whiz, who was once described as "unstoppable" by Statman Dave, has produced 12 goals, six assists, and 12 'big chances' created in 21 Championship starts.

Whereas, Jaidon Anthony – who started on the left against the Posh – has not provided consistent quality since his arrival from Bournemouth on loan last summer.

The English winger has scored one goal and is yet to register a single assist in 18 league appearances for the Yorkshire-based outfit this season.