Bernd Leno does his best Petr Cech impression and almost scores an own goal

Dream Team FC

Bernd Leno does his best Petr Cech impression and almost scores an own goal

His performance hasn’t filled Arsenal fans with confidence.

Petr Cech vs Bernd Leno, it’s been the subplot to Arsenal’s season.

Despite forking out £22million to sign the Bayer Leverkusen man in the summer, Cech has kept his place as the Gunners No1.

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Getty - Contributor The veteran stopper has actually been one of the standout players this season[/caption]

The impressive form of Cech has meant that Leno’s first team opportunities have been few and far between this campaign.

The German made his first start for the Gunners in the Europa League victory over FC Vorskla, going largely untested on the night, but still conceding twice.

Leno’s second outing in an Arsenal shirt came in the Carabao Cup against Brentford.

Reuters Arsenal fans were mostly watching through their fingers[/caption]

Although the Gunners were 3-1 winners on the night, their goalkeeper’s performance was certainly a questionable one.

Just minutes into the clash, the 26-year-old almost dropped an almighty clanger. It was really unbelievable stuff.

Doing his best Cech impression of trying to score an own goal against Man City, Leno produced his very own heart-in-mouth moment.

We can’t watch this without wincing…

Could have been embarassing for Leno #ARSBRE #AFC pic.twitter.com/NNHztPkRSo

— RÖY (@19AJR) September 26, 2018

Things got no better for the German when he failed to keep out Brentford’s goal in the second-half.

Alan Judge’s free-kick sailed past the goalkeeper who failed to make a real attempt at a save.

The strike was nowhere near the corner of the goal, yet still flew past Leno with ease.

Leno should save that pic.twitter.com/RLMg17njbS

— 𝙘𝙖𝙡 (@calsmii) September 26, 2018

On the basis of this performance, the wait to see Leno in a Premier League game might go on for a while yet.

We thought his whole ‘thing’ was playing out from the back?

Leno’s shocker was eerily reminiscent of a howler during his Bundesliga days…

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Frank Lampard reveals Jose Mourinho complimented him before penalties as Derby defeat Manchester United

The Independent - Football

Frank Lampard reveals Jose Mourinho complimented him before penalties as Derby defeat Manchester United

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FIFA 19: Meet the footballer who beat Leo Messi to a Puskas Award then quit to play FIFA

Dream Team FC

FIFA 19: Meet the footballer who beat Leo Messi to a Puskas Award then quit to play FIFA

Heard of Wendell Lira? Lionel Messi certainly has.

In 2015, Lira was playing in the Brazilian lower league team, Goianesia.

Then, during a match against Atletico Goianiense – Lira scored a strike so stunning it catapulted him to a 2015 Fifa Puskas Award.

Lira got 46.7% of votes. Messi, 33.3%.

The Brazilian’s star was on the rise. Bigger football clubs started taking interest and, at 27, he still had a potentially long career ahead of him.

That was until a game of FIFA changed his life.

“I always dreamed of making a living as a video game player, but I never thought it would come true. But it did,” he told the BBC.

During an event at the FIFA Award ceremony in Switzerland, players were challenged to a game of FIFA against the then world champion.

Lira beat him 6-1. 

Life in the Brazilian lower leagues is tough, with 82 per cent of players earning around $250 a month.

Only 60 Brazilian clubs have a full calendar for the whole year – so for half a year many go without any money.

Lira had a wife and daughter to support but having retired once due to injury, opportunities were few and far between.

A game of FIFA changed Lira’s life

Eventually, he decided he would kill himself. He got in his car and drove as fast as possible for two hours – hoping to crash into a truck.

“I didn’t have money to pay for milk for my daughter,” Lira recalls. “I was suffering a huge pressure because I was unemployed, without perspective. I couldn’t see me in the mirror.”

Eventually he was invited to play for Goianesia.

“People think that because I was a Puskas winner I had a huge salary. It was never the case,” he said.

But his performance on FIFA didn’t go unnoticed, and he was snapped up by a sports agency who wanted to turn him into an e-athlete.

Now, Lira has more than 500,000 fans on YouTube and claims to be making more money than he ever did playing football.

Brazil’s top e-sports stars can earn close to $1million a year.

Not that this is any surprise.

There are an estimated 110 million gamers in Latin America – a number that continues to grow.

“My dream is to become FIFA  world champion,” Lira told globoesporte.

One day, we’re sure he will.

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Fantasy football tips: Why an unlikely source could solve your defensive problems

Dream Team FC

Fantasy football tips: Why an unlikely source could solve your defensive problems

Defensive problems with your fantasy football team? The solution is Crystal clear. It’s Crystal Palace.

Who can blame you for spending big on Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk or Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso?

They’re both consistent scorers but you’re really breaking the bank to get both of them in your Dream Team.

Instead, there’s a thrifty trio down at Selhurst Park which could be the answer to any defensive woes.

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Getty - Contributor The Hodge is an icon in south London[/caption]

When you think of Palace under Roy Hodgson you think about the raw pace and the attacking flair of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend,

Yet after six games in the Premier League this year they’ve only conceded six goals, a record bettered only by the division’s top three sides.

So Roy has tightened things up at the back after his holidays. But what has changed in the Palace back line?

Getty - Contributor AWB is making waves at Selhurst Park[/caption]

A lot of this solidity can be pointed at someone you may not have heard of until this season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka sits second on average points for defenders, scoring 5.5, behind only Alonso who averages an impressive 7.6.

Another to shine this year is the James Tomkins, who scored seven points at home to Newcastle last weekend and has an impressive average of 4.8.

Reuters A rock at the back[/caption]

Behind this impressive backline, they have the Welsh David De Gea in Wayne Hennessey.

Palace have kept three clean sheets, with only Liverpool new boy Alisson notching more.

Yet Hennessey has a higher average and total score than the Brazilian.

News Group Newspapers Ltd The Welsh De Gea[/caption]

The potential for big points is there but very few of you have recognised it.

Only 1.5% of Dream Team managers have selected the high scoring Wan-Bissaka and his defensive partner Tompkins, while just 1.6% have gone with Hennessey.

Up next for Palace is a trip to West Brom in the Carabao Cup, followed by home games against Wolves and Arsenal.

Could we see yet more clean sheets over the next month for the Eagles?

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Sport – The Standard

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Anthony Joshua reigns at Wembley: Beats Povetkin by KO in the 7th round

English // marca

Anthony Joshua reigns at Wembley: Beats Povetkin by KO in the 7th round

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Man United star Paul Pogba ‘scouted by Barcelona’ during Champions League clash against Young Boys

Dream Team FC

Man United star Paul Pogba ‘scouted by Barcelona’ during Champions League clash against Young Boys

Paul Pogba was reportedly scouted by Barcelona during Manchester United’s win over Young Boys.

The Red Devils romped to a 3-0 win over their Swiss opponents in the Champions League group stage clash on Wednesday.

Barcelona scouted Paul Pogba during Man Utd’s win over Young BoysReuters SIGN UP – WIN £5k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER THIS WEEKEND

Pogba was in terrific form as he found the net twice and was named man-of-the-match in the process.

But it’s been claimed that the Frenchman may have turned on the style due to the presence of a scout from summer suitors Barcelona.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo has revealed that the La Liga champions sent eyes to watch over Pogba in Switzerland.

Barca were strongly linked with the £89million midfielder during the last transfer window.

The ace put in a man-of-the-match performance with two goalsAFP

And Pogba only added fuel to the flames by refusing to commit himself to Jose Mourinho’s side.

It could now be that Barcelona are lining up a fresh bid for the World Cup winner this winter.

Ernesto Valverde signed Arturo Vidal and Arthur as replacements for departing Nou Camp legend Andres Iniesta.

But Pogba would be an upgrade on both, bringing both talent and an X-factor to the table in Catalonia.

Barcelona were strongly linked with Pogba over the summerAFP Pogba has refused to commit his future to the Red Devils in recent timesGetty Images

 

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