Tag: English Premiere league.

Saeid Ezatolahi profiled after Iran international linked with a move to Leeds United

The 22-year-old has had an injury-hit campaign on loan at Reading

By: Andew Steel

With the transfer window fully up and running, Leeds United are on the hunt for new players following the confirmation that Marcelo Bielsa will remain at the helm next season.

With the Argentine set to stay in West Yorkshire, the Whites are looking to add to their squad as they look to improve upon their promotion near-miss this year, with other members set to leave.

One name linked this week with a move to Elland Road is central midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi, with Iranian media reporting that he could bring some extra depth into the core of United’s pack.

But just who is the 22-year-old? LeedsLive takes a look at his credentials.

Who is Saeid Ezatolahi?

Ezatolahi is a midfielder currently contracted to Russian top flight side FC Rostov – though he hasn’t spent much time there in recent years.

He arrived in 2015 but has spent the last two campaigns out on loan, firstly at Amkar Perm and latterly at Championship rivals Reading this year.

He’s struggled with injuries however, with his spell at the latter blighted by problems, while he looks set to become a free agent.

Why do Leeds want him?

Leeds United are not set to make widescale changes to their squad this summer, with Bielsa happy with the core of his squad. However, some more depth is needed and Ezatolahi’s age and experience tick a number of boxes for the club.

With his contract expiring this summer, he would also be a cost-effective way to add to the squad.

What has he done?

He’s not achieved much at club level, though he was a member of the Rostov side that finished as Russian Premier League runners-up in 2016.

At international level however, he’s won close to 30 caps for Iran since 2015, establishing himself as something of a mainstay of the team.

He’s only got the one goal however, scored on his fourth appearance against Turkmenistan in 2015.

Graham Potter’s appointment as Brighton Coach, an Inspired Move

Brighton and Hove Albion’s decision to replace Chris Hughton with Swansea City manager Graham Potter might seem harsh, and a massive gamble, but dig a bit deeper and it could be one of the shrewdest appointments of the summer.

When Chris Hughton joined Brighton, they were in 21st place in the Championship. He got them to the Premier League, and kept them there for two seasons despite having one of the league’s smallest budgets.

In the final game of this season, Brighton may have got comprehensively beaten by one of the best soccer sides there has ever been, but on the last day of the season 22 years ago, only Robbie Reinelt’s goal in front of the jam-packed, dilapidated away end at Hereford United kept Brighton in the Football League. Brighton have come a long way since then, and while Hughton has only played a small part in that journey, he was the manager who took them to the top flight for the first time in 34 years.

Sacking Chris Hughton seems to many outsiders like a club getting ideas above their station, and no doubt Hughton will have little difficulty finding another job this summer (he’s already linked with the West Bromwich Albion job). But Brighton are on a downward spiral, and only a very brave gambler would have bet on Hughton’s negative brand of soccer keeping them out of the relegation places next season.

Even though Brighton stayed up this year, there was little to cheer about at the Amex Stadium – Brighton only scored 16 goals from open play all season and no side tested the other team’s goalkeeper fewer times than the Seagulls. Hughton also failed to get the most out of big-money signings like Alireza Jahanbakhsh, so there’s little to suggest that backing him in the transfer market will lead to any upturn in performances.

Ghoochannejad makes his debut in England.

London

The Addicks  *Charlton Ateletics) will turn to Iranian new boy Reza Ghoochannejhad to fire them to safety. The south Londoners are the league’s lowest scorers and have won just once from their last 10 games to leave them in the mire. After scoring a miserly 22 goals this season, it’s clear where Powell’s problems lie ahead of today’s trip to Wigan.

The Charlton boss said: “We know we haven’t scored enough goals this season so we need to boost that area.“Reza’s hard-working and gets into areas to score goals so we need that straight away. “We are looking first to him scoring goals and helping us move up the table. “He is going to the World Cup in the summer and has scored goals at different levels in Belgium and Holland. “We are looking first to him scoring goals and helping us move up the table”

“It’s an exciting signing for us and he could figure at Wigan.”

Gucci is part of Charlton’s Belgian invasion to have headed over from Standard Liege. Midfielders Anil Koc and Astrit Ajdarevic, along with goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien, have also joined from the club owned by new Charlton chief Roland Duchatelet. Powell added: “It would be silly for me not to use the network as an advantage.

“I’ve looked at the Standard squad and watched some of their games. There are some good players that can help us. “But it doesn’t restrict me from looking at other players.” “It’s an exciting signing for us and he could figure at Wigan.” Gucci is part of Charlton’s Belgian invasion to have headed over from Standard Liege.

Midfielders Anil Koc and Astrit Ajdarevic, along with goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien, have also joined from the club owned by new Charlton chief Roland Duchatelet. Powell added: “It would be silly for me not to use the network as an advantage. “I’ve looked at the Standard squad and watched some of their games. There are some good players that can help us.

“But it doesn’t restrict me from looking at other players.”

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Team Melli center forward, Reza Ghoochannejad made his debut with Charlton Athletics FC today in the English Championship league.

Ghoochanejad , played a full 90 minutes for Chris Powell side away to Wigan. The host won the match 2-1 despite Charlton scoring very early in the match at the DW stadium in Wigan. Charlton’s Sordell scored in the tthird minute of the match to put the London side in front until the half time. In the 2nd half Wigan scored to goals to gran all the 3 points.

Charlton are in the relegation zone at ranked 22 in the 24 team Championship league (2nd tier of the English League).

The other Team Melli player in the English league, Ashkan Dejagah , was not on the team sheet for his club Fulham match against Southampton. The match at Craven cottage ended withe the Saint winning 0-3 sending Fulham to the bottom of the English Premiere league.