FPL Gossip 22nd March 2022: Man United manager search, James, Raphinha

FPL Gossip

ten Hag and Pochettino lead four-man shortlist for Man United job

With Ralf Rangnick highly unlikely to continue in the Man United dugout beyond this season, the club are said to have settled on a four-man shortlist to take over at Old Trafford. Led by Eric ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino, there is also Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui.

The winter World Cup complicates a move for Spain boss Enrique whilst the club know that prising Julian Nagelsmann from Bayern Munich is unrealistic. So it looks like a straight-up battle between the Premier League experience of Pochettino and the exciting football of ten Hag.

Reece James withdrawn from England squad as a precaution

Despite being named in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, Chelsea have announced that right-back Reece James has been withdrawn from the group.

It was a surprise to see James included, having missed their last four matches with a muscle injury. And the weekend words of Thomas Tuchel hinted this decision was coming.

“The recommendation is that he does not go. He is still in individual training, otherwise we would have brought him to Lille and we would have brought him here for sure. There is no doubt about it. He needs one more week of rehabilitation and I think we can provide this much better. It is not the job of the national team to do this.”

Poor release clause rejected by Raphinha in new contract talks

Leeds’ star man Raphinha has also pulled out of international duty because of Covid. Yet Tuesday is full of rumours about his future at Elland Road. Firstly, the Brazillian has apparently rejected a new contract because he wants his release clause lower than the current £70m

Secondly, reports from Spain say he has already agreed terms with Barcelona, although a fee with Leeds still needs negotiating. It would be a huge blow to Leeds if they stay up. From an FPL perspective, owners will need to decide if this speculation will distract the player, who is seemingly set for bigger things regardless of how this campaign ends.

His high expected goal involvement (xGI) of recent weeks suggests he is committed to the cause – doing everything but score. However, Leeds are one of three sides to blank in Gameweek 33, so FPL managers may already be planning an exit route.

Elsewhere on Fantasy Football Community:

Meanwhile, there is a round-up of the latest injuries and bans. Both Leicester and Burnley have promising Double Gameweek 33 matches, so there is an analysis of their top FPL assets.