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Published Sep 26, 2026, 6:41 PM GMT+1
Ben is an experienced sports journalist and senior editor at Football FanCast, specialising in transfer reporting, Premier League coverage and football analysis. He graduated with a Master's degree in Sports Journalism in 2017.
Ben has written for publications including the Liverpool Echo and the Lincolnshire Echo. Throughout his career, he has covered a range of sports, from American football to mixed martial arts, but his primary passion has always been football journalism.
Since joining Football FanCast in 2018, initially as a freelance writer covering clubs across the English football pyramid, Ben has established himself as one of the publication's leading transfer reporters. His expertise lies in assessing the credibility of transfer stories, analysing what they mean for clubs and supporters, and providing context behind football's biggest talking points. Along the way, he has built an extensive network of trusted sources across the football industry that strengthens both his reporting and editorial insight.
Today, Ben leads Football FanCast's news team as Senior Editor, overseeing the publication's football coverage while helping shape its editorial standards, transfer reporting and analysis.
Leeds United have made an impressive start to the new Premier League season, and the foundation for it has been a rock solid defence.
Farke delighted by defensive record
Action Images via Reuters/Ed SykesDaniel Farke's side have conceded just three goals in their opening five league games, the joint best defensive record in the division alongside Everton, and Farke is proud of the progress they've made as he looks beyond the international break.
"Many, many things show more or less the growth [of the team] and this is one aspect, also that you are slightly disappointed with a draw against a side who's playing in this league for 13, 14 years and have won some cups recently.
"Also, you have perhaps one of your more average days and not one of your best days, and you still managed to win a clean sheet and a valuable point. So there are many, many signs of good growth and development of this group and of this club. And for that overall, we have many reasons to be happy also during this international break."
Leeds fans, how many of Farke's very first line-up do you remember?
Leeds' summer signings playing key role
The Palace draw also handed Jean-Matteo Bahoya his first minutes of the season off the bench. Plenty of supporters want to see more of the winger, but Farke explained ahead of the clash with the Eagles why he's taking his time.
"Came from the bench at the end of last season. Have to look after them, make sure they're well prepared when I throw them into Premier League. It's unforgivable.
"A poor performance on debut and they can be buried. Have to make sure they're ready. Jean Matteo is a top character, not the highest confidence or physical fitness level to start, but you can see him grow day to day on the training pitch. All chances to be involved."
The 21-year-old has kept building his minutes with France Under-21s during the break, playing just over an hour of their 1-1 draw with Iceland.
It's another summer signing who's really catching the eye at Elland Road, though - centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.
Leeds paid Sassuolo around £34m for the centre-back in July, and he's already looking like a bargain. The 23-year-old has played every minute of Leeds' season so far and has chipped in with a goal and an assist.
He's been central to Leeds' miserly defence and carried that form into the international break, helping Bosnia and Herzegovina keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Poland on Friday.
Juventus plotting Muharemovic move
REUTERS/David KleinHis start in England hasn't gone unnoticed in Italy either. Muharemovic came through the ranks at Juventus Next Gen but never played for the first team, and Sport Witness shared reports this week that Juve are seriously regretting not bringing him back this summer.
Football FanCast sources understand the Serie A giants intend to make a serious attempt to correct that mistake and bring Muharemovic to Turin next summer, and they're willing to spend big to make it happen.
Getting a deal done won't be easy, though. Leeds have no intention of selling a player who is tied down until 2031, and they aren't under any pressure to cash in.
Crucially, the defender himself is very happy in West Yorkshire. Sassuolo's sporting director revealed last month that Leeds were the only club Muharemovic wanted to join, and the player has since made it clear publicly that his future lies at Elland Road.
"Now I'm really happy to be here, at Leeds, and in the Premier League, and not somewhere else," he said. "My focus is here and I just want to forget those early years. I thank Sassuolo and I'm truly grateful for what they've done for me. I'm at Leeds United to prove who I am."
With Muharemovic's mind made up, Juventus may have simply missed their chance.
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