Arsenal Odegaard DELAY, Chelsea consider Werner for Haaland swap, Liverpool ‘finalising’ £34m Konate – transfer news

MOUNT-AIN TO CLIMB

Mason Mount has become the first Chelsea star to score or assist for England in three straight games since Frank Lampard.

Mount, 22, netted the second goal in last night’s 2-0 World Cup qualifier win against Albania.

On Thursday, Mount contributed an assist in the 5-0 win against San Marino.

And in November, Mount was again on the scoresheet in the 4-0 Nations League victory over Iceland.

That means he has matched Lampard’s stunning feat which the former player-turned-manager achieved eight years ago.

Lampard scored or assisted in SEVEN consecutive England games, with his incredible run ending in May 2013.

ROY-AL RUMBLES

Roy Keane is never one to back down in an argument.

The Irishman has gone from midfield hardman, to bearded boss, to TV executioner over the last few decades.

But during all this time, he has never allowed any foe to have the last laugh.

Keane, 49, is currently strongly linked with the vacant managerial post at Celtic.

And should he make a return to the dugout, Hoops fans must be ready for some explosive moments – just ask Alan Shearer or Jamie Redknapp.

So amid his links to Parkhead, let’s take a look at some of Keane’s most memorable bust-ups HERE.

JUAN’S PAIN

Juan Mata’s mother has passed away after a long battle with illness, according to reports.

Reports in Spain described Marta Garcia as a ‘very dear, good and loving person’.

Mata himself has not confirmed the news but close pals Bruno Fernandes, David De Gea and Ander Herrera took to Instagram on Monday afternoon to share pics with Mata showing their love and support.

Fernandes said: “Friend, a very strong hug for you and your family.”

Goalkeeper De Gea captioned his post with a love heart and ex-United midfielder Herrera wrote ‘siempre’ meaning ‘forever’.

Marta had two children – the Manchester United midfielder and his sister Paula.

CRIS CROSS

Cristiano Ronaldo let his emotions get the better of him when his winning ‘goal’ against Serbia did not stand.

The Portugal superstar, 36, appeared to have bagged an injury-time winner in the World Cup qualifier.

But neither the referee nor his assistant thought the ball had crossed the line before it was hooked clear.

And with that, Ronaldo threw his toys out of the pram – but it certainly was not the first time.

Click HERE for seven times the Juventus ace lost his cool on the pitch.

AL OR NOTHING

Barcelona legend Dani Alves, the most decorated player of all-time, has won a remarkable 41 trophies in his career.

However, he does not consider himself the best right-back to play the game.

When asked whether he believes he tops the tree in that position, he simply said: “After Cafu.”

Alves also named compatriot Neymar as the most skillful player in the world, adding: “Without a doubt.”

LEFT BACK LEANING

Luke Shaw is winning the race to be England’s first choice left-back this summer, Ashley Cole reckons.

Ex-England defender Cole thinks the Man Utd man has edged ahead of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell.

He told ITV: “Shaw’s just pipping Chilwell.

“At the moment, Shaw’s in the lead, but going into the last few games of the Premier League, it’s a question of keeping consistency.”

ANYTHING HE KANT DO?

Chelsea posted a hilarious meme of World Cup winning midfielder N’Golo Kante helping clear the Suez Canal.

The Frenchman is renowned for his ridiculous work ethic and kilometres covered on the pitch.

And he is celebrating his 30th birthday today!

CURFUFFLE

Wales have sent three stars home from their World Cup qualifying campaign for reportedly breaking curfew.

Rabbi Matondo, Tyler Roberts and Hal Robson-Kanu have been axed from the squad to face the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

And all three have returned to their respective clubs immediately.

A statement read: “Three members of the Cymru senior national squad – Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts – have been released from the Welsh camp today after breaching FAW protocol.

“The three players will be returning to their respective clubs this afternoon.

“The FAW will not be making any further comment.”

OH DANI BOY

Dani Alves has revealed he left Barcelona after a disagreement about who was running the club.

The supremely successful full-back left the Catalan giants to join up with Juventus in 2016.

And when asked recently what triggered the end of his eight-year spell with Barcelona, he was not shy in sharing it with people.

Speaking in an Instagram Q&A, he said: “I did not believe in the leaders who were in charge in that moment.

“Later it was proven that I was right. As I was the first person who said it, they called me crazy, but, as always…I am a good crazy!”

During his time at the Nou Camp, Alves won six LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies.

Aged 37, he now plays in Sao Paulo but is known for having the biggest trophy cabinet in football history with 41 trophies.

COMEDY GOALD

Switzerland and Lithuania’s World Cup qualifier was delayed by 15 minutes on Sunday because one of the goals turned out to be too big.

The two nations met at the Kybunpark in St Gallen but both teams had to wait once a major error came to the match officials’ attention.

According to several media reports, one set of the goalposts was between five and 10cm too high on one side.

It was claimed that the imbalance came as a result of the left-hand post not being sunk correctly into the ground.

According to France24, ground staff worked feverishly to fix that embarrassing gaffe but their efforts weren’t enough.

And that is why they actually had to call in a police officer to help them remove the outsized posts.

They were eventually replaced by a spare set, which matched the necessary requirements to start the game and save the hosts from further embarrassment.

READY FOR FANS

Just one positive coronavirus test has been recorded by the Premier League over the past week as football continues to edge towards the return of fans.

Football fans will be allowed back in for the final day of the Premier League season on May 23.

And the continual fall in the number of coronavirus cases within top flight clubs can only bode well for the road out of lockdown and towards the return of spectators.

The Premier League confirmed that there was one new positive coronavirus test between March 22 and March 28.

Between March 22 and March 25 there were 1,045 players and club staff tested, with zero positives.

Then the one positive came when 1,165 more players and club staff were tested between March 26 and March 28.

NO DISRESPECT

Gareth Bale says he meant no disrespect’ to Tottenham as he moved to clarify his comments regarding returning to Real Madrid.

The Welsh star , 31, is on international duty and caused a stir before last week’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Belgium by revealing he still plans to go back to the Bernabeu.

But Bale has sought to clarify his words comments today when he was asked whether he needed to play regularly next season in order to play the 2022 World Cup.

He said: “I think for me, first and foremost I still have this season, and I still have plenty of games to go for the Euros.

“Obviously, going into next season, legally my contract says I have to go back to Real Madrid, which is what I stated, which I don’t think is being disrespectful to anybody. That’s legally what I have to do.”

REAL DEAL

Arsenal and Real Madrid have agreed to delay talks regarding Martin Odegaard’s future until the summer.

Odegaard joined the Gunners on loan from Real during the January transfer window and has hit the ground running with a raft of impressive displays.

Manager Mikel Arteta appears keen on keeping the attacking midfielder on a permanent basis but Los Blancos have yet to decide whether he is part of their plans for next season.

According to Goal, the two clubs have decided to wait until the end of the season before holding talks over a possible permanent deal involving the 22-year-old.

Arsenal are reportedly worried that his parent club will demand a staggering fee of £50million once they return to the negotiation table.

The Gunners also fear stiff competition from London rivals Chelsea, who could hijack their star man in the summer.

DOUBLE WHAMMY

Manchester City players already believe Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho will leave this summer, claims a new report.

The two veterans have earned legendary status during their respective trophy-filled tenures at the Etihad but are out of contract in June.

Neither has so far agreed an extension to their deals and have been linked with transfer exits.

And The Athletic reports that City’s squad believe the influential duo will go.

Aguero, 32, has been at City since 2011 and the Argentine has gone on to become the club’s all-time top goalscorer.

The striker’s campaign has been wrecked by injury this term and he has been restricted to just three goals in 14 appearances.

Brazilian Fernandinho turns 36 in May and reportedly has a number of offers on the table from elsewhere, including Inter Milan and Atletico Paranaense if he opts to return home.

SURREND-ERLING

Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland has been criticised for “surrendering” on Norway after their heavy defeat to Turkey.

Haaland’s country were thrashed 3-0 in Malaga in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier following a brace by Ozan Tufan and a finish by Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu.

Norway received some heavy criticism from the press, who dubbed the game “a disaster”, and the Dortmund star took a heavy beating following a poor display for his country.

Liverpool and Norway legend John Arne Riise felt like the star striker lacked the same passion he shows at the Westfalenstadion.

Riise told VG: “”He has received so much praise for showing his emotion when things aren’t going well with Dortmund, but we don’t see any of that back here.”

Retired Norwegian striker Bernt Hulsker was especially critical after Haaland’s “disappointing” performance.

He said: “He doesn’t play with the same confidence that we’re used to from him. In Dortmund he hits himself in the face if he misses such a pass.

“Here it was just surrender. I’m not saying he’s disinterested, but he exudes it. “

FOX IN THE BOX

Leicester are reportedly ready to offer Newcastle flop Florian Thauvin £57,000-a-week to sign for them.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have allegedly made an offer to the Ligue 1 side in an attempt to beat rival teams to his signature this summer.

That’s according to Estadio Deportivo, who claim the proposal from the Premier League club was the ‘last known offer’ to be placed on the table for the ex-Magpies man.

Thauvin becomes a free agent in June when his Marseille contract expires.

He received an ultimatum from Marseille in January but still refused an extension and looks certain to depart at the end of the campaign.

A host of clubs are keen on the 28-year-old but according to the latest reports it is Leicester who were the last to make him a proposition and are believed to have offered him a four-year contract worth £57k-a-week.

GOOD LUKE

Luke Shaw dazzled on his return to the England fold in the 2-0 win against Albania.

The left-back had 100 touches, 100 per cent long pass accuracy, 92 per cent pass accuracy, won three out of three tackles and laid on one assist.

EURO STARS

Officials representing the biggest football teams in Europe are mulling over proposals for a Europa League-style tournament for the women’s game.

The idea for the competition and a women’s Club World Cup are among a raft of new suggestions being considered by the European Club Association.

Bigwigs from the body backed by Uefa and representing 232 clubs included the proposals in their ‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy launched today.

The plan aims to provide opportunities to boost revenue for the women’s game and support the creation of new women’s football clubs.

Claire Bloomfield, the ECA’s head of women’s football said: “We have a responsibility to explore all opportunities that can help grow the competition landscape, both on a European level with a second-tier competition and then on a much more global scale, with a possible Club World Cup.”

The Women’s Champions League is currently the only club contest in the sport involving sides from across Europe.

From next term, up to three English sides will be able to compete in the Champions League in a new structure to include a group stage and a round of 16 for the first time.

NUMBER WAN

Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be in the England squad ahead of Chelsea’s Reece James, according to Troy Deeney.

The Watford skipper is a big fan of the former Crystal Palace ace’s defensive abilities.

Deeney told talkSPORT: “It’s not personal, just an opinion; I don’t think Reece James goes over Wan-Bissaka. I don’t think he should have been in this squad over Wan-Bissaka.

“He doesn’t always start for Chelsea, that’s a main one. But I just think Wan-Bissaka is so good defensively.

“You can say what you want about him with the ball, but when it comes to the nitty-gritty you’re going to need someone who will clamp down on their winger, know his role, do his job, get the ball and give it to the better players – that’s what you need in those situations.

“I’d back him or Kyle Walker because he’s so fast. But I’d have Wan-Bissaka.”

GREEK HERO

Arsenal loanee Dinos Mavropanos made his international debut for Greece and fans were so impressed that they want him back at the Emirates.

Mavropanos joined the Gunners from Pas Giannina in 2018 and is now on his second loan spell at Stuttgart, following a short stint at Nuremberg.

The centre-back has put together a raft of impressive displays for the Bundesliga side, earning an international call-up by Greece manager John van’t Schip.

The 23-year-old finally made his international debut in Sunday’s international friendly against Honduras and played 90 minutes for his country, who won 2-1 thanks to a brace by Willem ace Vangelis Pavlidis.

Arsenal fans watched Mavropanos’ bow for Greece and were so impressed that they now see him as someone that can improve their error-prone defence next season.

One supporter took to Twitter and called on the north Londoners not to cash in on the talented defender: “This is someone we really shouldn’t sell.”

DAN THE CLUBMAN

Manchester United winger Dan James shut down claims he grew up a fan of arch rivals Liverpool.

The Welsh speedster signed for the Red Devils for £15million in summer 2019.

And the 23-year-old recalled how a Sky Sports pundit claimed he was a Reds fan as a youngster.

But James actually grew up a Chelsea supporter and he said: “When I signed for United, I can’t remember who it was, one of the Sky Sports [pundits] said: ‘he supports Liverpool’.

“I was thinking I don’t support Liverpool, but I never wanted to come out and say I supported Chelsea as a youngster.

“When I started playing for Swansea it [Chelsea] was the team I followed, but you don’t end up supporting them really.”

BLUE MONDAY

It really is a Blue Monday for Chelsea fans after a number of their stars impressed on international duty.

But rather than feeling down in the dumps, the Shed End should be counting down the seconds until their heroes return to club action and look to seal a top four finish as well as Champions League glory.

Mason Mount, 22, capped his latest great performance with a goal to help England to victory over Albania in World Cup 2022 qualification.

And USA boss Gregg Berhalter was full of praise for Christian Pulisic after his ‘unbelievable’ man of the match display in their win at Northern Ireland.

The attacker, also 22, scored the second in the 2-1 victory, with his manager saying afterwards: “What I say about Christian is to forget about all the great stuff he does on the ball.

“He just competed today, and, when he’s in that type of mode, he’s just an unbelievable player.”

And 21-year-old Kai Havertz also helped Germany to victory over Romania and produced the assist for Serge Gnabry.

SHAW THING

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has backed Luke Shaw to be Gareth Southgate’s England left-back at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Cole – who bagged over 100 caps for the Three Lions – reckons Shaw is just ahead of Stamford Bridge ace Ben Chilwell.

Shaw started the 2-0 win over Albania on Sunday while Chilwell began the 5-0 win over San Marino in midweek.

On ITV, Cole said: “I think it’s a tight one between Shaw who I think is just pipping it at the minute.

“I think he is playing more consistently for Manchester United, whereas Chilwell – some days he plays [for Chelsea] and some days he doesn’t.

“I think at the moment Shaw is in the lead. But who knows?

“Going into the last games of the Premier League season, who can hold their nerve and keep that consistency up before the squad gets announced.”

MAKING THEIR MARC

Manchester United have joined Tottenham and Liverpool in the race for RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer.

The 27-year-old Austrian, who captains the high-flying Bundesliga side, is catching the eye of several Premier League teams with his performances this season.

And now Bild have reported that the Red Devils are keen to bring the midfielder to the club in the summer window.

Sabitzer has made it clear to Leipzig he would like to leave at the end of the season and he appears to be eyeing a move to England.

Since signing with the German outfit in 2014, he has played 219 times and scored 50 goals.

He has also spearheaded the club’s charge up the table as they are now challenging for the Bundesliga title in second place – four points behind Bayern Munich.

BREAKING – POLE AXED

Robert Lewandowski is set to miss Poland’s big World Cup qualifier against England on Wednesday.

The Bayern Munich star suffered a knee injury in the 3-0 win over Andorra and is now a major doubt.

Lewandowski scored twice in the home win but then left the pitch with an injury with 27 minutes left.

The news is a massive blow for the Poles. Lewandowski’s brace took him to 47 goals in 42 games this season for club and country and 16 in his past ten.

But his absence is a boost for England who know that a home win would complete a hat-trick of qualifying wins and boost their chances of finishing top of the group.