LIVERPOOL face Leicester in a mouthwatering start to this weekend’s Premier League football.
Meanwhile Arsenal have finally learned the venue for their Europa League tie against Benfica and Manchester United are fuming about the treatment of their brightest young star.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN
Gary Neville told Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt to ‘pipe down’ during a heated Twitter row.
The pair disagree on the recent decision to scrap the salary cap rules in Leagues One and Two.
Holt wrote: “Can’t be doing this. I don’t agree clubs should be able to spend what they want, taking advantage of clubs weakened by #COVID19. @SalfordCityFC can now spend £50m on player expenditure if they so choose. I really am not interested in his legal preening. It’s wrong.”
Neville shot back: Obsessed ! We voted with other L2 clubs for Salary Cap even though we didn’t want it so pipe down.”
NEW SHAWS
Michael O’Neill has given his blessing to Ryan Shawcross’ move to MLS.
The Stoke captain is set to sign for Inter Miami after almost 14 years at the club.
The Potters boss told BBC Radio Stoke: “It’s come at a good time in his career.
“This is a great opportunity for him. He’s had a fantastic career here and given his all for Stoke City.
“But he wants to explore opportunities and, if that is to see out his career in the MLS, then I give him my blessing.”
Credit: Rex Features
RAD-ICAL
Southampton coach Radhi Jaidi has left to become assistant manager at Cercle Brugge.
The Belgian outfit sacked ex-Reading boss Paul Clement last week with the side in the relegation zone.
Saints have confirmed the news with Jaidi joining former Belgium international Yves Vanderhaeghe after he was named as manager.
SOL SEARCH
Manchester United have been asked to go and get another centre-back this summer, according to ESPN.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly wants Raphael Varane of Real Madrid to partner Harry Maguire.
But the Red Devils’ shortlist extends deeper with a host of top defenders also eyed.
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings, Braga’s David Carmo and RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano are also named, although Bayern Munich are thought to lead the race for the Frenchman.
Credit: AFP OR LICENSORS
NEW BAL GAME
Arsenal are fighting a number of European clubs to keep hold of Folarin Balogun.
The soon-to-be out of contract forward is being watched by Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Rennes, according to the Mirror.
Clubs would have to pay a small fee if nabbing the teenager – but nowhere near how much the Gunners would value him.
TOP MARCS
Marcus Rashford has posted an end-of-school throwback photo alongside three other boys who also became pro footballers.
Rashford attended Ashton on Mersey School as a teenager, and the three others pictured, like him, all came through United’s academy.
But only ONE of them are still at the club now and can call school dinners hero Rashford a team-mate.
Taken around seven years ago, Rashford, now 23, is crouching down at the front of the snap he shared on Instagram.
On the right is his United mate Axel Tuanzebe, looking dapper in his claret blazer. Down the middle is now-Burnley player Jimmy Dunne with Randers FC’s Tosin Kehinde left.
Credit: Instagram / @marcusrashford
DON’T CAL ON ME
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of Everton’s game with Fulham on Sunday.
The striker, along with Jordan Pickford, should return for the midweek clash against Manchester City, according to Carlo Ancelotti.
The coach announced: “Both of them will not be available for the game on Sunday.
“We are looking for the next game, on Wednesday, where we think both of them will be available.”
In good news for the Toffees, James Rodriguez is fit after being subbed off against Manchester United a week ago.
ROSS CROSS
Dean Smith has explained Ross Barkley’s angry reaction to being substituted in the win over Arsenal last weekend.
The Aston Villa boss stated: “That was frustration.
“Frustration that he wanted to last the 90 minutes and disappointment that we were 1-0 up and he couldn’t see the game out.
“I spoke to him after that, that was my decision. I don’t want players coming off the pitch happy; I want players to be disappointed. He’ll pay for a new water bottle bag! But, it was simply that.”
Smith also confirmed that Villa have received no approach from Bournemouth over assistant manager John Terry.
NOT SO FAB
Liverpool will be without Fabinho for the game with Leicester.
The Brazilian joins a long list of defensive absentees including Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez as well as midfielders Diogo Jota and Naby Keita.
Jurgen Klopp said: “Fab will not be available. He suffered again a little muscle issue, so will be out for this game.”
The coach added that Jota is ‘two to three weeks away’ from a potential return.
Credit: Reuters
OH JO YOU DON’T
Jose Mourinho has accused Gareth Bale of contradicting the facts following a social media post that suggested he was fit to play in the defeat at Everton.
The Tottenham boss said: “I have to admit that his post created something that needed to be addressed because there was a contradiction between the post and the reality.
“Since the beginning of the season, in relation to everything, I tried to be very, very private and tried to keep everything indoors but I’ve felt that I needed to address the situation.
“Probably the post was not even his responsibility, I don’t know, but the post was ‘training session great’, so I’m ready, and it was totally wrong.
“When I was questioned, I had to say the reality of the things which I repeat for the last time and I hope there are no more questions about it because the situation was exactly the way I said.
“He was not feeling good, he asked for a scan, he had the scan, the scan did not show an injury but his feelings were still there and coaches and sports science and medical people, we can never go against those feelings because a player’s feelings are much more important than all of us so he was not ready for the game.
“It’s as simple as that. If he’s ready for tomorrow, he’s selected for tomorrow.”
DON’T MOY WITH ME
David Moyes is optimistic that Michail Antonio will be fit for West Ham’s clash with Sheffield United.
The striker sat out the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United while suffering from fatigue.
And the Hammers boss confirmed: “[He is] doing well, he has done a bit on the grass and we’re trying to get him back quickly,.
“We’re hoping he’ll be available.”
In contrast, Angelo Ogbonna is out with Moyes putting ‘no time frame’ on the defender’s return from an ankle injury.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
PHIL ME IN
Leeds may be without Kalvin Phillips for the trip to Arsenal.
Picking up a knock last time out, the midfielder has been confirmed as a doubt for Sunday’s game.
Marcelo Bielsa said: “There’s not a definite position at the moment whether he’ll be able to play or not.”
Pablo Fernandez is another doubt for the Whites, who have ruled out Ian Poveda and Rodrigo Moreno.
POG OUT
Paul Pogba will miss Manchester United’s game with West Brom on Sunday.
A thigh injury is set to keep the midfielder out for a ‘few weeks’ with Phil Jones also unavailable.
Eric Bailly may soon be fit for action however, following his return to training.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
CITY UPDATE
Manchester City have welcomed the news that Ruben Dias and Rodri will be fit for the weekend’s game with Tottenham.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Sergio Aguero is also nearing a return to the team.
The leaders’ only other absences for Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off are Kevin de Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho.
FOXES BLOW
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed a HUGE hit to his side.
James Justin will miss the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury.
Rodgers said: “Sadly for JJ the scan hasn’t shown up so well.
“Massive blow for us. It looks like he’s done his ACL, which is a devastating blow for us. He’s been incredible. Whatever position he’s played, he’s been minimum 8/10.
“We hoped he would be okay. He’s in London with our doctor and trying to get all of the expertise in terms of the next step. I know the boy, he’s tough mentally, so he will come back.”
Credit: PA:Press Association
UP FOR THE CUP
Manchester United are still on the way up with the title and FA Cup in touching distance, writes Neil Custis.
That’s the view of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who has overseen the recovery of the club in his two years in charge.
They stand second in the league and are in the last-eight of the FA Cup, although their drop from the Champions League into the Europa has to be seen as a failure.
Boss Solaksjaer said: “You go into every season trying to improve if you improve that’s a step forward.
“Is it a big enough step forward? We’ll have to see at the end.
“We’re still in competitions, we’re in the quarters of the FA Cup, still in Europa and second in the league, at the moment it looks like we’ve improved.”
KOL BACK
Schalke are keen on keeping Sead Kolasinac past his current loan spell from Arsenal.
Jochen Schneider, the Bundesliga club’s sporting director, has praised the left-back since his return to the club.
Schneider told RUHR 24: “That is our absolute dream
“He’s an incredibly good guy, lives for the club, pushes and pulls the cart. Sead embodies Schalke like no other.
“Of course, it is our wish to keep him until the end of his career and beyond.”
Credit: EPA
UP FOR JA-BATE
More on Jadon Sancho’s potential move to Manchester United being back on.
Journalist Constantin Eckner reports Sancho’s exit from Borussia Dortmund is ‘set in stone’, while Gio Reyna and Raphael Guerriero could also be sold.
The German side may let the trio leave as they are keen to hold onto star Norwegian striker Erling Haaland for at least another season.
Reports had suggested United may be able to snare Sancho at a cut-price bargain after his form dropped off this season.
But ESPN Bundesliga reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt has suggested he will still be highly in-demand this summer – and is unlikely to come cheap.
BREAKING
Kyle Lafferty has joined Kilmarnock.
The Northern Ireland striker, 33, was last seen with Italian side Reggina and now returns to Scottish football on a deal until the end of the season.
WEIGHT A MINUTE
Didier Drogba stunned his Galatasaray team-mates by training ‘like a madman’ despite him coming towards the end of his career.
The Chelsea legend joined the Turkish giants from Shanghai Shenhua in 2013 but was far from ‘winding down’ his career, so says Hellas Verona star Koray Gunter.
Speaking to Bild, Gunter said: “When I came to Galatasaray and entered the weight room for the first time, I widened my eyes.
“There was Drogba, who was in his late 30s and had a huge career behind him, training like a madman. He worked more than anyone else.
“I thought ‘that’s how it has to be’. After that we met in the weight room more often and sweated a lot together. That was a huge incentive.”
EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal are close to finalising a summer deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Tiago Tomas, writes Jordan Davies.
SunSport understands that Gunners technical director Edu has been in direct contact with Sporting Lisbon director of football Hugo Viana over the deal.
The 18-year-old signed a new five-year contract with the Portuguese giants in June 2020 with a release clause of £52m.
However, due to the current economic climate and Sporting’s spending in recent years, it is understood the club may accept a deal as low as £20m.
BREAKING
West Brom have tied left-back Conor Townsend down to a deal until 2024.
Sporting and technical director Luke Dowling said: “We’re delighted to have secured Conor’s services for another three years.
“It’s clear to see the improvements Conor has made during his time here and he has become an integral part of this squad.
Townsend, 27, moved from Scunthorpe in 2018 and has played 12 times this season.
TAKE IT OR LEVITT
Manchester United are preparing to send Dylan Levitt out on loan again.
According to MEN, Croatian side NK Istra are in talks over a deal until the summer.
The 20-year-old spent the first half of the campaign in a quiet spell at Charlton.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
BREAKING
Facebook has responded to the racist abuse sent via its platform to Swansea player Yan Dhanda this week.
Sky Sports report on the statement as saying: “We do not want racism and hate on our platforms.
“The person who sent this message has been restricted from sending messages for a set period of time, and we will remove new accounts created to get around this restriction.
“We think it’s important people have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes but, per the new measures introduced this week, if they continue to break our rules the account will be removed.”
SPURRED ON
Ryan Sessegnon is a British youngster abroad in a state of lockdown in the old fashioned German village of Hoffenheim.
But the 20-year-old is already picturing his name up in lights back in North London with a view to proving Jose Mourinho wrong.
Sessegnon said: “Of course, my aim is to go back to Spurs and try and break into that team and play, make myself a figure in the team.
“But if that isn’t possible next season or in the future then I want to come back to a league or a club to regain that experience.
“English clubs need to be prepared that if they don’t play their young players that there will be clubs like Hoffenheim who will take them on loan.
“And then if they come back to their clubs and England and they think they are still not ready then be prepared for an offer for other clubs to come get them. When the time is right to go back we will see.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
