Chelsea targeting FIVE defenders, Barcelona want Azpilicueta, Liverpool thrash Everton, Barbosa Prem link – updates

RIVAL-NO

Brazilian icon Rivaldo believes Lionel Messi was a deserved winner for this year’s hotly debated Ballon d’Or.

Messi beat Robert Lewandowski to the award by just 33 points, and ex-Barcelona man Rivaldo reckons both would have been worthy winners, as would Karim Benzema.

Speaking to betfair, Rivaldo said: “He [Messi] deserved the award based on his performances for Argentina as they won the Copa America – a trophy they have coveted for many years – and he was the best player of the tournament.

“There will always be arguments about the Ballon D’or, as there are so many voters from all over the world and there is so much footballing talent around.

“I could have made the case for Karim Benzema, along with Lewandowski and Messi, but in the end the award must go to one player.

“It’s possible the Argentinian’s amazing career also had some influence on those voters who were wavering.”

‘FOREVER GRATEFUL’

Wigan striker Charlie Wyke has revealed Latics boss Leam Richardson saved his life after he had a cardiac arrest during training.

The forward, 28, was rushed to hospital on November 25 after he collapsed and has credited his boss’ quick reactions for ‘saving his life’.#

Wyke told Wigan’s website: “First and foremost, I just want to stress my sincere appreciation to the club’s medical staff and the NHS staff who have cared for me after I was taken into hospital last week.

“In particular, I would like to mention Dr. Rob Cooper from the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for everything he has done for me over the last week or so.

“I feel it’s important to tell my story to our supporters and to the wider public, because my life has been saved by the actions of the gaffer [Richardson] and the club doctor Jonathan Tobin, and my story may well save another life.

“As you are aware, I collapsed during training on Monday.

“I suffered a cardiac arrest and required CPR, and I am told it was only the quick response of the gaffer to initiate the resuscitation process and then the continuation from the Doc that saved my life.

“I will be forever grateful that due to their actions – and those of my team-mates and other staff – I am here to talk to about the experience.”

Read more HERE.

WELCOME RETURN

Christian Eriksen is back in training with one of his former clubs, six months after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

The 29-year-old was suspended from playing for Inter in Serie A by the Italian medical authority because the life-saving device fitted to his heart is not allowed in the league.

Now the former Tottenham man is in training with Danish outfit and one of his former sides Odense Boldklub.

A spokesperson for the club told Reuters: “Eriksen reached out to us, and he is now training by himself.

“It’s natural for him since he played here in his youth and lives around the corner. We are very happy to be able to provide training facilities for him.”

The playmaker is targeting a sensational return to the game in 2022, and has stepped up his rehabilitation by training with his former side.

PLAN B

Antonio Conte is grooming Steven Bergwijn to be Harry Kane’s short-term understudy as a striker at Spurs.

Even though the Dutchman has scored just four goals in 40 Premier League appearances – and three of those were in his first three home games.

But new Tottenham boss Conte believes Bergwijn could be the man to get them through their chronic striker shortage during this busy festive period.

Tonight’s Premier League clash at home to Brentford kicks off Spurs’ run of NINE matches in under a month before the transfer window reopens on January 1 – Conte can bring in some much-needed reinforcements.

The Italian is well aware Harry Kane is and has long been the club’s only out and out striker.

Previous Spurs managers Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo have opted to play Son Heung-min as a No9 when Kane has been unavailable.

MEDAL OF HORROR

Winning the Premier League is no easy task.

It takes the right manager, a strong mix of players, hard work, dedication, skill…

No wonder that picking up a winners’ medal in the top-flight is among the most impressive feats in football.

For every superstar champion there’s a backup player in dreamland, clutching the trophy with a medal around their neck.

In tribute to them, here’s an XI of those Premier League winners you can be forgiven for having forgotten down the years.

FA CHARGE

FA chiefs are braced for a stinging rebuke over their part in the Euro 2020 Final carnage.

Wembley bosses, under pressure from the Government, appointed Baroness Casey to investigate the shameful scenes that were witnessed before the game with Italy on July 11.

And the results of the four-month probe will be published on Friday morning with Baroness Casey due to explain her findings.

England were ordered to play their next home Nations League tie – in June – behind closed doors with Uefa also fining the FA £84,500.

But the punishment did not close the matter down with the Casey investigation continuing in the background.

The FA was under pressure to pinpoint the precise reasons for the anarchic scenes which including the families of England squad members being injured by ticketless thugs inside the stadium.

PERFECT PEP

Man City’s win against Aston Villa on Wednesday night bought up 150 Premier League victories for Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola becomes the fastest manager to achieve the landmark, doing so in just 204 Prem games.

Of the remaining 54 matches he’s lost 29 and drawn 25 – a 74 percent win rate.

He has Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva to thank for his 150th three points, with the Portuguese duo netting in the 2-1 win against Aston Villa.

And according to Manchester City’s official website, he’s comfortably the quickest to reach the achievement.

UM DINGER

Barcelona fans have not been shy in showing their ill feeling towards Samuel Umtiti by JUMPING in front of the defender’s car.

As the French World Cup winner left Barcelona training a group of fans stood in the way of his sleek Lamborghini, with one even jumping up on to the bonnet.

The defender accelerated away before stopping, getting out of the car and marching towards the fans that had gathered.

And he reportedly said: “Come here. Do you pay for the car? Why do you mess around? Do you know what respect is,” according to Football Espana.

Fans are unhappy with the defender after he refused to leave in the summer.

The Barca faithful BOOED him during a 3-0 pre-season victory against Juventus after he stubbornly declined an exit.

Umtiti has not played a single minute of football for Barcelona this campaign and continues to be linked with an exit from the club.

GREEN LIGHT

Ralf Rangnick has been granted his work permit to officially take charge of Manchester United – but he won’t be in the dug-out for tonight’s clash with Arsenal.

The German, 63, was finally confirmed as the new interim manager of the Red Devils earlier this week.

He will perform that role until the end of the season before then beginning work as a consultant for the club.

SunSport revealed today that Rangnick has arrived in the UK and will be allowed into the Old Trafford stands providing he continues to test negative for Covid.

But he needed a work permit to take up his post as interim manager of United.

Due to his lack of recent coaching experience, Rangnick had to go before an FA panel to obtain the necessary visa to work in the Premier League.

Read more HERE.

CAV AT IT

Edinson Cavani reportedly ‘wants’ a move to Barcelona at the end of the season.

His current Manchester United deal expires in the summer, and he has ambitions of playing in La Liga before calling time on his career.

The Uruguay international believes he still has two years left at the top level, and wants to link up with Xavi at Barcelona according to The Times.

Cavani joined the Red Devils in 2020 and signed a one-year extension in the summer.

But he seems unlikely to put pen-to-paper on another extension at Old Trafford with a move to Barcelona on the cards.

And with cash-strapped Barca targeting low-cost transfers, the free signing of Cavani is an attractive prospect.

BOU RADLEY

Former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna has spoken of how injuries ruined Abou Diaby’s career.

The ex-midfielder was tipped to be the next Patrick Vieira, only for injuries to cruelly rob him of the chance to become a Gunners legend.

Diaby, 35, suffered a serious ankle injury against Sunderland in May 2006, before then picking up further knocks to his knee, thigh and groin.

He was limited to just 180 appearances from his nine-year stay in North London, with the player forced to hang up his boots aged 32.

Discussing the towering central midfielder, Sagna told SunSport: “Abou was amazing.

“Fearless with a huge amount of talent but his injury finished it off because he dislocated his ankle.

“Then after that he was compensating from somewhere else, and he never managed to get back to what he was. He became fragile. An unlucky player but he was brilliant.”

SAUL SHOCKER

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he ‘doesn’t know’ what’s next for Saul Niguez after another shocking Chelsea showing.

The deadline day loan signing was gifted a rare appearance against Watford with Jorginho out injured, but was hooked at half time by Tuchel.

Tuchel said: “I don’t know where he goes from this performance but he was on a yellow card so we had two options.

“We could have taken Marcos [Alonso] off who also had a yellow card and try Saul as a wing-back.

“I had this in my mind before the game, if something happened to Marcos.

“But I thought maybe it was not the right match to try things with new positions so it was [subbing] him to change the shape a little bit and have Thiago on the pitch with his organising.

“Having Trevoh [Chalobah] on the number six who is more physical – unfortunately Trevoh injured himself and we ended up with Ruben on the single six. But it was a tactical decision.”

SPURRED ON

Yaya Toure is spending time at Tottenham’s academy as he works his way towards earning his coaching badges.

The Manchester City great has previously coached in Russia, but is now back in the UK and in the process of earning his UEFA A-Licence.

Toure, 38, lives in Hampstead and wanted to find a club close to home to work with, according to the Evening Standard.

After an induction on Wednesday the former Ivory Coast midfielder will spend a couple of days a week working with Spurs’ youth prospects at their Enfield training ground.

The three-time Premier League winner is reportedly open to a more formal role with the club though should he be offered one.

He will not be involved with Antonio Conte and the Tottenham first team who train in a separate part of the training ground.

Instead he will link up with academy manager Dean Rastrick and head of youth coaching Chris Powell.

FAN FURY

Seamus Coleman and several other Everton fans were confronted by an angry pitch invader after they were hammered at home by Liverpool.

The Blues had a night to forget as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran riot at Goodison Park and beat their Merseyside rivals 4-1.

That result piled even more pressure on Toffees boss Rafa Benitez with many supporters leaving early as their team crumbled away on the pitch.

However, seconds after the full-time whistle, one individual who did stay decided to dart past stewards and get onto the grass himself to make his feelings known.

Midfielder Anthony Gordon, 20, came face-to-face with the male before Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure came over to their young team-mate.

The man continued to vent his fury at the players for several seconds as other supporters also attempted to encroach on the pitch as stewards eventually managed to restore order.

GIFT OF THE GAB

The agent of Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa has shot down rumours linking the Brazilian to the Premier League.

Arsenal have been linked with the 25-year-old, but journalist Jorge Nicola has seemingly put those rumours to bed after speaking to Gabigol’s agent Junior Pedroso.

Pedroso said: “Only us from 4ComM and Gabriel’s father can speak on behalf of the athlete. And there is absolutely nothing with Premier League or any other league at the moment.

“He is focused solely on playing for Flamengo, because he is very happy at the club.”

ROO BEAUTY

Chelsea are competing with some of Europe’s top clubs to land Copenhagen wonderkid Roony Bardghji, according to reports.

The Swedish winger, 16, is on the Blues’ radar after already breaking into his side’s first-team.

But Thomas Tuchel’s men will have stiff competition.

According to reporter Ekrem Konur, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax are also interested in signing Bardghji.

The wing wizard began the season playing for Copenhagen’s Under-19 side.

But after four goals in nine appearances, he was promoted to the first-team.

PEP TALK

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed Bernardo Silva is the best player in the Premier League after his stunning goal against Aston Villa.

The Portuguese maestro put his side 2-0 up at Villa Park with a sumptuous volley on the stroke of half-time.

Asked if his attacking midfielder is among the league’s best performers, he purred: “The best. When we made 98 points two or three years ago, he was the best, too. Take the videos and you will see.

“It was an incredible finish. The goal was good, it was quick. To beat them was an incredible step for us.

“The performance, 90 minutes, it was exceptional, the way we start the game. Villa have everything and the way we behaved today was really really good.

“Villa are a top side with an incredible players and the manager on the touchline.”

PROGRESS

Man Utd have announced the make-up of their Fans Advisory Board in the wake of protests at Old Trafford last season.

There are seven fan representatives in the group which will be co-chaired by barrister and lifelong United fans Christopher Saad and the club’s Group Managing Director Richard Arnold.

The group was set up to ensure better fan representation with major decisions made by the club.

The attempt to breakaway into a European Super League caused mass protests last season which saw the club’s home game with Liverpool last May postponed.

Two members of the already established Fans’ Forum, Ian Stirling and Rick McGagh, have been appointed to the board along with Manchester United Supporters Trust Chair Jonathan Deitch and it’s Chief Executive Duncan Drasdo.

The other fan places will be taken by Deborah Henry, Chair of the Manchester United Women’s Supporters’ Club, and communications consultant Oli Winton.

Dave Pennington, a retired senior civil servant and another MUST board member has been named as special advisor to the co-Chairs.

OVERNIGHT ROUND-UP

Michael Carrick will take charge of Manchester United for a third huge game in a row tonight as new interim boss Ralf Rangnick waits for his visa issues to be resolved.

Cristiano Ronaldo is tipped for a recall as ninth-placed United host on-fire Arsenal, while Tottenham entertain Brentford in this evening’s other match.
Prem top three Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all won away last night.

Mason Mount hit the opener and teed up sub  Hakim Ziyech ‘s  winner as Chelsea beat Watford 2-1 in a game halted for 32 minutes by a medical emergency in the crowd.

Ruben Dias and a sensational volley from Bernardo Silva sealed Steven Gerrard’s first defeat as Aston Villa boss as City also triumphed 2-1.

And Mo Salah’s double led Liverpool’s 4-1 win to continue Everton’s slump with Rafa Benitez’s first Merseyside loss on the Toffees’ side.

Elsewhere, Neal Maupay’s spectacular late overhead kick rescued a 1-1 draw for ten-man Brighton at West Ham.

Leicester twice came from behind in a 2-2 stalemate at Southampton.

And Burnley stopped Wolves moving fifth with a stubborn 0-0 draw at Molineux.

Off the pitch, Barcelona are reportedly ready to swoop for Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

And it’s claimed the Blues could target FIVE defenders – Jules Kounde, Attila Szalai, Marquinhos, Niklas Sule and Pau Torres.

CONTE: MY TOUGHEST JOB

Antonio Conte says managing Tottenham is the biggest challenge of his career.

The Italian insists Spurs are having to start again as the team they have now is at a “medium level”.

Conte and his players are still reeling from last Thursday’s embarrassing Europa Conference League loss away to Slovenian minnows NS Mura.

The former Chelsea boss took over at Tottenham last month but he has warned he will not be able to turn the North Londoners around overnight.

Ahead of Spurs Premier League clash at home to Brentford tonight, he said: “This is a big challenge for me.

“This is a big challenge for the club. And this is a big challenge for the players. For everybody.

“The club, in the last years, has been slipping.

“If I compare Tottenham to when I was in Chelsea, Tottenham were very very competitive, a really really strong team.

Conte and his players are still reeling from last Thursday’s embarrassing Europa Conference League loss away to Slovenian minnows NS Mura.

The former Chelsea boss took over at Tottenham last month but he has warned he will not be able to turn the North Londoners around overnight.

Ahead of Spurs Premier League clash at home to Brentford tonight, he said: “This is a big challenge for me.

“This is a big challenge for the club. And this is a big challenge for the players. For everybody.

“The club, in the last years, has been slipping.

“If I compare Tottenham to when I was in Chelsea, Tottenham were very very competitive, a really really strong team.”

ASTON VILLA 1 MAN CITY 2

Bernardo Silva sealed Steven Gerrard’s first defeat as Villa boss with a sensational volley as City stayed a point clear of third-placed Liverpool with their fourth successive victory.

Ruben Dias curled City’s stylish opener before Silva sidefooted Gabriel Jesus’ dropping cross high into the net on 43 minutes.

Ollie Watkins replied deftly soon after the break but defeat left Villa 13th.

WATFORD 1 CHELSEA 2

Mason Mount hit the opener and set up the winner as leaders Chelsea stayed a point clear of Man City in a game delayed by 32 minutes by a medical emergency in the crowd.

England midfielder Mount rounded off a sweet move just before the half-hour mark – after the players had resumed action.

Emmanuel Dennis fired a deflected equaliser after Ruben Loftus-Cheek lost the ball.

But Mount teed up sub Hakim Ziyech to seal Chelsea’s victory on 72 minutes.

EVERTON 1 LIVERPOOL 4

Mo Salah’s double spearheaded Liverpool’s convincing win as Everton’s slump continued in Rafa Benitez’s first Merseyside derby on the Blue side.

Jordan Henderson and Salah’s angled effort put the third-placed Reds’ 2-0 up inside 19 minutes.

Demarai Gray cut the deficit on 38 minutes but Salah punished a Seamus Coleman mistake midway through the second period and Diogo Jota bagged Liverpool’s fourth.

SOUTHAMPTON 2 LEICESTER 2

Jonny Evans and James Maddison bagged Leicester’s two equalisers in this entertaining Prem draw.

Jan Bednarek snapped up the Saints’ third-minute opener as they edged the first half.

Evans’ follow-up shot made it 1-1 on 22 minutes but Che Adams headed Southampton back in front from Nathan Redmond’s centre.

Maddison drilled a clinical equaliser soon after the break, before Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy almost won it for the Foxes.

WOLVES 0 BURNLEY 0

Burnley’s dogged defending stopped Wolves going fifth.

Ft-again winger Adama Traore, in his first game since October 23, fired against the Clarets’ bar.

And Nick Pope tipped a Traore shot wide in Wolves’ only second-half effort on target as third-bottom Burnley made it five draws from their past seven matches.