CHELSEA came away from their 4-0 win over Juventus with their chests puffed out – but for Ben Chilwell it is a different story.
The club fear their left back will be out for a long time with a knee injury he sustained during the game.
The £50million left back is undergoing a scan today to assess suspected damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.
Thomas Tuchel’s side qualified for the Champions League last 16 following their win and are in the hat for the draw on December 13.
Meanwhile across London, Declan Rice is reportedly being targeted by a number of European giants.
The England midfielder has seemingly been growing and improving each month for the past few years and has been superb for the Hammers in their march to the top four this season.
In other news, Erling Haaland could be given a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, which would double the Norwegian’s wages.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all interested in signing the goalscoring machine, 21.
And Newcastle have reportedly joined the race to sign £70m Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
COMMITTED
Man Utd target Brendan Rodgers has again stressed his commitment to Leicester City.
He said: “I don’t take it as anything. For me it’s not real.
“There’s always gossip and speculation and I suppose that will always be there until United appoint a full-time manager.
“I’ve always said my commitment is here. My commitment is to this group of players, this team.
“So it (leaving) doesn’t come across my mind to be honest.”
THAT’LL SHOW EM
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery is the latest shock addition to the list of candidates being considered for the Man United job.
According to German paper Bild, the Villarreal gaffer is in full contention to take charge at Old Trafford.
But there has so far been no contact between United and Emery after they played each other in the Champions League last night.
IN FOR THE KYL
Emmanuel Petit thinks Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe could ‘easily’ seal a shock transfer to newly mega-rich Newcastle.
He told gambling.com: “Anything can happen. We see what’s happened with Newcastle United – there have been rumours and you never know what’s going to happen at the end of the day, things can turn very easily and very quickly.
“There is a big link with Real Madrid and I know that in his mind when he was a child he was dreaming of playing for clubs like this, because of the stars they have there and the history of the club.
“Maybe he’s interested in Real Madrid because he’s tired of what’s happening here in France.
“I think he gets the feeling sometimes that he doesn’t get the same recognition as players like [Lionel] Messi or Neymar.”
ERROR STREWN
Chelsea flop Hakim Ziyech is the Premier League player most prone to mistakes – and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is second.
New research has shown which Premier League players are making the most errors and how often they’re making them.
Out-of-favour Blues playmaker Ziyech has the dubious honour of topping the gaffe charts, making a mistake once every 4.29 minutes.
United midfielder Pogba cocks up once every 4.37 minutes and has notched up a whopping 145 blunders already this season.
The study by BettingOdds.com sees Manchester City’s reliable Fernandinho also feature in the top ten, making a mistake once every 4.87 minutes.
Most mistake prone player per club
Arsenal:
Thomas Partey – 78 mistakes (8.05 minutes per mistake)Aston Villa:
Jacob Ramsey – 83 (7.23)Brentford:
Bryan Mbeumo – 151 (6.11)Brighton:
Tariq Lamptey – 32 (5.09)Burnley: Matej Vydra – 43 (5.00)
Chelsea: Hakim Ziyech – 49 (4.29)
Crystal Palace:
Conor Gallagher – 157 (6.10)Everton: Allan – 123 (8.56)
Leeds: Kalvin Phillips – 130 (6.23)
Leicester:
Wilfred Ndidi – 96 (7.50)Liverpool:
Konstantinos Tsimikas – 59 (6.59)Man City: Fernandinho – 38 (4.87)
Man United: Paul Pogba – 145 (4.37)
Newcastle United:
Sean Longstaff – 112 (6.49)Norwich:
Kieran Dowell – 46 (4.54)Southampton:
Mohamed Elyounoussi – 137 (5.44)Tottenham:
Emerson Royal – 107 (7.15)Watford: Juraj Kucka – 174 (4.90)
West Ham:
Tomas Soucek – 161 (6.64)Wolves: Ruben Neves – 123 (7.34)
BEN BLOW
There are fears that Ben Chilwell suffered a serious knee injury in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Juventus.
The Chelsea defender is undergoing a scan today to assess suspected damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.
It means a spell on the sidelines could be on the cards for the £50million left-back just as he was starting to reassert his position in the team.
Chilwell had to be helped from the pitch 19 minutes from time in Chelsea’s thumping 4-0 Champions League win over Juventus on Wednesday.
He jarred his knee and looked to be in severe pain on the pitch before medics came to his assistance.
If he is side-lined it means boss Thomas Tuchel will have to rely on Spaniard Marcos Alonso to fill the left back slot for what looks destined to be a hectic season.
CRIS-IS
Antonio Conte fears Cristian Romero’s injury is more serious than first thought.
On-loan Atalanta defender Romero missed Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Leeds on Sunday after hurting his hamstring while playing for Argentina during the international break.
He is due to have another scan in the coming days to discover the full extent of the problem.
But new Spurs boss Conte, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Europa Conference League clash at NS Mura, said: “Honestly, I think his injury is serious. But we have to wait.
“I don’t know now the time he needs to recover. Surely his injury is more serious than Giovani Lo Celso or Dane Scarlett’s.
“We have to wait for the next scan and then the doctor can give more information on the dates for his recovery.”
BAYERN STAR CHOUPO-MOTING TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID
MAUR WORK NEEDED
Manchester United have had an approach for Mauricio Pochettino knocked back by PSG.
The French club have been annoyed by reports that United could poach their manager and that he is desperate to move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils board have now shelved any plans to get the 49-year-old away from the French capital until at least the summer.
United are searching for a new manager after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last Saturday following the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
Pochettino and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers are the leading candidates to replace him full-time.
Michael Carrick has been put in temporary charge and had a good start to his caretaker reign with a 2-0 Champions League win away to Villarreal last night.
He will remain at the helm for Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge and the 4.30pm kick-off against Premier League leaders Chelsea.
KING JAMES
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has claimed right-back Reece James is as good as the best strikers in the business when he gets in front of goal.
The England international scored Thomas Tuchel’s side’s second goal in their 4-0 demolition of Juventus on Tuesday night.
And on BT Sport after the game, a buzzing Cole raved: “I was blown away by his technical ability. Especially for such a big, strong, athletic lad.
“His touch is velvet, he makes the right pass, takes the right decisions. And when he gets in front of goal it is like your top, top strikers’ level of composure and technique.”
EU’VE CHANGED
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain boast a combined £1BILLION of talent in their 2021-22 squads – but things were once very different.
In fact, 13 years ago – when the two clubs first met in Europe – they looked VERY different.
Man City and PSG were drawn together in the same Uefa Cup group after taking very unconventional routes to the tournament.
Scarcely-believable now, but PSG finished 16TH in Ligue 1 in 2007-08 and only qualify for the Uefa Cup having won the Coupe de France.
City, meanwhile, only booked their place thanks to their FAIR PLAY record after finishing ninth a season earlier.
And on December 3, 2008 the pair finally met for the first time in Europe, with City having been taken over by Sheikh Mansour in September of the same year.
MAUR WORK NEEDED
Manchester United have had an approach for Mauricio Pochettino knocked back by PSG.
The French club have been annoyed by reports that United could poach their manager and that he is desperate to move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils board have now shelved any plans to get the 49-year-old away from the French capital until at least the summer.
United are searching for a new manager after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last Saturday following the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
Pochettino and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers are the leading candidates to replace him full-time.
Michael Carrick has been put in temporary charge and had a good start to his caretaker reign with a 2-0 Champions League win away to Villarreal last night.
He will remain at the helm for Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge and the 4.30pm kick-off against Premier League leaders Chelsea.
FLECK DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL
Sheffield United’s John Fleck has been discharged from hospital after collapsing at Reading on Tuesday night.
The Blades midfielder was rushed to hospital but has been allowed back home after staying overnight.
The club said: “Sheffield United is grateful to report that John Fleck has been discharged from hospital and will return to Sheffield today (Wednesday).
“He was conscious when he was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and was communicative with club and medical personnel, as well as his family.
“After comprehensive medical examinations and staying in hospital overnight for observation, he has been allowed home, where United medical staff will continue to monitor him closely.
“United and John Fleck would like to thank all who assisted at a stressful time last night and also everyone for their supportive messages.”
The Scotland international, 30, went down unchallenged during United’s 1-0 win against Reading before team-mates frantically waved medics on.
There was a ten-minute delay as Fleck received oxygen before he was stretchered onto an ambulance.
United goalscorer Jayden Bogle said: “It’s horrible whenever something like this happens.
“It happens so quickly. You don’ expect it, you expect to play a normal match. You don’t really think about those things going into games.
“The main thing is that he’s OK.”
LION CALL
Lionel Messi has offered Liverpool hope of signing Kylian Mbappe by placing doubt on his move to Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants had two bids rejected for Mbappe last summer.
But they remain keen on the forward, who is still yet to put pen to paper on a new contract despite his current deal expiring next summer.
When asked about the Frenchman’s possible move to Real, Messi told Marca: “The truth is I do not know. Only he knows what he has in his head and what he is going to do.
“I can only say that I am happy that he has stayed here this year. He is a very important player for us and to fight for the objectives we have. He is fully focused on our goals.
“And then he will decide what he will do when the season is over. The truth is that I don’t know what will happen. But he speaks very well in everything: Spanish, English, obviously French.”
Liverpool have also been linked with a transfer move for Mbappe in the past.
And it appears there could be an opportunity for the Reds to hijack Real’s move, with Mbappe seemingly undecided on his next move.
NUMBER RON
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in Champions League history to score three late winners in one season with his goal last night.
The Portuguese superstar bailed Manchester United out once more with his classy finish away at Villarreal.
He broke the deadlock on 78 minutes after Fred’s interception, lofting the ball over goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Jadon Sancho blasted in his first Red Devils goal in the 90th minute to make it 2-0.
But it was Ronaldo who grabbed the winner.
United have won three of their five Champions League group stage matches so far – enough to book their place in the knockout stages.
And in all three, Ronaldo has settled it inside the last 15 minutes.
PEP TALK
Pep Guardiola endorsed the credentials of Mauricio Pochettino by insisting titles are not necessary to be a top manager.
The PSG boss is in the frame to become Manchester United’s next manager following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.
On Wednesday night he goes head-to-head with Pep, who has a glittering CV from his time with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
And speaking about the Argentine, Guardiola said: “Yes you can be a top manager without titles, of course. The managers who have the chance to win titles are at top top clubs with good investments and exceptional players.
“Otherwise it’s impossible to win. That doesn’t mean the managers in the Championship or in the PL but outside the top six at the top cannot be excellent managers.
“They can be in tactics, and communication, leading the team, as human beings. it’s not necessary to win titles to be a top manager.
“I’m pretty sure the managers get better every year. Every season we go through you have a lot of learning every season, I’m pretty sure he’s an excellent manager.”
FOOTIE ACE GUILTY
Karim Benzema was found guilty today over a sex tape blackmail plot targeting his former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
But the Real Madrid ace, 33, dodged jail as he was handed a one-year suspended sentence by a court in Versailles, near Paris.
He was also fined £63,000 after being convicted of complicity in the blackmail plot.
The forward, who had denied any wrongdoing, was not in court.
He is due to play for Spanish giants Real against Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol later today.
He also swerved his trial last month, choosing instead to train with his club ahead of their El Clasico clash with Barcelona.
Prosecutors said Benzema was working with a gang who blackmailed former France midfielder Valbuena, now 37.
He is said to have convinced his international teammate to cough up so an X-rated video would not be made public.
KANTE BELIEVE IT
N’Golo Kante is an injury doubt for Chelsea’s game against Manchester United after being forced off in tonight’s 4-0 win over Juventus, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
And Ben Chilwell could also miss out after limping off with an apparent knee problem.
Midfielder Kante lasted just 38 minutes in Tuesday’s Champions League group stage game, which sealed Chelsea’s place in the knockout stages.
And Chilwell was withdrawn for Cesar Azpilicueta in the 68th minute after a collision while sprinting.
Kante looked to be moving awkwardly moments before he was taken off by Thomas Tuchel.
STERLING RETURN TO LIVERPOOL?
Former Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson believes his old club should go in for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
The England international’s future is currently up in the air after being benched for much of the season so far.
And Johnson feels a second spell at Anfield could work out for both Sterling and Liverpool.
He told Betting Odds: “If it’s genuinely between Liverpool and Barcelona then it’s no competition considering where both clubs are at the moment.
“Liverpool could certainly do with a player like Raheem but he would probably struggle initially to get into their starting XI as both Salah and Mané are on flames at the moment.
“However, they can’t play 60 games a season each either. There would certainly be an opportunity for Raheem to fight for a space at Liverpool. He’s still a world class player and I’m sure Liverpool would like the chance to re-sign him.”
DOUBLE DEAL
Eddie Howe is keen on bringing Kieran Trippier back to the Premier League in a bid to help him kickstart the St. James’ Park revolution.
Newcastle also want out-of-contract Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel to add some much needed steel in midfield.
England international Trippier was linked with Manchester United in the summer but a move failed to materialise.
And now according to the Mirror the Magpies are eyeing a swoop for the 31-year-old Atletico Madrid full-back in January.
New boss Eddie Howe is targeting players with plenty of character to help his side beat the drop.
He believes Trippier, who has been capped 35 times by the Three Lions, has what it takes to help steer his side to safety.
Discussions are reportedly already underway between Toon chiefs and Trippier’s representatives.
Meanwhile 120-cap Belgium international Witsel is out-of-contract in the summer and free to begin negotiations regarding a pre-contract deal from January 1.
German outlet Sport1 report the player himself is ‘open’ to a move at the end of what will be four years in the Bundesliga.
HAAD BARGAIN
Borussia Dortmund hope doubling Erling Haaland’s wages and delaying his cheap release clause will convince him to stay at the club, according to reports.
The Norwegian striker, 21, is one of the hottest properties in world football with his brutal goalscoring rate.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the European elite fighting over his signature.
But according to Sky in Germany, Dortmund are preparing to table a new contract for Haaland.
That offer would see his wages leap from around £145,000 per week to £290,000 per week.
The report also adds that the release clause in Haaland’s current deal – £63million which becomes active next summer – would be postponed by another 12 months.
That could see Dortmund hold on to the player for an extra year or get a more reasonable transfer fee if they sold him at the end of this season.
HEART & SOL
Michael Carrick dedicated Manchester United’s win at Villarreal to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the club legend was sacked at the weekend.
After the game, Carrick told BT Sport: “We came here to win the game, I believed we would.
“We were ready and it was a tough game. The boys dug in and showed a little bit of everything.
“Let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone would have expected to come out here and play pretty football from the word go.
“When you have suffered results-wise and you’re not in a great vein of form, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click.
“We had to dig in and we had to fight and it didn’t go our way at times and the game looked like it was drifting away then the subs made a massive impact. The boys gave everything.”
FAB DISPLAY
Fabio Capello was blown away by Chelsea’s tactics as they gave Juventus a ‘lesson in football’ in their 4-0 win.
The Italian said: “I think this was a real lesson in football from Chelsea.
“Let’s take Liverpool for example, they play aggressively and vertically.
“And tonight we saw Chelsea press, run and never pass the ball backwards. They never start from the back, instead they are always proactive, always forward, no passes to the goalkeeper.
“These are rhythms that the Italian league is no longer used to. There is a big difference in speed and quality compared to our league.
“There is another pressure. Then here are the tackles, you enter hard, the referee does not whistle for fouls that would be whistled here [in Serie A].
“In Italy you play too much with the goalkeeper. I think they are two German coaches, maybe we need to learn from them and update ourselves.
“A coach used to say, ‘How you train is you play.’ When there is great intensity and competitive spirit and you are not used to it, it becomes difficult. When you train with not enough rhythm in the end you get these results in Europe.”
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Declan Rice isn’t only hot property in England, he’s also being eyed by a number of top European clubs.
The 22-year-old West Ham captain has taken his game to another level this season, leading to European juggernauts believing he’s the ‘real deal’, according to Eurosport’s Dean Jones.
Man Utd managerial target Mauricio Pochettino has declared he is ‘happy in Paris’.
Speaking ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s crunch UCL clash against Manchester City, he said: “My contract is until 2023 – this season and one more. I don’t say anything different.
“I’m happy in Paris – that’s a fact. I’m happy in Paris.”
Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle are keeping tabs on Olympiacos wonderkid Aguibou Camara.
Camara, 20, has been a revelation in Piraeus since joining the Greek champions from Lille last summer and has put together a series of impressive performances in the Europa League and Superleague.
The versatile midfielder, who can also play on the wing, has already amassed five goals and two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions – and helped Pedro Martins’ side beat AEK Athens on Sunday’s local derby with a screamer.
SunSport understands that Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle have all made contact with the Guinea international’s agent.
And Bayern Munich have reportedly docked the wages of five isolating players who refused to get coronavirus vaccines.
Bild claims Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Michael Cuisance have been informed their pay will be withheld for every match and training session missed while self-isolating.
The Bayern quintet have all apparently turned down the offer of a jab.
TOP FORM
David de Gea pulled off some outstanding saves against Villarreal tonight.
He also kept a clean sheet, helping confirm United’s place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
FEEL THE FERN
Heading into tomorrow’s UCL fixtures, Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes tops the assists charts.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
