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…
TRANSFER TAX
Prem clubs are facing a £160million transfer tax each season to support the lower leagues.
It is a key recommendation of former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch’s ‘fan-led review’ of football.
But clubs and Prem chiefs are likely to fight the plans — and block calls for an overhaul of the parachute payment system for relegated clubs.
Crouch and her team, appointed after the failed breakaway European Super League in April, feel the best way to distribute funds from the top down is with a new levy.
The tax would be “similar to stamp duty” paid on properties for clubs buying players.
KO BLOW
Newcastle’s £300million Saudi takeover would NOT have been waved through by a proposed new owners’ test for football.
Former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch and her ‘fan-led review’ team have recommended a new comprehensive process for the entire game.
In order to be approved by the proposed new independent regulator who would be appointed by the Government, any owner would have to pass a new ‘Integrity Test’.
While a potential owner would be considered ‘of good character’ unless there is ‘reliable evidence’ to the contrary, the regulator would look at ‘criminal matters’, ‘relevant information from credible and reliable sources’, past business dealings and ‘integrity and reputation’ of close family members.
ON THE PUL
Chelsea have put a £42m price tag on their out-of-favour winger, Christian Pulisic.
According to reports, Pulisic, 23, is wanted by Liverpool and Barcelona.
Catalan newspaper El Nacional are reporting that Chelsea are prepared to sell Pulisic but have asked for £42m.
Pulisic has been hit with numerous injuries in the past calendar year and is not said to be part of Tuchel’s long-term plans.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS
- Man City 2 PSG 1
- Liverpool 2 Porto 0
- Brugge 0 RB Leizpig 5
- Atletico Madrid 0 AC Milan 1
- Besiktas 1 Ajax 2
- Sporting Lisbon 3 Borussia Dortmund 1
- Inter Milan 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 0
- Sheriff 0 Real Madrid 3
LINK UP
Man Utd want Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to replace Paul Pogba in the summer, says Corriere dello Sport.
And the Lazio star’s agent admits he needs a ‘new adventure’.
Mateja Kezman said: “He is a great club player.
“Soon the time will come for him to live a new adventure and new dreams.”
FIOR BLIMEY
Arsenal are set to miss out on Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus.
Reports in Italy claim the Fiorentina striker could be set for a stunning £50million Serie A switch.
And Arsenal would stand little chance of challenging if they too submitted a suitable offer.
ARE BRU SERIOUS?
Steve Bruce has reportedly been offered to his former club Manchester United by his agent.
The Mail claims United’s ex-captain has been put forward for the interim role following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit.
Bruce himself was only sacked by Newcastle earlier this month.
And an incredible move to Old Trafford could be on the cards.
REECE LIGHTNING
The ‘sky is the limit’ for Reece James, according to Chelsea teammate Christian Pulisic.
He said: “Absolutely we’re all impressed.
“What he can do on the field is pretty special. He’s got so much ability, so many different ways to help the team. The sky is the limit for him.
“Honestly, the way he is playing right now and the way he strikes the ball, I wouldn’t be surprised [if he stayed top scorer].
“That’s what’s great about our system – it allows him to attack a lot. He was really strong last night and you could see how much he helped us in attack.”
JESS OFF
Jesse Lingard remains determined to leave Manchester United despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
The Mail claims the England star is ‘unmoved’ by the managerial change and still has no plans to open up negotiations over a new contract.
Former loan side West Ham are keen and a January transfer looks to be moving closer.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
XI: Alisson, Williams, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Morton, Thiago, Salah, Minamino, Mane.
Porto XI: Costa, Mario, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu, Uribe, Oliveira, Otavio, Diaz, Taremi, Evanilson.
MAN CITY TEAM NEWS
XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Mahrez, Bernardo, Sterling
PSG XI: Navas, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes, Paredes, Herrera, Gueye, Messi, Mbappe, Neymar.
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
ROBERT-NO
Roberto Mancini has supposedly SNUBBED an approach from Manchester United.
The 56-year-old former Manchester City boss plans to focus on World Cup qualification with Italy.
German newspaper BILD report that Mancini turned down contact with the Red Devils as he is to fulfil his ‘duty’ to help Italy qualify for the World Cup.
AR YEAH
Former Arsenal star Andriy Arshavin claims Premier League target Sardar Azmoun wants to quit Zenit St Petersburg.
He explained: “Azmoun has a desire to leave. Both sides are behaving openly and honestly.
“The player wants to leave. Azmoun remains a professional, he had a good first half (of the season). But we cannot force Serdar to stay.
“Azmoun, at Zenit, can only be replaced by a foreigner. It is important to find one. I don’t see a similar player in Russia.”
ALL IN FAVRE
Lucien Favre is the latest name to be thrown into the hat to potentially become Manchester United’s interim manager.
The United hierarchy have allegedly reached out to the 64-year-old to discuss his interest in the post vacated by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to The Telegraph.
Favre’s one of many high-profile names to be linked with the United job recently.
The Swiss native’s a wanted man in the Premier League and has previously been in talks with both Newcastle and Crystal Palace but neither switch materialised.
DAN’S BACK
Daniel Farke is in line for an immediate return to management just two weeks after being sacked by Norwich.
The Guardian says he is wanted by scandal-hit Werder Bremen following the shock resignation of coach Markus Anfang at the weekend.
Anfang is currently under investigation by the German authorities after being accused of using a faked Covid vaccination certificate.
Farke’s swift return to football comes after Norwich fans blasted the club’s new badge, which will be introduced next summer.
FRESH FACES
Former Man Utd defender Jon Spector has urged his old side to sign Kieran Trippier and Declan Rice in January.
Also name-checking Ruben Neves, he told BritishGambler.co.uk: “Trippier could be a really good solution for them.
“Even if they changed to a back four, I still think he fits in really well within the team, and I’d love to see a player like him at United.
“Declan Rice would be a fantastic option. Ruben Neves as well has been very good for Wolves and could be a good option for them.”
MOUNT EVEREST
Mason Mount is loving life at Stamford Bridge and is not going anywhere, according to reports.
The Chelsea star is one of a host of top players set to be offered new contracts.
But the Telegraph reports the England international is in no rush to put pen to paper on a new contract.
Instead he remains committed to helping Chelsea win yet more trophies under stand-out boss Thomas Tuchel.
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
