TOTTEHAM are reportedly battling Chelsea for Paulo Dybala’s signature, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus future also hangs in the balance.
All these and the latest updates ahead of three nights of Champions League and Europa League action coming up.
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Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
AGUERO COULD JOIN PREM RIVAL
Sergio Aguero is keen to stay in the Premier League next season — as fresh doubts over his Manchester City future emerged.
The club’s all-time leading goalscorer, 32, is out of contract this summer and is yet to hear anything about a new deal for next term.
Barcelona and PSG have monitored Sergio Aguero’s situation at Man City but he loves playing in England He played the final 15 minutes of the comfortable Champions League win over Borussia Monchengladbach in Hungary this week.
But at the end of the game he was heard telling goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor ‘They don’t pass me the ball’.
Aguero is frustrated after struggling for game-time since returning to fitness last month — although he has featured in their last three matches.
And sources close to the player also say he is worried his glittering ten-year City career may be sliding towards a disappointing end.
He would like to stay at the Etihad but if no offer is forthcoming, he is open to joining another club in England. Boss Pep Guardiola said he would start to think about the future of Aguero in the upcoming international break.
But he also warned it could be the end of the season before anything is decided — as he wants full focus on their push for silverware. That led to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain registering an interest.
LEWANDOWSKI BLOW VS ENGLAND
Poland face being without three of their biggest stars against England — including Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich are currently blocking striker Lewandowski from featuring in three World Cup qualifiers which includes the Wembley trip on March 31.
Marseille have told Arkadiusz Milik he cannot travel to the game either, while Krzysztof Piatek is also being stopped by Hertha Berlin.
Poland’s first qualifier is away to Hungary a week today, followed by a home game with Andorra on March 28.
They travel to London three days later. The loss of these three attacking players would be a massive boost for England boss Gareth Southgate as Poland are their strongest rivals in the group.
And Lewandowski illustrated why he would be such a miss for the Poles on Saturday when he drew level with Schalke legend Klaus Fischer as the second-highest scorer in Bundesliga history with 268 goals.
The Three Lions later travel to Warsaw on September 8.
SOUTHGATE RIGHT TO HAIL AYL
Marcelo Bielsa believes Gareth Southgate’s interest in Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford shows just how far Leeds have come.
A regular at Elland Road in their first season back in the top-flight, the Three Lions boss has been keeping tabs on the Whites duo.
Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford have starred in Leeds’ first term back in the top flight Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford are now on the England radar
While right-back Ayling looks set to miss out when Southgate names his squad tomorrow, Bamford is in line for a first call up.
The third-highest English scorer with 13 goals, Bamford could take the Whites’ contingent to two alongside midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
In the early 2000s, Nigel Martyn, Jonathan Woodgate, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith and Danny Mills were all regulars in the national set up.
And Bielsa said: “It’s recognition for the players first of all. Second, it’s recognition for the project of the club, the structure of the squad to compete in the league.
“Competing in the Premier League is what opens up possibilities. So it’s an achievement that makes the players proud and shows the proposition that the club put forward is the correct one.”
Ayling’s versatility put himself on Southgate’s radar.
And Bielsa added: “He’s one of the players that has shone the most in our team. He’s a player that can play out wide or in the center, in a back four or back three.
“He has the capacity to attack and good aerial game. He has a good management of the ball and first pass.”
IT’S SMILES BETTER FOR AUBA
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is all smiles again after sorting out his differences with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has trained really well, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta Now the Gunners’ 13-goal top scorer is ready to lead his team in Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Olympiacos.
Aubameyang, 31, had a face like thunder when he was left out of the team for Sunday’s North London derby after turning up late.
But the superstar striker has buried the hatchet with his disciplinarian manager following heart to heart talks this week.
Arteta confirmed: “We talked, everything has been resolved in a really positive way and now we move forward.
“He has trained really well for the last two days and he was smiling as usual, which is what we always expect from Auba. So it’s all good.”
REST OF THE CHELSEA STARTING XI RATINGS
Hakim Ziyech – 8
Took his goal well, which was much needed for his confidence. And overall, he contributed much better and was involved in most things Chelsea did good.Timo Werner – 8.5
His pace on the counter was a massive weapon for Chelsea tonight and it’s how they go the goal in the first half. Werner on the break at speed, and then played the perfect ball into Ziyech to finish.Kai Havertz – 8.5
Quality on the ball, and showed great vision once again. He did well to set Werner off for the first half goal, and his link up play dropping in to ensure Chelsea kept possession was excellent.MORE CHELSEA RATINGS
Reece James – 8
He was Chelsea’s big attacking threat down the right-hand side and everything was going through him. James delivered some very dangerous crosses and did his job at the back as well.Mateo Kovacic – 8
Calm on the ball as always and was a great outlet for Chelsea when they needed to hold the ball and keep possession.N’Golo Kante – 9.5
Another outstanding performance from him both offensively and defensively. He was great taking the ball and dribbling under pressure, and he made some vital interceptions at the back.Marcos Alonso – 7
Contributed to the play well and he was always an outlet out wide. Didn’t have a lot to do at the back, but he made up that extra man in attack well.CHELSEA RATINGS VS ATLETICO
Edouard Mendy – 7.5
He made some decent and important saves at crucial times and his distribution was decent again.Cesar Azpilicueta – 7.5
His positioning in that right centre back role is very good and he always makes use of being the extra wide man in attack, but he was very lucky to not have given away a penalty and even get sent off in the first half at 0-0.Kurt Zouma – 7.5
He didn’t do a lot wrong on the ball and defended well when called upon and put in a very solid overall game.Antonio Rudiger – 9
Rudiger was well up for this match, his intensity and determination was excellent and he was everywhere on the pitch, keeping Luis Suarez quiet once again.RESULT: CHELSEA 2 ATLETICO 0 (CHELSEA WIN 3-0 ON AGG)
Emerson’s second-ever Chelsea goal, a crisp finish into the bottom corner deep into stoppage time, underlined their fine route to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Follow our match blog for all the reaction.
LATEST: CHELSEA 1 ATLETICO 0
RED CARD: Surely any Atletico hopes have gone now – as Savi was sent off on 81 minutes.
Follow our match blog from tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie here, with Chelsea 2-0 up on aggregate.
‘REDS JOIN BERGE CHASE’
Liverpool have Tottenham and Arsenal in pursuing Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge – who Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows “more or less everything about”.
Norwegian Burge is still battling a long-term hamstring problem but is tipped to depart in the summer, should bottom side Blades go down.
Aston Villa have also been linked with the 23-year-old, rated at around £22million.
And last December, before Burge’s injury, Solskjaer hinted at his interest in his fellow countryman.
Tribal Football quoted Solskjaer as saying: “I know more or less everything about Sander from the time in Norway.
“I have talked a lot with Kjetil Rekdal about him.”
Former Norway midfielder Rekdal is manager of Norwegian club Ham-Kam.
LATEST: CHELSEA 1 ATLETICO 0
The Blues have begun the second half well, partly as Atletico are forced to operate on the counter-attack.
Follow our match blog from tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie here, with Chelsea 2-0 up on aggregate.
H/T: CHELSEA 1 ATLETICO 0
Follow our match blog from tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie here.
Kai Havertz neatly slots the Blues in front to make it 2-0 on aggregateCredit: AP Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Kurt Zouma help Kai Havertz celebrate his openerCredit: Getty LATEST: CHELSEA 1 ATLETICO 0
Hakim Ziyech’s clinical breakaway goal put the Blues ahead on the night and 2-0 in front on aggregate.
Kai Havertz and Timo Werner combined well to set up the fine strike.
Follow our match blog from tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie here.
SILVA SERVICE CHEAPER OPTION TO HAALAND
Eintracht Frankfurt ‘s Portugal striker Andre Silva has been tipped as a cut-price alternative for Manchester United to dream summer signing Erling Haaland.
Silva has matched Haaland’s 19-goal Bundesliga total this season.
The suggestion is super-agent Jorge Mendes could be keen on the 25-year-old making a huge summer move.
LATEST: CHELSEA 0 ATLETICO 0
The Blues bossed the early possession from tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg.
Chelsea wideman Marcos Alonso fires in a shot under pressure from Kieran TrippierCredit: Getty
JESSE, STONES IN ENGLAND RUNNING
Jesse Lingard and John Stones are close to England recalls, according to The Guardian.
Manchester United midfielder Lingard, 28, has been in sensational loan form for West Ham.
And Man City centre-back Stones, 26, has revitalised his career this season just like Pep Guardiola’s squad have reinstated their Premier League dominance – after handing it to Liverpool last term.
ROTHERHAM’S 25 POSITIVE TESTS
The EFL have 25 positive Covid-19 results in the latest round of testing – ALL from Rotherham.
The Championship strugglers had already produced three positive results the previous week, forcing the cancellation of their matches against Brentford and Luton.
At the time they informed league bosses others had been ordered to self-isolate because of potential close contact – but the next round of testing produced numbers which staggered officials.
For the further 25 players and staff were all confirmed to have contracted coronavirus leading to their clash with Coventry also being postponed.
To make matters worse, it is the second time this season the Millers have been forced to cancel matches after suffering an outbreak within the club.
Now the EFL are investigating just how well Rotherham followed the strict protocols in place throughout the professional game aimed at minimising risk of spreading the virus.
The latest outbreak is now known to have infected 28 people in total, leading to the close of their Roundwood training ground for a second time.
Paul Warne’s side, scrapping to avoid relegation to League One, were back in action for the first time in a fortnight on Tuesday when they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Watford.
IT’S UNDER WAY: CHELSEA 0 ATLETICO 0
Follow our match blog here from tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg as the Blues defend a 1-0 lead.
LIVE: CHELSEA VS ATLETICO MADRID
You can get up-to-the-minute coverage from 8pm as the Blues bid to reach the Champions League quarter-finals by following our match blog here.
Then after the tie they’ll be reaction from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea are defending an impressive 1-0 advantage from the first leg against the LaLiga leaders.
POCH SHOWS SERGE OF INTEREST IN REUNION
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen on a reunion with Serge Aurier at Paris Saint-Germain.
Foot Mercato claims the Argentine manager is ready to raid former club Tottenham for right-back Aurier, who spent three years at PSG between 2014 and 2017.
The Ivory Coast international, 28, has played 20 times in all competitions this term under Jose Mourinho.
But it was Poch who brought Aurier to England four years ago in a £23m deal.
Pochettino currently has just one reliable right-back option at PSG in Roma loanee Alessandro Florenzi.
And he feels Aurier would be a great addition to his squad this summer.
The player himself is apparently eager to return as he feels he has unfinished business in the French capital.
It’s reckoned PSG chief Leonardo already initiated contact with Aurier over a return to the club in 2019.
And Spurs are also said to be open to doing business after signing Matt Doherty last summer.
I’M SHAW GRATEFUL
Luke Shaw is tipped by many to be England’s first-choice left-back in time for this summer’s delayed Euros.
And not even the usual suspects like Bruno Fernandes matched his form for Manchester United over the past month.
After picking up their player award for February, the 25-year-old tweeted his thanks to those who backed him.
GERRARD ‘NOT READY FOR LIVERPOOL JOB’
Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas believes the Liverpool job is still ‘far too early’ for Steven Gerrard.
The Liverpool legend ended Celtic’s nine-year reign in Scottish football by emphatically guiding Rangers to the title.
Steven Gerrard has guided Rangers to an emphatic Scottish league title Gerrard’s side have blown away the rest of the competition having won 28 league games and drawing four without tasting defeat.
Rangers are also impressing in Europe as they take on Slavia Prague in the second-leg of their Europa League Round of 16 following a 1-1 draw in Czech Republic.
Gerrard has made it no secret of his dream to return to his boyhood club when the time is right. But current boss Jurgen Klopp still has three years left on his contract at Liverpool but has seen his title defence blow up in smoke.
Ex-Celtic and Scotland striker Nicholas told Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Watchalong: “Steven Gerrard has done an excellent job at Rangers, he has really turned it around for the Blue half of Glasgow.
“Everyone up there must think he is guaranteed for the Liverpool manager’s job at some point in the near future.
“Gerrard now has saleable assets and has made every player better, very much like Brendan Rodgers did when he went to Celtic.”
HOW BLUES LINE-UP AGAINST ATLETICO
Here’s Thomas Tuchel’s team as they enter tonight’s Champions League last-16 tie with a 1-0 first-leg lead.
GUENDOUZI DEFENDS PAY TAUNT
Arsenal outcast Matteo Guendouzi has defended taunting Neal Maupay over wages and has revealed he even blasted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once.
The midfielder is currently at Hertha Berlin but does not regret his rash actions at Arsenal.
Matteo Guendouzi grabbed Neal Maupay by the throat and taunted him Guendouzi told France Football: “It was a gesture that I should have maybe not done.
“It might have shocked a few people, yes, but you know, in the Champions League or in a local match, during the games, there is always a lot of frustration.
“We always want to win. And, during bad results, or injustices or things said on the pitch that you sometimes don’t like, you can, sometimes, have bad reactions.
“There are things like that, five or six times per match. It is not malicious. There was not a problem with the FA, I was never suspended. It is always in the obsession around winning, to help your team.
“I give you an example: during a match against Chelsea, Aubameyang missed a chance after a magnificent pass that I did. I got annoyed. I slapped my hands on the turf.
“He saw the video, he laughed. I am 100%, in football, in life, I often say things, I show myself a lot. That is part of who I am.”
Midfielder Guendouzi’s future at Arsenal looks bleak NENY STATES CASE
Mohamed Elneny hopes to have secured a new Arsenal contract after his impressive revival under Mikel Arteta.
The defensive midfielder was largely a squad player in his first four years at the club, and spent last season on loan at Besiktas.
A decent spell in Turkey led to Arsenal boss Arteta giving the 28-year-old a surprise start in the Community Shield win over Liverpool last August.
And Elneny has not looked back since and praised his coach ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Olympiacos.
He told reporters: “I expected to come back because I want to always be with the biggest team and I am really happy to be at Arsenal all the time.
“When I was on loan, all the time I was thinking I need to get back to Arsenal to be in the squad, to play like I do now. That’s why I worked really hard in Besiktas and I built myself there to come back stronger.
“Before I came back, Mikel didn’t speak to me, but after when we came to the start of the season he started to speak to me.
“And he said, ‘Mo, we have new things now. We have to understand how I want the midfield to play and always if you don’t understand something from the new system you have now, just come to ask me’.
“He was helping me so much to understand the way he wanted us to play and this is what helped me a lot.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
