THE FA Cup fifth round is in full swing with Manchester United pulling off an extra-time victory over West Ham.
Meanwhile Chelsea have discovered that they will play Atletico Madrid away in Bucharest, meaning five English clubs have now had their European ties moved.
Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
RAF AND READY
Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso reportedly has two games to save his job with Rafa Benitez in the frame to take over for the rest of the season.
Gattuso’s side racked up their seventh Serie A defeat this season against Genoa on Saturday.
And the club sit in sixth place, 12 points behind pace-setters AC Milan but they do have a game in hand.
Italian paper La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia, reports Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will weigh up Gattuso’s future on Saturday.
And Benitez could be set for a stunning Sao Paolo return after leaving Chinese side Dalian Professional last month.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Getty – Contributor
JONNY BE GOOD
Wolves wing-back Jonny has handed Nuno Espirito Santo his second boost of the week by signing a new four-and-a-half year deal.
The 26-year-old Spain international has been a huge miss after being sidelined for the past six months with a cruciate ligament injury he suffered against Olympiacos, which required surgery.
However Jonny made his long-awaited return for 45 minutes against Leicester City on Sunday.
And the defender played a huge part in earning his side a point with a heroic double-block to deny James Maddison a certain goal.
PLAYER PROBE
Man Utd star Amad Diallo has been fined £42,000 amid an Italian immigration probe into his arrival in Europe.
SunSport revealed last year that the claims centred around a tip-off that the couple who brought the footballers over were not their real parents.
The documents used by the adults to claim parenthood were allegedly falsified.
The ‘family’ moved to Italy on a visa under the name Traore, which has since been ditched by the United winger.
Amad and brother Hamed, who plays for Serie A side Sassuolo, had DNA samples taken and were questioned by police along with several other linked parties.
And the Italian FA (FIGC) have decided to hand down a £42,000 fine to both players following their own investigation.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
TRAGIC LOSS
Jerome Boateng has left Bayern Munich’s Fifa Club World Cup squad after the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend.
The German champs confirmed the 32-year-old defender will not be available for Thursday’s Club World Cup final against Mexican side Tigres UANL.
Boss Hansi Flick revealed the former Manchester City centre-back will return to Munich from Qatar where the tournament is being staged for personal reasons.
Model Kasia Lenhardt was found dead in her Berlin apartment on Tuesday but police are not treating her death as suspicious.
Last week, Boateng announced he and mum-of-one Kasia, 25, had split after 15 months together.
undefined
MADE HIS MARK
Chelsea flop Marko Marin has signed for his 11th career club.
The 31-year-old has joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Raed on loan until the end of the season from rivals Al-Ahli.
The winger, once known as the ‘German Messi’, left Chelsea back in 2016 following a disappointing four-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were hoping they signed a hugely talented winger when they finalised a £6.5million deal to sign Marin from Werder Bremen in 2012.
But the former Germany International managed a measly 143 Premier League minutes in just six appearances.
Credit: Getty – Contributor
‘HE’S INCREDIBLE’
Harry Redknapp reckons ‘incredible’ Jack Grealish deserves to be player of the year this season.
And the former Spurs and West Ham boss would pick the Aston Villa star over Phil Foden, James Maddison and Mason Mount in his England side.
He said: “I love to see teams go and attack and I love Jack Grealish. I’m a massive fan of his, I think he’s incredible.
“For me, I think he’s been the footballer of the year so far, if I was voting I’d pick him.
“He’s dragged Aston Villa up the league, he’s a massive part of what they’ve achieved this year.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
STAT ATTACK
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to sign either Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland this summer.
The two strikers are among the hottest talents in world football and are both tipped to be the long-term successor to Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu.
But who is enjoying the better season this term ahead of a proposed move to Real Madrid?
Well, it’s pretty close – but on paper, it’s Haaland… just.
D’OR IS OPEN
Should Lionel Messi retire at Barcelona, he will become only the second Ballon d’Or winner to have stayed at the club after receiving the award.
At the moment, Florian Albert is the sole recipient to have been a one-club man after picking up the honour.
Albert’s record of playing for the same club after winning the Ballon d’Or rests on Messi’s future.
Messi handed in a transfer request at the Nou Camp in the summer as he was determined to leave.
But the six-time Ballon d’Or winner ended up staying put to avoid a drawn out legal battle in court.
Credit: AFP
MONEY GOALS
Luis Suarez has already been paid a bonus thanks to his stunning form for Atletico Madrid.
The 33-year-old is La Liga’s top scorer with 16 goals in 17 games, and seven in his last four.
Mundo Deportivo report that the Uruguayan was paid a million Euros bonus (£880,000) for scoring 15 goals.
Suarez is also in line for another payout if and when he makes it to 20 goals, which seems like a formality.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
BARNSTORMING
Thomas Tuchel could be without a trio of forwards for Chelsea’s FA Cup trip to Barnsley.
Blues fans eagerly await the team news for Thursday night’s fifth-round clash, to get a glimpse at how seriously he will take the competition.
At Paris Saint-Germain, Tuchel would regularly introduce fringe first-team players into his cup sides and a similar route can be expected this week.
Here’s how SunSport’s Marc Mayo thinks Chelsea will start…
LEGAL BATTLE
Premier League transfer target Thiago Almada has been charged with sexual assault in Argentina.
United reportedly lead the race for the Velez Sarsfield star, with Arsenal and Leeds also linked to the £22million-rated prospect.
But the 19-year-old has now been accused of assaulting a woman, together with his Velez clubmate Miguel Brizuela.
Almada is said to have had consensual sex with the 28-year-old at a party last December.
However Brizuela, 24, is reported to have then entered the bedroom before the woman was forced into sexual acts with several men.
Credit: Getty – Contributor
IKER WOE
Iker Casillas’ wife has been hospitalised after suffering a setback in her fight against cancer.
Sports journalist and model Sara Carbonero was admitted to a private hospital in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona just two days after turning 37.
Details of her new health scare emerged on Wednesday after she had to suspend work commitments.
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker is said to be taking it in turns with Sara’s family to visit his wife at the University Clinic of Navarra Hospital.
Credit: Getty – Contributor
SAD END
Swansea paid tribute to former goalkeeper Dai Davies, who has passed away.
The ex-Wales stopper died aged 72 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Davies was diagnosed with the terminal illness last year and sadly lost his battle.
“Rest in peace, Dai Davies,” Swansea tweeted.
The club added: “Everyone at Swansea City send their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Swans goalkeeper, Dai Davies, who sadly passed away following his battle with cancer.
“Once a Jack, always a Jack.”
‘MAKES ME FEEL SICK’
Scott McTominay is disgusted by the racial abuse that some of his Manchester United team-mates receive on social media.
Speaking on the club website, he said: “You can’t read too much or if there’s good articles about you, bad articles about you.
“
You can’t dive into them with too much detail because you have to have a thick skin in football, as you see with what’s been going on with the racial abuse.
“It’s a disgrace and that’s the type of people who are on social media saying the things that they’re saying at this moment in time.
“
Honestly, it makes me feel sick coming in seeing Axel the next day after the game. I don’t remember which game it was.
“
But I feel like it’s an absolute shambles and that’s somebody, one of my brothers who I’ve grown up with for a long, long time now, and to see that happen to him is absolutely disgusting.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
BREAKING NEWS
Jurgen Klopp has been left heartbroken after his beloved mum died aged 81.
The Liverpool boss will also be unable to attend the funeral due to Germany’s current coronavirus travel ban.
He said: “She meant everything to me.
“She was a real mum in the best sense of the word. As a devout Christian, I know she is in a better place now.”
BLANCOS HERO
Real Madrid legend Enrique Perez, or Pachin as he was affectionately known, has passed away at the age of 82.
The former defender had been battling illness for a number of years and entered hospital in the Spanish capital over a month ago, according to Marca.
On Wednesday, the LaLiga club confirmed his passing and paid tribute to a long career at the Bernabeu.
MAKING SHAW
Luke Shaw has opened up on his strained relationship with former boss Jose Mourinho and admitted he ‘had a very hard time’.
The left-back came in for regular criticism during Mourinho’s two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the BBC before United’s 1-0 FA Cup win against West Ham, Shaw said: “It was a very hard time because sometimes I wasn’t able to get my word across or people were only hearing it from one side of the story.
“I knew at the time it was better just to keep quiet.
“A lot of people were behind me here so I knew I had the backing but I knew I needed to keep quiet and improve.
“I have gone through a lot which has made a better person.”
Credit: Getty – Contributor
RED LIST
Jurgen Klopp is braced for a squad clearout in the summer if his fringe players fail to deliver, according to reports.
Klopp’s fringe players are struggling to deliver in the absence of first team stars and many of them are likely to be up for grabs in the summer.
Xherdan Shaqiri is one name on the chopping block despite his regular cameos in the squad.
The Switzerland international hasn’t performed at a consistent level and has transfer interest from Germany.
According to The Athletic, other players fighting for their futures include midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Credit: AFP
RAPH DEAL
Leeds will reportedly make a move for Juventus’ out of favour Douglas Costa if they lose Raphina this summer.
France Football is reporting that Liverpool have put Raphina at the top of their shortlist.
While Leeds will be desperate to keep hold of the flying 24-year-old Brazilian, there could be a replacement in mind.
According to Fichjaes.net, Marcelo Bielsa could turn his attentions to Costa.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
LION IN WAIT
John Terry tipped Mason Mount to become captain of Chelsea and England.
And the legendary defender also hailed Jack Grealish and Phil Foden as the two ‘best young players in the world’.
Speaking on Instagram live, JT said: “Mason Mount is 100 per cent future Chelsea captain.
“He’s been the best player at Chelsea this season to be honest.
“He’s a great lad, trains unbelievably well, is Chelsea through and through and shows leadership qualities.
“In my mind he’ll be Chelsea and England captain.”
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal star Thomas Partey is relishing the chance to play alongside his former LaLiga rival Martin Odegaard at the Emirates.
The Gunners beat off competition from top European clubs to secure the Norwegian on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.
Partey told Stadium Astro: “It’s difficult when you play against him.
“I remember playing against him, he’s so intelligent, he is always quick on the ball, he doesn’t give you a chance to win the ball.
“It’s amazing to have him here.
“I hope he has a great season and he’s able to help us achieve what we want to achieve.”
EURO TRIP
Chelsea’s Champions League away tie with Atletico Madrid will be played in Romania.
Uefa have confirmed the match on February 17 will now be held at Bucharest’s Arena Nationala.
Spanish government Covid restrictions on travel from the UK meant that Thomas Tuchel’s squad were unable to fly to Madrid to play the La Liga leaders in the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico told Uefa that Bucharest was their preferred choice if a switch was necessary.
Credit: Reuters
AL OR NOTHING
Chelsea have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign David Alaba on a free transfer.
The Austrian defender, 28, is out of contract at Bayern Munich in the summer and looks set to leave for nothing.
But according to ESPN, his £400,000-a-week wage demands are simply too much for the Blues to pursue a deal any further.
Real Madrid look set to secure his services from the summer with a four-year contract understood to be agreed.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
SAFETY FIRST
Issa Diop became the first concussion sub in English football history on Tuesday night.
The West Ham star was subbed off in the FA Cup loss at Manchester United after a clash of heads.
Diop, who came on to replace injured Angelo Ogbonna in the 16th minute, collided with Anthony Martial.
He didn’t return for the second half as Ryan Fredericks replaced him.
HERNAN PLAN
Hernan Crespo is set to be named Sao Paulo boss after leaving Defence and Justice following their Copa Sudamericana success.
The ex-Chelsea striker took over at the Argentine outfit in January 2020 and led the to their first major silverware last month.
But he took to social media on Monday to confirm his departure.
And now Brazilian giants Sao Paulo seems the likely next step for the former striker.
He admitted in an interview this week he has held talks with the club – as well as two other teams.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
