MANCHESTER UNITED are set to sell either David De Gea or Dean Henderson, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Meanwhile Chelsea are reportedly looking to the Bundesliga again as Thomas Tuchel makes a £26m approach for Niklas Sule.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
BLUE IT
Timo Werner has opened his heart on his struggles at Chelsea – and admitted he has been brought down to earth.
Werner told Kicker: “I have been brought back down to earth in the last few months.
“I’ve had it made very clear to me that I can’t be seen as a top striker any more with the sort of goal drought I’ve had.
“I drove myself far too crazy about it, and was much too grim. I needed to take the pressure off myself.
“But things have progressed from the first moment Thomas Tuchel arrived. He has helped me a great deal.
“His arrival was a fresh start for me and the other German players.”
Timo Werner admits his first season in England has been difficult
FAN-TASTIC
Fans will be allowed back into stadiums and venues from May – bringing a real prospect of a proper summer of sport.
PM Boris Johnson today confirmed that turnstiles will be reopened from May 17 after being closed for the second time in December.
That opens the prospect of supporters being in seats for the seven Euro 2020 games due to be played at Wembley as well as Wimbledon.
It would also allow race fans for the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot in June.
And supporters will get the chance to watch the England v India Test series and the Open Championships at Royal St George’s.
But, initially at least, numbers will be strictly limited.
BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE
Ross Barkley missed a huge ‘opportunity’ to further stake a claim for a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad in Aston Villa’s defeat to Leicester, according to Alex Scott.
He told Sky Sports: “For me it’s another missed opportunity for Ross Barkley to show up and demand.
“He’s been subbed off again and you can see in his face he’s not happy.
“But how many chances does a player need?
“You need to take it upon yourself. There’s only so many chances that he can be deserving. He’s missed another opportunity today.”
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IT’S COMING HOME
Exclusive by Martin Lipton: Premier League fans will be allowed back in stadiums THIS season.
PM Boris Johnson will confirm turnstiles will be reopened from May 17 after being closed since December.
That would mean the last round of fixtures could see up to 10,000 supporters or 25 per cent of capacity, whichever is the smaller back in grounds.
It would also mean good news for the rest of the EFL, with fans allowed in for the play-off finals.
The Championship, League One and League Two games are scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 29 – with 90,000-capacity Wembley the usual venue.
SHOCKING FALL
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen was rushed to hospital after being knocked unconscious against Atalanta.
Osimhen suffered a sickening fall during the defeat with fears over his health.
The striker stayed in hospital overnight for observation after being stretchered off the pitch.
Osimhen fell awkwardly after colliding with Atalanta defender Cristian Romero.
The Nigerian forward was knocked out by the collision but he was concious after being taken off by medical staff.
It took place in the closing minutes of Napoli’s 4-2 Serie A defeat to Atalanta.
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RAM RAID
Manchester United are reportedly set to raid Wayne Rooney’s Derby County for three of his promising teenage talents.
And the Red Devils will cough up around £750,000 to land the starlets.
The Athletic states that the sale of the Rams trio, who are all under 15, will provide some much-needed finance for the struggling Championship side.
The report adds that Rooney’s club are ‘working with’ the side he achieved legendary status at ‘over the agreements to aid cashflow’.
OD DECISION
Arsene Wenger backed Thomas Tuchel’s decision to replace half-time introduction Callum Hudson-Odoi.
He said: “I’ve done it once in my life really because I was scared to lose the game because the guy was completely lost.
“Basically he [Hudson-Odoi] played in a Christmas tree, in that position behind the central striker which became Timo Werner in the second half and he never found the right position in there.
“I see him more in a wide position and he was not in the game. Was he the guy especially to take off?
“He didn’t do a lot of positives and not a lot of negatives as well.”
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PAIN IN THE ARSENE
Arsene Wenger thinks Chelsea will just miss out on the top four this season after calculating they’ll get just 63 points.
The legendary former Arsenal boss applied ‘pro-rata’ to the Blues’ current 43 point haul and surmised Thomas Tuchel will fall just short of the Champions League spots in his first season.
Speaking after their 1-1 draw at Southampton on Saturday, Wenger said: “I would say it’s a fair result with one team happier than the other one.
“Southampton certainly the happier after stopping their losing slump.
“What’s a bit worrying for Chelsea is they were not at their best, which happens in this league, but you don’t feel a huge potential in there, not on the tactical side nor on the physical side nor on the aggressive side nor on the organisational side.
“I looked at their number of points, on that run they will make 63 points. That could be a fraction short of top four.
“I just think they made 43 points out of 25 games and on that average it gets you to 63 and 63 usually you’re out [the top four].
“They can of course have a great run but today their game was a bit frustrating for them. They didn’t find the fluency to put Southampton under pressure.”
NOU STRIKE FORCE
Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa has promised a mega transfer spree if he gets voted in – with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe targeted.
The Barca fans go to the polls on March 7 to decide who will run the Catalan giants – Freixa, Joan Laporta or Victor Font.
And Freixa tried his latest tactic to attract votes by insisting he would pump £216million into transfers to bolster the squad.
Speaking to radio station RAC-1, Freixa said: “We will have the most competitive squad for the 2021-22 season.
“We will not talk about individual players until we sign them.”
But asked about two of the best forwards in world football, he added: “It is possible to bring in Haaland and Mbappe.”
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LU MUST BE JOKING
Filipe Luis has revealed how he used to stop Lionel Messi during his Atletico Madrid days.
And the Brazilian reckons that his Argentine counterpart ‘liked’ being on the end of his horror tackles.
He hold the Mail: “One day I would like to ask Messi what it felt like playing against me.
“I approached it as the most important game in my life against him because he was the best player I have seen play.
“There were games where I went too far in terms of aggression. I was sent off. But he never had a go at me for it; he never said anything. I think he liked it, I think he liked that kind of challenge.
“In fact Barcelona called me [towards the end of his time at Atletico] so I think he must have liked my football. I’d like to know his opinion one day. My best games were always against Messi, for sure.”
TESTING TIMES
Manchester United’s backroom Covid outbreak prevented Prem chiefs announcing their first clear round of testing this season.
The latest figures revealed that there were just two positive tests last week from 2,633 samples.
United have admitted two members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff were self-isolating after testing positive.
The action did not prevent United’s Prem game with Newcastle taking place despite the scare.
And while it did mean Prem execs are still awaiting the first clear week this season, the fact that the issues were contained to one club is seen as another step in the right direction.
The figures revealed that one positive test came from the opening 1,290 samples taken across the 20 clubs between Monday and Thursday.
NO SAY, JOSE
Declan Rice has revealed how Jose Mourinho inspired West Ham to beat Spurs by writing off the Hammers’ chances of a top-four finish before their clash at the weekend.
The England star, 22, told talkSPORT: “I read during the week that Mourinho said that at the end of the season there’ll be no comparison to where Spurs are going to be to where West Ham are, ‘we’re going to overtake them’.
“You read stuff like that as players, and he said that on the Spurs YouTube channel.
“You read that and you think, ‘Yeah, that’s going to make me go out there and prove you wrong’.
“You’re going to go out there and want to put on an even better performance.
“So I think all the lads knew that and we wanted to go out there yesterday and really beat Spurs.”
MOUR MISERY
Jose Mourinho has the worst Premier League record of any Tottenham manager since Juande Ramos.
And Tim Sherwood incredibly has the best win ratio of the group.
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LUK AT HIM
Luke Shaw has claimed his new Manchester United team-mate Amad Diallo reminds him of Riyad Mahrez.
He told Sky Sports: “He’s a wonderful talent and already a wonderful player so I’m sure fans are looking forward to seeing him on the pitch.
“It was interesting because Harry said to me the other day that he reminds him of Mahrez when he was at Leicester.
“Really quick, skilful, agility, can turn really quick, got great skills and I would agree with Harry – he does remind me of Mahrez.
“Even the way Mahrez plays now I’ve seen the qualities that Amad already has and has shown in training.
“Mahrez is a wonderful player so hopefully if he’s any good like him it would be great for United.”
DIALL TONE
Luke Shaw has hailed his new Manchester United team-mate Amad Diallo.
He told Sky Sports: “He’s still so young but he’s come into training and you can tell he’s got confidence.
“You can tell by the way he plays, his first touch is brilliant, the way he takes the ball and drives at players. He’s got great skill.
“Of course, like I said, very skilful and got a long way to go. But you can tell already he’s going to be one for the future and I’m sure he’s not far away from getting a first team appearance.”
OD ONE OUT
Thomas Tuchel also has a decision to make over Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The winger has so far featured in every game of Tuchel’s reign.
But the 20-year-old could be out of the starting XI again after being embarrassed by his manager at the weekend.
Tuchel, 47, opted to humiliate the youngster, by hauling him off just 30 minutes after coming on against Southampton.
Yet if he is given a shot at redemption this week, here’s an alternative way Chelsea could line-up…
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JUDGEMENT CAL
Thomas Tuchel will have some big calls to make as his side travel to Spain to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
The Blues boss is undefeated in his short tenure to date, but will surely face his sternest test yet against Diego Simeone’s LaLiga leaders.
Here’s how they could line-up…
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GET A DEAL DONN
Manchester United are plotting a move for AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports.
The news comes after SunSport exclusively revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will axe either David De Gea or Dean Henderson at the end of the season.
And the Red Devils are considering a move for Donnarumma, 21, according to Fichajes.
The Italian international is out of contract at the end of the season.
TAKING THE MIK
Arsenal need to produce a run-in worthy of champions just to MATCH Arsene Wenger’s WORST season in charge.
In fact, the Gunners have to win nine and draw two out of their last 13 games and can only afford one more defeat.
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BART BACK
Joey Barton has been unveiled as the new Bristol Rovers manager.
The former midfielder, 38, replaces Paul Tisdale at the Memorial Stadium on a contract until 2023.
Barton spent two-and-a-half years as Fleetwood boss between June 2018 and his ugly departure last month.
ICON DEATH
Mauro Bellugi, the former Inter Milan and Italy defender, has died aged 71 following horrific complications from Covid-19.
Bellugi, who was admitted to hospital in November after contracting the virus, died last Saturday.
Inter paid tribute to their former star on Twitter, writing: “Today he leaves us, a great man, a great footballer, a true ‘Interista’.
“Rest in peace Mauro Bellugi.”
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TOP MARCS
Marcus Rashford drew level with David Beckham on Manchester United’s all-time goalscoring list with a strike in the 3-1 win over Newcastle.
MOUR BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Brendan Rodgers is the even money favourite to replace Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.
Spurs continued their horror form on Sunday with a 2-1 defeat to West Ham – leaving Mourinho battling to save his job.
And Rodgers, at third place Leicester is evens with Betfair to replace Mourinho.
The Portuguese is the current favourite in the next Premier League manager to be sacked market.
RACE FOR GOLDEN BOOT
Ciro Immobile is embracing the challenge to land the Golden Shoe ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
He told UEFA’s official website: “What do I like most about Robert Lewandowski? The fact he is never satisfied.
“Every year he tries to improve and go beyond his limits, even if they are already exceptional. He is a complete striker. I think he is currently the best No 9 in the world, so we have to be very careful.
“It was crazy to beat him in the race for the Golden Boot. To challenge great players like him and Ronaldo brought me great happiness.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
ATLETI-KO
Atletico Madrid are set to be without FIVE first-team players against Chelsea on Tuesday night.
And boss Diego Simeone has had to call upon four youth-teamers in order to fill out the 21-man squad.
Yannick Carrasco, who scored in the 2016 final, will miss out due to a foot injury, having also been unavailable for Saturday’s surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Levante.
Defender Jose Gimenez will also miss the match, having pulled up with a muscle injury 54 minutes into the weekend clash with Levante.
Right-back Sime Vrsaljko has sat out of much of the campaign with a knee injury and will also be absent.
Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera is unavailable due to Covid-19.
While former Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier is still serving his betting ban.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
