Liverpool target Mbappe transfer, Andre Silva to Arsenal, World Cup qualifiers suspended – Tottenham, Chelsea news

PORT OF CALL

Joan Laporta has been elected as Barcelona president for a second time.

The 58-year-old won the vote to see off rivals Victor Font and Toni Freixa to bag the top job.

Laporta has previously held the position at the Nou Camp between 2003 and 2010.

The LaLiga side tweeted out the final results, with Laporta amassing 57.69 per cent of the vote.

Font came home in second with 31.11 per cent, with Freixa on 10.01 per cent.

RED ALERT

Liverpool should sell Mohamed Salah and re-build their squad in the same way they did after Philippe Coutinho left, says Reds legend Robbie Fowler.

Speaking in his column for The Mirror, he said: “I’m not having a go at Salah. I love him to bits.

“But I truly believe that transfers now are largely about what players want, so the ball is in his court, not Liverpool’s.

“If he wants to go, then he should go. If a player wants to leave, we have to accept it’s in the mix.

“I’m a firm believer that if they are unhappy and want to be going, then they should be going.

“Jurgen Klopp has said the same, too – he doesn’t want anyone at the club who doesn’t want to be there. It is my belief that was his attitude with Philippe Coutinho. He agitated for a move.

“Klopp didn’t want Coutinho because he thought his attitude wasn’t right, and he didn’t want that poison in his camp in the end.

“So if Salah is truly ­unhappy, if he is upset he hasn’t been given a new contract or whatever, then cash in, get as much as you can for him and use the money to make tweaks with the current team.

“I’m a fan of Salah, obviously, who wouldn’t be? But Liverpool didn’t miss Coutinho that much, did they?”

PEP TALK

Pep Guardiola shrugged off a heated touchline exchange with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United ended Man City’s run of 21 wins.

Etihad chief Guardiola swapped animated words with his counterpart after a quick City throw-in stopped United immediately replacing injured striker Marcus Rashford.

Solskjaer protested with waving arms before Mason Greenwood eventually came on, United then successfully maintaining their 2-0 lead.

Quizzed by Sky Sports afterwards, Guardiola brushed aside the matter, shaking his head and saying: “Ah, no problem, no problem – it’s solved.”

FERMIDABLE

Bruno Fernandes feels his side barely put a foot wrong in clinching a massive 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City.

The Portuguese told Sky Sports: “It’s always difficult to play against Manchester City. They are difficult on the ball and tough to play against. Today we did almost everything perfect.

“It’s not about winning against City, it’s about winning every game.

“Scoring in the first minute was perfect, we had more space to counter. We remained focused until the end of the game. When we defend well we know we’ll have chances to score.

“The league is not a sprint. It’s is a marathon. We have to do our best and not think about others.”

ANT MAN

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted with Anthony Martial ‘rediscovering’ his form versus Manchester City.

The striker was a constant menace for Pep Guardiola’s defence and won the early penalty that set Manchester United on their way to victory.

Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “Anthony was absolutely superb today, he was the Anthony of old.

“To think he was a doubt this morning, it wasn’t until after the warm-up as I wasn’t sure if he was going to play or not. So, fantastic.

“It’s football isn’t it? Today he rediscovered himself, he was really strong on the ball and positive.

“We have to be positive, every game is different. We want to play with a high tempo of course, but we had to defend well.

“You’ve got to defend so that you can attack spaces that appear.”

MEDIA FRENZY

Erik Pieters is receiving support from Burnley after receiving a torrent of online abuse following the Arsenal match.

Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty at Turf Moor, after the ball struck Pieters’ arm in the penalty box from Nicolas Pepe’s cross.

Burnley are aware of the abuse and released a statement suggesting support has been offered to Pieters and his family.

It read, “We are aware of online abuse directed at Erik Pieters following yesterday’s game.

“Thanks to all who have highlighted it.

“We are in contact with all relevant parties and offering our support to Erik and his family.”

LUKE AT THAT

Exclusive by Alan Nixon: Chelsea midfielder Luke McCormick may have played his way into a move to Millwall.

McCormick has caught the eye on a loan spell at League One Bristol Rovers and the Lions hope to tie up a deal for him in the summer.

The 22-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge before going into the last year of his deal.

That should see a switch across London to join Gary Rowett’s Championship outfit.

RAM-P IT UP

Real Madrid have told Sergio Ramos to take or leave an offer to renew his contract, according to reports.

The 34-year-old has been a huge part of the Bernabeu side since joining in 2005, earning the full-time club captaincy after a decade at the club.

According to Marca, Real have given the defender until the end of the month to decide his future.

The one-year extension on the table contains an option for another season in the Spanish capital.

MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Luke Shaw’s first goal in a year has put the away side in full control with Pep Guardiola’s men in danger of losing their winning streak.

IBRA CADABRA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly set to come out of international retirement to play for Sweden for the first time since 2016.

The AC Milan striker hasn’t played for the Scandinavian country since Euro 2016, with his last appearance for his country coming in the 1-0 defeat against Belgium.

Ibrahimovic – who expressed his interest in playing for Sweden at the 2018 World Cup – insisted last year that he wasn’t thinking of returning to the national team.

But according to FotbollDirekt, the 39-year-old is poised to end his hiatus with the maverick forward to be called up to Janne Andersson’s squad on March 16.

KNEE JERK REACTION

Derby announce they will no longer take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter because more practical action is needed.

The statement read: “Derby County’s players and staff have confirmed, unanimously, that they will no longer take a knee before matches,’ a statement read.

“This decision has been made after discussions as a group, including first-team players and senior staff members, in recent days.

“It has been decided, as a collective group, to no longer take a knee.

“This decision has been made because the symbolic gesture of taking a knee is not enough; more needs to be done and we are committed to playing an important role in this.”

CAUSE FOR KONSERN

Aston Villa are reportedly in talks with Ezri Konsa about a new deal in a bid to fend off interest from Liverpool and Tottenham.

The Mirror claim Dean Smith is desperate to keep hold of the defender and are set to offer improved terms to match his status in the squad.

The report adds that Konsa’s proposed new deal will bring him in line with some of the other top earners at the club.

MI-NO CONTRACT?

Paul Pogba’s future looks increasingly uncertain as reports claim his agent Mino Raiola has not yet opened talks with Manchester United over a new contract.

The 27-year-old, whose current deal expires next summer, has been linked with several clubs over a possible move.

According to the Daily Star, there is no current dialogue between Raiola and United.

TEAM NEWS

Here are the sides for the Manchester derby.

OH MO

Liverpool star Mo Salah gave the ball away and Fulham’s Mario Lemina took full advantage to rifle home past Alisson.

LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Steven Gerrard has won the first league title of his career as manager of Rangers.

With Celtic only able to draw 0-0 with St Mirren, Gerrard’s side were crowned SPL champs for the first time in a decade.

BLUE MOON

Chelsea are reportedly set to offer contract extensions to both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

The centre-backs have become key players under Thomas Tuchel since he replaced Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, with the German huge fans of both men.

Rudiger, 28, has started every game under the German gaffer, while Christensen, 24, has featured in five out of the last six Premier League matches.

And with the pair’s contracts to expire in 2022, it has been claimed that the Blues are keen to tie them down to new deals.

According to the Telegraph, Chelsea are planning to offer Christensen a new contract, though talks are yet to take place.

They state that the West London outfit are keen to extend the Denmark international’s stay as they are aware clubs are monitoring his situation.

And Football Insider have revealed that Chelsea are in the process of offering Rudiger a long-term deal ahead of the summer.

BRU UP A STORM

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has been criticised by Roy Keane for his ‘disrespectful’ body language.

Roy Keane took aim at Bruno Fernandes

Keane told Sky Sports ahead of the Manchester derby: “We’ve seen him taken off in a few of the games and his body language has not been great.

“There’s nothing wrong with being taken off and shaking your head for ten seconds.

“But if you’re walking off and a team-mate is coming on, and you’re throwing your arms up in the air, that’s disrespectful to your team-mate.

“And we’re on about a leader.

“If I was coming on and the player was shaking his head, almost disrespecting him, saying ‘I’m coming off for you?’, you’d have a quiet word with him in the dressing room.

“And he’s done it a number of times, so he’s on about maturity and showing respect to your team-mates, well show respect if you have a bad game and don’t be throwing your arms up in the air every two minutes.”

REAL DEAL

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly interested in bringing Real Madrid pair Lucas Vazquez and Isco to Goodison Park.

The duo were both at the Bernabeu when Ancelotti was manager between 2013 and 2015.

Everton are after Real Madrid pair Isco and Lucas VazquezCredit: AFP – Getty

According to Defensa Central, the Everton boss wants to sign Vazquez and Isco to persuade James Rodriguez to stay on Merseyside.

The Colombia international is rumoured to be unhappy at Everton and wants to leave.

It is said he does not like the weather or the physicality of the Premier League.

Rodriguez has rejected the possibility of a return to Real Madrid, claiming that ‘nobody’ wants him there.

FER REAL

Bruno Fernandes lifted the lid on what he thinks is the key to beating Manchester City in today’s derby at the Etihad.

The Portuguese midfielder told the club’s website: “We know it’s always difficult to play against City; we have to do everything good, almost perfection I think.

“The idea of the football they play is easy to understand but it’s difficult to play against.

“Everyone understands the way they play, they want to have the ball, they want to put pressure on and when they lose it they try to win it straight away.

“Everyone knows that, but it’s difficult to play against and difficult to win the ball and have some possession for a long time against them.

“But I think we have to understand what we can do against that type of game and what we can do better to win the game. We all know it’s difficult for us, but it will be difficult them in the same way.”

SPEND ON ART

Arsenal have to back Mikel Arteta with funds in the transfer window, says Martin Keown.

The former Gunner argues Arsenal are in a transition phase so Arteta needs money to strengthen all the areas required.

On BT Sport, Keown said: “It was a disastrous start to the season – 14 points from 14 games. They’ve lost 11 games already this season. We are in a rebuilding process.

“Now there is a nucleus of youngsters at Arsenal that they’re relying heavily on. There are some good players. We need to give them a chance.

“I feel if Smith-Rowe was fit today, Odegaard would not be playing. It does point to the direction that the manager wants to go.

“He wants to play this total football style of play, with people who are really technically very gifted.

“There’s no doubt he can do that, Odegaard. Today’s a really big opportunity for him to stamp his future on this football club.”

NO MOUR OF THAT

Jose Mourinho produced a brutal stats sheet to slate Kevin De Bruyne’s performances at Chelsea, the midfielder has revealed.

De Bruyne told Sky Sports: “There was so much in the press about my relationship with Jose Mourinho.

“But the truth is that I only ever spoke to him twice. The plan was always for me to go on loan for a bit.

“Jose called me into his office in December, and it was probably the second big life-changing moment for me.

“He had some papers in front of him, and he said, ‘One assist. Zero goals. Ten recoveries’.

“It took me a minute to understand what he was doing. Then he started reading the stats of the other attacking forwards – Willian, Oscar, [Juan] Mata, [Andre] Schurrle. And it’s like – five goals, ten assists, whatever.

“Jose was just kind of waiting for me to say something, and finally I said, ‘But… some of these guys have played 15, 20 games. I’ve only played three. So it’s going to be different, no?’.

“It was so strange. I was completely honest. I said, ‘I feel like the club doesn’t really want me here. I want to play football. I’d rather you sell me’.”

BARC FOR GOOD?

Lionel Messi has voted in the Barcelona presidential election – the outcome of which could desire his future.

MAN ALIVE

Do any Manchester United players make it into a combined XI with runaway Prem leaders City?

MO GO – EXCLUSIVE

Blackburn are ready to go foreign if they decide to dump Tony Mowbray as boss.

Owners Venkys and advisers have been looking into a new direction as they review the four-year stint of Mowbray.

They have been on a poor run of results, and the club want to see where it has all gone wrong.

The success of young up-and-coming coaches from abroad — such as Barnsley’s Valerian Ismail — have put them on alert.

This suggests Rovers could look for a foreign boss in their bid to return to the Premier League.

Mowbray had a reprieve yesterday with a 2-0 win at Millwall after goals from Bradley Dack and Sam Gallagher.

But they are still only 15th in the Championship, and had plans of pushing for a promotion spot this campaign.