CHELSEA defender Antonio Rudiger is reportedly in transfer talks with Man City’s representatives.
The German started in the Blues’ 7-0 win over Norwich on Saturday, but has generally been frozen out by Thomas Tuchel.
Meanwhile Lionel Messi had his hands full with a pitch invader as PSG drew 0-0 at Marseille, but he beat the home fan with as much ease as any defender in an uncomfortable incident.
And Newcastle are still looking for a new permanent manager with Paulo Fonseca the favourite.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
DEAL ME IN
Chelsea are reportedly set to hand a new contract to Trevoh Chalobah.
The 22-year-old has been a breakout star for the Blues this season, playing nine times already while scoring two goals.
Thomas Tuchel is eager to ensure Chalobah is rewarded for making his way into the senior squad.
And the defender is set for a huge wage boost on a long-term deal, with his current contract expiring next summer.
SHOWDOWN TALKS
Man Utd managing director Richard Arnold has cancelled all appointments to holds talks with co-owner Joel Glazer about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future, reports suggest.
That is according to The Guardian, who report that Arnold has cleared his schedule on Monday for a meeting with Glazer regarding the under-fire manager’s situation following Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing to Liverpool.
United’s hierarchy are seriously considering the Norwegian head coach’s future after taking one point from their past four Premier League games.
But a potential decision would take place later on Monday as Glazer lives in Florida and is thus five hours behind the UK.
BREAKING
Man Utd are considering SACKING Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before this weekend’s game against Tottenham, according to reports.
The under-fire Norwegian boss, 48, watched in horror as his side were ripped apart by Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
And now, Manchester Evening News claim the club are considering axing Solskjaer.
The ex-Cardiff chief could be given the boot BEFORE Saturday’s game against Tottenham.
Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane are already being linked with the United job.
ROM THE MEND
Romelu Lukaku has signalled he’s on the mend as he faces up to a month on the sidelines.
The Chelsea striker posted a picture that showed him getting treatment on the right ankle he injured against Malmo last week.
Looking laid back as he relaxed on a sofa, Lukaku captioned the image on his Instagram account with a clock and battery emojis.
The 28-year-old clearly vowed to come back stronger as he plans to recharge while his ankle heals.
LOOKING AT LANG
Club Brugge winger Noa Lang is a reported target for the Gunners.
According to Voetbal24, Arsenal are willing to offer £25million for the Dutchman when the January transfer window opens.
The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Leeds in the summer, but The Athletic report the Whites are pulled out of a deal due to a low work rate off the ball.
His Dutch teammate Memphis Depay though has labelled Lang as a ‘monster’ of a player to Eleven Sports.
There is no denying Lang’s talent, but the question is where would he fit in Arsenal’s stacked forward line?
HARRY PAIN
Despite having played eight games, Harry Kane has scored just ONCE in the Prem this term – compared to seven at the same stage last season.
He’s taken far fewer shots – with just 18 all season, compared to 38 last season – and a horror conversion rate of just 5.6 per cent, down from 18.4 per cent a year ago.
Kane has just ONE assist, compared to eight at the same point 12 months ago and has created just seven chances, down from 18.
And while the superstar striker is passing the ball slightly more accurately, he’s making fewer of them.
His overall touches are down by roughly nine per game and he’s losing possession more when he does have the ball.
Usually so strong in the air, Kane’s aerial success rate is down from 47.1 per cent to just 34.1 per cent.
‘LOST FAITH’
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly ‘lost the faith’ of a number of players in his Manchester United squad.
According to ESPN, Solskjaer only has the support of his core British players and a small number of overseas stars.
The Norwegian is said to be angering his dressing room for favouring out of form players, not resolving gaping defensive issues, and not giving the likes of Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard a chance.
However the report does go on to state the atmosphere at the club is not ‘as toxic as it was under Mourinho’.
WILL I NEVER
The Gunners are rumoured to be preparing a move for Portuguese international William Carvalho.
According to Fichajes, Mikel Arteta is in the market for a midfielder who can provide cover for the injury prone Thomas Partey.
The report states Arsenal are even willing to make a move for the 29-year-old Real Betis midfielder in the January transfer window.
Transfermarkt value the 69-cap Portugal man at £13.5million, so a potential deal would not break the Gunners’ bank.
KROOS CONTROL
Pep Guardiola reportedly wants to sign Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.
According to El Nacional Guardiola is keen on a reunion with 31-year-old midfielder Kroos – who he managed for one season in 2013/14 at Bayern Munich.
And with Fernandinho out of contract at the end of the season, City could look to bring in an experienced midfielder.
The German is out of contract at the Bernabeu in 2024, meaning Los Blancos could be forced into a sale next summer to avoid losing him on a free 12 months later.
MESSI START
Lionel Messi has officially had his worst start to a season since 2005-06 after he failed to score again in PSG’s 0-0 draw with Marseille last night.
Messi, 34, has played 303 minutes of Ligue 1 football for PSG so far, but has still not found the back of the net for the Parisians.
He has made only three starts and one substitute appearances in the league so far after an injury ruled him out of wins against Metz and Montpellier.
His involvement for the national team also kept him out of the 2-1 victory over Angers, with PSG winning every game that Messi has missed out on this season.
OU ARE YA?
Super-rich Newcastle are reportedly in talks with Ousmane Dembele’s agent regarding a move for the 24-year-old.
According to outlet Sport, the Frenchman’s agent has contacted the Magpies and Juventus.
Demebele is out of contract with Barcelona in the summer, and has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou.
Chiefs at the club are eager to tie him down to a new deal, but the player is turning a ‘deaf ear’ to their offers.
He is free to begin negotiations with clubs outside of Spain from January 1 for a pre-contract agreement that would see him leave the Catalan giants upon the expiry of his contract.
DOUBLE CENTURY
Yesterday’s thrashing of Manchester United was Jurgen Klopp’s 200th win as Liverpool manager in all competitions.
The German is the quickest boss in Liverpool’s history to achieve that feat.
He’s done it in just 331 games – faster than some of the greatest names in Liverpool history.
Kenny Dalglish is second fastest to the record, doing so in 333 games, with Bob Paisley third (350 games) and Billy Shankly fourth (382 games).
SOLSKJAER FUTURE
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Manchester United will come to a decision regarding the future of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the coming days.
Pressure is mounting on the Norwegian after yesterday’s annihilation at the hands of Liverpool, and following four games without a win in the Premier League.
Romano revealed, via Twitter: “No meeting in the night for Man Utd board. They’ll decide final position in the next hours/days – Solskjaer has always been protected so far
“#MUFC Rumours about Antonio Conte ‘not considering’ Man Utd job were NOT true. But no official talks yet.”
‘SURPRISED’
Michail Antonio scored his sixth goal in eight Premier League outings yesterday.
He got in front of Harry Kane at a corner to divert home an Aaron Creswell delivery.
Although 31-year-old Antonio has revealed he was only in that position to block Kane, admitting he was surprised to find the back of the net.
He said: “To be fair, I wasn’t really there to score today, I was kind of there to block Harry.
“But the ball has come my way, being the poacher that I am, I stuck my foot out.
“I am not going to lie, I am surprised it went in. I kind of just got my foot there, just to get in front of him and it’s gone into the bottom corner.”
AARON’S ANALYSIS
West Ham’s victory over Tottenham yesterday took the Hammers up to fourth in the Premier League.
And after an impressive start to the season domestically and in Europe fans are getting excited about potentially qualifying for the Champions League come the end of the season.
When asked on the club’s targets, left-back Aaron Cresswell said: “I don’t think we’re looking at targets at this stage of the season and saying we’ll finish top four because we got sixth last year.
“We know how tough the Premier League is, the money that is involved with the big boys and some of the players they can bring in.
“It is really tough to break into that and it’s an old cliche but we’ll take it one day at a time.”
LINING UP LACA
Mega-rich Newcastle are lining up a move for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
According to the Sunday People, the Magpies are eyeing a move for the Frenchman in their planned overhaul of the club.
Mikel Arteta ruled out a January exit for the 30-year-old, meaning the club are facing the prospect of losing him for free next summer.
And despite having cash to burn, Newcastle are seeking a shrewd deal by signing the striker on a free at the end of the season.
Both clubs in Milan, as well as Atletico Madrid, have also been credited with an interest in the ex-Lyon man.
DONNY DILEMMA
Donny van de Beek was reportedly denied a loan move to Everton in the summer.
But after a lack of first team chances this season, rumours regarding his future continue to swirl.
According to Calciomercato, Juventus, Inter and AC Milan are all interested in a move for the 24-year-old Dutchman.
But the 24-year-old reportedly favours a move to Real Madrid over a switch to Italy.
ROM RETURN
Romelu Lukaku has taken to Instagram after missing the 7-0 thumping against Norwich with an ankle injury.
He hobbled off during the 4-0 win against Malmo in the Champions League.
And SunSport exclusively revealed that the 28-year-old could be out of action for up to a month.
The Belgian didn’t give fans an indication as to when he would be back in his post, simply captioning the picture of him having treatment on his ankle with a clock emoji and a green light.
JOR DROPPING
Jordi Alba is reportedly unsure on his future at Barcelona, according to outlet El Nacional.
The 32-year-old Camp Nou captain is contracted to the club until the summer of 2024.
But he is said to be weighing up a move away from the cash strapped club.
He is reportedly still in regular contact with former teammate Lionel Messi, and considering a move to French giants PSG.
Barca though see the senior player as one of their key men, and are unlikely to want to sell the left-back.
BOTTOM HALF
And here’s how the bottom half of the table shapes up.
Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley remain winless after nine games, while Watford climb to 14th after their stunning 5-2 win against Everton.
Premier League newbies Brentford drop into the bottom half of the table for the first time this campaign following their home defeat to Leicester.
AS IT STANDS
Here’s a look at the Premier League table after nine rounds of matches.
It’s looking like a three-horse title race this season, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City setting the pace early on.
Manchester United drop to seventh after yesterday’s drubbing, meaning there could also be an exciting battle for fourth spot on the cards.
EGYPTIAN KING
It was quite the day for Mo Salah yesterday.
His hat-trick at Old Trafford takes him to 107 Premier League goals, overtaking former Blues team-mate Didier Drogba (105) to the record of top-scoring African player in Prem history.
He also leads Jamie Vardy in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot – what would be his third crown since his 2017 transfer – with ten goals to the Leicester man’s seven.
And Salah is now the first Liverpool player to score in ten straight games in all competitions.
Finally Salah is the first Reds ace to find the back of the net in three straight games at Man Utd.
‘DREAM’
Chelsea academy graduates Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James all netted in the Blues’ 7-0 thumping against Norwich on Saturday.
Speaking on the success of his homegrown talents, Tuchel said: “It is [a dream]
“It is as easy as that, it is full of quality coaches and quality leaders and the guys who come from the academy onto our pitch are all of the same, made from the same spirit, same attitude, humble guys, who know what it is to play for Chelsea, know what it takes to be serious, to be humble.
“And there is no problem in being a nice guy and still playing a hard match of football and a serious match of football.”
ANDREA’S OFF
Torino and Italy striker Andrea Belotti will leave the club as a free agent next summer.
Torino manager Ivan Juric confirmed, via Fabrizio Romano: “Belotti won’t sign the contract extension”.
“Andrea is not gonna leave in January. He’ll decide his future in June.”
Arsenal have previously been linked with a move for the 27-year-old Euro 2020 winner.
And with Alexandre Lacazette also out of contract next summer, it could be a case of one in one out for the Gunners.
WENGER’S WORDS
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sent a message to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s after the Red Devils were mauled 5-0 at Old Trafford yesterday
As a man who often came under pressure in his last year’s at Arsenal, the Frenchman is well versed when it comes to taking criticism.
He told beIN SPORTS: “You can say a few words, the first thing is to protect the club and the team in the press.
“Not to come out with statements that create an even deeper crisis. You know you are in a crisis and you know you have a lot of work to do to get the mentality right in the team again because it’s a massive blow.
“Overall, you just try not to make it even worse than it is. It’s always your responsibility. Liverpool had a great day today. It can happen sometimes but in a big game the damage is massive.
“At the moment Manchester United are in-between pressing and dropping off and that is a little bit the worse situation for a team.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
