Chelsea sweat on Lukaku fitness ahead of Juventus clash, Newcastle enter Vlahovic transfer race, Southgate new contract

BACK ONLINE

Jack Grealish has resurfaced despite sitting out Manchester City’s clash with Everton after picking up a knock on international duty.

The England star had been keeping a low profile while his name hit the headlines when his love triangle drama emerged in The Sun.

He remained tight-lipped on his social media accounts as reports connected him to a series of glamorous women.

But the 26-year-old broke cover on Sunday when he posted a clip on Instagram from the Etihad stands… with three blue love hearts.

Grealish watched on as City trounced Everton 3-0 to go second in the Premier League.

FEELING BLUE

James Rodriguez debuted a shock new turquoise hairstyle – much to the amusement of fellow football stars.

The ex-Everton and Real Madrid playmaker unveiled the electric new look on his social media accounts.

And footballing pals couldn’t wait to let him know what they thought of his colourful barnet.

Fellow Colombia international Radamel Falcoa replied simply: “What happened there?!”

Ex-Monaco team-mate Joao Moutinho likened him to Dragon Ball Z character Goku – famed for his changing hair colour.

And Ex-Bayern Munich colleague Arturo Vidal commented with a brutal combination of shocked and laughing emojis.

DIMITRI DISTRESS

Dimitri Payet admitted he is ‘afraid to take corners’ ever again after a Lyon yob threw a bottle at his head.

The Marseille star, 34, was heading over to take the set piece just four minutes into Sunday evening’s Ligue 1 game.

But a full bottle of water smashed him across the face, leaving him needing medical treatment.

As reported by L’Equipe, Payet filed a charge of ‘aggravated willful violence’ against the supporter.

Police visited the Marseille training ground on Monday to take the ex-West Ham man’s statement.

He told the authorities: “We had just started the match when I received a full plastic water bottle at the level of the skull and more precisely at the level of the left ear.

“I immediately felt a sharp pain and fell to the ground. I was stunned.

“I don’t know where the bottle came from. I did not see the perpetrator. 

“I stayed several minutes on the ground, the pain was intense.

“I am now afraid of taking corners when I play away.”

POWER SERG

Sergio Ramos’s Paris Saint-Germain career could finally be about to get underway.

The defender has been crocked with a calf injury since moving to the Ligue 1 leaders last summer.

The ex-Real Madrid star is yet to make an appearance in Mauricio Pochettino’s star-studded side.

But that could finally be about to change after he was named in the squad to face Manchester City on Wednesday.

Ramos made a whopping 671 appearances during a 16-year spell at Real.

He moved to the French capital this summer alongside other blockbuster signings such as Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

NO WORDS

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was lost for words when asked for his opinion on Manchester United’s manager debacle.

Ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given the sack on the weekend and the Red Devils have been linked with a string of names like Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane.

But when asked who he thinks will get the United vacant position, Klopp had nothing to say, insisting that the Red Devils were the last thing on his mind.

He said: “Sorry, I’m really not prepared for that question. I didn’t think about Man Utd for a second and I didn’t think about what impact the manager has, should have or whatever.

“It’s six years since I had to think about these kind of things, sorry. It was a long question and I don’t have an answer for that.”

FAMILY PLANNING

John Terry revealed the brilliant advice Dean Smith gave him after hammering a player struggling with secret family issues.

Terry, 40, was Smith’s assistant for three years at Aston Villa before leaving the role in the summer.

JT learnt a lot from the new Norwich boss, especially when it came to man management, as he takes his own steps towards becoming a No1 in the dugout.

The Chelsea legend appeared as a pundit on beIN Sports and recalled the classy story.

“I won’t name the player but [I was] working as an assistant at Aston Villa under Dean, who thinks about the players constantly, the lads love him and it’s obviously a shame he lost his job.

“We were training and I wasn’t happy with one particular player. I kind of dug him out and had a one-on-one.

“I said to the gaffer, ‘I’m not happy’. He said, ‘OK, explain it to him.’

“I sat him down and basically went mad at him. I said, ‘Not good enough, you’re not in the team, that’s not going to get you in the team performing like that.’

“He came back, we had a little debate. I told the manager and he said, ‘Have you asked him about his family life?’

“It didn’t even enter my head, not at all. The next morning, I texted him and said, ‘Get in early, we’ll have a bit of breakfast.’

“It was during Covid, his family were away, he’d not seen his mum and dad, he’d just had a baby and I was like, ‘Wow.’ I learnt so much working under Dean for those little bits.

“We ended up giving him a day off so he could spend time with his family.

“It was incredible – after that he was like a new player, fighting to get back in the team. Again, it’s man management.

“You need a touch nowadays, a soft side.”

POR BLIMEY

Man City’s forgotten man Pedro Porro is being chased by Real Madrid, according to reports.

The full-back, 22, has never played for City’s first team since joining for £11million from Girona in 2019.

He has spent all of his time out on loan, first at Real Valladolid, before agreeing a two-year switch to Sporting Lisbon last year.

Porro has impressed in Portugal, with Sporting possessing an option to make the deal permanent for around £7m.

According to O Jogo, however, they are struggling to raise the funds to meet City’s asking price.

Also complicating matters is interest from Real Madrid.

HELP TO BUY 

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has made a public promise to new boss Antonio Conte – despite revealing the huge cost of Covid.

With a small number of fans allowed in to just two Prem games last season, Spurs saw gate income fall by more than £92million to less than £2m.

The N17 clubs missed out on around £6m in income for every home game played behind closed doors, contributing to a total revenue fall of £60m – to £362m – and losses of £80m.

But in his chairman’s message published alongside the official financial results, Levy referred to the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, appointment of Italian Conte and the club’s ambitions.

Levy said: “It is far from ideal to make changes to coaching staff.

“However, we have acted swiftly and decisively when we felt it necessary, always looking to act in the best interests of the Club.

“The appointments of Fabio Paratici as managing director of football and Antonio are a clear demonstration of our intent and ambition.

“Since opening the stadium in April, 2019, we have spent almost £400m on players.

“Player spending is no guarantee of success, and our focus must be on improved recruitment, coaching, fitness and a competitive mindset.

“Fabio continued the rebuild in the summer, resulting in the average age of our new summer signings being 22 years compared to the average age of 31 years for the outgoing players.

“We shall also look to continue the well-established path for youngsters from our Academy to our First Team.

“I know that Antonio’s approach is if a player is good enough, he will play, regardless of status or age.”

MARC MY WORDS 

Marc Overmars is reportedly unwilling to make the move from Ajax to become Newcastle’s director of football.

The Arsenal legend, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in the 1997-98 season, has been linked with relocating to Tyneside following the club’s £300million takeover.

But according to De Telegraaf, Overmars will NOT be joining Newcastle any time soon, as he ‘isn’t interested’ in the job.

They have even stated that the former Barcelona winger has not taken up the Toon’s invite to have a conversation with him.

HOME GROWN

Pau Torres refused to give up on Villarreal despite multi-million pound interest from Tottenham this summer.

The defender was a top target in North London as Spurs looked to rebuild under then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

But the 24-year-old has revealed the prospect of playing in Europe with his boyhood club was enough for him to snub a Premier League move.

He told the Guardian: “The pull of playing the Champions League with the team from my town was bigger. I was clear from the start.

“This is only the fourth time Villarreal reached the Champions League, which shows how hard it is and it was a dream to play the competition with my lifelong club.

“The president didn’t put pressure on me, even though they could make a lot of money.

“He always said “the decision’s yours,” that he’d respect it. I appreciate that.”

NOT THE BEST

Mo Salah’s still got a long way to go before he can be called the best player in the world, according to ex-Manchester United star Kleberson.

Salah’s scintillating form for Liverpool this season has seen critics label him the world’s best.

But Kleberson’s not convinced the Egyptian’s done more than the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar to be given the accolade.

He told Paddy Power: “Mohamed Salah isn’t the best player in the world, but he’s been consistently brilliant.

“For a long time now, he’s played excellent football. He certainly isn’t a one season wonder and I can understand why Jürgen Klopp called him the best in Europe.

“Beside Salah, Liverpool have a good team that provides great support, and he looks happy there.

“Things are going well for Salah, but he’s not the best player in the world right now.

“For me, it’s tough to say who is the world’s best player because I measure it by those who play well for club and country.”

“Football has changed a lot. For many years, we had Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and sometimes Neymar, but there’s no one who has shown more than they have.”

COLD SHOULDER

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has accused Cesar Azpilicueta of having ‘no balls’ as he refused to apologise for his vicious shoulder charge.

Ibrahimovic clattered into the Chelsea defender during Sweden’s World Cup qualifier defeat to Spain earlier in November.

The veteran forward was booked as a result and will miss Sweden’s play-off semi-final game to qualify for next year’s Qatar tournament.

Sweden will discover their opponents when the draw is made on Friday.

But Ibrahimovic insisted he has no regrets as he claimed he was sticking up for a team-mate targeted by Azpilicueta

He told the Guardian: “The other day in the national team, I gave a tackle to (Azpilicueta). I did it on purpose.

“I’m not ashamed to say it because he did something stupid to my player. Acting big to my player.

“It was a stupid thing but I would still do it to make him understand: ‘You don’t f***ing do that.

“‘You don’t have balls to do it against me. But I will show you what happens if you do it to me.’ That’s why I did it.”

POCH JOB

MANCHESTER UNITED are ‘confident’ of appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager, according to reports.

And the Argentine is thought to be willing to make the move to Old Trafford immediately.

The Red Devils need to bring in a new boss after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

And Paris Saint-Germain chief Pochettino is high on their wishlist.

Now, according to the Manchester Evening News, United feel they are on course to secure a deal to land the ex-Tottenham gaffer.

However, it would cost the Old Trafford club £10million in compensation to PSG for them to release him from his contract at the Parc des Princes.

Added to the £7.5m pay-off Solskjaer received and payments for under-contract coaches, the total cost of the managerial change could be close to £20m.

The MEN report adds that United have not yet made an official approach for Poch, who is in Manchester ahead of his side’s Champions League clash against City tomorrow.

KOP IT

Lionel Messi reckons Liverpool could win the Champions League once more this season.

The Reds have been in impressive form this season and PSG star Messi thinks they may be able to scoop the European trophy if they keep it up, just like they did in 2019.

But the Argentine wouldn’t rule out several European sides including Liverpool’s rivals Manchester City to win the coveted trophy.

He said to Marca: “Today, Liverpool is very well, it has returned to being the Liverpool that won the Champions League.

“Then there are [Manchester] City, Bayern [Munich], [Real] Madrid, Atlético [Madrid]…

“There are many teams that can fight for this Champions League, which is one of the most even and competitive in recent years because there are several teams that can choose to win it.”

THE LONG CON

Conor Gallagher is insistent that he is not just playing at Crystal Palace to put himself in ‘the shop window’.

The Chelsea youngster has thrived at Selhurst Park, earning an England debut with his brilliant displays.

Gallagher, 21, has put teams on notice after wowing for Palace.

But it is at Stamford Bridge where he still dreams of shining brightest.

NO FROM LEO

Lionel Messi will not complete a dream return to Barcelona any time soon after Joan Laporta took a sly dig at him during Dani Alves’ presentation.

According to Spanish papers AS and Fichajes, Messi has no intention of returning to the Nou Camp and is determined to stick it out at PSG.

Messi’s former team-mate Dani Alves, 38, completed a sensational return to the Catalan giants earlier this month, having initially left the club five years ago.

And at the Brazilian defender’s presentation, president Laporta, 59, appeared to suggest there was a possibility that Messi could return to Barca.

And though it appears the door is well and truly open for a return to the Nou Camp one day, reports in Spain suggest Messi is too ‘proud’ to quit PSG.

It is claimed that his ambition is to win the Champions League and he is prepared to ‘endure’ life in Paris, even if he is ‘not happy or comfortable’.

ANSU RAID

Barcelona star Ansu Fati’s home was burgled for money, watches and expensive jewellery as he watched his team beat rivals Espanyol.

The 19-year-old reported Saturday night’s break-in himself at a police station in Sant Cugat del Valles north of the Catalan capital on Monday.

Family members raised the alarm around 10pm on Saturday after hearing noises coming from an upstairs room while enjoying Barcelona’s 1-0 win in Xavi’s first home game in charge downstairs.

Police rushed to the property but the burglars had already fled with the valuables by the time they arrived.

Fati, currently out injured in a new setback following his return from a knee injury that kept him out for ten months, was in the Nou Camp stands at the time.

TAKE ZLAT

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has told former club Manchester United to stop banging on about the past.

The Red Devils are searching for a new manager after sacking club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday.

The Norwegian was a star of the Sir Alex Ferguson era but United have not won the Premier League since the Scot retired in 2013.

And Ibrahimovic, who spent two years at Old Trafford from 2016, has called on the club to stop relying on its history for inspiration.

He told the Guardian: “They talk too much about the past. When I went there I said: ‘I’m here to focus on the present and to make my own story.’

“But when you have too much it becomes like a loop. You have to think about the present or you should go to a hospital and clean your head.”

NEW ERA

Manchester United begin the post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era with a tough Champions League clash away at Villarreal TONIGHT – but take note of the kick-off time.

Solskjaer was sacked by the club at the weekend following their 4-1 loss to Watford in the Premier League.

Michael Carrick was confirmed as temporary boss while United look for an interim manager to lead the side for the remainder of the season.

And Carrick’s first job is to ensure the Red Devils take a giant leap toward qualification to the last-16 of Europe’s elite competition.

The last time the two sides played, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 90th-minute winner at Old Trafford.

But it was back in May when the Spanish team, led by Unai Emery, defeated United on penalties in the Europa League final.

LACA URGENCY

Arsenal will not discuss a new contract with Alex Lacazette until the end of the season – even if they risk losing him for nothing, writes MARK IRWIN.

The striker, 30, is in the final few months of his £200,000-a-week deal and can open talks with overseas clubs in January.

Boss Mikel Arteta has not ruled out extending the France international’s stay but said: “We are not going to be talking about new contracts until the end of the season.”

Lacazette, a then clubrecord £52million buy when he signed from Lyon in 2017, knows he will not be short of offers.

Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Marseille and Newcastle are among those monitoring his situation.

As a free agent Lacazette could get a hefty signing fee.

Arsenal will NOT offer him a long-term deal on his current salary but possibly a 12-month contract.

However, Lacazette is not impressed by the club’s lack of urgency in sorting out his future.

POCHETTINO’S RECORD AT PSG

Here is how the Argentinian has gotten on at Paris Saint-Germain as he aims to face Manchester City in the Champions League tomorrow night.

If you believe reports, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping to make his stay in Manchester much longer though, if United can persuade him to quit PSG for them.

UNAI SORRY FOR OLE

Unai Emery says he feels sympathy for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his axe at Manchester United.

The Villarreal boss beat Solskjaer’s side in May’s Europa League final – the closest they came to silverware under the Norwegian.

Now former Arsenal chief Emery wants to leave United on the brink of a Champions League exit tonight.

But he said: “As a coach, you don’t welcome the news that a colleague has lost his job.

“I have a lot of respect for Solskjaer because of his playing and coaching career.

“I’ve faced Solskjaer several times and above all, I value him as a great person.

“When there’s a coaching change, there’s a reaction one way or another.

“The players know, even though they are professional and must always deliver, that they have to show their faces, for Manchester, for the coach that left and the one that has arrived or will come.

“I expect a very good Manchester United because of their players and the significance of this game.”

BACK PAGE HEADLINES

SunSport has led today’s paper on Harry Maguire revealing what the players said to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before he left Manchester United.

And of course news of Gareth Southgate’s new England contract.

GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS

England manager Gareth Southgate has officially signed a new double-your-money £6million contract until December 2024, the FA has confirmed.

Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland has also penned a new deal, keeping the pair in charge of the Three Lions through until after the next European Championship.

The English head coach has been in charge at St George’s Park since 2016, when he stepped up from his role with the Under-21s to replace Sam Allardyce.

And the 51-year-old has since taken England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the final of Euro 2020, as well as recently sealing qualification for Qatar 2022.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is open to taking over at Manchester United.

That is according to Manchester Evening News, who also report that Pochettino is prepared to join United mid-season.

The same reports claim the Argentine coach always had the ambition of managing the Red Devils.

The former Tottenham boss was the board’s top choice to replace Jose Mourinho in 2018 but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won them over during his stint as caretaker manager.

But Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has also been contacted by United after Solskjaer’s dismissal, according to SunSport’s Neil Custis.

The Red Devils are also prepared to splash £8million in compensation to the Foxes for Rodgers.

The former Liverpool head coach has a clause in his contract letting him speak to certain clubs if they come knocking — and the Manchester giants are among them.

Solskjaer was sacked on Sunday morning following a poor start to the campaign.

Finally, Arsenal will not discuss a new deal with Alexandre Lacazette until the end of the season even though they risk losing him for nothing in the summer, according to SunSport’s Mark Irwin.

Lacazette is in the final few months of his £200,000-a-week contract and will be free to open talks with overseas clubs in January.

Manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out the possibility of extending the centre-forward’s deal but wants to put negotiations on hold for now.

That is a major transfer boost for Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Marseille and Newcastle, who are among the clubs monitoring the France international.

ZINEDINE ZI-DONE

Zinedine Zidane is not interested in becoming the next Manchester United head coach.

That is according to BBC Sport, who claim that Zidane is not keen on replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the United dugout.

The Red Devils have reportedly made contact with the ex-Real Madrid manager, who is currently a free agent.

The French head coach experienced immense success at Real as he won two LaLiga titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies