MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly made contact with Karim Benzema’s entourage over a huge January move.
Pep Guardiola’s side are also said to be keen on luring Pedri from Barcelona, even though the Spain international has just signed a new deal.
One way to push the transfer through could be to offer Ferran Torres in return, with the winger said to be Barca’s top target.
And Neymar is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he was forced onto crutches after suffering a horror injury for PSG at Saint-Etienne.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
KANE ENSURES THE SNOW MUST GO ON FOR YANK FAN
Harry Kane made sure a Tottenham fanatic’s epic journey did not go to waste after snow cancelled their game against Burnley.
The Spurs-mad supporter travelled all the way from Texas to Turf Moor to watch his team play – only for freezing weather to see the game postponed.
That threatened to leave the unlucky fan with nothing to show for his voyage across the pond.
But he had earlier tweeted details of his 31-hour journey as he homed in on Lancashire.
And that tweet was picked up by Spurs skipper Harry Kane, who had already arrived in Burnley for the scheduled 2pm kick-off.
Clearly inspired by the spirit of giving ahead of Christmas, the striker offered to host the fan at the club’s next home game.
Kane replied on Twitter: “Just been sent this tweet and absolutely gutted for you!
“For your commitment and to make up for the match being called off I’d like to invite you to a home game as my guest when you’re next in London.”
WOR FLOR
EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle want to beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma to sign Austrian star Florian Grillitsch in the window, writes ALAN NIXON.
The Toon are hoping to persuade versatile Grillitsch to choose them in January and add his class to Eddie Howe’s survival fight.
Hoffenheim’s Grillitsch can play defensive midfielder or even sweeper and is available to sign a pre-contract as he is a free agent next summer.
If Grillitsch fancies the challenge, Newcastle can then make an offer to buy him from the Germans for a bargain £3 or £4million.
The Toon have been chasing Grillitsch for months and he is one of the easier players for them to land right now – as prices are high in the domestic market when they take an interest.
Grillitsch also has Roma keen on him, but Newcastle have the money to tempt him their way – even if there are no guarantees that they stay up.
The talented Austrian will face Wales and possibly Scotland on the way to World Cup qualification and Grillitsch could be a Premier League player by then.
The Magpies are desperate for reinforcements when the window reopens to help them avoid a relegation dogfight.
BAILLY CONFIRMS RANGNICK COMING IN
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has revealed Ralf Rangnick is arriving as interim boss.
Bailly told RMC Sport: “Yes, we’ve been told in the dressing room about the arrival of the new manager.”
GR-EIGHT TAMMY
Tammy Abraham made it eight goals for Roma this season as he scored the winner against Torino.
The former Chelsea striker was set up by ex-Arsenal playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the half hour mark.
Abraham brilliantly controlled Mkhitaryan’s pass, turned and slotted past Torino keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
The win leaves Jose Mourinho’s Roma fifth in the Serie A table, with Napoli ten points ahead in the lead.
Abraham, 24, signed for Mourinho this summer after leaving boyhood club Chelsea, who later signed Romelu Lukaku, 28, from Inter Milan.
He said: “I love AS Roma since day one. I feel home here at Roma, there’s nothing like scoring goals in this stadium, in front of our fans.”
Despite Abraham’s sole opener separating the sides, manager Mourinho said it should have been more.
He told DAZN: “It wasn’t easy for us to press them tonight because of how wide their defenders get, honestly I expected us to score more.
KEANE DISAGREES WITH ALL OF CARRICK’S INTERVIEW
Roy Keane disagreed ‘with everything’ Michael Carrick said in his post-match interview and claimed Manchester United are giving a ‘job for the boys’.
Carrick is currently filling in as temporary United boss following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And he saw his side leave Stamford Bridge with a point after holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw.
Afterwards, Carrick told Sky Sports: “I’m disappointed actually when you’re in front in a game like this to have it taken away form you like it was is disappointing.
“I’m immensely proud of the players, the whole group, the staff all week in difficult situations trying to make the best of it.
“We can’t hide from the fact that it has been tough at times but we made the best of it and I’m immensely proud of how we have gone about it this week but it’s a little bit of a disappointing feeling.
“We came here to win a game. We were positive in our mindset and attitude so we are a bit disappointed I can’t lie.”
NEYMAR ON CRUTCHES
Neymar was spotted using crutches after Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash with St Etienne on Sunday.
The striker was stretchered off the pitch in the closing stages of PSG’s 3-1 win at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium following a nasty tackle from Yvann Macon.
Macon’s poor tackle trapped Neymar’s left ankle and left him writing in agony.
Thankfully for the former Barcelona man, his injury didn’t require a trip to the hospital.
But he did have to make use of a protective boot as well as crutches as he made his way to the team bus.
French champions PSG are currently unsure of the severity of Neymar’s latest injury.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “We will have to see this tomorrow but from the images.
“I hope that it’s not a big deal and that he will be back with the squad quickly.
“But the action is not good.”
PEP RULES OUT BOSSING RIVAL PREM CLUB
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has all but ruled out ever managing another English club.
Champs City are just a point off the top after beating West Ham today before Manchester United held leaders Chelsea 1-1.
And Guardiola said: “In England being here, always I will be Man City manager – and if they ever want me back, I will come back to City.
“I don’t think I will train another club in England apart from this one.”
RESULT: CHELSEA 1 MAN UTD 1
The Red Devils clung on for a point – but Antonio Rudiger smashed a golden chance high for the Blues seconds from the end of stoppage time.
Jadon Sancho bagged United’s smooth breakaway opener on 50 minutes before Jorginho’s penalty leveller,
For all the reaction from Stamford Bridge click on our match blog HERE.
NEYMAR HORROR INJURY
PSG superstar Neymar has suffered a horror injury against St Etienne at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
The star forward appeared to have badly sprained his ankle when his left foot bent in half once it touched the ground following a tackle by Yvann Macon five minutes before full-time.
The Brazil international was in absolute agony as he screamed in pain and appeared to be crying as well.
The 29-year-old was taken off on a stretcher and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino was forced to replace him with Junior Dina Ebimbe.
Nothing is known about the former Barcelona star’s condition at the moment but it did look like a nasty injury.
MESSI’S TRIPLE ASSIST
Sergio Ramos finally made his Paris Saint-Germain debut – but saw his thunder stolen by an inspired Lionel Messi.
The former LaLiga sparring partners were both in action for the French giants in a 3-1 win at St Etienne.
It was former Real Madrid skipper Ramos’ long-awaited first competitive outing for the club after a muscle injury sidelined him for the start of the season.
The Spain defender, 35, joined the Ligue 1 side in the summer on a free from Real, and weeks later Argentina legend Messi arrived from Barcelona as a free agent.
Both started in a star-studded PSG line-up at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard stadium and Ramos made a solid start – but it was Messi who stole the show by setting up all of their three goals.
The hosts had taken a 23rd-minute lead in snowy conditions with a goal from Denis Bouanga but they were up against it when they had Timothee Kolodziejczak sent off on the stroke of half-time for a trip on Kylian Mbappe.
Messi took control after that with a free-kick from that Kolodziejczak foul which was headed in by Marquinhos to make it 1-1.
They took the lead 11 minutes from time when Messi found Angel Di Maria and he curled a shot into the far corner.
And they sealed the win in stoppage time when Messi crossed for Marquinhos to head in his second goal.
The victory extended PSG’s Ligue 1 lead to 14 points but it was marred by an injury to Neymar.
The Brazil superstar was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury after a tackle from Yvann Macon five minutes from time.
THERE’S SNOW STOPPING SEAN
IT was snow holds barred for Sean Dyche’s hardman reputation.
The grinning Burnley manager wore just a shirt and tie on the snowy Turf Moor pitch as a blizzard forced off the clash with Tottenham.
The Clarets hoped to sleigh struggling Spurs and rise above the drop zone.
But although ref Peter Bankes asked for the snow to be swept away, he eventually postponed Sunday’s match after speaking to Dyche and Tottenham chief Antonio Conte.
Dyche’s dramatic appearance, however, earned him new plaudits on social media – and even comparisons to a famous horror movie scene.
One fan posted: “Something about this reminded me of Jack Nicholson from The Shining. Sean Dyche take a bow.”
Another said: “Sean Dyche is the hardest bloke in football. I’m surprised he’s not topless.”
And one accolade suggested if the ex-defender can’t actually move mountains then he does at least have some super-human connection with nature.
It read: “Sean Dyche doesn’t feel the snow. The snow feels Sean Dyche.”
MAN CITY 2 WEST HAM 1
City went back up to second as midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho inflicted the fourth-placed Hammers’ second successive Prem loss.
Skipper Gundogan turned home Riyad Mahrez’s deflected shot on 33 minutes amid a first-half snow blizzard.
And anchorman Fernandinho drilled his first top-flight goal for three years in the 90th minute, just after coming on.
Manuel Lanzini replied for below-par West Ham with the final kick of the game four minutes into stoppage time.
THE HAND OF FOD
Phil Foden is one of the ‘most delightful football players’.
Ex-Hammers midfielder Jack Collison has tipped the Man City midfielder to go on and become one of the best players in world football.
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Man City v West Ham, Collison said: “But then on the other team you’ve got Phil Foden, who I think is one of the most delightful football players this country has seen for a long, long time.
“That England team is exciting, but Phil Foden really is at the forefront.
“I actually think he’s got the capabilities and the powers to go on and become on of the best players in the world.
“He’s already won so much at such a young age, it’s great to see him playing such a big part of Pep Guardiola’s teams/ Even as much as we know Pep loves to tinker with his line-ups, Phil Foden will always be there or thereabout in his starting line-ups for the big games.”
CHELSEA XI
As expected, Thomas Tuchel has been forced into making changes from the side who dealt with Juventus last Tuesday, but eyebrows will be raised as to why certain members of the side have been left on the bench.
The ever-present back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger remain the same.
N’Golo Kante’s knee hasn’t recovered in time so in steps Ruben Loftus Cheek to replace the French World Cup winner.
With no Ben Chilwell available, it gives the chance for Spanish international Marcos Alonso to show what he can do down that left channel.
But the surprise comes in the forward positions. Both Romelu Lukaku and Mason Mount will start this match from the bench which means that the only change is Timo Werner coming in for Christian Pulisic leaving Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi to keep their spots.
(3-4-3): 16 Mendy; 14 Chalobah, 6 Thiago Silva, 2 Rudiger; 24 James, 5 Jorginho, 12 Loftus-Cheek, 3 Alonso; 22 Ziyech, 11 Werner, 20 Hudson-Odoi.
RONALDO BENCHED
Cristiano Ronaldo has been BENCHED for Man Utd’s game against Chelsea.
Rashford will start up front for the Red Devils, with Bruno Fernandes captaining the side.
Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof start in the middle of the defence.
1 De Gea; 29 Wan-Bissaka, 2 Lindelof, 3 Bailly, 27 Telles; 17 Fred, 31 Matic, 39 McTominay; 18 Fernandes (c), 25 Sancho, 10 Rashford.
LEICESTER CITY 4-2 WATFORD
Ademola Lookman gets himself a goal and it could be hard for Watford to find a way back.
SECOND HALF
All of the 2PM kick-offs are back underway for the second half.
INJURY BLOW
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar has suffered a horror injury against St Etienne at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
The star forward appeared to have badly sprained his ankle when his left foot bent in half once it touched the ground following a tackle by Yvann Macon five minutes before full-time.
The Brazil international was in absolute agony as he screamed in pain and appeared to be crying as well.
The 29-year-old was taken off on a stretcher and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino was forced to replace him with Junior Dina Ebimbe.
Nothing is known about the former Barcelona star’s condition at the moment but it did look like a nasty injury.
LEICESTER CITY 3-1 WATFORD
Jamie Vardy has restored Leicester’s lead at the King Power.
And shortly after his first, Vardy grabs a second – there’s a chance of bagging a hat-trick against his old boss.
MAN CITY 1-0 WEST HAM
Man City finally have a breakthrough and it’s İlkay Gündoğan who gets the opening goal.
The snow is falling heavy at the Etihad.
LEICESTER CITY 1-1 WATFORD
Josh King has levelled the game at the King Power.
BRENTFORD 1-0 EVERTON
It’s the first time the two sides have met in the Premier League.
And it’s Brentford who have taken the lead.
Ivan Toney got the opener from the penalty spot with a predictable, cool finish.
LEICESTER CITY 1-0 WATFORD
Claudio Ranieri’s return to the King Power hasn’t got off to the best of starts.
James Maddison has given the Foxes an early lead!
KICK-OFF
Three 2PM Premier League kick-offs are underway around the country.
SunSport will keep you up to date with all the latest!
JUR GONNA BE SURPRISED
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is notoriously out-spoken when it comes to fixture congestion, and firmly believes the pile-up is too demanding on players, writes GIACOMO PISA.
And he’s already told incoming Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick that he will have ‘no time’ to implement his famed Gegenpressing philosophy.
He said: “You have an idea but you have to adapt it to your team, and that is I found myself it’s not easy when you come in the middle of the season and there are pretty much 20 games between here and New Year’s Eve.
“That’s a massive challenge because the things you want to change on the pitch, we all don’t have time for that.
“So even if your team is already educated in that you still need long long long meetings and there’s no chance of that! It will be interesting.”
He also went on to say: “Like all coaches in the world, we need time to train with our teams and Ralf will pretty quickly realise he has no time to train because they play all the time so that makes it a bit trickier for him.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
