Tuchel hauls Lukaku in for showdown Chelsea talks, Mbappe transfer LATEST, Haaland to Real Madrid, Botman to Newcastle

Fixture change for Hammers fans

It’s all change at West Ham for their rearranged fixtures.

Their game against Norwich City, that was cancelled on Dec 18 because of Covid sweeping through the camp will now be played on January 12.

West Ham Fan Zone tweeted: “West Ham’s home fixture against Norwich City will now be played on Wednesday 12th January, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

“Our home game against Newcastle United on Saturday 19th February will now kick-off at 12.30pm, and will be live on BT Sport.”

Lukaku urges Martinez snub

Romelu has revealed that he would urge former strike partner Lautaro Martinez to snub potential interest from Chelsea.

As the Belgian would rather team up with the Argentine again at Inter Milan.

He told Sky Sports: “I miss Lautaro Martinez, I could die on the pitch for him since day one I met him.

“Lautaro Martinez coming here with me at Chelsea in the future?

“No… Lautaro, you can stay in Milan, I’ll be back there (laughs).”

Cute Kante

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has hailed ‘cute’ Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante.

Asked by Chunkz if Kante makes the whole Blues squad ‘smile every day’, for the latest episode of Assumptions on the UMM YouTube channel, the England international replied: “He does.

“He don’t even try (to make everyone smile).

“You know, he’s not even trying, we just see him and he looks all cute.

“Smiling and you’re just like ‘aww’.

“But then he’ll come on the pitch and just rattle you.”

Sick Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen gave football fans a nasty surprise when the camera zoomed in on him early in the second half of Benfica’s clash against Porto on Thursday.

The former Tottenham man was caught bending over and vomiting onto the pitch, before casually continuing to get stuck into the action.

Vertonghen’s incident came five minutes into the second half of the clash between bitter Portuguese rivals Benfica and Porto.

But the 34-year-old still managed to complete the whole 90 minutes, despite his unfortunate mishap.

Covid affects Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has been dealt a blow after three new suspected positive cases of Covid-19 have been recorded among his Liverpool squad.

Liverpool travel to Chelsea on Sunday in a mouthwatering Premier League clash, but Klopp will forced to field an under strength side if the game goes ahead.

Klopp also revealed that there were ‘a few’ positive cases within the staff at the club.

The Liverpool boss currently ‘doesn’t know’ if the Reds will call for Sunday’s game to be postponed, but didn’t rule it out.

Saints v Newcastle off

Newcastle United’s trip to Southampton has been postponed due to Covid.

The injury-hit Magpies were due to travel to St Mary’s on January 2 to face Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side.

But an outbreak of Covid in Eddie Howe’s squad has led to the postponement of the match, the clubs’ first of 2022.

On Friday afternoon, Newcastle’s official Twitter account tweeted: “#NUFC’s fixture against Southampton at St. Mary’s on Sunday has been postponed due to ongoing Covid-19 cases and injuries amongst the Magpies’ first-team squad.”

Ramsey’s next club

Aaron Ramsey is set to leave Juventus, who are desperate to remove his £400,000-per-week salary off their wage bill.

Newcastle appear to be the favourites, but the bookies believe Palace, Everton and Leeds are in the running for his signature.

Where do you think he will end up?

Fresh Lukaku quotes

Lukaku revealed his loyalty to Inter after snubbing Manchester City in his interview with Sky Sports in Italy.

Fresh quotes reveal: “When I was at Inter, at the end of the first year, I turned down an offer from Manchester City which was higher than Chelsea’s this summer.

“I did it because it had only been a year, it wasn’t the right time to leave and I didn’t want to.

“I wanted to do something good for Inter, because I have to say that Inter saved my career to some extent.”

Lukaku turned down Man City

Romelu Lukaku declared he turned down a lucrative move to Manchester City in 2020 and only departed Inter Milan after they refused to offer him a new deal.

The 28-year-old eventually joined Chelsea in the summer in a club-record £97.5million transfer where he spoke of his delight at returning to Stamford Bridge.

But the Belgium international has since sensationally revealed he wishes to return to the San Siro after stating he is unhappy in West London.

His explosive comments infuriated boss Thomas Tuchel, who has promised showdown talks with the ex-Manchester United centre-forward.

Lukaku to stay… for now

Romelu Lukaku will reportedly NOT be leaving Chelsea in January, despite his sensational tell-all interview with Italian media.

Lukaku admitted that he was unhappy under Thomas Tuchel, and vowed to return to Inter in the future.

However, Tuchel is planning clear the air talks with Lukaku, and the Telegraph report that the 28-year-old has ‘no intention’ of leaving the club next month.

He’s understood to be frustrated playing under Tuchel’s tactics, with the German notorious for operating a 3-4-3 system.

But despite his anger, Lukaku is expected to stay put at Chelsea.

England fans World Cup blow

England fans face a scramble for hotels at the Qatar World Cup – with the entire country almost completely sold out already.

The Three Lions sealed their place at next year’s finals in November.

But supporters hoping to follow Gareth Southgate’s men to the Middle East at the end of 2022 could be left disappointed.

As reported by the Associated Press, there are virtually no rooms available throughout the month-long tournament from November 21 to December 18.

It is understood the majority have been taken by World Cup organisers block-booking to supply teams, Fifa officials, sponsors and media.

Lo Celso swap deal on

Tottenham could swap Giovani Lo Celso for Dejan Kulusevski, according to reports.

Spurs are believed to be competing with North London rivals Arsenal for Kulusevski’s signature.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Conte’s side have the upper hand.

They point out that Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici knows all the details about Kulusevski’s contract, having brought him to Juventus himself.

Garth Crooks Prem team

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has been ridiculed for his Premier League team of the year.

Incredibly, he left out Liverpool star Mo Salah from his team, which caused uproar on Twitter.

One fan said: “No Salah – embarrassing.”

Another wrote: “Saka over Salah that is levels even for Garth.”

Mbappe transfer

Kylian Mbappe is out-of-contract at the end of the season, and widely expected to be joining Real Madrid when his PSG deal expires.

The man himself has even not-so-subtly hinted on multiple occasions that he will be swapping PSG for Real Madrid.

Mbappe, 23, is allowed to sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid from tomorrow.

And if events over the last 12 months are anything to go by, Marca report it may not be long until Mbappe is officially announced as a Real Madrid player.

Here are just some of the clues he’s given us.

Morata on the move

Juventus star Alvaro Morata has agreed to join Barcelona ahead of the January transfer window, reports suggest.

However, Juve would only agree to let Morata go if they manage to find a replacement, such as Manchester United ace Edinson Cavani who has been linked.

That is according to Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that Barca have agreed personal terms with the striker and are waiting on the Serie A giants.

Stunned Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel says he was disappointed and  stunned to see Romelu Lukaku give an interview where he claimed he was unhappy with life at Chelsea.

He said:  “The dressing room is not necessary to be always in harmony. It is not necessary to be successful. We don’t have to love each other, hug each other every single day.

“Sometimes it’s good to be on the edge, to be a bit like in disharmony when it’s between certain boundaries.

“The thing with Romelu, I don’t think anyone in this building is aware that he’s unhappy and that’s what makes us very surprised about this statement because I can see no reason why this should be like this.

“I don’t feel him unhappy. I feel the exact opposite. If you had asked me yesterday morning I would say I feel the exact opposite, that’s why it is a surprise, but I am the wrong person to ask.”

Fuming Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has responded to Romelu Lukaku’s comments that he is ‘not happy’ at Chelsea, and promised showdown talks with the striker.

The £97.5million summer signing made the shocking admission yesterday, claiming he was unhappy with how things were panning out at Chelsea.

“Yes, we don’t like it. It brings noise we don’t need. It is not helpful but we don’t want to make more of it than it actually is,” he told the press.

“It is very easy to take lines out of context, make headlines. I don’t feel him unhappy, so I am surprised. We will not just read the headlines.

“We, here, will take time to see what’s going on. It doesn’t reflect his daily work at Cobham.

“We will [discuss it]. But we will do it behind closed doors.”

Dembele’s Newcastle offer

Newcastle have reportedly submitted a ‘monster’ offer for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.

The 24-year-old is out-of-contract at the end of the season, and has been linked with both Newcastle and Manchester United.

And the Magpies have seemingly made their move for Dembele, as journalist Rudy Galetti reports a mind-boggling contract proposal has been tabled.

It would have to be some offer though, as Marca claim Dembele’s agent is demanding £485,000-A-WEEK for his client to sign a new deal at Barcelona.

Virgil Van Dijk stars on Netflix

Virgil Van Dijk has put his acting chops to good use to star in a trailer for Dutch cop series Undercover that’ll drop on Netflix soon.

It’s not clear if the giant Liverpool defender has a cameo in the show or just shot the trailer, but in the clip he gets roughed up by a detective who demands he plays for PSV against rivals Ajax.

That’s after the detective leaves Van Dijk with a bloody nose after punching him in the face when he opens the door to his home.

Now not even a Premier League striker has roughed Virgil up this much… but, we guess, it is acting after all. Watch the clip below.

Botman to Toon

Newcastle have reportedly intensified their pursuit of Lille defender Sven Botman.

Botman has been linked with Newcastle in recent weeks as Eddie Howe desperately seeks reinforcements to help shore up his leaky defence.

And now the Magpies have ramped up negotiations with Lille regarding a £30million move, according to the Mail.

The 21-year-old Dutchman is understood to be ‘keen’ on a move to Newcastle, despite the club’s perilous league position.

United’s talks with Alvarez agent

Manchester United look set to meet with River Plate star Julian Alvarez’s agent to arrange a transfer, reports suggest.

United have joined the transfer race for Alvarez, who has amassed a staggering 18 goals and seven assists in 21 matches so far this season.

According to TyC Sports, the Red Devils have contacted the striker’s agent Fernando Hidalgo with a ‘clear intention’, to arrange a meeting, which is scheduled to take place after December 31st.

The 21-year-old sensation has a contract with the Argentine giants until December 31, 2022.

But River Plate are not willing to let the Argentina international go in January and his release clause includes a €20million (£17m) fee.

However, the Manchester giants don’t think this is a “crazy amount” and their “interest would not be to buy the forward now” but in the summer.

Lukaku bombshell as striker not happy

Romelu Lukaku dropped a bombshell on boss Thomas Tuchel, saying he is ‘not happy’ with his situation at Chelsea.

And the Blues’ record buy also talked up a return to Inter Milan.

Lukaku’s stunning revelation was made public on the day Chelsea announced a post-tax loss of £145.6million, despite banking £95m for winning the Champions League.

The Belgian striker said: “Physically I am fine. But I’m not happy with the situation, this is normal.

“The manager has chosen to play with another system. I just have to continue to work and be professional.

“I am not happy with the situation but I am a worker and I can’t give up now.”

Good morning football fans

Romelu Lukaku has risked the wrath of Chelsea fans in a bombshell interview. 

The Belgian striker told Sky Sports in Italy: “Physically I’m doing great. I’m just not very happy with the situation, but that’s normal. 

“I think the boss has decided to play a different formation but I have to stick at it and get on with it professionally.

“I’m not happy with the situation but it’s my job and I mustn’t give up.”

Lukaku, 28, re-signed for Chelsea in the summer from Inter Milan for £97.5m – but has now opened the door to a return to Italy. 

He said: “I don’t think any of it should have happened the way it did. 

“The way I left Inter and the way I communicated with the Inter fans. I’m annoyed about that because it’s not the right time now but it wasn’t the right time when I left either.  

“I always said that I love Inter and I’ll play for them again. I really hope so. I fell in love with Italy.

“Now is the right time to talk about it and tell people what really happened, without saying anything bad about anyone, because I’m not like that.  

“I want to really apologise to the Inter fans because I don’t think I should have left Inter the way I did. 

“I should have spoken to you guys first, especially after everything you did for me, for my family, my mum, my son. I’ll never forget that.  

“I hope from the bottom of my heart to go back to Inter and not at the end of my career but when I’m still at a good enough level to win more trophies.”

TAKE SHAQ

Lyon are reportedly willing to let go of Xherdan Shaqiri just months after signing him.

The former Liverpool man has only made 13 appearances for the French side so far but, according to L’Equipe, they are willing to let him leave already.

His £75k-a-week salary is proving to be too much for Lyon, who are currently experiencing financial issues.

Keeping the 30-year-old could be a risk with little reward.

Lyon currently sit 13th in the Ligue 1 table with 24 points from 18 games.

Shaqiri joined the club for £9.5million in August following a three-year spell at Liverpool which saw him win both the Premier League and the Champions League.

He was Lyon’s only summer signing that came with a fee and arrived to much fanfare from supporters.

COMEBACK TRAIL

Christian Eriksen is reportedly training with Swiss third tier outfit FC Chiasso as he continues to look for a new club.

The ex-Tottenham star, 29, is yet to play since his cardiac arrest on the pitch for Denmark at Euro 2020.

His contract at Inter Milan was terminated this month as footballers with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) are banned from playing in Italy.

The device monitors his heart rhythm and sends shocks to the heart if necessary.

Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots has already confirmed there are some teams willing to sign the playmaker.

The Great Dane returned to training this month with former club Odense Boldklub.

Now Chiasso are allowing him to train with them in order to keep fit, according to Swiss outlet Le Matin.

He is using the facilities at the Swiss Promotion League side to ‘keep in shape before bouncing back’ with a club at a higher level.