Man City

ARSENAL, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have CONFIRMED their plans to join a European Super League.The 12-club tournament would be held throughout the season and would make the clubs even richer than they already are.
Gary Neville did not hold back on TV after Sky Sports discussed the plans live on air while leading football organisations including the Premier League have told clubs traditional competition is best for English football.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below from this developing story…
JOEL GLAZER SPEAKS
Manchester United’s co-chairman said: “By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider pyramid.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez added: “We will help football at every level and take it to its rightful place in the world.
“Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires.”
SUPER LEAGUE FORMAT
As per the proposals, the League will contain 20 participating clubs with 15 Founding Clubs and a qualifying mechanism for a further five teams to qualify annually based on achievements in the prior season.
It will involve midweek fixtures with their plan that all participating clubs continuing to compete in their respective national leagues.
An August start with clubs participating in two groups of ten, playing home and away fixtures, with the top three in each group automatically qualifying for the quarter finals.
Teams finishing fourth and fifth will then compete in a two-legged play-off for the remaining quarter-final positions.
A two-leg knockout format will be used to reach the final at the end of May, which will be staged as a single fixture at a neutral venue.
UEFA HIT BACK
Potential fallout could see the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo absent from every future Champions League and World Cup with Barcelona and Juventus signed up to the Super League.
After the #SuperLeague statement, this is the UEFA position: “Every club and player participating in the Super League could be banned from all UEFA and FIFA competitions, European or International level”. 🚨 #UEFA— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2021

SUPER LEAGUE STATEMENT
“Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs.
“AC Milan, Arsenal , Atlético, Chelsea, Barcelona, Internazionale, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham have all joined.
“Three more clubs are expected to join as Founding Clubs before the inaugural season, which is expected to start as soon as possible. In the future, the Founding Clubs look forward to consulting with UEFA and FIFA in order to work together.”
JAVI-NG THE BEST TIME
Marcelo Bielsa has compared ‘Mr Versatile’ Stuart Dallas to Argentine legend Javier Zanetti.
He said: “I had a player like him, Javier Zanetti, and also Julio Saldana who I had when I first managed at Newell’s.
“Those two players are very alike Dallas in terms of their versatility.
“Dallas is a very potent, powerful player. He can play with either foot, his right or his left, he’s good at defending.
“He has the capacity to combine as well as make runs, which allows him to flourish playing in the middle.
“He has a change of rhythm and surprise when he attacks. It’s very difficult to find all that in just one player.”

‘WAR OF FOOTBALL’
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has had his say on European Super League plans.

BRAGGING RIGHTS
Rangers’ hopes of a league and Scottish Cup Double are ON after a derby win over Celtic at Ibrox.
The Light Blues ran out 2-0 winners to secure a spot in the quarter-final stage of the competition as they aim to add to their Premiership triumph.
Steven Davis and an own goal from Jonjoe Kenny handed Steven Gerrard’s men another victory over the Hoops this season and ensured their rivals won’t end the season with any silverware this campaign.
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.

RON-MAN TEAM
Juventus’ Champions League qualification hopes were dented by a late Atalanta winner as they felt the full force of Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.
Andrea Pirlo’s side struggled without the injured CR7 and were beaten courtesy of Ruslan Malinovskiy’s 87th minute strike.
Atalanta leapfrogged their opponents into third place and moved on to 64 points, two ahead of Juventus, with both having played 31 games.
The Bianconeri are set to see their decade of dominance in the Italian league ended after nine consecutive Scudetto wins.
CLUB MUST ANSWER TO FANS
Prime minister Boris Johnson has released a short statement on Twitter addressing plans for a European Super League.
The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps. (2/2)— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 18, 2021

PFA ON EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE
A statement read: “The PFA has substantial concerns regarding the wide-ranging implications of the proposed European Super League concept.
“Football should strive to preserve the sanctity of a competitive domestic league above all else. Aspiration and sporting merits are an essential part of any sport and a vital component of the game we love.
“This proposed move would detract from the strength and joy of domestic football and diminish the game for the vast majority of fans across the continent.
“Clubs across all domestic competitions are not equal, each having differing financial starting points. However, success is never guaranteed, often cyclical and always earned.
“We have seen countless examples around Europe of teams outperforming their resources. In recent years, at home in the Premier League, this has resulted in unrivalled global entertainment and sporting drama.
“A system that rewards all clubs for success is paramount. In England, we are privileged to enjoy the most professional teams, the most professional players and in normal times, the highest aggregate attendances across the world. This success is achieved by working together and in solidarity.
“The PFA will work with players, The FA, Premier League, EFL, LMA and through FIFPRO, with other players’ associations, to represent the game’s best interests and protect the integrity of football.”
LEICESTER 1 SOUTHAMPTON 0
Kelechi Iheanacho deservedly fired Leicester to their first FA Cup final since 1969 = on the day fans returned to football.
The two-goal quarter-final hero this time pounced on a rebound from his own shot on 55 minutes to sink subdued Southampton and set up a May 15 clash with Chelsea.
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.

LACA OUT
Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette was forced out of his team’s 1-1 draw with Fulham after picking up an apparent hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old limped off in the 70th minute clutching his left leg – just 11 days before the Gunners face Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

SUPER QUIET
Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have avoided answering questions on the European Super League proposals.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal are alleged to have signed up, a move that has been criticised by many – including Gary Neville.
Speaking after United’s 3-1 win against Burnley, Solskjaer said: “I’ve seen this morning the news and speculation. I can’t really say too much because my focus has been on this game.
“I haven’t looked into it, I’ve just been focused on this game so I need to sit down and see what it is.”
Arteta, speaking after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Fulham, also remained quiet, saying: “I don’t know anything about it.
“Once I know every detail and have all the information then I can evaluate the situation and give you my opinion.”
SUPER SIZED
A number of Premier League clubs are being linked with the controversial proposals, which have been blasted by Gary Neville as “criminal”.

MORE FROM NEVILLE
He told Sky Sports: “I’ve benefited from football hugely, I’ve made money out of football, I invest money into a football club. Now, I’m not against money in football. But the principles and ethos of fair competition and the rights to play the game.
“So Leicester win the league – they go into the Champions League. Manchester United aren’t even in the Champions League! Arsenal aren’t even in the Champions League, watched them earlier on today, they are an absolute shambles of a football club at the moment. Tottenham aren’t in the Champions League. And they want a God-given right to be in there.
“They’re an absolute joke and honestly the time has come now, independent regulator, stop these clubs having the power base. Enough is enough.”
Neville added: “Deduct them all points tomorrow – put them at the bottom of the league and take the money off them.
“Seriously you have got to stamp on this, it’s criminal. It is a criminal act against football fans in this country. Make no mistake about it. This is the biggest sport in the world, in this country and it’s a criminal act against the fans, simple as that.
“Deduct points, deduct their money and punish them.”
NOW OR NEV-ER
Gary Neville has been lauded for his impassionated rant against plans for the European Super League.
He told Sky Sports: “Well the reaction to it is that it’s been damned. And rightly so.
“I mean I am a Manchester United fan and have been for 40 years of my life but I’m disgusted, absolutely disgusted.
“Honestly, we have to wrestle back the power in this country from the clubs at the top of this league and that includes my club.
“And I’ve been calling for 12 months as part of another group for an independent regulator to bring checks and balances in place to stop this happening.
“It’s pure greed. They are impostors. They are impostors. The owners of this club, the owners of Liverpool, the owners of Chelsea, the owners of Manchester City are nothing to do with football in this country.
“There’s 100-odd years of history in this country from fans that have lived and loved these clubs. And they need protecting, the fans need protecting.”
SEEING RED
Gary Neville has said clubs should have points DEDUCTED for signing up to a European Super League.
The plans, pushed by Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and AC Milan, are backed by the financial muscle of US investment giant JP Morgan.
“This is disowning your own club stuff.” 🚮@GNev2 hits out at the six clubs linked with a Super League breakaway and says they should be ‘punished heavily’ by the Premier League and English governing bodies. pic.twitter.com/Sy0gM6qdgm— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 18, 2021

LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Roy Keane slammed plans for a breakaway European Super League as ‘pure greed’.
Speaking on Sky Sports at half-time in Manchester United’s game against Burnley, Keane fumed: “It’s all about money.
“It doesn’t sound good and let’s hope it is stopped in it’s tracks because it’s greed, pure greed.”
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards was similarly unimpressed.
He added: “What happens about fans and the memories fans have had over the years?
“Does all that go away because of money? I think it’s a disgrace.”
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 BURNLEY 1
Mason Greenwood struck twice in the second-half to keep Manchester United’s faint title hopes flickering.
The Red Devils looked set to drop points at home against Burnley for a fifth straight season when James Tarkowski headed them level early in the second-half.
But just six minutes from time Greenwood collected a pass from Paul Pogba and his shot was deflected off Jack Cork before beating Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
This win cuts City’s lead at the top to eight points with six games apiece remaining – and while it remains possible United are clearly not for chucking in the towel.

FAN FRENZY
Football finally welcomed back fans as 4,000 Leicester and Southampton followers streamed to Wembley for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final
The lucky ‘few’ strolled in the sunshine to the home of football without the usual packed pavements for such a big match.
But they looked ultra-relaxed and just happy to be there after the government let the FA select the clash as a one-off pilot event.
That’s before the May 17 nationwide date when crowds of up to 10,000 can officially return.
ARSENAL 1 FULHAM 1
Relegation-threatened Fulham were denied a first-ever win at Arsenal by Eddie Nkletiah’s 97th minute equaliser.
Scott Parker thought he was going to celebrate his 100th game as Fulham boss with a fabulous famous victory.
But he was cruelly robbed deep into stoppage time when sub Nketiah prodded the ball over the line after keeper Mat Ryan had come up to flick on a last-gasp corner.
The visitors had snatched an unlikely 59th minute lead through Josh Maja’s penalty but are now five points adrift of safety and having played more games than all of the teams above them.
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.

GOAL KING
Timo Werner may appear to have struggled at Stamford Bridge since arriving from RB Leipzig in a £48million deal.
However, the Chelsea forward has remarkably been directly involved in 19 goals in all competitions this season – more than other player at the club.
Werner has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists for his team-mates – three more than any other Blues star.
The German international helped provide the breakthrough for Hakim Ziyech against Manchester City on Saturday, after making a darting run and delivering a cross to find the Moroccan to tap into an empty net.
HELPING HEND
Chris Wood has the ball in the net straight after kick-off but thankfully for Dean Henderson the goal is ruled out for offside.

BETTER CALL SAUL
Man Utd could reportedly meet Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez’s release clause in the summer.
The Daily Star have claimed that the Red Devils are ready to activate his £43m clause as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eyes up a new midfielder.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also understood to be interested in the Spain international.
But it has been stated that Saul could be tempted by a switch to the Premier League.
MAUR TIME
PSG have moved to within a point of leaders Lille in the Ligue 1 title race after Mauro Icardi scored a last-minute winner against St Etienne.
The French champions looked to have dropped two points but the 28-year-old’s late header snatched a 3-2 victory.
Denis Bouanga opened the scoring for the visitors in the 77th minute, before Kylian Mbappe expertly controlling Marco Verratti’s long ball over the top and slotting home with ease.
The comeback appeared to be complete in the 87th minute when Mbappe converted a penalty – yet there was more to come.
A 92nd-minute effort from Bouanga was poorly dealt with by Sergio Rico in the PSG goal and Romain Hamouma scored from the rebound to seemingly maintain Lille’s three-point lead.
Icardi, however, had other ideas as he leapt high above the defence to head home an Angel Di Maria cross in the fifth minute of added time.
MAURO ICARDI WINS IT FOR PSG 🤯PSG looked to have blown the comeback when St Etienne equalised in the 92nd minute…But that is a MASSIVE goal in the Ligue 1 title race 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t9j1czOiCq— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 18, 2021

Load more entries… More

THE summer transfer window is drawing ever closer and we’ve got all the latest twists and turns here on SunSport.We’ve got the very latest on Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland’s futures as the transfer speculation intensifies for what will be a thrilling summer.
Arsenal’s quest in making Martin Odegaard’s transfer permanent has taken a blow, with reports in Spain naming him as one of Real Madrid’s four ‘untouchables’.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
PAUL TO PLAY FOR
Paul Pogba’s praise of Bruno Fernandes comes after United legend Paul Scholes urged Solskjaer to ditch one of his two holding players and play the pair together.
He told BT Sport: “Solskjaer likes the two sitting players, I don’t think there’s a need for both of them.
They need to get Pogba in a linking role with Bruno. If they do, it frees up another position for a forward player.
‘The awareness and cleverness they both have allows each other to link up.
“United’s two cleverest players are Fernandes and Pogba so if you can get them close together, they’ll score a lot and provide goals for others too.
“If they have a more dominant centre back, they could have a more attacking midfield.
“A lot of the time, United that attacking, flowing play, I think Pogba could bring that with Fernandes.
“If you get him in there, it frees up the left for Rashford, there’s no way you’d want to play against that.
“Discipline-wise Pogba isn’t always there at times but going forward he brings something different.”
WANDERED IN
A Wycombe fan managed to enter the Liberty Stadium before being dragged away by stewards during Saturday’s Championship match.
The man, dressed in a Chairboys shirt and black bobble hat but without a face mask, appeared to have rushed out of the concourse and towards the pitch.

ON GARD
Jesse Lingard hobbled off for West Ham against Newcastle but after the match, David Moyes allayed concerns the injury was serious.
He told reporters: “I think it was just cramp, I don’t think it was anything serious.
“I think the one thing about Jesse, Jesse is a really fit boy. He wants to play. I think I push all my players hard, Jesse is no different.
“He won’t get any favoured treatment – certainly not for a Scotsman going into the Euros!
“We’re really pleased with him.”

STORM BRUING
Paul Pogba reckons his Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes can do anything and everything on the pitch – except defend.
Fernandes, 26, has been a revelation for the Red Devils since his January 2020 move to Old Trafford, scoring 36 goals and providing 22 assists in 71 appearances.
He told MUTV: “I enjoy playing with Bruno. He’s someone who understands the game and understands the movement that can give you a beautiful pass, he can finish too.
“He’s all over the place, he can do everything really… except defending!
“But really, it’s always a joy to play him, to understand him. He understands me as well, he can take my position, I can take his position as well.
“I think he suits the team, he’s a very dominant influence in our team.”
PHIL YOUR BOOTS
Man City are ready to treble Phil Foden’s wages to £100,000-a-week after a stunning season, reports say.
The playmaker has enjoyed a breakthrough season with 13 goals and 41 appearances, playing in a variety of positions.
And according to The Mirror, City are preparing to reward Foden by upping his initial £30,000-a-week salary three-fold.
The proposed new package is likely to be a two-year extension on his current deal, which runs to 2024, keeping the 20-year-old at the Etihad until 2026.
Foden has helped fill the void left by David Silva, who left at the end of last season, and has kept Raheem Sterling out of the side.
He scored the winner in both Champions League legs against Borussia Dortmund, to put City into the semi-final.
City are ready to treble Phil Foden’s wages to £100,000-a-week, reports say
ABRA CADABRA
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham could be set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after being iced out by boss Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues striker has not been included in the Chelsea squad for their FA Cup semi-final clash against Manchester City this evening.
And we have looked at five places the England man could end up if he decides to leave at the end of the season.
Click HERE to see who he could end up joining.
SARR IN THE MAKING
EXCLUSIVE – Man Utd are on the trail of Metz teen sensation Pape Sarr.
The Senegalese 18-year-old won his first cap for his country in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo last month.
That came only four months after his league debut for the French club in November.
He has been watched regularly by European clubs including United.
Reports in France this month suggested Nice sporting director Julien Fournier was pulling out all the stops to land Sarr.
However it is believed Sarr – a box-to-box midfielder – has set his sights on joining a bigger club.
Teenage ace Sarr is being tracked by a number of clubs in Europe
CANARIES SINGING
Norwich have been promoted back to the Premier League at the first time asking!
The Canaries have secured at least a top two spot after Brentford drew with Millwall and Swansea with Wycombe.
Daniel Farke’s side are eight points clear of second-placed Watford with five Championship games to play.

FULL-TIME
It’s over at St James’ Park and Newcastle have edged out a five-goal thriller!
West Ham clawed the game back to 2-2- after Issa Diop headed home before Jesse Lingard equalised from the penalty spot.
But Joe Willock put the Magpies back into the lead with a thumping header just minutes after coming on.
The win lifts the Magpies up to 15th, while West Ham remain fourth.
What a game!
FIGHTING TALK
Mauricio Pochettino has vowed to do everything in his power to keep Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain.
The France international’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions expires next summer and talks over a new deal have yet to bear fruit.
The Argentine said: “The objective is to keep the best players.
“The club wants to win the Champions League and the objective of this club is to keep Neymar and Kylian for many years.
“For three months we have had a very good relationship. Both players are very committed to the club. Every team wants to have them in their ranks. I am optimistic that they will stay.
“After sharing a changing room with Kylian for three months, I will fight with all my might to keep him with us.”
SMALL PROBLEM
Roma defender Chris Smalling is in a race to be fit to face his former club Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals.
The 31-year-old missed his side’s quarter-final tie against Ajax due to knee problems.
But according to Gazetta dello Sport there is a belief one of Smalling or fellow centre-back Leonardo Spinazzola will be fit for the first leg against Man Utd on April 29.
Roma will already be without defenders Marash Kumbulla and Gianluca Mancini through injury and suspension.
Earlier this week, Smalling was robbed at gunpoint in front of his wife and toddler son when three hooded men broke into his home.
The ex-England defender was sleeping when the armed thugs broke into his home and forced him to open his safe.
AUB-OUT THAT
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is already ‘ready to come back’ despite spending ‘a few days in hospital this week’ with malaria.
The striker confirmed his illness on social media and revealed he contracted malaria while away with his national team last month.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: “As we all know, he had malaria – he picked it up when he travelled in the international break and he didn’t have any symptoms and then got some symptoms a few days later.
“We didn’t know what it was but the doctor did a great job by making some further investigation and we found out he had picked it up.
“He had some rough days, he was in hospital for two days but now he is at home, he is safe and he is in good condition and ready to come back.”
Arteta could not give a time frame on when his skipper will be back in contention to play but confirmed Aubameyang wants a swift return.
HALF-TIME
It’s half-time at St James’ Park and what a disastrous opening 45 minutes it has been for West Ham.
They go into the break 2-0 down after Issa Diop scored an own goal, before Joelinton capitalised on a howler from Lukasz Fabianski.
And to add insult to injury, they are down to ten men after Craig Dawson was sent off for a second yellow card.
A win would take David Moyes’ men third, but a loss could see them drop out of the top four should Liverpool beat Leeds on Monday.
As things stand, Newcastle are nine points clear of the bottom three.
RACE FOR RAPHA
Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the race for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to reports.
The 27-year-old French centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract with the Spanish giants.
And Real will be keen to cash in on the World Cup winner rather than watch him leave for a free next summer.
BILD journalist Christian Falk understands Chelsea are keen to acquire Varane’s signature as they look to bolster their defensive options.
The Red Devils looked into signing theFrench centre-back three years ago but were told it would cost more than £100million.
Madrid value him in the £60m bracket, but that figure is still likely to be viewed as high, particularly with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the transfer market.
Raphael Varane could be set for a move to the Premier League this summer
GUNNED DOWN
Arsenal target Achraf Hakimi has shut down speculation regarding his future bu insisting he is happy at Inter Milan.
The right-back is claimed to be on the Gunners’ radar to replace Hector Bellerin should the Spaniard depart the Emirates in the summer.
But Hakimi has declared he wants to remain at the San Siro, as he told La Repubblica: “The team that attracted me the most was Inter and I saw it as a growth project.
“I am honoured to be one of the testimonials for the new club logo. I like it, as it looks to the future, a future we can build together.
“I hope to stay at this club for a long time and I’m very happy.”
KONA STAY
Liverpool transfer target Ibrahima Konate has declared his intention to stay at RB Leipzig beyond the end of the season.
The 21-year-old youngster has been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside this summer after impressing in the Bundesliga.
But in a recent interview the centre-back appeared to quash any speculation he could be on his way out of Leipzig in the near future.
Speaking to BILD, he said: “There are often rumours in football and many believe them immediately.
“I or my agents did not get a call from Liverpool. I also have big goals with RB Leipzig.
“These are currently the best possible result in the Bundesliga, reaching the cup final and the Under-21 European Championship with France.
“I have a contract until 2023 and contracts are there to fulfil them.”
Konate looks set to stay put in Germany this summer
RULES DON’T MATTER
David Beckham’s Inter Miami violated MLS budget rules to sign World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi, an investigation has confirmed.
The 34-year-old Frenchman signed for the American outfit back in August but was not confirmed to be one of the three allocated high-priced players that the league permits each club and was instead classified as a ‘target allocation money’ player (TAM).
Matias Pellegrini, Rodolfo Pizarro and Gonzalo Higuain were the three ‘designated’ high-priced players in the 2020 Inter Miami squad, meaning Beckham’s side needed to think creatively in order to get Matuidi on board.
They did so by buying Pellegrini out of his contract in order to get back in compliance with the rules.
And the league said Pellegrini is being loaned to Fort Lauderdale – the affiliate of Miami in the third tier United Soccer League’s League One.
“Matuidi’s compensation was above the compensation limit for a TAM player and he should have been classified as a designated player,” the MLS said in a statement.
“As a result, Inter Miami violated the designated player limit as the team had three designated players in addition to Matuidi during 2020.”
CHRIS CROSS
Chris Smalling’s wife has slammed the “rats” who held her at gunpoint during a terrifying £100,000 raid as she spoke out for the first time.
The former Manchester United defender, 31, and ex-Page Three girl Sam Cooke, 35, were woken in the early hours by three hooded men who burst into their bedroom.
The former model said on Instagram: “I’d just like to suggest that those living their lives like these thieves who came into our bedroom at 4am pointing guns at our heads, rethink their choices in life and live in a more respectable and conscious way like real men, not rats (disrespectful to rats I know).
“I suspect your life hasn’t been easy but there’s always another way. A way that will lead to blessings and not karma biting you on the ass, which I’ve no doubt it will!
“And for the record, anyone thinking of coming near me and my family again, we have no jewellery or watches left and don’t intend to buy any more!
“If you see us wearing anything it’s likely fake. So don’t bother”.
Three hooded men broke in while the couple and their two-year-old son slept
TEAM NEWS
This is how Newcastle and West Ham line-up at St James’ Park ahead of their 12.30pm kick-off.
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠-𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨 HWTL! ⚫️⚪️— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 17, 2021

PEPE TALK
Nicolas Pepe has been warned he will be out of the team if he lets his standards slip again.
Arteta said: “We all know Nico has the incredible ability to succeed and we can give him all the help he wants to achieve that.
“But now it all depends on him because he needs to have the right mindset to consistently do what he can.
“What he has produced in the last few games is the level of performance that I am going to ask from him all the time.And if it is something below that level then he is not going to be playing.
“The biggest thing for Nico is understanding what he needed to do when he was not in the team and then producing that when he did play.
“He needed a period of adaptation after coming from the French league but that is over. We can’t talk about adaptation any more. Now it is all about performance.
“Nico has the players to support him, a manager that trusts him, all the staff that are willing to help him and team-mates who really like him. So now there are no excuses.”
YOUR TAM’S UP
Tammy Abraham has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Despite being fully fit and the competition’s top scorer with four goals in three matches – there is no place for him in Thomas Tuchel’s picks.
The striker has not featured for Chelsea since February 20 where he was subbed at half-time in a 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Abraham, 23, has only just returned to the squad having missed seven games with an ankle injury.
But he was an unused substitute against Crystal Palace and in both Champions League quarter-final legs against Porto.
Abraham is understood to be upset at his lack of game time under Tuchel and could be ready to move on.
SOD THE QUAD
Pep Guardiola insists he could not care less about the quadruple as he heads for Wembley on Saturday.
In the next six weeks they will also have the chance to win the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Guardiola said: “This is what I say every day, people talk about the past, they talk about the quadruple. I couldn’t care less.
“I care about the next training session and about how you behave, your understanding and your body language, mood.
“And then Saturday against Chelsea in the semi final. That’s where they have to talk. There is the place.
“That’s all I’m concerned about. The rest I don’t care about, I couldn’t care less about it.”
DINNER WINNER
Thomas Tuchel will never forget the day his dinner date with Pep Guardiola turned Messi.
But today he plans to turn the tables on his managerial mentor.
In December 2014, Tuchel was invited to a Munich restaurant by the man who was the king of German football at the time.
Tuchel was between jobs after walking out of Mainz and jumped at the opportunity to pick the brains of then Bayern boss Guardiola.
As the duo prepare for a Wembley reunion this afternoon, Tuchel asked: “When you are out for dinner with Pep, why not talk about football? What else was there for me to talk about?
“For me, he was a huge influence. I didn’t know him when he was at Barcelona — but I watched almost every game and was very impressed by the way he made success happen.”
Read more HERE.
CAV SOME OF THAT
Bruno Fernandes has lavished praise on ‘proper striker’ Edinson Cavani.
The midfielder said after Man Utd’s win over Granada: “Everyone knows Cavani, everything he does, he is a proper striker, we know the qualities of our players.
“It was a good game, Europa League is always difficult, they can create danger but we controlled the game, had the ball a lot.
“I don’t think it was bad tempered, we keep moving, do the right things, 2-0 again is really good for us.
“Now is the time to take the next step and win a semi final but we must focus on the next game which is the league.”
HAA LA LAND
Man Utd have received a boost in their boost of signing Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland in the summer.
According to Goal, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the Norway international.
They claim that the LaLiga clubs are unable to meet his £30million-a-year salary demands.
The player – who is available for £65m in 2022 – will be allowed to leave BVB of the German side receive a £130m fee at the end of the season.
Load more entries… More

ARSENAL’S quest in making Martin Odegaard’s transfer permanent has taken a blow, with reports in Spain naming him as one of Real Madrid’s four ‘untouchables’. And we’ve got the very latest on Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland’s futures as the transfer speculation intensifies for what will be a thrilling summer.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
ANDRE WOULD COST UTD £35m
Man Utd will have to fork out £35million if they want to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the summer.
According to Bild, the Red Devils are interested in the Portugal international who has banged in 23 Bundesliga goals this term.
It has been claimed that United are battling Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.
Silva is seen as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.
ZLAT-RIANO
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are circling for the ‘next Zlatan Ibrahimovic’ – Inter Milan striker Martin Satriano.
Premier League giants have reportedly stepped up their interest in Liverpool fan Satriano as Serie A leaders Inter face financial problems.
And the Uruguay starlet, 20, has admitted he’d love to play in the Prem.
The Mail claim Champions League semi-finalists Paris Saint-Germain and second-placed Bundesliga side RB Leipzig are also keen on him.
Satriano has amassed eight goals and six assists in just 18 matches this season.
But although his contract runs until 2024, he appears to be one of the players most likely to be sold if Inter decide to cut costs this summer.
Inter Milan’s Uruguayan starlet Martin Satriano is being eyed by a string of top European rivals, even though his contract runs until 2024
TOP OF THE KOPS
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool is the ideal setting for Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian is wanted by a host of clubs, including Manchester United, this summer but the ex-defender hopes to see him at Anfield.
He told CBS Sports: “I think Haaland should come to Liverpool, because it’s his type of football.
“Basically heavy metal football, he relies on his pace and his power. That’s the type of football that Liverpool play.
“Who would not want to play in front of the Kop? Liverpool, energy, Champions League football nights.”
FUL STEAM AHEAD
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal take on Fulham this weekend aiming to string together back to back victories in the Premier League for the first time since January.
The Spaniard’s side have been riddled with inconsistency this season, but will be buoyed by Thursday night’s 4-0 trouncing of Slavia Prague in the Europa League.
Arteta, 38, will now need to strike a delicate balance between keeping his key men fresh, while also maintaining positive momentum on the pitch.
The success, are lack thereof, of Arsenal’s season, will almost certainly be more determined by their upcoming Europa League semi-finals with Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
But the North Londoners can’t just neglect their league campaign, especially when they sit just one point above the bottom half.
Here’s how the Gunners could start.
Here is how SunSport predicts Arsenal could start against Fulham
JUST A GAME
Ronaldo once treated his Real Valladolid players to a Playstation 5 after a victory.
The Brazilian legend and club president’s kind-hearted gesture was revealed by right-back Saidy Janko.
The 25-year-old former Manchester United prospect also told of how Ronaldo invited players over for online gaming.
Janko told blick.ch that players went to Ronaldo’s house “to play a little online against the Juve stars Douglas Costa and Paulo Dybala”.
And he added: “Once he just gave us a Playstation 5 after a win. He’s very sociable, and he’ll have a coffee with you from time to time.”
Ronaldo brought a 51 per cent stake in the Spanish club in September 2018.
EURO CASH
Chelsea and Manchester City are cashing in the most from their European exploits so far this season after making the Champions League semi-finals.
Chelsea have banked £79.8m for their exploits in Europe so far this season while Pep Guardiola’s Citizens have netted £76.8m, according to figures from football-coefficient.eu.
The riches on offer in Europe’s premier competition dwarf the financial benefits of playing in the Europa League – where the rest of the Prem sides find themselves.
Manchester United have the considerable advantage of having dropped down into the tournament courtesy of finishing third in their Champions League group.
The Red Devils have earned £50.7m worth of prize money as it stands after beating Granada to make the Europa League semi-finals where they will play Roma.
Arsenal started the season in the competition and have only chalked up £14.4m in winnings.

RED AND BURIED
Mikel Arteta will take on his predecessor Unai Emery for a place in the Europa Leauge final.
But how are the two Spaniards faring in their roles this season – and who is doing better?
On the face of it, the stats are pretty even – both have picked up 26 victories in all competitions.
However, Emery, 49, boats a slightly better win percentage at 55 per cent from 47 matches compared to Arteta’s 53 per cent from 49.
Villarreal have 14 draws in the 2020-21 campaign while Arsenal have just eight.
But the Gunners do have more than double the number of defeats with 15 to just seven for the Yellow Submarine.

TALENT SHOW
Bukayo Sako was hailed as ‘an outstanding talent’ by Arsenal legend Martin Keown after tearing Slavia Prague to shreds.
Keown told BT Sport: “That young man didn’t play the FA Cup final last year and he has the point to prove.
“That will have hurt him. He probably deserved to get on in that game but maybe it was a blessing. He’s determined and his contribution tonight was different class.”
The ex-Arsenal stalwart added: “His versatility is a must.
“They can’t stop (Saka), he’s just too good. It was emphatic how he put it in the net (for his goal).
“He can play as a No 10, as a left back as I keep suggesting and on the right. He really is an outstanding talent, so why would Gareth Southgate not look at him? He’s quite unique in the skill-set he has.”
BAIL OUT
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he is relaxed over Eric Bailly’s contract situation with the defender set to become a free agent in 2022.
The Man Utd boss said: “Eric has played well when he’s played. I know there’s been speculation. We’re talking to him about his contract so I don’t see any issues really.”
And the Red Devils boss is hopeful the centre-back will be ready for selection to face Burnley on Sunday.
He added: “Eric has been isolating back home in the Ivory Coast. He’s back to England now. We hope he can be available for the weekend.
“Hopefully he can train tomorrow, depending on how he feels within himself. He’s had his tests today so we need to get the confirmation that he’s still negative.”
STOP AT NOTHING
Barcelona have pulled out all the stops to try and convince Lionel Messi to stay, according to reports.
The Catalan giants are said to have offered the Argentine a staggered pay packet, an ambassador role after he retires and the signing of Erling Haaland this summer.
Barca are in dire financial straits with the Nou Camp club said to be around £1BILLION in debt.
And as a result, they cannot offer Messi anywhere near the £2.4million-a-week salary he is currently getting.
Club chief Joan Laporta knows he cannot compete with the financial might of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain who are the favourites to sign the 33-year-old if he does leave Barca.
And as a result he has offered Messi a deal that would see his earnings start lower than what he currently earns but gradually increase throughout the duration of the new deal as the club’s finances improve, according to RAC1.
This would also see him transition into a role as a club ambassador when he decides to retire.
SILVA LINING
Man Utd will have to fork out £35million if they want to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the summer.
According to Bild, the Red Devils are interested in the Portugal international who has banged in 23 Bundesliga goals this term.
It has been claimed that United are battling Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.
Silva is seen as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.
COOCHY COOCHY BLUE
EXCLUSIVE – Man City wonderkid Phil Foden is celebrating again after revealing he is to become a dad for the second time.
He and childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke, both now 20, had little Ronnie — named after Foden’s boyhood nickname — in January 2019.
Now the midfield ace has told friends they are having a baby girl to join them in their £3.25million mansion in Prestbury, Cheshire.
The new arrival is expected in late summer or early autumn, The Sun understands.
A source said of Foden and his table-topping Sky Blues: “City can’t stop scoring at the moment — both on and off the pitch.
“They’ve hit the back of the net more times than any of the teams and are now celebrating another kid. It couldn’t be a better way to cap off such a great season.”
STAR SUPPORT
Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe paid tribute to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Thursday night.
The Gunners duo put up an ‘A’ celebration after the Frenchman’s second goal in their 4-0 win at Slavia Prague.
The message was a tribute to team-mate Aubameyang, who contracted malaria while on international duty.
The Gabon striker missed the Europa League quarter-final second leg and explained the reason why on Instagram.
After the victory, Mikel Arteta said: “He feels really good. That’s what he said to me today. Everybody’s been in contact with him.
“He was watching the game like everybody else at Colney. These things happen. He travelled to his country. These risks always exist.”
Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette showed their support for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
BISS CHASE
Liverpool should replace Georginio Wijnaldum with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma this summer, according to John Barnes.
The former England star told BonusCode Bets: “Yves Bissouma has the ability to play at a team like Liverpool.
“He could fill what Jurgen Klopp wants from the three midfield players.
“He is strong defensively, he works hard, he plays the ball quickly and every now and then when he needs to dribble, as much as we don’t speak about Brighton, you know he can do it, because he has [in the past].
“Of all the players playing in England, that could fit the template of Liverpool’s midfield three, he is one of them.
“He looks like Georginio Wijnaldum, although he doesn’t attack as much as Gini, because Brighton plays a different style of football, when Bissouma wants to he can. He is 24 and young, he would be a great fit.”
ODE GEAR
Martin Odegaard has reportedly been named as one of four young ‘untouchables’ at Real Madrid, in a blow to Arsenal’s chances of signing him.
The Norwegian has impressed during his temporary stint in North London, even bagging a memorable derby goal against Spurs last month.
Hopes have been raised among the Gunners’ fanbase that the attacking midfielder can be retained for next season.
But according to Marca, Odegaard won’t be going anywhere.
The Spanish paper report that the 22-year-old is one of four young ‘untouchables’ that the Madrid hierarchy want to build around.
Odegaard’s contract in Spain is set to expire in 2023, and a board-led renewal appears likely.
Spanish media state that Real Madrid do not wan to sell Martin Odegaard in the summer
AGUER-DOUGH
Chelsea target Sergio Aguero is demanding £200,000-a-week wages from his next club, according to reports.
The Manchester City legend is leaving the Etihad at the end of the season when his contract expires and there are four clubs looking to land the 32-year-old.
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are the three teams battling Chelsea for Aguero’s signature, according to AS.
And the striker’s agent told Italian giants Juve they would have to cough up £200k-a-week in order to sign him, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Aguero is trying to capitalise on his free agent status with any club not required to pay a transfer fee for such a talented player.
Barca are unlikely to be able to cough up the big dough with their finances crippled by Covid-19, but the chance to play with his friend Lionel Messi – if he stays in Catalonia – could tempt Aguero to the Nou Camp.
Load more entries… More