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      Pep Guardiola casts doubt over Kyle Walker’s future as he admits he ‘cannot’ carry out his tactics at Man City

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has cast doubt over the long-term Manchester City future of Kyle Walker.The Etihad chief has been trying a new system which involves his full-backs inverting to effectively play in midfield.
      Kyle Walker has just over a year remaining on his contractCredit: Getty
      Pep Guardiola cast doubt over his Manchester City futureCredit: Getty
      John Stones, Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake have all done it successfully in recent weeks – but Guardiola admits it is not something that suits Walker.
      And with City chasing glory on three fronts over the final two months of the season, there is no time for him to learn it now.
      Walker has been benched for his team’s last two Prem games and must wait and see if he is back in the team for this evening’s trip to Southampton.
      Asked if Walker can play as an extra midfielder, Guardiola said: “He cannot do it. Kyle will always have pace – he will be the fastest in this room at 60.
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      “But to play inside you have to make some educated movements and he doesn’t have all the characteristics.
      “I’m not going to ask someone who has done what he has done to change.
      “He has played as a full-back coming inside with four in the back and has done it really well.
      “But with this shape of three in the back and two in the middle he cannot do it.
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      “He will maybe need time to do it and we don’t have time.”
      Walker has just one year remaining on his existing contract at the Etihad and has yet to agree any kind of extension.
      His hopes of earning a new deal were not helped when he was given an out of court disposal by police for indecently exposing himself while drunk last month.
      Since joining from Tottenham six years ago, he has only ever been left out of three consecutive league games when fit on one other occasion.
      Guardiola was asked what he needs to do to get back in favour and replied: “Be himself. Train good, he can play in the three at the back on the right.
      “Sometimes we play with Manuel Akanji or John Stones. The reason why is tactical. It’s not because we lost faith in Kyle.
      “It’s just a question of skills. The quality sometimes you need some specific things, there are players that have his qualities.”
      Guardiola pointed out there are other big name players who have had periods out of the team but have been rewarded for being patient.
      He said: “Since I arrived here there are players who played and then don’t play. Ruben Dias in the last games has been exceptional but went two months without playing a minute.
      “Kevin De Bruyne didn’t play some important games. It happened with me I’m sorry it’s my fault. But I see the players in training and on the pitch.
      “Look at Nathan Ake this season. Last season he didn’t play one minute and now he is undroppable. It happens.
      “Nobody has a guarantee with me.
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      “They have to earn it and sometimes we need a different shape for the way we build up or defend and some players adapt better than the other ones.
      “It’s simple. They take it personally but we are not against them, we just need something and try to use it. “ More

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      Arsenal star Reiss Nelson faces trial after the forward’s dog Tiago ‘attacked a masseur in his north London home’

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      ARSENAL star Reiss Nelson is facing trial after his dog allegedly attacked a massage therapist.Saeid Motaali was at the 23-year-old footballer’s home in North London when the horror unfolded.
      Reiss Nelson has been charged after his dog allegedly attacked a massage therapistCredit: Getty
      It is alleged he was left injured by pooch Tiago on December 2, 2020.
      The Crown Prosecution Service told The Sun Online Nelson is now facing trial on September 4 at Harrow Crown Court.
      He is charged with being in charge of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control.
      The forward denied the charge at a previous hearing in October last year, Mail Online reports.
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      It is not clear what breed of dog Tiago is with the star previously sharing a picture of a French bulldog-style animal on his Instagram.
      Nelson has seen limited game time this season after failing to earn a regular spot with the current Premier League toppers.
      Despite this, he has still managed to impress while on the pitch.
      The scored twice in Arsenal’s 5-0 win against Nottingham Forest and grabbed a last-gasp winner last month to help the Gunners’ beat Bournemouth 3-2.
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      He has made 59 appearances for Arsenal in total, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.
      The Londoner will be available on a free transfer in the summer with Brighton and Nice already showing interest.
      But Nelson, who joined Arsenal as a nine year old, has made it clear he is keen to stay with the club.
      The Sun Online has contacted Arsenal and Nelson’s rep for comment.
      It is not clear which breed the dog involved is but Nelson previously shared an image of a French bulldogCredit: instagram
      Nelson is facing trial in SeptemberCredit: EPA More

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      Fuming Man Utd fans ask ‘how is this allowed’ after ‘baffling’ referee selection for Everton clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans fumed after Newcastle supporter Michael Oliver was named referee for their game against Everton. The Red Devils welcome Sean Dyche’s side to Old Trafford in a vital game at both ends of the table.
      Man Utd fans have been left raging at the Premier League’s decisionCredit: Getty
      Referee Michael Oliver is a Newcastle fanCredit: Getty
      United and Newcastle are both level on points in third and fourth coming into the game as the two sides eye a spot in next year’s Champions League.
      And surprisingly, Geordie referee Oliver has been appointed official for Man Utd’s match today.
      One fan said: “How is this allowed?”
      Another reacted: “The refs are going to f*** us over.”
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      A third added: “Absolute corruption! If we don’t win now you know what people are going to say.”
      More joked that they were going to bet on a Man Utd player being sent off.
      The decision to hand Oliver with Paul Tierney on VAR comes as a shock as he previously admitted he could not ref matches that could impact Newcastle’s league position late in the season.
      Supporters have dug up old quotes where he said: “I never referee Newcastle games.
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      “We have to declare if we have an allegiance to any club or if a family member works at a club. You can’t do any match involving that team and I can’t do Sunderland, either, for obvious reasons.
      “Because Newcastle are invariably involved in a relegation battle, when you get to March or April, it means I can’t referee anyone around them towards the bottom three.”
      Man Utd do not have a great record when Oliver is official, failing to win four of their last eight matches when he is the man with the whistle. More

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      Man Utd starlet set to be offered new long-term deal as club open talks with agent after brilliant cameos for Ten Hag

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are set to offer Facundo Pellistri a new contract, according to reports.The winger has broken into the first team under Erik ten Hag and impressed over the last few weeks.
      Manchester United are set to offer Facundo Pellistri a new contractCredit: Getty
      He played for Uruguay at the World Cup and has seen his game time at United increase since the tournament in Qatar.
      And now the Red Devils are keen to reward him for his form with a new long-term contract, reports Fabrizio Romano.
      United are set to hold talks with Pellistri’s representatives this month with the 21-year-old’s contract expiring in 2025.
      Both the board and Ten Hag are said to be pleased with his development and they are keen to tie him down for the future.
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      Alejandro Garnacho was also rewarded with a lengthy new deal after breaking into the first-team this season.
      He penned a five-year contract believed to be worth around £50,000 a week.
      His injury has seen Pellistri given more game time, with the youngster making eight appearances in all competitions.
      Pellistri has more recently appeared from the bench during the 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Europa League and the goalless draw against Southampton.
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      Ten Hag praised his performance against Betis before giving him his first United start in the second leg.
      He said of Pellistri: “He is the example by deserving his position by performance on the training ground.
      “And I said the other day, I did not select him for Liverpool and it was not even totally justified because he was training that well.
      “Now this was his moment to come on because of a longer period he performed in training. What impressed me was he came on and, straight away, showed himself.
      “When they came on, Scott [McTominay] and Pelli, it was 3-1 but 4-1 is huge, to make the extra goal. In the first moment, they did, which was brilliant.” More

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      Pep Guardiola gives Erling Haland injury update for Saints game and won’t consider saving Norwegian for Bayern Munich

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      ERLING HAALAND is fit for Saturday’s trip to Southampton after recovering from a groin injury.The 42-goal forward had to pull out of international duty last month and missed Manchester City’s win over Liverpool with the problem.
      Pep Guardiola says his Man City strike hero Erling Haaland is ‘ready’Credit: Getty
      Haaland could return with two big games in four daysCredit: Reuters
      However, the Norwegian, 22, was back training on Wednesday and is expected to start at St Mary’s.
      Pep Guardiola said: “He trained the last two days really good. He’ll be ready.
      “In terms of physicality, we’ve got two months to go.
      “We’re not training to get rhythm. Sleep a lot, eat well. Do it well, focus.”
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      The City boss insisted there is no holding Haaland back ready for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter- final first-leg.
      He added: “Bayern Munich is my last thought. It’s Southampton. The Premier League is every day, every week.
      “It’s the last part of the season now — no more international breaks.
      “How many games we’ll play depends. Win games we are alive, don’t win and we are out.”
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      Prem champions City will close the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points with victory at St Mary’s.
      The Gunners, who have played one game more, visit their unhappy hunting ground Anfield on Sunday. More

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      Frank Lampard’s horror Chelsea in-tray revealed with not enough strikers, too many squad players and Madrid on Wednesday

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      FRANK LAMPARD has only been away from his beloved Chelsea for barely two years since getting the sack as boss.Yet there will still be a raft of new faces for him to get to know.Since last summer alone the club has signed 17 players.
      Mason Mount is a favourite of Frank Lampard but where to play him will be a headache amid a huge squad stuffed with creative playersCredit: Getty
      If and where Kai Havertz fits in is just one of Lampard’s dilemmasCredit: AFP
      Frank Lampard must still be working through all his optionsCredit: Getty
      Some, like Raheem Sterling will be familiar, others complete strangers, such as Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk.
      Lampard has only nine Prem games left  to turn around a season that is drifting away despite investment of almost £600million on players alone.
      There is also Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final at Real Madrid to contend with.
      Here’s what is in Lampard’s in-tray as he prepares for his first game back in charge — at Wolves today.

      MOUNT A FIGHTBACK
      Lampard answered Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly’s SOS so he is doing the American a favour. But he must still be firm over doing things his way.
      Midfielder Mason Mount has not got a look in lately despite being fit again.
      Coincidence that one of the club’s most devoted and attacking threats has been kept in mothballs while his contract talks have stalled?
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      Lampard loves Mount, gave him his breakthrough and believes he can be a hugely potent weapon in lifting the tempo of a team which has scored only 29 Premier League goals — fewer than any of the ten teams above them.
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      KEEPERS
      An area to watch closely. Lampard was never a huge fan of Spain’s Kepa — the world’s most expensive keeper at £71.6million.
      Lampard signed Edouard Mendy as a replacement but the Senegalese has been frozen out of late. He too is having contract issues.
      Now Mendy has recovered from what seemed the longest finger injury in history, will he regain his place with Lampard in charge?
      Aubameyang has offered little hope this seasonCredit: Getty
      STRIKERS
      You don’t need a Uefa A coaching licence to see Chelsea have struggled to find the net.  They create bags of chances but there is no one to tuck the ball away on instinct.
      Veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, might as well be selling programmes outside Stamford Bridge. He has played just 65 minutes of football this year.
      Potter persevered with Kai Havertz up front when the German even admits he is not a lead frontman.
      FORMATION
      With 32 players in the squad it is a big job fitting everyone in the dressing room let alone on a pitch. Lampard prefers a back three with wing backs and he has two of the best in Reece James and Ben Chilwell.That, though, will condense the midfield with N’Golo Kante fit again, Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic all vying for midfield spots. Where Mount fits in remains a conundrum with Havertz, Sterling, Mudryk, Hakim Ziyech and Joao Felix all battling for three spaces.
      KEEPING THE SQUAD HAPPY
      No easy task with lots of established players and young hopefuls who want to show what they can do.
      Reports of players changing in corridors because the squad is so bloated will not help morale.
      WHAT TO PRIORITISE
      Chelsea languish in the bottom half of the table — in 11th spot. They are 14 points off the top four so  need to win the Champions League this season to qualify for it next campaign.
      With the budget on a knife edge having spent so much on players, Boehly either needs extra income or a big player sale to keep the Financial Fair Play wallahs at bay.
      That would suggest a s**t or bust attack on Europe and let the Prem ride — but every place in the table is worth in excess of a million quid.
      Read More on The Sun
      Good luck, Frank. More

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      Southampton vs Man City: Haaland set to return as Guardiola’s side look to close the gap at the top – stream, TV

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      MANCHESTER CITY travel to St Mary’s Stadium, hoping to regain ground on Arsenal at the top of the table.Pep Guardiola’s side are currently eight points off the Gunners with a game in hand.
      The Saints are at the foot of the Premier League table and are without a win in four ahead of the visit of City.
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      Stay up to date with all the latest from St Mary’s…

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