Premier League

PEP GUARDIOLA has given fans hope he will become England’s next manager after responding to links with the Three Lions hot seat.The six-time Premier League winner is out of contract at Manchester City next summer.Pep Guardiola has given England fans hope he could take charge of the national sideLee Carsley has given another puzzled answer on whether he wants the role permanentlyCredit: RexGuardiola has so far refused to commit his future to the champions.And there are already changes behind the scenes at the Etihad, with key ally Txiki Begiristain stepping down from his role as director of football after the Club World Cup.Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in talks with the FA about replacing interim England gaffer Lee Carsley.While the likes of Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are also thought to be strong candidates.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut it’s reckoned big-wigs dream of luring Guardiola to Wembley at the end of the season.And the Spaniard has now appeared to open the door by claiming “anything is possible.”He said: “(Leaving City?) That’s not true, in the sense that I have to think about it.“(England?) No, that’s not true. If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything is possible.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGuardiola certainly has plenty of backing for the England role, with a recent Sun poll showing 90 per cent of Three Lions fans want him at the helm.Star names including Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes have also declared their support for Pep.Fans spot Pep Guardiola coaching opposition player at final whistle and claim it’s ‘because he loves football so much’Roy Keane has become the latest big name to back GuardiolaCredit: GettyAnd Manchester United legend Roy Keane became the latest football icon to back Guardiola for the job.Speaking after the Three Lions’ 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday, he declared: “(Small pond of options?) It is but the most important thing is to get the right man, they (Tuchel, Potter, Howe) all have a chance.“The FA have to go after the right guy, whoever that is. Whether finances play a part in it, if Carsley rules himself out and isn’t interested…“That seems to be the noises coming out. The FA have to get busy and find the right man.“Go for Pep. Go for the best. Pep’s contract is up in the summer.”The FA could yet decide to stick with Carsley, who once again dismissed his chances of becoming Gareth Southgate’s permanent replacement before producing a U-turn moments later.Speaking yesterday, he said: “People are always going to try and put their chips on one side.“I’m in the middle. My bosses have made it clear what they need from me. Lee Carsley simply doesn’t sound like an England managerBy Dave KiddAfter three months of uncertainty, it is now absolutely as clear as mud.Does Lee Carsley want to be England’s permanent manager or not?And why is he so reluctant to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to such a simple question?Following a team selection which brought a welcome return to common sense — and an England victory which restored a certain amount of pride — came another chaotic round of post-match interviews in which Carsley contradicted himself several times.And given that communication is such an important part of the England job, it does not help his cause when you feel as if you are disappearing down a rabbit hole every time you speak to Carsley.He is a likeable man and a gifted coach — but he simply doesn’t sound like an England manager.There simply isn’t enough authority or clarity about him.At the age of 50, Carsley has never been the full-time manager of any senior football team and it shows.That is irrespective of the tactical car crash of Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat by Greece.Read the full article here“This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”But Carsley then added: “(Role too soon?) Definitely not. I tried to make it as clear as I could.“My remit was for three camps. I’m not part of the process but it deserves a top coach.“The players we have available, we’ve got a real chance of winning. That was the point I was making.”Carsley will need to start putting his case forward clearly if he does want the role as clamour grows for Guardiola.Backing the Spaniard to take charge of England, Three Lions hero Rooney said: “I’d like Pep to be honest. I think England have to strive for the best managers and Pep would be great; the way he gets his team’s playing.”He’s not the only England ace to support Guardiola, with Scholes saying: “I think somebody like, I don’t like to say it but Pep [Guardiola] with this group of players, I think he would get them over the line.”Look if that’s possible I don’t know but I think he’d be the ideal man to take this team forward.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAfterwards, Shearer said: “There are a couple of people who have actually said that [Guardiola being on the FA’s wishlist] to me, but maybe that’s just rumour. You never know…”And Sheringham added: “I think the FA should be breaking the bank and going out and getting the best. And for me, that man is Pep Guardiola.” More

ENZO MARESCA has reportedly made a special agreement to play a Chelsea star he loves just once a week.Blues have had a packed schedule this season due to their participation in the Europa Conference League, which they had to qualify for via a two-legged play-off.Enzo Maresca is said to be a big fan of Wesley FofanaCredit: GettyThe defender is under a strict rehabilitation programmeCredit: AlamyFortunately for Maresca Chelsea’s spending habits mean he has plenty of players at his disposal. So he has agreed to play Wesley Fofana just once per week as the defender continues his rehabilitation from an ACL tear.Fofana failed to make an appearance last season after picking up the injury in pre-season.This term he has been used just once per week, playing seven times despite Maresca being a huge fan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to L’Equipe, Maresca has fallen in love with the centre-back but has agreed to follow the club policy of limiting Fofana to a strict one-game-per-week regimen.Fofana’s set programme will be followed until the new year – barring an injury setback.The Frenchman has featured in all of Chelsea’s Prem games so far and has missed just 33 minutes of league action after struggling at right-back against West Ham.He has been left out of the cup competitions however with Maresca picking an almost entirely different squad for Conference League matches.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFofana also withdrew from the France squad last month in order to rest.That was also down to his treatment protocol designed by Chelsea.Watch Enzo Maresca’s incredibly blunt response when asked if he has regrets about axing Chelsea star from squad More

CHELSEA will remain at Stamford Bridge and expand the stadium capacity to 55,000 — if Behdad Eghbali wins the boardroom battle with Todd Boehly.Blues’ co-controlling owners are at loggerheads and want to buy each other out — and the outcome will have a huge effect on the stadium plans.Todd Boehly sees Chelsea’s future away from Stamford BridgeCredit: AlamyBehdad Eghbali has a different vision to BoehlyCredit: AlamyChelsea could look to upgrade their current Stamford Bridge homeCredit: GettyEghbali favours a £1.5billion renovation to stay at the Bridge, while Boehly wants a new 60,000 ground in nearby Earl’s Court.A source said: “There is a growing realisation that Earl’s Court can’t be done, while Boehly could be out of the club soon.“If Todd Boehly leaves, then the club are expected to push forward on plans to remain at Stamford Bridge and work towards a solution for a 55,000-capacity stadium.”An expansion would see Blues move away from the ground for just two years while work takes place.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPlans include modernising the West Stand, building concrete decks over a neighbouring railway line and using land that the club purchased from veterans’ charity Stoll.Eghbali’s preferred option does not involve a complete demolition of the club’s 42,000-capacity home.Construction of a completely new stadium on the Stamford Bridge site is expected to take at least FIVE YEARS — meaning the club would have to find a new home for that time.But it is understood that Eghbali is not in favour of being away from the Bridge for such a long period.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League under new boss Enzo Maresca.Last time out, the Blues’ drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.Inside The Butcher’s Hook, the stunning pub just a stone’s throw away from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Chris Wood fired the visitors into the lead on 49 minutes, with Noni Madueke equalising just shy of the hour mark.Chelsea will return to action next Sunday when they face Liverpool at Anfield. More