Liverpool are looking to improve the defensive unit in the summer, and they have identified Roggerio Nyakossi as a target.
The 22-year-old defender has impressed at OH Leuven and is also a target for Marseille. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool follows up with an official offer to sign him at the end of the season. It is no secret that they need more quality in the defensive unit, and the Swiss prodigy could prove to be a quality long-term investment.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Liverpool could use Roggerio Nyakossi
Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave the club at the end of the season. His contract expires in the summer, and he has not yet signed an extension with Liverpool. They will need to replace him, and the 22-year-old Swiss defender could be ideal. He has the physicality and technical attributes to try in English football, and he could prove to be a useful addition.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the young defender as well. He would get to join one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Liverpool could nurture him into a future star. If they can sign him for a reasonable amount, the deal could be worth it.
According to a report from Nieuwsblad, the 22-year-old defender would very much like to join Liverpool in the summer. It is no surprise that he wants to play for them. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to showcase his qualities at the highest level.
Liverpool won the Premier League title last season. Even though they have struggled this year, there is no reason why they cannot bounce back and compete with elite clubs once again in the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing the Hoffenheim attacker Bazoumana Toure.
The Ivory Coast international has done quite well for the German club, and several clubs are monitoring his situation. He could be on the move at the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal or Manchester United win the race for his signature.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Multiple clubs keen on Bazoumana Toure
They are not the only Premier League clubs keen on the player. The physically imposing winger is also a target for clubs like Leeds United and Everton. He will cost around €55 million in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if the interested parties are prepared to pay up for him.
He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he has the physical attributes to succeed in England. He could justify the investment in future.
It is no secret that Arsenal and Manchester United need more quality on the flanks. They need someone who will add pace and unpredictability in the final third. The 20-year-old could be the ideal long-term acquisition for both clubs. The opportunity to join them will be exciting for the Ivorian as well. It will be interesting to see if either of the two clubs is willing to come forward and submit an official proposal for him in the summer.
Arsenal and Manchester United have done well to nurture young players in the past, and they could help Toure fulfil tremendous potential.
Hinata Miyazawa: Man United Women star returns a champion
Manchester United Women star Hinata Miyazawa has won the Asian Cup with Japan.
Fantastic season
The Japanese international signed for Manchester United in 2023 from MyNavi Sendai.
She has played 77 times for the Red Devils, scoring three goals.
Miyazawa has truly become a crucial first-team option this season, and Manchester United have missed her since she has been away at the cup.
Head coach Marc Skinner has previously described her as “one of the most intelligent midfielders” he has ever seen.
United will hope that she will be available as soon as possible, as the Red Devils will take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League and runaway leaders Manchester City in the league before the end of the month.
Asian Cup
The midfielder has been wonderful for her country once again, as they came out on top in the tournament.
She scored a hat-trick in an 11-0 romp over India in the group stage and played in every other match of the cup.
The diminutive midfielder also grabbed an assist in the 4-0 win over Vietnam.
Miyazawa also played a decisive role in the 7-0 destruction of the Philippines and the 4-1 win over South Korea in the semi-final.
She played the entire 90 minutes of the final against Australia, as they ran out 1-0 winners after an early goal from Maika Hamano.
The club’s website reported on the victory by commenting, “United midfielder Hinata Miyazawa will return to Manchester as an Asian Cup winner, following Japan’s 1-0 victory over holders Australia on Saturday.”
She played in every match for the Japanese side, just like she had for Manchester United in all 32 matches they had played up to the beginning of the tournament in Australia.
The club also stated, “congratulations, Hini – we look forward to welcoming you back soon!”
💫 First Bundesliga goal in front of 80,000 fans: HSV star living his dream
There are hardly any away trips in the Bundesliga more awesome than to the Signal Iduna Park, which holds over 80,000 spectators. And there are hardly any better opportunities to score your first Bundesliga goal.
That’s exactly the dream Philip Otele is living right now. The Nigerian, whom HSV signed from FC Basel in the winter, has just scored a surprising 1-0 lead for the visitors in the top match against BVB.
The left winger, who has often been a bit unlucky in recent weeks, was brilliantly set up by William Mikelbrencis and only had to tap the ball over the line from close range.
Before that, Mikelbrencis had won the ball in a spirited duel against Daniel Svensson.
Will HSV really pull off the sensation in Dortmund and thus almost certainly secure their place in the league?
Hamburg managed to provide another argument for that still in the first half. After a flawless assist from HSV ace Fabio Vieira, Lokonga increased the lead to 2-0 for the visitors.
So far, Kovac’s team seems to have few answers to this surprising turn of events.
The defender has been one of the standout performers in Napoli’s first team, yet his contract is nearing its expiry, and no agreement has been reached over an extension. Napoli remain keen to retain their key players, and Spinazzola is firmly among those they would prefer to keep. However, Juventus are working to persuade him to reject Napoli’s proposal and make the move to Turin instead.
Contract Situation
Recent developments suggest that Juventus may hold the advantage in negotiations. A report from Tuttojuve indicates that Napoli have offered Spinazzola a one-year contract, while Juventus have proposed a two-year deal. This difference is significant, as the longer contract aligns more closely with the player’s preferences and provides greater security.
Such terms could prove decisive, particularly for a player considering his long-term future. Juventus are aware of this and appear to be leveraging their offer to strengthen their position in the race for his signature.
Potential Return to Turin
Juventus view Spinazzola as an experienced and high-quality addition who could enhance their squad in the upcoming transfer window. His familiarity with the club, having previously represented the Old Lady, could further encourage a return.
From the player’s perspective, a move back to Turin may offer both stability and a chance to continue competing at a high level. The prospect of a more favourable contract, combined with a familiar environment, makes Juventus an appealing option.
This situation has provided Juventus with a significant boost as they aim to finalise a deal. While Napoli remains hopeful of retaining him, the balance currently appears to be shifting towards the Bianconeri as they push to secure Spinazzola’s services for the 2026 to 2027 season.
Arsenal players are not discussing winning the quadruple
Arsenal could still achieve a remarkable quadruple by the end of this season, with their pursuit beginning in earnest in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday against Manchester City. The Gunners have shown strong belief in their ability to compete across all competitions and have made consistent progress in recent seasons.
Focus Remains on Immediate Challenge
While the prospect of winning four trophies is an exciting one, Arsenal understand that any such ambition depends on taking each step as it comes. Failure to secure victory in the Carabao Cup would immediately end their hopes of completing a quadruple, making this weekend’s fixture particularly significant.
Manager Mikel Arteta would undoubtedly take pride in leading his side to silverware, especially given the steady development the team has demonstrated under his guidance. However, the emphasis within the squad remains firmly on maintaining focus rather than looking too far ahead.
Arteta Plays Down Quadruple Talk
As reported by Arsenal Media, Arteta addressed whether his players have discussed the possibility of winning all four competitions. He said:
“No, because we know that we need to go game by game and trophy by trophy.”
His comments reflect a disciplined mindset within the squad, prioritising immediate objectives over long-term speculation. Arsenal’s performances this season suggest they possess the quality required to challenge for major honours, but those ambitions must be realised through results on the pitch.
The upcoming final will provide a stern test of their credentials. City remains one of the strongest sides in Europe, and overcoming them will require a composed and determined display. Nevertheless, Arsenal have consistently demonstrated resilience and high-level form throughout the campaign, indicating they are capable of rising to the occasion.
Ultimately, success at the highest level demands overcoming difficult challenges rather than seeking comfortable fixtures. If Arsenal are to fulfil their ambitions this season, they must prove their quality in matches of this magnitude, starting with Sunday’s decisive encounter.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
A Celtic title win would be the sweetest but not our greatest
A Celtic title win would be the sweetest, but it would be far from our greatest…
Martin O’Neill applauds the Celtic support. theRangers v Celtic. 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
It’s fair to say that if we manage to win this year’s title, and there’s still a great chance that we will, then it will be one of the sweetest moments in the club’s history.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
Considering everything that’s happened in these last few months, from our incompetent dealings in the transfer market, to losing Brendan Rodgers, then turning to Martin O’Neill, then being lumbered with the inept Wilfried Nancy, before Martin rescued us in our hour of need yet again. So to still be in touching distance of top spot is absolutely tremendous, ridiculously so.
Tomas Cvancara of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
We’ve also suffered the blow of losing several key first team players for a lengthy period, players who are mainstays of the side. This campaign is on a par with the infamous COVID campaign, although remarkably the current crop of players are in a much worse position than Neil Lennon’s side of that period, so to still be in contention is quite frankly astonishing.
That’s in a big way down to our Glasgow rivals having just a poor a campaign as ourselves, something that Heart of Midlothian have taking full advantage of, although it seems that the wheels might be starting to fall off the Gorgie bandwagon, although a late winner at Tynecastle today gave them a hard fought 1-0 victory over Dundee.
Tomorrow Celtic has a chance to bring the gap back to two points and also to add to our own goals for column, because that may well be significant. We had been there before.
Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
A terrific comeback to rescue a point at Ibrox, plus a battling win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, and a spirited home win over an inform Motherwell have rejuvenated our title hopes, not to mention the dramatic penalty shootout win at Ibrox has raised the confidence and spirit of the entire squad and support, giving us some much needed hope in the run in for a dream league and Scottish Cup double.
Three of our games after the split are also at home, so the possibility of securing five in a row is a lot more likelier than it was a month ago. We have to win all our games of course, but our destiny is firmly in our own hands, and confidence is high that the players under the guidance of Martin O’Neill can do just that.
Tomas Cvancara celebrates scoring the penalty that takes Celtic into the semi-finals. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Will it be the greatest title win ever? No I wouldn’t go that far as we’ve been shockingly poor for a the entirety of this campaign, but it will be one of the sweetest, that’s for sure.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Click to join Celtic Pools
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Penalties are some of the most intense moments in a football player's career.
The pressure from the spot is ramped up, with players knowing they are expected to score with every effort, even if that's unrealistic over the course of a long career.
Well, unrealistic for most, but not all. Some players simply have ice in their veins.
The Sporting News details the most successful players in Premier League history from 12 yards.
Which player has the best penalty record in the Premier League?
The best record for penalties taken in Premier League history is Raul Jimenez, whose 100% record through 14 penalties is the best in the league's history. No player has attempted as many spot kicks as the Mexico international across his stints with Wolves and Fulham and scored every time.
Jimenez's 14 from 14 in Premier League action is three more than the 100% record of Yaya Toure, who was perfect across his 11 penalties in league play.
He has scored his 14 penalties against 13 different goalkeepers, only doubling up on Christian Walton of Ipswich Town by bagging two in the same match.
Number
Date
Match
Goalkeeper
Result
1.
Nov. 3, 2018
Wolves 2-3 Tottenham
Hugo Lloris
Scored
2.
Feb. 23, 2019
Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves
Artur Boruc
Scored
3.
Aug. 25, 2019
Wolves 1-1 Burnley
Nick Pope
Scored
4.
Oct. 19, 2019
Wolves 1-1 Southampton
Angus Gunn
Scored
5.
Jan. 18, 2020
Southampton 2-3 Wolves
Alex McCarthy
Scored
6.
Jul. 12, 2020
Wolves 3-0 Everton
Jordan Pickford
Scored
7.
Jan. 15, 2022
Wolves 3-1 Southampton
Fraser Forster
Scored
8.
Sep. 28, 2024
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Fulham
Matz Sels
Scored
9.
Jan. 5, 2025
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
Christian Walton
Scored
10.
Jan. 5, 2025
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
Christian Walton
Scored
11.
Dec. 22, 2025
Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest
John Victor
Scored
12.
Feb. 1, 2026
Man United 3-2 Fulham
Senne Lammens
Scored
13.
Feb. 22, 2026
Sunderland 1-3 Fulham
Robin Roefs
Scored
14.
Mar. 21, 2026
Fulham 2-1 Burnley
Martin Dubravka
Scored
Best penalty takers in Premier League history
Only two players in Premier League history have a perfect record through double-digit attempts: Raul Jimenez and Yaya Toure.
Behind them, Dimitar Berbatov was nine-for-nine, but does not make the volume cut.
The record was held by Toure until his 11-of-11 record was surpassed by Jimenez who scored against Manchester United on February 1, 2026 to put himself at the top of the list. Cole Palmer had a chance to tie Toure, but missed with his 11th effort against Leeds in March, 2025.
Best penalty record by percentage in Premier League history
Minimum 11 penalties taken
Player
Scored/Taken
Record
Active/Retired
Raul Jimenez
14/14
100%
Active
Yaya Toure
11/11
100%
2019
Matt Le Tissier
25/26
96.2%
2002
Danny Murphy
18/19
94.7%
2013
Callum Wilson
16/17
94.1%
Active
James Beattie
16/17
94.1%
2013
Julian Dicks
15/16
93.8%
2002
Cole Palmer
18/19
94.7%
Active
Bukayo Saka
12/13
92.3%
Active
Thierry Henry
23/25
92%
2014
Who has scored the most penalties in Premier League history?
Alan Shearer holds the record for most Premier League penalties scored with 56.
Most penalties scored in Premier League history
Player
Scored/Taken
Record
Active/Retired
Alan Shearer
56/67
83.6%
2006
Frank Lampard
43/50
86%
2017
Mohamed Salah
35/41
85.4%
Active
Harry Kane
33/37
89.2%
Active*
Steven Gerrard
32/39
82%
2017
*Active but not currently contracted to a Premier League club
Who has the worst penalty record in the Premier League?
Alan Shearer has missed the most Premier League penalties of any player with 11, but it's hard to call the league's all-time top taker as the "worst" given the misses are more of a volume than anything. He is tied with Wayne Rooney, who took 33 across his career.
In fact, this is an extremely difficult question, because for the most part, if a player is a poor penalty taker, they would not be given more opportunities to take penalties.
As a result, it's exceedingly hard to quantify, as shown above where those who have missed the most are also legends of the game.
Rooney is probably a candidate for the answer, with his 67% success rate well below the traditional expectation. Others who boast low score records with a fair amount of attempts include Juan Pablo Angel (5/10), Steed Malbranque (6/10), and Dwight Yorke (6/10), but all were eventually yanked from spot-kick duties due to their failures. Raheem Sterling (4/10) fares even worse, although his attempts for Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and England are spread across all competitions.
One player who displayed a poor return from a sizable volume was Michael Owen who struck just 14 times from his 21 attempts for a 67% success rate, similar to Rooney's.
Who is the best penalty taker ever?
Given the vastness of competitions across the world, this is an exceedingly difficult metric to quantify, but there are a few candidates.
GiveMeSport ranked the best penalty takers in football history from available data, identifying Cuauhtemoc Blanco as the best ever, with a 95% success rate across 73 attempts, with just two misses in his entire career which spanned 1998 to 2015.
Another candidate is Dutch star Ronald Koeman, who holds the record for most consecutive penalties scored in the Spanish top flight with 25, and finished his career with an astonishing 94% success rate from 103 attempts (97 scored, 6 missed).
The individual with the best record in England would be Rickie Lambert, who played multiple years with Southampton, Liverpool, West Brom, and Cardiff City. Lambert scored 48 of his 51 career penalty attempts, but he does not appear on the Premier League's all-time greats because he only attempted seven (without a single miss) in the top flight.
Southampton is something of a hotbed for English greats from 12 yards. Club legend Matt Le Tissier's 25/26 put him on the list of the best Premier League takers. Across all competitions, his record was a remarkable 43/44, with only Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley able to deny him in a March 1993 Premier League match. Le Tissier then strung together a run of 27 perfect penalties.
Manchester United are plotting a surprise move for the Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Archie Gray.
According to a report from Sports Boom, they will look to make a move for the 20-year-old midfielder if Tottenham are relegated at the end of the season. Gray has been a promising acquisition for Tottenham, and he has established himself as a first-team player since joining from Leeds United in 2024.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Could Spurs lose Archie Gray?
Relegation would be a massive financial blow for Tottenham, and it could cost them around £250 million in revenues. They will need to sell players in order to balance the books, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to sanction the departure of the 20-year-old.
There is no doubt that Gray is a quality player, and he has shown that he can slot into multiple roles and perform at a high level. He could be an asset for Manchester United. They need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the 20-year-old could be the ideal option for them. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and Manchester United could groom him into a future star.
Losing the player to Manchester United would be devastating for Tottenham. He is one of their best young players, and he could develop into a star for the club. Tottenham need to hold on to players like him if they want to build a formidable team for the future.
Clubs like Real Madrid and Munich are keen on the talented young midfielder as well, and they believe that £55 million could be enough to secure his signature in the summer. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United are interested in signing the French midfielder Corentin Tolisso at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has been outstanding for Lyon, and he has 11 goals to his name in all competitions. The player will cost around €30 million, and it appears that the two Premier League clubs are willing to get the deal done.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Corentin Tolisso could be a useful signing
They could use more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and the 31-year-old could be an excellent short-term acquisition. According to a report from Sports Boom, Aston Villa have been closely tracking his progress and are hoping to tempt him in the summer. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are keen on the players as well.
Furthermore, Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring his situation, as the lack of European football could complicate a move. It remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old is prepared to move to the Premier League in the summer.
Apart from being a quality performer for the French outfit, he is also the club captain. The likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham could use his leadership skills.
There is no doubt he has the technical attributes for English football, and he could be a very useful addition for all three clubs. The €30 million asking price seems reasonable for a player of his quality and experience. He should be able to justify the investment if he ends up moving to England.
Aston Villa are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they could be an attractive destination for the French international. On the other hand, Newcastle and Tottenham have ambitious projects as well. It will be interesting to see what the 31-year-old decides.
Adam Wharton has been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace in recent months, and Manchester United are very keen on securing his signature.
According to Sports Boom, they have identified the Crystal Palace midfielder as their number one target for the summer transfer window, and they are ready to launch a move worth around £60 million to the England international.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Adam Wharton to replace Casemiro?
Casemiro is set to leave the club at the end of the season, and they will need to replace the Brazilian. The talented young England International could be the ideal replacement for the South American.
The 22-year-old has established himself as a reliable performer in the Premier League, and he will help Manchester United tighten up defensively. His ability to control the game from the deep would add a new dimension to the team as well. There is no doubt that he is one of the brightest young talents in the country right now, and he has all the tools to develop into a world-class player.
The opportunity to join Manchester United could be quite tempting for the 22-year-old. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and joining them would be the ideal next step for him. He should be competing for major trophies, and Manchester United can provide him with that platform. He has clearly outgrown Crystal Palace now, and this is the right time for him to move on and take on a bigger challenge.
It will be interesting to see if the Eagles are prepared to sanction his departure for a fee of around £60 million.
Calzona confession: ‘Napoli had so many problems, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia unhappy’
Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona reveals behind the scenes drama during his Napoli experience. ‘Victor Osimhen never trained, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were problems with the club.’
The Partenopei won the Scudetto in 2023 with Luciano Spalletti, who had Calzona as his assistant manager, but the coach and his staff walked away that summer because they felt it could not be topped.
The general feeling within the group was a negative one, seeing them finish 10th in Serie A after going through three coaches, culminating with Calzona sharing the Slovakia job with Napoli from February 19 to June 30.
Calzona came to Napoli’s rescue during crisis
EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 20: Francesco Calzona manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Nobody can dare say no to Napoli, it feels like my home.”
When Calzona picked up the pieces at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, he inherited a chaotic situation both on and off the field.
“As what happened later confirms, everyone was already seeing a way out in June and that had a big influence, as well as the other problems.
“There were issues between players and the club, people who just wanted to get to the end of the season and leave. More than anything else, the five or six new signings that were made, none of them were up to the standard of playing in that season, so by the end of that term they were all frozen out.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 06: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 06, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“So that was a fundamental problem at the core of it, but apart from that, there was a general sense of unhappiness and grumbling.
“Osimhen never trained, Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were so many problems I won’t list here. I didn’t expect to find myself in such a delicate situation, but it was still a wonderful experience,” concluded Calzona.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Osimhen had signed a new contract with Napoli, but with the understanding he would be sold that summer, so when several different negotiations collapsed, he was loaned to Galatasaray in September 2024.
Kvaratskhelia had also been pushing for the exit, but was not allowed to leave for Paris Saint-Germain until January 2025.
🚨 BREAKING: Everton and Chelsea name XIs for PL meeting
Further criticism of the BlueCo era at Chelsea may be on the cards today as the Blues travel north to take on Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Under David Moyes, the Toffees have embarked on a season that has flown under many a radar across the 2025/26 campaign, with the iconic club boss guiding them to within striking distance of the outlying European places.
In contrast, Chelsea have fallen well short of the mark, sitting a whopping 22 points off league-leading rival Arsenal, as questions remain surrounding the stewardship of co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Here is how the two sides will line up on what could be an impactful Saturday clash for the pair...
Can Everton once more narrow the gap to the top six places, or will Chelsea put in a much-needed performance as they push for Champions League qualification?
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Sunderland: Magpies out to bounce back from Champions League howler
St. James’ Park will host a high-stakes Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday as Newcastle United look to avenge December’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Sunderland.
While Eddie Howe’s men have secured wins over Manchester United and Chelsea in their last two Premier League outings, they are reeling from a midweek 7-2 Champions League exit to Barcelona.
With local pride on the line and a European finish still in sight, Newcastle must regroup quickly for this weekend’s assignment.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley are officially ruled out, while Sandro Tonali is a major doubt after limping off in Catalonia.
This likely forces a makeshift midfield trio of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey.
Defensively, the loss of Fabian Schar necessitates a centre-back partnership of Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw, although Sven Botman is also an option.
Tino Livramento is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Kieran Trippier, with Lewis Hall retaining his place at left-back.
Aaron Ramsdale endured a torrid outing against Barcelona, but he is not in any imminent danger of losing his starting spot to Nick Pope.
In attack, Howe has recently favoured Anthony Gordon as the number nine, but Nick Woltemade could be tasked with leading the line here, flanked by Gordon and Anthony Elanga.
Elanga enters the derby on a high after scoring a brace at Camp Nou and should keep Jacob Murphy out of the XI once again.
32% to 89% – “Scary” Chelsea defender sees massive increase in importance under Liam Rosenior
Jorrel Hato has seen his importance increased under Liam Rosenior, who spoke in glowing terms about the young defender.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Liam Rosenior had some very nice things to say about Jorrel Hato this week in his press conference.
That prompted a piece from Dom Smith in the Evening Standard, who took a look at the stats behind the former Ajax man’s season.
The £37m summer signing featured in 32% of the games Enzo Maresca was in charge this season. But Liam Rosenior has shown more trust, and an injury to Marc Cucurella helped too – Hato has featured in 89% of Rosenior’s games.
“In my time, he’s been magnificent. I’m so impressed with him. His temperament, his physicality. Technically, he’s a joy to work with every day. And his age is scary, how good he could be,” the new manager said.
Hato prepares for more important role as season reaches climax
There are still mixed feelings about the 20 year old’s ability within the fanbase. He’s clearly got a lot of talent and potential. But there are still very obvious flaws in his game.
We still don’t think Hato will start today – Cucurella will likely be risked again given how important the game is. But we’re sure that we’ll see the Dutchman later on, and he’ll improve that 89% to over 90%.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Hansi Flick’s key selection dilemma ahead of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Eric Garcia has been critical to Barcelona’s plans this season and has become a vital cog under Hansi Flick, so much so that he has accumulated 3230 minutes this season alone.
In recent games, the Spaniard has begun to feel the weight of his importance in terms of physical issues and even asked to be substituted in the 20th minute against Newcastle United.
While subsequent tests ruled out an injury, it is clear that fatigue has caught up with the defender and that he is better rested.
As relayed by AS, Flick will make the final call on who will start on Sunday with two options in front of him – Ronald Araujo and Xavi Espart. And that remains the one big doubt in the manager’s mind ahead of the game.
Araujo has been used by the coach at right-back in recent games, with the most notable example being after Garcia’s injury against Newcastle in the first leg.
Eric will not start against Rayo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The captain provides a defensively solid profile but is limited in terms of his attacking output. Against an opposition like Rayo Vallecano, who have tricky wingers, however, that may be valuable.
On the other side, there is Espart, who is young, dynamic, and promising, but still relatively untested and new to the big stage.
He started for the team against Sevilla and delivered a promising performance, and again came on late in the game against Newcastle United to make a second Champions League appearance as well.
While he is relatively raw, he is a more natural replacement at right-back and has shown good composure, decision-making, and even attacking output in his limited minutes.
Flick’s decision will largely depend on what he sees in training, and both players have their chances to start.
Who the manager picks, needless to say, will have a massive bearing on the team’s attacking dynamics against Rayo Vallecano.
Harvey Elliott is back: Midfielder to be brought in from the cold
Liverpool made the decision to loan Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day of last summer’s window.
Without a decent permanent offer for the 22-year-old playmaker Richard Hughes had to accept what was on the table from Unai Emery’s side.
Villa committed to a one-season loan deal with an obligation attached should certain triggers be met. If the England under-21 standout played in 10 Premier League matches then the Villa Park outfit would pay £35m for a permanent transfer.
With Elliott’s contract expiring in 2027 that was a guarantee of good money for Liverpool - whose head coach Arne Slot only used him sparingly in the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning season.
But Villa’s usage of Elliott earlier this season suggested all wasn’t rosy in the garden with this deal. In fact he was frozen out by Emery for large chunks of the season with it becoming evident that they had no intention of honouring the permanent clause.
The midfielder has only played four times for Villa in the top flight - meaning they can safely use him another five times before the end of the season without consequence.
And that means the No9 is set for an increased role towards the run-in as his club chase Champions League football. Villa have got eight games left - with one of those against Liverpool and Elliott will be ineligible for that one regardless.
And so Villa can play him in FIVE of their remaining SEVEN matches safe in the knowledge that no permanent clause will be activated.
Villa need Elliott for the run-in
And boy do they need him.
Although their Europa campaign remains on track their chase for Champions League football has hit freefall. Emery could do with the attacking boost that Elliott’s creativity can give his side.
The two-time Premier League title winner earned rave reviews from Villans for his cameo performance in the Europa League against Lille in midweek and could feature once again on Sunday.
Liverpool stand to benefit too.
Elliott can return to the club with crucial first-team minutes under his belt and nudge his way back into contention for a place in Arne Slot’s squad for next season.
Or else he could prepare the ground for a big-money summer sale with a decent showing in the run-in. It’s been a long time coming but now Elliott is set for a new lease of life.
Slot says Liverpool missed forward players in defeat to Brighton – and provides injury update on duo
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says his side’s attacking absences hurt them in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Slot was without Mo Salah for the game, along with long-term absentee Alexander Isak.
Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, was forced off in the opening stages of the game with a dead leg.
And Slot says Brighton took advantage of his side’s lack of rest.
“If you face a team that has only had 62 hours of rest, the first thing you do is make it an intense game, make tough duels, nothing wrong with the duels by the way but unfortunately it was a collision that led to Hugo going out,” he said.
“We’re without one of the best strikers that the league has seen in the last three or four years, already unavailable for the the whole season, in Alexander Isak.
“One of the best goalscorers that the league has seen in the last eight years not being available in Mo Salah.
“And then missing out on Hugo Ekitike who has had a lot of impact this season.
“As so many (times) this season you have to find a way of playing players in positions they are maybe not used to and in the first half we did it quite well but as the game went on Brighton became stronger and stronger.
“A few times this season we were able to make something happen off the bench but throughout the second half I think they were closer to scoring to make it 3-1 than we were for 2-2.”
Striker Sam Kerr is expected to depart Chelsea when her contract expires at the end of the season, while captain Millie Bright also wants to leave.
Both are out of contract at the end of this season. Chelsea offered Bright a new deal but the 32-year-old, who is the club’s longest continuously-serving player, prefers an exit, according to multiple sources briefed on the matter — who, like all referenced in this article, spoke anonymously to protect relationships. Bright’s one-year extension, signed in March 2025, does contain the option of an extra 12 months.
Kerr, 32, is also expected to depart at the end of her contract, with strong interest in the Australian from multiple clubs in the NWSL. She scored four goals for Australia, who she is captain of, en route to the Asia Cup final, which they lost 1-0 against Japn on Saturday. She is currently Chelsea’s top goalscorer in all competitions, with 10 goals.
The pair have been key figures in Chelsea’s domestic dominance. Bright has made more than 300 appearances for the club since joining in 2014, and Kerr more than 150 since arriving midway through the 2019-20 season.
Bright’s time at Chelsea includes a run of six consecutive Women’s Super League titles between 2019 and 2025, as well as 10 domestic cup trophies, while Kerr’s tenure includes six of those cups and five league titles (not counting honours in the 2024-25 campaign, which she missed through injury).
Chelsea have a number of players reaching the end of their deals in the summer, including goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forward Aggie Beever-Jones, backup goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer and defender Lucy Bronze. There is an expectation that Hampton will sign a new contract in the near future.
Forwards Catarina Macario and Guro Reiten were also out of contract at the same time and have completed moves to NWSL sides San Diego Wave and Gotham, respectively, in the last few weeks.
The 2026 summer window was always going to be a busy one for Chelsea, given those expiring contracts. It is also their first since the departure of head of women’s football Paul Green, whose shock exit in February after 13 years at the club has been significant. Green was a key figure in the side’s growth into a dynasty, gaining a reputation for shrewd succession planning and squad evolution. His departure has influenced some players’ thinking about their futures at the club, sources added.
As The Athletic reported in February, Green had less autonomy over recruitment and squad planning since Emma Hayes’ departure as manager in June 2024, with individuals who had typically focused on the men’s side becoming more involved, including sporting director Paul Winstanley. Chelsea believed the leadership structure on the women’s side needed to be adapted to reflect the differing models under Hayes, who had a wider leadership remit, and Bompastor, who focuses on the technical and performance side.
Chelsea were considering options for a sporting director on the women’s side as early as last autumn. In February, the club announced the appointment of Phil Radley for that role, with a brief of “a central role in shaping the long-term direction of the women’s team”. The accompanying statement added that Radley’s role will include overseeing recruitment and handling contracts and negotiations with players’ agents and representatives.
Bright’s experience and leadership are valuable for a dressing room that has experienced circumstances they are unused to on and off the pitch this season. But the former England international, who is currently unavailable for Chelsea due to an ankle knock suffered in the 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in February, does have significant competition for a starting spot in the team.
Chelsea’s other centre-backs include former world record signing Naomi Girma, as well as recently fit-again Kadeisha Buchanan. Nathalie Bjorn is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering another injury in last weekend’s League Cup final, but is a regular starter when fit. Veerle Buurman, 19, who deputised for the injured Bright in the League Cup final, has impressed in her first season at the club after joining from PSV.
While Chelsea understood Kerr’s exit was an eventuality, it would not seem ideal for her departure to coincide with that of Macario and a summer that also sees academy graduate Beever-Jones out of contract. Were Kerr to leave, Chelsea’s senior striker ranks would include just Beever-Jones, dependent on her contract renewal or activation of the one-year option in her existing terms, and Mayra Ramirez, who has not featured for Chelsea since a hamstring injury sustained during pre-season. The 26-year-old has suffered repeated setbacks during her rehabilitation, and Bompastor said last week that she may miss the remainder of the season.
These concerns around the front line means Chelsea could look uncharacteristically toothless in the No 9 position come next season if reinforcements are not recruited.
The uncertainty around contracts is just one facet of the uncertainty that still envelopes Chelsea. As The Athletic detailed last month, Winstanley has expressed a desire to increase the number of player sales from the women’s team, something the club has not historically been known for.
On the pitch, while Chelsea retained their League Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on March 15, the once reliably indomitable winners are also set to fail to win the WSL title for the first time in seven years, sitting nine points behind Manchester City with four games remaining after their draw with London City Lionesses on Saturday.
This season, Chelsea lost consecutive WSL matches for the first time since July 2015, following a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal with a 5-1 loss against Manchester City. It marked the first time in Sonia Bompastor’s 181-game managerial career that she lost consecutive matches.
However, they have won four and drawn one of their six matches since that defeat to City — including the League Cup final and FA Cup fifth-round double-header against Manchester United. They are now third, with fourth-placed Arsenal two points behind with two games in hand.
Chelsea face domestic rivals Arsenal over a two-legged Champions League quarter-final on March 24 and April 1, before playing Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on April 6.
A high-stakes end to the season lies ahead — but Chelsea have just as much to do off the pitch over the summer.
Brighton & Hove Albion x Liverpool - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
10':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.
10':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards after a quick counterattack.
10':
Missed opportunity! Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar. The assist came from Jeremie Frimpong.
10':
Missed opportunity! Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards during a quick counterattack, but it went wide.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Diego Gómez, who also delivered a header.Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Diego Gómez, who also delivered a header.
Danny Welbeck scores goal number 11 in the competition (30 matches)
21':
Opportunity wasted. Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.
21':
Missed opportunity! Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the center of the box, but it sailed high and to the right. The cross was delivered by Yankuba Minteh.
24':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick.
24':
Opportunity wasted. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick, but it narrowly misses the target.
It's now Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Liverpool 1. Milos Kerkez has scored for Liverpool, firing a left-footed shot from the heart of the box straight into the center of the net.It's Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Liverpool 1. Milos Kerkez scores for Liverpool with a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, placing it right into the center of the net.
30':
GOAL Liverpool: Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) scores!
Milos Kerkez scores goal number 2 in the competition (28 matches)
32':
Opportunity wasted. Jack Hinshelwood of Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, narrowly missing the target. The assist came from Danny Welbeck.
37':
Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
37':
Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal and to the right.
45 +2':
Missed opportunity. James Milner from Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner kick.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck finds the back of the net with a left-footed shot from close range, placing it right in the center of the goal. The assist comes from Jack Hinshelwood.
Danny Welbeck scores goal number 12 in the competition (30 matches)
65':
Opportunity wasted. Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to convert. The chance was set up by Dominik Szoboszlai, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
71':
Missed opportunity. James Milner of Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left following a corner kick.
Report Tedesco wanted for Fiorentina job after Fenerbahce spell
Fiorentina continue their search for a new coach next season, and Turkish reports claim Fabio Paratici has contacted Fenerbahce boss Domenico Tedesco.
The Viola are already planning for the future, as current coach Paolo Vanoli will not remain after this term, regardless of whether they secure Serie A status.
Tedesco latest target for Fiorentina
FREIBERG AM NECKAR, GERMANY – JUNE 13: Domenico Tedesco, Head of Belgium reacts during a public training session at Wasen-SportCentrum on June 13, 2024 in Freiberg am Neckar, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
New director Paratici has been tasked with finding the right man, and the latest candidate to be mentioned is Tedesco.
Although the 40-year-old is Italian, he moved to Germany at a young age and made his career there with Schalke 04, RB Leipzig, then had two years as coach of the Belgium national team from 2023 to 2025.
Fenerbahce appointed Tedesco on September 9, having sacked Jose Mourinho, and he has so far overseen 24 wins, 11 draws and five defeats for the club.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Real Madrid defender brings forward injury return date
Real Madrid have dealt with many injury problems this season, and among the most difficult has been Eder Militao’s. The Brazilian defender has been out since December with a serious hamstring issue, and while his absence has been significantly felt over the last four months, he is now closing in on a return to action.
Last week, Militao resumed training, and he has been involved with his teammates in recent days. As per Diario AS, he is determined to make his return after the international break when Real Madrid travel to Son Moix to face Mallorca.
Militao has been pencilled in to return from injury in April, and as things stand, this will be spot on. But rather than later in the month, he hopes to be involved in the early stages of the season run-in, which kicks off at Son Moix.
Real Madrid will ease Militao back in
Militao may be desperate to return to the starting line-up as soon as possible, especially as he will want to prove his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa are clear that he will not been rushed back. He is unlikely to be able to start either leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich, but if Los Blancos progress, he would be fine to face Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool in the last four.
Despite the fact that Real Madrid will not rush Militao back, they do need him as soon as possible. They have regularly been unable to rotate in central defence due to various injury problems that Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio and David Alaba have had at different times. All four are available right now, although the performance levels will go up a notch when the returning Brazilian is back in the team.
Forget Kerkez: Liverpool monster kept Reds in the game vs Brighton – but no one will talk about it
Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of Liverpool’s more impressive players as Arne Slot’s men took on Brighton on the south coast.
The Georgian international earned some criticism for his performance in the first half of action, but showcased his impressive shot-stopping abilities in the second.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Merseysiders signed the former Valencia man in the summer of 2024, with his transfer delayed to the following summer transfer window.
Giorgi Mamardashvili kept Liverpool in the tie against Brighton
We refuse to blame Mamardashvili for Danny Welbeck’s second-half goal.
A look back at the replay clearly shows that Virgil van Dijk failed to get ahead of his runner in Jack Hinshelwood. Ryan Gravenberch then didn’t help matters himself by dropping behind the Brighton striker who was unmarked for his tap-in at close range.
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
* Giorgi Mamardashvili’s stats in the Premier League game (Fotmob)
It seems Fotmob have been quite harsh with their rating of 6.4/10 – no doubt influenced in large part by the fact our ‘keeper conceded twice at the Amex.
Don’t get us wrong. his passing quality has to be addressed moving forward, particularly if Liverpool remain confident that the Georgia star is the right successor for Alisson Becker.
It was Giorgi Mamardashvili’s poor pass, as noted by Paul Gorst on X (formerly Twitter), that saw Liverpool immediately threatened thereafter.
However, it’s hard to be overly critical of our stand-in No.1 (amid Alisson Becker’s injury) given how little support he received from his backline.
Ibrahima Konate was overpowered at the far post, leaving Danny Welbeck free to power a header into the back of the net.
There’s an argument to be made that the contact prevented the Frenchman from contesting the aerial duel, but it’s not really good enough from the centre-back, and it left his ‘keeper utterly exposed.
🤯 Craziest Rhine derby ever: Köln and Gladbach both completely bonkers
It took less than 60 seconds before the previously so lively RheinEnergieStadion was suddenly silenced.
Already in the 1st minute of the Rhine derby between Cologne and Gladbach, Jens Castrop put the Foals ahead 1-0. Of all people, it was Castrop—who once played seven years in Effzeh’s youth academy—who scored.
But Cologne played the Uno reverse card: with Said El Mala, a player who was once let go by Gladbach, providing the quick equalizer. At this point, only four minutes had been played.
And the madness continued. Less than three minutes later, Ragnar Ache turned the game around in favor of the Müngersdorf side, making for probably the craziest start in the long history of the Rhine derby.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-final, booking their place in the competition’s final for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
Meanwhile, City thrashed Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate, securing their spot in the final for the 10th time.
Match preview
Arsenal are aiming to win the Carabao Cup for the third time and continue their bid to win the quadruple this season.
The Gunners rank fifth for goals scored (nine), second for both big chances created (16) and big chances missed (11), and are joint-top for most clean sheets (three).
Arsenal are the in-form side, making them favourites. They are unbeaten in their last 14 matches across all competitions.
However, Arsenal lost 3-0 to Man City the last time they met in the competition’s final.
City’s season has gone pear-shaped. They have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League and are unlikely to win the Premier League.
While they remain in the FA Cup, winning Sunday’s showdown would guarantee they do not finish the season trophyless.
City rank first for goals scored (12), accurate passes per game (604), and are joint-top for most clean sheets (three) in the Carabao Cup this season.
Victory would make Pep Guardiola the most successful manager in the competition’s history with five titles.
Team news
Arsenal are assessing Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard’s fitnesses. Eberechi Eze has been declared fit, while Mikel Merino is ruled out.
Arteta will decide whether to start David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.
Josko Gvardiol is City’s only injury concern, but Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start over Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka.
Man City (4-2-3-1): James Trafford, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Erling Braut Haaland.
Sky reporter accuses Liverpool player of ‘sleeping’ in crucial moment against Brighton
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was accused of ‘sleeping’ in the passage of play which led to Danny Welbeck’s second goal at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Brighton striker had opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Milos Kerkez equalised in audacious fashion on the half-hour mark to leave the teams level at 1-1 at the interval.
The veteran centre-forward restored the Seagulls’ lead 10 minutes after half-time as he got on the end of a pass from Jack Hinshelwood, who had ghosted in behind the Reds captain, and a VAR review showed that the scorer wasn’t ahead of the ball as it was played into his path.
Van Dijk ‘sleeping’ for Welbeck’s second goal
In providing updates for Sky Sports‘ live web commentary, David Richardson pointed an accusatory finger at the Liverpool skipper over his involvement in Welbeck’s goal.
The reporter wrote: ‘Brilliant cross from Minteh on the left but was Van Dijk sleeping to let Hinshelwood steal in behind him? The centre-back was moving slowly.’
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust
Second Welbeck goal was a collective failure from Liverpool
Van Dijk was indeed too casual in allowing the young Brighton midfielder to nip in behind him and get to Yankuba Minteh’s cross, the sort of lapse we’d never have seen from the Liverpool captain when playing at his prime.
He wasn’t the only one who could’ve done better for the goal, though – Ryan Gravenberch allowed Welbeck to run ahead of him and get into a position for a simple tap-in, while Ibrahima Konate was inexplicably on the edge of the penalty area picking up nobody in particular.
Culpability was collective in that passage of play, and the Reds’ response to falling behind a second time wasn’t exactly that of a team going all-out to try and salvage Champions League qualification, with an all too familiar passitivity taking hold.
If anything, it was Brighton who played with the intensity of a team with everything to play for, and they duly punished the latest exhibition of devil-may-care Liverpool defending in this ongoing catastrophe of a season.
You can view Welbeck’s second goal below, via @footballontnt on X:
Juve keeper, Inter chase Santos, Ferrara 🤬, Tedesco to Serie A? 🔥
A Saturday full of football has begun: three Serie A matches and many European events are scheduled, before the break that will be decisive for Italy's fate in the next World Cup.
In this article, we look at today's most important news.
Juventus, hunt for a new goalkeeper
Juventus is preparing a revolution in goal for the 2026/27 season, with Di Gregorio and Perin not set to be the starters. The Bianconeri management is evaluating three high-level profiles: Alisson, Carnesecchi, and Diogo Costa, in a market that promises to be complex and decisive. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, each choice involves different evaluations between costs, experience, and prospects.
The dream remains Alisson, but salary and uncertainties related to Liverpool weigh in, while the alternatives lead to significant investments. Diogo Costa is valued at about 50 million by Porto, the same amount requested by Atalanta for Carnesecchi, an Italian and promising profile. The strategy will depend on the final budget, but the goal is clear: to build a Champions League-worthy goal.
Milan, four at risk for Napoli
Milan is preparing for the match against Torino with the aim of winning and staying in the wake of Inter, also responding to Napoli's success. However, the Rossoneri know that the calendar presents a key junction upon returning from the break, precisely against the Partenopei at the Maradona, in a game that could be worth second place.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, attention to the situation of those on warning: Modric, Saelemaekers, Fofana, and Athekame risk suspension if booked against Torino. A non-trivial detail for Conceição, who is called to manage men and nerves in an already heavy match.
Inter, return to Andrey Santos
Inter is once again paying close attention to Andrey Santos, a midfielder born in 2004 owned by Chelsea, previously followed by Napoli and Juventus as well. The Brazilian has once again caught the Nerazzurri's eye ahead of next summer, with the management ready to consider a possible move to strengthen the squad.
According to Sportitalia, Ausilio has resumed contacts with agent Bertolucci to probe the feasibility of the operation. Santos is tied to Chelsea until 2030, following the transfer from Vasco da Gama in 2023 for 12.5 million: a targeted strategy will therefore be needed to convince the Blues.
Napoli, Ferrara against the mural
The mural signed by Jorit, dedicated to the eleven symbolic players in Napoli's history and created outside the Maradona, has sparked controversy. Among the notable exclusions is Ciro Ferrara, who, as reported by TMW, expressed his disappointment for a choice that did not involve him, despite his deep connection with the city and the club.
The former defender emphasized how the artist, too young to have lived through that era, relied on indirect accounts. Ferrara admits the bitterness of the exclusion, but reiterates that Napoli fans know his story well and do not doubt his connection with Napoli.
Roma, regret over Rowe: deal fell through
Roma's elimination against Bologna in the Europa League leaves repercussions on the market as well. The protagonist of the match was Jonathan Rowe, who scored a goal and provided two assists between the first and second legs, numbers that make the verdict even more bitter for the Giallorossi.
According to Nicolò Schira on X, intermediary Vincenzo Morabito revealed a significant backstory: Massara had practically closed the deal for the English forward's purchase before his arrival at Bologna, but the operation did not materialize.
Lazio, Maldini's doubt: redemption in the balance
Daniel Maldini immediately made an impact with Lazio, scoring a goal just 1’23’’ into the match against Sassuolo, but has yet to provide consistency. The Biancoceleste club is closely observing his growth, while Sarri works to transform him into a true striker.
According to il Corriere dello Sport, the club is considering the possible redemption set at 14 million, a figure that would become mandatory in case of European qualification. Maldini seeks a new opportunity, perhaps already against Bologna, to definitively convince and change evaluations of his future.
Fiorentina, Tedesco idea for the bench
Fiorentina is already looking to the future and evaluating possible alternatives for the bench ahead of the next season, especially in case of separation from Vanoli. Among the names that have emerged in recent hours - reports Fanatik - is Domenico Tedesco, the current coach of Fenerbahce, who has caught the attention of sporting director Paratici.
According to the Turkish press, the Viola have already initiated contacts with the former Belgium coach, considered one of the main candidates. Tedesco, tied to the Turkish club until 2027, represents an international and ambitious profile for Fiorentina's new course.
Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 3-0 Blackburn Rovers U18s
Manchester United Under-18s hosted Blackburn Rovers Under-18s on Saturday morning at Carrington.
As has become expected, Michael Carrick was in attendance to watch United, including his son, Jacey Carrick, who featured for the Under-16s on the adjacent pitch.
First half
United were on top from the start but struggled to find an end product, with early chances for JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites missing the target.
Louie Bradbury came closest to opening the scoring in the 24th minute when he struck the ball against the left post after Noah Ajayi stole the ball from Blackburn high up the pitch.
A heavy touch from Thwaites in midfield gave Blackburn a rare opening, but Fred Heath and Albert Mills combined quickly to snuff out the chance.
There was a scramble in the Blackburn area towards the end of the half that saw Gabriel, Godwill Kukonki, and Bradbury all have efforts blocked off the goal line, somehow keeping the match scoreless at the break.
Second half
Some sloppy play at the back from United caused a nervy start to the second half for Darren Fletcher’s side, but it was United who made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute.
A quick break down the right wing with Junior Brown and Yuel Helafu ended with the ball centred to Gabriel, who spun his marker and was taken down for a penalty.
Gabriel stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for his 23rd goal of the season.
Kai Rooney was introduced after the hour mark, having started the Under-16s match on the opposite pitch where he scored two goals and assisted twice.
Brown initiated the move down the right wing before squaring to Rooney, who took the ball on the turn and fired low under the keeper from 20 yards out.
Thwaites put the match to bed in the 71st minute with yet another free-kick goal. Situated to the left of the box, Thwaites snuck the ball inside the near post from a wide angle to make it 3-0.
There could have been more goals for United as Rooney and Jariyah Shah rattled the woodwork, but the 3-0 scoreline was enough to earn the three points for United.
Elsewhere in the league, Manchester City were held to a draw by Burnley, which allows United to go level with their city rivals at the top of the table.
Match facts
United: Heath; Helafu, Mills, Kukonki (c), J. Watson (McEvoy 63); McCormack; Brown, Thwaites, Gabriel (Shah 70), Ajayi (D. Nkoto 70); Bradbury (Rooney 63).
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes.
Goals: Gabriel 54 pen, Rooney 65, Thwaites 71.
Booked: McEvoy, Rooney
Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Revealed: Why Inter Milan Changed Their Mind On Offering Galatasaray Target A New Contract
Inter Milan have performed a quiet but significant U-turn on Hakan Calhanoglu contract situation, with the Turkey international’s recurring injury problems forcing the club to rethink their renewal plans.
According to the Corriere dello Sport, via FCInter1908, the original plan was straightforward.
Inter intended to agree a new deal with Calhanoglu, whose contract runs until 2027, and only consider a sale if those talks collapsed.
That plan is no longer operative.
Since December, the midfielder has suffered three separate injury setbacks.
Each one has shifted the mood inside Viale della Liberazione further away from an automatic renewal and toward a wait-and-see approach.
End Of Season Will Decide Calhanoglu Inter Milan Fate
Everything now depends on how Calhanoglu finishes the season.
Only a conclusion that demonstrates he can sustain full physical and athletic availability will convince Inter to extend his deal.
If he struggles again, the club will pursue a different path.
And meanwhile Galatasaray, who remain confident they can strike a deal for around €10-15 million before the World Cup, are ready to move quickly.
Calhanoglu returns to the starting lineup for Sunday’s trip to Fiorentina, with Inter hoping this marks his last injury interruption of the campaign.
After that, he heads to Turkey’s World Cup playoff double-header, fixtures Chivu would rather he skipped entirely given his fragile fitness.
A strong finish, ideally with a Scudetto and perhaps the Coppa Italia, remains the clearest possible argument Calhanoglu can make for his own future at the club.
Everton Starting XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Everton vs Chelsea Preview: Injury Concerns Shape Key Clash
Everton head into their Premier League meeting with Chelsea facing a mounting selection headache, with several key figures unavailable or uncertain ahead of kick off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. David Moyes must once again lean on squad depth as his side looks to respond after a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Injury List Impacts Everton Setup
Everton will definitely be without Jack Grealish and Carlos Alcaraz, both sidelined through injury, while Tyrique George is unable to feature against his parent club Chelsea. Defensive stability is also under threat, with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite both doubtful. Moyes remains hopeful they will be “in and around” the squad, though neither is guaranteed to start.
Photo IMAGO
Defensive Adjustments Likely
If Tarkowski and Branthwaite miss out, Everton could retain a makeshift back line of James Garner, Jake O’Brien, Michael Keane and Vitaliy Mykolenko. Should one return, Garner may step into midfield after his recent England recognition, allowing O’Brien to shift into a more natural defensive role.
Midfield and Attack Options
Idrissa Gueye is expected to anchor midfield, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, facing former club Chelsea, will likely operate further forward. Iliman Ndiaye offers attacking width, alongside either Dwight McNeil or Harrison Armstrong.
Up front, Beto’s recent struggles in front of goal have opened the door for Thierno Barry, who may be handed a starting opportunity to spark Everton’s attack against Chelsea.
“It’s scary how good he could be” – Liam Rosenior backs defender for greatness after mixed season
Liam Rosenior has praised one of his young players who has such exceptional potential to be a top player in the Premier League.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Chelsea added Jorrel Hato to their squad in the summer, and it’s fair to say fans were happy about the move.
He’s had some ups and downs since, but the talent is obvious. It’s easy to forget just how young he is. We’re not sure he will feature today, but we’re always likely to see him as relief for Marc Cucurella off the bench.
“In my time, he’s been magnificent,” the head coach said.
“I’ve been so impressed with his temperament, his physicality, technically. He is a joy to work with every day, and at his age, it’s scary how good he could be.
“It takes time. He’s a young player that came through at Ajax, who captained Ajax at 17 years old. He then joins a massive club in a different league, in a different culture, and it takes time to bed in.
“In terms of what’s happened before me, there are loads of different contextual things that can affect a player’s performance, but in my time with Jorrel, he’s earned my trust, he’s earned the staff’s trust, and he’s a very, very exciting player.”
In other news…
Liam Delap has defended Rosenior’s time at Chelsea so far, pointing out that the new coach had done a lot to help his team.
The game against Everton is tough to be a tough one. David Moyes has made them so hard to beat, and Rosenior was singing his praises today.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Official: Vlahovic returns after nearly 4 months as Juventus squad list confirmed
Dusan Vlahovic returns to the Juventus squad for the first time in nearly four months as the Serbia international is available for selection for tonight’s Serie A match against Sassuolo.
Juventus star Vlahovic is part of the Bianconeri’s squad list for their Serie A match against Sassuolo on Saturday.
Vlahovic has not made a competitive appearance for the Old Lady since November 29, when he was subbed off after less than 30 minutes of a home game against Cagliari. The Serbian was forced to undergo surgery at the start of December to repair a tendon in the left adductor.
He’s not expected to start tonight, but he could make a substitute appearance, giving Luciano Spalletti a much-needed boost for the final part of the season, during which the Old Lady will push to snatch a top-four finish.
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus takes a shot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Vlahovic has scored two goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this season.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and Juventus at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 01, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Juventus squad list vs. Cagliari
I convocati da mister Spalletti per la gara all’Allianz Stadium di questa sera ⚪️⚫️📜 #JuveSassuolo
⏱️ Bunny Shaw sets new WSL records with latest Man City hat-trick
There is simply no stopping Manchester City Women striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw this season.
The forward scored her latest hat-trick for the Women's Super League leaders on Saturday afternoon as they lead Tottenham comfortably at half-time.
Shaw opened the scoring after eight minutes after latching onto a loose ball in the box following a corner.
Olivia Holdt equalised for Spurs minutes later, but the visitors weren't level long as Shaw struck again to restore City's lead.
In the 21st minute, the City star then completed her hat-trick with a strong header into the back of the net.
It is Shaw's fourth hat-trick against Tottenham, but also set new WSL records as the fastest from the first to the third goal, as well as earliest scored from the start of a match.
City lead 5-1 at half-time as both Kerolin and Vivianne Miedema got in on the goalscoring action before the break.
It's turning into a nightmare afternoon for Spurs!
Inter Milan Identify Napoli & Roma Stars Among Potential Replacements If Italy Defender Joins Barcelona
Inter Milan have drawn up a shortlist of potential Alessandro Bastoni replacements as Barcelona accelerate their pursuit of the Italy defender, with Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno, Roma’s Evan Ndicka and Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi all identified as candidates.
Both sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick have made a left-footed centre-back their top defensive priority, and Bastoni is the man they want.
The transfer seemed unlikely just a few months ago, but Sport report that all parties are now focused on making it happen.
Barcelona first contacted Bastoni’s representatives at the start of the season.
That initial meeting produced a positive response, and the player’s openness to the move has grown since.
Inter Weigh Up Ndicka & Buongiorno As Alternatives If Bastoni Joins Barcelona
Crucially, Inter themselves have shifted their position.
While they were previously reluctant to sell, they now accept that Bastoni could leave, and that the funds generated could finance the signings Chivu and Ausilio want to make this summer.
Inter’s current valuation stands at around €70 million.
Barcelona are aware that figure could come down, potentially through a player-plus-cash structure, though including a Barca player in the deal carries its own complications given the Catalans are reluctant to destabilise their squad at a critical point of the season.
Barcelona plan to intensify contact in April.
However, they want Bastoni himself to drive the process, making clear that, if he leaves Inter, his only destination is the Camp Nou.
From that point, the negotiation can begin in earnest.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Simeone addressed several key talking points, starting with the absence of two of the game’s best goalkeepers – Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak.
“The fans stand to lose the most because two very good goalkeepers are missing.”
First test against Arbeloa
As always with this fixture, emotion will play a huge role and Simeone emphasised the psychological side of the game, highlighting the intensity both teams will bring.
He explained, “It’s a game that’s played with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. We’ll try to do our best and get to a point in the match where we can really hurt our opponent.”
This derby will also mark Simeone’s first encounter with Alvaro Arbeloa as Real Madrid manager.
Diego Simeone is looking forward to the Madrid derby. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Despite the change on the Madrid bench, Simeone was full of praise for the job Arbeloa has done so far.
He pointed to the connection between the coach and his players as a key strength, stating, “He’s doing a great job; the results speak for themselves.
“There’s a real connection with the players, beyond the technical skills we coaches may have.
“There’s an extra quality that comes through, like this, in terms of what the coach wants, asks for, and needs.”
Madrid’s identity remains intact
When asked about changes within the Real Madrid setup, Simeone suggested that, from his perspective, very little has shifted.
Referring to recent performances, he said, “You see it much more than we do. We’re seeing it now, in these last few games.
“They always follow the same pattern; the players are the same; they’re working well as a team, especially against Benfica and City; they aim to win it all,” he concluded.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has urged his former club to sign Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, describing him as someone who’d be a “brilliant addition”.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Van de Ven has shone at Spurs but the club as a whole have endured two difficult seasons in a row, so it would perhaps make sense for the Netherlands international to look for a move elsewhere.
Chelsea are also a little light of options at the back, so one imagines Van de Ven could easily come in as an upgrade on the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Cole is a big fan of the 24-year-old, and suspects that he might be unsettled at Tottenham and open to a move for a new challenge.
Joe Cole wants Micky van de Ven transfer for Chelsea
Speaking on the Dressing Room podcast, Cole said: “Micky van de Ven from Tottenham. I think he’s looking like he wants to leave. I think he’d be a brilliant addition for Chelsea.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with Van de Ven in the weeks and months ahead, but a lot of it will surely rest on whether or not Spurs get relegated.
The north Londoners are currently just a point above the bottom three, so they could well be dragged down there in the final few games.
If Tottenham were to end up dropping down to the Championship, it’s certainly hard to imagine a player of Van de Ven’s calibre staying there.
However, it may be that El Mala himself has already said yes to a move to Brighton, according to Christian Falk in yesterday’s edition of his exclusive CF Bayern Insider column.
Said El Mala set for Brighton transfer?
It remains to be seen if Chelsea could still hijack this deal, but for now it sounds like Brighton are in a strong position to sign El Mala.
According to Falk, the 19-year-old has personally agreed to the move, with his brother also set to join the Seagulls as an important part of the terms of the deal.
“It is TRUE: Said El Mala has said yes to signing for Brighton,” Falk wrote.
“The idea is that the Seagulls could offer €40m [£34.4m] to FC Köln. There was also a bid in the winter of around €30m, but that wasn’t enough for Cologne, as they needed him for the rest of the season.
“But in the summer, there’s a clearer pathway. Brighton made their offer, which is very attractive for the family! El Mala changed his agent, letting his mother take over.
Said El Mala
Games
Goals
Assists
FC Koln 2025/26
26
9
3
“He also has a brother, Malek El Mala. Both brothers wanted to play in the same club – and they can do this at Brighton, as the south coast club also made an offer for Malek. This is the dream!
“Both can play in England, which is why Brighton are in the lead. I think this transfer will happen.”
Said El Mala faces important transfer decision
El Mala looks ready for a big move to England, but he has to pick his next club wisely in order to maximise his chances of playing regularly.
It’s clear that the teenager is very capable and it won’t do him much good to just come and sit on the bench of a club like Chelsea.
At the same time, however, the Blues have invested a lot in young talents in recent times, so could find room for El Mala as an upgrade on the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.
Brighton seems to be his preference for now, though, so CFC might have to pull off something pretty special in order to change his mind.
Pressure mounts on Gasperini with Roma trio expected to split
Reports in Italy claim that Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is under scrutiny, with either he, Frederic Massara or Claudio Ranieri expected to depart at the end of the season.
Roma’s Europa League elimination at the hands of Bologna, along with the team’s poor form in Serie A in recent weeks, will likely have consequences for the following campaign.
Gasperini under scrutiny at Roma
Corriere della Sera and Il Messaggero report that coach Gasperini met with vice-president Ryan Friedkin, sporting director Massara and advisor Claudio Ranieri on Friday.
Several issues were discussed during the meeting, from the team’s competitiveness to the coach’s management.
It is no secret that Gasperini is unhappy with the transfer activity conducted by Massara, while Ranieri has been trying to mediate between the two parties over the last few months.
Despite a very good start to the season, Roma have lost 14 games across all competitions, they are out of the Europa League and sit 6th in the table, three points below fourth-placed Como.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
According to sources, Roma are set to make changes for 2026-27 with either Gasperini, Massara or Ranieri leaving at the end of the season.
In the meantime, the team will be pushing for a Champions League placement, a target that the club is desperate to reach, especially because the lack of revenue from Europe’s elite competition would force them to sell at least two top players for financial reasons.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Why United are keen on Chelsea flop
With Mason Mount facing an uncertain future at Manchester United, the Red Devils could turn to another former Chelsea midfielder to add creativity to their squad.
United signed the versatile Mount to both support and challenge Bruno Fernandes, who remains the side’s most reliable creator through the middle.
However, United’s number seven has had a torrid time at Old Trafford due to fitness issues. He has just two minutes under his belt since Michael Carrick’s arrival. It seems INEOS are exploring the market for a new attacking midfielder, with Fernandes not getting any younger.
Manchester United interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
According to SportsBoom, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s “surging form has whetted the appetite” of Premier League giants, including Manchester United.
Dewsbury-Hall had a difficult stint at Chelsea, leading to his move to Everton last summer in a £28 million deal, including add-ons.
The 27-year-old has emerged as a “cornerstone” of David Moyes’ side, having been directly involved in 11 goals in 23 Premier League appearances this season.
Dewsbury-Hall’s versatility in both the “Number 8” and “Number 10” roles has made him an appealing target for top Premier League clubs.
It is claimed United and Aston Villa are “feeling out” the situation in Merseyside despite the star player recently stating, “I’m playing the best football of my career.”
Everton intend to remain firm
As far as the Toffees are concerned, Dewsbury-Hall is “unsellable”. However, an astronomical bid could test their resolve.
It is understood Everton would likely agree to start negotiations at around £45 million. The Englishman is tied to the club until 2030, handing them a lot of negotiating power.
The report adds: “Should a club like Manchester United or Aston Villa submit a bid exceeding £50 million, Everton’s financial balancing act could force a difficult decision, potentially allowing the player to prove his worth at the highest level of the ‘Big Six’ ladder.”
Meanwhile, the Mancunians are reportedly keeping an eye on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Archie Gray, who could be available in a cut-price deal if the North London outfit are relegated to the Championship.
Feature image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Numbers – Simeone set for major milestone on Arbeloa’s Madrid derby debut
Few fixtures in world football carry the intensity of a Madrid derby, and this weekend’s clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid promises to be no different.
The stakes are already high, but there is an added edge to this encounter.
Real Madrid head into the game with revenge on their minds after suffering a painful 5-2 defeat in the previous meeting.
While the focus will naturally be on the result, this match also marks a historic milestone for Diego Simeone.
What’s the story?
The Atletico boss is set to take charge of his 50th derby against Real Madrid. As such, of those encounters, 20 have come at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Across the 49 previous meetings, Simeone has registered 14 wins, 17 draws, and 18 defeats.
While the balance is tight, recent visits to the Bernabeu offer encouragement, as Atletico have not lost there in La Liga since the 2021/22 season, with their last three league trips ending in 1-1 draws.
A new chapter on the Madrid bench
Simeone will come up against his 8th Real Madrid manager. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
There will, however, be one unusual detail this time.
For years, Simeone’s biggest tactical battles came against Carlo Ancelotti. Across 26 derby clashes, both managers won nine games each, drawing the remaining eight.
This time, though, the familiar face will be missing. Instead, Simeone will come up against Alvaro Arbeloa.
In fact, Arbeloa becomes the eighth different Real Madrid coach Simeone has faced, following names like Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, against whom he played 13 times, Jose Mourinho (4), and others.
For Real Madrid, this match will be about redemption.
On the other hand, for Atletico, it is another opportunity to assert dominance in a fixture where margins are always fine.
The Bernabeu will set the stage, the rivalry will provide the fire, and history will add the pressure. And when the whistle blows, none of that will matter – only the result will.
Man Utd take official action against Stuart Attwell who has now cost them 4 points this season
Manchester United have decided to report match official Stuart Attwell, accusing him of adopting double standards in Friday’s draw at the Vitality Stadium.
The Red Devils had to chance to consolidate their third place in the table before their Champions League rivals step foot on the pitch this weekend.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Michael Carrick’s men took a slim lead on two occasions, but they weren’t able to maintain it. However, they felt they were impeded by Attwell’s controversial calls.
Stuart Attwell under scrutiny following inconsistent officiating in Bournemouth vs Man Utd
The referee started the second half on the right foot, pointing towards the spot when Alex Jimenez pulled Matheus Cunha’s shirt inside his own box. This stonewall penalty was an incredibly easy call for the 43-year-old, and Bruno Fernandes converted it to give Man Utd a deserved lead.
Nevertheless, a few minutes later, the Warwickshire native waved play on when Adrien Truffert pushed Amad Diallo off balance, also inside the box.
A second penalty kick would have allowed MUFC to open a two-goal cushion. Instead, the Cherries went on to grab the equaliser through Ryan Christie.
United retook the lead thanks to an own-goal, but their joy was short-lived due to another debatable refereeing call.
Harry Maguire hauled down Evanislon, and Attwell was quick to signal a spot-kick for Bournemouth, and sent off the MUFC veteran, who was the last defender.
Many fans and pundits argued that Maguire’s challenge wasn’t too dissimilar to Truffer’s, but the match official made contrasting calls.
Man Utd take a stance against unjust officiating
According to the Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan, United were left furious by the incident, and have decided to file an official complaint, reporting Friday evening’s officiating to the PGMOL.
The source also lists a series of dubious calls that went against Man Utd earlier this season, including the failure to send off Brentford’s Nathan Collins for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, which was an almost identical case to Maguire’s dismissal on Friday, and the failure to award them a penalty at Wolves.
Nevertheless, the most curious case on the list is Lisandro Martinez’s disallowed goal against Burnley at Turf Moor in January (with Darren Fletcher acting as a caretaker), which United felt should have stood. That’s because the match official who ruled out the goal was none other than Attwell. He had also failed to spot a nasty and deliberate stomp from Kyle Walker on Patrick Dorgu during the same contest.
While Man Utd are taking a strong stance by launching this formal complaint, the damage has already been done on the pitch. Hence, there’s little PGMOL chief Howard Webb can do, perhaps other than avoid appointing Attwell for United’s games for the rest of the season.
How Phil Cole’s empty beers bottles got us to Celtic Park and into the Jungle
Last night on The Celtic Star we posted part 2 of Mike Maher’s recollections of supporting Celtic during the club’s first 9IAR years…
Phil Cole’s Bar Coatbridge. Photo The Celtic Star
We received this response from Frank T, which we thought we’d share with you before publishing the third and final instalment of of this brilliant insight into what it was like supporting Glasgow Celtic as they really did put on a show in the 1960’s and 70s.
If you are just catching up with this series here are the two likes to the first two instalments.
PART ONE – 9IAR, The First One – The impact of the travelling Celtic support
Celtic supporters. Photo The Celtic Wiki
PART TWO – ‘Infurabevvy’, rebel songs and an ‘alternative education’ on Phil Cole’s buses
Now here’s Frank’c contribution after he read part two last night. Part three to follow shortly on The Celtic Star…
Phil Cole’s bus and the Celtic supporters – early 1960s. Photo social media
Good to hear of the Celtic supporters’ buses leaving from Phil Cole’s pub in Langlone, Coatbridge.
Phil Cole’s barmen stored their empties in a fenced compound behind the pub. Myself and a few friends:- Paddy Boyle, Tom Docherty, David McDade and William Lewis would climb the fence, steal some empties and go into the “Family Dept.” and sell the Beer bottles back to Phil Cole — You got thrupence on an empty, in those days.
Fully flushed with cash we would pay our sixpence to get on to the Phil Coles bus to Parkhead and go into the jungle. We would get lifted over at the turnstyle and we would always have enough spare change to buy the horrible, Macaroon Bars which the pitch-side vendors sold during the game.
Phil Cole’s Coatbridge. Photo social media
Often we stood knee-deep in urine, at the front of the Jungle and sometimes had to wear crash helmets as a defence against the bottles which rained-down, if a refereeing decision went against our beloved team.
I’m sure I must know your writer (Mike Maher) because we all knew each other in those days.
All the lads I have mentioned have now gone to the ‘Great Celtic Park in heaven above’ and I am sure that any of their relatives will not mind me recalling our boyhood exploits.
By the way, the Paddy Boyle I mentioned later became Father Patrick Boyle and I often wonder if he related these evil deeds in confession!
Also I’m sure Phil Cole; God bless him, knew of our racket but allowed us to get to the games anyway. This continued for years until we reached adolescence and by the way; Celtic were rotten in those days and just avoided relegation. Nonetheless they were great days full of innocent adventure.
I hope Phil Cole’s relatives don’t read this article and have me in court seeking reparation for all those empty beer bottles!
Frank T
Mike Maher’s third and final instalment of this series is coming up shortly…
Click to join Celtic Pools
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Official: Borussia Dortmund announce Emre Can contract extension
Following speculation during the week, Borussia Dortmund have officially announced that Emre Can has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2027.
Can’s previous deal had been set to expire at the end of the current season, but both player and club were keen to continue their long-standing relationship, which is now set to enter its eighth year.
Speaking after the announcement, Can expressed his delight:
“I am delighted to continue being part of Borussia Dortmund. BVB is a special club, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support. My goal now is to get fit again as quickly as possible, return to the pitch with my teammates, and achieve success with the club.”
Sporting director Lars Ricken also praised the captain’s importance to the team:
“Emre is our captain and an absolute role model. He is a leader who sets the standard and always puts the team first. It was no coincidence that, immediately after his serious injury, we made it clear we wanted to continue supporting him, because he remains a key player for Borussia Dortmund. Now, Emre must focus fully on his recovery, and we look forward to seeing him back on the pitch.”
The 32-year-old has been sidelined since February after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
🚨Breaking news: Emre Can extends contract with Dortmund until 2027
The captain and leader of the black and yellow team extends his connection with the club during a challenging time.
Still recovering from a long-term injury, Emre Can's future will remain tied to Borussia Dortmund, which today confirmed its captain for one more season.
It will be Emre Can's eighth season wearing Borussia's yellow jersey, and although his contract was set to expire this season, it will continue for at least one more.
Liverpool return to Premier League action this afternoon to face Brighton. The Reds come into this one off the back of a dominant 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.
But now, they’re attention turns to their battle to secure Champions League football for next season. Arne Slot’s side currently sit 5th in the table and will be looking to capitalise on Man United after they dropped points against Bournemouth last night.
Team News
Arne Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah will miss this one with a muscle injury, but hopes that the Egyptian will be available after the international break.
Alisson Becker is also set for a spell on the sidelines, with Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to return to the side.
The duo joins the likes of Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak on the sidelines.
Liverpool Confirmed XI
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike, Gakpo.
Juventus vs Sassuolo – Match preview and team news
Juventus and Sassuolo go head-to-head in Serie A at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday as Luciano Spalletti’s men look to re-enter the top four in the table.
Juventus will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run and keep the pressure on AS Roma and Como in the race for the top four as the matchday 30 of the season approach.
Juventus vs Sassuolo – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Referee: Matteo Marchetti
VAR: Rosario Abisso
Last meeting: Sassuolo 0-3 Juventus, Serie A, 6th January 2026
Juventus team news
Juventus come into this match with a largely settled squad, with only Emil Holm sidelined due to a calf injury.
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues. Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik, both of whom were struggling with injuries, are now back in contention.
In their most recent match, Jonathan David was dropped to the bench as Kenan Yildiz started up front as a false nine and Spalletti might once again stick with that plan in case he decides to keep Vlahovic and Milik on the bench.
Sassuolo team news
Sassuolo arrive in Turin with several absentees of their own, particularly in defensive areas, where Daniel Boloca and Fali Cande are sidelined with their own injuries.
Alieu Fadera is also out with a broken cheekbone while Edoardo Pieragnolo is doubtful due to his muscle issue.
The front three will once again be comprised of Domenico Berardi, Armand Lauriente and Andrea Pinamonti. In their last five matches in which they scored, one of them was always involved in every single match and will look to continue their form.
Form
Juventus
Juventus are currently on a four match unbeaten run and sits fifth in the table with 53 points from 29 matches. They defeated Udinese 1-0 away from home last week. They sit second in the xG table in comparison to their real position suggesting that they have underperformed in the season but as the final quarter of the season approaches, they will certainly want to make sure that they get inside that top four position and qualify for next year’s Champions League.
Sassuolo
Sassuolo’s recent form has been streaky, with a run of three consecutive wins following a pair of defeats. They sit at 10th with 38 points in the league and in their most recent outing, they lost 0-1 at home to Bologna. Although Sassuolo sits at 10th position in the table but they rank 15th in the xG table, indicating that they are currently overperforming and regression is looming against Juventus.
Barcelona summer signing closing in on major La Liga award
Everything seems to be falling perfectly into place for Joan Garcia.
What started as a breakthrough season at Barcelona is now turning into a genuine push for one of La Liga’s most prestigious individual honours.
Fresh off his first senior call-up to the Spanish national team, the 24-year-old goalkeeper is now firmly in the race for the Zamora Trophy, awarded to the goalkeeper with the best goals conceded ratio in the league.
Numbers that tell a powerful story
As per SPORT, the Barcelona keeper has conceded just 17 goals in 22 matches, giving him an outstanding average of 0.77 goals per game.
Interestingly, there is an important detail that keeps the race alive. Due to a meniscus injury earlier in the season, Garcia missed six matches.
To officially qualify for the Zamora Trophy, a goalkeeper must feature in at least 28 matches, playing a minimum of 60 minutes in each.
With 10 matchdays still to go, Garcia needs to play at least six more games to meet the requirement, something that looks highly achievable if he stays fit.
Joan Garcia is the favourite to win the Zamora trophy. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
If he reaches that threshold, Garcia becomes the clear favourite. Not just because of his numbers, but because of the momentum behind him.
Out of his 22 appearances, he has already kept 11 clean sheets, which is a remarkable return for a player in his first full season at the club.
Competition struggling to keep up
The race, as expected, is not without competition.
Thibaut Courtois remains one of the main challengers. The Real Madrid goalkeeper has conceded 24 goals in 28 matches, with an average of 0.86, although he has now been ruled out for more than a month.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak has also been in the conversation, but his campaign has been disrupted by physical issues.
As such, he has conceded 25 goals in 26 matches, averaging 0.96 per game.
Considering all this, if Joan Garcia maintains his current level and avoids further injury setbacks, the Zamora Trophy is within reach.
Liverpool team news v Brighton: Mamardashvili replaces Alisson as Slot forced into attacking change
Liverpool play their final match before the March international break this afternoon when they face Brighton at the Amex Stadium, with the Reds going into the game off the back of a 4-0 Champions League drubbing in midweek.
Arne Slot’s side switch their focus back to Premier League matters today as they seek to nudge into the top four overnight if they can defeat the Seagulls, whose improved form has seen them win three of their last four games.
LFC have been dealt two significant injury blows in the 24 hours or so leading into this fixture, with Mo Salah and Alisson Becker both ruled out, and a subsequent Instagram post from the goalkeeper would suggest that his return to action won’t be swift.
While that long-serving duo miss today’s clash against Brighton, who has been included in the Liverpool starting XI on the south coast?
Giorgi Mamardashvili takes Alisson’s place between the sticks, with an unchanged back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez ahead of him.
The midfield personnel are also duplicated from Wednesday night, so it’ll be interesting to see if Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz are deployed in a diamond setup once again, or if one of them will assume a right-sided attacking role.
Salah’s place up front is taken by Cody Gakpo, who lines up alongside Hugo Ekitike.
Freddie Woodman, Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez are the experienced heads on a youthful substitutes’ bench which includes Rio Ngumoha, Kieran Morrison, Trey Nyoni and Calvin Ramsay.
You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X:
PSG go head-to-head against Nice in a Ligue 1 clash at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday with both sides chasing points at opposite ends of the table.
Paris sit atop the table and look to expand their lead, while Nice are still looking over their shoulders at the relegation scrap and desperate to build on a much-needed recent win.
Nice vs PSG – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice
Nice team news
Claude Puel’s Nice are expected to be without several players through injury, adding to the pressure on a thin squad in the run-in.
Tanguy Ndombele, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Ali Abdi, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moise Bombito, Isak Jansson and Mohamed-Ali Cho are all listed as unavailable through injury going into the weekend.
Captain Dante remains a key figure at the back and could be partnered by Juma Bah, while midfield stability will likely come from Morgan Sanson and Hicham Boudaoui.
While Kevin Carlos and Kali Boudache are expected to start, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Sofiane Diop, the highest goal scorer for Nice this season with seven goals in Ligue 1 and nine altogether, starts from the kick-off along with Elye Wahi, who scored and assisted in their last game after coming on as a substitute.
PSG team news
Paris Saint-Germain travel south without several important names, although Luis Enrique still has considerable depth at his disposal.
Right-back Achraf Hakimi is suspended for this fixture after accumulating five yellow cards in French competitions.
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz, promising youngster Quentin Ndjantou and winger Bradley Barcola are all ruled out through injury.
In the absence of Hakimi, Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to fill in on the right side of defence.
Ousmane Dembele is ready to lead the line once again with support from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue through the flanks.
Form
Nice
Nice have been in modest form this season, sitting in the bottom half of Ligue 1 and showing inconsistency in both attack and defence. They have picked up just a few wins in recent weeks, with defeats to stronger sides underscoring their struggles to maintain rhythm. Their most recent outing was a 2‑0 away win at Angers, however, which briefly lifted spirits after a patchy run and gave them a rare clean sheet.
PSG
PSG’s most recent match was a 3-1 home loss to Monaco in Ligue 1 on March 6, 2026, at Parc des Princes. This marked their latest league outing after a 1-0 away win over Le Havre on February 28. PSG lead Ligue 1 with 57 points from 25 matches (18 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses), but recent league form shows two wins and two losses in their last four domestic games. Overall team form remains strong, bolstered by Champions League successes including a 5-2 home win over Chelsea on March 11 and a 3-0 away victory on March 17 (8-2 aggregate).
🚨No Salah or Alisson, Liverpool take a gamble at Brighton
The Slot team opens the day in the Premier League with the need to win and return to the Champions League positions.
Despite the absence of players like Alisson or Salah, Slot fields a fully reliable lineup with Mamardashvili in goal and Ekitike alongside Gakpo and Wirtz in the offensive area.
A victory for the Reds would complete a great week of results and would also temporarily place them in the Champions League positions.
🚨 BREAKING: Brighton and Liverpool name XIs for early PL kick-off
Brighton and Liverpool have confirmed their starting lineups for this afternoon's early Premier League clash on the south coast.
Liverpool come into this game on the back of a big result in the Champions League midweek as they defeated Galatasaray to line up a quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Brighton, on the other hand, were last in action last weekend as they narrowly beat Sunderland by a single goal.
This weekend, Arne Slot is having to navigate some injury concerns as Mohamed Salah misses out due to a problem sustained on Wednesday night, while goalkeeper Alisson has also been ruled out.
Record signing Alexander Isak is also yet to return to team training so Hugo Ekitike leads the line once again.
Japan have won the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup after a 1-0 victory over hosts Australia in Saturday’s final.
Maika Hamano’s superb first-half strike was the difference between the two sides as Japan claimed their third Asian Cup title in front of over 74,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The defeat for Australia means their wait for an Asian Cup triumph continues, with Saturday’s match marking their third loss in the competition’s final, having also been beaten 1-0 by Japan in the 2018 and 2014 editions.
Chelsea forward Hamano put Japan ahead in the 17th minute with a fabulous solo effort, collecting Yui Hasegawa’s pass on the edge of the area, turning and finding the corner of the net with a dipping effort.
Australia had opportunities to level the scores in the first half with Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord unable to capitalise from a tight angle after being gifted possession by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Foord again had a sighting of goal on the stroke of half time but dragged an effort wide after being picked out by Sam Kerr.
Japan had chances to put the game beyond Australia in the second half. The competition’s top scorer Riko Ueki headed wide after being picked out by a Hikaru Kitagawa cross. West Ham forward Ueki was again unable to add to her tally of six goals, firing straight at Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold having been played through by Hamano.
Australia pushed for an equaliser in the final stages and their best opening fell to Alanna Kennedy as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark. Kennedy rose highest to meet Ellie Carpenter’s cross from the right, but Yamashita was equal to it.
Kerr had an effort blocked in stoppage time, and goalkeeper Arnold was sent up as Australia won a corner on the cusp of full time, but they could not find a way past Japan, who celebrated a third Asian Cup title from the last four editions of the tournament.
Japan win the Asian Cup after Hamano's strike downs hosts Australia
Maika Hamano's first-half strike was enough to give Japan victory in the Asian Cup final over hosts Australia.
The Matildas went into this with advantage but knowing that their last two Asian Cup finals ended in 1-0 defeats to Japan. And it was the Japanese who were the favourites going into this considering their performances in this tournament.
However, Japan weren't quite as swashbuckling as we've seen them so far, clearly wary of Australia's pace on the break.
Still, with Yui Hasegawa in the middle of the park they always looked controlling the game and it was the Manchester City midfielder's lay-off in the 17th minute to Hamano that proved decisive.
When Hamano did pick up the ball it didn't seem immediately like there was a threat but the forward, currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Chelsea, quickly turned and fired an accurate shot into the corner. Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold also looked surprised as she didn't seem to have her feet sorted to get in the way of it.
The hosts certainly had opportunities themselves and were almost gifted one by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita who passed the ball straight to Caitlin Foord but the angle wasn't quite favourable for the forward to take full advantage.
Japan didn't have too many more chances as they played out the second half in control while happy to allow Australia to have the ball in certain areas.
Joseph Montemurro's side did have a golden chance to equalise in the final minutes of the game when Ellie Carpenter clipped in a cross that Alanna Kennedy headed towards goal only for Yamashita to pluck it out of the air.
Australia continued to press but couldn't find a way through a solid Japanese defence who held on to claim their third Asian Cup out of the last four tournaments.
Chelsea Starting XI vs Everton: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Chelsea Face Defining Night at Everton in Champions League Chase
There are moments in a season when context sharpens every pass, every decision, every duel. For Chelsea, the trip to Everton carries that weight, a contest shaped by urgency as much as quality, with Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance.
Injury List Tests Squad Depth2
Chelsea arrive at Hill Dickinson Stadium stretched by absences that would test even the deepest squads. Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, though Liam Rosenior insists it is “not serious”. Trevoh Chalobah faces around six weeks out, while Levi Colwill continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is also unavailable following minor surgery.
Photo IMAGO
Such setbacks force adaptation, reshaping the defensive unit and demanding composure under pressure, particularly away from home.
Estevao Boost and Attacking Options
There is, however, a lift in the expected return of Estevao, absent since last month with a hamstring problem. He was unused in the recent 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain but now stands ready to contribute, whether from the start or the bench.
Further forward, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez are all fit after midweek management of minutes, offering creativity and incision.
Defensive Shape and Selection Calls
Rosenior’s likely XI suggests continuity with subtle adjustments, Malo Gusto returning at right back after illness, while Jorrel Hato could again feature centrally.
The balance between control and ambition will be crucial, especially in a stadium where intensity often dictates rhythm.
Match Context and Season Stakes
With eight league games remaining, Chelsea’s pursuit of the top four feels like a narrative wrapped tightly around resilience. Like an Abaya flowing yet composed, their approach must blend structure with elegance, discipline with attacking freedom.
Kick off is set for 5:30pm GMT on Saturday March 21, 2026, a fixture that may well define Chelsea’s season trajectory.
The Georgia international has already had to come in and play in Alisson’s place during an injury earlier this season, and he’s generally long been regarded as a big talent for the future.
It’s not clear precisely how long Alisson will be out for, but the Brazilian’s Instagram post certainly doesn’t sound too optimistic.
This means we will probably see a lot of games for Mamardashvili between now and the end of the season.
I can reveal a major update on Eduardo Camavinga’s future after I previously reported here on contacts.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
At the time, it looked highly unlikely that Real Madrid would consider a sale, but that has changed, and there’s now even more interest in the France international.
This follows the recent update from Matteo Moretto that Real Madrid were in fact ready to listen to offers for Camavinga this summer, possibly for as little as €50m.
Liverpool leading Eduardo Camavinga transfer chase
For now, it looks like the strongest interest is coming from Liverpool, who have been keen on Camavinga for some time.
The 23-year-old has been discussed internally at LFC, and they’ve now also had two separate meetings with the player’s entourage.
It’s not yet clear if this will definitely lead to formal negotiations with Real Madrid, but that should be something we’ll find out about soon.
Chelsea are also in the mix, with the Blues big admirers of Camavinga’s profile as they look to add another top young midfielder to their squad amid doubts over Enzo Fernandez’s future. Read here to find out their other targets in that position.
“Liverpool and Chelsea are both working to establish themselves with those close to Camavinga,” one source explained. “For now, Liverpool have done slightly more work on this deal, but it will likely be an open race.”
Eduardo Camavinga hasn’t fulfilled potential at Real Madrid
Camavinga has long been highly regarded in the game, first playing for former club Rennes as a teenager.
Whilst clearly someone with enormous potential, Camavinga hasn’t quite found his feet at Real Madrid, filling in as a utility player due to his versatility.
The Frenchman would probably benefit from having more of a key role in a set position, so it will be interesting to see if Liverpool and Chelsea can offer him that.
It’s still a risk, however, for Los Blancos to let him go unless they are confident of securing a top class replacement to bolster their midfield.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
According to a team of reporters on X, Olise’s family will be at today’s game between Liverpool and Brighton, with the France international seen as the ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
It’s been a disappointing season for Salah, whose form has collapsed since last season when he was on fire to help Liverpool win the Premier League title.
Now the Egypt international is starting to show his age, and Olise has shown with his world class Bayern performances that he could be the ideal long-term successor on that right flank.
Michael Olise is the dream signing for Liverpool
As you can see below, we recently ranked Olise as a 21/15 signing for Liverpool using our Transfer Fit rating system – click here if you want to find out more about how it works.
Michael Olise
TOTAL SCORE: 21/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
*****
Achievements
****
Career phase
*****
Squad need
*****
Olise would be expensive, which is the only thing bringing down his score slightly, as he ticks all the other boxes with his recent form and Liverpool’s need for a signing in that position.
The 24-year-old has a total of 35 goals in 93 games for Bayern, and has previously also shown what he can do in the Premier League with some superb displays during his time at Crystal Palace.
Bayern surely won’t sell Michael Olise
It’s hard to imagine this being a realistic deal for LFC, as Bayern surely won’t be under pressure to sell for anything other than crazy money.
Olise has a contract with the Bundesliga giants until 2029, so there’s not a big hurry for them to tie him down to a new deal, though that would surely help end all speculation.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has played down transfer rumours linking his star player Bruno Guimaraes with Manchester United.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Brazil international has been a key player for the Magpies and is now their club captain, with Howe insisting any speculation about him holding talks with Man Utd is nonsense.
Howe also admitted it’s an “unwanted” story as he doesn’t want his players to be distracted by stories like this.
Watch below for Howe’s reaction when asked about reports in Brazil claiming that Guimaraes was discussing a move to Old Trafford…
Eddie Howe responds to reports linking Bruno Guimarães to Manchester United ??? pic.twitter.com/xb9TXQ0Fac
Eddie Howe slams Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United transfer stories
“I don’t even know how to respond to that, I don’t even think I should because it’s a waste of my energy,” Howe said.
“Bruno’s our captain, he’s fully committed. He’s injured at the moment. His only focus is coming back to fitness.
“For me, it’s a nonsense story. Unwanted news, I suppose is the best way to put it. You don’t want your players distracted.
“I don’t know how much they’ll absorb that, but for me it’s not the time to think about that. In the summer, you can sort of understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.
“But to say our captain’s in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anybody else. He’s totally committed here.”
Is Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United realistic?
Newcastle won’t want to sell an important player like Guimaraes, but United could do with a new midfielder, or perhaps even two this summer.
Still, Newcastle were tough negotiators last summer when Liverpool pursued Alexander Isak, eventually paying huge money to sign him late on in the window.
How to watch Brighton vs Liverpool today from anywhere – TV and live streaming details
Brighton vs Liverpool: Premier League Clash, TV Channel and Live Stream Guide
Liverpool return to Premier League action with a trip to Brighton, a fixture that carries intrigue for different reasons at both ends of the table. The defending champions are still searching for rhythm in their title defence, while Brighton continue to tread water in mid table.
Liverpool form and momentum
There is a sense that Liverpool are still calibrating after last season’s title winning campaign under Arne Slot. Their most recent Premier League outing brought frustration, a 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Anfield where control did not translate into a winning goal.
Midweek, however, told a different story. A commanding 4-0 win over Galatasaray secured a place in the Champions League quarter finals, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Istanbul. It was the sort of European performance that hinted at authority and depth, even if domestic consistency has been harder to find.
Sitting fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool have been hit and miss. The balance between squad rotation and maintaining intensity remains a work in progress, particularly as expectations remain high following last season’s success.
Photo: IMAGO
Brighton position in Premier League table
Brighton’s campaign has settled into a steady rhythm, though not one that threatens either end of the Premier League table. Fabian Hurzeler’s side sit 12th, their record neatly balanced across 30 matches with wins, draws and defeats distributed almost evenly.
Their latest result, a 1-0 victory away at Sunderland, underlined their ability to grind out results. That win came after a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to league leaders Arsenal, a match that reflected their competitive edge without delivering points.
Prior to that, Brighton had built momentum with consecutive victories over Brentford and Nottingham Forest. It paints a picture of a team capable of spells of form, though still lacking the consistency required to push towards the European places.
Key match context and expectations
From a tactical standpoint, this meeting offers an interesting contrast. Liverpool’s attacking patterns remain fluid and aggressive, while Brighton are often structured and patient, looking to exploit moments rather than dominate phases.
For Liverpool, the challenge lies in translating European sharpness into Premier League efficiency. Dropped points have been costly, and with the table tightening, every fixture carries weight.
Brighton, meanwhile, will see this as an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition without the burden of expectation. Their position allows a degree of freedom, which can make them unpredictable opponents.
How to watch Brighton vs Liverpool
Fans in the UK can follow Brighton vs Liverpool live on TNT Sports. Coverage begins at 11am GMT on TNT Sports 1, offering full build up and analysis ahead of kick off.
Supporters can also stream the match via the Discovery+ app and website, providing access across multiple devices for those watching on the move.
Need a VPN to watch the match? Our preferred VPN to watch UK TV from anywhere is LibertyShield.com – they offer a 48 hour no-obligation free trial and have apps or all popular devices including Mac, Windows, FireTV, iPhone/iPad and Android.
As the Premier League season moves into its decisive phase, fixtures like Brighton vs Liverpool carry significance beyond the immediate result. For Liverpool, it is about keeping pace and rediscovering consistency. For Brighton, it is another chance to measure progress against one of the league’s benchmark sides.
Video: McTominay switches from English to Italian in funny post-match interview
Napoli star Scott McTominay hilariously switched from English to Italian in a post-match interview following a 1-0 away win at Cagliari on Friday.
The Scotland international scored the winner for the Partenopei at the Unipol Domus yesterday, helping his side move to the second position in the standings.
There was a hilarious moment during his post-match interview with DAZN when the Scotsman said he’d conduct it in Italian but initially started speaking in English.
When the interviewer noted he was speaking in his mother tongue, McTominay quickly switched to Italian.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli kicks the ball under pressure during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
McTominay’s post-match quotes in Italian after Cagliari 0-1 Napoli
“Kevin [De Bruyne] is a good player,” McTominay said.
“It’s easy for me to play with Kevin, so for me today it’s great to have beaten a great team like Cagliari at home.”
𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 Scott, in italiano. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 🤌💙#CagliariNapoli #SerieAEnilive #DAZN pic.twitter.com/FnjJXEJ1YZ
Auxerre predicted XI v Brest: Lassine Sinayoko returns
Lassine Sinayoko, AJ Auxerre’s top scorer this season, makes his return to the fold, having missed last weekend’s defeat against Olympique de Marseille due to suspension.
Sinayoko was a big miss last week, but in a key match for Christophe Pélissier’s side, who are looking to stave off the drop, he will lead the line. However, there are still absentees for Auxerre heading into Saturday evening’s game against Stade Brestois. Oussama El-Azzouzi is not yet ready to return. He has already missed the last six games in Ligue 1 due to a hamstring problem and then a knee issue. Lasso Coulibaly, still contending with an ankle injury, is not ready to return either. Lamine Sy, meanwhile, has been contending with illness and is uncertain to face Brest.
Report: Newcastle United considering £40m move to sign Chelsea star
Newcastle Eyeing Chelsea Star as Summer Strategy Takes Shape
Newcastle United’s transfer planning is already gathering pace ahead of the summer window, with fresh reports from talkSPORTsuggesting a renewed interest in Liam Delap. The Chelsea striker, who has endured a difficult campaign, could yet become a key figure in Eddie Howe’s evolving attack.
Delap Back on Recruitment Radar
According to the original report, “Liam Delap is a potential summer target for Newcastle, talkSPORT understands.” That line alone signals intent. Newcastle’s admiration is not new, with Delap having previously held talks with Eddie Howe before opting for a move to Chelsea last summer.
It is also noted that “Chelsea are likely to be open to offers for Delap, who has scored only one Premier League goal this season.” That statistic underlines a challenging period for the 23-year-old, whose development has stalled amid injuries and limited opportunities.
Yet, there remains a sense that Newcastle see beyond the numbers. Delap’s earlier return of 12 goals in 37 appearances for Ipswich continues to carry weight in recruitment discussions. Clubs often place value on trajectory rather than short term dips, and this feels like one of those cases.
Photo IMAGO
Chelsea Situation Creates Opportunity
The arrival of Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge has reshaped the attacking hierarchy. “Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has relied on Joao Pedro since taking over in January with Delap playing a bit-part role.” That shift has opened the door for potential movement.
Newcastle’s recruitment team will be alert to situations like this. A talented player, previously courted, now available under the right conditions. It is a familiar pattern in modern squad building.
There is also the financial aspect. Delap is described as “£40m-rated,” a figure that reflects both potential and Premier League inflation. Newcastle must weigh that against other priorities, but the profile fits their need for a physically imposing forward with room to grow.
Attacking Concerns Drive Transfer Plans
Newcastle’s urgency stems from clear issues in front of goal. As highlighted, “Newcastle… are looking to revamp their attack despite splashing £120million on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer.”
The numbers paint a concerning picture. Woltemade has “netted ten times since arriving on Tyneside but only once since the start of 2026,” while Wissa has managed “three times in 21 appearances.” Those returns fall short of expectations for players signed to lead the line.
The situation has forced tactical adjustments. Howe has “opted to deploy Anthony Gordon as a false nine,” while Will Osula has also been trusted in key moments. Such decisions reflect both adaptability and necessity.
Further scrutiny has come from high profile fixtures. Woltemade and Wissa were “unused substitutes during Wednesday’s 7-2 defeat at the Nou Camp,” raising questions about their standing in crucial matches.
Strategic Shift Under Howe
There is a broader narrative forming around Newcastle’s recruitment. The departure of Alexander Isak left a void that has not been adequately filled. “Howe in limbo and short of attacking options” is a telling phrase from the report.
Delap represents a different type of gamble. Younger, hungry, and with a point to prove. Newcastle’s interest suggests a willingness to recalibrate rather than persist with underperforming assets.
As one might interpret from the situation, this is less about replacing individuals and more about redefining the attacking identity. A striker capable of leading the press, occupying defenders, and converting chances consistently is now a priority.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
As a Newcastle United fan, this report offers cautious optimism. Liam Delap may not be the finished product, but that is precisely where the appeal lies. There is a sense that, under Eddie Howe, players with raw attributes can be moulded into reliable Premier League performers.
The frustration around Woltemade and Wissa is understandable. Big investment has not translated into consistent output, and supporters are right to question the recruitment decisions made last summer. However, that should not discourage ambition in the market.
Delap feels like a smarter move. He has Premier League experience, he understands the physical demands, and crucially, he has something to prove. A player in that mindset can thrive at St James’ Park, where intensity and backing from the crowd often elevate performances.
There is also belief in Howe’s system. If Delap is given a defined role, regular minutes, and trust, his trajectory could quickly shift back upwards. Newcastle do not need perfection, they need progression.
In truth, this potential deal reflects a club learning from recent missteps. Recruitment is rarely flawless, but adaptation is key. If Delap arrives with the right support around him, this could be one of those transfers that looks modest at first, then proves decisive over time.
Barcelona captain makes firm decision on future amid continued Saudi Arabia interest
Raphinha has become one of the key figures behind FC Barcelona’s recent strong run of form. When he has not been on the pitch, the team has noticeably struggled, both in terms of pressing and overall attacking play.
Because of that, a major part of Barcelona’s planning for next season revolves around his future. And, according to SPORT, both the sporting management and coaching staff already know where the Brazilian stands with regard to his next move.
Raphinha not going anywhere
Indeed, Raphinha has made the decision not to leave Barcelona in the summer, irrespective of what offers he receives, the report claims.
The winger is among the most valuable players in the Barcelona squad, with an estimated market value of around €80 million.
Each summer since his arrival in 2022, there has been speculation about a possible departure, but the Brazilian has consistently chosen to remain at the club.
Not going anywhere. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
In fact, in 2025, he extended his contract until 2028, meaning that after this summer, he will have two years remaining on his deal.
Raphinha is approaching a crucial year in his career, aiming to win titles with Barcelona and play a decisive role at the World Cup with Brazil. This international exposure is certain to attract top-level financial offers.
In recent years, Raphinha has also been repeatedly targeted by clubs from the Saudi Pro League. The Brazilian, one of the club captains, has had no doubts, and his position remains unchanged.
He wants to continue at Barcelona for at least one more year and will not consider offers after the World Cup, regardless of their origin.
Raphinha, who is highly active within the dressing room, has already held internal discussions with the sporting management about areas for improvement. This further underlines his commitment to the club’s future.
The Brazilian winger’s importance to the team is currently extremely high. He is regarded as a clear leader both on and off the pitch and is an indispensable player in Hansi Flick’s system. And, Raphinha, too, has no intentions of leaving.
Brest predicted XI v Auxerre: Eric Roy without two key players
Stade Brestois are without two of their most important players as they prepare to travel to face AJ Auxerre on Saturday evening.
Both absences are the result of suspensions, with centre-back and club captain Brendan Chardonnet and centre-forward Ludovic Ajorque both missing out on this match.
Brest are a side without much depth and so Eric Roy’s squad is being stretched. Alongside Junior Diaz, it is RC Strasbourg Alsace loanee Soumaila Coulibaly who is expected to start. Rémy Labeau Lascary, currently on loan from RC Lens, is the obvious replacement up top. He will come in, allowing Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe to continue on the left. Once again, there may be no space in the starting XI for Bradley Locko.
Brest likely line-up v Auxerre
Grégoire Coudert; Daouda Guindo, Soumaila Coulibaly, Junior Diaz, Kenny Lala; Joris Chotard, Hugo Magnetti; Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe, Kamory Doumbia, Romain Del Castillo; Rémy Labeau Lascary. (L’Éq)
Lorient predicted XI v Toulouse: Olivier Pantaloni’s options limited
FC Lorient stunned RC Lens last weekend to prevent them from retaking top spot in Ligue 1, however, as they look to register another victory, they must do without some key players, including Pablo Pagis.
Pagis is the most creative player in this Lorient side, but he will once again miss out this afternoon due to suspension. He isn’t the only suspended player, with Bamo Meité missing out for the same reason. Igor Silva’s absence due to injury further limits the options at Olivier Pantaloni’s disposal.
And options are limited in midfield, too, with club captain Laurent Abergel still absent with an injury. He is expected back after the international break. Mohamed Bamba, meanwhile, misses out on the trip to Toulouse due to an illness.
Man City boss cries rules weren’t changed to help him ahead of Arsenal cup final
Guardiola “doesn’t understand” Guehi ruling despite clear Carabao Cup rule that City failed to meet
Manchester Evening News, 21 Mar 2026
Pep Guardiola has managed to turn one of the simplest rules in English football into a personal grievance, and from an Arsenal perspective that tells you plenty about where Manchester City’s head is before Wembley.
The Manchester Evening News piece lays it out clearly. City cannot use Marc Guehi in the Carabao Cup final because he was not a City player before the first leg of their semi final against Newcastle.
That is the key condition in the updated regulations.
As of this season, a player has to have joined before that first leg if they want to play in either the semi-final or the final. Nearly two months after signing from Crystal Palace, Guehi still has to sit out Arsenal v City because he missed that cut off.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
At the same time, fellow January arrival Antoine Semenyo is perfectly eligible. He had already played earlier in the competition for Bournemouth, but because his move to City went through before the first leg at St James’ Park, he could feature in both the semi and now the final.
Semenyo did exactly that, starting at Newcastle and being “instrumental” in City’s 2-0 win in the first leg.
Eddie Howe was unhappy about that, but it was entirely within the rules and Guardiola had no complaints then.
The distinction is simple. Semenyo was registered in time, Guehi was not.
Yet Guardiola’s reaction has been to complain as if this is some unfathomable injustice rather than a straightforward registration rule he has lived with in one form or another for his entire professional life.
“I don’t understand why he cannot play the final,” he said, acting the idiot, because he understands it all fine. “You buy a player for a lot of money (£20m) and he is not able to play for a rule I don’t understand. It is difficult to understand.”
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
There is no ambiguity here. City knew, or should have known, the regulation when they chose to complete the Guehi deal after the semi-final first leg. The consequence is not a surprise sprung on them in March or one designed to help opponents. It flows directly from the timing of their own transfer.
What grates, especially viewed from north London, is the way Guardiola frames it. City spend heavily on an England international centre back and the manager’s instinct is to ask why the competition should bend, rather than accept that rules about eligibility around semi-finals and finals exist to stop clubs gaming the system mid-tie. I guess that’s not something we can expect City to understand.
Guehi has also already faced Arsenal in this year’s competition, plating the full match when the Gunners won on penalties in the quarter-finals before Christmas. He also played against Millwall in the third round and Liverpool in the fourth.
When a Manchester paper describes the situation as “baffling” for Guardiola, the impression is of a coach who expects the rules to flex around his needs. There are perhaps 115 reasons he feels like this.
For Arsenal, it is hard not to see this as a back-handed compliment. The article notes that Semenyo’s presence has already caused “confusion and controversy”, and that Guardiola is openly unhappy he cannot add Guehi into the mix as well.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
When the City manager is publicly complaining on the eve of a final that he cannot call on every reinforcement he has just bought, despite having a squad worth €1.31bn to take advantage of, it underlines how seriously he is taking the challenge in front of him.
City are without Guehi because of a rule that has been in place all season and entirely under their control when they did the deal. Arsenal turn up at Wembley with the same conditions as everyone else, having simply organised their business and their squad within those rules.
If anything, the more Guardiola repeats that he does not “understand” why Guehi cannot play, the clearer it becomes that the problem is not the regulation but City’s frustration at being told ‘no’.
From an Arsenal point of view, that is no bad backdrop to a final. The structure of the competition has not changed for them.
The only thing that has changed is City discovering, belatedly, that even they have to live with rules that were there all along.
Al-Hilal now 'confident' of prising Liverpool man away from Anfield
Al-Hilal believe Richard Hughes will join them in the summer
Going into the 2026-27 season, Arne Slot, Michael Edward's and Richard Hughes will all only have a year left on their current contracts.
It's unclear whether the trio will be offered extensions to their stays but, with how poorly Liverpool have performed this term, it wouldn't be a surprise to see one or two of them shown the exit doors.
And, as per an update from the Daily Mail, Hughes' exit could come sooner than many think with Al-Hilal now "confident" of acquiring his services.
"Confidential has been told the Saudis are confident they can tempt Hughes to join," they wrote.
"Simone Inzaghi is their manager and Hughes is fluent in Italian.
"Many in Saudi believe he will soon be their man, though others back in Britain dispute this and say he is fully focused on Liverpool."
Liverpool must figure out what they want to do with Richard Hughes this season
Hughes' role in recruitment has been essential to Liverpool's progress over the last couple of seasons.
The Anfield outfit managed to win the Premier League title last term and, although things haven't gone quite to plan this time around, it's clear that the former Bournemouth man knows what he's doing.
Hughes would be a massive miss for everyone involved with L4 and, if he does end up leaving, the Reds will almost instantly have to source his replacement.
Serie A: Juventus vs. Sassuolo – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV
Juventus will look to Kenan Yildiz and Jeremie Boga for a home Serie A match against Sassuolo, who have been hit by a whooping cough outbreak this week.
It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Emil Holm is still unavailable for the Bianconeri, while Dusan Vlahovic is still in doubt, and even if he’s available for selection, he’ll start on the bench.
As reported by several Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia, Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to pick the same XI that beat Udinese last week, with Kenan Yildiz playing as a false nine and Boga in the left winger position.
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Jeremie Boga of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Andrea Cambiaso and Kenan Yildiz during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Sassuolo are dealing with a selection crisis as they confirmed a case of whooping cough on Friday and five other team members with symptoms consistent with the disease.
The club, however, have not named those affected by the disease, so their available players will only be known when the teams are announced an hour before kick-off.
As reported by SassuoloNews, the likes of Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti, and Sebastian Walukiewicz will surely be part of the team and are expected to start.
Cristian Volpato, Luca Moro, Edoardo Iannoni, Pedro Felipe, Aro Muric, Giacomo Satalino, Gioele Zacchi and Cristian Frangella are also expected to be available.
Juventus vs. Sassuolo – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 and DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.
‘We are not going to just sit there and surrender’ – Spurs boss Ho previews Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Ho says that he expects a reaction from his side when they face Manchester City this afternoon and that they will play their way in the North West.
Spurs were off-colour as they slipped to a 2-1 home loss to Everton last weekend. The result saw The Lilywhites lose ground in the race for European qualification.
When speaking to the media ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Manchester City, Spurs boss Ho said that he expects his side to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment.
“I hope so, we should get a response,” Ho said. “It was uncharacteristic of ourselves the way we were but you can have games like that in football, we can have an off-day. We can’t have many of them and I don’t think we have had too many of them.
“You have to embrace it and evaluate what we did. I’ve done that as a coach in terms of how we approached the game, how we set up and what we did. We need to make sure we go into this game with the confidence and belief to put it right.”
Spurs slipped to a 5-1 defeat to Manchester City in the reverse fixture. Five different players got their names on the scoresheet for The Cityzens. Manchester City will be the favourites to win this game but Ho says that Spurs won’t hold back, they will perform their way.
He said “We are going to have to defend diligently, the concentration levels will have to be high and we know that we will have to suffer without the ball.
“They are the highest possession-based team in the league, they dominate the ball quite well and they now have a totally different variance to their play, so they will play short or play direct when they need to. They will go back-to-front very quickly if they have to.
“With the quality that they have in the attacking third, they score goals consistently, create big chances, their relationships and understanding of each other on the pitch is very good.
“We know that we are going to have to suffer at times but we are not going to just sit there and surrender. We are going to be brave with the ball, play the way that we want to play. One game doesn’t define us but what does define us is how we perform to go forward because growth is the big thing for this team and this club.”
Reflecting on Manchester City’s surge at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table, Ho highlighted the team’s greater freedom and flexibility in their play this season.
He said “Maybe it’s about the flexibility and freedom that Andrée [Jeglertz] has given them. They’re so much more dynamic and versatile tactically and they have a real cutting edge. If you look at their goalscorers, they’ve had a lot of different goalscorers in the season.
“Goals are coming from different areas of the pitch and they have a very dangerous front-line with a midfield backing that up. The depth within the squad supports that. Their attacking flexibility and freedom within their team is definitely something you can see.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Manchester City kicks-off at 12pm.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Real Madrid disappointment ‘huge’ but tie was over in first leg
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has admitted that a 3-0 Round of 16 loss to Real Madrid all but eliminated his side from the UEFA Champions League.
The Blues were knocked out of Europe for the third successive season by Real Madrid this week as Los Blancos claimed a 5-1 aggregate win over Pep Guardiola and co to progress to the quarter-final of the competition.
City were shell-shocked by a 22-minute hat-trick by Federico Valverde in the opening leg in Madrid and despite making a bright start to the game, the eight-time Premier League champions returned home empty-handed and with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Despite having sent a rallying call to his teammates to pull off the improbable at the Etihad Stadium – where the Blues went on to narrowly lose in the return leg after captain Bernardo Silva was shown a red card after 20 minutes – Donnarumma has admitted that the Round of 16 tie was over in Madrid last week.
Arsenal vs Man City (Carabao Cup Final): Preview, Team News, Head to Head, Where to Watch
It was all uphill after 3-0 loss in Madrid, admits Donnarumma
Speaking to Sky Italia after City’s 2-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium this week, Donnarumma conceded that the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie was decided in Madrid.
“We played a great game and had plenty of chances,” the Italy international said. “With 11 men, it would have been a completely different match.
“They (Real Madrid) were better, they scored more goals than us. I think qualification was decided in the first leg, after that it’s all uphill. We have to accept it.
“There are important games to play, the disappointment is huge. But from tomorrow, we’ll have to get back on our feet because on Sunday (against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final) – we already have a title to bring home.”
Donnarumma: We won’t change our way of playing despite Real Madrid exit
Despite Manchester City’s approach against Real Madrid costing them the tie, Donnarumma has stuck by Guardiola’s methods and maintained that the Blues will not pivot from the ways and means that have brought them great success in the recent past.
“We play with a slightly high defence,” the 27-year-old added. “It’s our way of playing, sometimes it gives you advantages and other times disadvantages.
“If you don’t do well, you end up one-on-one. Even if l’m in line with the defence, if the ball is perfect, it’s hard to get to it. Unfortunately, that’s been the case in these two games, but we won’t change.
“It has brought City so many advantages over the years. After losing 3-0 in Madrid, everything becomes more difficult.”
James Trafford will start Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, confirms Pep Guardiola
Don’t scoff at Celtic’s pursuit of Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj
Don’t scoff at Celtic’s interest in Lorent Tolaj…
Celtic have been linked with a summer move for Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj, after monitoring the Swiss goalscorer on numerous occasions. He has been in fine form for the English League One side as they chase a play off spot, scoring 19 goals in 32 appearances for the Pilgrims this campaign.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
Described as a natural ‘number nine’ striker the former Swiss youth international has played most of his career in England, starting his career with Brighton, but failed to make the grade and was sent out for loan spells at Cambridge, Salford, and Dundee.
Tolaj left the and joined national league side Aldershot Town, whom he enjoyed a productive spell scoring 19 goals in 44 appearances before moving to league two side Port Vale. After 15 goals and 41 appearances, the Swiss striker was on the move again this time to League One side and current club Plymouth Argyle.
Tolaj is untested at the highest level, but don’t let football snobbery get in the way due to his status as a League One player, as we’ve had some success in the past when it comes to recruiting players from the lower tiers of English football. Didn’t we sign Matt O’Riley from a League One outfit, MK Dons. How did that one work out?
And I seem to recall that Gary Hooper was signed by Neil Lennon from Scunthorpe United who just narrowly avoided relegation from the English Championship the previous campaign.
Gary Hooper of Celtic celebrates after scoring his first goal during the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on February 20, 2011. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Gary Hooper scored 82 goals in 138 games for Celtic
Gary caught the attention of Celtic after a prolific season in the championship, but before that had made his name in the lower reaches of English football, so he too was very much unproven at a higher level.
Gary went on to score an impressive 82 goals in 138 games for Celtic, and more than proved himself on the European stage as well. He had a huge mistake in wanting to leave Celtic to go back to England to pursue his dream of playing for his country.
Matt O’Riley, Scottish Cup Final, June 2023. Celtic v Inverness Caley Thistle. Photo Geo (The Celtic Star)
Tolaj may operate in the third tier of English football, but don’t scoff at suggestions of a possible bid. It’s a scene we’ve recruited well from in the past, and one we should be continuing to explore for future talent.
The biggest problem with Celtic’s recruitment
The biggest problem with Celtic’s recruitment is that we have no proper structure in place and zero has been done about it by a Celtic Board more interested in banning supporters than running the club in a professional manner, while claiming to be world class in everything they do.
Chris McKay and Michael Nicholson arrive at Ibrox.theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
FSG’s latest decision could have a huge impact on Michael Edwards’ future at Liverpool – Opinion
No Multiple Club Model: A Strategic Retreat or Missed Opportunity?
On the eve of Liverpool’s trip to Brighton, a significant development behind the scenes threatens to shape the club’s medium and long-term future far more than anything that unfolds on the pitch. Fenway Sports Group, led by John W. Henry, have reportedly decided against pursuing a multi-club model — at least for now.
This is not a minor adjustment. It is a fundamental shift away from what was believed to be the next phase of Liverpool’s evolution.
When Michael Edwards returned to the club as Sporting CEO, it was widely understood that his remit extended beyond Anfield. The vision was clear: identify, acquire, and integrate a network club — or clubs — that would allow Liverpool to operate with greater flexibility in recruitment, player development, and long-term squad planning.
Reports suggest that as many as 25 clubs across Europe and South America were analysed. The intention was not opportunistic; it was methodical and key to the return of Edwards. This was a model already proven elsewhere, designed to future-proof Liverpool in an increasingly competitive and financially complex football landscape.
And yet, after all that groundwork, FSG have stepped back.
The reasons appear rooted in financial caution. The cost of acquisition, the regulatory hurdles, and the operational complexity have combined to create hesitation by the paymasters. In isolation, that is understandable and even sensible. But in context, it raises a more uncomfortable question — is this ownership group still willing to push Liverpool forward at the level required to compete with Europe’s most ambitious institutions?
Because standing still, in modern football, is rarely neutral.
It is a regression.
Edwards, Hughes, and the Risk of Internal Drift
The timing of this decision is particularly delicate.
Michael Edwards did not return to Liverpool to maintain the status quo. His reputation was built on innovation, efficiency, and a relentless pursuit of marginal gains that eventually culminated in Liverpool returning to the pinnacle of English and European football.
If the multi-club model was a central pillar of his long-term strategy, its abandonment — or even indefinite delay — inevitably creates tension and takes away a huge long-term opportunity that was key to long-term success.
Sources suggesting dissatisfaction should not be dismissed lightly.
At the same time, uncertainty continues to surround Richard Hughes, with growing noise linking the current sporting director to a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League. Should that departure materialise, Liverpool would find itself in a moment of structural instability at precisely the time they require clarity and direction.
The hierarchy that once operated with near-perfect alignment — Edwards, recruitment, coaching staff — now feels less certain.
And that uncertainty extends onto the pitch.
A club’s footballing identity is not built in isolation from its executive structure. The inconsistency seen in Liverpool’s performances this season mirrors, in many ways, the ambiguity surrounding its strategic direction. Questions around the head coach remain unresolved, recruitment pathways feel less defined, and now the broader vision of expansion has been paused.
If Michael Edwards begins to feel constrained, the risk is not immediate departure — but gradual disengagement. And for a club that has already experienced the impact of losing him once before, that should be a sobering thought.
Liverpool has long prided itself on being proactive rather than reactive.
This decision feels different.
It feels cautious.
Perhaps even hesitant.
And in a sport where rivals continue to innovate, invest, and expand their influence globally, hesitation can be costly. Perhaps Edwards will assume his old position as Sporting Director, where he was the world’s most influential figure in that role, perhaps he walks away given that assurances have disappeared.
The Brighton fixture may dominate the immediate conversation, but the real story could lie far from the Amex Stadium.
Because if the vision at the top begins to stall, the consequences will inevitably filter down.
And Liverpool, once again, may find themselves searching not just for results — but for direction.
Journalist roasts Man Utd ‘dud’ for what he did in the 100th minute against Bournemouth
Manchester United had to settle for a single point at the Vitality Stadium, but they risked coming out empty-handed due to a late mistake committed by Manuel Ugarte.
The Red Devils took the lead twice in the second half, first through Bruno Fernandes, who scored from the spot, and the second time from an own goal from James Hill.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
However, the Cherries were able to restore parity on both occasions thanks to Ryan Christie and Eli Junior Kroupi’s penalty.
Manuel Ugarte committed another mistake against Bournemouth
Man Utd supporters felt hard done by the officiating, as many pundits argued that the challenge Harry Maguire committed on Evanilson was too similar to Adrien Truffert’s push on Amad Diallo.
And yet, the Man Utd defender was giving his marching orders, with Bournemouth handed the opportunity to score a later equaliser, whereas the challenge on the Ivorian winger went completely unpunished.
Despite going down to 10 men in the final minutes, the visitors were able to withstand the pressure and cling on to a point. Nevertheless, Ugarte’s late introduction almost came at a cost yet again.
The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted how the Uruguayan gave away a cheap free-kick in a dangerous place.
“Into the 100th minute and Manuel Ugarte decides to needlessly foul an opponent on the touchline just inside United’s third with them down to ten men and clinging on for a point. A £50.75m dud,” posted the journalist on his official X account.
Is Ugarte heading to Man Utd exit door?
This certainly isn’t the first time Ugarte caused ‘chaos’ following his introduction. The 24-year-old has been reduced to a mere benchwarmer who comes in late when Casemiro begins to tire.
One might imagine that Michael Carrick wouldn’t resort to his services at all if it weren’t for the lack of options in midfield.
While Man Utd are seemingly displeased with the former Paris Saint-Germain man, the feeling is reciprocal, as Ugarte is said to be ‘unhappy’ with his status at the club.
Therefore, a summer departure appears inevitable for the midfielder, but the challenge is to find a suitor and a formula that shields United from a capital loss. Galatasaray have been his staunchest admirers since January, but it remains to be seen if a deal can be materialised.
Toulouse predicted XI v Lorient: Charlie Cresswell out
Toulouse FC will be without English defender Charlie Cresswell for Saturday’s game against FC Lorient, Carles Martinez Novell has confirmed.
Martinez Novell stated that Cresswell’s condition is improving after the former Leeds United defender sustained a hamstring injury against Olympique de Marseille earlier this month. However, his return is expected the other side of the international break and not against Les Merlus.
Dayann Methalie and Frank Magri are also both out of Toulouse’s game this afternoon, with both suffering from knee injuries. However, there was better news regarding Guillaume Restes, who sustained a knee injury last weekend. He is expected in goal later today, whilst Cristian Casseres was rested for last weekend’s win over FC Metz 3-4. He will also return to the fold.
Toulouse likely line-up v Lorient
Guillaume Restes; Mark McKenzie, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Djibril Sidibé; Aron Donnum, Pape Demba Diop, Cristian Casseres, Warren Kamanzi; Yann Gboho, Emersonn, Santiago Hidalgo. (L’Éq)
Pedri opens up on having early doubts at Barcelona – ‘Didn’t expect to be here in my first year’
The signing of Pedri by Barcelona has become one of the best pieces of business in recent football history.
The midfielder stood out in the youth ranks of UD Las Palmas and had shown promise in his early appearances with the first team, but few could have predicted how quickly he would rise to the level he has reached.
Barcelona paid an initial €5 million in 2019, with additional variables that have since been met, pushing the total fee beyond €20 million.
Even so, it still looks like a bargain for what many consider one of the best midfielders in the world.
Pedri on his early tenure at Barcelona
At the beginning, however, not even Pedri himself was sure about his immediate future. After signing him, the club allowed him to stay on loan at Las Palmas, and the original plan was to send him out on loan again the following season (2020/21), this time to a La Liga side.
But everything changed once he started training with the first team. His quality quickly won everyone over – especially then-manager Ronald Koeman and Lionel Messi.
Pedri himself recalled those uncertain early days in an interview with the club, saying (h/t SPORT):
“In this club, we always say: one year here is like several elsewhere; we’re well aware of the club’s stature. No, I didn’t expect to be here in my first year, nor to have the number.”
Best in the world. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Continuing, he added: “When I first came here, I was staying in a hotel and would go back to my brother’s place to sleep.
“I’d always tell him, ‘Training’s gone well, let’s see if I’m lucky enough to stay’ – and well, we’d always talk about it, until Koeman told me I was staying, and here I am today.”
In the end, common sense prevailed. Koeman quickly realised he had a player who could contribute immediately, and that same season he became a regular starter and a key figure in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey triumph.
He also developed a special connection with Messi. As revealed by Koeman himself, the Argentine recognised Pedri’s potential from day one and constantly looked for him in training sessions and matches.
It was a partnership that, unfortunately for Barcelona fans, only lasted one season before Messi’s departure.
Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin – Match preview and team news
Bayern Munich and Union Berlin meet at the Allianz Arena on Saturday in a Bundesliga encounter.
As the 27th matchday of the Bundesliga approaches, Bayern Munich remain at the top of the league table with 67 points, leading second-placed Borussia Dortmund by 9 points.
Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21st March.
Kick-off: 2:30pm BST.
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich.
Referee: Patrick Ittrich
Last meeting: Union Berlin 2-3 Bayern Munich, 3 DEC 2025, DFB Pokal
Bayern Munich team news
Bayern Munich will be without Alphonso Davies, Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Cassiano Kiala, David Santos, and Wisdom Mike due to injury issues.
While Jonas Urbig was also a doubt for the game against Atalanta recently, it was expected that 16-year-old Leonard Prescott would start, but Urbig recovered in time and played the full 90 minutes, suggesting he is fit again and will start against Union Berlin as well.
Jamal Musiala is also out and will miss Germany’s squad, and no timeline has been announced for his return yet.
Nicholas Jackson, Luiz Diaz, and Jonathan Tah are also suspended and will not be available for this encounter.
The good news is Harry Kane started the match in their latest outing for the first time in four matches and scored a brace, while Michael Olise will also be ready to get on the pitch after sitting out the UCL RO16 second leg match due to his European suspension.
Union Berlin team news
Matheo Raab, who made his Bundesliga debut after replacing the injured Frederik Ronnow, produced a heroic performance, making a decisive late save despite suffering a broken hand in stoppage time. Subsequent scans revealed damage that will keep him out for several weeks.
But Ronnow is back in training and is expected to be available for the match against Bayern. In case he misses, Carl Klauss will start in goal.
Also sidelined are Diogo Leite and Robert Skov, and both will not be back until after the international break.
Andres Schafer, the Hungarian midfielder, is suspended after his red card against Werder Bremen and will remain unavailable for this match as well.
Form
Bayern Munich
Bayern come into this clash top of the Bundesliga after 26 league games. Vincent Kompany’s side drew 1-1 away with Bayer Leverkusen in their most recent league outing. They also cruised to the quarter finals of the Champions League after securing a 10-2 aggregate score over both legs of the round of 16. Bayern will look to secure all three points before the last international break of the season.
Union Berlin
After winning just one match in their previous 10 matches, Union Berlin defeated Freiburg away from home (1-0) in their most recent league outing. They are in ninth position in the table with 31 points. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Union Berlin drew with Bayern Munich (2-2), ending the league leaders’ 16-match winning run, and will once again be motivated to replicate that performance.
OGC Nice predicted XI v PSG: Elye Wahi back in starting line-up
Elye Wahi returned for OGC Nice last weekend, coming off the bench and helping his side overcome SCO Angers 2-0. He is expected to start against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday night.
Wahi sustained an ankle injury in mid-February but made his recovery ahead of schedule to come off the bench last weekend. He scored a goal and registered an assist as Nice secured a crucial three points in their bid to stave off the drop. He is expected to start alongside Sofiane Diop up front tonight.
Claude Puel is without several defenders. Ali Abdi, Moise Bombito, and Kojo Peprah Oppong are all out. Regardless, Le Gym are expected to go with a back three. Isak Jansson and Mohamed-Ali Cho are also out of tonight’s game.
Nice likely line-up v PSG
Yehvann Diouf; Juma Bah, Dante, Antoine Mendy; Melvin Bard, Charles Vanhoutte, Hicham Boudaoui, Morgan Sanson, Jonathan Clauss; Sofiane Diop, Elye Wahi. (L’Éq)
Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin – Predicted lineup and team news
Bayern Munich and Union Berlin face off at the Allianz Arena on Saturday in a Bundesliga clash.
Bayern arrive at this game sitting top of the table after 26 league fixtures, having recently drawn 1-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen. They have also eased into the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 10-2 aggregate victory in the round of 16. The leaders will be aiming to collect three more league points before the final international break of the campaign.
Bayern Munich team news
Bayern Munich will be missing Alphonso Davies, Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Cassiano Kiala, David Santos and Wisdom Mike, all of whom are sidelined with injury problems.
Jonas Urbig had been a major doubt before the Atalanta tie, and it looked as though 16-year-old Leonard Prescott would be handed a start. But Urbig recovered in time to play the full 90 minutes. That appearance indicates he is fit again and expected to keep his place in goal against Union Berlin.
Jamal Musiala is also unavailable and will not feature for Germany during the upcoming international window, with no confirmed date for his return yet.
Nicholas Jackson, Luis Díaz and Jonathan Tah are all ruled out through suspension and will therefore play no part in this fixture.
On the positive side, Harry Kane returned to the starting XI in Bayern’s latest match after four games and marked his comeback with a brace, while Michael Olise is eligible to feature again, having missed the Champions League round of 16 second leg because of a European ban.
Give Me Sport have reported Newcastle have identified Delap as a potential target this summer, and suitors believe a move could be possible at the end of the season.
The report adds Delap actually met Eddie Howe in person last summer, before opting to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
Delap has played second fiddle to the in form Joao Pedro, and there’s more competition on the way in the summer.
Emmanuel Emegha will arrive from Strasbourg at the end of the season, and the Dutch international scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season under Rosenior.
PSG predicted XI v OGC Nice: Achraf Hakimi and Joao Neves out
Paris Saint-Germain will be without Achraf Hakimi and Joao Neves for the visit to face OGC Nice on Saturday night.
Hakimi is suspended for this time. In his absence, it is Warren Zaire-Emery who is expected to fill in at right-back. Luis Enrique also confirmed that Joao Neves had not trained in the build-up to PSG’s game at the Allianz Riviera. As a result, he too misses out. It leaves numbers short in midfield. With Zaire-Emery dropping into defence and Neves left back in Paris, Lee Kang-in and Senny Mayulu are expected to start tonight.
Bradley Barcola is also out, having sustained an ankle injury against Chelsea on Tuesday. It means that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will play out on the left with Désiré Doué coming in on the right.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has criticised the club for sacking previous manager Enzo Maresca in the middle of the season.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Italian tactician won the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with the Blues last season, but ended up leaving Stamford Bridge at the start of January.
Liam Rosenior ended up replacing Maresca, joining from Strasbourg, but things haven’t really improved since then.
Fernandez clearly isn’t happy with Chelsea’s decision, with the Argentina international admitting Maresca’s exit has disrupted the players.
Enzo Fernandez on Chelsea missing Enzo Maresca
Fernandez’s comments come amid doubts over his Chelsea future, and this outburst surely won’t help matters.
Speaking to Mexican broadcaster TUDN, Fernandez admitted he didn’t know why CFC decided to part ways with Maresca.
“I don’t understand it either,” the former Benfica man said, as quoted by the Metro.
“Sometimes there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things.
“Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad.
“But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.”
?? Throwback to THIS free-kick screamer by Enzo Fernandez – can Chelsea really afford to lose him? ? pic.twitter.com/aEXhAV6yR3
Fernandez certainly doesn’t sound too happy with life at Chelsea, and we’ve already received information on the west London giants preparing for his departure.
Although Romano is stressing that nothing has been completed yet, it sounds very much like Man City are currently in pole position to land Anderson this summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano also mentioned that Manchester United still remain very attentive to the Nottingham Forest midfielder’s situation.
Fabrizio Romano provides details on Elliot Anderson transfer saga
Discussing the latest on Anderson’s future, Romano explained how MCFC have moved to an advanced stage of their talks with the player’s representatives.
Man Utd fans will be interested to hear, however, that they don’t seem to be entirely out of the race just yet.
“Man City are pushing to sign Elliot Anderson. They are in advanced talks with his agents in advanced conversations in terms of … just asking about the situation of the player,” Romano said.
“So nothing has been agreed, nothing has been done, nothing has been completed but I mean advanced conversations about inquiring for the player.”
He added: “So Man City have been clear. They see Elliot Anderson as a target. Again, we are not yet at the stage of personal terms agreed. We are not yet at the stage of deal done. We are not yet at the stage of deal final stages, but for sure Manchester City confirmed their interest to those close to Anderson.
“Manchester United are attentive to the situation as well. Man United love the player, but at the moment Man City are pushing because in midfield Man City will be very busy as well.”
Elliot Anderson transfer destination – who should he choose?
At the moment it sounds like it’ll either be City or United for Anderson, even if Chelsea also cannot be entirely ruled out.
As we previously reported, the Blues are big admirers of the 23-year-old but are expected to already be slightly behind the two Manchester clubs in terms of legwork done on this deal.
On the face of it, City looks like comfortably the best move for Anderson, who could have a key role there as a long-term successor to Rodri.
He’d also be joining a winning project at the Etihad Stadium, even if this season hasn’t yet gone entirely to plan for Pep Guardiola’s side.
There aren’t the same guarantees at United or Chelsea, who have been in and out of the top four in recent years and chopped and changed managers several times.
City would surely be the more stable environment, though Anderson will also surely keep an open mind as MUFC and CFC are also two massive clubs.
Gary Lineker compares Liam Rosenior to Ruben Amorim as he sends warning to Chelsea boss
Gary Lineker has warned Liam Rosenior not to over do it in press conferences and be less like former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
Rosenior signed a six and a half year contract at the start of the year as Enzo Maresca’s successor, and things got off to a good start.
However, it feels like the honeymoon period is well and truly over, with Rosenior coming in for heavy criticism after recent results.
Gary Lineker offers advice to Liam Rosenior
The Blues have lost their last three games in all competitions, with two defeats to PSG, and the loss to Newcastle.
The second leg defeat to PSG felt like a new low under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, with fans leaving Stamford Bridge in their thousands after an hour.
Failure to deliver that could see him replaced in the summer, but there’s said to be an understanding Rosenior hasn’t had the time to work with the squad and fully get his ideas across.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as apreferred source on Googleto make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Sevilla fan faces prison sentence after alleged racist abuse of Real Madrid star
A disturbing episode from Spanish football is now heading toward a legal conclusion, with serious consequences on the table.
According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, the Sevilla supporter accused of racially abusing Vinicius Jr. is set to face trial, with a potential prison sentence looming.
The incident dates back to a La Liga clash in 2023 between Sevilla and Real Madrid at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
During that match, the Brazilian forward was subjected to racist insults from the stands, and now, the case has reached a critical point.
Facing severe punishment
The individual involved, a former Sevilla season-ticket holder who has already been identified and expelled by the club, is scheduled to stand trial at the Provincial Court of Seville on April 29.
Reports indicate that the prosecution is pushing for a sentence of one year and nine months in prison.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the accused targeted Vinicius repeatedly with racist abuse while calling him “m**key” during the match.
The behaviour included offensive gestures and sounds like ‘uh, uh, uh, uh’ aimed directly at the player, actions described as showing contempt for his skin colour.
Vinicius was targeted by a Sevilla fan. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
The prosecution states that these actions caused emotional harm, including feelings of humiliation and frustration.
They address that the accused caused harm through various “expressions of contempt, which consisted of mimicking the gestures made by primates and repeatedly shouting ‘monkey’ as well as the sounds ‘uh, uh, uh, uh,’ an onomatopoeia that imitates the sound made by monkeys.”
Real Madrid are all in
Importantly, both Real Madrid and La Liga have joined the case as private prosecutors.
In addition to the potential prison sentence, the accused, with “a crime against moral integrity, punishable under Article 173.1 of the Penal Code,” also faces further punishment, as the authorities are also seeking a two-year ban from entering football stadiums.
Meanwhile, Sevilla, with assistance from the National Police, identified the individual and expelled him in line with internal disciplinary rules.
CAF Champions League: tactical keys to the Ahly - Espérance clásico
Exclusive
The tactical keys to the Ahly - Espérance clásico
Ahly - Espérance/@CAF
The Cairo International Stadium will set the stage on Saturday, March 21, for the second act of the clásico between Egypt’s Al Ahly and Espérance de Tunis, as part of the CAF Champions League 2025-2026 quarterfinals. It’s a decisive showdown with all the makings of an early final.
In the first leg, played last Sunday in the Tunisian capital, the Blood and Gold clinched a narrow victory thanks to a penalty converted by Algerian defender Mohamed Amine Tougai. It’s a slim, yet valuable lead heading into this return clash.
We’re expecting a clash of styles: an Ahly side that loves to dominate possession and lull their opponents, up against an Espérance team that relies on tactical discipline and is lethal on the counter-attack.
Al Ahly: slick build-up, but lacking clinical edge
With a star-studded roster featuring the likes of Mahmoud Trezeguet, Aliou Dieng, and Emam Ashour, the Cairo giants are capable of giving any opponent a run for their money on their day.
Their technical quality is undeniable, but the team has struggled to turn their superiority into emphatic wins. The main stumbling block remains their attacking efficiency, which has been lacking since the start of the 2025-2026 season.
The departure of Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali to the American club Columbus Crew has left a significant void, especially as new signings Marwan Otaka and Leltsin Camões, along with returning forward Mohamed Sherif, have yet to deliver.
In short, Al Ahly controls the game, but they are hampered by the absence of a genuine finisher—even though the duo of Mahmoud Trezeguet and Emam Ashour are always capable of unlocking a tight match.
Espérance: confidence and questions
Without being dazzling, Espérance de Tunis did the job in the first leg against Al Ahly, scoring a goal that could prove golden.
The oldest club in Tunisia draws its strength from a tight-knit squad, collective mental fortitude, and, above all, a wealth of experience on the continental stage.
However, the team still has certain limitations, especially technically and in terms of squad depth in key positions.
Lacking technical arguments, the Blood and Gold will above all look to disrupt their opponent’s game before going in search of the vital goal that could allow them to manage the match on their terms.
Of course, the absences of Youcef Belaili and possibly Hamza Jlassi are significant, but the Tunisian club remains capable of punching their ticket to the semifinals—provided they can weather Al Ahly’s pressure and strike at the right moment.
🗞️Today's headlines: Joan García, academy talent and much more
The call from Luis de la Fuente to Barça’s goalkeeper is one of the top stories of the day on this football-filled Saturday.
A great weekend is approaching ahead of an international break, where the standout name is Joan García, who has received a call-up to the national team with the World Cup just around the corner. The Barça keeper is one of the main protagonists of the day, but there’s more.
🥐☕️FC Breakfast: controversy over Senegal’s kit, Europe power ranking
The Stars of Discord ⭐️⭐️
In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation had to explain to its fervent supporters after the unveiling of the new jerseys by Puma, which display only one star — instead of two, meant to symbolize the January victory.
A Stadium Like No Other 🇳🇴
Molde, the Norwegian club that launched Erling Haaland into the big league, has a particularly charming stadium, notably due to its geographical location.
Power Ranking 📊
One last weekend of football in the five major leagues before the international break! A closer look at Opta's power ranking.
A Fuoriclasse Like No Other 🇧🇷
Ronaldinho celebrates his 46th birthday this Saturday: a tribute is in order.
Rasmus Hojlund: Man United loanee produces anonymous showing
Manchester United had one player in loan action on Friday evening.
To find out where all of United’s loanees are plying their trade this season, click here.
Rasmus Hojlund
The Dane has had a rollercoaster time of it in Napoli.
He has impressed the club sufficiently that they have committed to signing him permanently in the summer.
Hojlund has also scored 14 goals in all competitions for the southern Italians.
Nonetheless, he has also gone on long barren spells in front of goal that United fans know only too well.
Performance versus Cagliari
The 23-year-old was involved early in the match when his knock down from a corner resulted in the ball finally landing to another former Red Scott McTominay in the box who made no mistake to give Antonio Conte’s side the lead early on.
In the 15th minute he had his only shot on goal but it was easily blocked by the Cagliari defence.
He did not complete any dribbles in the match but he was able to complete one key pass for his side.
The striker was not particularly capable of linking up with his teammates though as he lost possession eight times and could only make 74% of his passing attempts during the full 90 minutes.
Hojlund did not compete in any aerial duels in the match and was also largely ineffective in his ground contests, winning just two out of seven.
It was a familiar anonymous performance by the striker but he won’t care as his side won their fourth match on the bounce.
They closed to within six points of Inter Milan at the top of the table and will face AC Milan on the 6th April in a crunch top of the table match up.
Rasmus Hojlund stats vs Cagliari
Featured image Marco M. Mantovani via Getty Images
‘They know that…’ – What Luis Enrique has now said about Liverpool ahead of PSG showdown
Luis Enrique has claimed that there’s no clear favourite when his Paris Saint-Germain side take on Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals next month.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The two teams will meet in the tournament for the second year in a row, with PSG prevailing on penalties in the round of 16 last March after both legs finished in 1-0 away wins, and duly going on to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Whereas the Reds were freewheeling their way towards Premier League glory at the time of that tie, they now find themselves languishing in fifth domestically, although the Spaniard is refusing to take them lightly ahead of their tie on 8 and 14 April.
Enrique eagerly anticipating Liverpool showdown
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Enrique said (via PSG.fr): “Liverpool holds good memories for us, of course. I remember last year – Liverpool were the best team in Europe at that stage; they were playing incredible football.
“We’re looking forward to this quarter-final, first in Paris [and] then in Liverpool. I’m fortunate to have an incredible team and intelligent players. They know that, in this type of game, there’s no favourites. It’ll be very positive for us to play these two games.”
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust
PSG will be favourites, but we know what Liverpool are capable of
After Liverpool’s smash-and-grab win at the Parc des Princes 12 months ago, Enrique moaned that ‘football can be unfair at times’, although Kopites may have felt the same after they exited the Champions League a week later despite a vastly improved performance against PSG at Anfield.
The quarter-final next month will also be played in that sequence, and the Reds must ensure that they at least keep the tie alive after the first leg in Paris, although the task of needing a win in the second instalment would be a rather difficult one even on home soil.
Arne Slot’s team could afford to be negligent in the first leg of their round-of-16 showdown against Galatasaray, but it’d be a major surprise if they were to pick off PSG as easily at Anfield, and the regining European champions will surely post a far sterner test.
Despite what Enrique says, his team will go into the quarter-final as favourites to progress, but he knows what even a struggling Liverpool side are capable of producing on a febrile Champions League knockout night on Merseyside. Stand by for a potential epic in the first two weeks of April!
Barcelona sitting on €650 million goldmine thanks to La Masia brilliance
For years, before Lamine Yamal and co. made their debut, it was said that La Masia was no longer producing talent at the same level as before.
But if there were any doubts left, the latest figures have changed the story.
According to data published by Transfermarkt, the current value of Barcelona’s academy graduates in the first-team squad is beyond belief.
As relayed by SPORT, the nine La Masia players currently part of the first-team setup hold a combined market value of €620 million.
On top of that, players transitioning between the reserve team and the senior squad add another €30.5 million in value.
Yamal tops the valuation
At the centre of this resurgence is Lamine Yamal. Valued at €200 million, the teenager has already become one of the most valuable players in world football.
Right behind him is Fermin Lopez, whose value has surged to €100 million. That places him among the most valuable Spanish players and one of the top attacking midfielders globally.
Fermin Lopez is the most productive midfielder in Europe. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
In defence, Pau Cubarsi continues to break barriers. Valued at €80 million, he is already among the most valuable centre-backs in the world and one of the best players in his age group.
Alongside him, Alejandro Balde stands at €55 million, while Eric Garcia has seen his value rise to €35 million.
The midfield depth coming from La Masia is equally impressive. Gavi and Marc Bernal are both valued at €30 million, while Marc Casado continues to earn recognition with a valuation of €20 million.
Adding to this pool of talent is Dani Olmo, valued at €60 million. Although his path has been slightly different, he is still considered a La Masia player.
Lastly, there are players who are juggling between the senior and the youth team, and the latest example is Xavi Espart, who has already seen his market value rise to €5 million following his first-team debut.
Meanwhile, Alvaro Cortes, currently valued at €2 million, is widely expected to see a sharp rise once he breaks fully into the senior team.
Martin O’Neill’s disappointment at Kasper Schmeichel’s injury news
Martin O’Neill has expressed his disappointment after learning the full extent of Kasper Schmeichel’s devastating injury, which could sideline him for up to a year…
UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A between Portugal and Denmark at Josà Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)
The Denmark international revealed during an appearance on CBS Sports Golazo that he faces a lengthy spell out of action, with concerns the shoulder problem could even threaten his career.
UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark. Referee Slavko Vincic looks at Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A at Josà Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)
Schmeichel sustained a dislocated shoulder along with a torn bicep and is expected to undergo two separate surgical procedures before making any return to football.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
It is understood the 39-year-old had been managing the issue with painkilling injections in order to continue playing. However, further medical examinations confirmed the seriousness of the damage, leaving surgery as the only viable option.
Martin O’Neill with Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)
O’Neill admitted the update came as a shock, both in terms of its severity and the manner in which it was revealed publicly.
Speaking via Celtic’s official YouTube channel, O’Neill said: “I was surprised by the severity of it.I must admit I didn’t realise how bad it was. I was disappointed to hear the news. No, I didn’t think Kasper was going to announce it. I think his dad was telling him, ‘You must announce it’. I’m joking.”
“I think Tim, our physio, was aware that the scan had shown up much worse than we thought. I wasn’t expecting to hear that.”
Martin O’Neill, Media Conference at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The Celtic manager also joked about the unconventional nature of Schmeichel’s announcement, suggesting it might have breached old-school dressing room protocols.
“Well, if that was the first announcement, obviously I would have preferred to have heard it myself,” the Celtic boss outlined. “Way back in my time, if you didn’t report it first of all to the football club, you could actually get a fine. So I need to actually go and check to see how his contract is. A really good point. We could do with some of that money.”
Continuing in a light-hearted tone, O’Neill quipped that he may yet raise the issue with the goalkeeper directly.
“Absolutely. That will be a double blow for him, career finished and a fine. Thanks for reminding me.”
Despite the surprise, O’Neill clarified that the club had been kept informed of Schmeichel’s medical situation throughout.
Kasper Schmeichel at fault for at least two of the Stuttgart goals in the the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“The club knew, the club were aware of the tests that he was doing,” he said. “It happened rather quickly. Believe it or not, sometimes I can be incommunicado, I can be somewhere and not actually wanting to hear some news or other.”
Meanwhile, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has criticised Schmeichel, accusing him of acting selfishly by continuing to play while managing the injury, reportedly in a bid to secure a place with Denmark for key World Cup play-off fixtures. Sutton also took issue with the goalkeeper’s failure to reference Celtic during his televised announcement.
Chris Sutton – St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
However, O’Neill downplayed the criticism, insisting Sutton is entitled to his view while questioning whether he had full insight into the situation.
“I like Chris, I like Chris a lot, but not that much,”said O’Neill. “He is entitled to his own opinion; it is no serious issue for me. I don’t know whether he was in a position to know if it was all about Denmark. I haven’t spoken to Chris, I will do now. Tell him to mind his own business! No, he’s entitled to his opinion.”
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Transfer rumour roundup: Bayern join Man City in Elliot Anderson race; Brighton’s Rushworth sparks £20m scramble
Saturday's speculation features Elliot Anderson's future as German giants enter the race, while Chelsea look to ward off interest in Enzo Fernandez.
Elliot Anderson will one of the stories of the summer transfer window as clubs queue up for the Nottingham Forest midfielder. Manchester City are frontrunners to land the England international, though neighbours Manchester United have not given up hope. The BBC are reporting that Bayern Munich have now muscled in to the race, with Forest having slapped an £80m asking price on the player.
Another midfielder in demand isEnzo Fernandez. Despite Liam Rosenior insisting the Argentine remains content at Chelsea, comments last week suggest it could be adios to Enzo in the summer. Real Madrid's midfield shortlist features the World Cup winner, but TEAMtalk tell us that Chelsea are preparing a bumper new deal to ward off Spanish suitors
Brighton are braced for interest in Carl Rushworth. The goalkeeper's role in Coventry City's charge towards Premier League promotion has sparked a scramble for the shot-stopper. talkSPORT suggest up to six top-flight teams are tempted by a £20m price tag.
Elsewhere, Eddie Howe has shut down suggestions thatBruno Guimaraes has held transfer talks with Manchester United. Howe called the rumours 'a nonsense story' and said the club captain remains committed to Newcastle.
Fabrizio Romano has chipped in, revealing there's no release clause in the 28-year-old's contract. A former figure of £100m has long expired, meaning any suitors will need to tempt Newcastle into a sale.
Finally,Everton are set to 'stand firm' on interest in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.Manchester United are the latest side linked with the midfielder, following rumours of Tottenham and Manchester City enquiries. Dewsbury-Hall's been a big hit since signing for the Toffees from Chelsea last summer and Everton have no interest in entertaining any offers.
Galatasaray offer £15M-per-year contract to Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva
Galatasaray are ready to place a €15 million‑per‑year offer on the table for Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, according to a new report.
Manchester City are once again enduring a challenging season, aided by the depth, tactical flexibility and positional intelligence of club captain Silva, who continues to be one of the most versatile players in Pep Guardiola‘s system.
Silva’s ability to control the pace of the game and keep things organised has been a vital component of City’s strategy, whether he plays in the middle or on the flanks.
Juventus told to sign Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva as cheaper alternative to Sandro Tonali
Silva’s time and contract situation at Man City analysed
Guardiola has several adjustments in the attacking and midfield positions over the course of this transition but Silva has always ensured his availability when it mattered most, thus highlighting his reliability. His expertise in positional play, especially in tight central areas, has helped City stay in control during high-pressure games.
However, the bigger picture around the first-team squad has evolved as the season has progressed. Several senior players are approaching the end of their contract and there is greater competition for starting spots after recent signings.
As his contract nears its end, Silva, 31, is at the heart of that conversation, with a firm expectation that the six-time Premier League winner will leave Manchester City when his current deal runs out in June.
Silva has played over 440 matches in nine years at the Etihad Stadium and despite the plethora of silverware he has won under Guardiola, the playmaker’s impact has gone beyond numbers.
Galatasaray plot £15M-per-year contract for Silva
As reported by Turkish outlet Takvim and relayed by Sport Witness, Galatasaray are preparing one of the most aggressive moves of the upcoming window, with a proposal worth €15 million per year for the Manchester City captain.
Talks have already moved past the initial contact and further discussions are expected to occur in the next few weeks, as Silva looks to overturn a horrid run of form for City and steers them to a successful finish to the season.
Galatasaray are trying to stay ahead of other European rivals by moving quickly in their attempts to close a deal for Silva. Their eagerness to agree to these financial terms indicates both desire and a deliberate attempt to acquire top-level experience.
Last summer, they did something similar – they strengthened their squad by signing high-profile players like Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané andGündoğan – the latter two having played with Silva in Manchester.
Bernardo Silva set for pick of clubs upon inevitable Manchester City exit this summer
No dearth of possible destinations for Silva upon inevitable Man City exit
Juventus, Barcelona and AC Milan are all keeping an eye on the situation but neither of the trio are expected to match the financial package Galatasaray are putting together for Silva.
The size of the proposed salary could be extremely significant. For clubs that have stricter budgets, it’s difficult to compete with such an offer, especially for a player who is approaching the twilight of his playing career.
Silva is believed to be pleased with Galatasaray’s interest. A report last year from Milliyet, as relayed by Sport Witness, claimed that representatives of the Turkish club had already met with the Portugal international’s agent Jorge Mendes. That favourable impression seems to have lasted, considering the proposed terms have gotten better.
Manchester City following transfer situation of Newcastle United star
How are Man City coping with the uncertainty around Silva’s future?
The next few weeks will be important for Manchester City. Keeping a player like Silva will continue things in a similar way in Guardiola’s system, but losing him would mean the end of a memorable era.
"We weren’t doing a good enough job" – BVB boss reveals how Club World Cup eye-opener forced a strategy shift
On December 19, marking Borussia Dortmund’s 116th birthday, the Bundesliga club announced the launch of @ElDortmund – a new, dedicated Spanish-language Instagram channel.
The launch of the channel is at the heart of Dortmund’s strategy to better engage with Spanish-speaking fans and build a stronger, more authentic presence within this vibrant footballing community.
In an exclusive interview with Bulinews.com, Marc Lingenhoff, managing director for Borussia Dortmund Americas, reveals that last summer’s Club World Cup was a definitive turning point.
“The tournament once again made us aware of how significant the interest is from Hispanics in the US, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries,” says Lingenhoff, who leads the club’s New York office.
The club’s leadership traveled to the US to experience the tournament firsthand, witnessing the sheer scale of the Hispanic “soccer” community.
“Just by interacting with the fans, we realized how many Spanish-speaking people were present and that we weren’t doing a good enough job as a club and an organization to connect with them.”
Finding the right tonality
Three months after the launch, @ElDortmund has amassed nearly 160,000 followers. While the numbers are promising, Lingenhoff acknowledges that the process of finding the vibe is still ongoing.
“The feedback we’re getting is great; it’s resonating. But we’re still trying to find the right tonality,” he said.
“They share the same language, but there are so many nuances in culture and how football is embraced across different countries.”
This cultural challenge was made harder when Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino – one of the few Spanish-speakers in the squad – was recalled from his loan by Chelsea in January.
“Everybody knows that players drive interest. Aaron Anselmino was part of the launch, made some great content and was excited to do things in Spanish for BVB. But then, unfortunately, he left. What it did in the first month was to put Argentina on top of the followers,” Lingenhoff explained.
“We can’t influence who we sign, that’s not our department, but I always tell our headquarters that if you have a player from a certain country, that drives interest and traffic from that region. The situation with Anselmino was just another proof of that.”
Fans in the BVB Embassy in Cincinnati during FIFA Club World Cup (Photo: Borussia Dortmund).
Breaking through the noise
Like many other top clubs in Europe, Dortmund remain heavily focused on the US market in general, with Lingenhoff noting that there is still a lot of room for soccer to grow.
He points out that the club have 49 fan clubs and 19 youth academies across the United States.
“The US is the biggest sports market in the world. I think the US has an amazing potential because soccer is still growing, whereas other sports are saturated or even declining. If you look at the numbers in TV viewership, soccer is clearly a growth sport,” Lingenhoff said.
However, the US market is crowded.
“There are so many distractions for the fans. You just have to find a way to break through that noise with initiative and being on the ground, being accessible and present always. You need to be very specific and strategic in which markets you want to be present and work in.”
A player-driven market
Lingenhoff notes that there is a significant difference between being a fan in the US and in Europe.
“The fandom is very different here. A soccer fan could also be a fan of other sports and other clubs. We hear a lot that people have a favorite club in different national leagues. We can’t change that fan behavior and we don’t want to. It’s more about, ‘How can I be your club in Germany?’”
“Also, the US is a very player-driven market. We had Bellingham, we had Haaland and Sancho, but as soon as they left the club, many fans moved to other clubs too. They still liked Dortmund, but now that Haaland played for City, they bought their jersey instead of ours. The loyalty factor is something that was very unknown for me as a German when I moved over here like 10 years ago.”
Two years ago, one of Borussia Dortmund’s biggest legends, Marco Reus, moved to the United States, joining LA Galaxy. In late 2025, the club took a strategic step by appointing Reus as an official brand ambassador while he continues his playing career in MLS. The Black and Yellows have been looking to utilize that connection, but without forming an actual partnership with his club.
“We are in touch with clubs and teams and working closer with the LA Galaxy now that Marco Reus is there. We have done some things together, but it’s not like an official partnership,” said Lingenhoff.
Instead, Dortmund have formed a partnership with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, which Lingenhoff describes as a "perfect fit" for knowledge transfer and commercial growth.
BVB Legends Reunion in Los Angeles, March 2026: Marco Reus, Patrick Owomoyela (Photo: Borussia Dortmund).
Winning over new fans
With a view to the upcoming World Cup, Dortmund are looking at partnerships with the German Football Association (DFB) and the Bundesliga to capture new fans on the ground.
“Our perspective is not to try to break through the noise of the World Cup as an individual club. We tell the story through the lens of our players, but we also want to join forces with the German national team and the Bundesliga to help represent German football during the tournament,” Lingenhoff said.
The goal is to use the massive exposure of the World Cup to turn casual viewers into loyal supporters.
“If German football is successful, it gets more eyeballs from new fans. We want to be there so that when they look at Germany after the tournament, we are their club of choice,” the BVB boss concluded.
Liverpool Starting XI vs Brighton: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
Liverpool Confirmed Team News and Predicted XI vs Brighton
Liverpool head into their Premier League clash with Brighton navigating a familiar balancing act, managing fitness concerns while maintaining momentum. With Arne Slot’s side still setting the pace domestically after last season’s title win, attention turns to how they adapt their Predicted Lineup for a tricky away fixture at the Amex Stadium.
Key Absences Impact Selection
The biggest talking point centres on Mohamed Salah, who will miss out. Slot confirmed the situation in candid terms during his pre match briefing.
“Indeed, [it’s] unusual,” the Liverpool boss said at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “As a result of that I think you can expect the outcome. So, [he’s] not available for tomorrow.
“The good thing for Liverpool and for us is that we go to an international break. The bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there.
“We are hoping also with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations because he takes such good care of his body. History has shown that he can be earlier back than some others.
“But it’s only two weeks when we go again so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back.”
Without Salah, Liverpool lose a reliable attacking outlet, which opens the door for tactical reshuffling. Jeremie Frimpong is expected to push further forward on the right, offering pace and directness, something he displayed against Tottenham.
Photo: IMAGO
Tactical Adjustments Against Brighton
Slot may again lean on versatility within his squad. Dominik Szoboszlai could be deployed deeper or even at right back if required, despite impressing in an advanced role recently. That flexibility remains a defining feature of this Liverpool side.
Rotation also feels inevitable. A demanding schedule, including the recent European outing against Galatasaray, suggests fresh legs will be introduced. Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo are all pushing for starts, each bringing energy and tactical discipline.
Brighton, known for their structured build up and positional rotations, will test Liverpool’s defensive organisation. This is where players like Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister become crucial, offering composure and leadership in key moments.
Injury Update Ahead of Kick Off
Liverpool’s injury list continues to shape the Predicted Lineup. Joe Gomez, although back in the squad, is not ready to start.
“Joe was on the bench but he wasn’t able to come in,” Slot explained. “We tried to postpone it as far as we could.
“He already told me before the start of the game he didn’t feel good. I said, ‘OK, let’s wait to half-time [and] a miracle can happen, we might need you in extra time.’
“He might be available tomorrow but definitely not to start.”
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak remains unavailable, while Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni are long term absentees. Alisson also joins Salah on the sidelines, further complicating selection decisions.
Predicted Lineup and Match Details
With all factors considered, Liverpool’s predicted lineup points towards a blend of rotation and necessity:
Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.
This setup allows Liverpool to retain attacking fluidity while compensating for key absences. Against Brighton, control in midfield and efficiency in front of goal will likely decide the outcome.
Man Utd hellbent on signing ‘cheat code’ who’s one the ‘best in the world’ – This time they stand a chance
Manchester United have rekindled their interest in Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, who has been on their shortlist for quite some time.
Over the past few weeks, several sources have reported the club’s intention to sign a new left-back in the summer, one who can take some of the burden off Luke Shaw’s shoulders, especially with the Red Devils expected to return to Europe next season.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Patrick Dorgu could be a long-term solution, but at this stage of his young career, the Dane has looked more comfortable when playing in a more advanced role on the pitch.
Man Utd revive their old interest in Alphonso Davies
The 25-year-old is a Canadian international who joined Bayern Munich in January 2019 and swiftly established himself as a regular starter.
FourFourTwo recalled his meteoric rise to stardom, describing him as a ‘cheat code’ at the time. The source also identified the Buduburam native as the third-best left-back in the world in a list published in December 2025. Only Nuno Mendes and Alejandro Balde landed above him.
And yet, reliable German journalist Christian Falk confirms that Man Utd are still pushing to recruit the Canadian international, even though they’re facing a daunting task.
“It is True. Manchester United are interested in Alphonso Davies,” confirmed Falk in his latest column for CF Bayern Insider.
“They’re still monitoring this player, but he’s, of course, since signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena, so it will be difficult to get him at the moment.”
Why Bayern are willing to listen to Davies offers
While United have yet to submit a formal bid for Davies, Falk reveals that Bayern might be willing to entertain offers due to the player’s recurring injury woes.
“There are also discussions going on at the club as to whether they need a new backup player, given all the injuries Davies keeps picking up.
“Before, they thought they didn’t need a player on the left-hand side because Hiroki Itō can play there as well. However, if there were an offer on the table (and don’t forget it cost Bayern a lot of money to extend Davies), there would be a discussion.
“But I can say right now that there has yet to be a concrete offer from Manchester United. If there’s an offer, perhaps Bayern will consider it, as the injuries keep coming,” concluded the transfer expert.
Davies’ injury record is also a factor that United must carefully examine before making an offer for the player. While the Canadian’s talent is undisputed, he has been struggling to remain fit in recent seasons.
The full-back sustained an ACL injury that put him on the sidelines between March and October 2025, but he’s also been picking up various knocks, not to mention the heart condition that kept him out for almost three months in 2022.
Therefore, Davies might represent a risky investment for Man Utd, especially since he would probably command a considerable transfer fee.
Real Madrid legend Guti talks Arbeloa, Guler, Valverde, Champions League ambition: ‘Steering it in the right direction’
Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has offered a revealing take on the club’s current direction, touching on everything from youth development to dressing room dynamics.
At the heart of his analysis is Real Madrid’s focus on developing talent from within.
He admitted that relying less on academy players in the past had its drawbacks, saying, “It was a disadvantage not to have homegrown players.”
Arbeloa’s leadership under the spotlight
Guti also turned his attention to Alvaro Arbeloa, praising his handling of a high-pressure environment at the club.
The former midfielder stressed that keeping harmony in the dressing room will be key, especially with world-class players sharing the same space.
Reflecting on the challenges Arbeloa faces, Guti explained, “When you join a team mid-season, with difficulties and injuries, it’s always a poisoned chalice.
“But he’s steering it in the right direction for now, and that’s what all Madrid fans hope for: that Madrid wins titles and that Arbeloa can stay.”
Another player Guti spoke about in detail was Arda Guler, a talent he feels personally connected to.
Guti has backed Alvaro Arbeloa. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Drawing parallels between their journeys, he said, “We’ve led parallel lives, just in different eras.”
Valverde earns special praise
Guti also reflected on the development of Federico Valverde, a player he once worked closely with.
He highlighted the midfielder’s transformation from a shy youngster into a key figure in the squad, recalling,
“He was shy, he had a hard time fitting in, and I always told him, ‘You can give so much more, because you have what it takes.’ And now he’s really come into his own.”
Champions League claim with warning attached
Meanwhile, after Real Madrid’s dominant 3-0 win over Manchester City, Guti did not hide his excitement.
“This sounds familiar… Madrid is going to win the Champions League.”
However, he also laid out the difficult path ahead. Looking at potential opponents, he added,
“It’s not just the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich; after that, we could face a very tough semifinal against Liverpool or PSG. It’s a demanding Champions League,” he concluded.
Barcelona set plans for another Camp Nou renovation, stadium will close
Barcelona’s vision for the new Spotify Camp Nou is facing a fresh complication that could directly impact where the team plays in the 2027/28 season.
As such, sources within the Barcelona management have informed The Touchline that the club is planning to begin installing the stadium roof in 2027.
However, this step comes with a significant trade-off.
The roof installation process is expected to take several months, and during that period, the stadium will not be fit to host matches.
This effectively rules out the possibility of the first team playing at the Spotify Camp Nou while work is ongoing.
So what now?
With that in mind, Barcelona are already working on a temporary solution.
The preferred plan within the club is to use the Barça Atlètic stadium during the first half of the 2027/28 season.
The idea is to keep operations within the club’s ecosystem rather than relocating to a larger external venue again.
If everything goes according to schedule, the team could return to a fully operational Camp Nou by January 2028.
Meanwhile, a return to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys at Montjuic remains an option, but it is not the club’s priority.
Financial considerations and the desire to avoid another temporary relocation have pushed Barcelona to explore alternative solutions more seriously.
Not all is lost
Barcelona could be forced to relocate again. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
There is, however, encouraging progress on the construction front.
Work on the third tier of the stadium is now entering its final stages, with most of the concrete structure already in place.
Only a small section above the South Stand remains incomplete, suggesting that the upper structure is close to being finalised.
The expectation within the club is that this phase will be completed by the end of the year, clearing the path for the roof installation to begin in 2027.
That said, the overall exterior structure of the stadium, including the full shell, is not expected to be finished until 2028.
Meanwhile, construction company Limak is preparing for an intense period of work.
During the summer break, when no official matches are scheduled, the most demanding part of the renovation will take place.
More to the story
On the other hand, Barcelona are also preparing for worst-case scenarios.
This means if delays occur, the club could negotiate with La Liga to begin the new season with a series of away fixtures, similar to what was done in the 2025/26 campaign.
In that sense, the Estadi Johan Cruyff remains a backup venue if needed.
Simply put, once roof installation begins, the Spotify Camp Nou will be completely unavailable for matches. And that reality forces Barcelona into a temporary relocation once again.
“Hurt us a lot” – Enzo Fernandez takes swipe at Chelsea board over Enzo Maresca exit
Enzo Fernandez has hit out at the Chelsea board over the departure of Enzo Maresca and stated his departure “hurt us a lot.”
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
Maresca left the club on New Years Day, less than six months after he guided the Blues to the Club World Cup in New York.
The Italian had a successful first season in charge as he won two trophies and returned Chelsea to the Champions League with a top four finish.
Enzo Fernandez hits out at Chelsea board over Maresca departure
However, Maresca’s relationship with the ownership started to deteriorate after he wasn’t given a new centre back following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury.
Maresca accused senior people at Chelsea of not supporting him after the win against Everton in December, and in the end his departure was inevitable.
Chelsea were 15 points behind Arsenal when Maresca departed, and are now 22 points behind the Gunners, and suffered a humiliating exit to PSG in the Champions League.
“Sometimes there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things.
“Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad.
“But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.”
Liam Rosenior insists star players don’t want to leave
Chelsea face a critical summer, and one where they have to get their business right if they are to take the next step, and close the gap on Arsenal and Manchester City.
Richard Hughes is about to make a £68m mistake at Liverpool
Richard Hughes' time as Liverpool's sporting director has been received in many ways.
Fans are often split when asked about his time with the Anfield outfit but, after the summer transfer window that the Reds had last time around, it certainly feels like he made up for his shortcomings in the 2024-25 season.
Several players that Hughes brought in during the 2025-26 summer transfer window have had a positive impact on the team but there are a few who still have question marks hanging over their heads.
However, despite his recent signings delivering a mixed bag of results, it hasn't stopped him from already preparing what the next summer window is going to be like.
Many players have already been linked with an Anfield switch, however, there's one recent rumour that has emerged which could end up being a massive mistake.
Liverpool set to activate the £68m release clause for Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez
One thing that has been made abundantly clear this season is that Liverpool need to add some new attackers to their ranks.
This has resulted in many rumours emerging and now, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, it seems like Hughes is about to activate the £68 million release clause that Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez has in his contract.
"The striker's impressive form has not gone unnoticed in England. Liverpool is one of the clubs that has shown the most interest in acquiring his services," they wrote.
"At Anfield, they're looking to bolster their attack with a proven player, and Luis Suárez fits the bill perfectly.
"His experience, his goalscoring instinct, and his ability to compete at the highest level make him a very serious option.
"The English club is seriously considering paying his release clause, set at 80 million euros. A high figure, but in line with his current performance."
Liverpool cannot sign Luis Suarez for £68m
Although the Colombian may have the same name as a Liverpool legend, that doesn't mean that the 28-year-old would be a smart signing.
One of the only areas Liverpool don't need more players for is striker due to the club already having Isak and Hugo Ekitike at their disposal.
Not only is the Colombian entering the latter stages of his career but, history has shown that signing the Liga Portugal's hottest attacking prospect rarely ever works out.
Darwin Nunez and Viktor Gyokeres are both examples of this with neither of them meeting expectations after moving to the Premier League.
Suarez may have netted 32 goals across all competitions this term but, seeing as though Isak will more or less be a new signing for Arne Slot, it doesn't make all that much sense for Liverpool to bring him in.
Indeed, his experience would likely help him get adjusted to the Premier League quicker than a youngster but, since there are many other areas of Slot's team that still need upgrading before their striker, Hughes activating the 28 year old's release clause doesn't make much sense at all.
After Salah: Liverpool handed further injury blow less than 24 hours before Brighton clash
Liverpool have been handed yet another injury setback ahead of their Premier League fixture away to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Just over 24 hours before kick-off, Arne Slot revealed in his pre-match press conference that Mo Salah would miss the game at the Amex Stadium, having been forced off with a minor issue against Galatasaray in midweek.
Joe Gomez is also a doubt for today’s match, and another Reds player’s absence against the Seagulls was confirmed on Friday evening.
Alisson to miss Brighton clash due to injury concern
As per The Athletic, Alisson Becker won’t feature for Liverpool on the south coast this afternoon due to a fresh injury concern which has also seen him pull out of the Brazil squad for their friendlies against France and Croatia over the coming days.
The goalkeeper missed our recent defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul due to a muscle problem, and although he returned for the two subsequent fixtures over the past week, the Reds have opted to not risk any further aggravation with him for today’s match.
The 33-year-old’s absence will see Giorgi Mamardashvili come in for his 13th appearance of the season, and his sixth in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust
Alisson’s injury record doesn’t make for good reading
Liverpool’s recent top-flight record away to Brighton is far from glowing (just one win in their last five visits), and the task of claiming three points at the Amex Stadium has been made all the harder by the absences of two stalwarts in Salah and now Alisson.
For all of the Brazilian’s undoubted brilliance in goal, injury issues have sadly been all too frequent for him in his time at Anfield, having already missed 42 matches for club and country since the start of last season alone (Transfermarkt).
Luckily, the Reds have a more than capable deputy in Mamardashvili, whose performance away to Galatasaray earlier this month drew praise from Stephen Warnock as the Georgian played his part in ensuring that the defeat was kept to 1-0.
The 25-year-old’s Premier League record so far isn’t exactly auspicious (one win, four defeats), but hopefully he can stand up to whatever is asked of him against Brighton today, and that Alisson will be passed fit to return by the time of our FA Cup visit to Manchester City two weeks from now.
Collum’s VAR Review confirms Celtic robbed of penalty against Hibs
Head of Referees Willie Collum has admitted that Celtic were wrongly denied a penalty during their recent 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Celtic Park…
Liam Scales and Jack Iredale of Hibs. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 22 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock
What Collum didn’t mention – or notice – was that Celtic were also denied a corner with the referee Matthew McDermid deciding a Celtic player had headed the ball as Liam Scales was dragged to the ground.
22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Liam Scales rages at Matthew MacDermid after being fouled at a corner but no penalty given. Kenny Ramsay IMAGO
The match swung in the second half when Celtic were reduced to ten men, with Auston Trusty dismissed after an off-the-ball clash with Jamie McGrath. Hibs capitalised late on, as Kai Andrews struck the decisive goal to seal all three points for David Gray’s side.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
A major talking point came shortly after Trusty’s red card, when Celtic appealed for a penalty following a tug by Jack Iredale on Liam Scales during a corner. Referee Matthew MacDermid waved play on, and VAR chose not to intervene.
22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Referee Matthew MacDermid conveys his VAR decision on Auston Trusty red card. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO.
The decision ultimately proved significant, as Celtic missed the chance to regain control of the match and dropped valuable points in the title race.
Collum has since reviewed the incident and admitted that the officials made the wrong call in failing to award the spot-kick.
Speaking on the recent VAR Review show, Collum said: “So, the VAR here describes the action of the holding and about proximity, about the area the ball is going into. And for us, this should be a penalty kick. This should be an on-field review for a penalty.”
“People will argue ‘does Liam Scales go down easy?’ But there’s too much holding here. There’s too much impact for us. It’s in that zone. If this happens over here(pointing further outside the area), we’re not interested, we don’t punish it as per the discussion with the clubs, the clubs agreed on that.”
“But it’s about impact here. We also have coached the VAR team here, and they use the angle behind the goal, which for me is the key angle there. That shows exactly what needs to be looked at. This shows the clear holding, the clear impact, it’s prolonged there for a bit as the player comes across. Should be a penalty kick.”
Presenter Gordon Duncan highlighted that the VAR officials initially seemed to be working towards awarding a penalty during their conversations, only to ultimately decide against taking action.
22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Matthew MacDermid Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO
Collum added: “If they had gone to on-field review after what they’d said, the VAR team, it would have been an excellent example because of the clear criteria used.”
“Then when they use the other two angles, which are not good enough, they talk about ‘not enough.; And in the back of this clip as well, I’ve said it on this show as well, ‘not enough’ for us, we need to stop using that, because what does ‘not enough’ mean? We need to then use criteria.”
“So it might be ‘not enough’ because you think the player’s gone down, or the holding’s not been prolonged, or it’s not in that proximity, that area where the ball is going. But we need criteria. And we’ve told the VAR teams now, and the on-field referee, ‘not enough’ is not a good description. They need to explain why we don’t think that is a penalty.”
Collum backed the decision to issue a red card to Austin Trusty – effectively changing the way tussles are going to have to be looked at every corner in the Scottish Premiership going forward. The head of referees also confirmed that the decision not to send Alex Oxlade Chamberlain off with a straight red card last weekend against Motherwell was correct and that the yellow card issued was the right call.
Watch the latest VAR Review from Willie Collum below…
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Barcelona forward staring at uncertain future after sudden decline in form
Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona story has taken a sharp and rather uncomfortable turn.
What once looked like a smart and impactful loan move is now drifting into uncertainty, with the English forward slipping down the pecking order at a crucial stage of the season.
For a player who has delivered 10 goals and 13 assists, the numbers still suggest productivity. But football is rarely just about numbers.
Over the past few weeks, his involvement has dropped significantly, having managed just 108 minutes across Barcelona’s last five matches, starting only once – against Athletic Club.
When Rashford arrived on loan from Manchester United, expectations were realistic. In fact, he was never guaranteed a starting role.
However, what worked in his favour early on was his ability to make an impact whenever called upon. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he looked sharp, decisive, and effective.
That edge, however, has faded.
Impact has faded
Rashford’s impact has faded at Barcelona. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
The turning point is hard to ignore. Rashford has not scored or assisted since January 31, when he found the net against Elche in a 3-1 victory.
Since then, his influence in the final third has dropped, and with Barcelona now having a fully fit squad, competition for places has intensified.
At this stage, Rashford appears to have reverted to what was initially expected of him – a rotational option rather than a key attacking figure.
But even in that role, his cameos have lacked the sharpness that once made him such a dangerous weapon.
So what now?
Despite this dip, Barcelona have not completely turned their back on him. Reports suggest that the club have already explored the possibility of extending his loan deal for another season.
The proposal reportedly includes a €30 million buyout clause to be activated in the summer of 2027, a move that would allow Barcelona to maintain financial flexibility while still keeping a proven attacking option in the squad.
However, nothing is certain at the moment and as reported before, Barcelona are also exploring other options in case this deal does not go through.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed our recent report on Joshua Zirkzee wanting out of Manchester United in the upcoming summer transfer window.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Netherlands international has struggled since joining Man Utd from Bologna, and it now seems he could look for a return to Serie A.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that Zirkzee would “welcome” a transfer away from Old Trafford this summer, with a return to Italy mentioned as a possibility.
This is similar to our info from a few days ago as we reported Zirkzee wants to leave United and ideally return to Serie A even though he has also had some interest from Premier League clubs.
Joshua Zirkzee transfer update from Fabrizio Romano
“I can guarantee to you guys that the desire of Joshua Zirkzee is to change in the summer transfer window,” Romano said.
“Zirkzee would welcome a transfer out of Manchester United.”
He added: “In the summer he’s expected to leave and there is interest from Premier League. There are some Premier League clubs already calling to understand if there is a chance to sign Joshua Zirkzee in the summer transfer window, but also Italian clubs.
“Italian clubs have always been around for Zirkzee. In January Roma had been pushing, Juventus were keen as well. Now more clubs also joining the race.
“Joshua Zirkzee is absolutely one to watch for the summer transfer window and could leave Manchester United.”
Manchester United need to move Joshua Zirkzee on
It’s clear that it just hasn’t worked out for Zirkzee at United and it looks like the right decision to move him on this summer.
The 24-year-old may well go on to have a fine career in Italian football, but he hasn’t looked cut out for the fast and physical nature of the English game.
Some MUFC fans will be disappointed that this deal didn’t work out as Zirkzee looked like an exciting prospect when he joined, but he has unfortunately gone on to become the latest in a long line of flops signed in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
It will be interesting to see who United move for as a replacement in attack this summer, with more depth surely needed if Zirkzee ends up leaving.
Still, there’s no getting away from the fact that he’s been a disappointment at Chelsea, scoring only one league goal so far.
Liam Delap transfer could be risky for Newcastle United
As we reported yesterday, Delap doesn’t look like an ideal fit for Newcastle right now, even if they could do with strengthening up front.
The Magpies urgently need a top class replacement for Alexander Isak, with neither Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa delivering for the club so far.
Liam Delap
TOTAL SCORE: 8/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
–
Achievements
–
Career phase
***
Squad need
***
As you can see in the table above, Delap scored just 8/25 using our Transfer Fit rating system (more detail on how it works here), which is a low score mostly based on the fact that his recent form is poor and he doesn’t have enough of an overall track record to make up for it.
NUFC can surely find a better way to spend £40m, or, even better than that, try for a more expensive player who might prove the better investment in the long run anyway.
Delap’s fee isn’t crazily high, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for Newcastle at the moment, with Howe’s side in need of a strong window to make up for the chaos of last summer when they fought long and hard to keep Isak only to lose him anyway and end up with inadequate replacements.
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on new contracts for important first-team duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, talks are advanced on new deals for the Man Utd pair, who have re-established themselves as key players for the club under interim manager Michael Carrick.
See below for details as Ornstein says Mainoo’s new contract would run until 2031 and see him earn a pay rise, while veteran defender Maguire would just be offered one more year, with the option of another on top of that…
? EXCL: Man Utd close to agreement with Kobbie Mainoo + Harry Maguire over new contracts. Proposed deal would keep 20yo midfielder at #MUFC until 2031 on improved terms. 33yo defender offered 1+1yr deal. Work still needed but talks advanced @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/EbHI6cYR2e
Posting on X, Ornstein said: “Man Utd close to agreement with Kobbie Mainoo + Harry Maguire over new contracts. Proposed deal would keep 20yo midfielder at #MUFC until 2031 on improved terms. 33yo defender offered 1+1yr deal. Work still needed but talks advanced.”
Maguire and Mainoo deals are good news for Manchester United
This has not been the easiest season at Old Trafford, with the club once again changing manager after Ruben Amorim’s sacking at the start of 2026, but things are ending on more of a high note.
United could only manage a draw away to Bournemouth last night, but they’ve been one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League since Carrick replaced Amorim.
A big part of that has been Mainoo’s increased involvement, with the talented young England international bizarrely frozen out when Amorim was in charge.
Maguire’s improvement has also been a big boost for MUFC, with the 33-year-old showing how important he can still be to the team.
Our information was that Maguire had been eyed by Chelsea as a surprise option to give them some much-needed experience at the back, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the Red Devils have moved fast to ensure they can keep hold of him.
Everton predicted XI vs Chelsea: Toffees aim to pile pressure on faltering Blues at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton welcome Chelsea to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening, knowing victory can drag them into one of the European slots.
Everton sit just outside the top seven and have shown signs of real progress, despite last weekend’s cruel late defeat.
Meanwhile, Chelsea arrive in turmoil, with pressure mounting after a damaging run of results across all competitions.
The stage is set for a match with massive repercussions for two teams toiling to earn their place in Europe next term.
Match preview
Manager David Moyes has steadied Everton, and there is a growing sense that this side is far more competitive than in recent seasons.
The Toffees have won four of their last 10 league matches and remain difficult to break down, even in defeat.
Their resilience against league leaders Arsenal last weekend was evidence of that.
However, consistency at home remains an issue. Everton have won just one of their last seven league games at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Chelsea arrive wounded, having lost two of their last three league games.
The Blues were dismantled by Paris Saint-Germain in Europe, exiting the Champions League in humiliating fashion.
Defensive fragility continues to haunt them. The Blues have conceded in eight consecutive Premier League matches, and confidence appears fragile.
Still, they remain dangerous. No team has a higher non-penalty xG than Chelsea (52.8), highlighting their attacking threat despite inconsistency.
Their attacking numbers are among the best in the league, even if their finishing has often let them down.
Everton vs Chelsea head-to-head and match stats
Everton have lost just one of their last eight home league games against Chelsea.
However, they have failed to score in 12 of their last 19 Premier League meetings with the Blues, including the last four in a row.
Chelsea are looking to complete their first league double over Everton since 2016/17.
Everton team news
Moyes is hopeful of welcoming back the ‘outstanding’ James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, though the latter may only make the bench.
Jack Grealish and Charly Alcaraz are ruled out. Tyrique George, 20, is ineligible against his parent club, meaning Dwight McNeil starts on the flanks again.
James Garner remains pivotal and can operate in midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall expected to start in an advanced role.
Everton predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Vitaliy Mykolenko; James Garner, Idrissa Gueye; Dwight McNeil, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye; Thierno Barry.
Liam Rosenior lifts the lid on ” very exciting” conversations with sporting directors over summer plans
Liam Rosenior has revealed he’s excited by the very detailed conversations he’s had with Chelsea’s sporting directors about plans for the summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
The Blues were very quiet in January, but are expected to be active in the summer with a number of positions in the squad needing to be addressed.
Chelsea’s squad building has been criticised following the Champions League exit to PSG, and the club face a big summer.
Liam Rosenior on plans for the summer window
The Blues have spent £1.5bn since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover in the summer of 2022, with more money certain to be spent this summer.
Despite the vast outlay Chelsea are still lacking in several areas of the squad, whilst their squad depth simply isn’t of the quality required.
Heavily criticised sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley will lead the recruitment process, and Rosenior revealed he’s excited about detailed conversations he’s had with them.
“We’re having really detailed conversations now about the areas that we want to strengthen,” he said as quoted by The Standard.
“I’ve had great conversations about what I think we need. We’re very aligned, actually, in terms of where we want to strengthen and how we go about that, which is very exciting.
“The most important bit, though, is making sure we get the now right as well.”
Chelsea have already secured two summer signings
Whilst trust in the ownership is at an all time low, the Blues have already secured two summer signings in Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha.
The duo will join at the end of the season from Sporting Lisbon and Strasbourg respectively, and are expected to go straight into the first team squad to compete for minutes.
Senne Lammens: Summer signing proves worth again for Man United
Manchester United drew 2-2 with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday night.
The Red Devils twice took the lead but were pegged back twice by the Cherries.
With Harry Maguire receiving a red card in the 80th minute, United survived the rest of the game and an additional 10 minutes of extra time and came away with what could be a valuable point in the race for the Champions League spots.
Senne Lammens
All of United’s signings this summer have positively benefited the team this season, but it is hard to argue that any have had more of an influence than the Belgian keeper, Senne Lammens.
The keeper has made a huge difference to the number of chances United concede and to his ability to calm the defence.
The unassuming 23-year-old looks like he has been playing in the Premier League for five years, even though this is his debut season.
Performance vs AFC Bournemouth
Lammens did concede two goals, but one was a penalty and the other was an expertly placed shot from Ryan Christie. Perhaps if you were being overly critical, he may have got down faster, but it was an excellent strike by the Scotsman.
He made a total of three saves in the match, including an excellent one from Rayan in the first half, when he got down rapidly to deny a wonderful strike.
Probably the most obvious improvement Lammens has brought compared to Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir has been his control of the box and balls into the area.
He seems to love the physical duels, making three high claims and punching the ball clear once.
Lammens also made one clearance in the match. The Belgian also won 100% of his aerial and ground duels in another strong outing for the Red Devils.
He will now go on international duty with Belgium but will have to wait until Monday 13th April to play for United again in the Premier League in a huge grudge match against Leeds United.
Senne Lammens vs Bournemouth
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
Tottenham eye transfer move for Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu
Tottenham Hotspur have watched Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu as they search for goalkeeping reinforcements this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Tottenham need a new goalkeeper, with Guglielmo Vicario poised to leave the North London outfit this summer for a return to his native Italy.
Second-choice goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is also poised to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on loan in search of game time, leaving the club needing reinforcement.
Spurs’ radar has picked up the 6ft4ins Germany Under-21 international, who is enjoying another outstanding individual campaign in the Bundesliga.
Atubolu has been one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the German top flight, impressing with his agility and penalty-stopping heroics.
The 23-year-old has saved 5/8 penalties he has faced in the Bundesliga since breaking onto the scene and has notched up 33 clean sheets in 111 appearances.
Atubolu is not only an upgrade with his hands but also with his feet. He is a respectable ball distributor who has earned comparisons to the great Manuel Neuer.
Freiburg have come to terms with losing their star goalkeeper. Atubolu’s current deal expires in 2027, and they won’t want to let him go for free.
With a year left on his deal, it is the perfect opportunity for Tottenham to pounce and secure a promising goalkeeper. But he is not the only target they are assessing.
Besides Atubolu, Tottenham are also reportedly keeping tabs on Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace) and James Trafford (Manchester City).
However, Spurs are well aware that those two would cost significantly more than Atubolu. It remains to be seen which target the North Londoners will eventually push for.
Tottenham cannot afford to get it wrong with whoever they decide on.
They need a goalkeeper who brings stability to the backline, which in turn translates to the rest of the team.
Souness says Salah is the single biggest reason why Liverpool are having a poor season
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness believes the decline of Mohamed Salah is the single biggest reason behind their underwhelming campaign.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Souness claimed the Liverpool ace has fallen off a cliff rather than experiencing a gradual decline, citing his sharp drop in output as evidence.
Salah has registered 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this season, a respectable tally in isolation, but a significant dip compared to previous years in Merseyside.
At the same stage last season, Salah had already amassed 44 goal contributions, while he hit 34 the year before.
Even his lowest returns during his Liverpool peak, 27 goal involvements in both 2018/19 and 2019/20, comfortably surpass his current numbers.
Souness argues that drop-off has had a ripple effect within the squad, suggesting Liverpool’s biggest players have failed to step up in difficult moments.
He believes Salah has not delivered when it matters most, a stark contrast to the match-winning figure who defined the Jurgen Klopp era and the dominant first year under Arne Slot.
Souness, who made 359 appearances for the Reds, even went as far as to suggest Liverpool should consider moving on from Salah, despite his contract running until 2027.
He believes Salah’s best is behind him. But that conclusion feels very reductive.
Yes, Salah is declining. That much is clear. Few forwards maintain elite output deep into their 30s.
But to frame him as the single biggest reason for Liverpool’s inconsistency ignores the broader picture.
The issues at Liverpool run deeper. There is a clear midfield imbalance, and the defence is fragile these days.
Salah is no longer masking those flaws, and that is the real problem.
Souness’ take leans more towards convenient scapegoating than serious analysis.
When Salah eventually departs, Liverpool will quickly discover that replacing even a diminished version of him is far harder than blaming him.
The time is now for a Manchester City striker to make an impact in a final
Ever since Erling Haaland arrived at Manchester City, he has played a vital role in the success of his team. Haaland has scored 154 goals in 188 appearances for City, and his goals have been crucial to Manchester City’s success during his time at the club. However, if there is an asterisk against Haaland’s name during his time at City, it is his goal-scoring record in the finals that City have played. During his time at City, including Community Shield matches, Erling Haaland has played in eight cup finals. He has failed to hit the back of the net in any of those matches.
Heading into Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, Manchester City need Erling Haaland to fire at Wembley if they are to overcome Mikel Arteta’s side.
Manchester City need their star man at his best against Arsenal.
Although Erling Haaland missed several gilt-edged chances in Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, there were clear signs that he was getting his edge back. Haaland hasn’t been at his best for some time now. He scored against Real Madrid and missed several other chances. What was important was that Haaland was getting into dangerous positions. He looked sharp with his movement and looked better in terms of his overall fitness. Yes, Manchester City lost against Real Madrid, and Haaland squandered several chances, but the vibe of Haaland’s performance was positive. That is a positive to take leading into tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup final.
A strength of Arsenal is their defence. Mikel Arteta’s side are the best defensive outfit in England and it forms the backbone of their play. If Manchester City are to defeat Arsenal at Wembley they need their attacking players to fire. They need to take their chances and Erling Haaland needs to cause havoc amongst the Arsenal defence. Haaland needs to carry the positives of his performance against Real Madrid into the Carabao Cup final. If Haaland does that he does look as Manchester City’s match-winner on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola said that Erling Haaland is focused on Sunday’s match.
Speaking yesterday, ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, Pep Guardiola said that Erling Haaland is focused on Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. Guardiola said: “I’m pretty sure he’s focused, like all of us.” Guardiola added that his squad has had two days off after their defeat to Real Madrid. He added: “I did not speak with him, we’ve had two days off, [but] I’m pretty sure he’s ready.”
It is time for Erling Haaland to make an impact in a final for Manchester City. Haaland has yet to score in a final for his team, and that does hang over Haaland’s City career. Typically, Erling Haaland plays well against Arsenal. If he can fire at Wembley, it could go a long way in tilting the balance of Sunday’s Carabao Cup Manchester City’s way.
Everton vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news
Everton welcome Chelsea to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening with European football in their sights.
The Toffees are eighth in the Premier League table and targeting a return to continental competition for the first time since 2017-18.
Starting with Saturday’s visit of Chelsea, a priority for David Moyes will be to address his side’s home form. Despite boasting the fourth-best away record in the Premier League, Everton are 14th for points won at home.
Everton team news
David Moyes is lacking creative options for this weekend’s fixture, with Jack Grealish ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Carlos Alcaraz is also expected to be unavailable with an unspecified issue, while loanee Tyrique George is ineligible to face his parent club.
Those absences will place added responsibility on Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, as he prepares to face his former team. The midfielder has impressed since swapping the capital for Everton, playing himself into potential England contention.
Elsewhere, doubts remain over Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski after both sat out the defeat to Arsenal last weekend. Moyes has been coy about the fitness of the defensive duo.
Everton predicted lineup
Predicted Everton XI vs Chelsea: Pickford; Garner, O’Brien, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday 21st March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30pm GMT.
How to watch Everton vs Chelsea
The game will be shown live in the UK by Sky Sports.
Brighton vs Liverpool – Predicted lineup and team news
Brighton welcome Liverpool to the Amex Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
The Seagulls have won three of their last four in the Premier League to keep alive faint hopes of securing European football. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are currently 12th in the table, but just five points from seventh-placed Brentford in a congested chase for Europe.
Brighton will need to overcome a poor recent record in this fixture. The South Coast side have won one of their last seven meetings with Liverpool across all competitions. However, that victory came in the corresponding fixture at the Amex last season.
Brighton team news
Brighton face a nervous wait on key duo Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba, with each facing a race against time to prove their fitness. Mitoma has an ankle issue and remains a doubt.
In terms of confirmed absentees, Fabian Hurzeler will again be without Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas. Both are still sidelined with long-term knee issues.
Elsewhere, James Milner will hope for another appearance against his former team. The 40-year-old recently broke the all-time Premier League appearance record, of which 230 came in a Liverpool shirt.
Brighton predicted lineup
Predicted Brighton XI vs Liverpool: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Ayari, Baleba, Gross; Gomez, Minteh, Welbeck.
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at the Amex Stadium on Saturday 21st March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30pm GMT.
How to watch Brighton vs Liverpool
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.
Everton and Chelsea meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening in a fixture that could serve as a major crossroads for both clubs’ European aspirations.
The Toffees, led by David Moyes, are pushing for a potential first European campaign in a decade and currently sit eighth in the table. While they fell to a 2–0 defeat at league leaders Arsenal last time out, they were only breached in the final minutes.
Moyes’ side has found life easier on the road than at their new home, having won just one of their last seven home league fixtures. Notably, a win tonight would see Everton record consecutive Premier League home victories at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time following their 2–0 win over Burnley earlier this month.
Chelsea arrive on Merseyside desperate to reset after a “nightmare week” that saw them suffer a home loss to Newcastle and a bruising Champions League exit. Liam Rosenior’s side was dumped out of Europe following an 8–2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and now sits sixth in the Premier League, three points adrift of the top four.
The Blues have struggled for defensive stability under Rosenior; since keeping a clean sheet in his first match, they have conceded in eight straight league games. Significantly, Chelsea have made 96 changes to their starting XI this season—the most of any side in the division.
Everton vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Referee: Samuel Barrott
VAR: Paul Howard
Last Meeting: Chelsea 2–0 Everton (13 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Everton
David Moyes was unexpectedly missing James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite for the trip to the Emirates and remains tight-lipped on their availability. Jake O’Brien and Michael Keane stand ready to deputise again if needed.
Notably, James Garner has been the Toffees’ standout in the engine room, recording a league-high 138 combined tackles and interceptions while leading the team in chances created (43). Jack Grealish remains sidelined for the season.
Chelsea
The Blues are sweating on Trevoh Chalobah, who suffered an ankle scare against PSG, though he is believed to have escaped a break. Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile could return from illness, and Estêvão is back in contention.
However, Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Filip Jörgensen remain out. Notably, João Pedro has been clinical on his travels, with his 11 away goals this season marking the highest tally by a Chelsea player since 2019–20.
Form
Everton
Everton’s resilient display at league leaders Arsenal was undone only by two late goals in a 2-0 loss, but back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley prior to that have kept them firmly in the hunt for eighth place.
Historically, the Toffees have been tough to beat on their own turf for Chelsea, having lost only one of their last eight Premier League home meetings against the Blues.
Chelsea
Chelsea have hit a slump at a critical time, winning only one of their last five Premier League matches and suffering four successive Champions League knockout defeats.
Despite their recent struggles, the Blues possess the league’s highest non-penalty expected goals (xG) at 52.8. Notably, Cole Palmer has found his scoring touch outside of London, netting four goals in his last two away league matches.
Leeds United vs Brentford – Match preview and team news
Leeds United welcome Brentford to Elland Road on Saturday night, with both sides desperate for points at opposite ends of the Premier League table.
The Whites enter this fixture sitting just three points above the relegation zone following a five-game winless run. Daniel Farke’s side has struggled for goals recently, failing to find the net in each of their last three matches.
However, Elland Road remains a relative stronghold; Leeds have won six of their seven league games this season on home soil and boast an impressive historical record against the Bees, losing just one of their last 16 home league meetings with Saturday’s visitors.
Brentford, meanwhile, arrive in Yorkshire as one of the division’s most dangerous away sides since the turn of the year. Currently occupying seventh place and a Europa Conference League spot, the Bees have won five of their last seven on the road.
Despite their high-flying status, Keith Andrews was left “frustrated” after his side let a two-goal lead slip against bottom-club Wolves last time out. Completing a “Remontada” of their own in the standings, Brentford are now just four points adrift of the Champions League places and will look to exploit a Leeds defence that has struggled with consistency.
Leeds United vs Brentford – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Elland Road, Leeds
Referee: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Matthew Donohue
Last Meeting: Brentford 1–1 Leeds United (14 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Leeds United
Daniel Farke has confirmed a “clean bill of health” for his squad, with Noah Okafor back in contention after a five-match absence. However, Gabriel Gudmundsson is suspended following his red card against Crystal Palace. Notably, Anton Stach has been a creative revelation; no player has created more chances from set-plays (27) in the Premier League this season.
Brentford
The Bees continue to manage a lengthy injury list, with Vitaly Janelt, Aaron Hickey, and Rico Henry among those definitely ruled out. Mikkel Damsgaard faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock against Wolves. Notably, striker Igor Thiago is on the verge of history; one more goal would make him the third Brentford player to reach the 20-goal landmark in a single Premier League season.
Form
Leeds United
Leeds United’s form has stagnated following a five-match winless run (D3 L2), including a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, where they played the final stages with ten men. Their hopes of survival are heavily tied to their dead-ball prowess; excluding penalties, the Whites have scored a higher share of their goals from set-pieces (35.1%) than any other side in the division.
Brentford
Brentford arrive at Elland Road having won five of their last seven away games (D1 L1), a run of form bettered only by league leaders Arsenal. Despite their road resilience, the Bees have struggled to maintain leads, dropping a league-high 69 points from winning positions across the last three seasons. Significantly, only three teams have earned more Premier League points (19) than Brentford since the start of 2026.
Predicted Lineups
Leeds United Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Longstaff, Ampadu, Justin; Stach, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin
Brentford Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmolyuk, Henderson; Ouattara, Jensen, Schade; Thiago
How to Watch Leeds United vs Brentford?
The match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports with coverage beginning ahead of the 20:00 GMT kick-off.
Burnley XI vs Fulham – Predicted lineup and team news
Burnley travel to Craven Cottage today, aiming to secure a vital victory and maintain their impressive recent record on the banks of the Thames.
The Clarets have moved past the 30-game mark, sitting 19th in the table and needing a significant upturn in form to bridge the eight-point gap to safety. Manager Scott Parker has overseen a run of just one win in 21 games, but will be encouraged by Burnley’s record of three away wins in their last four visits to Fulham.
Burnley team news
Scott Parker manages a squad heavily depleted by defensive and midfield injuries. Notably, Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, Axel Tuanzebe, and Connor Roberts are all definitely ruled out.
Consequently, the manager is sweating on the fitness of Maxime Estève, who was forced off with illness last time out; if fit, he will anchor a three-man defence alongside Josh Laurent and Bashir Humphreys. Notably, Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming lead the team with seven goals apiece and will be the primary threats in a projected front three alongside Lyle Foster.
Martin Dubravka will start in goal behind the defensive trio. In midfield, James Ward-Prowse will look to control the tempo alongside the industrious Hannibal Mejbri. Kyle Walker and Quilindschy Hartman are expected to operate as wing-backs.
Interestingly, Walker has a phenomenal 90% win rate in his career against Fulham and will look to maintain that dominance to secure a first Burnley clean sheet on the road in over two years.
Chelsea XI vs Everton – Predicted lineup and team news
Chelsea travel to Merseyside this evening, desperate to arrest a slide that has seen them lose three of their last four matches in all competitions.
The Blues have endured a punishing week, falling at home to Newcastle before exiting the Champions League following a heavy aggregate defeat to PSG. Manager Liam Rosenior now turns his full attention to domestic matters, knowing that defeat at Everton would leave the club looking over their shoulders in the race for European qualification. Notably, Chelsea have conceded in each of their last eight league outings and will need to tighten up against a physical Moyes side.
Chelsea team news
Liam Rosenior is likely to continue rotating his squad, having already made a league-high 96 changes to his starting XI this season. Notably, Trevoh Chalobah is a major doubt after an ankle injury in midweek; should he miss out, the teenage Josh-Kofi Acheampong could earn a start.
Consequently, the manager will look to Enzo Fernández for leadership, who leads the team in defensive line-breaking passes (12) and chances created (13) in Europe this term. Notably, João Pedro remains the primary goal threat, having netted 11 away goals across all competitions this season—the most by a Blue since Tammy Abraham in 2019-20.
Robert Sánchez is expected to keep his place in goal behind a defence featuring Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella. In midfield, Moisés Caicedo will partner Andrey Santos, with Cole Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho providing creative support for João Pedro. Notably, Cole Palmer has found his scoring touch outside of London recently, netting four goals in his last two league games in the North and Midlands.
Chelsea predicted lineup
Chelsea Predicted XI vs Everton (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Acheampong, Sarr, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 21 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30 GMT.
How to watch Everton vs Chelsea?
In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Fulham vs Burnley – Predicted lineup and team news
Fulham host Burnley at Craven Cottage today, aiming to snap a three-match goal drought and secure their first league double over the Clarets in 75 years.
The Cottagers have entered a critical phase of their season, looking to translate their dominant possession into clinical finishing after failing to score since mid-February. Manager Marco Silva oversaw a frustrated display at Nottingham Forest last time out and will be desperate for his side to replicate their 3–2 win from the reverse fixture.
Fulham team news
Marco Silva manages a squad with few long-term absentees but some lingering creative doubts. Notably, Emile Smith Rowe remains a major doubt after a knock kept him out of the weekend draw.
Consequently, teenage starlet Joshua King is poised to keep his place in the number 10 role behind Raúl Jiménez. Notably, Harry Wilson is the statistical standout; he has been involved in 15 goals this season and needs just one more to reach double figures.
Bernd Leno will start in goal behind a settled back four of Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, and Antonee Robinson. In midfield, Alex Iwobi and former Burnley man Sander Berge will anchor the side, while Oscar Bobb competes for a start on the flank.
Notably, Fulham have the oldest average starting XI in the Premier League this season and will look to use that experience to break down a Burnley side that has conceded in 25 consecutive away games.
Brighton vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news
Liverpool travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, aiming to consolidate their top-four credentials following an emotional European turnaround.
The Reds arrive on the South Coast buoyed by a dominant 4–0 victory over Galatasaray on Wednesday, a result that secured their passage to the Champions League quarter-finals.
However, Arne Slot’s side has struggled to maintain domestic consistency alongside their European exploits, winning just four of their nine league matches immediately following a midweek continental fixture.
Currently sitting fifth, Liverpool are desperate to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s frustration, where a 90th-minute Richarlison equaliser for Tottenham cost them two valuable points. Notably, Liverpool have conceded eight goals in the 90th minute or later this season—all of which have directly resulted in dropped points.
Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, have rediscovered their clinical edge at a vital stage of the campaign. Under Fabian Hürzeler, the Seagulls have won three of their last four matches, including a disciplined 1–0 win over Sunderland last time out. This surge has moved Brighton into 12th place and within five points of the top seven.
While they have already lost twice to Liverpool this season by an aggregate score of 5–0, the Seagulls boast a strong recent home record against the Reds, having won two of the last three league meetings at the Amex.
Brighton vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
Venue: Amex Stadium, Brighton
Referee: Darren England
VAR: James Bell
Last Meeting: Liverpool 3–0 Brighton (14 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Brighton
Fabian Hürzeler is hopeful that Kaoru Mitoma can return to the matchday squad after missing the Sunderland game with a minor knock. However, Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster remain long-term absentees.
Notably, Yankuba Minteh continues to be a primary outlet for the hosts; his 54 successful dribbles this season are surpassed only by Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku.
Liverpool
Arne Slot faces a double blow as both Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah have been ruled out of today’s clash. Alexander Isak has returned to individual training but remains sidelined alongside Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni.
Notably, Dominik Szoboszlai remains the league’s most dangerous long-range threat, having scored a league-high four goals from outside the box this term—all from direct free-kicks.
Form
Brighton
Brighton are currently enjoying their best run of 2026, having won three of their last four Premier League games to banish any lingering relegation fears. The Seagulls have been uncharacteristically solid after the break; only league leaders Arsenal have conceded fewer goals in the second half of games this season.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s league form has been patchy, with only four wins in their last 12 matches (D5 L3) as fixture congestion begins to take its toll. Despite their domestic stumbles, the Reds have a chance to make history on Saturday; a win without conceding would see them record three shutouts against the same opponent in a single season for the first time since 2021-22.
Leeds United vs Brentford – Predicted lineup and team news
Leeds United host Brentford at Elland Road tonight, aiming to snap a five-game winless run and pull away from the Premier League’s bottom three.
The Whites have moved into a critical phase of their survival battle, sitting just three points above the drop zone. Manager Daniel Farke oversaw a resilient defensive display at Crystal Palace last weekend but knows his side must rediscover their scoring touch after failing to find the net in three consecutive matches.
Leeds United team news
Daniel Farke manages a squad bolstered by a significant return in the attacking third. Notably, Noah Okafor is available for selection after missing the last five matches with a hamstring injury.
Consequently, Farke has more options to break a goal drought that has persisted since early March. However, Gabriel Gudmundsson is suspended tonight, likely forcing James Justin to shift to left wing-back.
Notably, Anton Stach remains a vital creative hub; his 27 chances created from set-plays this term are a league-high, level with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
Karl Darlow will start in goal behind a projected back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, and Pascal Struijk. In midfield, Ethan Ampadu and Sean Longstaff will anchor the side, with Jayden Bogle expected to return on the right flank.
Brenden Aaronson and Stach will provide the support for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who missed a crucial penalty last weekend but remains the team’s primary focal point.
Notably, Leeds score a higher share of their goals from set-pieces (35.1%) than any other team in the division—a statistic they will hope to exploit against a physical Brentford side.
Leeds United predicted lineup
Leeds United Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Longstaff, Ampadu, Justin; Stach, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin
When will the match kick off?
Saturday, 21 March 2026, at 20:00 GMT.
How to watch Leeds vs Brentford?
UK viewers can watch the match live on Sky Sports.
Brentford XI vs Leeds United – Predicted lineup and team news
Brentford travel to Elland Road tonight, aiming to maintain their blistering away form and move closer to the Champions League qualification spots.
The Bees have moved into the European qualification spots under manager Keith Andrews, who has overseen a run of five wins from their last seven Premier League games on the road. Only leaders Arsenal have collected more away points than Brentford’s 16 in this period, and the visitors will look to capitalise on a Leeds side that has failed to score in its last three outings.
Brentford team news
Keith Andrews manages a squad still missing several long-term defensive and midfield absentees. Notably, Vitaly Janelt, Aaron Hickey, and Rico Henry remain ruled out. Consequently, the manager faces a late decision on Mikkel Damsgaard, with Yehor Yarmolyuk standing by to deputise in midfield.
Notably, Igor Thiago enters the match on 19 goals for the season; one more strike would make him the third different Brentford player to hit the 20-goal mark in a single Premier League campaign.
Caoimhín Kelleher will start in goal; the Irishman is currently the only keeper in the division to have saved multiple penalties this season.
The back four will likely feature Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins, with Michael Kayode and Keane Lewis-Potter out wide. In attack, Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade are set to support Thiago.
Interestingly, Brentford have been involved in more penalties (awarded 8, conceded 7) than any other top-flight side this term, a factor that could be decisive against a Leeds side that has conceded a league-high six goals from the spot.
Brentford predicted lineup
Brentford Predicted XI va Leeds (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmolyuk, Henderson; Ouattara, Jensen, Schade; Thiago
When will the match kick off?
Saturday, 21 March 2026, at 20:00 GMT.
How to watch Leeds vs Brentford?
UK viewers can watch the match live on Sky Sports.
Wrexham head to Sheffield United on Saturday eager for a huge three points to keep their push for a playoff place alive.
Having suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to Watford in midweek, The Red Dragons now sit a place outside the top six playoff spots as we enter the business end of the season.
As for Sheffield United, they sit 15th in the table and are pretty much safe from relegation. Being 10 points adrift of the playoffs going into this one, they won't have given up hope of a late charge for the top six.
Here's everything you need to know about Sheffield United vs. Wrexham, including TV channel and streaming options for the EFL Championship game.
Sheffield United vs. Wrexhamlive stream, TV channel
This game is available exclusively via Paramount+.
EFL Championship matches throughout the season are available on Paramount+.
Paramount+ gives subscribers the ability to watch basketball, football, golf and soccer, and they won't have to break the bank in order to follow along with the latest sporting events.
What time does Sheffield United vs. Wrexhamkick off?
This clash takes place at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England and kicks off on Saturday, March 21 at 3 p.m. local time
First Contact: Ansan's Tim Hartzell & Machop Chol on getting to grips with the K League
Ansan's new faces have brought a mix of international flair and optimism to Ansan following the club's dismal 2025 campaign. It has been a mixed start so far for the Greeners with a first opening win for over half a decade, but poor home form has continued. Nevertheless, Lee Moon-sik's attacking style has brought with it a lot of optimism for the season ahead. So, how have two of those new faces settled to life so far in the K League?
Tim Hartzell
Hartzell arrives in Ansan off the back of winning the Superettan (Swedish second division) title with Västerås SK. Making 20 appearances, the towering the centre back also showed his goal threat by pitching in some match winning assists as his side clinched the title by a single point.
Joining Ansan off the back of such a poor season last year, Hartzell reflects that he saw the results but there have been a lot of changes. In fact it was discussions with coach Choi Moon-sik that set the tone for that was to be expected, with a focussed and exciting plan for the season. Indeed the whole mood around the Wa Stadium seems different this season, with Tim stating there is "a very good mood in the team."
Of course arriving in a new country is always a challenge, in particular as Hartzell's career has been spent in Scandinavia. However, the support has been great, especially from Felipe de Paula who works as the team translator at Ansan. Felipe himself has K League 2 experience, scoring 5 times in a stint at Goyang Zaicro in 2017. Tim also notes the role of his agents, as well as the wider Ansan staff in ensuring that the transition to Korea was a smooth one.
In addition, Hartzell could also call upon friends in the league itself. Of note, he played with Bucheon midfielder Kazuki Takahashi at Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna. Kazuki assured Tim that he would have a good
experience in Korea, offering positive advice with it being “a very good league.” This is echoed
by other players and Tim’s own experiences with the K2 so far, noting that it
is different from playing in Sweden and Denmark but it is “a high-quality
league.”
One of the big differences with Scandinavia is the Korean
summer, and Hartzell notes that he has heard a lot about it, but he is prepared
and even looking forward to it! Of course, the challenge for Ansan in the K2 is a difficult
one and Tim reflects pragmatically that the goal is to: “Stay humble and keep
working hard.”
Tim Hartzell clears the lines against Busan I'Park
Machop Chol
Born in Khartoum but raised in the US, Machop has played at Wake Forest academy, as did former Greener Burno Lapa, and was picked up for Atlanta United, scoring in the MLS against Toronto and New England. His football journey has also taken him to Lithuania with Zalgiris, and he has been called up 4 times by the South Sudanese team.
Machop managed his first goal in front of the home fans
against Busan, reflecting that it “It felt good.” Indeed, the humble and
pragmatic approach espoused by Hartzell is reflected in Machop who analysed
his performance: “[I] Had some opportunities I wish I could have capitalised on
but overall, a good feeling, but I just wish we’d have got a result today." His target for the season is to just focus on "helping the team and getting positive results."
Following defeat to Busan Machop noted that of course the
team is down but “there’s many points to be happy about we played well in
certain moments and also got some things that we can learn from as well.” Can
Ansan push on this season? Machop thinks so, the team does not like to lose and
“there’s a lot of hunger in this group.”
The Portland Thorns beat the Seattle Reign 2-0 in the 44th edition of the Cascadia Rivalry in Providence Park on Friday night despite going down to 10 players within the first 10 minutes, and to nine in the 57th due to red cards.
Thorns midfielder and Norwegian international Cassandra Bogere earned two quick-succession yellow cards in the eighth and ninth minutes and became the earliest red card send-off (due to two yellow cards as opposed to a straight red) in NWSL history.
The Thorns, who began their season with a 1-0 road win over the Washington Spirit last Friday night, were resolute and composed on the pitch after Bogere’s exit, the deficit hardly noticeable as they maintained possession in their attacking third for several minutes that followed. Seattle, who ended the match averaging 62% possession, struggled to exploit their advantages in either half.
In the 28th minute, Thorns striker Pietra Tordin capitalized on a corner taken by U.S. women’s national team midfielder Olivia Moultrie, which fell to her in the penalty box and required only a flick to the far post.
Portland doubled its lead nine minutes later on a counterattack; Moultrie received the ball near her team’s defensive third and found Tordin at the center half with a swift pass. Tordin then slotted a through ball to Thorns forward Reilyn Turner, who bounded down the left flank to receive it and found the far post side netting past Seattle Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
The second half of the game brought more drama for the Thorns, but not by way of goal concession. In the 57th minute, the home side went down another player when Thorns defender and Mexican international Reyna Reyes pulled the hair of Reign fullback Madison Curry as both players jumped up to contest a ball in the air. Reyes was not initially carded, but a video assistant referee review escalated the offense to a red card. Reyes was sent off, and the Thorns’ personnel was reduced to nine players.
Shortly after Reyes’ red, Thorns striker and USWNT star Sophia Wilson subbed on for Turner, marking her first return to Providence Park since Nov. 24, 2024. Wilson gave birth to her daughter in September and played her first regular-season minutes with the Thorns last week in their away meeting with the Spirit.
Neither team had ever received a red card in a Cascadia Rivalry before Friday night’s match, but Bogere and Reyes’ suspensions have already brought the total number of red cards in the NWSL to four in the second matchweek.
During the league’s opening weekend, Boston Legacy defender and Canadian international Bianca St-Georges was sent off after earning two yellow cards in the expansion team’s home opener against Gotham FC. A few hours later, another Canadian on another expansion team, Denver Summit fullback Janine Sonis was handed a straight red after a VAR review ruled her foul on Bay FC winger Alex Pfeiffer dangerous.
Daniel Beichler's team took on the league leaders with an all-out attacking mindset. While Yorbe Vertessen ended our four-match goal drought with a spectacular strike, the points were still shared. The 1-1 draw keeps all our hopes alive for the remainder of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga championship group, which will resume after the international break.
Match summary
"Attacking but not giving up" – with this motto, the traveling supporters urged our lads forward, and Beichler's team started the floodlit top-of-the-table clash with real attacking intent. Aleksa Terzic, one of four new faces in the starting eleven, provided the first attacking threat with a header, and Edmund Baidoo subsequently had a golden opportunity at his feet, but after a burst from Konate and the subsequent pass, he put the ball wide.
Just as the home side were slowly finding their way into the game, and Malic sent a header on goal, our scoring drought was finally broken. Yorbe Vertessen launched the counter-attack himself, winning the ball, and after two or three more passes, took possession again. Undeterred by the tight angle, the Belgian powerfully fired the ball into the net for Salzburg (32')! We couldn't hold onto the lead until half-time, however …
… as Gorenc Stankovic was left unmarked after a throw-in. The home captain then scored to level just before the break (45+5'), after Alex Schlager had already prevented an equaliser with a spectacular diving save a few minutes earlier.
The second half was emotional, but lacked clear-cut scoring opportunities, which noticeably decreased in frequency after the restart. A Mamageishvili curing effort here, a Vertessen header there, and our team also squandered chances around the hour mark through Frans Krätzig – the full-back firing wide after a series of passes – and Karim Konate, who wasted a promising counter-attack.
Footballing matters gave way to bureaucratic ones in the final stretch: Anrie Chase received his second yellow card (90+1') after returning to the field following a treatment stoppage without referee Julian Weinberger's permission – however, this late numerical disadvantage had no impact on the end result. We therefore head home with a draw.
Views
First and foremost, the lads played really well, were incredibly tenacious, and rose to the challenge of the intense match we expected. It wasn't a super-attractive game, but it was a real battle. The timing of the goal we conceded was obviously very unnecessary, but all in all, we deserved a win. It's obviously difficult to be 100 percent focused in counter-pressing on the one hand, and on the other hand, to have the composure to escape the pressure when the opponents are doing the same.
Daniel Beichler
It wasn't exactly a spectacle. Both teams tried to bypass the defence with long balls and utilise their fast forwards. We shouldn't be making such simple mistakes as the goal we conceded after the throw-in - we need to analyse that. We played well in the first half and could have scored another goal or two, but overall, the 1-1 draw is a fair result.
Leeds United are interested in signing the FC Midtjylland winger Aral Simsir at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has been exceptional this season, scoring 11 goals and 18 assists in all competitions. He is set to secure a big move in the summer, and Leeds could use his creativity, goals and unpredictability in the final third.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Leeds and Palace keen on Aral Simsir
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds United and Crystal Palace are closely monitoring his development and are expected to make a move in the summer.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done. Both clubs need more quality on the flanks, and Simsir would be a super long-term acquisition. He is a young player with a lot of potential and the technical attributes to succeed in the Premier League. He will look to hit the ground running in the Premier League if the move goes through.
Simsir will look to establish himself as a regular international for Turkey, and they move to the Premier League will certainly help him.
Leeds are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if they can secure safety. It will help them attract top talent in the summer.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace recently won the FA Cup and the Community Shield. They will be an attractive destination for the 23-year-old.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
FC Midtjylland will not want to let a key player like him leave easily, and they could demand a premium for his signature.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Joao Gomes is keen on a big move
The 25-year-old has previously admitted that he would love to play for Liverpool in future, and that will certainly give the defending champions an edge in the transfer race. They could use more quality in the middle of the park, and Gomes would be a superb acquisition. He will add control, composure and defensive cover to the team. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal done.
Meanwhile, clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have also made enquiries about his situation. It is clear that the 25-year-old will be a player in demand at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Gomes deserves to compete at a high-level and joining a big club would be ideal for him. He should look to join a team that offers regular opportunities and lets him fight for trophies.
Wolves are likely to demand a premium for him, and it remains to be seen which of the aforementioned clubs would be prepared to pay up.
Chelsea are interested in signing the South American defender Mateo Del Blanco at the end of the season.
According to reports, Chelsea are interested in the 22-year-old left-back and have been monitoring his performance for Union de Santa Fe for some time.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Chelsea eyeing Mateo Del Blanco
Del Blanco can operate as a full back as well as a wing back. He has impressed with his performances at both ends of the pitch, and he could prove to be a quality, long-term investment for the club. Chelsea have shown a willingness to invest in talented young players in recent windows, and it seems that they want to add more quality to the pool of young talent already at the club.
The opportunity to join a Premier League club will be exciting for the young defender. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to test himself in England. Chelsea is among the biggest clubs in the world, and Blanco will find it difficult to turn them down.
The player is reportedly valued at €4 million, and he would be a very affordable acquisition for Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if the Blues follow up on their interest with an official offer to get the deal done.
According to journalist Renzo Pantich, Chelsea are hoping to sign the player and send him on loan to Strasbourg so that he can continue his development with regular football. If he manages to impress in France, he will be given the opportunity to succeed in future. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. The journalist claims the player ‘will be bought by Chelsea‘ in the summer.
Chelsea have the financial muscle to get the deal across the line, and Union are unlikely to be able to stop him from leaving if the Blues are serious about getting the deal done.
‘You have to look in the mirror’ – Arteta on what it would mean to lift major silverware again with Arsenal
Mikel Arteta says it would be a special experience to lift a major trophy with Arsenal for the first time they won the FA Cup during his first season in charge.
Arsenal take on Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday and Arteta says sharing the enjoyment of victory with those closest to him is what motivates him to do the job.
“They (his family) were there when we won the Community Shield a few times,” he said. “So, yeah, that’s special.
“It makes it much more special because these are the people that are with us every single day on the journey and seeing everything that we do.
“So, at the end, that’s what gives purpose and I think showing that gratitude to them is the most important thing.”
Arteta has come close to winning silverware on numerous occasions since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, and asked about how he has processed not getting over the line, he said: “I think what you have to be able to do is look in the mirror.
“Do you give absolutely your best to achieve what you really want? And if the answer is yes, do you surround yourself with the best people to help you to do that? And if the answer is yes and the players give everything, it has to come back to the opponent because they have something that we didn’t have.”
Igor Tudor says Tottenham are ‘sleeping less on the pitch’
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor says his side are “sleeping less on the pitch” than they did when he first came in.
Spurs lost their first four games under Tudor but have in the last week drawn 1-1 against Liverpool in the Premier League and beaten Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the Champions League.
Asked what has improved, Tudor said: “I would say the mental sharpness. Mental sharpness. That has improved and got better so that was the key. We are sleeping less on the pitch. That’s the main thing.
“We react before (something happens), so this thing for me is crucial. Now we react earlier to what happened in the pitch. We are not always like ‘what happened’ and then we react after. Now we react before the things happen. Not in the way how I would like, but much better.
“This mental sharpness, awareness of dangerous situations, this is improving and that’s why we are better.”
Tottenham now have a crucial run of Premier League games. They face Nottingham Forest on Sunday before coming up against Sunderland, Brighton and then Wolves.
With their defeat at the Olimpico against Bologna, Roma had to definitively say goodbye to the Europa League.
For the Giallorossi, this European competition was important not only for the trophy, so coveted in past seasons, but also for the revenue.
However, once again, the Roman club failed to advance beyond the round of 16. With their elimination, the revenue that this competition would have guaranteed also ceased.
According to Calcio e Finanza, the total revenue stands at €21.6 million.
Last year, Roma earned €20.5 million.
This season, the Roman club earned €4.31 million from the Europa League for participation, €7.38 million for the European portion, and €2.88 million for the non-European portion.
The results secured another €2.4 million, while another €2.34 million came from the ranking bonus, to which must be added the €600,000 for finishing among the top eight teams in the League Phase.
Finally, reaching the round of 16 secured €1.75 million. The quarterfinals would have brought in another €2.5 million, while the semifinals would have brought in around €4.2 million.
Finally, the final would have brought in €7 million, while lifting the trophy would have brought in another €6 million.
Real Madrid youngster permanently promoted to senior team
Real Madrid youngster Thiago Pitarch has been afforded a permanent place in the club’s first-team setup moving forward.
That’s according to Marca, who have on Friday provided an update on the midfielder’s situation in Spain’s capital.
Pitarch has of course seen his name emerge as an altogether prominent one at Real Madrid over the last month.
This comes after the Spanish starlet was afforded a sudden chance to impress at senior level.
Amid a personnel crisis in the engine room ranks of Los Blancos’ squad, Álvaro Arbeloa, who previously oversaw Pitarch’s development at Castilla level, called upon his former midfield standout.
And Pitarch has since gone on to take full advantage of his opportunity.
Remarkably, across Real Madrid’s last five fixtures in all competitions, the 18-year-old has featured from the off in each and every one.
This includes a pair of Champions League outings against Manchester City.
And as alluded to above, so impressive has his form been along the way, that Pitarch has done enough to earn for himself a permanent first-team berth.
‘The manager considers him a key player for the remainder of the season and has already made a firm decision: the player will not return to the reserve team under any circumstances.’
Juventus is facing a challenging battle to secure a top-four finish this season, with qualification for the Champions League remaining a crucial objective. Failing to compete in Europe’s premier competition next term would represent a significant setback for the club, both financially and competitively.
Pressure to Secure Champions League Place
Luciano Spalletti is expected to remain in charge for another season regardless of whether Juventus qualifies for the Champions League. However, the manager will be determined to ensure that the team achieves this goal. The Bianconeri already regard him as one of the leading figures in modern football management, and his tenure has begun on a positive note.
Despite this encouraging start, consistency will be key in the closing stages of the campaign. Juventus still has the potential to finish higher than fourth if they maintain strong form and continues to secure victories. At the same time, there is a genuine risk of dropping to fifth place, which would have serious consequences for their European ambitions.
No Margin for Error
As reported by Calciomercato, Italy is not in a position to secure an additional Champions League place for next season. This means that only the top four teams in Serie A will qualify for the competition. Clubs finishing fifth will miss out entirely, increasing the pressure on Juventus to deliver results.
Italian teams endured a disappointing Champions League campaign this term, with poor performances and early eliminations undermining the country’s standing in European competitions. As a result, there will be no opportunity for a fifth Italian side to participate next season.
Juventus must therefore approach each remaining fixture with complete focus and determination. Taking the season one match at a time will be essential if they are to achieve their objective. With the right momentum, they still can win their remaining games and secure a place among Europe’s elite once again.
Arsenal and Man City battling for defender with €500 million release clause
Pau Cubarsi has emerged as one of the finest defenders in world football and is widely regarded as one of the best products Barcelona has developed from La Masia, which explains why the club has placed a release clause of 500 million euros on him.
Despite that valuation, interest in his signature continues to grow, with Arsenal now named among the clubs keen to secure his services. His rapid development and consistent performances have elevated his reputation across Europe, making him a highly sought-after talent.
Interest from Premier League Clubs
Cubarsi considers himself one of the strongest young defenders in Europe, and his recent displays make that claim difficult to dispute. It is therefore no surprise that Arsenal are monitoring his situation closely as they look to strengthen their squad with elite-level talent.
However, the Gunners are not alone in their pursuit. A report from Fichajes claims that Manchester City are also interested in signing Cubarsi, setting up a potential battle between two of England’s leading clubs. Both sides have been among the strongest performers this season, which adds further intrigue to the race for his signature.
The prospect of both clubs attempting to persuade Cubarsi to move to the Premier League highlights the level of competition for top players. With both teams competing for major honours, including domestic trophies and the league title, their respective projects could prove equally appealing to the defender.
Barcelona’s Stance
Barcelona, however, have no intention of selling the player. The substantial release clause attached to Cubarsi serves as a significant deterrent, making any potential transfer extremely difficult to complete. It is widely believed that no club would be willing to commit such a large sum for a single player, regardless of his ability.
As a result, while interest from Arsenal and Manchester City underlines Cubarsi’s growing stature in the game, a move away from Barcelona appears unlikely in the near future. The Catalan club remain committed to retaining one of their brightest talents as he continues to develop into a cornerstone of their defence.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Timber, Calafiori And Martinelli To Start | 4-2-3-1 Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester City
Arsenal will face off against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium this Sunday as they look to secure a win in the EFL Cup final. The Gunners managed to earn a solid 2-0 win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen recently, which should keep them in good spirits going into this game.
Mikel Arteta will set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make a few changes to his first team for this clash. Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli could all play from the start of this game.
4-2-3-1 Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester City
Defence
David Raya will operate in between the sticks for the North London club after keeping a clean sheet in his last outing. William Saliba will continue to play alongside Gabriel at the centre of the Arsenal backline as they focus on keeping the opposition attackers frustrated throughout the 90 minutes.
Jurrien Timber will hope to impress as the right-back, while Riccardo Calafiori looks to put in a solid performance on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.
Cristhian Mosquera will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Arsenal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Midfield
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will play as the holding midfielders for Arsenal as they focus on establishing their dominance over the opposition at the centre of the park.
The gifted trio of Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka will operate just ahead of them as part of Arteta’s attack. All three of them need to link up with each other well in and around the Man City penalty area if the Gunners are to secure a convincing win in this final.
Kai Havertz, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke will make up the numbers on the bench as they wait for their chance to influence the game in the second 45 minutes if required.
Attack
Viktor Gyokeres will spearhead Arsenal’s attack up top. He has to find a way to be a real menace in the final third.
Gabriel Jesus will have to be content with a place on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the final quarter if needed.
This afternoon, Roma returned to training at Trigoria, following their disappointing Europa League elimination at the hands of Bologna.
The Giallorossi also received a report on Manu Koné’s condition, as he suffered a torn biceps femoris in his right leg and will be sidelined for approximately a month.
According to Il Tempo, the Argentine is expected to return to the squad for the first time next week.
The winger, struggling with groin pain, will be unavailable for Sunday’s match against Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico.
Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has done quite well since the £25 million move to the club in the summer of 2025.
He struggled to make his mark at Chelsea, but he has shown his quality at Everton and turned his career around. His impressive performances at Everton have attracted the attention of clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester United.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall price revealed
According to a report from SportsBoom, the player would cost around £50 million if the Premier League clubs are willing to come forward and sign him in the summer. The midfielder has six goals and five assists in the league this season, and Manchester United could use more creativity in the final third.
The player is considered “untouchable” at Everton, and it will be interesting to see if the Red Devils can convince the Toffees with an attractive offer. If they submit an offer exceeding £50 million, Everton might have to make a difficult decision because of their financial situation.
Meanwhile, the player would have to be offered a contract worth around £150,000-a-week as well.
Aston Villa are monitoring his situation as well, and they could use more creativity in the final third. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to make a move for him. They are pushing to secure European qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they might be able to fund the move with revenue from the Champions League.
Dewsbury-Hall has previously failed to prove himself at a big club like Chelsea, and it remains to be seen whether he is ready to take on a new challenge and join a club like Manchester United in the summer. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to join them could be hard to turn down.
Chelsea are looking to improve the attacking unit with the signing of Konstantinos Karetsas at the end of the season.
The 18-year-old attacker has caught the attention of clubs like Real Madrid and PSG with his performances for KRC Genk. Karetsas has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Chelsea could use more creativity in the final third, and Karetsas could add a new dimension to their attacking unit. He will add pace, flair and unpredictability to the team as well. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea comes forward with an offer to secure his signature. Clubs like Real Madrid and PSG are also monitoring his development, and they have the financial means to sign him.
According to a report from HLN, the player will cost around €45 million in the summer. Chelsea have the financial muscle to afford him, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to pay the asking price for the talented attacker. The demand might seem steep for an unproven talent like him, but Karetsas could justify the investment in the future.
He would be a long-term asset for Chelsea, and they might be able to groom him and help him fulfil his potential in future.
The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for the youngster. It would be a huge step in his career, and regular football in England could bring out the best in him. However, he must seek gametime assurance before moving to the Premier League. Sitting on the bench at a big club could be detrimental to his development.
Crystal Palace are looking to improve the midfield unit in the summer, and they are keen on Nicolo Barella.
The 29-year-old has done quite well in Italy, and the opportunity to move to the Premier League could be interesting for him. Barella is at the peak of his career, and this could be his final opportunity to try out a new challenge.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Palace want Nicolo Barella
Crystal Palace is preparing a formal proposal to get the deal done, and they could offer around €70 million (£60m) in order to sign the player. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the Italian international to join the club. They are not the only Premier League club interested in the player, and Newcastle United are among them, according to reports from Spain.
They are hoping to hijack Barella’s move to the London club with a £40 million offer. It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
Crystal Palace need more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and the 29-year-old could make an immediate impact. He is a top-quality player who has proven himself for club and country. He has the physicality and technical attributes to succeed in English football as well.
Similarly, Newcastle could use a player with his quality as well. Bruno Guimaraes has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, and Barella could be a quality alternative.
It will be interesting to see if the Italian is willing to join either club.
Barella plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he might prefer to join a team where he can compete for league titles and the UEFA Champions League. The move to Crystal Palace or Newcastle might come across as a step down for him.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Casemiro is pushing for Bruno Guimaraes move
The report further claims that Casemiro is pushing behind the scenes to get the transfer across the line. He will leave Manchester United in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if he can help them sign Guimaraes before his departure.
The Newcastle star will certainly help Manchester United improve. He will add control and creativity to the team. The opportunity to join a bigger club will be exciting for him. He has proven himself in the Premier League with Newcastle, but he deserves to compete at a high level.
Manchester United are working hard to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they need quality players at their disposal in order to compete for trophies next year. Guimaraes has been suggested to the Manchester United hierarchy by Casemiro, and his word is valued at the club. It will be interesting to see if the Old Trafford outfit can get the electro line.
Newcastle have an ambitious project as well, and they are competing in the UEFA Champions League this season. They might not secure Champions League football for the upcoming campaign, but they will still look to secure football in some capacity and fight for trophies. Losing their best midfielder will not be a part of their plan. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can convince them to sell the player with an attractive offer.
Will Flick Make Any Changes? | 4-2-3-1 Barcelona Predicted Lineup Vs Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona will entertain Rayo Vallecano this Saturday as they hope to secure maximum points at home in La Liga. The Catalan club managed to earn a dominant 7-2 win over Newcastle United recently, so they would be full of confidence going into this game.
Hansi Flick will set his men up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to keep changes to a minimum for this game. Hence, Robert Lewandowski will once again lead the line for Barcelona up top.
4-2-3-1 Barcelona Predicted Lineup To Face Rayo Vallecano
Defence
Joan Garcia will function in between the sticks for Barca after shipping in a couple of goals in his last outing. Eric Garcia will operate alongside Pau Cubarsi at the centre of Flick’s backline as they focus on keeping the opposition at bay throughout the game.
Joao Cancelo will get another chance to impress as the right-back, while Gerard Martin looks to put in a solid performance on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will hope to go forward and join in on the attack at every chance they can get.
Xavi Espert and Ronald Araujo will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 18: Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Midfield
Pedri and Marc Bernal will anchor the midfield for the Catalan outfit as they look to establish their superiority over the opposition at the centre of the park.
The gifted trio of Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal will function just ahead of them as part of the Barcelona attack. All three of them need to combine well if the Catalan club are to secure a convincing win this Sunday.
Gavi, Dani Olmo and Marcus Rashford will have to be content with a spot on the bench as they await their chance to impress in the second 45 minutes if required.
Attack
Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Barcelona’s attack in the final third. He would be eager to put in a productive display versus Rayo Vallecano after scoring a brace against Newcastle earlier this week.
Ferran Torres will be named on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages if the Catalan giants are in need of a goal by then.
Liverpool move closer to record deal with third scouting mission
Liverpool sent scouts to watch FC Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest
Many players have already been linked with an Anfield switch this summer.
Almost every area of Slot's squad could do with an upgrade or two, especially if they want to try and win the Premier League or the Champions League next term.
So, it's hardly surprising to see that the Reds' scouts are already putting in work ahead of the window.
And, as per a fresh update from Danish outlet Bold, Liverpool were present for the Europa League clash between FC Midtjylland and Nottingham Forest.
"Liverpool, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund thus have scouts in place at FCM's home ground," they wrote.
"Clubs such as Frankfurt, Mönchengladbach, Ipswich and Monaco will also attend the match.
"It is far from the first time that big clubs have taken a look at Herning.
"Liverpool and Dortmund have been to the MCH Arena several times during the season.
"Recently, the former was linked with FCM star Dario Osorio."
David Osorio could end up being a record-breaking signing for Liverpool
The Chilean is only 22-years-old but he's still managed to contribute to 16 goals across all competitions.
His natural position is on the right wing but Midtjylland have played him as a number 10 and as a number nine this season.
Osorio is one of their key creative assets and, even though Liverpool would have to fork out a record fee for Midtjylland to acquire his services, it feels like it could be money well spent.
Manchester United are looking to strengthen the defensive unit by signing Nathan Collins from Brentford.
According to TeamTalk, the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has emerged as a genuine target for Manchester United, and they are looking to accelerate matters in order to sign the player.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Multiple clubs keen on Nathan Collins
Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham are also monitoring the player and have scouted him regularly. However, Manchester United are actively exploring a move for the player.
It will be interesting to see if Brentford is willing to sanction his departure. They paid a club record fee of £23 million to sign the player in 2023, and they will look to make a substantial profit if a big club comes calling. The report claims that at least £55 million may be required to get the deal done.
Manchester United have the financial muscle to pay up for him, and they should be in a position to get the deal done, especially if they secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign. They need to improve defensively if they want to fight for major trophies.
Also, Harry Maguire is in the twilight stages of his career, and they need to plan his succession. They need a quality defender with leadership skills. Collins could be the ideal addition for them.
The defender could be attracted to the idea of joining one of the biggest clubs in the world. He has proven himself at Brentford, and this is the right time for him to take on a bigger challenge. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in signing the Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi.
The young defender is highly rated across Europe, and Barcelona have no plans to let him leave. He has a €500 million release clause in his contract, and Barcelona are under no pressure to sanction his departure.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Pau Cubarsi wanted by Premier League duo
According to reports from Spain, the player’s market value is €80 million, and he has a long-term contract with the Spanish club until 2029. Arsenal and Manchester City are very keen on him, and they are preparing financial strategies to tempt the player’s representatives. It will be interesting to see if they can offer him a lucrative contract and force him to consider an exit.
Arsenal already have the best defensive unit in the Premier League, and it seems that they are looking to improve further. There is no doubt that Cubarsi would be a super long-term acquisition. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class player in the future. Meanwhile, Manchester City are looking to bring an upgrade on Nathan Ake.
It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs comes forward with an official proposal. They have the resources to pay €80 million for him, but it seems unlikely that Barcelona will sanction his departure. They are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and losing one of their best young players would be a major blow. It would also send the wrong message about their ambitions.
The Spanish champions are likely to keep hold of the young defender beyond this summer. Arsenal and Manchester City might have to move on to other targets.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been ruled out of the upcoming matches and is set to undergo hernia surgery.
Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed that the player will be sidelined for several weeks, and his season might have ended prematurely. The Italian journalist claims that the blow has come at the worst possible time for Tottenham, who are fighting for their survival in the top flight. They will be without their best goalkeeper for the remaining matches of the season.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Kinsky to replace Guglielmo Vicario
Antonin Kinsky put on a horror show recently when he was handed an opportunity in the UEFA Champions League. But Tottenham will have to rely on him in the coming matches now. It will be interesting to see if the young goalkeeper can bounce back strongly and help his team secure survival in the top flight.
Meanwhile, the injury below could prove to be costly for the player as well. It will hamper his World Cup preparations, and it remains to be seen whether he can return to action quickly.
It has been a disastrous season for Tottenham, and they will be desperate to survive. A club of their stature should have been fighting for European football and domestic trophies. Instead, they find themselves scrapping for a place in the Premier League next season.
Losing an important player at this stage of the season could prove to be devastating for them. They have already had more than their fair share of injury problems this season.
Vicario has had his fair share of criticism, but the Italian remains the most reliable keeper at the club. His injury will certainly affect Tottenham in the remaining matches of the season.
Real Madrid veteran already has offers from clubs outside Europe ahead of contract expiry
Real Madrid have some major decisions to make heading into the summer transfer window with regard to the future of several players.
David Alaba, for one, appears destined for an exit when his contract expires at the end of the season. Two more veteran defenders find themselves in similar situations – Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal.
Both players are held in the highest regard at Real Madrid are leaders in the locker room and the pitch. But there is still no clarity about whether they will be at the club beyond this season.
Offers arriving for Carvajal
And, according to Matteo Moretto on Radio MARCA, Carvajal already has plenty of offers from clubs outside Europe in case he opts to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old club captain will study and consider all proposals on the table before making a final decision on his future in the coming months.
The ongoing campaign has been one riddled with injury problems for Carvajal, restricting him to only 17 appearances across all competitions.
What does the future hold for Carvajal? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
And, with the likes of David Jimenez and Jesus Fortea waiting in the wings for their opportunity, there could be a possibility that Carvajal decides to move on from Real Madrid in the summer.
The Spaniard, who was not called up by Luis de la Fuente for La Roja’s upcoming friendlies, has previously made it clear that if he left Real Madrid, he would prefer to move to a team outside Europe.
Naturally, the Middle East becomes an option for the veteran right-back while the MLS in the US will also be a viable avenue. For now, he has offers from outside Europe and he will take time and consider them before making a decision.
After advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals with a statement two-legged victory over Manchester City, Real Madrid turn their attention back to the heated La Liga title chase as they meet derby rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Alvaro Arbeloa's side won both home and road against their Premier League opposition in European play, readying for a quarterfinal matchup against Bayern Munich. Kylian Mbappe returned to the field off the bench in the win over Man City after a number of weeks sidelined by a knee injury, and he is ready to crack on down the stretch run of the campaign.
Domestically, Los Blancos sit four points back of Barcelona in the La Liga standings, with no more room for error as they chase their Clasico rivals.
That brings Real Madrid to another kind of rivalry matchup, a meeting with cross-town side Atleti who sit a distant third in the standings but have been a constant thorn in the side of their capital opponents.
The Sporting News brings you the rest of Real Madrid's injury list, as well as a look at their latest team news and a preview of how they could line up in their next game.
Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Ferland Mendy
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March 22 (vs. Atletico Madrid)
Mendy started the first leg win over Manchester City but was later diagnosed with an injury in the biceps femoris of his right leg. This weekend's derby against Atletico Madrid might be his most realistic target. It doesn't help that Fran Garcia has been strong at left-back in Mendy's absence.
Jude Bellingham
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March 22 (vs. Atletico Madrid)
Jude Bellingham made the trip to Manchester for the second leg against City, but was not included in the matchday squad. It's likely he will be back on the pitch against Atletico Madrid on the weekend, but probably needs some ramp-up before he is a viable starting option. They could also decide to hold him back until after the international break.
Eder Militao
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: April 5 (vs. Mallorca)
Militao, who had been fantastic since returning from his lengthy absences for multiple ACL tears, has been sideliend since suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat to Celta Vigo last December. Madrid are understandably being careful over his return, and although he returned to partial training beginning March 13, he will probably be held back until after the international break.
Dani Ceballos
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: April 22 (vs. Alaves)
Midfielder Ceballos is estimated to be facing two months out with a calf injury sustained in the loss to Osasuna at El Sadar on February 21. Madrid's league game with Alaves on April 22 would seem a realistic return date unless Ceballos' recovery progresses more quickly.
Rodrygo
Injury: ACL
Expected return date: September
Rodrygo has suffered a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament and a rupture of the lateral meniscus in his right leg. This significant setback means the Brazil forward will miss the 2026 World Cup and he is likely to be sidelined for at least six months, possibly longer.
Franco Mastantuono
Injury: Pubalgia
Expected return date: —
In late 2025, teenage midfielder Mastantuono was struck down by the same ailment that has hindered Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Similar to what is known as a "sports hernia," the injury is one that has to be managed.
While Mastantuono is back to game fitness for Real Madrid, it is still notable to include him on the injury list as it could flare up at any time, and his minutes will likely need to be watched much more carefully than they had been at the start of the season after newly joining the team. He will miss the Celta game through suspension after he was sent off against Getafe.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Atletico Madrid
Formation: 4-4-2
Courtois (GK)
Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia
Valverde, Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Guler
B. Diaz, Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid fixture schedule: Upcoming games
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, March 22
Mallorca vs. Real Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, April 5
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich | Champions League quarterfinals, first leg | Tuesday, April 7
Real Madrid vs. Girona | La Liga | Sunday, April 12
Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid | Champions League quarterfinals, second leg | Wednesday, April 15
Real Madrid vs. Alaves | La Liga | Wednesday, April 22
Report: Chelsea ready to pay €100m to win the race for midfielder
Chelsea Transfer News: Elliot Anderson Emerges as €100m Target
Chelsea’s summer transfer strategy is already taking shape, and midfield reinforcements appear firmly on the agenda. According to Fichajes, the Blues are preparing a significant €100m move for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, as uncertainty continues to surround Enzo Fernandez’s long term future at Stamford Bridge.
Midfield Plans Gather Pace
There is a growing sense within Chelsea that evolution in midfield may be required. While a deal for Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco edges closer, attention has also turned to strengthening central options. This comes amid lingering doubts over Fernandez, who has attracted interest from European heavyweights.
Despite those concerns, Liam Rosenior has moved quickly to steady the narrative. Speaking ahead of the Everton fixture, he offered reassurance on his midfielder’s mindset.
“I had a great conversation with Enzo at length this morning at the training ground. Not just about the comments, but the future and how much we want to win the coming games.
“I would say he made it really clear to me how happy he is here, how much he wants to win for the team, and how passionate he is for this football club. He said also the translation and emotion got misconstrued. He is completely committed to this football club.”
Photo IMAGO
Enzo Fernandez Future Still Unclear
Even with public assurances, speculation has not disappeared. Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain continue to monitor Fernandez closely, and there remains a feeling that Chelsea must prepare for every scenario.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has added further intrigue, suggesting there is “no smoke without fire” regarding the situation. That sentiment reflects a wider understanding across the game, top clubs rarely hesitate when elite midfielders become available.
Chelsea’s reported willingness to offer a new contract signals intent, but contingency planning is clearly underway.
Elliot Anderson Attracts Elite Interest
Elliot Anderson’s rise at Nottingham Forest has been one of the standout Premier League stories this season. With 40 appearances and consistent performances, he has developed into a midfielder capable of dictating tempo while contributing defensively and offensively.
Interest from Manchester City and Manchester United underlines his growing reputation. City are believed to be leading the race, while United see him as a potential successor to Casemiro.
Photo IMAGO
Chelsea, however, are not standing aside. Fichajes claim that the Blues are ready to bid €100m to sign the England international.
A key factor could be Chelsea’s promise of a central role. Regular minutes and long term project clarity often prove decisive in negotiations of this scale.
Transfer Battle Could Define Summer Window
This developing pursuit highlights Chelsea’s proactive approach under Rosenior. Rather than reacting late in the window, groundwork is being laid early.
Should Fernandez remain, competition for places would intensify. If he departs, Anderson could step into a pivotal role immediately. Either outcome positions Chelsea for a significant midfield reshuffle.
What remains clear is that the club are preparing for a transformative summer, with Anderson now firmly in focus.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Chelsea supporter’s perspective, this report offers both reassurance and excitement. The idea of losing Enzo Fernandez is unsettling, particularly given his influence and leadership qualities. Rosenior’s comments will calm nerves, and fans will want to believe that commitment translates into long term stability.
At the same time, targeting Elliot Anderson feels like a statement of intent. He represents the kind of energetic, modern midfielder Chelsea have thrived with in the past, someone capable of growing into a central figure rather than simply filling a gap.
There is also trust building around Rosenior’s vision. His communication appears clear, and his ability to connect with players like Fernandez suggests a strong dressing room culture. That matters when navigating uncertain transfer situations.
If Chelsea can retain Fernandez and still land Anderson, it would signal a shift towards genuine squad depth and competition. If not, supporters will hope Anderson can rise quickly to the level required.
Either way, this feels like a club planning with purpose rather than reacting under pressure, which is a promising sign heading into a crucial window.
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and clubs like Real Madrid are keen on him.
However, the 25-year-old is a key player for the Blues, and they do not want to lose him. Manager Liam Rosenior has held a private meeting with the player regarding the player’s comments and the team’s form in recent weeks. He has revealed that the player is committed to Chelsea, and his recent comments regarding his future were taken out of context.
Fernandez recently claimed that he will assess his future after the World Cup, which fuelled speculations that he could leave Chelsea.
Rosenior told reporters (h/t GOAL): “Yeah, I think I had a great conversation with Enzo at length this morning before training, not just about his comments, just how he was feeling, how as a team we can improve. He’s one of the captains of the club. What I would say is that he made it really, really clear to me how happy he is here at this club, how much he wants to win, how passionate he is for us to be successful. And he also said that in translation and in emotion, things get misconstrued in what he said. So for me, he’s fully committed to this group, he’s fully committed to winning here at this football club.”
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can keep him at the club beyond this season. He is one of the best players at the club, and he is one of the leaders of the dressing room. Losing him would be a blow for them, and they cannot afford to let players like him leave the club if they want to fight for major trophies. They will look to bridge the gap with elite clubs next season, and they need to hold onto their best players.
Liverpool's game-changing project has failed despite Michael Edwards' best efforts
Liverpool's major project has failed. That's despite the efforts of Michael Edwards as FSG CEO of Football.
Michael Edwards returned to the fold in 2024 for one major role. He didn't technically agree to join Liverpool - he instead signed up for FSG, the club's ownership.
The role was that of a multi-club project overseer. Edwards was the CEO of Football and that would include Liverpool and the other clubs that FSG intended to purchase.
However, that now won't happen. The Athletic reports that the multi-club idea is now dead, with FSG distancing themselves from the plan.
So why is that?
The multi-club failure
Strict ideas around what would actually be worth an investment appears to have been the problem. FSG wanted a club that was value for money, had genuine potential to play European football, and was based in an area that could attract potentially elite players and staff.
Now, was that possible? There's an old adage when buying something: Cheap, Quality, Great location - you can have two of the three.
It feels similar here. Cheap, Potential, Great Location. Finding all three is a nightmare.
They came close with Bordeaux but severe financial concerns, as well as further concerns over the ownership of the stadium, ended a deal.
Flamengo set attendance record in 2026 Brasileirão, lead overall average
Flamengo defeated Remo 3-0 at Maracanã on Thursday, the 19th, achieving their fourth consecutive victory in the Brasileirão Betano and entering the G4. Additionally, the current champion set the highest attendance of the competition at the end of this 7th round by bringing 62,075 fans to Maraca, surpassing their previous record (56,421) from the draw against Internacional 1-1 in the 2nd round.
With the new record, Flamengo reached an average of 55,237 fans per game and leads the list of clubs with the highest average attendance in the Série A of 2026. In 2025, the Rubro-negro recorded the highest average in the era of the points system, since 2003, by bringing 62,287 fans in the 19 games they played as hosts.
Check out the highest average attendances of Brasileirão 2026 up to the 7th round:
Second round of the Brasileirão Feminino A2 set for this weekend
The second round of the first phase of the Brasileirão Feminino A2 will take place this weekend. The 16 participating teams aim to be among the top eight to secure a spot in the knockout stage.
Most of the matches will be on Saturday (21), with four of them at 3 PM: UDA vs. Atlético Piauiense at Rei Pelé in Maceió (AL); Taubaté vs. Vasco da Gama at Joaquim de Morais Filho in Taubaté (SP); Pérolas Negras vs. Itabirito at Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima in Rio de Janeiro (RJ); Ceará vs. Paysandu at Franzé Morais in Itaitinga (CE). At 4 PM, two more matches will take place simultaneously: Ação vs. Instituto 3B at Dito Souza in Várzea Grande (MT); Itacoatiara vs. Sport at Floro de Mendonça in Itacoatiara (AM).
On Sunday (22), two games will conclude the round: Minas Brasília vs. Doce Mel/Jequié at Bezerrão in Gama (DF) at 4 PM; Atlético Rio Negro vs. Vila Nova at Canarinho in Boa Vista (RR) at 6 PM.
New format of the competition
In 2026, the Brasileirão Feminino A2, which guarantees access to the elite level of the sport in the country, was expanded with an increase in the number of games (from 70 to 134) and dates (from 13 to 21). There was also a change in the competition format. The 16 participating teams will face each other in a single round over 15 rounds. The top eight teams will advance to the knockout stage (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals), which will feature home and away matches in each phase.
Fiorentina Vs Inter Milan – Nerazzurri Fitness Update On Injured Italy & Argentina Stars
Alessandro Bastoni and Lautaro Martinez are both major fitness concerns for Inter Milan ahead of Sunday’s Serie A trip to Fiorentina, with the Italy defender a significant doubt and the Argentina captain confirmed absent as he targets an Easter comeback.
Bastoni has been training only partially with the group again today after the shin injury he sustained in the derby.
The discomfort is gradually easing, but a full recovery in time for Sunday remains difficult to envisage.
Bastoni was called up to the Italy squad by Gennaro Gattuso for the World Cup playoffs.
However, his availability for the Fiorentina trip looks unlikely, as per FCInter1908.
Cristian Chivu is expected to again turn to Carlos Augusto to fill the left centre-back role.
Indeed, as he did in the Atalanta draw.
Fiorentina Vs Inter – Bastoni & Lautaro To Miss Florence Trip
Thomas Tuchel explains decision to leave Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold out of England squad
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has provided an explanation for his decision to leave Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his latest squad.
This comes amid backlash on the part of sections of both the Three Lions and Real fanbase.
Alexander-Arnold has spent recent weeks working his way back to both fitness and form, to establish himself as an important member of new Blancos boss Álvaro Arbeloa’s backline.
With Reece James sidelined at present through injury, the widespread expectation was therefore that TAA would be afforded a call-up for the upcoming March international break.
Thomas Tuchel, however, instead opted for a right-back trio of Djed Spence, Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah.
Speaking to the media in the aftermath of his latest squad being unveiled, the subject of Alexander-Arnold’s absence was therefore inevitably put to England’s headmaster himself.
And Tuchel went on to explain:
“I know what Trent can give us, and we decided to stick with our players. I know his strengths, he’s a huge player but It’s a sporting decision… we stick with Quansah, Spence, Livramento.”
PREVIEW | Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis - team news, lineups, predictions
Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis face each other this Sunday at the San Mamés Barria for round 29 of the La Liga. The match will be broadcast live at 17:30 on Premier Sports.
Athletic Bilbao have won 35 points to date and are placed in 10th position. In their last fixture, Ernesto Valverde's team suffered a 3-0 reverse against Girona (La Liga 2025/26).
Real Betis have picked up 44 points and currently lie in 5th position. In their last fixture, Manuel Pellegrini's team won 4-0 against Panathinaikos (UEFA Europa League 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Athletic Bilbao winning 2-1.
Ernesto Valverde has faced Manuel Pellegrini on 14 occasions, recording five wins, five draws and four defeats
Manuel Pellegrini has faced Athletic Bilbao on 28 occasions, recording 14 wins, seven draws and seven defeats
Ernesto Valverde has faced Real Betis on 31 occasions, recording 13 wins, 11 draws and seven defeats
TEAMS
Away from home, Real Betis currently have five defeats in their last 22 matches.
Away from home, Real Betis have conceded in three consecutive matches.
Away from home, Real Betis are on a run of two consecutive matches without a win.
Away from home, Real Betis are on a run of two consecutive defeats.
Real Betis currently have one win in their last six matches.
Real Betis are on a run of two consecutive matches without defeat.
At home, Athletic Bilbao have conceded in seven consecutive matches.
Athletic Bilbao have conceded in 18 consecutive matches.
Athletic Bilbao are on a run of four consecutive matches without a win.
Athletic Bilbao are on a run of three consecutive defeats.
HEAD TO HEAD
Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis have faced each other 138 times, with Athletic Bilbao holding the advantage: 55 wins, compared with 39 Real Betis victories.
At San Mamés Barria, Athletic Bilbao have the edge in their meetings with Real Betis: 40 wins in 68 matches. Real Betis have nine victories.
In La Liga, the two teams have met 119 times, with 48 Athletic Bilbao wins, 37 draws and 34 Real Betis victories.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch
Spurs vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Premier League Survival Stakes Rise
There are matches that feel like punctuation marks in a season, moments where narrative tightens and consequence sharpens. Tottenham’s meeting with Nottingham Forest belongs firmly in that category. A relegation contest in north London, framed less by spectacle and more by necessity, where the Premier League table presses in from all sides.
Spurs sit just one point above the drop zone. Nottingham Forest occupy the space beneath it. The arithmetic is simple, the tension unavoidable. Victory reshapes the picture, defeat deepens the uncertainty. This is not merely a fixture, it is an examination of resilience.
Recent Form Offers Spurs Fragile Momentum
Tottenham arrive with something resembling belief, though it has been hard earned. Their 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid offered energy, urgency and, perhaps most importantly, clarity in attacking intent. The broader context remains complicated, elimination from the Champions League after a 7-5 aggregate defeat tempers celebration.
Yet performances matter. Xavi Simons operated with freedom and purpose, scoring twice in a role that allowed him to drift between lines. Pedro Porro advanced into unfamiliar territory, while Mathys Tel stretched play from the left. These are fragments of a more expressive Spurs, glimpses of what Igor Tudor is attempting to construct.
Photo IMAGO
Forest, by contrast, continue to gather points in quieter ways. A 0-0 draw with Fulham followed a result against Manchester City, evidence of a side capable of frustrating stronger opponents. Their approach may lack flourish, but it carries discipline and intent.
Team News Shapes Spurs and Nottingham Forest Outlook
Spurs have been buoyed by returning players. Conor Gallagher’s reappearance after illness adds energy in midfield, while Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall provide depth following injury layoffs. Cristian Romero’s return from concussion offers leadership at the back.
Photo IMAGO
Absences remain significant. Dominic Solanke was not involved, Joao Palhinha continues his recovery, and Yves Bissouma is sidelined. Longer term injuries to Wilson Odobert, James Maddison and Ben Davies continue to limit options. There is potential for Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur to return, though Dejan Kulusevski remains unavailable.
Photo IMAGO
Forest’s list of absentees is equally notable. Goalkeeper John Victor and wing back Nicolo Savona are out for the season, as is Willy Boly. Jair Cunha’s ankle issue reduces defensive depth, while Chris Wood continues his recovery, with hope of a late season return.
Photo IMAGO
Match Details and Broadcast Information
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest is scheduled for a 2.15pm GMT kick off on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 2pm GMT. Subscribers can access the match via the Sky Go app.
Prediction: Spurs vs Nottingham Forest in Premier League
This game invites uncertainty. Tottenham have shown flashes of attacking cohesion, yet their league form has been inconsistent. Forest have demonstrated resilience, but their lack of cutting edge can limit their threat.
Much depends on which version of Spurs emerges. If the intensity and fluidity seen against Atletico can be sustained, they possess the tools to take control. The stakes, however, may alter behaviour, compressing risk and narrowing margins.
Forest will look to disrupt rhythm, to turn the contest into one of attrition. Spurs must resist that drift, impose tempo and convert opportunity.
In a match shaped by urgency, Tottenham may find a way through.
Tottenham to win 3-2.
Head to Head Record
Tottenham wins: 59Nottingham Forest wins: 40Draws: 29
Rodri coy on Manchester City future as Hugo Viana eyes breakthrough in contract talks
Rodri has refused to rule out an exit from Manchester City this summer amid interest from Real Madrid.
Manchester City have been heavily dependent on Rodri’s presence at the base of midfield ever since he arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2019. The Spaniard’s leadership and positional discipline are essential to the team’s tactical identity.
Rodri‘s influence is evident whenever he is available, even in a season where the team’s performances have been inconsistent.
A serious ACL injury and meniscus damage suffered in September 2024 in a Premier League fixture against Arsenal sidelined the Spain international for a prolonged period.
Real Madrid targeting Manchester City’s Rodri as part of €100M summer transfer spree
Rodri’s Man City return in numbers
His return to fitness has been slow and in the first few months of the current season, he had some small setbacks that made it challenging for him to get back into full match-sharpness.
However, in the last few weeks, his condition has improved. Rodri has accumulated over 1,200 league minutes across 18 Premier League appearances this season.
His numbers this season are consistent with his established level, indicating that he can regain influence in midfield – 1.9 tackles, 5.1 ball recoveries, 1.9 clearances, a 63% success rate in ground duels and a 78% success rate in aerial duels per game highlight his continued reliability.
However, City’s overall performances have been inconsistent. A recent 1-1 draw with West Ham United demonstrated that the creativity in the final third is still a problem for Pep Guardiola’s team this season.
Real Madrid to test Man City resolve to keep Rodri
The result added to a pattern of dropped points that have left City with a mountain to climb in the title race against Arsenal, who are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final face-off between the pair at Wembley.
Speculation on Rodri’s imminent future after this season has started gaining attention. In the last few weeks, there have been new reports about the midfielder’s ongoing links with Real Madrid
Los Blancos are prioritising a swoop for Rodri in the coming transfer window, with less than 15 months left on the 29-year-old’s current deal at the Etihad Stadium and no indication at present of a renewal beyond 2027.
After Manchester City’s recent 1-1 draw with West Ham in London, Rodri acknowledged his frustrations over the Blues’ inconsistencies and was quizzed on his club future by Cadena Ser.
Why Manchester City delayed Rodri contract talks as Real Madrid prepare summer bid
Rodri on Man City future: We’ll see after this season ends
Yes, a little frustrated, but that’s pretty much the theme this season,” the former Atletico Madris star said, as quoted by AS and relayed by Sport Witness.
“We’re struggling in that final third. The ‘last third’, as they say here in England. That quality to score the final goal. Perhaps it’s costing us a lot, but in football, the most important thing is putting the ball in the net.”
When asked directly about the possibility of leaving Manchester City this summer, Rodri refused to offer a clear answer. “No, no. I’m not going to answer that,” he said. “It’s a time to think about what we have now, with my team, about my season, which is quite a lot – and then we’ll see.”
The response leaves open the possibility of the Ballon d’Or winner – who Transfermarkt values at €65 million – making a decision on his future near the end of the season. However, without great clarity on an extension, the situation could develop into a crucial consideration for City’s planning.
What’s next for Rodri and Man City after Champions League exit?
For now, the four-time Premier League winner will be desperate to help turn the ship around for Manchester City, who have endured a horrible few weeks and seen their title hopes falter as well as witnessed an exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid.
Guardiola and co must win in the Carabao Cup final to regain the momentum they have lost this month as they bid for a miraculous albeit improbable hijack of what is increasingly looking like a first Premier League title for Arsenal in 22 years.
Rodri’s comments indicate that he is putting short-term targets ahead of long-term ones. For Manchester City, that uncertainty makes things more complicated for one of Guardiola’s most important players.
Any decision that is made will probably have significant consequences for the club’s midfield structure for years to come, though Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana and co are ahead of the curve in recruitment – having put themselves in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer.
Slegers praises star taking Arsenal ‘to the next level’ – and gives double injury update
Ahead of Arsenal’s game against West Ham, Renee Slegers gave an update on Frida Maanum and Leah Willamson, and discussed the incredible impact of Olivia Smith since her arrival.
Arsenal will host West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on the weekend, hoping to cut the gap to Manchester United in third place. Head coach Slegers delivered an update on Maanum and Williamson, both of whom have been ruled out of the fixture, due to illness and injury respectively.
“Frida Maanum has been ill this week, so we don’t expect her to be able to play tomorrow,” Slegers confirmed.
“Leah has been managing some problems with her hamstring, so we also don’t expect her to be ready for Saturday, but otherwise the same,” she added.
Asked about the impact of Smith this season, the Arsenal coach was full of praise for the young Canadian.
“I think if you look at Olivia Smith, we’re so happy she joined us because she’s taking us to the next level,” Slegers said.
“We knew it was going to take some time for new players to adjust to our environment, but if you look at the impact that she’s had from the start of the season, it was there from the start. I think she’s really finding her feet now,” she continued.
The 21-year-old joined Arsenal last summer from Liverpool, becoming the first £1million player in women’s football. Impressing with her versatility up front and her work rate both on and off the ball, Slegers said Smith has been a “brilliant” addition to the team.
“We have seen different sides of her as well. We’ve asked her to play in different roles, also in the nine, on the left and right. She’s been brilliant and I’m happy that she’s performing well,” the coach added.
“It’s not only the qualities that she has on the ball and her athleticism, it’s also the hard work that she’s willing to put in, out-of-possession work,” she concluded.
With a bevy of teenagers not just on the roster, but contributing in major ways, Red Bull New York could be one of the most exciting clubs to watch in MLS this year. But the youth movement isn’t anything new for the club.
When Red Bull New York opened the 2026 MLS season against Orlando City SC, precocious 17 year-old striker Julian Hall led the line while Eric Choupo-Moting, 36 years young and a veteran of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, warmed the pine. To Hall’s right and left were, by comparison, grizzled veterans Jorge Ruvalcaba, 24, and Cade Cowell, 22.
Hall found the back of the net three times in his first two league appearances, while his fellow teenagers Adri Mehmeti, 16, and Matthew Dos Santos, 17, turned in performances wildly more professional than one might reasonably expect from players their age. 17-year-old Tanner Rosborough also made a cameo in each of Red Bull’s first two victories against Orlando City and New England.
A 3-0 loss to Montreal brought the Red Bulls back to Earth (we are all powerless at the hands of a Wiki Carmona revenge game), but it’s abundantly clear that a new generation has arrived in Harrison, New Jersey.
This youth revolution comes with the appointment of Michael Bradley as head coach, who at 38 is something of a young man himself, and is the third-youngest coach in the league.
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Bradley will know first-hand the rewards and challenges of giving young players significant minutes with the senior team, as he began his professional career with the MetroStars, precursors to the modern Red Bull organization. The son of a highly accomplished coach, Bradley has a sort of leg up on your typical new coaching hire. He took over the New York Red Bulls II midway through the 2025 season, and led the reserve team to a MLS Next Pro title. It was enough to convince the Red Bull brass that he had the juice to take over the first team.
In 2018, The Athletic published a concerning report, claiming that Major League Soccer fell well behind other top soccer leagues in terms of minutes allotted to players aged 22 and younger. It’s counterintuitive, given that relegation doesn’t exist in MLS, but North American coaches and GMs had a habit of building their rosters around a mix of reasonably-priced journeymen and lavishly compensated international superstars. This, if you believe the doom-sayers, spelled disaster the United States’ long-term prospects as a soccer nation.
But the Red Bulls were never the problem. In fact, they’ve long been an integral part of the solution. Bradley’s trust in the kiddos is nothing new for the Jersey-based club; in fact, he is another in a proud lineage of Red Bull coaches to have put their faith in untested youngsters and have a surprising amount of success in the process. It also comes at a pivotal moment in the history of MLS as a whole, at which clubs like San Diego and Philadelphia are pouring millions into state-of-the-art academy facilities and developmental programs, and in turn translating that to success on the pitch.
But who are the MLS academy pioneers, you might ask? From the outside, the inscrutable Red Bull New York organization may come across as aloof and unambitious, but peeling back the layers, we find that soccer in the United States just might owe a great deal of its recent success to the Red Bull Academy model.
The Chelsea Game
Perhaps the defining moment of the Red Bulls’ “play the kids” corporate mission statement came during a 2015 friendly match against reigning English Premier League champions Chelsea as part of the short-lived “competition” known as the International Champions Cup.
The game amounted to little more than a glorified training session for each side. The Red Bulls had been bounced from the U.S. Open Cup by the Philadelphia Union only a few days earlier, so young upstart manager Jesse Marsch elected to rest his more senior players, including a litany of names familiar to modern viewers of MLS 360, such as Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sacha Kljestan, Dax McCarty, and Mike Grella (he works for CBS, but you get the point).
Marsch, you’ll remember, was still weathering the storm of having replaced the massively popular Mike Petke as head coach, and while the 2015 side would go on to win the Supporters’ Shield, by July they’d found themselves in a bit of a slump, having lost five of their previous nine league games and bounced from the Open Cup by nearby rivals. It would have been tempting for Marsch to run out his strongest side in a game against Premier League opposition and throw down a marker on the world stage.
Instead, Marsch elected to start the game with a lineup composed mainly of New York Red Bulls II players, at the time of the USL Championship division, handing first-team debuts to 15 youngsters in the process. The Red Bulls roster on the day boasted no fewer than nine academy graduates in an era during which the pathway to MLS was either through college or international transfers.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Chelsea, in comparison, were coming off a Premier League campaign in which they positively sauntered to the title, clinching the trophy with three games left to play. This was the culmination of the new Jose Mourinho project, as the Portuguese Special One returned to West London after six years in the wilderness in 2013.
The sky seemed to be the limit for his Blues, and Mourinho seemed determined to succeed on all fronts during the coming season. And while Marsch saw fit to rest his superstars, Mourinho attempted to get valuable game minutes into the legs of John Terry, John Obi Mikel, Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, Thibaut Courtois, and Kurt Zouma (the cats of North Jersey cowered in fear that day).
The game began predictably, with the Premier League champions dominating possession and registering the better chances. A baby-faced Sean Davis signaled the Red Bulls’ intent on the day by putting a scare into Courtois when he dragged a shot just wide in the 13th minute, but Chelsea struck first through Loic Remy on an assist from Oscar in the 26th minute. Mourinho looked passingly pleased as he assumed, much as everyone else, that his side would romp to victory.
As first half gave way to second, the Baby Bulls looked as though they were merely holding onto the honor of only just barely losing to superior opposition, opponents who exceeded them in experience, market value, popularity, and capacity for growing facial hair. Then, seemingly clear out of the great blue yonder, Chelsea captain and purported wife-stealer Terry left a backpass for backup keeper Asmir Begovic. Red Bull debutant Franklin Castellanos nipped in and buried a shot to level the match. Mourinho glowered on the sidelines and implored his team to weather this punch in the kisser.
As a card-carrying Chelsea Hater, I can enthusiastically admit that the scenes of implosion the television cameras managed to capture from this theoretically meaningless friendly are simply *chef’s kiss.*
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
The goals kept flying in. The young Red Bulls possessed an endless font of pressing energy, and they harried and harassed each and every Chelsea player who got on the ball. An almost unrecognizable young Tyler Adams headed in from a free kick, and Davis added two classy finishes about three minutes apart. Mourinho sat back in his padded chair, a sourpuss plastered on his bronzed visage, looking, as Dan Ripley of the Daily Mail described, “like a child who’s been told Christmas is cancelled.”
The Red Bulls claimed a famous victory on the day. A handful of the players involved in the historic win have gone on to have productive careers in myriad top flights of worldwide soccer, but the real curiosity of this match comes not from the New York side but from its outsized impact on the Blues of West London.
Chelsea entered the summer as clear favorites to repeat as Premier League winners. Mourinho was back where he belonged, it would seem, and the Pensioners had a good case for being considered contenders for the Champions League as well. But the loss to the Red Bulls kicked off a downward spiral of results, and by August Mourinho was subbing off Terry at halftime of a humiliating 3-0 loss to Manchester City. By the end of November, Chelsea had collected a paltry 11 points from 11 games, and languished in 15th place.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Mourinho would be fired on December 17, after losing nine of 16 league matches. He was replaced by Dutch manager Guus Hiddink on an interim basis, and finished the season in an embarrassing 10th place. In true Chelsea “if you can’t beat them” fashion, they went out and signed New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga during the following summer’s transfer window. He’d only make two appearances for the West London club.
Davis must have sat at the training facility in Whippany with a virgin margarita, whispering “Tell Jose. I want him to know it was me.”
Academy Structure and Pathways
The Red Bull organization was an early opponent of the then-ubiquitous “pay-to-play” system, in which talented youngsters were required to shell out money hand over fist in order to join up with the nation’s premier soccer academies. This created an imbalanced system in which kids whose parents had deep pockets were preferred to kids who were, you know, actually talented. The RBNY Academy has been free for families since 2008, which starkly contrasts with competitors such as the Portland Timbers, a club that didn’t eliminate pay-to-play until 2015.
In 2010, the club unveiled the “Regional Developmental School,” a satellite-based supplementary training program for talented youth players who might not be quite ready to live and learn away from their families in a full-time academy environment. According to Red Bull, 95% of eventual academy participants begin their playing careers in these satellite programs.
While the United States has some of the highest youth soccer participation in the world, bridging the gap between talented amateur and full professional has been a sticky wicket for most clubs. But the Red Bulls, as part of a global soccer syndicate that’s essentially a side hustle for an energy drink company, were privy to the best-practices established by their sister clubs operated in a continent with decades more knowledge on how to run a successful academy.
Photo by Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool via Getty Images
RB Salzburg was particularly helpful in providing a model for the RBNY academy setup. Jurgen Klopp recently took the helm of Red Bull GmbH and waxed lyrical about the academy setup in New Jersey, stating that he was “massively, massively impressed” with the facilities and the players the academy has produced. The smiley German cuts an affable and unifying figure in the world of the Red Bull group, and he’s got this Red Bulls fan convinced that we are not just a redheaded stepchild after all.
A selling point of the academy in its early days was the concept of a player pathway, which delineates in black and white the path a youth player would take up through the youth teams to eventually, hopefully, fingers-crossedly arrive at the first team. Apart from being a motivational factor for ambitious young players, it takes the guesswork out of a frequently convoluted and confusing morass of youth teams, reserve teams, academy teams, tournaments, and training camps. Transparency allows parents to make grounded decisions to give their children the best possible chance to succeed without being sucked in by false promises or unrealistic expectations.
Most importantly, Red Bull Academy players are imbued with the club philosophy. Energy Drink Soccer is a real thing, and the German gegenpress system requires of players active motors, tactical awareness, and the ability to recognize and execute lightning-quick transitions to capitalize on mistakes. When players grow up in the environment of high-energy pressing, moving up the age levels and confronting bigger and faster opposition is more intuitive and familiar-feeling.
Nationwide Impact
Look across Major League Soccer rosters and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a team that doesn’t employ an RBNY academy graduate or two.
The 2018 New York Red Bulls set a then-points record en route to capturing the Supporters’ Shield for the third time in club history. That season, a full 25% of MLS minutes went to Red Bull Academy graduates. Each Red Bulls team dating back to the beginning of its impressive 15-year playoff run included at least one academy product as a regular starter.
Red Bull products have made countless U.S. men’s national team rosters in recent years, from the youth levels all the way to the senior squad. Daniel Edelman, now of St. Louis City SC but recent scorer of one of the more important penalty kicks in RBNY history, captained the U.S. team at the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Examining the potential USMNT roster for this summer’s World Cup, there is one name that’s sure to be first on the team sheet if healthy: Tyler Adams. When he’s not angrily asking opponents if they know where he’s from (answer: Wappinger’s Falls, a quaint suburb of Poughkeepsie), Adams is bossing the midfield for Premier League regulars Bournemouth.
He became a vocal leader of the Red Bulls’ midfield at a young age, leading the squad to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League (that’s what it used to be called, I think) in 2018.
Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images
Adams made the leap from the New York Red Bulls to RB Leipzig the following year, reuniting with Marsch, the same manager that had given him that start against Chelsea four years prior. He suffered injury woes while in Germany, but after a brief stopover with Leeds United, he seems to have settled in nicely on England’s south coast. Adams served as captain for the USMNT during the 2022 World Cup, becoming the youngest American captain at the competition since 1950.
Left back John Tolkin seems to be trodding the Adams path of late, as he gained immense popularity and importance playing a pivotal role for the Red Bulls on their wild ride to the MLS Cup Final in 2024. He then signed with Holsten Kiel of the Bundesliga to develop his tactical acumen and taste in haircuts. Tolkin is only the latest in a long line of Red Bull exports to play meaningful minutes for a European club.
Miazga, Omir Fernandez, Alex Muyl, Derrick Etienne Jr., Kyle Duncan, Peter Stroud, and Jared Stroud are just a few of the solid MLS players to have come out of the Red Bull system. These are only a few of the players who saw meaningful action at a young age, at a stage in their careers where their skillsets and habits were still malleable, when they were supremely coachable and could combine their budding physical prowess with the neuroplasticity of people whose prefrontal cortices haven’t fully developed.
New York, San Diego, and Philadelphia have created a new generation of higher-floor players precisely because they were willing to trust them in high-pressure moments early in their careers. Stakeholders have slowly realized that the key to strong development in terms of domestic stability as well as international performance lies in forging players in the fire, so to speak.
The worldwide impact speaks for itself. These days, dynamic young players like Lamine Yamal, Lennart Karl, and Estevao are scoring in spades for top European teams.
While some bemoan the lack of depth across the clubs of MLS, it’s fair to say that the Red Bull Academy has raised the standard league-wide.
Is it Lazy?
Red Bulls supporters (I count myself among them) have frequently accused the club of lacking the requisite ambition to become a real powerhouse in Major League Soccer. Careening between appearing as miserly spendthrifts and avant-garde paragons of soccer’s future tends to give even the most dedicated of RBNY supporters debilitating whiplash. Providing the next generation of U.S. Soccer superstars and investing in the future of the sport nationwide is all well and good, but the point of supporting a soccer team is enjoying the possibility that the team might, you know, win something at some point.
As rival fans are keen to point out at every possible opportunity, RBNY remains one of two original MLS clubs never to have taken home an MLS Cup (don’t you go getting any ideas, New England Revolution), and despite three Supporters’ Shields, the Curse of Caricola continues to haunt the New Jersey denizens come playoff time.
Bringing in proven playoff performers from around the league, logic would hold, could do more to get Red Bull over the line than even the best youth development program. But some view the club as unwilling or unable to recruit real difference makers. They’re more interested, posit some critics, in serving as a feeder club for the real priorities of the Red Bull Group: the teams in Salzburg and Leipzig.
But building a competitive MLS roster doesn’t have to be a binary. Clubs shouldn’t have to choose between bringing in aging superstars and churning out their own homegrown talent. The challenge, at the end of the day, lies in striking a balance between winning now and creating a sustainable future. In the modern age of soccer, a robust academy just might hold the key to both.
Three uncapped players included in Italy national team squad for World Cup play-offs
Gennaro Gattuso has named his Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March and has included three uncapped players among his selections.
Which uncapped players are in Gattuso’s latest Italy squad?
Gattuso has called up a squad of 28 players for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo coming up on March 26. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final on March 31: A one-match decider for a spot at the final World Cup tournament.
Given the importance of the occasion, Gattuso has understandably decided to stick with a core of trusted and experienced players.
The likes of Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, Federico Dimarco, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella are expected to start against Northern Ireland. There has also been a return to the squad for Federico Chiesa for the first time since EURO 2024.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta reacts during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Olimpico Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Only three of the 28 players called up have not previously played for Italy. Two of them are goalkeepers in Marco Carnesecchi and Elia Caprile, neither of whom have yet been given an opportunity over Gianluigi Donnarumma or Guglielmo Vicario.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Cagliari right-back Marco Palestra, on loan from Atalanta, is the only uncapped outfield player to be selected in the latest Italy squad. The 21-year-old has impressed in his first real breakthrough season at Serie A level, and is also included in the Cagliari starting line-up to take on Napoli on Friday evening.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in both Chelsea strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, according to TEAMtalk.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Magpies could do with strengthening up front after a disappointing season in which they have failed to replicate the success of their previous campaign.
Newcastle won the Carabao Cup final and qualified for the Champions League last term, but have suffered since selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
So far, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa haven’t performed well at Newcastle, so bringing in someone like Jackson or Delap could be a good move.
Still, some NUFC supporters might also be slightly underwhelmed, as both players have largely flopped at Chelsea.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals in 37 games for Ipswich last season, standing out as a top performer even if the club ended up getting relegated.
This season, Delap has managed just one league goal in 21 appearances for the Blues, and it could lead to speedy exit.
Newcastle might bank on Delap getting back to his best, but it would certainly be a gamble, and even if he has some potential, he’s currently a long way from being someone who could replace a world class forward like Isak…
Newcastle clearly need a striker and Delap is young enough that he could still turn his career around, but there’s not really enough there to suggest he’s at the level Eddie Howe’s side really need.
The Senegal international has also been pretty underwhelming on loan at Bayern Munich, but in fairness to him he’s struggled for playing time due to being behind Harry Kane in the pecking order.
Here’s how we scored him for Newcastle – slightly above Delap. Do you agree with our verdict? Let us know in the comments!
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not confirmed one way or another if it will be David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga starting the Carabao Cup final.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Gunners take on Manchester City at Wembley this Sunday with the first piece of silverware of the season up for grabs, and it could also prove a crucial part of this season’s title race between these two clubs as well.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has already confirmed he’ll be playing backup goalkeeper James Trafford against Arsenal, but Arteta simply said “we’ll see” when asked about who’ll start in goal for his side.
Raya is Arsenal’s established number one ‘keeper for the biggest games, but Kepa has been the team’s cup goalie so far this season, but it seems Arteta isn’t ruling out bringing in Raya for this hugely important match.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s goalkeeper to take on Manchester City
Watch below as Arteta responded to a question about Kepa vs Raya, and gave little away, though he did add that it doesn’t make a big difference as they’re both quality players with a lot of experience at the highest level…
Arsenal fans will probably be hoping Arteta doesn’t take any risks given the importance of this game, with Raya surely the safer option.
The Spanish shot-stopper has been superb during his time at the Emirates Stadium, and surely deserves the chance to start in a game that could finally see the north London giants lift their first trophy since 2020.
Then again, it’s also important to keep players happy, and it would clearly show a distinct lack of faith in Kepa if he were to be left out of this game having played all of the other Carabao Cup matches previously.
CBF announces first cut and new call-up for Brazil friendlies in the USA 🇧🇷
The list of call-ups for the Brazilian National Team for the friendlies against France and Croatia has been changed.
On Friday (20), the CBF officially announced the call-up of Hugo Souza, goalkeeper for Corinthians.
He will replace Alisson, from Liverpool, who was injured.
Brazil will face France and Croatia on the 26th and 31st of this month. The matches will be held in Boston and Orlando, respectively.
See the updated list of call-ups:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Bento (Al-Nassr), and Ederson (Fenerbahçe).
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), and Wesley (Roma).
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), and Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray).
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), João Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
France youth internationals Mamadou Diakhon and Mohamed Kader Meité change international allegiance
France have lost two promising attacking players, as Mamadou Diakhon (20) and Mohamed Kader Meité (18) have both committed their international futures to Senegal and the Ivory Coast, respectively.
Diakhon was even called up for the France U21 side this month. The Club Brugge forward was included in Gérald Baticle’s list before then appearing in Senegal’s list, announced just minutes later. Confusion quickly gave way to clarity when, in a publication, Diakhon confirmed that he would represent the African nation.
Meanwhile, Kader Meité has made a similar choice. The Stade Rennais academy product made the move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia during the winter transfer window. However, he has since struggled for gametime, playing just 15 minutes in the league.
The 18-year-old had already featured for France’s U21s on three occasions, but henceforth, he will represent the Ivory Coast. It is a blow for Les Bleus who have lost two highly-rated attacking options.
Journalist: Arne Slot has a big chance to save his Liverpool job
Arne Slot Future in Doubt as Liverpool Face Defining Run of Games
Arne Slot’s position at Liverpool has come under increasing scrutiny, despite progression in the Champions League. On the Anfield Index Media Matters podcast, David Lynch offered a candid assessment of the Dutchman’s situation, making it clear that results alone are not enough to ease concerns.
Reflecting on the broader picture, Lynch said, “we all said after the Spurs game… it feels like he’s heading towards getting sacked at the end of the season.” That stark view underlines the pressure currently surrounding Liverpool’s manager.
Even after the convincing win over Galatasaray, the uncertainty remains. The issue is not a single result, but a pattern of inconsistency that has left Liverpool searching for direction.
Results and performances both under scrutiny
One of the key themes in the discussion between David Lynch and Dave Davis was the importance of how Liverpool perform, not just the outcomes they achieve. Lynch stressed that the manner of performances has been a major factor in the criticism of Slot.
“One of the fair criticisms has been that it’s a little bit boring to watch,” he explained, highlighting a lack of intensity and aggression in previous displays. That absence has frustrated supporters, particularly at Anfield where energy and effort are expected as a baseline.
He reinforced that point by stating, “when people say it’s not just about results, it’s the nature of the performances.” For Slot, this means that even victories must come with visible progress in style and approach.
Galatasaray win offers temporary relief
Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Galatasaray provided a glimpse of what Slot’s team can deliver when everything clicks. However, Lynch was careful to frame it as a step rather than a solution.
He acknowledged the improvement, but warned against overreaction, noting that “nobody foolish enough to suggest Liverpool have turned a corner.” Instead, the performance has simply set a new benchmark.
What stood out most was the shift in intensity, something Lynch described as non-negotiable moving forward. “Liverpool have to stick to that… they have to show that intensity,” he said, making it clear that this must now become the standard.
Final run of games could define Slot’s fate
With the season entering its decisive phase, Slot’s future may be determined by how Liverpool perform over the remaining fixtures. Lynch outlined the opportunity in front of the manager, suggesting there is still time to change the narrative.
“He’s got a chance over the next… ten, eleven games… to write a story here,” he explained. That story, according to Lynch, must demonstrate improvement, adaptability and momentum.
He expanded on that idea, saying, “the story’s got to be, well, we did improve towards the end of the season. I’ve worked things out. I’ve found solutions.” Without that progression, it will be difficult to justify continuity.
Photo: IMAGO
Tactical clarity and intensity seen as key
A recurring point throughout the podcast was the importance of tactical clarity and physical intensity. Lynch believes these elements are essential if Slot is to convince both supporters and decision-makers.
He pointed to the recent performance as a blueprint, stating, “this formation, this work rate… these are the ways home for him.” It is not just about winning games, but about establishing a clear and effective identity.
Consistency is equally important. Lynch warned that reverting to previous issues would be damaging, saying, “if he doesn’t and they just keep losing… it’s going to be really hard for him to save his job.”
Opportunity remains but margin for error is gone
Despite the pressure, the situation is not beyond repair. Liverpool still have meaningful games ahead, including a Champions League quarter-final against PSG, and those fixtures offer a platform to rebuild confidence.
However, Lynch made it clear that time is limited. The response must be immediate and sustained. “every fan would feel better if he wins… and there’s some really decent performances in there,” he noted.
Ultimately, Slot’s future will be decided by what happens next, not what has already passed. The pathway is visible, but it requires decisive action and consistent delivery.
Defining moment for Liverpool manager
Arne Slot’s tenure at Liverpool has reached a critical juncture. The pressure is real, the expectations are clear, and the margin for error is minimal.
As outlined on Media Matters, the coming weeks will determine whether he can reshape the narrative or whether Liverpool will look elsewhere for leadership. For now, the challenge is simple in theory but demanding in execution, deliver results, deliver performances, and prove that progress is being made.
Martin O'Neill expecting a tough test at Tannadice
Celtic picked up a pivotal three points at home against Motherwell last Saturday, coming out on top with a 3-1 victory after a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes of football.
Next up for Martin O’Neill’s men is a trip to Tannadice this Sunday (March 22, KO 12.30pm) where Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United side will be hoping for a repeat of their victory over the Hoops in late December.
Martin O’Neill’s men, however, exorcised the ghosts of that night when the sides met at Paradise in January, when goals from Yang, Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda secured a 4-0 win for Celtic.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill spoke to the media at Lennoxtown, saying that he expects a tough test on Sunday, not least of all because of the questionable condition of the Tannadice pitch.
“I think that it will be a really difficult game for us.” He said. “We know that anyway. As long as we’re mentally prepared for it, that’ll be absolutely fine.
“I’m sure that even with a couple of days of sun, the pitch won’t improve that much.
“I think it’ll be the same for both sides, so we’ll just get on with it.
“It’s a big game but there will be plenty of twists and turns before the end of the season.”
Earlier this week, Kasper Schmeichel announced that his persistent injury was worse than first feared and may force him out of action for a prolonged period of time.
That news came as a disappointment to Martin O’Neill, as he explained to the media today at Lennoxtown.
He added: “I was surprised at the severity of it (Kasper Schmeichel’s injury).
“I know that he was having injections to play some of the games. Whilst that isn’t a great remedy, I must admit that I didn’t realise how bad it was.
“After the Rangers game he got an injection and I don’t think that went terribly well. It caused a lot of inflammation.
“I didn’t know it was as severe as it is and that it was career threatening. I was disappointed to hear the news.”
Martin O'Neill's full press conference
Kasper Schmeichel update
Alistair Johnston update
Arne Engels update
Callum McGregor's return to training
MORE ON THE GAME
Benjamin Arthur: Pressure makes diamonds
Training Gallery: Dundee United v Celtic
Follow the build-up and all the Dundee United match action live on the official Celtic FC Match Centre.
Fixtures
Dundee United Vs. Celtic - Sun, Mar 22nd 2026, 12:30
Allegri: Italy ‘shouldn’t imitate other countries’
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri warns that Italy should ‘not imitate other countries’ and insists that youth sectors must be ‘fixed’ as only two Serie A sides remain in European competitions this season.
Bologna and Fiorentina are the only two Serie A representatives left in European competitions this term.
The Rossoblu have qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals, eliminating Roma, while Fiorentina have earned access to the Conference League quarter-finals.
During a pre-match press conference today, Allegri was asked his thoughts on the state of Italian football.
“I’m just talking, not explaining, because I don’t explain anything and I don’t have the truth. We shouldn’t denigrate Italian football,” the Milan coach said via SempreMilan.
“We have those characteristics; they’re part of the history of the Italian people, dating back to the Middle Ages and the defence of the forts. Now everyone’s talking.
“The speed of passing is certainly different and depends on the players. Why are games faster in Europe? First of all, because you either win or lose. The English league is completely different, not better or worse. When they say that in Italy the game stagnates and there’s less space, let’s look at the positive: it’s harder to score goals,” Allegri continued.
Allegri: Italy need to ‘fix the youth sectors’
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We were born and raised like this, and we’ve evolved. We shouldn’t go imitating other countries with different cultures. The history varies from club to club. We need to fix the youth sectors and find different formulas. But don’t talk, we need to do! And make decisions. I’ll end now, otherwise I’ll become polemical. I think numbers should be shown for all the youth sectors.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Massimiliano Allegri Head Coach of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
“These numbers should be brought out. We need to worry because so many kids who play football stop playing early and switch to tennis. To get to the Sinners, there’s a lot of work behind it. You have to be careful. Those who understand the youth sector just need to make some reforms.”
“I was surprised at the severity of it,” Martin O’Neill on Kasper’s devastating news
Martin O’Neill gave an insight into the Kasper Schmeichel injury update that was delivered on CBS Sports this week without the knowledge of the Celtic manager who was unaware of the injury prognosis and also the goalkeeper’s plans to announce it to the world before he knew what the situation was.
Kasper Schmeichel breaks his devastating injury news. Image ia CBS Sports
However he dismissed Chris Sutton’s assessment that Kasper Schmeichel, who was back on the training pitches at Lennoxtown today helping with training, was selfish in putting Denmark before Celtic and failing to mention Celtic at all during his big announcement.
Alistair Johnston at Hampden after Celtic’s 3-1 win over theRangers on 2 November 2025 Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)
Martin also gave positive updates on Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels and Callum McGregor with the later likely to be involved on Sunday against Dundee United at Tannadice while the Canadian and Belgian stars are set for a return post international break.
Arne Engels of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Here’s everything that was said at today’s mainstream media conference at Lennoxtown with a reminder that The Celtic Star and other participating Celtic fan media outlets remained banned by a club that doesn’t want to have any sort of two way conversation with its supporters.
Kasper Schmeichel, Stevie Woods and Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic. Stuttgart v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Knockout Round Play Offs, Second Leg, Football, MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany – 26 Feb 2026Stuttgart MHP Arena Germany Photo James Marsh IMAGO Shutterstock
Q: Your reaction to Kasper Schmeichel’s injury news?
Martin O’Neill: “I must admit I was surprised at the severity of it. I know that he was having injections to play some of the games, and while that’s not a great remedy, I must admit, I didn’t realise how bad it was. And so, yeah, disappointed to hear the news.”
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
Q: So did something change recently then? Because I remember last week you thought that he had trained, you thought there was perhaps a chance he could be involved?
Martin O’Neill: “Absolutely, you know, I’d sort of come down, come into training, I thought he was getting back from that, but it was, yeah, it was disappointing to hear.
I think just after the Rangers game, which he wasn’t involved in, the first one he got an injection, I don’t think that went terribly well, he was telling me. And it caused a lot of inflammation, more than anything else. But he was making decent progress at the time, then he’s gone back and found out it’s too bad to continue. I know we’ve all played with injuries, but I genuinely didn’t know that it was as severe as that, and it was like a career-threatening one. Probably because of his age, things like that, people will immediately think that that’s it. I was disappointed to hear the news.”
Callum McGregor of Celtic and Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic at the final whistle. Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 01 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO / Shutterstock
Q: On that, I take it, players will maybe try and play through things that they want to play, they want to contribute. Is that what’s happened over the last few months with his injury?
Martin O’Neill: “I do, I think that that’s exactly what has happened, I think that that’s the case. And we’ve all done this, I’ve been guilty of that myself, a hundred odd years ago, trying to play through an injury to play in a European Cup final, things like this here. So, you do do that. Viljami Sinisalo has come in and done very, very well, kept his place in the team. And I think that, yeah, but just really, again, reiterate, disappointed to hear the news, and I’m surprised myself that it was as severe as that. But I’m no medical expert, and it was disappointing.”
Q: Did you know Kasper was planning to announce it in that way? It seems like it caught a lot of people by surprise?
Martin O’Neill: “No, I didn’t think that Kasper was going to announce it, but he was with his dad at the time, and I think the dad was telling him, you must announce it here today. I’m joking, I’m joking. Yeah, so I think that Tim Williamson, our physio, was aware that the scan had shown up much worse than we thought. But, yeah, so I wasn’t expecting to hear that. I didn’t hear it first hand, I heard it second hand, but, you know, it is what it is.”
UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A between Portugal and Denmark at Josà Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)
Q: It seems as if it sort of stemmed back from this coming international break last year. In your first interim spell of the season, were you aware of any injury issues he had at that point? Of his shoulder?
Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, I was, yes. But he was, as I said to you, you can get injections, you want to keep going. I thought he was really terrific in my first spell here, the six or seven weeks that I was involved. He made some big, big saves in games. I go back even to the very first game that we played, he made a save, otherwise, Falkirk would have taken the lead. Then he made a save against Rangers, kept us in it, and then in Feyenoord, a really good save at an important stage of the game. Big saves for us, so he did really well. But like anything else, you know, you go from game to game. But I didn’t think that, no, even then, while I knew that there was a problem with his shoulder, which he had had for some considerable time, again, I didn’t think it was as severe as it’s turned out to be.”
UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark. Referee Slavko Vincic looks at Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A at Josà Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)
Q: Had there been any communication at that point that, I know things seemed to have worsened in the last week or a couple of weeks anyway, was there any suggestion at that point that he might need to undergo surgery possibly earlier in the season?
Martin O’Neill: “Well, hindsight, great thing. That I don’t know. I genuinely don’t know. As far as I know, he had a problem, probably about the same time last year, but he came through that and ended up having an excellent season for the football club. Yeah, I wasn’t aware of, certainly my first spell, I knew that he had a problem with his shoulder, but he seemed to get through the games and, well, you know, you just don’t want to flog someone to death. He was doing fine, and he didn’t think it was a major problem at that time.”
Kasper Schmeichel at fault for at least two of the Stuttgart goals in the the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Q: In hindsight, would you think that continually using injections to play rather than fix the problem, has that hindered his performances, the team’s results?
Martin O’Neill: “Well, the results, I think you’re probably referring really to the Stuttgart game as much as anything else. In terms of results, the results have been fine, both with him in the side and obviously with young Sinisalo in the team, so they’ve been fine. He came back, he played, he being Kasper, played after Stuttgart, he played against Hibs, made a big save for us. We didn’t win the game, but he did make a big save for us to prevent Hibs from taking the lead to begin with before the event that they did do.
Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“Players have played through the pain barrier and while you don’t, hopefully, that is something that you don’t think is going to be a wrecking of one’s career, you think, well, OK, we should try and get through this for a game or two and see how we go. But that’s all. When it became apparent just recently that it was as severe as I said to you, it was a surprise to me.”
Q: On how it was announced on CBS in America. Were you happy with how that was announced to the fans?
Martin O’Neill: “Well, if that was the first announcement, obviously I would have preferred to have heard it myself. Way back, way back in my time, if you didn’t report it first of all to the football club, you could actually get a fine! So I need to go and check to see how his contract is! It’s a really good point, we could do with some of that money!”
Q: Were those assessments done externally then rather than with the club’s medical staff?
Martin O’Neill: “No, the club knew. The club were aware of the test that he was doing.”
Q: So were you surprised then that that wasn’t communicated to you in any way, the results of it?
Martin O’Neill: “Well, it happened rather quickly. Believe it or not, sometimes I can be incommunicado. I can be somewhere and not actually wanting to hear some news or other.”
27 August 2000: Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the game 6 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport
Q: Chris Sutton labelled him selfish, putting Denmark before Celtic, not mentioning Celtic when he announced it on CBS. Your thoughts on that?
Martin O’Neill: “I like Chris. I like Chris a lot, but not that much! Chris is entitled his own opinion, but it’s no serious issue for me. I don’t know whether he would have been in a position to know that it was all about Denmark. I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to Chris. I will do now, for him to mind his own business. No, it’s not. He’s entitled an opinion.”
Alistair Johnston of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: We saw Alistair Johnson on the grass this afternoon. Can you give an update on him and general squad health for anyone else as well, if they don’t mind?
Martin O’Neill: “I’m going to change profession. I’m going to become the medic here. And then Tim Williamson can come and answer the football questions and get on with it. He’s doing really well. He’s really, really doing very, very well indeed. His national side want him to go for a week over there. We at this minute would probably prefer him to stay. I don’t think it’s going to be a big issue as long as he’s training somewhere. We need to have some sort of bounce games or something like that there for him to play in here as soon as possible. He’s doing great, by all accounts, and I want to see him from a distance, because you boys will tell me better than I would know, but apparently he’s a really decent player. Really decent player. So that’s big news for us if he can come back for the part of the run-in anyway. So that would be great.”
HOUSTON,TEXAS. JUNE 24th: Alistair Johnston 2 of Canada during the match between Canada and El Salvador in the Concacaf Gold Cup 2025, held at the Shell Energy Stadium, in Houston ,Texas PHOTO BY FABIAN MEZA/ STRAFFON
Q: Are you looking after the national break then for him to be fully integrated or does it still look like a period after that?
Martin O’Neill: “I’m hoping that wouldn’t be that long afterwards, really. So if he does decide that, and Tim, I need to ask. I’m sorry lads, what happens here is that I should really get an update before I walk in here. It does help, and just flying things off the cuff as I’ve tried to do for most of my life, to tell you the truth. So I will find out. He’s doing fine. I’m not genuinely trying to hide anything because, it’s an interesting one, the cameras are allowed in here, so everybody knows who’s training with us anyway. So I might ban that! I’ll think about that for next week!
Q: Any more on Alistair being called up by Canada?
Martin O’Neill: “No, I think what they want is, because I think he’s got a good influence as well. Apparently, he’s pretty influential around the dressing room here, but he’s good. And I think they just want to see what he’s like, how they’re doing. I don’t mind, really. And I don’t think he genuinely minds either one way or the other. Canada, I’m sure he would like to go and see how things are, because they’re in the World Cup, and he wouldn’t mind meeting up with some of his teammates who are there too. But now that he is getting close to being involved with us on a permanent basis, then it might be better if he does the work here.
“But listen lads, honestly, if in three days’ time or four days’ time you find him somewhere in Quebec or Ontario or somewhere like that there, you come back and say, that manager doesn’t even have a clue where his players are. And you would be right!”
Arne Engels celebrates after he scores his team’s fourth goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: In terms of Arne Engels, is he?
Martin O’Neill: “Arne’s doing really fine. I think he is somewhere in North Africa doing some rehab! Yeah, he is! He’s in North Africa! I think he moved from North Africa to southern Mexico! Yeah, but he’s doing rehab somewhere and hopefully he’s around. If you just give me two minutes, I’ll go up and check to see. Let me phone him. I didn’t see him actually. Oh, you saw him? Oh, he’s back. He’s back. Brilliant. Thank you. Anybody else?”
Q: Callum McGregor?
Martin O’Neill: “Oh, brilliant. Well, Calum, he did his rehab somewhere in Lanarkshire. So luckily we kept him. He’s fine. He’s going to be fine. We’ll see how he is tomorrow. That was his first real day with the team. But he’s raring to go.”
Q: How do you feel about Dundee United and the state of their pitch? Difficult pitch, difficult surface and a difficult team to play against?
Martin O’Neill: “Just exactly that. Absolutely. I think it’s a really difficult game for us. We know that anyway. So as long as we’re mentally prepared for that, that’s absolutely fine. I’m sure even with a couple of days’ sun, I don’t think the pitch is going to improve that much. I think it’ll be obviously the same for both sides. So we just get on with it. It’s a big game. There’ll be plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season.
Watch Martin O’Neill’s pre-match mainstream media conference ahead of the Dundee United v Celtic match in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday lunchtime below….
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
“Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month,” Spurs added.
Borussia Dortmund lodge enquiry for 26-year-old versatile Real Madrid star – report
Despite giving a solid account of himself and proving himself to be a more than reliable option whenever he gets a chance, Brahim Diaz remains far from becoming a confirmed starter at Real Madrid.
The Moroccan international has featured quite regularly in recent weeks, starting in consecutive matches in the absence of Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo Goes.
But with the French superstar now back fit and ready to start, Brahim is expected to be sacrificed from the lineup by manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Borussia Dortmund eye Brahim Diaz
Given the situation, the idea of a summer departure remains a possibility for Brahim Diaz and he has a suitor from Germany.
Indeed, according to OK Diario, Borussia Dortmund have set their sights on Brahim.
On Borussia Dortmund’s radar. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The Spanish-Moroccan attacker has rediscovered his form in recent matches and fits the kind of profile Dortmund are looking for as they aim to close the gap with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and become more competitive in the UEFA Champions League.
Complications
There is an interesting twist to the situation due to Brahim’s his contract. While not officially announced, he is understood to have already extended his deal beyond 2027, reportedly until 2031, making him a long-term asset for Real Madrid.
However, squad dynamics could complicate things. Even though Rodrygo is currently injured, a crowded attacking line is expected once everyone returns, including Endrick (on loan), Real Madrid may be open to listening to offers.
For now, Brahim’s position is clear. He wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. He is happy at Real Madrid, comfortable in the city, and focused on earning his place.
Only if the club signals that he is not part of next season’s plans would he consider a move.
Brasileirão Feminino A1: five teams look to stay unbeaten in round four
Cruzeiro faces Flamengo this Friday; both teams aim to maintain their unbeaten streakCredits: Gustavo Martins/ Cruzeiro
The Brasileirão Feminino A1 is in full swing. The fourth round of the competition kicks off this Friday (20th) with a major clash: Flamengo and Cruzeiro face each other at the Luso Brasileiro Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), at 9 PM. Both teams have two wins and one draw in the tournament and are looking to keep their unbeaten streak. Besides Rubro-Negro and Cabuloso, Palmeiras, Santos, and Fluminense have also not been defeated. It is worth noting that Palestra is the only club with a 100% success rate.
The matches continue on Saturday (21st). At 3 PM, Atlético-MG hosts Internacional at Arena Gregorão, in Contagem (MG). Following that, at 4 PM, the match between Bahia and Santos will take place at Pituaçu, in Salvador (BA). Two matches happen simultaneously at 6 PM: Ferroviária vs. Grêmio, at Arena Fonte Luminosa, in Araraquara (SP); Mixto vs. Botafogo, at Eurico Gaspar Dutra, in Cuiabá (MT).
Ferroviária defeated São Paulo 1-0 in the third round of the Brasileirão Feminino A1Credits: Staff Images/CBF
The commitments start early on Sunday (22nd). At 11 AM, Palmeiras plays against Vitória at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo (SP). Then, at 5 PM, the match between Red Bull Bragantino and Juventude will be at Cícero de Souza Marques, in Bragança Paulista (SP).
The round extends until Monday (23rd), when the last two games take place. At 8 PM, Fluminense and São Paulo face off at the Luso Brasileiro Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Finally, at 9 PM, Corinthians hosts América-MG at NeoQuímica Arena, in São Paulo (SP).
Arsenal are reportedly calm and in a positive mood ahead of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final clash against Manchester City.
The Gunners will arguably be the favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley this Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s side currently top of the Premier League and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
By contrast, Man City have not been at their best, having dropped points in two league matches in a row to fall further behind Arsenal, while they were also knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid this week.
Speaking on YouTube, Independent journalist Miguel Delaney provided some insight into how Arsenal now seem to be in a better mood than their opponents ahead of this big game.
Arsenal calm ahead of Manchester City cup final showdown
“Arsenal are the team that are in the better mood where nothing has, as yet, gone you’d say very badly wrong they feel in a good place now as a team,” Delaney said.
“From what I’m told, the mood in the camp is one where the final is almost actually being downplayed a bit.
“There’s a calmness which marks such a contrast from you know one of the major characteristics of this season which is how every single Arsenal game or almost every single game has been ramped up.”
Only time will tell how this affects Arsenal’s performance at the weekend, but for now the club’s fans will surely be pleased to hear this positive update.
Arsenal’s recent record against Man City
For a long time Arsenal seemed to struggle in their games against City, but Arteta has done a tremendous job to turn that around in the last couple of years.
AFC are now on a run of six games unbeaten against MCFC, and that includes a victory at Wembley in the 2023 Community Shield.
City can never be ruled out, though, after all the success they’ve had under Guardiola, which also includes beating Arsenal in the League Cup final back in 2018.
Manchester United still appreciate Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who was a top target for previous manager Ruben Amorim, according to Fabrizio Romano.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
It seems Man Utd are still discussing their top midfield targets for the summer, with no final decision yet, but Romano has suggested Baleba remains one of the options under consideration.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano went through a list of players the Red Devils are looking at in that position, including Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.
It is not yet clear if Baleba will still be one of United’s priorities as he was under Amorim, with Romano generally explaining that whoever the club’s new manager will end up being could be another significant factor when it comes to identifying transfer targets.
Fabrizio Romano on Manchester United’s ongoing interest in Carlos Baleba
United have been linked with Baleba several times, but it seems Amorim was key to this, even if others inside Old Trafford also like the Cameroon international.
Romano said: “We have to understand that in order to say ‘okay, Man United want his player because also the coach wants his player’. For example Ruben Amorim was big fan of Baleba at Brighton. (He) wanted Baleba now Baleba is still appreciated by people at Man United, of course, but in that case there was the manager pushing a lot to get Baleba, now it could be different so let’s see let’s follow the situation.”
At the same time, MUFC might also face a lot of competition for someone like Elliot Anderson, as reported by BBC Sport, so sometimes it’s worth keeping a lot of different players in mind.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the surprise decision to start with James Trafford as his goalkeeper against Arsenal this weekend.
Man City take on the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, and it seems Guardiola is prepared to stick with his cup ‘keeper even for this hugely important game.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Spanish tactician, speaking at his press conference today, was asked about starting with Trafford over his usual no.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, and confirmed he would be doing so.
As per BBC Sport, Guardiola said Trafford would be starting and described it as a “big moment for the team.”
James Trafford’s difficult time at Manchester City so far
Trafford joined City from Burnley in the summer, but Donnarumma joined from Paris Saint-Germain not long after.
It perhaps looked initially like Trafford would be Guardiola’s first-choice ‘keeper this season, but it hasn’t worked out that way.
The 23-year-old is a fine talent who will probably feel he could be starting for a number of other Premier League clubs, so it will be interesting to see what he decides about his future this summer.
Still, for the time being Trafford will be given the chance to make himself a hero this weekend.
What about Arsenal’s goalkeeper for the cup final?
Interestingly, it also wouldn’t be too surprising if Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also neglected to use his usual no.1 ‘keeper for this game.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has played for Arsenal in all of their League Cup and FA Cup games so far, so that would probably suggest he’ll be in the starting XI on Sunday as well.
All in all, these decisions seem slightly risky, with Donnarumma performing superbly against Arsenal in last season’s Champions League semi-finals when he was still at PSG.
David Raya is also a top performer for AFC, so could be missed in this important game when silverware is up for grabs.
Fabrizio Romano has reported on Liam Rosenior’s job safety at Chelsea, with the Blues not looking likely to sack the manager any time soon.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Chelsea are known for changing managers pretty frequently, having already gone through Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca as permanent appointments under this ownership.
But it seems he’s not in immediate danger, with Romano acknowledging that it’s harder to take a big job like Chelsea without the benefits of a full pre-season to prepare.
Fabrizio Romano on Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea future
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano responded to uncertainty around Rosenior after Chelsea’s humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
He said: “Obviously it was disappointing to see Chelsea going out of the Champions League like that. Paris Saint-Germain scored eight goals on aggregate against Chelsea in the Champions League. (It) was especially the Stanford Bridge one poor performance and so obviously many people (are) asking and trying to understand the situation around Liam Rosenior
“But at the moment despite all the questions I’m getting the answer I have is that Chelsea keep believing in their manager. Obviously we all know this is a results-based industry. So let’s see how it’s going to continue in the next months, but at the moment Chelsea show total commitment to the project they started with Rosenior.
“He arrived in January and it’s not the same when you arrive during the summer preseason start to do the market with the ideas of the coach as well.”
He added: “So the idea is to support Rosenior, is to trust Rosenior. Then again, he has to deliver as every single coach in the world. That’s the point.”
Speaking at a press conference today as he announced his latest England squad, Tuchel quite clearly left the door open for Dowman to join up with the Three Lions later on this summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The German tactician was also full of praise for Arsenal for the way they’ve handled the 16-year-old’s development so far, explaining that it’s clear he’s in a good environment where he can stay grounded and keep on learning from the best.
Thomas Tuchel on Max Dowman
Speaking about a number of players who didn’t make his latest England squad, Tuchel made it clear he sees no reason to rush into selecting Dowman.
Still, the England manager definitely didn’t rule it out as something he could do when it comes to naming his final World Cup squad ahead of the tournament later this year.
“Well, he put himself in the spotlight no? With this amazing goal against Everton, and a crucial goal.”
“I think he is, at the moment, complete, and obviously a fantastic talent and an outstanding talent with this age. There cannot be a doubt about it.
“Everyone who tells me about Max praises him and is full of compliments about him. The reality at the moment is also that he competes for minutes – he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal.
“I think he’s in a fantastic environment, I think he’s in the best environment possible; in a competitive club, in a stable club, in a club where team work is the number one rule, this is how they play, this is how they function.
“So he learns from the very best, in the very best environment. And with these young guys, yeah, of course we know all these players and we see them as you do as well.
“At the moment I think he’s in a good place to fight for his position, fight for his minutes at Arsenal.
“We always have the chance to call him, maybe, up for the World Cup.
“The thing with young players is to keep their momentum, maybe, going and keep their excitement, and they have a level of fearlessness with them. So no need to call him up now and increase the pressure and increase all the noise that comes with it. But yeah, we have all options.”
Max Dowman making a name for himself
Dowman scored a memorable late goal for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Everton, with the teenager coming off the bench in that match and almost single-handedly changing the game.
It’s not often you see a player so young playing with so much quality and intelligence, but Dowman looked very much at home at Premier League level.
The Englishman first fired in a dangerous cross that led to Arsenal’s opening goal for Viktor Gyokeres, before then running almost the length of the pitch to grab the second.
Even if he was faced with an open goal, Dowman showed tremendous skill to get himself into that position to punish Everton on the counter-attack.
In total, Dowman has played seven first-team games for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and it’s easy to imagine he’ll get more minutes between now and May.
That could put him firmly in contention for a World Cup spot, and what a story that would be!
PREVIEW | Bologna vs Lazio - team news, lineups, predictions
Bologna and Lazio face each other this Sunday at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Match Day 30 of the Serie A. The match will be broadcast live at 14:00 on DAZN.
Bologna have picked up 42 points and currently lie in 8th position. In their last fixture, Vincenzo Italiano's team won 3-4 against Roma (UEFA Europa League 2025/26).
Lazio currently have 40 points and lie in 9th position. In their last match, Maurizio Sarri's team prevailed 1-0 against Milan (Serie A 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
March has pretty much been a whirlwind month for Benjamin Arthur, taking part in wins over Aberdeen, Rangers and Motherwell in the last three games, and he’s hoping to play a part in Celtic’s next test, the visit to Tannadice on Sunday to take on Dundee United.
The 20-year-old said of his start with the Celts: “It’s been great so far, it took off quite quickly, I’ve had my first start and things like that.
“Since then, it’s all been positive, we’ve had a couple of good results and I’m, really happy with that.
“I knew before I came here there was going to be a lot of pressure and a high demand on the team as a whole.
‘But pressure makes diamonds and at that point you’ve just got to keep pushing for success.’
“And obviously the boys have done really well over the last few weeks.”
Much of that success is down to the input of Martin O’Neill since he returned to the fold, and the centre-back said of the manager: “He’s a great guy, a great personality and he’s guided me really well.
“He’s a great leader, he communicates what he wants on the pitch, and I just try and listen as much as I can and learn as much as I can from him.
“Everyone knows there’s a lot of pressure and everyone as a whole is really set towards the right things. The boys are just focused on winning really, game by game.”
With the likes of Callum McGregor and James Forrest around, Arthur and his team-mates have had that pressure calmed by the experience of the long-serving Celts.
He said: “I’ve been learning a lot from the senior players, it’s good to have them around. Their calmness leads on to the rest of the players.
“How composed they are on the pitch and off the pitch kind of relaxes everyone in the building.
“If you look at our senior players and the quality they show and everyone sees in the building day to day, what they can produce in training, and most importantly in games, it does give us a bit of confidence.”
MORE ON THE GAME
Training Gallery: Dundee United v Celtic
Follow the build-up and all the Dundee United match action live on the official Celtic FC Match Centre.
Fixtures
Dundee United Vs. Celtic - Sun, Mar 22nd 2026, 12:30
PREVIEW | Atalanta vs Hellas Verona - team news, lineups, predictions
Atalanta and Hellas Verona clash this Sunday at the New Balance Arena for matchweek 30 of the Serie A. The match will be broadcast live at 14:00 on DAZN.
Atalanta currently have 47 points and lie in 7th position. In their last encounter, Raffaele Palladino's team were beaten 4-1 by Bayern München (UEFA Champions League 2025/26).
Hellas Verona have picked up 18 points and currently lie in 20th position. Last time out, Paolo Sammarco's team slipped to a 0-2 defeat against Genoa (Serie A 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Hellas Verona winning 3-1.
Ronaldo's status as international football's all-time leading scorer has long been secured.
Portugal undertake their final preparations for the tournament with a pair of March friendlies in the United States against co-hosts Mexico and the USA.
However, Ronaldo will not be able to take part in those matches.
Ronaldo has suffered a hamstring injury and is currently undergoing his recovery.
He was substituted during the 81st minute of Al Nassr's 3-1 Saudi Pro League win at Al Fayha on Saturday, February 28.
A statement released by the club read: "Cristiano Ronaldo has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury after the last game against Al Fayha.
"He started a rehabilitation program and will be under evaluation day by day."
Ronaldo has been in Spain as part of his recovery programme. On March 20, he was omitted from Portugal's squad to take on Mexico and the United States.
How long will Cristiano Ronaldo be out?
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said Ronaldo would be out for "a week or two" longer when he announced the squad for his team's Mexico and United States games.
Martinez moved to dismiss fears that the problem put Ronaldo's World Cup participation in any sort of jeopardy.
"No, he's not in danger," he said. "It's a minor muscle injury, and we think he can be back in a week or two. Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he's in great shape."
Will Ronaldo play for Portugal vs. USA and Mexico?
Portugal will play Mexico on March 28 and the United States on March 31 without Cristiano Ronaldo.
If Ronaldo had only suffered a grade one injury, there was a good chance of being involved. As it is, Portugal and Al Nassr are not taking any risks.
Before news of his injury was confirmed, rumours emerged that Ronaldo had left Saudi Arabia for Madrid in his private jet.
The reason for this was presumed to be safety fears amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East following the U.S .and Israeli bombing of Iran. Saudi Arabia's diplomatic quarter is in Riyadh and the U.S. embassy was the subject of an Iranian drone strike on the fourth day of the war.
This speculation was initially dismissed, and Ronaldo began rehabilitation from his hamstring injury at Al Nassr's training base in Riyadh. However, coach Jesus later confirmed that the player had indeed travelled to Madrid in order to receive specialist injury treatment.
Wolves' Mateus Mané has committed his international future to Portugal, rejecting England at under-21 level.
The 18-year-old, born in Barreiro, has previously represented England at youth level, including under-18s, but this morning he received his first call-up to Portugal’s U21 squad, with head coach Luís Freire confirming his inclusion for the upcoming 2027 U21 European Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Scotland.
Mané has been a standout performer for Wolves this season, making 20 Premier League appearances, scoring twice and registering an assist, while also becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to score in the competition.
According to reports, both Roberto Martínez, Portugal’s head coach, and FPF (Portuguese FA) president Pedro Proença have been actively courting the talented winger, aware of his talent and versatility. Mané also holds Guinean nationality, giving him multiple options internationally.
England under-21 coach Lee Carsley had also shown keen interest, hoping to integrate Mané into the Three Lions’ squad, but the chance to represent his country of birth and join Portugal’s well-regarded youth setup proved decisive.
With his Premier League form continuing to impress, Mané is now set to make an immediate impact at the U21 level and establish himself as one of Portugal’s most exciting young prospects.
Six Sassuolo players in isolation before Juventus game due to ‘whooping cough’ outbreak
Sassuolo revealed on the eve of their Serie A clash with Juventus that they had notified Lega Serie A of a confirmed case of whooping cough in the squad, along with five additional team members showing ‘symptoms consistent with the disease.’
A whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak has hit the Sassuolo squad days before their Serie A match against Juventus.
Sassuolo’s statement after case of whooping cough identified
The Neroverdi wrote in an official statement on Friday: “Sassuolo announce that, following several tests carried out in recent days, one case of whooping cough has been identified, along with five cases showing symptoms consistent with the disease within the team group.
“Individuals presenting symptoms are currently in isolation and have been under constant monitoring by the club’s medical staff for the past three days. The staff is applying all procedures required by current health protocols in coordination with the health authorities. It is also noted that all asymptomatic members of the group have promptly undergone specific prophylactic measures.
“The club has already informed the Lega Serie A of the current situation and will continue to closely monitor developments, adopting all necessary measures to safeguard the health of its players and staff.”
Sassuolo play away at Juventus on Saturday night, and according to Italian sources, including TMW, the game is not at risk of being postponed.
The identities of the Sassuolo player diagnosed with pertussis and those with symptoms remain unknown.
Sassuolo have lost their last two Serie A matches, but sit tenth in the standings with 38 points in 29 matches.
Juventus sit fifth with two consecutive wins in Serie A. Luciano Spalletti’s men are unbeaten in the last three league games and are one point below fourth-placed Como.
Juventus and Sassuolo met not long ago in the reverse fixture on January 6, seeing the Bianconeri secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Brentford manager pushes Igor Thiago to aim even higher after first Brazil call-up
Thiago has been named in the Brazil squad for March fixtures against France and Croatia, following a fantastic season in West London.
The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals in all competitions, of which 19 have come in thePremier League. Only Erling Haaland has outscored Thiago in the Premier League, with the latter just three goals behind the Manchester City striker in the race for the Golden Boot.
Thiago'sinternational call-up is the first time he has been recognised by Brazil at any level. He's one of two Premier League-based first-time inclusions, alongside Bournemouth winger Rayan.
The duo will now aim to impress head coach Carlo Ancelotti, and earn a place in this summer's World Cup squad.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's fixture with Leeds United, Andrews praised Thiago's performances, with the forward having bounced back from an ACL injury that decimated his debut campaign.
However, he called on the forward to strive for more, including the Premier League's Golden Boot.
"He needs to keep striving and pushing hard, he has had a big week with his call up to Brazil," Andrews said.
"It is such a proud moment for him, his family and us as a football club.
"We will support him like we always have and hopefully he will keep scoring."
PREVIEW | Lyon vs Monaco - team news, lineups, predictions
Lyon and Monaco face each other this Sunday at the Groupama Stadium for round 27 of the Ligue 1. The match will be broadcast live at 14:00 on Amazon Prime.
Lyon have won 47 points to date and are placed in 4th position. In their last encounter, Paulo Fonseca's team were beaten 0-2 by Celta de Vigo (UEFA Europa League 2025/26).
Monaco have picked up 43 points and currently lie in 6th position. In their last fixture, Sébastien Pocognoli's team won 2-0 against Brest (Ligue 1 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Lyon winning 3-1.
Fantasy Premier League: Transfers to consider for Blank Gameweek 31
FPL Blank Gameweek 31 poses problems for Fantasy Premier League managers this week, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, and Wolves assets all absent.
Wondering who to bring in to help your depleted side? We’ve got five options to consider.
Joachim Andersen – Fulham (£4.6m)
Fulham, on paper, have the best fixture on the schedule as struggling Burnley visit Craven Cottage. The West Londoners can be inconsistent, but arrive in this one after a clean sheet at Nottingham Forest.
Burnley are the second-worst travellers in the Premier League, so opportunity knocks for another shut-out. Alongside that potential, Joachim Andersen has thrived amid the inclusion of DefCon points. The Danish defender has reached the 10+ threshold 17 times in 27 games.
Harry Wilson – Fulham (£6m)
A second selection from Fulham, with Harry Wilson one to consider. The Welsh winger has been a revelation this season and ranks fourth overall for total points. Since GW10, only Bruno Fernandes has managed more points than Wilson, whose current £6m price tag remains a bargain.
Burnley have conceded more goals away from home (35) than any other Premier League team, and have also shown vulnerability from set pieces.
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle (£7.3m)
Newcastle need a response this weekend after a Champions League thrashing at Barcelona. The Tyne-Wear Derby should at least stir up something.
Anthony Gordon appears to have nailed down the centre-forward role as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa struggle, while his emergence as first-choice penalty taker boosts his appeal. Gordon has scored in each of his last two league appearances for the Magpies and, despite a modest PL return, has 16 in all competitions.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United (£10.2m)
The Manchester United captain is on fire right now, re-emerging as a must-have in FPL. Fernandes has overtaken Antoine Semenyo as the highest-scoring midfield player in the game, and has averaged 7.8 points per game across the last seven gameweeks.
He’s recorded four double-digit hauls in that timeframe and is now chasing down the Premier League’s single-season assist record.
Joao Pedro – Chelsea (£7.8m)
Last weekend’s blank was a rare disappointment for Joao Pedro owners, who have been raking in the points of late.
Pedro has four double-digit hauls in his last eight games and has blanked only twice in the last nine.
This weekend, Chelsea are at Everton, who have endured a tough time in front of their own fans this season. The Toffees have won only five home games all season, while only Arsenal can better Chelsea’s away record.
Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 31 Deadline: Friday 20th March, 18:30 GMT
Guardiola confirms goalkeeper decision for Carabao Cup final
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that James Trafford will start in goal for this weekend’s Carabao Cup final.
Manchester City take on Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, with the first silverware of the season on the line. Guardiola is set to retain trust in Trafford for the cup final.
Trafford has spent much of the campaign as deputy to Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Premier League but has featured throughout the club’s Carabao Cup campaign.
Guardiola will stick with the 23-year-old at Wembley, confirming the decision in his pre-match press conference, admitting it’s a ‘big moment for the team’.
The Spaniard was also asked on Trafford’s recent comments about his unhappiness with a lack of minutes.
Trafford rejoined the Citizens from Burnley in the summer, prior to Donnarumma’s high-profile arrive from Paris Saint-Germain. He has played just 270 minutes of league football and has made only 12 starts in all competitions.
On Trafford’s comments, Guardiola added: “Good. Nothing to say. Players can be happy, or unhappy, it is what it is. We have to do our best when they do, and afterwards we have to see what happens at the end of the season.”
Inter Milan President Claims New San Siro Is Needed To ‘Have A Facility That Meets International Standards’
Giuseppe Marotta has outlined the vision behind Inter Milan and AC Milan’s joint decision to purchase the San Siro area and build a new stadium, insisting the project is driven by the necessity of having a world-class facility that reflects the ambitions of both clubs.
Speaking via video link at the Motore Italia, via FCInterNews, the Inter president framed the new stadium as far more than a football project.
“The new structure stems from the need of the two clubs to have a facility that first and foremost meets international standards. And, indeed, represents the home of both clubs,” he said.
“It means creating employment and wellbeing, generating commercial activity.”
Marotta Thanks Winter Olympics As Inter CEO Stresses Need For New San Siro
Marotta also placed the development within the broader context of Italy’s growing profile as a sporting nation.
Indeed, paying tribute to the role of the recent Winter Olympics in raising the city’s global standing.
“Sport is an asset of our nation on a par with tourism. We must thank the machine that was the Olympics.”
The success of Milano-Cortina has strengthened the case for major infrastructure investment.
And, indeed, the new stadium is intended to cement Milan’s position as one of Europe’s premier sporting destinations.
Luis de la Fuente confirms Real Madrid and Arsenal talents have chosen to play for Spain
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has confirmed that Real Madrid talent Thiago Pitarch has committed to play for La Roja. The emerging midfielder is eligible to play for Morocco too, and the Atlas Lions have been pushing for him to do so, but it seems he will wear La Roja for the foreseeable.
Pitarch has made a major impact at Real Madrid over the last month, and has started their last five games on the bounce. There was talk the 18-year-old could be in the senior squad already, but he has instead been called up to the under-19 team. Pitarch was already involved in the under-19 setup, and was called up in February and September, playing three times.
De la Fuente confirms Pitarch is committed to Spain
Of course, there are cases of players switching allegiances to Morocco even after playing for Spain’s senior side, as was the case with Brahim Diaz and Munir El Haddadi. However de la Fuente told Diario AS that he was confident Pitarch would play for Spain.
“It’s a similar case to Mosquera’s. The great news is that Thiago wants to play for Spain; he’s very committed to the national team, and that, as with other players, makes us very happy. We fully respect anyone who decides otherwise and prefers to play for another country, wishing them all the best, but I’m very pleased that Thiago has chosen to wear our jersey.”
Mosquera earns first call-up
One player who is in the senior side is Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera. The former Valencia man has been a regular in the under-21 sides in recent years, but Colombia were keen to have him feature for them, as he has dual nationality. As it stands, he is in contention for a spot in Spain’s World Cup squad.
“Mosquera is another important player who has joined our cause. He’s having a great season with Arsenal, and his versatility is key, as he can play both center-back and full-back. The situation at center-back doesn’t worry me; he brings us a lot of versatility, he’s very fast, he always stays focused, and he has all the experience of having come through the youth ranks. It’s hard to ask for a better introduction.”
🗣 Luis de la Fuente: Four goalkeepers? Traditions can change
The big news from Luis de la Fuente’s list has been the inclusion of Joan García, and the coach has spoken about it.
This is what the coach had to say about it: "Traditions are meant to be changed. It was time to have these four great goalkeepers. As of today, they are the four who could be among the three that will go to the World Cup."
He then spoke about Rodri’s call-up and Carvajal’s absence: "We’re celebrating Rodrigo’s form. As for Dani, I hope that from now until the World Cup, he’ll be even better and have a chance to be with us because he’s a very important player for us. I have nothing to say to Arbeloa."
He later spoke about the Finalissima: "You all know that I was willing to play the Finalissima. I’ve always said so. Playing against Argentina, winning a title... Both I and the RFEF were aligned to play this match. I want to thank the Federation for trying to play the match against Argentina and the two we are about to play now."
He then confirmed that Thiago Pitarch wants to play for Spain: "It’s something similar to Mosquera, Laporte, Le Normand... The good news is that Thiago wants to play for Spain. He’ll play with the under-19s, the under-21s, or the senior team. But he wants to play for Spain. Of course, if a player decides to play for another country, we respect that; but Thiago has decided to play for Spain."
And finally, he clarified why Marc Pubill was not called up: "He’s having a great season. He couldn’t play the last match with his club and his club’s medical staff say he’s not recovered. Given that situation, we decided to consider another teammate."
Barcelona midfielder hitting peak form in Champions League ahead of Atletico Madrid faceoff
There are moments in every Champions League campaign when one player rises above the rest, and for Barcelona this season, that player is unquestionably Fermin Lopez.
With a crucial quarter-final clash against Atletico Madrid approaching, all eyes are on a player who has become the heartbeat of Hansi Flick’s system.
A Champions League master
Simply put, Fermin’s Champions League journey this season began in emphatic fashion.
Back on Matchday 3 of the group stage, against Olympiacos, he scored a sensational hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory.
He followed that up with another influential display against Club Brugge, providing two assists.
While in the matches against Chelsea and Eintracht Frankfurt he did not see him add to his tally, what followed next was a sight to behold.
Fermin Lopez is playing on another level. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Against Sparta Prague, Fermin scored twice in a 4-2 win. Next, while facing FC Copenhagen, the midfielder added another assist.
Ultimately, in the knockout rounds, his influence only grew. While he was relatively quiet in the away leg against Newcastle United, the return fixture at the Spotify Camp Nou saw him take centre stage once again.
He provided a key assist for Raphinha to open the scoring before adding a goal of his own to cap off a dominant performance.
As a result, Fermin has featured in nine matches in the Champions League this season and has contributed six goals and four assists.
He is currently Barcelona’s leading scorer in the competition, while also sitting joint-top in assists within the squad.
Now, as Atlético Madrid loom, Barcelona know exactly where their biggest threat lies.
Ligue 1 Predictions | Round 27: Marseille host Lille in UCL race, PSG travel to Nice
Ligue 1 Predictions, Round 27
GFFN editor-in-chief Luke Entwistle, and sub-editors Raphaël Jucobin and Bastien Cheval face off in our Ligue 1 predictions competition. This season, GFFN will also be hosting guests. Earlier this season, The Athletic’s Alex Barker participated and became the first name on our guest leaderboard, and he has since been joined by Julien Laurens. It’s three points for a correct score, two points for a correct score difference, and one point for a correct result. Who will come out on top at the end of the season?
SCORES
Raphaël: 162
Luke: 145
Bastien: 187
Guest leaderboard:
Alex Barker: 7
Julien Laurens: 7
Game of the week: Olympique de Marseille v Lille OSC, Sunday 16:15 (UK)
Olympique de Marseille are not exactly on a hot run of form, even if they have won their last two games under Habib Beye. OM are looking more solid defensively but it has certainly come at the expense of their attacking fluency, which was the hallmark of this side under Roberto De Zerbi. Those two results have put them in the driving seat for a place on the podium in Ligue 1 and Lille OSC are one of the sides playing catch-up. Like Marseille, LOSC are struggling going forward and are coming off the back of an elimination from the UEFA Europa League at the hands of Aston Villa. It is a game that will leave them mentally and physically drained going into this game. OM have not exactly been at their best in recent weeks, but they may not have to be to get past Bruno Genesio’s side.
Market value update: Bundesliga’s most valuable players
Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise remains the most valuable player in the Bundesliga, according to Transfermarkt’s latest market value update, with the Frenchman rising by €10 million to €140 million.
His teammate Jamal Musiala ranks second at €120 million, having seen his value drop by €10 million as he continues his battle to return to full fitness following the serious injury he suffered last summer.
Another Bayern player, Aleksandar Pavlović, sits third after his value increased by €10 million to €75 million.
See the Bundesliga’s most valuable players, according to Transfermarkt, below.
Most valuable Bundesliga players:
1. Michael Olise, FC Bayern – €140m
2. Jamal Musiala, FC Bayern – €120m
3. Aleksandar Pavlovic, FC Bayern – €75m
4. Luka Vuskovic, Hamburger SV (on loan from Tottenham) – €60m
5. Karim Adeyemi, Borussia Dortmund – €50m
5. Felix Nmecha, Borussia Dortmund – €50m
7. Jarell Quansah, Bayer Leverkusen – €45m
7. Alphonso Davies, FC Bayern – €45m
9. Ibrahim Maza, Bayer Leverkusen – €40m
9. Nicolas Jackson, FC Bayern (on loan from Chelsea) – €40m
Tuchel explains decisions as Bellingham returns to England squad but Trent misses out
The latest England squad announcement has brought contrasting emotions for two of Real Madrid’s biggest stars, with Jude Bellingham receiving a call-up while Trent Alexander-Arnold has been left out.
England manager Thomas Tuchel unveiled his squad for the March international break, and his decisions have immediately sparked discussion, particularly regarding the omission of one of the most high-profile right-backs in world football.
For Alexander-Arnold, injuries and inconsistent form have limited his impact since arriving, disrupting his rhythm at a crucial stage of the season.
No place for TAA
Although the English defender has seen more action in recent weeks, featuring in nine of Real Madrid’s last ten matches and starting five of the last six, it was not enough to secure a place in the squad.
Addressing the decision, Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out a player of Alexander-Arnold’s calibre, while explaining the reasoning behind his selection.
“I know that it’s a tough decision for Trent, as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These tough decisions come with the job.
“It’s a sporting decision that we stick with Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence, who can play for us at right-back.
“I know it’s a tough one, I know it’s a big name. He’s a huge talent with a big career.
“The right-backs we have offer slightly different profiles (to Alexander-Arnold), the evidence is that we were better in September-November than anything from Trent.
“I played many times against him and suffered many times when he played against my teams. I know very well his strengths and what he can give.”
What about Bellingham?
Bellingham has been selected, but TAA misses out. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
While Alexander-Arnold faces disappointment, the situation is more positive for Bellingham, albeit with caution.
The midfielder has been sidelined since early February due to a muscle issue, but has now returned to training.
Tuchel confirmed that all parties, including Real Madrid, were aligned in ensuring the player joins the national team setup, primarily to continue his recovery in a controlled environment.
Providing clarity on Bellingham’s situation, Tuchel explained the approach being taken to manage his fitness carefully.
“Everyone had the same interest, which is not always the case; I wanted Jude to be in camp, Jude wanted to be in camp and Real Madrid were happy for him to come to camp.
“We can provide team training for him, which would be a bit difficult at Real Madrid because of the international break.
“All boxes are ticked — it was very important to get the expectations right about Jude in this camp. We will continue his progress and integration into team training.
“We will be very careful on not taking any risks with Jude regarding the risk of re-injury. It’s very rare for him to have a muscle injury, so we will be very careful with it.
“The best case scenario is that he gets some minutes against Japan and we will adapt from day to day,” he explained.
See below for a comparison of his stats in 2024/25 and 2025/26, with Salah simply not coming anywhere close to those previous heights that saw him play a starring role in the club’s success…
Mohamed Salah’s stats this season vs last season (DataMB)
Salah scored 34 goals in all competitions last season, but has a total of only 10 so far this term.
His previous lowest tally in a season was 23, while this could also quite conceivably be the first time he finishes a Premier League campaign without double figures for league goals.
All in all, it might not be the worst thing for LFC to part ways with Salah this summer, even if that old saying goes ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’.
Still, it seems Chelsea are keen to move to the front of the queue for El Mala’s signature by trying their luck with a €50m bid, according to Fichajes.
With nine goals and three assists this season, the 19-year-old has made a big impact and looks ready to make the step up to the next level.
Chelsea could do with Said El Mala transfer to give them something different in attack
It’s not been the best season at Stamford Bridge, so there could be room for further changes to Chelsea’s attacking options.
Jamie Gittens is one summer signing who’s been particularly disappointing, but many CFC fans will also have expected more from the likes of Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
Even Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian has gone off the boil after starting brightly, so there’s surely room for El Mala to come in and become a key player for Liam Rosenior’s side.
19/25 is a high score, with El Mala really ticking the boxes in terms of a pretty low transfer fee, good recent form, an age bracket that suggests his best is yet to come, and the fact that he improves a weak area of Chelsea’s squad.
It will be interesting to see if the west London giants can indeed get this deal done, but one imagines there’ll be plenty of interest in the Germany Under-21 international this summer, so probably a few more twists and turns in this saga yet.
Arsenal are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s talented young forward Christian Kofane ahead of the summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Gunners want to move ahead of any potential competitors for Kofane’s signature, with the 19-year-old set to cost around €70m, according to Fichajes.
Kofane has caught the eye in the Bundesliga this season, contributing seven goals and four assists in total.
Arsenal eye Christian Kofane transfer in bid to reshuffle attack
Arsenal fans will no doubt be keen to see their club bring in a big name up front this summer, but there’s probably also room for a young talent like Kofane to come in and provide squad depth.
This could be the summer that we see players like Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard moving on, with neither player starting regularly for Arteta’s men this term.
That could mean Kofane can come in and fill that kind of role, perhaps with the view to developing into more of a regular starter once he gains more experience.
Arsenal like Christian Kofane’s versatility
Another good thing about Kofane is his versatility, with Fichajes claiming AFC like that side of his game.
The report adds that Chelsea could also be preparing contacts over the Cameroon international, while Leverkusen have turned down offers for him before.
Arsenal could also end up facing competition from big names like Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to Fichajes, so this saga remains at the early stages and could head in a number of different directions.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided an update on Mohamed Salah’s fitness as it looks like he’s going to be out of this weekend’s game against Brighton.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Egypt international has had a mixed season for Liverpool, but he’s looked better in recent times, scoring a sublime solo goal against Galatasaray in the Champions League this week.
However, Salah was unable to finish that game and it now looks like he’ll be out against Brighton and out of Egypt’s matches for the upcoming international break.
Arne Slot’s Mohamed Salah injury update
Speaking at his press conference today, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Slot said: “Unusual [he is injured], I think you expect the outcome so he is not available for tomorrow. Good thing for LFC is we go to international break, bad news for Egypt, he can’t go there.
“We hope with what Mo has shown in the past he can recovery faster than other players. He takes such good care of his body, he can be back earlier than others as history has shown. Only two weeks until we go again…”
So it’s not the worst news Liverpool fans could have heard, but it’s not ideal to be missing a key player like Salah at this important stage of the season.
It sounds like it might not be too long, so LFC supporters will hope he can return for the crucial period coming up in the race for the top four and the latter stages of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Revealed: When Inter Milan & Argentina Megastar Is Available After International Plans Change Recovery Timeline
Lautaro Martinez is pushing hard to return but Inter Milan will not rush their captain back, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting the Argentina striker is now targeting an Easter return against Roma rather than the trip to Fiorentina this weekend.
The Finalissima cancellation has altered the timeline significantly, according to the reports, via FCInterNews.
With no international fixture to aim for during the break, Inter can afford to be patient and ensure Lautaro is fully fit rather than half-ready.
Lautaro Martinez Working Hard To Regain Fitness As He Aims For Inter Return Against Roma
The captain was at Appiano Gentile on Monday working alongside Mkhitaryan.
Meanwhile the rest of the squad enjoyed a day off.
After Sunday’s trip to Fiorentina, the two-week international break provides the perfect window to complete his recovery and build his fitness properly.
Arriving at the Roma fixture in peak condition is far more valuable than forcing a premature comeback that could result in another setback at the worst possible moment in the Scudetto race.
For Inter, having the best version of Lautaro Martinez available for the run-in is worth the extra wait.
Sheffield United welcome Wrexham to Bramall Lane this Saturday afternoon in the EFL Championship.
The Blades come into this fixture looking to build some much-needed consistency. A 1-1 draw last weekend with ten men away at Birmingham City followed a 2-1 away defeat to Norwich City recently. At Bramall Lane, however, Sheffield United have generally looked more assured, using the energy of the home crowd to win seven of their last 12 games in S2.
Wrexham, meanwhile, continue to embrace life in the Championship after their remarkable rise through the divisions. There’s been plenty of momentum surrounding the club in recent years, and they’ve carried that belief into this campaign and they currently sit seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Southampton. While results on the road have been mixed, they have shown they are more than capable of competing at this level.
Team News
Sheffield United still have a few injury concerns to contend with heading into this one, namely Sam McCallum. Tom Davies made a surprise return to the bench at St Andrews last weekend, and he will continue to be monitored. Kalvin Phillips is also a doubt for this fixture. Meanwhile, Gustavo Hamer could come straight back into the starting eleven after serving his two-match ban.
For Wrexham, they are expected to have most of their key players available, although there are always a few knocks to monitor in a physically demanding league. One of those who will be sidelined for the trip to Bramall Lane is former Blades striker Kieffer Moore, with the Welsh striker dealing with a hamstring problem. Experienced Championship midfielder Ben Sheaf has an MCL injury.
Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game
One player who could be crucial for the Blades in this fixture is Gustavo Hamer. The midfielder has been one of the standout performers in the Championship for years, but his expertise have been missed over the last couple of games due to suspension.
Hamer thrives when he has space to operate between the lines, particularly in the left half-space. His ability to carry the ball forward and pick out progressive passes makes him a constant creative outlet. He’s also not afraid to shoot from distance, which adds another layer of threat and forces opposition defences to step out and engage him, or else he could bend one into the top corner.
In games like this, where Sheffield United are expected to have a lot of the ball, Hamer’s quality in unlocking a compact defence could be decisive. His set-piece delivery is another major weapon, and against a physically strong Wrexham side, those moments could prove key across the 90 minutes.
Wrexham’s Impact Player For This Game
One player who could be key for Wrexham in this fixture is former Sheffield Wednesday man Josh Windass. The attacking midfielder brings a different dimension to Wrexham’s forward play with his ability to carry the ball, link attacks, and arrive in dangerous areas late.
Windass, who has 14 goal contributions this term, is at his best when driving forward with the ball at his feet. He has the direct approach to commit defenders, and once he gets into space, he’s very difficult to contain, and possesses wonderful delivery.
Another major strength of his game is his movement off the ball. Windass has a real knack for timing late runs into the box, often going unnoticed by defenders who are occupied with Wrexham’s main striker. That makes him a genuine goal threat, especially in transition where Sheffield United may be slightly disorganised.
He also possesses a strong strike from distance, meaning he doesn’t need to rely solely on clear-cut chances. If given space around the edge of the box, he won’t hesitate to test the goalkeeper, which could be an important factor in a game where opportunities in either box may be limited.
My Prediction
This is a tough one to call. The Blades have the home advantage, but Wrexham’s need to win is perhaps arguably bigger at this point, to get back into the top six, while the Blades are ten points adrift.
I do think this game will have goals in it eventually. And I’m leaning towards a 2-1 Sheffield United win.
Conte picks trio made in Manchester for Napoli game at Cagliari
Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund are expected to start for Napoli in an away game at Cagliari today, and Corriere dello Sport describes the new Partenopei attacking trio as ‘made in Manchester.’
Conte picks new Napoli attacking trident
Napoli coach Antonio Conte will field an unprecedented attacking trio for a Serie A match against Cagliari today, as the Italian tactician is expected to start De Bruyne, McTominay and Hojlund up front at the Unipol Domus Arena.
The trio started several matches in the first part of the season before De Bruyne’s muscle injury in October, but back then, the Belgian ace was deployed as a central midfielder and McTominay as a left winger.
Napoli’s system in the first months of 2025-26 was 4-2-3-1, but Conte has long changed the team’s set-up using a 3-4-2-1 for the last few months.
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
With De Bruyne back in action since the beginning of March, Conte has integrated the ex-Manchester City star into his new system, and later today, De Bruyne will start as an attacking midfielder alongside McTominay, behind the sole striker Hojlund.
De Bruyne has not started a Serie A match for Napoli since October 25, 2025, when he suffered a high-degree injury after less than 40 minutes in a home match against Inter.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli and teammate Scott McTominay pose for a photo at full-time following their victory in the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
De Bruyne joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer, while both McTominay and Hojlund moved to the Stadio Maradona from Manchester United.
McTominay is in his second season at Napoli, while Hojlund joined the Serie A giants last summer, on loan with an obligation to buy.
Manchester City ‘clear frontrunners’ to sign £80 million Premier League midfielder
Officials at Manchester City have placed themselves at the very front of the queue to sign Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson this summer, as per reports.
City sporting director Hugo Viana is expected to progress his remake of the first-team squad in the upcoming transfer window, having made sweeping changes to Pep Guardiola‘s ranks since replacing Txiki Begiristain in 2025.
The Blues shored up their options in attack and defence with the respective acquisitions of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi for a combined £84 million in January, underscoring the ambition among club bosses to challenge for silverware in the seasons to come.
Manchester City are facing another potential summer exodus as they seek clarity on the future(s) of Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake, John Stones – all of whom could leave the club ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Manchester City following transfer situation of Newcastle United star
City awaiting Rodri clarity amid Anderson interest
Rodri’s contract situation has drawn great interest in recent months, with the 29-year-old into the final 15 months of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium with no indication of a renewal at present.
City executives decided to delay contract talks with the Ballon d’Or winner during his injury-ravaged 18 months but are now hoping to cash in on the goodwill they feel they have earned with their patience to hopefully tie Rodri down to a new, long-term deal.
Real Madrid are planning to test Manchester City’s resolve to keep hold of Rodri, who is understood to be considering a sensational switch to the Santiago Bernabeu as he assesses his options and maps the next chapter of his career.
It is worth noting there is no reason to believe at present that Rodri will leave Manchester City in the summer. However, Viana and co are being proactive with their recruitment plans and have made Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson their top transfer target for the upcoming transfer window.
Mokbel: City leading United for Anderson, deal would require at least £80M
According to a wider-ranging report from journalist Sami Mokbel, multiple sources have told BBC Sport that Manchester City are the ‘clear frontrunners’ to sign Anderson – who would likely cost a minimum of £80 million – at the end of the season.
Manchester City face stiff competition in the race to sign Anderson from city rivals Manchester United, who will witness Casemiro leave at the end of the season and are eyeing reinforcements in the middle of the park themselves.
Anderson is viewed internally by many at Old Trafford as the player the club should prioritise, with the Englishman establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League in recent seasons at the City Ground.
Manchester City hold advantage over Manchester United in midfield transfer battle
Will Manchester City sign Anderson this summer?
The young star will have his pick of options in the summer transfer window as the best sides in England and abroad table offers to Forest for their most prized asset amid a battle for Premier League survival in the closing months of the season.
Manchester City would, on paper, appear as a far more appealing option to Anderson, who would be tempted by the prospect of working under Guardiola and helping the Blues return to their former ways of winning regular major trophies – having started a rebuild under Viana and being at a nascent stage of that transition.
That is not to say United will abandon their interest. While United would be wary of getting involved in an auction over wages with their city rivals, they are prepared to make a substantial effort to sign Anderson.
Amid some tough selection decisions, there have been high-profile names left out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Having failed to win the full trust of Gareth Southgate,Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced a similar situation with Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid right-back is the biggest name omitted from the England squad for this month's break, with Tino Livramento and Djed Spence preferred.
It's the continuation of an England career that has failed to reach club heights. Alexander-Arnold has won just 34 caps since his international debut in 2018, despite winning every available major honour with Liverpool before his summer switch to Spain.
Alexander-Arnold is a unicorn of a talent when it comes to creation from full-back, but reservations over his defensive game continue to deter England managers.
Luke Shaw
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have earned England recalls this month, but Manchester United teammateLuke Shaw has not earned the nod.
The left-back has impressed during Manchester United's surge into the Champions League places, but has been overlooked with younger options preferred. Shaw's fitness record represents a concern for England, despite an injury-free campaign to date.
Morgan Gibbs-White
England are stacked with creative options at number ten andMorgan Gibbs-White has been the odd one out. Having been part of October's group, he's now missed out on successive squads.
Gibbs-White has been a bright light in an otherwise tough campaign for Nottingham Forest, but hasn't done enough to join club teammate Elliot Anderson in Tuchel's squad.
A prolific period in the Saudi Pro League has not been enough to convince Tuchel of his credentials, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke selected in front of the Al-Hilal forward.
Toney is the top-scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 25 goals in 25 games this season, and has netted 64 in 82 games overall since leaving Brentford for Al-Hilal. However, the apparent step down in standard at club level has cost the 30-year-old his England place.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins is another forward facing a summer on the sidelines. The Aston Villa striker has been recognised as Harry Kane's chief deputy in recent years, but a downturn in form at club level has seen him snubbed this month.
Watkins has scored just eight goals in thePremier League
Salah set for spell out with injury in blow for Liverpool
Mo Salah will miss Liverpool’s game against Brighton after picking up an injury, boss Arne Slot has revealed.
But Slot is hoping the forward will not be out for too long with the issue.
“He’s not available for tomorrow,” Slot said.
“The good thing for us is that we go to an international break but the bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there.
“But we are hoping with what Mo has shown in the past is that he can recover faster than other players because he takes such good care of his body and history has shown that he can be back earlier than others.
“It’s only two weeks until we go again so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back.”
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez is still not fit enough to start for Liverpool but could feature off the bench.
“Joe was on the bench but he wasn’t able to come in (against Galatasaray),” Slot explained.
“We tried to postpone it as far as we could. He already told me before the start of the game that he didn’t feel good so I said let’s wait until half time and maybe a miracle can happen and we might need you in extra time.
“He might be available for tomorrow but definitely not to start.”
If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here.
‘Maximum violence’: How Eze’s Champions League stunner slayed Leverkusen
I’m not generally one for a big statement. As I’ve got older I think Kipling’s maxim of treating success and failure as impostors has become ever more resonant.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Things are rarely as bad, or as good as they seem and the truth is most people live in the middle. Most normal people, anyway. That being said, I have to tell you that the strike with which Eberechi Eze vanquished Bayer Leverkusen last night was, perhaps, the greatest goal I’ve ever seen live. I can’t stop thinking about it.
It was certainly up there with the purest strike of a football I’ve ever borne witness to over 35 years. The only goal I think I’ve seen which comes close is the goal a certain Dutchman scored, from a similar sort of range actually, to level the game up against Spurs in 2012 – we would, of course, go on to win that game 5-2.
Anyway, enough about the Unmentionable.
Whilst I – correctly – made great play of Max Dowman’s composure over the space of 6 touches and what must have been the longest 10 seconds of his life on Saturday night, there was such a sudden violence in Eze’s strike that, from row 19 of block 29, it kind of took your breath away.
The clock has just ticked around to 34:24 as Trossard touches the ball onto Eze 25 yards out, his back to goal (thankfully we haven’t heard anything about it being laid on a plate for him today). Eze takes a touch on his thigh, swivels and strikes the ball with such ferocity that the ball is past the keeper and threatening to burst the net, from my position I can actually see how far back the ball, this cannonball, takes it. The clock is at 34:26, just two seconds later.
It’s been one second of maximum violence.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
You can tell it’s a special goal. 1) It’s beaten this keeper, Blaswich, who was hitherto threatening to turn a promising night for Arsenal into an incredibly frustrating one. 2) The noise. Not the characteristic “Yeeeeeahhhh”, or variation of which is usually released whenever a goal is scored in an English stadium.
No, this goal is greeted with the kind of noise reserved for the shock of seeing someone try something outrageous and, moreover, executing it, it is the sound of 60,000 people gasping for breath and then, as the net explodes, exploding with it, “OHHHHHH – YEAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!” Luckily for us, I guess the ball had gone to the person on the pitch with the confidence to try, and the ability to execute it.
I’m off down the aisle towards Eze who is walking towards our block with a look on his face that says “I can do that, you know”, before he breaks into a grin and is engulfed by disbelieving team mates, chief amongst them William Saliba.
How Mikel Arteta was choosing to celebrate, I can only guess at.
Around me, as I get back to my seat, people are looking at each other, grinning madly, as if to check whether they saw what they just thought they did. You did, we did.
What struck me on the replays, each initial replay in the ground being greeted by the customary “ohhhh” that goes with an absolute banger, was not just the ferocity of the strike, but the purity of it. There’s barely any spin on the ball, any deviation and had Dinos Mavropanos had the misfortune to get his head in the way of it, it would surely have killed him. The whole piece is like an amalgam of Thierry Henry’s 2000 goal against Manchester United and his 2004 goal versus United’s city rivals.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
After a slow start to life at Arsenal, things really do seem to be coming together for Eze now, who has become ever more involved since pair of assists against Wigan. Goals at Spurs, another rocket at Mansfield in the FA Cup and a very influential performance against Everton all pointing to a man who has now found his role in the team.
It would take another great goal, this one from Declan Rice to put the tie away in the second half, striding onto a poor Leverkusen clearance, Rice stroked in a remarkable finish from the edge of the box that bent just enough to kiss the post on its way into the net with the keeper rooted to the spot. He made it look so easy that Jo, despite being at the game and having seen replays, still can’t quite grasp how it happened.
I feel like the few games this season where Arsenal have largely dominated proceedings, but not got what they deserved due to ridiculous goals – Liverpool, Sunderland and, to a certain extent Aston Villa all spring to mind. To win, therefore, this game with 2 stunners of our own made for very pleasing viewing indeed and hopefully it reminds the guys that sometimes you just have to try something. If you feel it, do it, sort of thing.
And, maybe, as has been discussed this week, that is the multiplying effect of Max Dowman’s electrifying cameo on Saturday night. A few weeks ago, I asked, who will the be the man to put their hand up and win us the Premier League? Well, it turns out there might be a few candidates.
Before I go, big shout out – again – to Piero Hincapie, who made one of the best “where did he come from?” blocks on the guy who looks a little like Phil Foden in the first half and was excellent again. And Benny White. We haven’t seen him for a while but I thought he was really good tonight and I find myself asking, is it a coincidence that Bukayo Saka looked much more like the Bukayo Saka we all know and love with White, who knows when to go and when to get out the way, behind him?
Also, Viktor Gyokeres had a very positive night, without scoring, his hard running, link up play and ability to get wide and create danger bodes well for his upcoming return to Lisbon. We might not have been expecting to go there, but Sporting made a remarkable comeback to overturn a 3-0 deficit and win the second leg, 5-0. I suspect Lisbon in April will be much more to our liking than Norway would have been. How mad for Gyokeres that he played against us last season and will now go back to his old club.
Football, eh?
Right, that’s definitely me for the week now. I still think we’re going to beat Manchester City on Sunday afternoon and look forward to talking about that with you all next week. Take it easy!
The Rossoneri return to action on Serie A matchday 30, hosting Torino at San Siro. Ahead of the clash, Massimiliano Allegriis set to address the media at Milanello in his press conference, which will be broadcast live on Milan TV and the AC Milan Official App.
Kit, clothing, accessories, gift ideas and much more: visit the AC Milan online store!
Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad has been confirmed this morning, with James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin named as two surprise inclusions.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
According to the Athletic, the Everton midfielder and Leeds United striker have been selected to be given a chance in the latest international break as we get closer and closer to the 2026 World Cup.
The report also noted that big names from Manchester United were set be involved, such as Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.
Information about the official squad was leaked earlier this morning, prior to being officially confirmed at 10am.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
Manchester United and Liverpool are among the transfer suitors for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The 28-year-old’s Fulham future is in some doubt, with the player approaching the final two years of his contract, meaning this summer could be the club’s last chance to make decent money from selling him.
Still, it’s understood that one issue for the moment could be that Man Utd and Liverpool are unsure about paying his £30-40m asking price.
Antonee Robinson transfer being considered by Man United and Liverpool
United could do with an upgrade on Luke Shaw, who has performed well this season but who is not getting any younger and who has a poor injury record.
Robinson is valued by United due to his experience in the Premier League, but there’s the sense that £30-40m wouldn’t represent great value for money considering the player’s age.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also exploring options at left-back after a slow start made by Milos Kerkez at Anfield since joining from Bournemouth last summer.
Some sources have given mixed indications about how much of a priority this will be, but Robinson is thought to be one of the names being considered to come in at least to replace Andrew Robertson as a rotation option alongside Kerkez.
Again, £30-40m would be a lot to pay for that kind of squad player, though, so Fulham might need to lower their demands for this deal to become realistic. It might also be in their interests to do so as the player’s value will only decrease further by next summer when he has just a year left on his contract.
However, Falk believes the deal may be more realistically affordable for Premier League clubs, which is a potential boost for Liverpool and Man Utd.
Lukeba also doesn’t necessarily look like someone who’d make sense as a priority for Bayern at the moment anyway, given that Dayot Upamecano recently signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena.
Christian Falk’s transfer info on Castello Lukeba
Discussing Lukeba and a possible move to the Premier League, Falk noted that Leipzig players often seem to end up in England, and at Liverpool in particular.
“It is TRUE: Bayern are monitoring Castello Lukeba,” Falk wrote.
“Max Eberl knows the player and likes the player. He has worked before at RB Leipzig. But, at the moment, it’s not true that FC Bayern will buy Lukeba in the summer.
“Things can change if Kim Min-jae is sold. Then they can invest the transfer fee, which is why Lukeba is still on the list.”
He added: “As you see, often RB Leipzig players end up in the Premier League. We’ve seen a lot of them – especially at Liverpool! Just look at Dominik Szoboszlai’s performances this season. This is one of the clubs that always focuses on such players.
“A while ago, Bayern bought Dayot Upamecano from Leipzig, and it was a good decision. But they can’t always do a deal like this, and we know Lukeba is an expensive player. So, perhaps there’s a deal in the Premier League to be found for the 23-year-old centre-half.”
Castello Lukeba looks ideal for Liverpool
LFC have a particular need for a new centre-back this summer as Ibrahima Konate comes towards the end of his contract, while Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger and has arguably started to show signs of decline.
Lukeba would also surely get a similar score for Man Utd, though they already have decent depth in central defence, so arguably need him less.
The Frenchman may well favour Old Trafford over Anfield this summer, though, depending on how the ongoing battle for Champions League qualification pans out.
Kompany not ruling out Neuer injury return against Union Berlin
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is making progress in his recovery from the muscle fiber tear he suffered 14 days ago in a match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
In fact, the 39-year-old could potentially start against 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday, head coach Vincent Kompany revealed at a press conference on Friday.
However, Kompany also said it's more likely that Jonas Urbig will continue in goal.
“Urbig will probably be in goal tomorrow. But we’ve got training today. It’s about what Manuel is capable of right now," said Kompany.
"There’s always a difference between training and a match. If he’s not up to it, Jonas will play.”
“40 is young”
Kompany also reflected on Neuer turning 40 next week.
“40 is young – I didn’t realise that back then. But now I know. My knees had other ideas back then; otherwise I could have carried on playing," said the former Manchester City defender.
"‘Hunger’ is the key word. Manuel has fought his way back from a serious injury. He was in incredible form this season – that was impressive. He keeps delivering time and again. We’re almost the same age. It’s about the mental side, not just the physical.
"If his body stays in good shape, that’s one thing. But what’s impressive is how he keeps motivating himself mentally time and time again. You really need a lot of motivation to reach that level.”
Neuer's current deal with FC Bayern expires at the end of the season, and it's still unclear if it will be extended.
Manu Koné started Roma vs. Bologna, but was forced to be substituted after just 20 minutes.
He was replaced by Lorenzo Pellegrini, who scored the equalizer in the first leg.
However, the Giallorossi were defeated, and Gian Piero Gasperini will have to contend with yet another injury issue affecting one of his players.
The number 17, called up to the national team, according to initial reports has reported a flexor problem that needs to be evaluated. Tomorrow he will undergo tests to determine the extent of the injury, and he may remain at Trigoria during the international break.
Koné tried to grit his teeth, but the problems that forced him to miss the first leg have recurred. Gasp is not at all happy with the medical staff’s handling of the issues. In fact, it appears that last Friday, the coach had a heated exchange with the medical staff, complaining about suboptimal injury management.
Roma is decimated, and Gasp hopes it’s not a serious problem for Koné. The Giallorossi coach commented on the midfielder’s condition after the match: “Koné came off, I think it’s a muscle problem.”
Juventus ready to send offer for Man City star Bernardo Silva
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are ready to offer a three-year contract to Manchester City star Bernardo Silva and a salary of at least €7m per season.
Juventus are ready to send their offer to Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, who is available on a free transfer as his contract runs out this coming June.
Juventus prepare offer for Bernardo Silva
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Serie A giants have already informed the midfielder’s agent, Jorge Mendes, that they are ready to offer the Portugal international a three-year deal with an option for a further campaign.
Gazzetta highlights that the proposed contract length is not entirely in line with the club’s policy regarding over-30 players, but Juventus are happy to make an exception given the player’s quality and experience.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Negotiations over Bernardo Silva’s salary will begin shortly, but Juventus are prepared to offer wages between €7m and €8m per season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Gazzetta confirms that Bernardo Silva has attracted interest from other clubs, including Barcelona, Inter Miami and Galatasaray, but the Portugal international won’t make a decision on his next club before May.
From Italy: Manchester City exit touted for Nico Gonzalez as Real Madrid test Rodri waters
Manchester City will listen to offers for Nico Gonzalez despite the midfielder only joining the club in January 2025, as per reports from Italy.
Gonzalez joined the Blues from Porto as one of four emergency signings in the previous January window, wherein his £50 million move took City’s overall spending in the window to £180 million.
The Spaniard signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium and has since made 52 appearances for the Blues and despite playing regularly amid Rodri’s injury issues earlier this season, Gonzalez has struggled for minutes under Pep Guardiola since.
“I’m not going to answer that” – Manchester City’s Rodri leaves door open for Real Madrid move
Moretto: Man City to listen to offers for Nico this summer
With Rodri slowly returning to his pre-injury self following an injury-ravaged 18 months, it is unlikely that Gonzalez will find regular minutes until the Ballon d’Or winner leaves Manchester City – leading to concerns over his future.
In a report for Marca, Italian journalist Matteo Moretto is anticipating several departures from the Etihad Stadium this summer and is convinced that the Blues will entertain offers for Gonzalez. “I think he’s going to leave,” Moretto said on the midfielder.
It would be an abrupt end to his time in Manchester for someone whose services were sought as a long-term investment from City – whose midfield is flirting with a worrying lack of depth that won’t be helped by Bernardo Silva’s all-but-confirmed exit at the end of the season upon the upcoming expiration of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Moretto also added that Gonzalez’s future will depend heavily on Rodri’s immediate future and decision on his Manchester City contract, with Real Madrid showing a strong interest in the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who is also into the final 15 months of his contract with the Blues.
Man City’s midfield plans this summer
The 2024 UEFA European Championship winner has been a pivotal character on and off the pitch for Manchester City since joining from Atletico Madrid for £62.8 million in 2019. Even when he tore his ACL in September 2024 and was sidelined for nine months, he mentored Gonzalez and supported the club behind the scenes.
Alike to the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, who joined Napoli last summer on a free, exits for Rodri, Gonzalez and Silva – should and when they come – will be heavily felt around east Manchester, though hope shouldn’t be lost.
Hugo Viana, City’s sporting director, has already stamped his ambition to make big chances to the club’s midfield in the upcoming transfer window, with Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson a top target amid a belief that the Blues are the leading contenders to sign the 23-year-old.
That being said, Guardiola may have Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali at his disposal next season if Viana feels City can swoop in for the Italian come the end of the campaign. Tonali told Newcastle he would consider an exit if they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League – having suffered a humiliating Round of 16 exit this week at the hands of Barcelona.
Lens predicted XI v Angers: Pierre Sage’s side remains depleted
RC Lens remain without several key players as they prepare to host SCO Angers on Friday night. A win would provisionally take them back top of Ligue 1, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s game against OGC Nice on Saturday night.
Lens have already missed the chance to overtake PSG when they were defeated by FC Lorient last weekend. PSG didn’t play their game against FC Nantes having succeeded in moving the fixture to April, a postponement designed to aid their preparations for the UCL game against Chelsea.
Les Sang et Or were without key players last week and that remains the case. Jonathan Gradit, Samson Baidoo, Kyllian Antonio, Wesley Said, Massasdio Haidara, and Arthur Masuaku are all out. There is, however, a return for Allan Saint-Maximin.
Lens likely line-up v Angers
Robin Risser; Malang Sarr, Ismaelo Ganiou, Nidal Celik; Matthieu Udol, Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sanagaré, Saud Abdulhamid; Allan Saint-Maximin, Odsonne Édouard, Florian Thauvin. (L’Éq)
Kompany on Bayern duo Urbig and Karl’s first Germany call-ups: "They will play a major role in the national team in the future"
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann included two new faces in his squad for this month’s international friendlies, which was announced on Thursday, with Bayern Munich's Jonas Urbig and Lennart Karl among the call-ups.
At a press conference on Friday, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany was asked about the duo’s first senior Germany selections and said he believes both have a bright future at international level.
“It’s good for Bayern and good for Germany. These are two young players who will play a major role in the national team in the future,” Kompany said.
He added that, at this stage of their careers, the two players can travel to the national team camp without pressure and should focus on enjoying the experience.
“This is the first step for them; they should enjoy it. They’re not under any pressure right now, they’ll have plenty of time for that later. They need to enjoy it. At some point, they’ll play a key role for the national team. I have every confidence in them.”
Sutton questions Liverpool consistency with Brighton prediction
Liverpool’s emphatic win over Galatasaray has lifted confidence, but Chris Sutton isn’t convinced we’ll carry that momentum into our next Premier League test.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
After such a dominant Champions League performance at Anfield, attention quickly turns to the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, where consistency has been a major issue for Arne Slot’s side this season.
Sutton questions Liverpool consistency
Writing via BBC Sport, Sutton highlighted the unpredictability that has defined Liverpool’s campaign so far.
“Brighton have hit a bit of form but how do you know what to expect from Liverpool at the moment?
“They are so up and down – will they turn up this week?”
That point echoes what we’ve seen throughout the season, with strong performances often followed by frustrating drop-offs, something Stephen Warnock also described as a “coin toss” in terms of which version of Liverpool appears.
Sutton did, however, single out one player as key to any success.
“Liverpool’s standout player this season has been Dominik Szoboszlai, and they are probably looking to him to do something special again here.”
Prediction made ahead of Brighton clash
Despite Liverpool’s recent form in Europe, Sutton is backing Brighton to come out on top in this one.
“This time, Brighton will beat them. Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.”
The former striker pointed to Brighton’s improving run under Fabian Hurzeler, noting that their recent results have helped ease pressure around the manager.
“They have won three of their past four games.”
That sets up an interesting test for us, particularly after John Aldridge praised the intent shown against Galatasaray and called for that level to become the standard moving forward.
The challenge now is clear, if we can replicate the energy, structure and attacking threat shown in midweek, Sutton’s prediction can be proven wrong, but if the inconsistency continues, it’s exactly the kind of fixture where points could slip away again.
It was a difficult moment for Sarr, and Rosenior took the decision to replace him at half time, but speaking ahead of the Everton game the 41-year-old has backed the youngster to improve.
“It’s a lot. It’s a lot, and it’s a lot for all of us at this club, because we are expected to achieve in the now,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“I’ve worked with him for nearly two years. I’m so excited for his career. That’s why he’s here. You have to go through negative experiences at times to improve.
“He’ll come back. He trained very well today. He’s completely a massive part of our plans moving forward.
“And this, in the long run, for the pain that he’s gone through, will make him an even better player.”
Chelsea looking to sign a centre back in the summer
Whilst Sarr is still finding his feet, the Blues are thought to still be in the market for a centre back in the summer.
Chelsea failed in their pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet in January, with the Frenchman deciding to join Liverpool instead.
Ancelotti, Tuchel, Enrique: Neville names his ideal pick for United job
Manchester United have gone from strength to strength under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, but not everyone is convinced he should be handed the permanent job. The Red Devils sacked former head coach Ruben Amorim in mid-January following a poor run of results and appointed the Englishman as his temporary replacement until the end of the season.
The Premier League giants wanted Carrick to see out the season before a permanent manager is handed charge of the first team this summer. However, the former midfielder has inspired an extraordinary upturn in form, helping United climb to third in the Premier League after 30 games.
The Red Devils have seven wins and a draw from nine games under the Englishman. With the team firing on all cylinders and Champions League qualification in sight, there have been calls to make Carrick’s stay permanent. However, United legend Gary Neville begs to differ and has now named three managers his former side should appoint instead.
Premier League-proven names
Speaking on Off The Ball, Neville insisted United must sign one of Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel or Luis Enrique as their next permanent manager. He said: “When Michael got it, I was quite clear that Manchester United should still go and get the very best that they can in the world to take the club on in the next few years.”
“I’m still of that opinion. However, it gets harder by the week when Michael, to be fair, is delivering the performances and results that he is. The reason I say that they should still pursue the best manager in the world is that the last four managers at United: Ole, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim have been what I would say potentially great managers rather than great managers.”
“They’ve not been at that top level. None of them managed super clubs with the scrutiny at the level of United. I felt that a few months ago, and I don’t think we should come off track because of eight, nine, ten results.”
“Ultimately, there should be a Luis Enrique, Carlo Ancelotti or Thomas Tuchel. People who’ve lived at that highest level with the highest level of pressure and scrutiny who will attract the best players in the world to the club. Now, what I would say is the more that Michael does and the more the team play, it’s getting more difficult to sort of keep that opinion. But for now, I would still keep that.”
While Tuchel has already extended his stay with England, recent reports have suggested that Carlo Ancelotti is all set to sign a new deal with the Brazil national team. Meanwhile, Enrique powered Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a historic treble last season and it is believed that he is also in line for a renewal.
Neville went on to add that if United fail to sign any of the three, Carrick could be considered for the full-time job. He said: “If Manchester United can get an Enrique, an Ancelotti, and a Tuchel, then they should appoint that manager. If they can’t and they’re going a layer below that, I think then that Michael comes into play and maybe could get the job.”
Neville’s choice for the job
Ancelotti, Enrique and Tuchel all have experience of managing in the Premier League and have also won the Champions League. Neville, though, named the Spaniard as his ideal candidate for the job, stating: “I think Enrique is one that, ultimately, has achieved unbelievable things at PSG, and obviously at Barcelona.”
“He’s not done England yet. Does he want to do what Pep’s done? Which is take on a different sort of country and win leagues. So he would be an outstanding candidate.”
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that Enrique could be a fantastic choice for the permanent position at Old Trafford, but INEOS will also have to take a realistic approach to the situation. If neither of the three established managers are available, it may be hard to look beyond Carrick, especially if he manages a strong end to the campaign.
Numbers – Barcelona have the most productive midfielder in Europe right now
It is no exaggeration to say that Fermin Lopez has become one of the most underrated players in European football this season.
While the spotlight often falls elsewhere, the Barcelona midfielder has been delivering numbers and performances that demand far greater recognition.
Not too long ago, there were genuine doubts about his long-term future at the club. Heading into the summer of 2025, there was a real possibility that he could move on in search of more consistent minutes.
At just 22, Fermin has turned into a decisive figure for Barcelona, even without being a guaranteed starter every week and the numbers speak for themselves.
This season, he has registered an incredible 28 goal contributions across all competitions, including 12 goals and 16 assists, which makes him the midfielder with the most goal contributions across all competitions.
To fully understand the scale of this achievement, it is worth looking at the company he keeps.
Bruno Fernandes, one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders at Manchester United, has recorded 7 goals and 17 assists in 29 matches, which is impressive, yet still behind Fermin in total output.
Similarly, Christoph Baumgartner of RB Leipzig has posted 14 goals and 7 assists in 29 appearances, again falling short of the Barcelona man’s combined tally.
Even when compared to Federico Valverde at Real Madrid, the contrast becomes even clearer.
The Uruguayan has managed 7 goals and 12 assists in 41 matches, but still place him sixth in this particular ranking.
What sets Fermin apart is not just the output, but the timing and consistency of his contributions.
Whether coming off the bench or starting, he has delivered in key moments, giving Hansi Flick a reliable attacking option from midfield.
Furthermore, even with Dani Olmo now fully fit and available, Fermin continues to hold an edge.
That, in itself, says everything about how highly he is valued within the team right now.
The debate around thePremier League's best midfielder has become a regular narrative on social media, with former Liverpool captain Gerrard often compared to ex-England teammates Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard.
Tribal allegiances and personal preferences have made the debate ongoing, with Rooney now offering his view. The formerManchester United captain played alongside all three players during his career and believes Gerrard was the most rounded of the trio.
Speaking toThe Wayne Rooney show on the BBC, Rooney said Gerrard 'has to be the one you pick' if seeking the complete midfield package.
"When you're talking about the complete midfield player, there's five really for me in the Premier League. Four I played with, one I didn't," he said.
"That was Gerrard, Scholes, (Michael) Carrick, (Patrick) Vieira and Lampard. The complete midfield player out of all of them, it has to be Gerrard.
"He could do everything. I think he's played at full-back, he's played midfield, he's played as a (number) ten. He could tackle, he can shoot, he can dictate the game, he can hit long passes.
"We saw him in that period with (Fernando) Torres, where he's become more the assist man for Torres. He had everything as a midfield player. I would have loved to have seen him at Man United, but...
"I think in terms of a midfield player that can do everything, he has to be the one you pick."
Real Madrid on alert as top transfer target open to leaving this summer
Real Madrid’s midfield planning for the upcoming transfer window may have received a significant boost, with fresh developments suggesting that Enzo Fernandez could be on the move.
As Los Blancos continue to assess options to strengthen the centre of the park, the Chelsea midfielder has emerged as a serious candidate and recent comments have only intensified that possibility.
According to a report from Defensa Central, the Argentine international is increasingly open to leaving Chelsea, especially after a frustrating campaign that has fallen short of expectations.
What’s the situation?
The situation escalated following Chelsea’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
Missing out on the latter stages of Europe’s premier competition has forced several players to reassess their futures and Enzo appears to be one of them.
In the aftermath of that defeat, the midfielder addressed the media and made a statement that has not gone unnoticed across Europe.
When asked directly about his future at Chelsea, he responded, “We’ll see after the World Cup; there are eight Premier League games left and the FA Cup.”
Enzo Fernandez is open to leaving Chelsea. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
That response has been interpreted as a clear indication that the door is open for a potential departure.
For Real Madrid, who are constantly monitoring elite-level midfielders, this development presents an opportunity that aligns perfectly with their long-term vision.
The Spanish giants are currently evaluating several options to reinforce their midfield, but the Argentine stands out as a particularly attractive option.
Not happy at Chelsea
Since his high-profile arrival at Chelsea, Enzo has struggled to consistently compete for major honours.
With the club failing to establish itself as a dominant force in both the Premier League and the Champions League, frustration has reportedly begun to build.
Sources in England suggest that the Argentine is eager to take the next step in his career, one that allows him to challenge for the biggest trophies.
And this is where Real Madrid come into the picture.
Significant financial hurdles facing any Julian Araujo to Celtic deal
Celtic’s hopes of securing a permanent deal for Julian Araujo appear increasingly uncertain, with wages emerging as a major obstacle…
According to Daily Record journalist Michael Gannon, the Hoops face a significant challenge due to the defender’s current earnings at Bournemouth, which are understood to be far beyond Celtic’s wage structure.
While there is growing enthusiasm among supporters to retain the on-loan full-back, the financial realities could ultimately prove decisive.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
There has been optimism surrounding Araujo’s future, with his cousin suggesting that “chances are high” he could remain in Glasgow beyond this season. However, Gannon has indicated that such a move is far from straightforward.
Speaking on the Record Celtic Podcast, he said: “Listen, this is going to go down to cash. And it might come down to the man himself. Because he’s got two years left on his deal, at least, at Bournemouth. And he’s not on chump change at Bournemouth, I’ll put it that way. Because this is a guy that signed from Barcelona, for nine million quid.”
“So a £9 million signing from Barcelona comes with a hefty wage bill, and I’m led to believe it’s somewhere north of £65,000-£70,000 a week. Listen, I’ve not got that nailed down, but you’re in that ballpark. That £60,000 a week-plus ballpark.”
Julian Araujo celebrates at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“That’s the going rate for a back-up right-back in the Premier League these days, scarily enough. So you’re in that ballpark, and he’s got a couple of years left.”
Gannon added: “So for Araujo to stay at Celtic, he’s going to need to take a pay cut for a start. So he’d need to negotiate and either walk away from two years on that kind of money and say ‘rip up my contract, let’s wish for the best. Or you can sell me for four or five million quid…”
“So financially, it’s a tricky one. If he can say, ‘give me a year’s wages and I’ll go and take a pay cut’, then yeah, but that’s not realistic. This guy’s got a family to look after, and you can’t expect him to do that.”
Araujo has featured 13 times for Celtic since arriving on loan in January and has quickly become a popular player among supporters with his performances.
Julian Araujo at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Internationally, Mexico manager Javier Aguirre is monitoring the 24-year-old as the next World Cup approaches, with Araujo keen to stay in contention for selection.
Off the pitch, it has been a significant week for the defender following the birth of his first child, a baby boy named Angelo Jude. However, his recent absence from Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Motherwell was due to injury, as confirmed by Martin O’Neill.
Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill at post-match media conference. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
We’ll get an injury update today from Martin O’Neill, although the Celtic fan media will NOT be present as the Board’s pathetic ban continues indefinitely. Our day will come.
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
The Dutchman has been in fine form for AZ Alkmaar this term as he's already contributed to 10 goals across all competitions.
He can play anywhere in the middle of midfield with clubs such as Liverpool and Real Madrid vying for his transfer.
A fee worth around £50 million is what would be required to prise him away from AZ, but, it seems like the 20-year-old has already decided where his future is headed.
In a recent interview with Dutch media outlet Supergaande, Smit was asked where he sees himself playing when he eventually chooses to leave AZ.
"La Liga. Playing there would be great," he said.
"I love the sun, I'm tired of playing in so much cold and rain, so I'd like to go and play in Spain."
Liverpool may move closer to signing Adam Wharton now that Kees Smit is off the table
He's a very talented midfielder but, since he's never played outside of the Eredivisie, it feels like spending around £50 million on the Dutchman would be a massive risk.
Indeed, the Reds did sign Giovanni Leoni and Milos Kerkez in the summer who are a similar age to Smit but, since both of those players have had some experience in Europe's top five leagues, there was much less of a risk.
However, now that he's off the table, Slot and Hughes could focus their attention on other targets such as Adam Wharton.
Wharton may not be as much of a versatile midfielder as Smit is but, his endless amounts of Premier League experience and the fact that he's only cost Liverpool around £20 million more are all massive green flags.
He'd be able to easily fit into Slot's system and would clearly improve their ranks massively.
Indeed, it won't be easy prising the 22-year-old away from Selhurst Park but, if Slot and Hughes manage to do it, it could be one of their best signings ever.
So, although it's sad that Liverpool are going to miss out on Smit, the fact that a deal for Wharton could be bumped up their priority list is a huge win.
German football journalist Christian Falk has dropped an intriguing Manchester United transfer update this morning as the Red Devils remain interested in Alphonso Davies.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Canada international was also previously eyed by United and other big clubs when his contract situation was uncertain, though he ended up signing a new deal.
Still, even if Davies is one of the best left-backs in the world on his day, he hasn’t been as convincing in recent times, partly due to ongoing injury issues.
Christian Falk on Manchester United’s Alphonso Davies interest
Discussing the Davies to United links in today’s column, Falk said: “It is TRUE: Manchester United are interested in Alphonso Davies.
“They were at the table when questions were being asked as to whether he would sign a new contract at Bayern Munich. They’re still monitoring this player, but he’s, of course, since signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena, so it will be difficult to get him at the moment.
“But there are also discussions going on at the club as to whether they need a new backup player, given all the injuries Davies keeps picking up. Before, they thought they didn’t need a player on the left-hand side because Hiroki Itō can play there as well.
“However, if there were an offer on the table (and don’t forget it cost Bayern a lot of money to extend Davies), there would be a discussion. But I can say right now that there has yet to be a concrete offer from Manchester United. If there’s an offer, perhaps Bayern will consider it, as the injuries keep coming.”
Is Alphonso Davies still good enough for Manchester United?
United fans will likely be divided over whether or not a move for Davies is the right thing, but what does our Transfer Fit rating show?
See below as we scored Davies on key metrics and gave him a fairly medium overall rating of 15/25…
Alphonso Davies
TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
**
Achievements
*****
Career phase
**
Squad need
****
Even if Davies has had a fine career as one of the top players in the world in his position, his recent form is less convincing and he probably wouldn’t come cheap.
Still, there are worse options out there, and MUFC do look like they need a new left-back as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw.
West Ham United have reportedly learned that it will cost them as much as £38m to sign Axel Disasi permanently this summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The French central defender has shone for the Hammers since joining on loan from Chelsea, but it seems the Blues are still keen to make big money from his sale.
Disasi joined Chelsea from Monaco for around £38m a few years ago, and it’s a bit surprising to see that the west London giants still value him in that price range.
This is despite Disasi mostly being pretty underwhelming during his time at Stamford Bridge, though he has improved since his loan move to the London Stadium.
What next for Axel Disasi?
Disasi has previously also had a loan spell at Aston Villa, while there was some interest from clubs like Napoli and Roma prior to his move to West Ham.
WHUFC will undoubtedly try to get Disasi’s price tag down, but one imagines it will still be a while before they can formalise their summer transfer plans anyway.
West Ham are currently battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, so staying up will surely be crucial for them in pursuit of their top targets.
Disasi has previously expressed his happiness at West Ham but it’s hard to imagine he’d be happy to stay there if they were playing in the Championship.
Chelsea will also likely feel that plenty of other clubs could be able to offer decent money for Disasi even if a move to West Ham doesn’t work out.
The latest from iNews is that Livramento’s future at Newcastle is in some doubt as there’s been a lack of progress over a new contract for him at St James’ Park.
Do Arsenal need Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali?
Livramento, however, looks like a solid piece of business for AFC, scoring 17/25 and ticking pretty much every box…
Tino Livramento
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
★★★☆☆
Performance
★★★☆☆
Achievements
★★★☆☆
Career phase
★★★★☆
Squad need
★★★★☆
Capable of playing both right-back or left-back, Livramento could be a useful option to ensure Arteta can continue to rotate his options at the back.
There could well be doubts over some Arsenal defenders this summer as well, with the likes of Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly not playing as much as they perhaps would’ve liked this season.
Newcastle facing another worrying transfer window
It would be bad news for Newcastle, however, if they saw another summer dominated by players possibly leaving.
Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool last year and it proved hugely disruptive, so they could do without lingering doubts over other key players like Tonali and Livramento.
Arsenal will undoubtedly hope to pounce for at least one of those, but it will be interesting to see how strong Newcastle can be in the face of that interest.
The report from iNews adds that Newcastle want four new signings of their own as well this summer.
Newcastle United could reportedly be set to make sweeping changes to their squad this summer, with four new signings eyed up.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Magpies could do with something of a squad overhaul after a below-par Premier League campaign and a humbling Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona this week.
It’s not yet clear which specific names could fill those roles, but there could also be other changes as the report mentions speculation over the future of midfield duo Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle United need a strong transfer window
Newcastle could do with avoiding more big names leaving after the very troubling saga involving Alexander Isak and his move to Liverpool last summer.
That dragged on for much of the transfer window and disrupted Newcastle a great deal, so they’ll hope to avoid anything similar happening with Guimaraes and Tonali.
If they can keep their most important players and also strengthen with those four targets they want, then things could look a lot more positive at St James’ Park next season.
This NUFC project is a promising one, but the team still needs a lot of work to truly establish itself in the top four.
It will be interesting to see what calibre of player they can lure to the club now as they’ll most likely be without Champions League football next season.
At the same time, though, Newcastle have shown that they can compete and get into Europe’s top club competition from time to time, so that should assure some players that they’re joining a strong project with a big future.
The Egyptian club Pharco FC has made a radical decision to protest the withdrawal of the African champion title from Senegal. It is withdrawing from all CAF club competitions.
CAF Affair: What Does Deschamps Think? 🎙️
Aware of the impact his words could have on the Senegal – Morocco affair, Didier Deschamps chose his words carefully.
A Categorical Denial 🎥
The ongoing Senegal – Morocco affair continues. Press conferences are being held across the continent...
"Come and Get the Trophy" 🤷♂️
An act of defiance against the CAF? The subtle change in the profile picture of the President of Senegal is causing quite a stir on social media.
And Meanwhile...
Senegal's future opponent in the World Cup, Norway, has unveiled their jerseys for the competition.
Ramadan: Dango Ouattara shares his experience of fasting as a Premier League footballer
Today, Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset, deep spiritual reflection, prayer, and charity.
In 2026, it was celebrated from Tuesday 17 February to Friday 20 March.
Brentford forward Dango Ouattara is one of many Premier League players who has been observing Ramadan over the last month.
We spoke with Ouattara, as well as performance nutrition lead Craig Umenyi, about the practicalities of fasting while still performing at the top level of football.
Ouattara: It’s more than important, it’s everything
Born in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouattara’s career initially took him from his home country to French club Lorient. He then made the move to Bournemouth and, in the summer, became the Bees’ club-record signing.
Throughout that time, family and religion have been the two predominant pillars for the 24-year-old.
“It’s more than important, it’s everything,” he said on his faith.
“It has always been like that since an early age - religion and family are everything. My family and my faith help me with football, but my family and my religion come first.
“Ramadan is a month during which I pray a lot and also share a lot. I share a little bit of everything; money, food, anything or everything that can be shared.”
Ouattara added: “What changes for me is the nutrition, but the rest is the same as normal.
“The nutritionist at the club helps me through it, and it’s very easy for me. There is no problem with fasting and the matches.”
Understanding
Performance nutrition lead Craig Umenyi started at Brentford in December, having previously worked at Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
He explained how supporting players during Ramadan is far more than simply a nutritional aim.
“I’d been out of football for five years before taking this job and I would say there is a greater consideration of it,” he said.
“Pretty much every Premier League team will have, I’d imagine, between two to eight or nine players who are fasting and observing Ramadan.
“We’re constantly trying to look at how we can evolve and support athletes but also by humanising it and not just seeing it from a performance-led perspective.
“You do have to be curious, you have to remind yourself as a nutritionist that this isn’t just a nutrition thing; there’s a spiritual element, there’s a family, there’s a community if we’re talking about family who might visit at that time or might be in different time zones.”
'We’re constantly trying to look at how we can evolve and support athletes but also by humanising it and not just seeing it from a performance-led perspective'
Umenyi went onto explain the importance of communication between himself, the wider performance team, and players observing Ramadan over the last month.
“We had some open and transparent conversations because my big thing is that it needs to be something that is celebrated,” he continued.
“A player may be sheepish or reserved about it because there can almost be a western leaning to approach it as a problem for an athlete, and it doesn’t have to be, particularly if there is good communication and support in place.
“As a result, it can become one of those things where players don’t bring it up and come forward to you, because they don’t think you maybe have the cultural understanding or even the desire to help.
“Of course, there are going to be challenges from the norm, but we can absolutely work around that. That isn’t just, ‘What is Dango eating? What are we providing him?’
“It can also be how we modify training to allow for later report times or earlier leave times or making sure that the multi-faith room is available at times when he’s going to pray.
“My main thing is that Dango felt supported when we were having conversations about it and that it wasn’t overkill. He’s a grown man so you don’t want to be asking him if he is okay every five minutes as that’s not normal for him. You want to get that balance.”
A player-led approach
As is the case outside of Ramadan, each player’s needs are carefully catered to both by the club’s off-field and football staff.
Over the last month, Ouattara and midfielder Vitaly Janelt have been fasting; two players with different skillsets and different nutritional requirements, particularly given that the latter has missed Brentford’s last four fixtures through a metatarsal injury.
Umenyi explained: “There is a lot of individualisations with it that textbook guidelines and recommendations don’t really allow for. That’s the practical element of working as a nutritionist.
“What is interesting is that players can have very different approaches. It’s never universal.
“You may have an athlete who will not wake for Suhoor [the meal consumed earlier in the morning], preferring to stay up later so that they are having a second evening meal after Iftar [the meal eaten after sunset], then sleep all the way through.
“Another athlete will wake up to break fast, then look to go back to sleep, so their sleep patterns change. It’s different approaches between individuals.”
What does fasting do to the body?
Naturally, changing the pattern of when an individual consumes food or drink has an impact.
“There are a few things,” Umenyi explains.
“With hydration, you haven’t got those fluid opportunities throughout the day. One consideration is whether you try and encourage large volumes of fluid with a high concentration of electrolytes at Suhoor, which would help better retain fluid across the day.
“But then the practical element of it is that if you give someone a high sodium electrolyte, this makes for a salty solution, which stimulates thirst drive. You may then have someone who is better hydrated from a whole-body perspective but will have a higher awareness of thirst throughout the day.
“Practically, what would be preferable for the individual? Some of that is a bit of trial and error.
“Nutritionally, you can account for the fact that you have say two larger meals spread out, but typically speaking, people’s natural behaviour is that you don’t fully compensate with those two meals, partly because of the timing and context around it.
“For example, it might be unlikely that there will be a huge appetite and desire to eat a very large meal in the early hours of the morning. Being creative with energy-dense foods and increasing calories through fluids can help better achieve the levels of energy intake that the athlete requires.”
How has Brentford supported Ouattara
While this season isn’t the first time that Ouattara – as well as Janelt – have observed Ramadan as a Premier League player, Umenyi and the catering team at Jersey Road have aided them across the last month.
“The chefs here are really accommodating, and this isn’t the first year that they have been working with players during Ramadan,” said Umenyi.
“With Dango, we send him home each afternoon with a pack to break fast with in the morning at Suhoor. We give him a drink with high quantities of carbohydrate and protein, so we try to leverage it back to get some of that in with fluids, because a large volume of food at that time might not be the easiest to consume.
“We’ll then do a mixture of breakfast options. He’ll have dates to break fast before consuming breakfast, we will give him the option of electrolytes and we’ll also communicate with his chef around his food provision for Iftar and the rest of the evening.
“He has a chef that comes out a few evenings a week who does a good job of ensuring that there are three courses for him: a starter, a main and usually a fruit-based dessert. As a result of that, it means he’s got multiple feeding opportunities in the evening.
“The other addition we’ve done which is slightly different is that we’ve provided a fair bit of salted nuts. Nuts are a good source of healthy fats and are typically what we’d call energy dense; there are more calories per gram. So, to make sure we’re still getting him to reach his energy requirements, that helps top up and the salt provides sodium, which we’d hope would help him retain some more of the fluids.
“We definitely always want to review things, there are things we might do differently next time, but equally we don’t want to be over prescriptive to limit an individual.”
“We definitely always want to review things, there are things we might do differently next time, but equally we don’t want to be over prescriptive to limit an individual'
Ouattara: Club values match my own
Since signing in August, Ouattara has played a major role for Keith Andrews’ side, featuring 29 times across all competitions.
In that period, and despite missing a month of action due to representing Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations, he has contributed five goals and seven assists.
“Even before joining the club, this is a family value; being humble and hard working,” he revealed.
“Joining a new dressing room is a bit strange, but on the other hand, we all play football which makes it easier to get along.
“I’ve been welcomed by everyone. Everyone is very friendly and I feel like I have really integrated into the group. Everyone has helped in their own different ways.
“The fact I have a different faith to my team-mates is not important and it’s not an obstacle for us to work together as a team.”
Manchester City eyeing Pedro Porro reunion as Igor Tudor faces potential Tottenham sack
Manchester City are planning a return for Pedro Porro as Tottenham face a potential exodus whilst desperately fighting against Premier League relegation.
Igor Tudor’s role as interim Spurs boss started with four straight defeats at the hands of Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and a 5-2 first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
However, the north Londoners managed to steal a valiant point against Liverpool on Sunday after Richarlison scored his 10th goal of the season in the 90th minute, earning Spurs their first point since February – when Thomas Frank was still in charge as manager.
Pedro Porro has been a key player for Tottenham since joining from Sporting Lisbon – first on loan in January 2023 – before the move was made permanent for £39.7 million in the summer.
Hugo Viana enters Premier League royal rumble for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu
Man City tracking Porro’s situation at relegation-threatened Tottenham
However, the Manchester City academy graduate could well leave at the end of the season – given Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and just one point above the drop zone – after Nottingham Forest and West Ham both picked up valuable points on the weekend.
According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Manchester City have been long-term admirers of Porro, who is said to be almost certain to depart the club this summer if Tottenham are relegated to the EFL Championship.
“(Manchester City) have had long-term interest in Pedro Porro. They know all about the Spain international, having signed him from Girona in 2019,” O’Rourke said in a recent episode of the Transfer Insider podcast.
“He never played a game for Man City during his time at the club. He had spells out on loan at Real Valladolid and Sporting, which is where he made a real name for himself.
Where does City’s interest in Porro stand at the minute?
“Porro has been a top performer for Spurs since his arrival at the club. They won’t really want to lose him but it could be out of their hands if they were to suffer the ill fate of being relegated this season, which is a real possibility.
“I’m sure a number of clubs, not just Manchester City, are looking at Porro and other Tottenham players to see who they could maybe steal away if the worst happens to Tottenham and they are relegated.”
Since Kyle Walker‘s permanent exit to Burnley last summer, Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana has not signed a direct replacement for the Englishman as Matheus Nunes enjoys his best season at the Etihad Stadium – albeit as a makeshift right-back – since joining from Wolves in 2023.
Not only that, Viana has invested the majority of City’s spending over the past two windows in attack, which has narrowed Guardiola’s defensive options. Nonetheless, if it is to happen, Porro’s return would certainly return minutes this time – despite the fact he never played a game for City.
UEFA name two Liverpool players in Champions League Team of the Week
Liverpool’s dominant win over Galatasaray has now been recognised at European level, with both Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibou Konate named in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Week.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
After a performance that saw us completely control the second leg at Anfield, it’s no surprise that two of our standout performers have been included in the official selection.
Szoboszlai leads Liverpool recognition
According to UEFA.com, the Hungarian midfielder was one of the most influential players across all fixtures in the round.
“The dominant midfielder in the Liverpool-Galatasaray game, he opened the scoring with a superbly-executed set piece and was involved in the three other goals as well as producing a combined total of 12 recoveries and tackles.”
That performance has already drawn praise from Jamie Carragher, who described the 25-year-old as Liverpool’s best player right now, highlighting his energy and influence across the pitch.
Szoboszlai’s ability to impact both ends of the game was clear throughout the night, with his pressing, ball recovery and attacking output setting the tone for the rest of the side.
“Helped Liverpool dominate Galatasaray with a series of defensive interventions to stop attacks and helped with their direct attacking approach with his long passing from deep.”
Konate’s physical presence and composure were key in limiting Galatasaray’s threat, particularly after Victor Osimhen was forced off, allowing us to take full control of the tie.
UEFA made note that two Liverpool players were included in the XI, underlining just how dominant the team performance was on the night.
“Three players from Sporting CP and two from Liverpool are recognised in the all-star 11 from the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second legs.”
For Liverpool, this recognition reflects what we saw on the pitch, a performance built on energy, control and quality, with Szoboszlai and Konate central to everything that went right.
Didier Deschamps admits Real Madrid star insisted on NT call-up: ‘He wanted to be there’
Real Madrid only recently regained the services of Kylian Mbappe as the Frenchman made his return from injury against Manchester City.
The star forward is thus expected to play a part in the upcoming Madrid derby, after which Real Madrid will break for the international hiatus.
Coming back after almost a month-long setback, many expected Mbappe to take the international break off to improve his fitness and get some much-needed rest.
The French national team, however, have included him in their squad and he will thus have to travel and participate. Moreover, Los Blancos are not going to negotiate with Les Bleus for any form of concession.
France manager speaks
French national team manager Didier Deschamps spoke to the media ahead of the upcoming international break and commented on the squad he has picked for the final hiatus before the World Cup.
Mbappe wanted to be there for the national team. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
As part of the same, he was asked about his decision to call up Mbappe given the star attacker’s recent struggles with injuries and how any relapse could endanger his chances of making it to the World Cup.
“Why did I call Kylian Mbappe? We have respected the protocol and everything has gone as planned,” he began, stating that he was well within his rights.
Elaborating on the same, Deschamps admitted that it was Mbappe himself who had asked to be part of the team for the upcoming break, and that there was thus no element of force from his side.
“I’ve talked to him regularly. It’s not true that he was forced to come to do marketing, he wanted to be there for these games.”
Needless to say, however, the French NT will be cautious in using him given how any injury to him will be detrimental to their own chances at the upcoming World Cup.
Vincenzo Grifo calls on Freiburg to maintain form after historic win
SC Freiburg are through to their first-ever European quarter-final after a 5-1 victory over Genk on Thursday. Vincenzo Grifo scored a crucial goal that put the Bundesliga side ahead in the tie early in the second-half.
"You fight your entire career to achieve something like this," said the ex-Italian international after his strike saw him leapfrog Nils Petersen as Freiburg’s all-time top-scorer.
The 32-year-old winger mentioned there were doubts over their capability to reverse the first-leg defeat after losing at home to Union Berlin, but their half-time team talk changed matters.” At half-time, we said to ourselves: 'Hey, we turned the game around. It's now 0:0. That was our goal,'"
Freiburg scored twice inside six minutes in the first-half before Genk made it 2-2 on aggregate before the start of the second-half. Grifo’s historic moment started the rout in a dominant display after the break as Julian Schuster’s side scored three unanswered goals.
"I think the fans were there late into the evening yesterday to prepare the choreography. Ultimately, they were instrumental in the atmosphere created inside the stadium. There is euphoria after this, but we want to maintain it.”
Freiburg will host Celta Vigo in the first-leg of the quarter-final. They are also in the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal, where they will face neighbors Stuttgart next month.
Lewis Hall talks impressive form, World Cup hopes & the Tyne-Wear derby
The Magpies star, 21, has earned fan-favourite status on Tyneside after an impressive season so far.
This week, Hall sat down with for an exclusive interview on the Newcastle United App to discuss his stellar campaign, his England aspirations ahead of this summer's World Cup and to look ahead to this weekend's clash with Sunderland.
The Juventus Women's First Team head to Liguria on Serie A Women Matchday 17 to take on Genoa.
The match kicks off at 12:30 CET on Saturday, 21 March, with the Bianconere looking to bounce back from their defeat against Milan.
As for Genoa, they sit bottom of Serie A Women, but they did pick up a point against Parma in their last game.
Let’s take a look at the pre-match statistics ahead of the game.
INTERESTING FACTS
Juventus won their first Serie A match against Genoa 2-0 on 16 November, 2025. The Ligurian side could become the sixth newly promoted team that the Bianconere have beaten in their first two league clashes whilst keeping a clean sheet, with the others being Chievo Verona, Valpo, Florentia, Orobica, Pomigliano and Sassuolo.
This match pits the team that has scored the most headed goals in the current Serie A season (Juventus, seven) against the team that has conceded the most from headers: Genoa, with 12.
The first of Amalie Vangsgaard’s two goals in this league campaign, and her only header in the competition, came in the first match against Genoa on 16 November. So far, the Dane has never scored more than once against a single opponent in Serie A.
With a goal, Chiara Beccari would become the first player born in 2002 or later in Serie A to have scored at least five goals in three separate Serie A seasons.
Daniëlle de Jong has a save percentage of 80.5% in this Serie A season, and only Rachele Baldi (83%) boasts a higher percentage among goalkeepers with at least two appearances in the current campaign.
OPPOSITION FOCUS
Genoa (2W, 2D, 12L) and Levante in Spain are the two teams in the top five European leagues currently with the fewest points: eight each. However, the two victories secured so far by the Ligurians in Serie A came at home, against Ternana and Parma between October and November.
Genoa are both the team that have attempted the fewest shots (148) and the team that have conceded the most (251) in this league campaign.
In the current league season, only Norma Cinotti (three) has scored more goals than Valery Vigilucci among Genoa’s players: two, the most recent in the last match against Parma.
Only Cecilie Fløe (15) has won more possessions in the attacking third than Genoa's Elexa Bahr (14, alongside Barbara Bonansea and Valeria Pirone) in Serie A this season. Furthermore, with 27 attempts, she is the Rossoblù player with the most shots on goal in the league this season.
Valery Vigilucci is one of six outfield players who have not missed a single minute of action in Serie A this season (1,440 out of 1,440, alongside Sophie Howard, Ilse van der Zanden, Caterina Ambrosi, Kassandra Missipo and Mille Jusjong).
Barcelona dealt crushing blow as top attacking target shuts door on summer move
Barcelona’s search for long-term attacking stability has taken a significant hit, with fresh reports suggesting that one of their primary targets is not open to a move.
As the club prepares for a crucial summer rebuild under Hansi Flick, the focus has been on securing a reliable successor to Robert Lewandowski, but that plan is already facing complications.
According to reports from SPORT, Julian Alvarez has no intention of leaving Atletico Madrid at this stage.
Finding a Lewandowski replacement
Notably, the Argentine forward has emerged as one of the most sought-after attackers in Europe, and Barcelona had identified him as an ideal profile to lead the line in the coming years.
With Lewandowski’s contract approaching its final phase and questions lingering over his long-term future, Barcelona’s sporting department had been exploring options to gradually transition into a new era.
In that regard, Alvarez was seen as a perfect fit.
However, the player’s current mindset tells a different story.
What’s the story?
Amid growing speculation surrounding his future, Alvarez has made it clear that he is fully settled in Madrid and has no immediate desire to change clubs.
Julian Alvarez does not want to leave. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
As highlighted in the report, the World Cup winner is “happy” at Atletico Madrid and his performances have only strengthened that position.
In Atletico’s recent European triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, Alvarez delivered a standout display across both legs.
He scored three of the team’s seven goals and contributed two assists, proving decisive in securing progression to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Eyes on Alvarez
Barcelona’s interest, meanwhile, is not disappearing, but it may now take on a different story.
Rather than welcoming Alvarez as a future striker, the Catalan will now find themselves facing him as a major threat on the biggest stage.
The Argentine has unfinished business at the Spotify Camp Nou, having failed to score there in previous appearances in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Now, with Barcelona drawn against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, the Argentine will look to change that.
Matias Soulé is raring to go after missing six games due to a relentless groin problem. Gasperini now wants to look to the future with confidence and caution.
Because his second-highest scorer of the season is returning and more fired up than ever.
Soulé has started running again, is working out on his own, and feels the call of the pitch. He was absent from the match against Napoli on February 15th, while his last goal was on January 10th against Sassuolo.
He’d like to be back against Lecce, but the staff wants to carefully evaluate his return. It’s best not to risk it, but to give him the opportunity to train calmly next week as well.
As Corriere dello Sport reports, the real objective is his return against Inter after the break, a match that could determine the future of the Giallorossi’s championship.
Roma desperately needs his creativity, and Matias is raring to go and pick up where he left off before the pubalgia that plagued him.
2. Bundesliga Preview: SV Darmstadt 98 vs. FC Schalke 04
The top two will clash in 2. Bundesliga in this week’s Topspiel as Darmstadt host leaders Schalke. The Royal Blues dropped four more points in the last three matchdays, and they could start the game in third place if Elversberg and Paderborn win their respective matches earlier on Saturday.
Miron Muslić’s side squandered a two-goal lead last week at home against Hannover. Edin Džeko maintained his record of scoring in every home game since signing for the club, but his red card in the 53rd minute proved costly at the end.
Benedikt Pichler’s goal in the last kick of the game kept the five-point difference between the leaders and fifth-placed Hannover. Schalke have only managed three wins since the turn of the year.
Florian Kohfeldt’s side also struggled in that department in the second half of the season. The second-placed team have also won only four out of nine games in 2026 as the league continues to produce surprise results.
On the positive side, Darmstadt won each of their last seven games in front of their home support. Meanwhile, Schalke are only fifth in the away table as they have only won once from their last five on the road.
Schalke won the reverse fixture courtesy of Moussa Sylla’s early goal, but Darmstadt avenged that with a 4-0 success in the DFB-Pokal only five days later. Marius Bülter, who is now at the ranks of Köln, scored a hat-trick the last time Schlake won in Darmstadt.
Team News
Schalke managed to reduce Džeko’s suspension to one game after a successful appeal as he’ll now be available for the home game against Karlsruhe after the international break. Sylla could return to the lineup in the absence of the striker who celebrated his 40th birthday this week.Meanwhile, the hosts will hope to have Fraser Hornby back in the squad after the Scotsman missed the last three games due to illness.
Fabrizio Romano does not sound convinced that Chelsea wont sack Liam Rosenior
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano does not sound convinced that Chelsea are NOT going to sack Liam Rosenior some time soon.
Everyone has been putting their info out on Rosenior and what the future may hold for him after a rough run of results and some poor performances at the club.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea not changing project but could ‘tweak it’, Certain players growing confused and fed up, Liam Rosenior in for the long haul
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
Since arriving, Rosenior actually had a pretty decent start to life as Chelsea manager. But recently, that has dipped and things have gotten worse. It’s actually been the week from hell for Rosenior and Chelsea this last week, being smashed out of the Champions League by PSG, then losing to Newcastle United in the Premier League in between to dip out of the Champions League spots in the league.
Things have gotten a bit gloomy, and of course, when runs like this happen, questions get asked about the manager and whether he could get sacked.
Romano on Rosenior
Liam Rosenior gives Alejandro Garnacho a note against PSG.
On his latest YouTube updates last night, Romano said on Rosenior:
“Chelsea, keep believing in Liam Rosenior; we know it’s a results-based industry, so let’s see how it goes, but at the moment, Chelsea shows total commitment to the project they started with Liam Rosenior. To trust and support.”
Well, he certainly doesn’t sound convinced that Rosenior is in for the long haul, does he!?
In other news…
In news that would certainly be welcomed by the majority of the Chelsea fan base, there has been some chatter about Chelsea changing their transfer model, based on anearly Liam Rosenior quote.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as apreferred source on Googleto make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
In K League 2 this weekend, there's a clash of two title contenders when Busan IPark host Daegu FC, Paju Frontier will look to build on their first-ever K League win when taking on Jeonnam Dragons, while Cheonan City, with Bruno Lamas leading the charge, will look to get their first win of the season, in what is the pick of the 2026 K League 2 Round 4 action.
Match of the Round
In-form Busan and Daegu set for unbeaten showdown
Round 4 in K League 2 sees two of the early pace-setters go head-to-head as Busan IPark take on Daegu FC.
Daegu have made a flying start with three straight wins, while Busan are also unbeaten with two victories and a draw as they look to establish themselves among the promotion contenders. With both sides showing plenty of attacking quality, this one could turn into an open, high-scoring encounter.
Busan have undergone a tactical shift this season, with head coach Jo Sung-hwan moving away from a back three in favour of a four-man defence to add greater attacking impetus. New signings Cristian Renato and Gabriel Honório have settled quickly, while Baek Ga-on and Kim Chan have also stepped up. Busan have scored three goals in every game bar their opening match against Seongnam, including an impressive 3-2 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Seoul E-Land last time out. Defensive frailties remain a concern, however, with goals conceded in every game so far.
Daegu, meanwhile, have scored eight goals in their opening three matches, second only to Suwon FC in the league. While Busan’s improvement has come through tactical change, Daegu have relied on physical presence and attacking depth. They underlined that strength with a 3-2 win over Chungnam Asan in Round 3 despite the absence of key man Cesinha. New recruit Marcus Dackers made a promising debut, Matheus Serafim has provided another attacking threat, and experienced forward Edgar Bruno continues to make an impact from the bench.
The two sides have not met since 2020, when they were both competing in K League 1. Now reunited in the second tier with the shared objective of promotion, this clash promises to be a compelling battle between two attack-minded teams. Busan host Daegu at Gudeok Stadium on Sunday, 22 March, kick-off at 2 PM.
Team of the Round
Historic first win-earning Paju Frontier
Paju Frontier claimed their first-ever professional victory with a 2-1 win over Ansan Greeners in Round 3, bouncing back after opening the season with back-to-back defeats.
Despite those losses, their performances had already caught the eye. They pushed Chungnam Asan close in a 3-2 defeat on the opening day and followed that with a narrow 1-0 loss to title contenders Suwon Bluewings.
Organisation has been key to Paju’s early promise. Almost the entire squad has been rebuilt from their K3 League days, yet they have quickly developed a strong team structure. Against Ansan, they also showed attacking intent, with centre-back Hong Jeong-un deployed in midfield and wide players Yoo Jae-jun and Lee Jun-seok providing energy on the flanks. Although they conceded a penalty, goalkeeper Kim Min-seung produced a crucial save that proved decisive. New signing Borja Bastón also impressed on his debut, registering six shots and scoring from the spot.
Paju now look to build on that result when they host Jeonnam. Their first-ever meeting takes place on Saturday, 21 March, kick-off at 2 PM.
Player of the Round
Lamas leads the way for Cheonan
Cheonan City are still searching for their first win of the season after two draws and a defeat, but there were positives to take from the 2-2 draw with Hwaseong FC, chief among them the performance of Bruno Lamas.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder, who previously played for Daegu FC and Busan IPark, joined Cheonan this season and has quickly adapted despite arriving late during pre-season. Having worked under head coach Park Jin-sub at Busan, he has slotted seamlessly into Cheonan's system. In 2023, he recorded 12 goals and eight assists in 35 appearances, helping Busan to a second-place finish.
He has carried that form into the new campaign, scoring in the opening game against Yongin FC and then netting twice against Hwaseong. His first came from the penalty spot just before half-time, while his second was a superb late free-kick, picking out the corner after spotting the goalkeeper off his line.
Cheonan now host Seoul E-Land as they look to secure their first win. Kick-off is at 4:30 PM on Saturday, 21 March, at Cheonan Sports Complex.
2026 K League 2 Round 4 Fixtures
Saturday 21st March
Seongnam FC vs. Chungnam Asan - 14:00Paju Frontier vs. Jeonnam Dragons - 14:00Gimhae FC 2008 vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings - 14:00Chungbuk Cheongju vs. Ansan Greeners - 16:30Cheonan City vs. Seoul E-Land - 16:30
Pellegrini: “The last two weeks have been tough. We need our strength back.”
Roma are eliminated from the Europa League.
At the Olimpico, Bologna beat the Giallorossi 4-3 after extra time and advanced to the quarterfinals.
A double humiliation for the Giallorossi, who were always behind and had recovered from two goals down in the second half.
After the match, Pellegrini spoke to Sky Sport.
Despite everything, is it a defeat that fills you with pride? “The pride you get from wearing this jersey, whether in defeat or victory. Today is so disappointing; we tried everything we could to play a great game. We weren’t perfect in scoring, but we always got back into the game.”
On extra time: “I never felt like we were in danger of losing during extra time. There’s a lot of disappointment, especially given the dedication we put in.”
It’s a moment of crisis: “The last two weeks have been tough. We need to regain our strength, but today is difficult. In these last few games, things haven’t worked out, but today there are many positive signs, such as the reaction after conceding goals.”
“There are positive things, but we need to improve on other aspects. Things have changed negatively, but in three or four games they can also change positively.”
“Still looking at” – Liam Rosenior provides detailed update on Levi Colwill’s recovery
Liam Rosenior has confirmed Levi Colwill is hitting “all the benchmarks” he needs to as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
Chelsea lost Colwill to an ACL injury before the start of the season, and have struggled defensively in his absence.
The England international played a key role at the end of last season and at the Club World Cup, and Chelsea have paid the price for not bringing a replacement in.
Liam Rosenior provides Levi Colwill update
The Blues have managed just three clean sheets in Liam Rosenior’s 18 games in charge, and have made a number of poor individual errors.
As well as Colwill being sidelined, Chelsea have now lost Trevoh Chalobah for around six weeks leaving them with further defensive issues.
Expectations need to lowered on Colwill when he does return as it will likely take him time to get up to speed, and back to his top level.
However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton, Rosenior provided an update and stated it’s brilliant to have him back on the training pitch.
“With an ACL, he’s hitting all of the benchmarks that he needs to, but we need to keep making sure that he keeps going past certain levels,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“It’s just brilliant to have his presence back on the training pitch and we want to see him back out there on the pitch as soon as possible, but within the right time frame.
“He’s still looking at a good while, yeah.”
Chelsea face big decisions at centre back in the summer
With Colwill on his way back, Chelsea face a number of big decisions at centre back in the summer, with the future of several players needing to be sorted out.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah will both have two years left on their current deals in the summer, whilst there are doubts over the future of Benoit Badiashile.
Chelsea have been linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and it’ll be interesting to see who they look to bring in.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Vaz: “The missed penalty could have changed the match.”
Roma lost to Bologna at the Olimpico.
The only bright spot for the Giallorossi was Robinio Vaz, who came on as a substitute and caused problems for the Bologna defense.
The young French striker made some comments in the mixed zone after the match.
Late in the match, the French striker was fouled by Jhon Lucumí in the opponent’s penalty area, but the referee let it go.
Regarding the incident, the Giallorossi player said: “It’s a shame. We had gotten the game back on track, and that could have been a decisive moment.”
It was a disappointing match in many ways. Regarding the mood in the dressing room, Vaz said: “We haven’t talked about it yet; there was a lot of bitterness, and we’ll discuss it tomorrow.”
Regarding the Champions League, the French striker said: “We still have a chance of reaching the Champions League, and we’ll give it our all.”
Manchester United have made some calls to be informed on the situation of Newcastle United central midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano provided a major update on Tonali’s future as it looks like there’s a lot of interest in the Italy international ahead of the summer.
The Red Devils are joined by Manchester City and Juventus as potential suitors for Tonali, though it looks like the cost of the deal makes it complicated for Juve.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
With Man Utd, it seems Tonali is just one of several names on their list, according to Romano, though they have had some contacts to explore this option.
Fabrizio Romano on Man United’s interest in Sandro Tonali and what they could do in midfield
While it could still be a while before we know for sure what United will do in midfield, Romano explained that Tonali is one name the club like.
The Italian journalist also made it clear that MUFC may well make more than one midfield signing, and that further internal discussions will take place to decide on what kind of profile they’re after.
“Man United have several names on their short list for the midfielder. It’s not only one or two because this will depend on the budget,” Romano said.
“This will depend on who’s going to be the manager. This will depend on which kind of player Man United will want to sign. Could be one, could be two.
“So, there are several factors that are going to impact who is going to be the midfielder for Man United. is not only one name at the moment the list is including several names before they meet internally and they say okay let’s go for this one but for sure Manchester United made some calls to be informed.”
Romano clarified that United and City are the two clubs who have called to be kept in the loop about Tonali’s situation.
Romano also mentions that United are targeting Anderson, but it surely won’t be easy to win the race for his signature after his superb form this season.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils will not accept a second loan offer as they hold out instead for a permanent sale for the out-of-favour Rashford.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
However, Man Utd are instead prepared to take Rashford back and find another buyer for the England international.
Manchester United believe Marcus Rashford’s value has risen
Rashford has performed well during his stint at the Nou Camp, and it seems United now feel they could get as much as £50m for him, according to the Mirror’s report.
Barca would surely do well, in that case, to sign the 28-year-old for almost half that price, but it remains to be seen if they can be persuaded to do so.
Rashford has proven a useful squad player for Hansi Flick’s side, contributing a total of ten goals and nine assists in all competitions despite only starting 21 games.
It would surely be sensible for Barcelona to simply pay the £26m required to keep Rashford, but MUFC may well do better now if he comes back to Old Trafford.
What next for Marcus Rashford?
In truth, it perhaps seems hard to imagine anyone paying as much as £50m for Rashford, whatever United may believe about his value rising.
Some United fans might even be thinking that the club should simply bring him back anyway and reinstate him in their first-team squad.
Things ended badly for Rashford at United, but he’s got back to his best during his time away in La Liga, so perhaps that can help him return to his parent club fresh and full of confidence.
Either that, or the change of scene has done him good and he’d find himself in a bit of a slump again if he were to go back to playing for United.
Federico Chiesa is ‘almost certain’ to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, marking a swift conclusion to his time on Merseyside.
According to a report from Lewis Steele for the Daily Mail, the 28-year-old Italian international is set to be part of a significant clearing of the decks at Anfield as the club prepares for yet another period of transition.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Despite joining with high expectations two years ago, Chiesa has struggled to cement a consistent place in the starting XI.
Steele noted that while fringe players like Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones face uncertain futures due to lack of minutes, Chiesa’s departure is considered a near-certainty.
With two years still remaining on his current deal, Liverpool will undoubtedly look to recoup the £12 million they invested in the winger to help fund future reinforcements.
Federico Chiesa could lead Liverpool summer exodus
The potential exit of Chiesa is merely the tip of the iceberg for a club that seems to be in a perpetual state of flux.
Last summer saw a staggering exodus, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Harvey Elliott all moving on, while the club sanctioned a massive £450 million spend on new arrivals.
However, the exodus isn’t limited to the playing staff. Steele reports that several “key figures” have unclear futures, including head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
With stalwarts like Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and vice-captain Andy Robertson also entering the final stages of their contracts or facing speculation, Anfield could be braced for another total overhaul.
Federico Chiesa is a fan favourite
Despite his lack of consistent game time, Chiesa remains a genuine fan favorite among the Liverpool faithful.
His work rate and infectious energy on and off the pitch has endeared him to the fan base, with his chant among one of most sung in the stadium.
While his stint in the Premier League may not have reached the heights many hoped for, his technical quality ensures that Liverpool should have no shortage of suitors as they look to balance the books this June.
Liverpool can't afford to lose £43m midfielder to Man City
Liverpool have had some high-profile transfer battles with Manchester City of late.
Last summer the Premier League champions came within a whisker of adding Marc Guehi on a deal worth an initial £35m.
However the England international was not permitted to leave Crystal Palace with only a year left on his contract. The Eagles changed their stance in January but by that stage it was too late for Liverpool.
Guehi wasn’t the only player who moved to the Etihad ahead of Anfield however. Liverpool had a long and well-documented interest in Antoine Semenyo - who Hughes signed for Bournemouth back in 2023.
But when it came time for the Cherries to cash in Liverpool were no longer in the race - as the Ghana international opted for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City have strengthened where Liverpool have stood still and the Reds really cannot afford to lose a third transfer race to City.
Man City battle Liverpool for Camavinga
Ahead of the summer transfer window opening it’s being reported in Sports Boom that Liverpool and City are leading the chase for Eduardo Camavinga.
“Manchester City and Liverpool are set to battle it out for Eduardo Camavinga's signature this summer,” the report reads.
“Real Madrid are open to offers for the 23-year-old star. The Premier League is the most likely destination for the French international.”
Camavinga, 23, is an ideal fit for Liverpool right now - capable of playing No6, No8 and even left-back in a bind. Under contract with the Spanish giants until 2029 it has been reported that the midfielder is available for only £43m this summer.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United – Predicted lineup and team news
Bournemouth host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium tonight, aiming to extend their 10-game unbeaten run and break into the Premier League’s top eight.
The Cherries have moved into mid-table stability under manager Andoni Iraola, who has overseen a resilient defensive period that has seen them draw four consecutive matches. Bournemouth are looking to keep three consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since 2019. Having avoided defeat in their last five meetings with the Red Devils, the hosts will feel confident of causing another upset under the Friday night lights.
Bournemouth team news
Andoni Iraola manages a squad missing several creative sparks but boasting a settled backline. Notably, Lewis Cook, Justin Kluivert, and Julio Soler are all sidelined through injury. Consequently, the manager faces a late decision on Tyler Adams, who is considered a major doubt after missing the Burnley clash.
Notably, Adam Smith is expected to keep his place at right-back, while Evanilson leads the line, looking to exploit a depleted United defence. Djordje Petrovic will likely start in goal behind a back four of Smith, James Hill, Marcos Senesi, and Adrien Truffert. In midfield, Alex Scott and Ryan Christie will likely anchor the side if Adams is unavailable.
Interestingly, Bournemouth have a formidable record on Friday nights, winning three of their four such games this term, and they will rely on the creative threat of Marcus Tavernier and David Brooks to break their recent run of goalless draws.
Bournemouth predicted lineup
Bournemouth Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Brooks, Tavernier, Rayan; Evanilson
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at the Vitality Stadium on Friday, 20 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Manchester United?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights will be available shortly after the final whistle on the Sky Sports app.
Manchester United XI vs Bournemouth – Predicted lineup and team news
Manchester United travel to the South Coast tonight, aiming to cement their place in the Champions League qualification spots and secure their eighth win under Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils have moved into third place following a dominant run that has seen them collect 22 points since mid-January—more than any other side in the league. Manager Michael Carrick oversaw a clinical win over Aston Villa last weekend but now faces a “bogey team” in Bournemouth, whom United haven’t beaten in their last five attempts.
Manchester United team news
Michael Carrick manages a defensive unit stretched thin by a series of high-profile injuries. Notably, Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, and Patrick Dorgu are all definitely ruled out tonight. Consequently, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro will continue their partnership at the heart of the defence.
Notably, Noussair Mazraoui is also a major doubt after missing training with illness, which could force a reshuffle at full-back. In attack, Bruno Fernandes remains the focal point; he has created 6+ chances in each of his last three games and could become the first player on record to do so in four consecutive Premier League appearances.
Senne Lammens will start in goal behind a back four likely featuring Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw. In midfield, Casemiro will partner Kobbie Mainoo; remarkably, Casemiro’s last five league goals have all been assisted by Fernandes.
Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha are expected to provide the width for Bryan Mbeumo. Despite their poor record in Friday away games, United will look to their league-best form in 2026 to finally overcome a resilient Bournemouth side.
Manchester United predicted lineup
Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League fixture takes place at the Vitality Stadium on Friday, 20 March 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Manchester United?
UK fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event. Highlights will be available shortly after the final whistle on the Sky Sports app.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news
Manchester United visit the South Coast on Friday night looking to tighten their grip on a Champions League spot, but they face a Bournemouth side currently enjoying the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League.
The Red Devils arrive at the Vitality Stadium rejuvenated under interim boss Michael Carrick. Since he took charge in January, United have won more games (7) and earned more points (22) than any other side in the division. Their 3–1 victory over Aston Villa last weekend moved them into third place, and another win here would see them temporarily open up a six-point cushion in the top-four race.
Notably, captain Bruno Fernandes is in historic form; having broken David Beckham’s club assist record last week, he is now chasing the Premier League’s single-season record after creating 6+ chances in three consecutive games.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have become the top flight’s ultimate “hard to beat” side, entering this fixture on a 10-game unbeaten streak. While Andoni Iraola’s men have drawn their last four league matches—three of them goalless—they remain a significant threat to the elite.
The Cherries are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against United, including a chaotic 4–4 draw at Old Trafford in December. A victory on Friday could propel Bournemouth into eighth place and reignite dreams of European qualification.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news
Date: Friday, 20 March 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Craig Pawson
Last Meeting: Manchester United 4–4 Bournemouth (15 Dec 2025, Premier League)
Team News
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola faces a major doubt over Tyler Adams, who missed the draw at Burnley as a precaution. The hosts are definitely without Julio Soler, Lewis Cook, and Justin Kluivert. Notably, Ben Gannon-Doak returned to the bench last time out and could feature, while Adam Smith is expected to continue at right-back if Alex Jimenez remains on the bench.
Manchester United
Michael Carrick is managing a defensive crisis with Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, and Patrick Dorgu all ruled out. Notably, Noussair Mazraoui is a major doubt due to illness, while Mason Mount is fit to rejoin the squad but unlikely to start. Significantly, United’s attacking blueprint remains clear: each of Casemiro’s last five league goals has been assisted by Bruno Fernandes.
Form
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have become stalemate specialists, drawing each of their last four Premier League matches to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games. The Cherries are one draw away from matching the Premier League record of five consecutive stalemates. Significantly, they have been clinical on Friday nights, winning three of their four such fixtures this season.
Manchester United
Manchester United are the form team of 2026, winning seven of their nine games under Michael Carrick, including high-profile victories over Man City and Arsenal. However, their away form remains a point of concern; Carrick’s only defeat came on the road at Newcastle, and United have won just one of their last five away games played on a Friday night.
How to Watch Bournemouth vs Manchester United?
The match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins at 19:30 GMT ahead of the 20:00 kick-off.
MEN: ‘Double injury boost’ for Carrick as fan-favourite Utd star shares update from training ground
Shea Lacey has shared an update from Carrington, showing he’s returned to training following an untimely injury layoff.
The highly-rated youngster took to Instagram to send an update to the Manchester United faithful, posting a picture of himself with the ball at his feet and captioned: “Good to be back”.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Michael Carrick welcomes Lacey and Tyler Fredricson back to training
Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston further verified that Lacey was one half of a ‘double injury boost’ for Michael Carrick, as young defender Tyler Fredricson has also recovered from his setback.
Both young Reds were able to join up with the first team for their pre-Bournemouth training session on Wednesday, though it remains to be seen if either will make the trip to Dorset for tonight’s clash.
Fredricson is perhaps the most likely to at least make the squad, as Carrick is navigating a depleted backline; Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt will both be absent this evening, meaning Leny Yoro is set to retain his place alongside Harry Maguire.
How Lacey has fared since making his United debut in December
As for Lacey, he hasn’t featured for United since the side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton and Hove Albion in January.
The 18-year-old came on in the 62nd minute to try and make an impact, but in under half an hour, he had been shown two yellow cards and given his marching orders.
That marked the last game of Darren Fletcher’s tenure as caretaker manager, and Carrick has yet to call upon the attacker since taking the reins. However, Lacey was included on the bench for the win over Fulham on February 1.
He’ll be hoping he can add to his three senior appearances before the culmination of the term, especially if United can get their top-four spot cemented as swiftly as possible.
Who Should Be England’s Number 10 at the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and England manager Thomas Tuchel has some huge decisions to make. Former boss Gareth Southgate came in for major criticism from supporters for continually picking his “favourites,” even when they were out of form. Now, the current gaffer needs to decide the most appropriate plan of action if he wishes to end 60 years of hurt: Go with current form or trust the big names.
So far throughout the Tuchel era, he has tended to go with the latter. The likes of Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, and Elliot Anderson have all been regulars over the last two years, and they have served their manager well, helping amass a perfect eight wins from eight in qualifying without conceding a single goal. It’s a run that has prompted online betting sites to sit up and take notice.
England’s World Cup Hopes
The latest Bovada World Cup betting odds, three months out from the tournament getting underway, list England as the 11/2 second-favourite to leave North America as champions, with only Spain (9/2) considered more likely. But with the likes of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw returning to form and Jude Bellingham returning to fitness, will Tuchel continue to stick with the players who have led him to this position, or will he twist in order to accommodate the bigger names?
The biggest debate right now surrounding the England starting line-up for their opening game of the tournament against Croatia on June 17th in Dallas is over the number ten position, the attacking midfielder positioned behind striker and captain Harry Kane. The aforementioned Rogers has been Tuchel’s man throughout his reign thus far, but with stars such as Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Eberechi Eze all in contention, the position is certainly up for grabs.
So, which direction will Tuchel head in? Let’s take a look at each of their cases.
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers has been Aston Villa’s driving force this season, registering ten goals and seven assists as he looks to help Aston Villa to the Premier League top four as well as Europa League glory. For England, his return has been much more modest, just two goal involvements in ten appearances. However, Tuchel remains steadfast in his belief that the former Manchester City youngster is a key piece of the puzzle, starting him in four of the last five games, effectively sidelining Bellingham from his favourite position.
While his rivals for a starting berth in North America offer one thing or another, Rogers has everything: goals, pressing, carrying, and an insatiable will to impose himself. It is that relentlessness that has seemingly caught the eye. The Villa man offers more off the ball than each of Palmer, Eze, and Foden, while he offers more creativity than Bellingham offensively. He’s the favourite to start against Croatia.
Jude Bellingham
Yes, Rogers has been excellent for both club and country, but can you really leave Jude Bellingham on the sidelines at the World Cup? The Real Madrid man is a generational talent operating at the world’s biggest club, and while he has struggled with both form and fitness over the last year, many still consider him to be the first name on the team sheet, alongside Harry Kane.
The young prodigy was England’s talisman at Euro 2024, netting a winner against Serbia in the opening game, as well as that stunning 96th-minute overhead kick against Slovakia to keep the Three Lions in the tournament. He is a maverick, capable of delivering the spectacular in his country’s hour of need. He has proven time and again that he’s the man for the big occasion. Can the same be said about Rogers?
Cole Palmer
England cannot afford to go to a World Cup without their most naturally gifted player in the starting lineup. We saw at Euro 2024 that Cole Palmer is also a man who can deliver under the harshest of pressure. He assisted Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner in the semifinals against the Netherlands. He scored the equaliser in the final against Spain before Mikel Oyarzabal’s heartbreaking late winner.
He also netted a stunning brace for Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, a game that took place in the same stadium that this summer’s international World Cup final will be. Could that muscle memory be crucial? Injuries have complicated his path to Tuchel’s starting XI, but the cold truth is this: no player in England’s squad conjures moments of pure, match-winning magic quite like Palmer. The question is whether that outweighs everything that both Rogers and Bellingham bring to the table.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze’s move to Arsenal has only amplified what we already knew — this man is unplayable on his day. Eight goals and six assists operating at a Champions League club for the first time and thriving. His five goals across two games against rival Spurs – the team he was supposed to sign for in the summer before the Gunners came calling at the eleventh hour – reminded us that when the former Crystal Palace man is in full flow, there is no more devastating attacker in Tuchel’s entire selection pool. He will be in the squad, but seeing him start in the number ten role against Croatia would be quite the shock.
Phil Foden
People forget that just two years ago, Phil Foden was the best player in England and arguably Europe. That player does not simply vanish. His Champions League pedigree, his ability to ghost into pockets and produce the unthinkable in tight spaces — these are precisely the qualities that define tournament football. However, his decline over the last two years cannot simply be ignored, and it would be hard for Tuchel to justify selecting the Manchester City man ahead of his four positional rivals.
England have two international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in the March international break next week to do a final tune-up, with the squad expected to be announced later on Friday. All eyes will be on the squad announcement to see if he gives Foden a chance.
“It’s true!” – Fabrizio Romano confirms big Chelsea transfer news from this week
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the news that Chelsea are looking to sign winger Said El Mala from FC Koln.
El Mala is looking to be the next biggest thing coming up in world football, with his name being mentioned more and more out there right now. He is being linked with some of the biggest clubs in the world, one of which is Chelsea.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea not changing project but could ‘tweak it’, Certain players growing confused and fed up, Liam Rosenior in for the long haul
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
As we know, Chelsea like to get the young talents before they become too big and too expensive, and it looks like that is what they are trying to do here with this situation.
It was reported earlier this week that Chelsea were trying to sign the youngster, and now Romano has confirmed that news is actually legit.
Romano on El Mala to Chelsea
Said El Mala celebrates scoring for Koln. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“It’s TRUE what’s being reported on Chelsea and Said El Mala. They are following him, several clubs involved, it will be a big fight in the next few weeks for him.”
The reporter confirmed that news on his YouTube channel last night, and continued:
Said El Mala is being followed by Chelsea. Three to four clubs are trying to enter the race. He’s a big, talented German player, super appreciated around Europe.
In other news…
In news that would certainly be welcomed by the majority of the Chelsea fan base, there has been some chatter about Chelsea changing their transfer model, based on anearly Liam Rosenior quote.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as apreferred source on Googleto make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
2. Bundesliga preview: Hannover 96 vs. Eintracht Braunschweig
With the business end of the 2. Bundesliga season fast approaching, both sides head into this Lower Saxony derby with plenty on the line - albeit at opposite ends of the table. Christian Titz’s Hannover continue their push for promotion, while Lars Kornetka’s Braunschweig are battling to steer clear of danger, setting the stage for a fiercely contested encounter.
Hannover have remained firmly in the promotion picture, losing just twice in their nine league outings in 2026. That consistency has seen them climb to 5th place on 46 points, now sitting just two points adrift of the top three.
They showed admirable resilience last time out in a dramatic 2-2 draw away to league leaders Schalke. Trailing at the break following goals from Edin Džeko and Kenan Karaman, the game turned following Džeko’s red card. Hannover capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Maik Nawrocki pulling one back before Benedikt Pichler salvaged a point deep into stoppage time with a 98th-minute header.
Despite their strong overall form, Hannover’s home record has been somewhat inconsistent. They rank 9th in the division on home soil, collecting 20 points from 12 matches, and will be eager to respond after a surprise 2-1 defeat to struggling Greuther Fürth in their last outing at the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena.
Braunschweig, meanwhile, enter a new chapter at a critical stage of the campaign. The club opted to part ways with Heiner Backhaus amid growing relegation concerns, with Lars Kornetka tasked with guiding them to safety. They currently sit 13th on 29 points, holding a slender three-point cushion over the relegation play-off spot.
Kornetka made an immediate impact in his first game in charge, overseeing a crucial victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf. Braunschweig looked far more threatening in attack, creating a number of clear chances and arguably deserving a more comfortable margin of victory. Robin Heußer’s strike just after the hour proved decisive, ending a five-game winless run.
However, their away form remains a major concern. Braunschweig have picked up just 11 points from 12 matches on the road and are still searching for their first away win of 2026. Improving that record will be essential if they are to pull further clear of the drop zone.
Team news
Hannover 96: Boris Tomiak is expected to miss out.
Eintracht Braunschweig: Patrick Nkoa remains suspended, while Lukas Frenkert, Lino Tempelmann and Anas Bakhat are all unavailable.
H-2-H record
Hannover claimed a convincing 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in October, with Benjamin Källman netting twice before Daisuke Yokota added a third. Braunschweig have not won away at Hannover since 1993 and have managed just one victory across the last five meetings between the sides.
Frisco Wakeland players celebrate after a victory over Prosper Walnut Grove in a Class 5A Region II high school soccer playoff quarterfinal on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in McKinney. (Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer)
🔥 Mexico unveil their away kit for the 2026 World Cup
Just a few months before the ball starts rolling, the Mexico National Team and Adidas have officially unveiled the new away jersey that El Tricolor will sport in the 2026 World Cup.
"Inspired by Mexico's rich history, the away jersey features an all-over gray graphic on a white base, influenced by patterns known as "grecas," present in traditional architecture and art. The recurring motif showcases a repetitive pattern of abstract stairs, referencing the stepped exteriors often found in traditional Mexican buildings."
"The phrase "SOMOS MÉXICO," engraved on the nape, symbolizes the unity and passion that define the Mexican spirit before hosting their third FIFA World Cup™, a historic record."
"Designed to reflect the passion of Mexicans, Mexico's alternative jersey for the FIFA World Cup 26™ features elaborate patterns and flowing lines, inspired by artistic expressions, ancient drawings, and paintings."
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Chelsea want Elliot Anderson
They want to sign him as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. The South American has been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and they will need to replace him properly. However, Fernandez is a creative central midfielder, whereas Anderson is a defensive midfielder. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea decides to bring in a creative midfielder as well. They will need to replace the goal and creativity from Fernandez if he decides to move on.
The player could cost around €100 million in the summer, and Manchester United are closely monitoring his situation, as per reports from Spain.
However, Chelsea are confident they can offer him a leading role, and it remains to be seen whether they can convince the player to join the club. On the other hand, losing Fernandez would be a blow for them. The Argentina international is a top-quality player and one of the first names on the team sheet at Chelsea.
Real Madrid are hoping to secure his signature, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. Convincing the player to move might not be too difficult for the Spanish club. Fernandez has proven himself in England, and he could be open to trying out a new challenge now.
Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old player has previously admitted he is a “huge Premier League fan” and would love to play in England. According to reports from Fussball Daten, the player could cost around €25 million in the summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Tottenham keen on Noah Atubolu
The report claims that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur are interested in securing his signature. It will be interesting to see if the north London club decides to make a move for him. Chelsea were keen on the players as well, but they have been handed a transfer ban.
It is no secret that Tottenham need a quality goalkeeper in the summer. Guglielmo Vicario has been criticised for his inconsistencies, and Tottenham needs an upgrade. The Bundesliga goalkeeper could prove to be an excellent addition for them. The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for Atubolu, and he will look to make his mark in English football.
Tottenham are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they need to improve the team in the summer. They need to plug the squad’s weaknesses, and a quality goalkeeper could make a big difference. It remains to be seen whether they can win the race for his signature.
Chelsea’s transfer ban will certainly be a huge boost for the north London outfit. They will fancy their chances of winning the race for Atubolu.
The player has previously admitted that he used to watch Chelsea often as a kid, and it is fair to assume that the Blues could have been the favourites to sign him if not for their current transfer predicament. Meanwhile, West Ham United are monitoring his situation as well. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an offer to sign the player.
Naturally, his performances have attracted the attention of top clubs. According to a report from Fussball Daten, Frankfurt has an option to make them move permanently at the end of the season. However, should they choose not to exercise the clause, Nottingham Forest will look to sell him for a fee of around €35 million in the summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Arnaud Kalimuendo set for England return?
The report claims that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa could look to make a move for the French attacker. The 24-year-old has the physicality and technical attributes to play in English football, and he could be an asset to both clubs. They need more cutting-edge in the final third, and Kalimuendo could be a very useful addition.
After a disappointing time with Nottingham Forest, the player will be desperate to prove himself in English football. The opportunity to join Tottenham or Aston Villa will be exciting for him.
The report claims that both clubs are looking to bring in an “electrifying” attacker like Kalimuendo.
The asking price is affordable for the two Premier League clubs, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Aston Villa is pushing for Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they could be an attractive destination for the French attacker.
On the other hand, Tottenham is fighting for survival in the Premier League. However, they are one of the country’s biggest clubs, and they have an ambitious project. It remains to be seen which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Insider says Tudor expected to be sacked
The ultimatum comes via prominent insider on X, who revealed on that the Croatian’s tenure is hanging by a thread.
He posted: “Igor Tudor will be called to a meeting if Tottenham lose to Nottingham Forest this weekend. He is expected to be sacked.”
The timing of the report is particularly striking given Tottenham’s slightly improved performance.
After a spirited draw at Anfield, Spurs recorded their first win of 2026 on Wednesday night with a battling 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to keep them in the Champions League, it served as a massive moral boost and marked Tudor’s first win since taking charge on February 14.
However, the board is reportedly looking at the cold reality of the Premier League table.
Tottenham currently sit in 16th place, only one point above the relegation zone. With only nine games remaining, the hierarchy feels that the “new manager bounce” has been too slow to arrive, and they cannot afford a slip-up against a direct relegation rival like Forest.
Tottenham will not be afraid of second managerial change
If Tudor is sacked, it would mark a ruthless streak from the Tottenham board.
Having already sacked Thomas Frank earlier this year, the club is reportedly prepared to do whatever it takes to avoid the catastrophic financial and sporting implications of relegation.
Sean Dyche is another name, a ‘firefighters’ manager who has good experience in taking over clubs in danger of relegation and helping them survive the drop.
For Igor Tudor, it appears tha Sunday’s clash at the City Ground could be a decisive one.
Liverpool are interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni during the summer transfer window, and they have made enquiries for him.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, the Italian outfit is prepared to sell the player for a fee in excess of €50 million, and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can win the race for his signature.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The opportunity to join Liverpool could be exciting for him. Similarly, Barcelona are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to play for them will be hard to turn down. Both clubs could provide him with the platform to fight for trophies. They could use a quality defender like him, and it remains to be seen where Bastoni ends up.
The report from the Spanish publication claims that the Italian defender prefers a move to Barcelona in the summer.
Liverpool certainly have more financial resources compared to Barcelona. They will be able to pay the asking price for him, and they can offer Bastoni a lucrative contract as well.
It will be interesting to see if Barcelona can stump up the cash and get the deal done in the coming months. Apart from his defensive skills, the 26-year-old is excellent on the ball and will help them build from the back.
Wolves star Joao Gomes has been identified as a top priority for Manchester United as the club’s hierarchy plots a major overhaul of the midfield this summer.
With Wolves currently facing a desperate battle against relegation to the Championship, the 25-year-old Brazilian is expected to be available for a cut-price fee of approximately £44 million.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Gomes has been a rare bright spot in a difficult season for Rob Edwards’ side, producing standout performances in recent victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool.
He’d be eager to remain in the Premier League to boost his international prospects and would relish a reunion at Old Trafford with close friend Matheus Cunha, who made the same switch from Molineux last summer.
Man United looking to sign two midfielders to replace Casemiro
According to The Mirror, INEOS and the United recruitment team are reportedly in the market for two new midfielders ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
This follows the confirmed departure of Casemiro, who will leave when his contract expires in June, and the expected sale of Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to adapt to the English game since his move from PSG.
Gomes sits at the top of a prestigious six-man shortlist which includes:
Gomes is widely regarded as the ball-winning engine that United’s midfield has lacked.
His playing style is defined by high-intensity pressing and elite defensive contributions; he currently ranks in the 92nd percentile for tackles and interceptions among Premier League midfielders this season.
Unlike Casemiro, who has struggled with mobility in his veteran years, Gomes possesses the recovery speed to cover large areas of the pitch.
His ability to turn a defensive win into an immediate counter-attack makes him a perfect tactical match for the transitional style favored by the United coaching staff.
Former teammate Matheus Cunha even likened his impact to a prime Casemiro, noting that having Gomes behind him makes the entire team feel more secure.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is a target for clubs like Real Madrid and PSG.
The 25-year-old has been exceptional in the Premier League, and it is no surprise that the big clubs are keen on him. He would be open to joining Real Madrid in the summer, and a move to PSG would be attractive for him as well.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Chelsea plot new deal for Enzo Fernandez
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have no plans to let the player leave in the summer and are prepared to offer him a bumper contract to convince him to stay. They would be willing to push past £400,000 per week, including bonuses, in order to keep the World Cup winner. It will be interesting to see if they can convince Fernandez to stay at the club.
There is no doubt that he’s one of the best players in his position in the world right now. He is still quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He has all the attributes to develop into a world-class midfielder.
Chelsea cannot afford to lose a player of his quality if they are serious about fighting for trophies. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Real Madrid need a midfield controller who will add creativity and composure to the team. The Chelsea star would be ideal for them.
Similarly, PG are monitoring his situation as well. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they recently won the UEFA Champions League and the League title. It remains to be seen whether the Chelsea star is prepared to take on a new challenge in the summer. The Blues are going through a period of transition, and they are not quite at the level required to fight for major trophies.
Tottenham need to bring in a quality manager in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to move for Hutter. He has shown his quality in France, and he could prove to be an excellent option for the north London club. The opportunity to manage in the Premier League will be exciting for him.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Spurs keen on Adi Hutter
Tottenham are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will not want to be in this position once again. They will be hoping to fight for trophies next season, and they need a quality manager. They have been linked with multiple names in recent months. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in a manager who can unlock their true potential.
According to Rudy Galetti, they have already gathered information regarding the 56-year-old German manager, and they are planning to move in the summer. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to leave AS Monaco and move to England. It would be the ideal next step in his career. Joining an ambitious Premier League club will be quite tempting for him. Tottenham have more resources than the French outfit and will look to build a formidable team.
Despite their struggles, they have quality players, and the right manager could bring out the best in them. This could be an exciting challenge for the 56-year-old manager. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few months.
Hutter averages 1.78 points per match across his career, and he could help Tottenham bounce back.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Arsenal and Man United want Sandro Tonali
The player is highly sought by Arsenal and Manchester United, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pay the asking price for him. €100 million is a lot of money for a defensive midfielder. Arsenal need an upgrade on Christian Norgaard, and Manchester United will need to replace Casemiro.
Tonali is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, and he could make a big impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. Joining a big club would be exciting for the player as well. However, the asking price could complicate any potential move.
Clubs in Italy are also interested in the player. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
The Italian International is entering the peak years of his career, and this is the right time for him to join a bigger club and fight for major trophies. It will be interesting to see whether Newcastle can convince him he can fulfil his ambitions with them. Arsenal and Manchester United are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season, making them attractive destinations for the player.
Tonali is well-settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Arsenal or Manchester United. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. Newcastle must keep players like him at the club if they are serious about fighting for trophies.
Mathys Tel has revealed that a series of “clear-the-air” talks in the dressing room sparked the tactical and emotional shift that led to Tottenham’s spirited, albeit bittersweet, 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
While the result wasn’t enough to overturn a massive first-leg deficit, the win marked a significant turning point for a squad that has spent much of 2026 in a state of freefall.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The young Frenchman, who has become a focal point of the Spurs attack during this turbulent period, insists that the players have finally found the spirit of determination required to fight for the club’s Premier League survival.
Mathys Tel on talks behind the scenes
Speaking after the game, Tel explained that the players recognised a desperate need for better communication.
“I think conversation in the dressing room. After every loss we just keep talking to each other and something changed. We are talking because maybe before we didn’t speak enough. But now with the situation we talk more, more, more, and we are more about the details.”
Tel emphasised that the squad has moved past individual frustrations to operate as a singular unit under interim boss Igor Tudor.
“We’re together. We’re just a team now. I can feel it. I trust my teammates, I trust the manager, I trust everybody. If we stick together, we will do it.”
Tottenham still have a mountain to climb
Despite the Champions League exit, the 3-2 win serves as a vital moral boost for a side that had failed to record a single victory in nine previous attempts.
It also represents Igor Tudor’s first win since taking charge, providing him with much-needed leverage as he prepares for a defining week in the dugout.
Spurs currently sit in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
The mountain to climb begins this Sunday against Nottingham Forest in what has been dubbed a relegation six-pointer.
However, the resilience shown at Anfield followed by the high-scoring win against Diego Simeone’s side suggests that Tottenham may finally be waking up.
With senior figures reportedly speaking up more in tactical meetings, the club is hopeful that these details will be the difference between a historic drop and a miraculous escape.
Login
