Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted to a “difficult” situation with the Jurrien Timber injury as it’s not clear if the right-back will play again this season.
The Spanish tactician says it looks like Timber’s rehabilitation has not been as smooth as he expected, with the Netherlands international being out for longer than it initially looked like he’d be.
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In a significant double update, Arteta also suggested it’s not clear if either Timber or Mikel Merino will play again for Arsenal this season.
See below for the Gunners boss’ comments, as quoted by journalist Simon Collings…
Arteta asked if Timber injury more complicated than expected:
"Yes. That has probably been the most difficult thing to manage with the player and myself. Because we did not expect it to take so long and at the moment he is not fit to play." https://t.co/pbYRpn3FCB
When asked about Timber and Merino, Arteta said: “I don’t know, there is still a fair bit to do. Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want to play any minutes.”
On Timber, he added: “That has probably been the most difficult thing to manage with the player and myself. Because we did not expect it to take so long and at the moment he is not fit to play.”
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Can Arsenal achieve best-ever season despite injury struggles?
Arsenal fans will no doubt hope that Timber and Merino can still have a role to play this season, with the club closing in on a memorable Premier League and Champions League double.
Timber in particular would normally be an automatic starter for the Gunners, even if Ben White has filled in well in his absence, while Merino is an underrated player who can make an impact off the bench.
It would undoubtedly help to have both of them available right now, especially as AFC could genuinely be at risk of picking up more injuries after losing key players for so much of the season.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have only recently returned to action, while Kai Havertz missed a large chunk of the campaign, while there have also been periods when other big names like Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes weren’t available.
Arsenal have a bigger squad now than previously, which has helped, but they can’t afford more bad luck like this in the coming weeks or they could miss out on both big prizes.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided an injury update as Alexander Isak and Giorgi Mamardashvili are back in training, while Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker are still out.
The Reds are enduring a frustrating season, and injuries have been a big part of that, with Isak in particular struggling to make anywhere near the kind of impact expected of him due to ongoing fitness issues.
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Salah has also not been at his best and it won’t have helped him to have missed a lot of games, with there seemingly still being no sign of the Egypt international coming back, as reported in the X post below by Paul Joyce…
Arne Slot says Alexander Isak has returned to training as well as Giorgi Mamardashvili. Alisson and Mohamed Salah not in team training yet.
It sounds like a positive that Isak and Mamardashvili could return for Liverpool, but fans will hope that there can be further positive updates soon on Salah and Alisson.
Still, there’s not a huge amount left to play for for LFC in the final games of this season, as they can’t win any trophies and should just about be safe in terms of finishing in the Champions League qualification places.
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Liverpool left reeling after difficult season
Slot had a superb first season at Anfield when he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title, and they were many pundits’ favourites to do so again after spending big last summer.
However, Isak has been a particular disappointment, while Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have also not lived up to expectations.
Hugo Ekitike performed well until picking up a serious injury, but overall the recruitment just hasn’t been good enough by the Merseyside giants.
It will be interesting to see if Slot can overcome these current injury issues and end the season strongly, because if not he will surely be facing serious questions over his future as manager.
Bournemouth have released a statement on their official website confirming that Jimenez will not be involved in the squad for the upcoming game against Fulham as they look into this serious incident.
“AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Álex Jiménez,” the club’s statement read.
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“The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated.
“As a result, Alex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Joao Pedro is good enough for Barcelona and deserves to be allowed that transfer if possible, according to former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
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In an extraordinary dig at his former club, Wright-Phillips said he couldn’t blame Pedro for wanting to leave the Blues under this ownership.
The Brazilian striker has performed superbly in his first season at Stamford Bridge, though it looks like ultimately being a disappointing campaign for the club.
Joao Pedro backed for Barcelona transfer by former Chelsea player
Wright-Phillips has now responded to the speculation about Pedro joining Barca, and backed him to get the move due to the failure of this current CFC side.
“I believe it would be fantastic for Joao if he were to go,” Wright-Phillips told Somos Fanaticos, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
“Personally, given the way Chelsea has been run, if I were him, I would do everything to complete this transfer.
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“Playing at Camp Nou, alongside Raphinha and [Lamine] Yamal, would be great for him. He would score many goals, since we have already seen what he did in a team that wasn’t as good as this Chelsea team.
“If I wereJoao Pedro, I would want to play in theChampions League, and I can’t see Chelsea qualifying for any European competition. Joao has the level and deserves to be playing in the Champions League.”
Barcelona could certainly do with a statement signing up front this summer as the ageing Robert Lewandowski is nearing the end of his contract.
Joao Pedro
Games
Goals
Assists
Chelsea 2025/26
47
20
6
One imagines Chelsea will do their best not to lose Pedro after just one season, but it’s surely going to be tricky for them if they miss out on European football.
If there is an opportunity there, then Barcelona should absolutely try their best to land this superb 24-year-old talent, who looks like an ideal long-term investment in a key area.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has not yet held talks with the club over a new contract, though he’s also not spoken with any other clubs, according to his father.
Mac Allister’s future at Anfield has looked in some doubt recently after a drop in form this season, with the Reds perhaps in need of something different in that area of their squad.
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Alexis Mac Allister’s father speaks out on his Liverpool future
Speaking to WinWin, Carlos Mac Allister said: “Alexis has a valid contract until June 2028 and so far we are not speaking publicly with any other club.
“We believe that the club’s fans deserve this level of respect from the player, and so far the club has not negotiated with us to renew the contract.”
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LFC fans will likely have mixed feelings about this news, as it’s not obvious what the best course of action is with Mac Allister right now.
The Argentina international can be an important player for Arne Slot’s side, and may still have a role to play if he improves his form again, though for now a sale could also bring in decent money and allow them to make signings to improve the team overall.
Liverpool could also bid farewell to other big names like Curtis Jones, while it’s also already been confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson will be leaving.
Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez have also been mentioned as other names to watch, and after such a poor season it surely makes sense to change things around.
It will be interesting to see who comes in for Mac Allister if he is indeed made available in the weeks and months ahead.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has not done much to play down talk of Anthony Gordon sealing a transfer away from the club this summer.
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Gordon’s future looks to be in major doubt at the moment, with various recent reports suggesting he’s looking for a move away from St James’ Park and attracting interest from a host of top clubs.
See below for a rundown of recent Gordon transfer stories as he’s eyed by Premier League rivals and big clubs from abroad…
16th April – The Telegraph report that Gordon wants to leave Newcastle, with Liverpool and Arsenal interested
17th April – Bayern’s concrete interest in Gordon is confirmed in Christian Falk’s exclusive CF Bayern Insider column
21st April – Chelsea are also mentioned as being interested in the England international in a report from TEAMtalk
1st May – Gordon described as having “serious chances” of leaving St James’ Park in a YouTube video post from Fabrizio Romano
Eddie Howe responds to Anthony Gordon transfer speculation
When asked about the Gordon situation in his press conference today, Howe did his best to dodge the question, saying it was hard to predict what could happen, and that transfers aren’t really his area of expertise anyway…
?? ''The summer transfer window is difficult to predict.''
Eddie Howe on Bayern Munich opening talks with Newcastle over a potential summer move for Anthony Gordon. pic.twitter.com/59BxEFI0BC
“It is difficult for me to comment too much on individual players and timescales, as that is going into an area that isn’t really my forte. I will leave that to other people,” Howe said.
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“All I am doing is try and finish the season in a strong way and make sure players are committed to the here and now. There is no point looking to the future.
“The summer transfer window is difficult to predict and difficult to see what is going to happen on any level at this moment in time. We have three games to play and our full focus is on that.”
The France international is emerging as Man Utd’s top target in that position, with the expectation being that he can move for less than his €80m release clause this summer.
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That’s according to a report from Football Transfers, which has Lukeba’s estimated value at closer to the €50m mark, while they also state that United are keen to move quickly to beat the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich to the 23-year-old’s signature.
Castello Lukeba the latest name on United’s centre-back target list
United could do with strengthening at the back this summer due to the poor injury records of both Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, while Leny Yoro has also been a little underwhelming during his time at Old Trafford.
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Lukeba could make sense as a good option for the Red Devils, but in recent times we’ve also seen a few other names being mentioned.
See below for a timeline of recent Man United transfer news stories involving defensive targets…
Murillo is also alongside Lukeba on United’s list this summer – Fichajes
Micky van de Ven has MUFC on alert as he wants to leave Tottenham – TEAMtalk
It will be interesting to see how this develops and if other names are added to the list, but Lukeba certainly seems like a good option for the Red Devils to be considering.
Leipzig often seem to develop some top footballers that they go on to sell to bigger clubs, and Lukeba would make sense as their next big sale.
United also brought in Benjamin Sesko from the Bundesliga side last summer, so could have good relations there that will help them do business with them again.
The talented 20-year-old has an impressive record of eight goals and six assists so far this season, and it makes sense that he’s starting to attract interest from bigger clubs.
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It seems Arsenal are one of his big admirers, along with Newcastle United, though he won’t come cheap, with the Times reporting that his asking price will be as high as £52m.
Froholdt has quickly risen to stardom with Porto, with his value more than doubling in less than a year as he only joined the Portuguese giants for £20m last summer.
Victor Froholdt on the radar of Arsenal and Newcastle
Froholdt looks like someone Porto are going to struggle to keep hold of, with the Denmark international possibly heading to England next.
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The Times name Arsenal and Newcastle as his main suitors, but one imagines there’ll be other clubs to watch in the race for his signature before too long.
Porto have often ended up selling their stars to bigger clubs, so there’s surely an opportunity here for the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle if they really want Froholdt.
Mikel Arteta would surely benefit from having more depth in the middle of the park after a lack of impact from Christian Norgaard this season, while Newcastle might be at risk of losing Sandro Tonali this summer.
With that in mind, Froholdt could probably get a key role with either of those clubs, though NUFC might be the slightly safer bet in terms of regular starting opportunities.
Still, AFC are a huge name and an attractive project right now as they aren’t too far away from a stunning potential Premier League and Champions League double this season.
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The England international looks increasingly likely to leave St James’ Park this summer, with Bayern already offering him a five-year contract, according to Christian Falk.
Writing in his latest CF Bayern Insider column, Falk explained that Gordon is also wanted by Premier League clubs, and that Bayern might still struggle to afford the deal if it ends up costing as much as £80m.
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This follows Fabrizio Romano recently reporting on his YouTube channel that Gordon has “serious chances” of leaving Newcastle this summer.
Anthony Gordon transfer saga looks far from straightforward
It seems hard to predict precisely where Gordon will end up this summer, even if his future surely lies away from Newcastle.
The 25-year-old has impressed during his time with Magpies, scoring 39 goals in 152 appearances since joining from Everton.
Anthony Gordon at Newcastle
Games
Goals
2022/23
16
1
2023/24
48
12
2024/25
42
9
2025/26
46
17
After a dip in form from Newcastle this season, it surely makes sense for Gordon to explore a possible move to a higher level, and that could still mean there’s hope for the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
“Anthony Gordon is at the top of the wishlist. But the transfer fee remains a problem. If we’re looking at £80m – that’s a lot of money for Bayern Munich,” Falk said.
“A few weeks ago, I would have said a deal of this magnitude isn’t possible. Now, I think the view of the supervisory board is shaped by the clear need for another forward player. PSG had Bradley Barcola on the bench. Bayern didn’t have the same level of quality depth available to call upon.”
He added: “The agents are making a lot of calls, a lot of meetings, around Europe. There was a meeting with Chelsea, contact with Liverpool, contact with Arsenal… they’re allowed to do that, as they know Newcastle need the money this summer to keep on the right side of Financial Fair Play.”
Which club needs Anthony Gordon most?
Gordon is a top player who can surely add something to most of the big clubs out there, and it makes sense that Bayern want a bit more depth behind their first-choice front three.
Still, the former Everton man surely won’t want to sit on the bench at his next club, so he might find it’s better to look at the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Gunners urgently need to improve on their left flank after inconsistent performances this season from the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have struggled to replicate their success from last season and surely need someone like Gordon to give them an upgrade on Cody Gakpo.
Arsenal look to have been given a positive update on their transfer pursuit of Ajax winger Mika Godts, despite Bayern Munich also being interested.
For now, it seems that although Godts is on Bayern’s radar, he’s not considered a priority target, or even in the top three names they have in mind for that position, according to Christian Falk in his latest CF Bayern Insider column.
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Arsenal have been linked as one of the main clubs in for the exciting young Belgian wide-man by both TEAMtalk and Fichajes, and it seems Bayern could also be a name to watch, but perhaps not as concretely.
Discussing Godts, Falk said: “It is TRUE: Bayern are watching Mika Godts. However, he hasn’t broken into the top three offensive options FC Bayern are actively discussing. The Belgian could, of course, still be an option to enlarge the squad.”
What next for Mika Godts as transfer talk hots up?
Godts has shone for Ajax this season with an impressive 17 goals and 12 assists so far, and it’s surely only a matter of time before that earns him a move to a bigger club in a more competitive league.
Blessed with skill, pace, and good end product, Godts looks like he really has it in him to be the next big thing in European football, and the next major sale by Ajax.
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The Eredivisie outfit have a history of developing top young players and selling them for a profit, and it will surely be hard for them to keep a player of this calibre after a disappointing season.
Arsenal could do with someone like Godts coming in and giving them something different in attack, with the 20-year-old already looking like he could be a significant upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Bayern arguably don’t have as much need for him at the moment after an outstanding season from their front three of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Luis Diaz.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz may have been linked with a transfer to Bayern Munich, but for now Christian Falk says the rumours are not true.
Writing in the latest edition of his exclusive column for CF Bayern Insider, Falk made it clear that Havertz is not currently part of Bayern’s plans.
It also seems that the Germany international himself is focused on next season with Arsenal, instead of looking for a possible move this summer.
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Kai Havertz looks set to stay at Arsenal
Arsenal fans may have mixed feelings about Havertz, but for now there’ll surely be a decent chunk of Gooners who will be happy to hear that he doesn’t look likely to be leaving.
“I heard the rumours a few weeks ago and checked up on it. There were no talks, no negotiations. Havertz is already thinking about next season with Arsenal,” Falk said.
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“I think he would like to play for Bayern Munich in the future, but at the moment, his name wasn’t discussed by the supervisory board. He’s not, at present, on Bayern’s summer shortlist.”
Havertz has 34 goals in 107 games for Arsenal, and one imagines he will continue to have a role to play, even if it’s just a squad player in Mikel Arteta’s side.
Capable of playing up front or in midfield, the 26-year-old is perhaps not the most consistent performer, but he has shown moments of real quality during his time at the Emirates Stadium.
Bayern to look elsewhere for striker depth?
Bayern eyeing Havertz could well have made sense for this summer as Nicolas Jackson’s time on loan at the Allianz Arena will be coming to an end.
Vincent Kompany could do well to bring in someone to provide more depth behind Harry Kane, and there’ll surely be a few names on the club’s radar.
Still, it seems we can rule Havertz out for now, according to Falk, though it will be interesting to see if this changes in the weeks and months ahead.
Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is attracting transfer interest from Arsenal and other clubs, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.
It could be a big summer of change at the Etihad Stadium with doubts over the future of manager Pep Guardiola, while we also already know that experienced big names like Bernardo Silva and John Stones are leaving as free agents.
As well as that, I’ve been given information on another possible story to watch, with Premier League clubs on alert for a possible opportunity to raid Man City for Reijnders.
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I can confirm that there is some truth to the transfer rumours doing the rounds in recent days, even if City and Reijnders still need to finalise a decision, which will come at the end of the season.
Clubs ready to move if Tijjani Reijnders leaves Manchester City
Reijnders has clearly fallen out of favour as this season has gone on, but it remains to be seen if City will definitely be prepared to let the Netherlands international go after just one season.
Some sources have played down the idea of both sides parting ways just yet, even if there is obviously a list of clubs keeping an eye on his situation.
“Reijnders and City will most likely meet at the end of the season to clarify the situation,” one source said. “There’s not currently any push from the player to move, and the club won’t necessarily want to let him go so soon.”
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Still, numerous other sources named Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and his former club AC Milan as clubs monitoring Reijnders’ situation.
I’m not yet sure if Reijnders is a top priority for any of these teams, but it’s normal if a player like him becomes available that a long list of suitors could pop up to consider the opportunity if the terms are right.
It’s a bit early for that now, though, even if I suspect this is going to be one to watch in the weeks and months ahead.
Despite some talk that an agreement is more or less already in place for Guardiola to step down as City manager this summer, with Enzo Maresca coming in to replace him, I’m still told that there hasn’t been a final decision yet.
It may well be that Guardiola has confided in some people close to him that he’s leaning towards leaving, but that’s not the same as an official message directly to the club.
For now, I suspect the Spanish tactician is simply focusing on the end of the season and will decide from there, perhaps depending on results, or perhaps not. There’s no hurry from either party to resolve this now, and it’s not thought to be a distraction for any of the staff or players.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez will reportedly look to discuss his future with the club before the upcoming 2026 World Cup this summer.
The Argentina international has shone during his time at Atletico, having also previously shown he can do it in the Premier League during a spell with Manchester City.
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Following a fine season in which he’s scored 20 goals and contributed eight assists, Alvarez has been linked with Arsenal by a number of sources, including journalist Ben Jacobs in the X post below…
?? Diego Simeone on Julian Alvarez's future. "I’m not inside Julian Alvarez’s head. But it’s normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona."
Now there’s been an update on the situation, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that Alvarez could look to resolve his future before the World Cup this summer.
The report mentions Barcelona also being interested in the 26-year-old, but it’s not necessarily going to be a straightforward deal to get done.
Julian Alvarez transfer might be too expensive for Barcelona
The issue, according to the report, is that Barcelona would likely need Alvarez’s price tag to come down from the €100m that is currently expected to be his valuation.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out, but it could end up being the case that the Catalan giants simply can’t afford the former Man City man, giving the advantage back to Arsenal.
The Gunners knocked Alvarez and Atletico out of the Champions League this week, but the north London giants will be under no illusions about their need to strengthen in attack this summer.
Viktor Gyokeres’ form has improved recently, but overall he’s looked slightly limited with his performances up front this season, and someone like Alvarez would surely represent an upgrade.
Julian Alvarez vs Viktor Gyokeres stats (DataMB)
See the graphic above for a detailed look at some of their key stats this season, which perhaps highlights how well these two strikers could work together as they offer slightly different skillsets.
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However, Valverde himself has attempted to play down the incident to a certain extent, even if he confirmed that there was a row inside the dressing room.
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The 27-year-old has released a statement on Instagram insisting that this kind of thing happens a lot and is not normally leaked to the press, suggesting perhaps that someone malicious inside the club is deliberately spreading rumours.
Federico Valverde plays down Aurelien Tchouameni row rumours
See below for Valverde’s post on Instagram as he attempted to clear up the situation…
Federico Valverde’s Instagram statement
Valverde said: “At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either, although I understand it’s easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn’t happen.
“I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season on our last legs, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a team-mate.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we’re going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can’t just turn a blind eye to it.
“The result is a build-up of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt – for people to fabricate stories, slander me, and sensationalise an incident.
“I have no doubt that any disagreements we might have off the field ceases to exist on it, and if I have to defend the team inside a stadium, I’ll be the first to do so.”
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He added: “In a normal locker room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without it becoming public knowledge.
“Clearly, someone here is spreading rumours, and with a season without titles, where Real Madrid is always under scrutiny, everything gets blown out of proportion.”
What’s going on at Real Madrid?
It’s been a difficult season for Real Madrid, who are set to finish trophyless, while their bitter rivals Barcelona will most likely wrap up the La Liga title against them in the upcoming El Clasico clash.
Xabi Alonso was hired as manager last summer, but struggled to live up to expectations, and ended up leaving the role, while interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa has perhaps also had issues stamping his authority on this squad.
“The Valverde-Tchouameni tension is not something that we have heard about before this week, but it is symptomatic of a volcanic dressing room right now,” Ruairidh Barlow, editor of Football Espana, told us.
“In that specific incident, after a fight on Wednesday, Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand, which led to another training session of intense tackles, and culminated in the fight.
“More widely, it’s just the latest incident in a number of feuds ongoing. As many as six players are supposedly not talking to manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Dani Carvajal have all fallen out with Arbeloa, and the latter’s frustration led to an injury to a youth player after a rash tackle.
“In the past week, we’ve heard about Kylian Mbappe getting angry at a member of the coaching staff, and Antonio Rudiger getting physical with Alvaro Carreras too.
“On the whole, the consensus is that this is the product of a dressing room that has been without leaders for some time, and without a manager to impose authority. With President Florentino Perez backing his stars over managers, and doing little to curb their behaviour himself, the lack of discipline has descended into the chaos we’re seeing this week.”
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For now, an internal club suspension is the most likely and immediate course of action, but it seems the pair also face uncertainty over their futures this summer, according to AS.
The France international is a top player on his day, and it could be worth gambling on him, though one imagines his disciplinary issues could now put clubs off.
The context behind Aurelien Tchouameni injuring Federico Valverde
Speaking to CaughtOffside today, Spanish football expert Ruairidh Barlow provided his insight into how this madness at the Bernabeu all ended up unfolding.
“The Valverde-Tchouameni tension is not something that we have heard about before this week, but it is symptomatic of a volcanic dressing room right now,” Barlow told us.
“In that specific incident, after a fight on Wednesday, Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand, which led to another training session of intense tackles, and culminated in the fight.
“More widely, it’s just the latest incident in a number of feuds ongoing. As many as six players are supposedly not talking to manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Dani Carvajal have all fallen out with Arbeloa, and the latter’s frustration led to an injury to a youth player after a rash tackle.
“In the past week, we’ve heard about Kylian Mbappe getting angry at a member of the coaching staff, and Antonio Rudiger getting physical with Alvaro Carreras too.
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“On the whole, the consensus is that this is the product of a dressing room that has been without leaders for some time, and without a manager to impose authority. With President Florentino Perez backing his stars over managers, and doing little to curb their behaviour himself, the lack of discipline has descended into the chaos we’re seeing this week.”
Should Man United and Liverpool still pursue Aurelien Tchouameni transfer?
United could do with strengthening in midfield this summer, so the interest in Tchouameni makes sense.
On his day, the 26-year-old is up there with the top defensive midfield players in Europe, so he could be ideal to help the Red Devils fill the gap that will be left by Casemiro when he leaves at the end of his contract this summer.
Liverpool, meanwhile, also have some issues in midfield after a frustrating season, with Tchouameni perhaps an upgrade on Ryan Gravenberch.
The Frenchman’s physical presence and work rate could also afford more protection to a defence that has really leaked goals this season, with the ageing Virgil van Dijk perhaps now needing more of a shield in front of him to keep the team more solid.
Real Madrid players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were reportedly involved in a heated bust-up in the club’s locker room that has led to the Uruguayan being treated in hospital.
Valverde is said to have suffered a cut to his head after hitting the table during a physical altercation with Madrid teammate Tchouameni.
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This is not the first time the pair have come to blows, according to Marca, but it seems to be the most serious incident yet, with a maximum punishment thought to be awaiting the players.
See below for more information on the Valverde-Tchouameni fight
? AMPLIACIÓN | Nueva pelea entre Fede Valverde y Aurelien Tchouaméni en el vestuario del Real Madrid: el uruguayo acabó en el hospital con una brecha
? El club blanco ha abierto expediente a ambos jugadores tras el incidentehttps://t.co/8RtNjKVmLt
It seems disciplinary proceedings are now set to go ahead, with this really being far from what Real Madrid needed after some disappointing results in a frustrating season, and with a huge game against rivals Barcelona coming up next.
How Real Madrid players lost their discipline
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Spanish football expert Ruairidh Barlow, editor of Football Espana, provided some background to this crazy story coming out of Madrid.
“The Valverde-Tchouameni tension is not something that we have heard about before this week, but it is symptomatic of a volcanic dressing room right now,” Barlow told us.
“In that specific incident, after a fight on Wednesday, Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand, which led to another training session of intense tackles, and culminated in the fight.
“More widely, it’s just the latest incident in a number of feuds ongoing. As many as six players are supposedly not talking to manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Dani Carvajal have all fallen out with Arbeloa, and the latter’s frustration led to an injury to a youth player after a rash tackle.
“In the past week, we’ve heard about Kylian Mbappe getting angry at a member of the coaching staff, and Antonio Rudiger getting physical with Alvaro Carreras too.
“On the whole, the consensus is that this is the product of a dressing room that has been without leaders for some time, and without a manager to impose authority. With President Florentino Perez backing his stars over managers, and doing little to curb their behaviour himself, the lack of discipline has descended into the chaos we’re seeing this week.”
Kylian Mbappe sees the funny side as Real Madrid descends into chaos
See below for footage originally captured by El Chiringuito, which shows Mbappe in good spirits despite the apparent chaos unfolding behind the scenes…
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Mbappe himself has been at the centre of some controversy recently as Madrid truly enters meltdown mode.
The France international recently had an injury problem that saw him given permission to take a holiday, but this did not go down well with some fans, as a petition pushing for him to leave the club is rapidly gaining momentum.
A video explainer below from Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol sums everything up nicely, with the feeling being that Mbappe is being made a scapegoat for the team’s problems, and, honestly, when you hear about the incident between Valverde and Tchouameni it’s hard not to agree that there are bigger problems at the Bernabeu right now…
"He's become the scapegoat at Real Madrid" ??
Kaveh Solhekol explains the current situation with Kylian Mbappe following an online petition calling for him to leave Real Madrid reached 30 million signatures ?? pic.twitter.com/Hul2fNM8Sz
Real are known for being a club of superstars with big egos, but that has usually helped them to great success throughout their history.
At the moment, though, they’re going through a difficult period, with the team set to finish trophyless this season, while they’ve gone out of the Champions League early both this year and last.
Who can solve Real Madrid crisis?
With Xabi Alonso leaving his position as manager earlier this season, Alvaro Arbeloa has been unable to steady the ship during his time as interim manager.
A new long-term appointment will be needed this summer, and it may be that a strict disciplinarian like Jose Mourinho is needed to put things in order.
Having said that, the Portuguese tactician is also known for being a bit of a difficult character himself, so that could perhaps just make things worse.
Los Blancos fans will surely want the legendary Zinedine Zidane back, but ESPN have reported on him agreeing to become the next manager of the French national team…
Zinedine Zidane will succeed Didier Deschamps as France national team head coach in the summer, with a verbal agreement already reached, sources have told @LaurensJulien.
He will officially be appointed once the 2026 World Cup is concluded for France. pic.twitter.com/w0fzvaU5cc
The 22-year-old has shown himself to be a top talent in the Premier League, leading to Liverpool to take a look at him, even if his asking price might be an issue.
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That’s according to TEAMtalk, who also mention other names like Adam Wharton as being on the Reds’ radar for the upcoming transfer window.
Baleba looked hugely impressive for Brighton last season, leading to summer interest from Manchester United, who continue to be linked with the Cameroon international ahead of this year’s window.
Still, there is a case for saying Baleba’s form has gone downhill a little bit this term, so it will be interesting to see if he can still land a big move, or if Brighton might have to lower their demands for him a little bit.
The pundit was clearly excited by the Baleba links a year ago, explaining why he felt he could be the perfect addition to the MUFC midfield.
“If it were me, I’d splash the cash on Baleba. He’s got theenergy, the legs, the tactical awareness – everything you need to dominate midfield,” Ferdinand was quoted by the Sun.
“Baleba is exactly what United need – a box-to-boxdynamowho can do it all.
“He’s got Premier League experience, and he’ll free up other midfielders to focus on attacking. He’ll have a massive impact on this squad.”
LFC spent big last summer and got it badly wrong with a series of flops such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong.
The Merseyside giants can’t afford to make more mistakes like that, so splashing the cash on an expensive player like Baleba probably seems a bit unwise.
It may be that Baleba can still have a great career, but for now he arguably looks like a bit of a one-season-wonder, and there are probably better options out there who might not cost quite as much.
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Still, a report from El Chiringuito is now claiming that Iraola looks “close” to making the move to Selhurst Park once he leaves Bournemouth this summer and Glasner also comes to the end of his current contract…
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????????? "ANDONI IRAOLA, CERCA de LLEGAR al CRYSTAL PALACE".
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 7, 2026
If this proves accurate, Iraola would be a superb appointment for Palace, though it might be worth waiting for updates from the likes of Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein before treating this as a definite done deal.
Andoni Iraola a man in demand after Bournemouth success
Iraola has done a superb job at Bournemouth and it’s no surprise to see him being eyed up by big clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea.
With respect to Crystal Palace, it perhaps seems like Iraola can aim a little higher when it comes to picking his next club.
The 43-year-old currently has Bournemouth in 6th place in the Premier League, with Champions League qualification not out of the question at this stage.
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The Cherries are six points behind Aston Villa, but could also qualify with the addition of an extra place for English clubs if Unai Emery’s side win the Europa League.
Palace, meanwhile, are down in 15th place after struggling to build on the success of last season, when they won the FA Cup final against Manchester City – their first ever piece of silverware.
There’s no doubt Palace are a fine football club, and the lure of living in London isn’t something to take lightly, but Iraola looks like he’s surely going to be looking to take his career up a level after deciding to see out his contract at Bournemouth.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is under fire from the club’s fans after going on holiday with his girlfriend during a difficult period of the team’s season.
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A petition calling for Mbappe to leave Real Madrid has now reached an astonishing 30 million signatures, with Kaveh Solhekol explaining on Sky Sports precisely what’s gone on.
Watch below as the journalist explains the context behind this, with Mbappe supposedly given permission to take this break whilst recovering from an injury, though it’s not gone down well with a lot of supporters due to Real’s disappointing season overall…
Kylian Mbappe petition situation explained
"He's become the scapegoat at Real Madrid" ??
Kaveh Solhekol explains the current situation with Kylian Mbappe following an online petition calling for him to leave Real Madrid reached 30 million signatures ?? pic.twitter.com/Hul2fNM8Sz
Madrid are out of the Champions League and set to finish the campaign trophyless as their bitter rivals Barcelona will likely wrap up the La Liga title against them when they play this weekend.
Mbappe appears to be being made a scapegoat for this, despite his fine individual form for Los Blancos, though Solhekol has also questioned if this petition can really be taken seriously.
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30 million people is a lot, with the population of Spain only around 50 million, so it is perhaps questionable if that many real people could have signed it this quickly.
Mbappe is one of the best players in the world on his day, but he’s occasionally divided opinion due to question marks over his attitude and professionalism.
The France international joined Real last season after leaving PSG on a free transfer. He’s gone on to score 85 goals in 100 games at the Bernabeu.
In general, it seems a lot of the candidates Chelsea have been approaching are unsure about the job, and some have already outright rejected the west London giants’ advances.
Latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Xabi Alonso
Discussing the latest on the Alonso to Chelsea situation, Phillips wrote in his Substack: “Chelsea have continued talks with their top managerial target Xabi Alonso this week, and the fact that these talks are continuing, means there is still a chance.
“Overall, as reported yesterday, Chelsea have been finding it very hard to convince manager targets to come. And we’ve heard that some managers have already rejected their approaches.
“However, Alonso has not walked away from talks yet, but does need a lot of convincing and promises in order to take the role. Chelsea are offering Alonso more control, which is what he has asked for. He’s also been asking around recruitment, especially centre backs, and who they will be looking to bring in.
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“There is a lot of planning and Alonso is insisting that if he is to take the role, then he needs much more of a say than previous managers have had, and more assurances overall around the project and the flexibility on it all. At the moment, Chelsea are working to give those assurances to Alonso, and see him as the main target they want in.”
Is Xabi Alonso the right fit for Chelsea?
The Chelsea job looks like a particularly challenging one at the moment, and it’s unclear if even a talented coach like Alonso could be up to the task.
Xabi Alonso
Wins
Draws
Losses
Win %
Bayer Leverkusen
88
33
19
62.86
Real Madrid
24
4
6
70.59
The 44-year-old seems keen to have a lot of control, but that’s surely unlikely to happen under this ownership and board structure.
Alonso also has the habit of using three at the back and wing-backs, which is not a system that has always had a lot of success in English football.
It might be that Chelsea could make it work, as they did in the 2016/17 season under Antonio Conte, while Alonso might also be flexible and able to adjust his methods.
Overall, however, Alonso looks a risky candidate in some ways, while he also needs to pick his next club carefully after the difficulties he encountered at Real Madrid.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique may have unintentionally aimed a bit of a dig at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as they prepare to meet in the Champions League final.
PSG triumphed 6-5 on aggregate against Bayern Munich in their semi-final yesterday, while Arsenal ended a 20-year wait to reach the final again after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate.
The Gunners will now surely be the underdogs against holders PSG in the final later this month, with Enrique’s side also coming out on top when these two teams met in the semi-finals last season.
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Luis Enrique’s slightly patronising Mikel Arteta comment
Interestingly, as Enrique and Arteta prepare to renew their rivalry, the PSG manager referred to his opponent as “Mikelito” after last night’s game.
See below for the quote, via Fabrizio Romano on X, while the Telegraph’s Sam Dean suggested it might not go down well…
? Luis Enrique: “I appreciate Mikelito Arteta! We used to be teammates when we were kids, he did a great job at Arsenal”.
“I appreciate Mikelito Arteta!” Enrique said. “We used to be teammates when we were kids, he did a great job at Arsenal. It will be difficult, hard game but we believe in our football style.”
Enrique probably didn’t mean to sound insulting to Arteta, but it’s very possible that the Arsenal manager will take it that way and look to get one over his older ex-teammate.
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Arsenal chasing Premier League and Champions League double
Arsenal are getting closer and closer to a truly great season in their history as they’re now top of the Premier League and 90 minutes away from winning the Champions League for the first time.
Of course, it’s so delicately poised that this campaign could still end trophyless for the Gunners, so it’s going to be a big test of Arteta and his players in the next few weeks.
Arsenal have an easier run-in than Manchester City on paper, but this season has been full of twists and turns as both sides have missed opportunities to run away with the title.
PSG have the advantage of being able to focus mainly on the Champions League as Ligue 1 is not as competitive as the English top flight, so that could give them a big advantage when they meet Arsenal in Budapest at the end of this month.
Barcelona are reportedly preparing to make a bid for the transfer of Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro in order to beat Real Madrid to his signature.
The Spain international has impressed during his time at Spurs, but could be a likely candidate for the exit door this summer after a hugely challenging season.
Tottenham still look in danger of relegation, and even if they just about survive the drop, someone like Porro would surely be looking to move on.
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According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the 26-year-old has interest from both Barcelona and Real Madrid as he could return to La Liga.
Porro has previously had spells with Girona and Valladolid, and Fichajes now report that Barca look prepared to bid €30m for him in order to get ahead of their rivals.
Pedro Porro could leave Tottenham in summer shake-up
Even if THFC would probably ideally like to keep Porro around, it might not be the worst idea for the club to undergo a major squad overhaul after such a poor campaign.
The likes of Porro, Micky van de Ven, and Xavi Simons are all big names with plenty of potential, but for one reason or another it just hasn’t happened for them at Spurs.
This could be a chance for the north Londoners to raise some money from sales and use that to make some better recruitment decisions moving forward.
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Barca or Real for Pedro Porro?
Porro is a fine player on his day, but it’s perhaps hard to make sense of his possible move to Real Madrid, who signed Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer.
The talented 20-year-old has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season this term, contributing eight goals and seven assists.
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Froholdt was previously on the books at Copenhagen, but he’s stepped up well since moving to a bigger club in a more competitive league.
According to Bold.dk, Arsenal are now up against the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United for his signature this summer.
This follows our exclusive information earlier this season on Arsenal and Tottenham eyeing Froholdt, who looks like he’ll be a tricky player for Porto to hold onto for much longer.
Victor Froholdt set for Arsenal transfer?
It remains to be seen if Arsenal are making serious progress on this potential transfer, or if it’s still something at a relatively early stage.
Still, the Gunners will likely be looking for a player of this profile this summer – a young midfielder who can give Mikel Arteta more depth behind Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
Christian Norgaard has struggled to impress since moving to the Emirates Stadium, so there’s surely room for someone like Froholdt to come in and initially be a squad player, but perhaps then later grow into a starter once he has more experience under his belt.
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Liverpool might also be able to lure Froholdt as they are another club who could do well to make some changes in the middle of the park.
Still, it’s been a pretty dire season for the Reds, so it might be that the Gunners’ project looks more tempting at the moment.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League table and in the final of the Champions League, while Liverpool have dropped to fourth in the table and are set to finish trophyless.
Manchester United are reportedly looking at Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as one of three main targets in defence for this summer.
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The Red Devils are looking to strengthen what they view as something of a problem position in their squad after a poor recent injury record for the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez.
Meanwhile, Leny Yoro hasn’t been entirely convincing since joining Man Utd, and the ageing Harry Maguire is probably not likely to continue as a regular starter despite recently signing a new contract.
According to Fichajes, this could lead United to moving for Murillo, while other big names such as Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven and RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba are also on their list.
Murillo transfer eyed by Manchester United and Chelsea
Murillo has shone during his time at Nottingham Forest and it makes sense that a big move could soon be in store for the Brazilian.
It’s not been the easiest season for Forest, though they now look to be closing in on safety from relegation, while they also have one foot in the Europa League final.
Murillo, though, seems like someone in this squad who’ll fancy playing at a higher level, and United could be an exciting opportunity for him to do that.
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However, the Blues look a generally riskier option right now after a difficult season that looks set to see them drop out of the Champions League.
MUFC have had a difficult few years but perhaps look like they’ve finally found some stability, so they’ll surely be the favourites over CFC as things stand.
Chelsea are under pressure to sell players this summer, with Enzo Fernandez emerging as the leading candidate amid interest from Real Madrid.
As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, there is growing interest from Real Madrid and an overwhelming feeling from both sides that it would be best for the Argentine to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Fernandez’s future has been in doubt for some time, with the player himself notably flirting with a move to Madrid by discussing how much he’d love to live in the Spanish capital.
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As reported last month, Real have discussed Fernandez internally, with an approach expected soon. The latest I’m hearing is that a move to the Bernabeu is “the strongest scenario” at the moment, despite Manchester City and PSG also looking at the former Benfica man’s situation.
Enzo Fernandez set for Chelsea exit
I cannot yet confirm if direct talks have taken place between Fernandez and any other clubs, but the interest is there and Real Madrid are understood to be making preparations for a major summer in the transfer market.
Sources in the agents industry are all saying that Los Blancos want to set aside funds for a significant midfield signing, with Fernandez ticking all their boxes.
At Chelsea’s end, there is the growing sense that this sale is necessary, though of course multiple sources are also keen to make it clear that the Blues will demand big money.
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“Chelsea must sanction a major sale this summer and Enzo Fernandez is the obvious candidate – he’s keen to explore his options, and he’s aware of Real Madrid’s interest,” one source explained.
“Fernandez fits the bill for Real, who want an elite ‘regista’ in midfield. The asking price could be an issue, though, as Chelsea will look to start the negotiations at £100-110m.”
Despite City’s interest, I’m told that a move is not currently considered likely. The appreciation for Fernandez is genuine, but Elliot Anderson remains their top target.
It’s also unlikely that CFC would look favourably on selling such a key player to a major rival, and City are likely aware of that.
I’m also told that although Fernandez has not ruled out the option of staying in England, his preference remains for that move to Madrid, as he himself hinted so strongly with those recent public comments.
Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a potential transfer opportunity as Ajax winger Mika Godts could end up moving for below his current €75m asking price.
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The exciting young Belgian has really caught the eye in the Eredivisie in recent times, establishing himself as one of the biggest talents outside Europe’s big five leagues.
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Arsenal sense Mika Godts transfer opportunity
Arsenal are said to be big fans of Godts, and they’re keeping a close eye on what happens with Ajax this season as they could miss out on European football.
According to the Fichajes report, that could likely mean the Amsterdam outfit’s negotiating position for a talent like Godts is significantly weakened.
For now, the 20-year-old is expected to cost around €75m, according to the report, but finishing outside the European places would probably bring that price tag down.
Mika Godts
Games
Goals
Assists
Ajax 2025/26
38
17
13
Arsenal need more inspiration in attack
Arsenal may be in the Champions League final and top of the Premier League table, but there are undoubtedly some weaknesses in Mikel Arteta’s side’s attack.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have been hugely inconsistent this season, while even Bukayo Saka has struggled to hit his usual heights, largely due to being in and out of the team with injury.
There’s surely room for someone to come in and provide a new element of spark and unpredictability, with Godts looking like a talent well worth investing in.
It would be a big step up from Ajax to Arsenal, but Godts surely has it in him to become a genuinely top player if he continues to develop and benefits from the guidance of an elite coach like Arteta.
Steven Gerrard has spoken about Arsenal’s chances against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, saying it might suit them to be underdogs.
PSG beat Bayern Munich in their semi-final last night, while Arsenal overcame Atletico Madrid, setting up an intriguing clash in Budapest later this month.
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The Gunners will fancy their chances against PSG, even if the reigning European champions will be slight favourites, but Gerrard feels that could also suit Mikel Arteta and his players.
Watch below as Gerrard, who knows a thing or two about Champions League final upsets, said it can sometimes be beneficial to feel like there’s less pressure on you than your opponent…
“Arsenal are going to have to be perfect on the night!”
Owen Hargreaves and Steven Gerrard on the challenge facing Arsenal against PSG in the Champions League final ?
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 6, 2026
“Everyone expects PSG to maybe win it,” the former Liverpool captain told TNT Sports. “If you look at tonight’s performance, you look at them winning it last year, the players they’ve got, you would have to say that the bookies will probably make PSG favourites.
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“Obviously Arsenal have had the easier ride [to the final] if you like, but that’s going to be some final at the end of the month, one for us all to look forward to, two different styles. Both deserve to be there, you have to say that.”
Gerrard added that Arsenal would need a bit of luck against such a good PSG side.
“It’s a possibility [that Arsenal win] but they’re going to have to have a bit of luck,” he added. “They’re going to have to have things go their way on the night because this PSG team, they’re just so good everywhere.”
Can Arsenal beat PSG to win first-ever Champions League?
Arsenal will be desperate to finally get their hands on this trophy, with the north Londoners arguably the biggest club in Europe never to win it.
AFC have only reached the final once before this season, losing 2-1 to Barcelona back in 2006, and this will be another big challenge for them.
PSG have world class players in every position and an elite coach in Luis Enrique, but this surely won’t be a walkover for the French giants like their 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in last year’s final.
Arsenal are well-drilled defensively and remain unbeaten in all their Champions League matches so far this season, while they can also take some heart from the fact that they played well and were pretty unlucky in their semi-final defeat against PSG last season.
Manchester United reportedly still have no plans to reintegrate Marcus Rashford into their first-team squad next season.
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The England international is facing an uncertain summer as he may not end up getting his loan move to Barcelona converted into a permanent deal.
Still, that won’t mean there’s a way back for him at Man Utd, according to the Sun, despite the player posting on X to congratulate the club on their return to the Champions League, which was his first social media post about the Red Devils for almost a year.
While some might have taken that as a hint that Rashford is looking to reconnect with his parent club, it still seems that Old Trafford chiefs would prefer to sell the 28-year-old.
Marcus Rashford transfer options
It has seemed the case for a while now that Barca would not take up the option to keep Rashford, despite the United forward doing a decent job during his spell on loan at the Nou Camp.
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Some United fans might even look at that and question if they should consider bringing Rashford back into the fold, but it’s fair to say it seems that ship has sailed.
Rashford was once a key player for MUFC, but it looks like he’s benefited from the change of scene since joining Barcelona on loan, so moving again seems like the only realistic option to suit all parties.
Crystal Palace are reportedly now eyeing up an alternative to Andoni Iraola as they look for a replacement for Oliver Glasner this summer.
That man could be Rayo Vallecano’s highly-rated young manager Inigo Perez, who is also being strongly linked with the Villarreal job.
That’s according to a report from Sports Boom, who suggest that Palace are now unlikely to be able to land Iraola, so are looking at someone who’s already drawn comparisons to the Bournemouth boss.
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Perez has done a fine job at Rayo Vallecano and will surely move on to bigger things soon, so it will be interesting to see if Palace have any chance of beating Villarreal to the 38-year-old Spanish tactician.
Crystal Palace preparing for life after Oliver Glasner
This could be a very challenging summer for Palace as they look to move on from Glasner, who announced earlier this season that he would be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of his contract this summer.
The Austrian tactician will surely land himself a big job after his impressive work with Palace, with whom he won the FA Cup final last season and the Community Shield at the start of this campaign.
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Iraola would have been an exciting appointment for the Eagles, but it looks like they’ll have to take a punt on someone like Perez, who has less experience, and who would be new to English football.
Palace could also lose star players
On top of changing managers, Palace will likely also face interest in their star players again this summer.
Aston Villa have reportedly decided that they don’t want to keep Douglas Luiz this summer after his disappointing second spell at the club on loan from Juventus.
The Brazilian midfielder was a star performer for Villa during his first spell at the club, before being sold to Juventus, where he then struggled.
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According to Tuttosport, it now looks like Luiz’s future is in serious doubt as Villa aren’t keen on keeping him unless they can get him for a lot cheaper than the €25m option they initially agreed (fee via Birmingham Mail).
However, Juve can’t afford to give any discounts due to their own financial concerns, according to Tuttosport, so it looks like he’ll be heading back to Turin for now.
What next for Douglas Luiz after Juventus and Aston Villa struggles?
Luiz will surely still be sold by Juventus this summer, but it remains to be seen where he could end up if Villa don’t want to make his move permanent.
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At this point, it might be better for Juve to try reintegrating the 27-year-old into their squad, as his value will only have gone down after failing to impress whilst being put into the proverbial shop window whilst going out on loan.
It’s surprising to see Luiz going downhill like this after he looked like a player with such a big future in that first spell under Unai Emery, and it really looks like it’ll be a challenge for him now to get his career back on track.
The French centre-back has struggled to find his best form at Stamford Bridge, despite initially looking like he’d be a fine signing after impressing at former club Leicester City.
Now, however, it could make sense for Chelsea to offload Fofana if there are any takers for him, with the Blues perhaps in need of a few sales this summer when accounting for the financial hit of missing out on Champions League qualification.
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According to Sacha Tavolieri, Fofana is someone who could be available for as little as €30m…
?? Le dossier Wesley Fofana est sur la table du Barça.
?? À voir ce que les Catalans décideront d'en faire…
Posting on X, Tavolieri said: “The Wesley Fofana file is on the table at Barça … To see what the Catalans decide to do with it.”
Barcelona may well be tempted by Fofana even if he hasn’t been at his best for Chelsea, as there’s every chance the 25-year-old could still revive his career in the years to come.
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It could make sense for the former Foxes ace to try a new challenge and perhaps to go abroad where he’d be playing in a slightly less physically competitive, demanding, and fast-paced league.
Barca fans might also feel their club could do better, though, so it will be interesting to see if this develops, with the Catalan giants not yet looking like they’ll necessarily take this opportunity that’s being offered to them.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano recently posted on his YouTube channel about the England international having serious chances of leaving St James’ Park this summer.
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Phillips now claims that Chelsea had a meeting with Gordon‘s reps just a few days ago, though it seems the current indication is that he’s rejecting advances from Stamford Bridge.
Should Anthony Gordon risk transfer to unstable Chelsea?
Gordon will surely not be the only player at the moment looking at Chelsea’s project and having serious doubts.
Indeed, many of their own squad at the moment will likely be considering their futures, with CFC slipping out of the running for Champions League qualification after a dire run of six Premier League defeats in a row, and just one win from their last ten.
Gordon will know he has other options on the table this summer, so it makes sense for him to rule out Chelsea for the moment as he could just become the latest player to go there and struggle in such an unstable environment.
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Can this Chelsea project succeed?
Chelsea just haven’t been the same since the change in ownership from Roman Abramovich to Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
The west London giants used to sign a lot of the best players in the world and hire proven managers who could deliver success straight away.
Now, however, there’s been a lot of chopping and changing in personnel, with the club seemingly more focused on recruiting top young players who they can later sell on for profit.
For a proven name like Gordon, there really seems little reason to go there now if you have serious ambitions of advancing your career.
Manchester United reportedly have as many as nine midfielders on their list of transfer targets for this summer, including Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Carlos Baleba.
We’ve seen those names linked with the Red Devils a few times, and it seems we can also add a few more big names.
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According to Fichajes, the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott, James Garner, and Shea Charles are also under consideration at Old Trafford.
United fans will no doubt have a few favourites in mind for the role, but it could be that the club will bring in more than one new addition as they look to invest as much as £150m on that part of their squad, according to Fichajes.
Manchester United’s midfield transfer targets analysed
From that list, it would surely make sense to make Anderson and Wharton the two top targets, with the talented young England duo looking like the dream options, if a bit less realistic due to the amount they’d cost, and the long list of other top clubs also surely chasing them.
Outside of those two, there’s also a lot to be said for investing in prospects like Fernandes and Baleba, who have shown a lot of potential in the Premier League, even if they’re not quite at the level of Anderson or Wharton just yet.
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If those names don’t work out for whatever reason, MUFC could certainly still do well to bring in someone like Tonali or Garner, while Scott has also shown a lot of promise at Bournemouth.
ESPN’s pundits, including former Arsenal player Stewart Robson, spent a surprising amount of time complaining about Mikel Arteta after last night’s Champions League semi-final.
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The Gunners boss had just celebrated guiding the club to only their second ever appearance in the Champions League final after beating Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, and yet it seems much of the focus was on personal digs at his antics.
Watch below for a bizarre exchange between the ESPN host and ex-Gunner Robson as they discuss wanting to “punch Arteta in the face” whilst questioning if he’s actually doing any real coaching or just acting up for the cameras…
Meanwhile, this is what the folks at ESPN are talking about. These men are so weird. pic.twitter.com/K8O3XsYBXt
“He’s meant to coach the game, he’s meant to give instructions,” Robson said.
“All Arteta does, I think he’s doing it for himself, is ‘look at me I’m great, I run this club, I do this, I do that’.
“It’s just absolutely pathetic.”
Robson added that in last night’s game he could hardly watch Arteta and said he had to turn away when his face appeared or he would have had to throw something at his TV.
Why does Mikel Arteta rub people up the wrong way?
Arteta is clearly not everyone’s cup of tea, and yet it’s a bit strange that he seems to get so much more criticism than a lot of managers who do similar things.
Perhaps the issue with Arteta is that he’s yet to win one of the major trophies, though the Spanish tactician may now be in with a serious chance of lifting both the Premier League and Champions League titles this season.
Is it time to show him a bit more respect, or does he need to calm down with his behaviour on the touchline? Give us your thoughts in the comments!
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The Brazil international clearly reacted badly when Pubill approached him and his teammates in their post-match celebrations, and it’s not quite clear if something was said that provoked his reaction.
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Take a look at the video clip below and decide for yourselves, but there seems to quite clearly be contact between Jesus’ hand and his opponent’s face…
This is certainly not the kind of thing anyone wants to see after what was otherwise an intriguing game between two top teams.
Arsenal players were surely perfectly entitled to celebrate reaching a first Champions League final in 20 years, so it seems strange that Pubill felt he had to get involved, even if there can be no justification for Jesus reacting so aggressively.
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Arsenal to face Bayern or PSG in Champions League final
Arsenal’s win last night means they’re now preparing to travel to Budapest on 30th of May to take on the winner of tonight’s other semi-final.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a thrilling first leg encounter last week, and it seems tough to predict who will come out on top this evening.
Arsenal have already beaten Bayern this season as they ran out 3-1 winners in a league phase game at the Emirates, while they lost to PSG in last season’s semi-finals.
Whoever they face, Mikel Arteta’s side will arguably not be the favourites, but they remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season and have no reason to doubt themselves as they look to win this trophy for the first time in their history.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has been filmed walking on the Arsenal badge as he made his way off the pitch at the Emirates Stadium last night.
While this strange new obsession with supposedly showing ‘respect’ by not walking on a certain area of flooring is a bit bizarre, it seems worth pointing out that Simeone did this less than a week after he complained about Ben White doing the same with the Atletico Madrid badge in the first leg of this Champions League semi-final.
See below for a video clip of Simeone doing nothing to avoid the Arsenal badge after his side’s 1-0 defeat at the Emirates, without anyone making the kind of fuss he did about White’s similar action last week…
Diego Simeone was spotted walking on the Arsenal badge at full-time, while his players avoided it ?
The Atletico Madrid manager confronted Ben White for doing the same thing in the first leg.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 6, 2026
Perhaps the reality here is that Simeone didn’t give it too much thought, because in all honesty, why would you?
As far as we can remember, this slightly manufactured controversy just wasn’t a thing until the last two or three years, but correct us in the comments if we’re wrong!
Arsenal reach Champions League final but more heartache for Atletico Madrid
Arsenal fans will be delighted to have made it to the Champions League final after a 20-year wait, and they’ll hope they can finally see their club win this competition for the first time.
Atletico, meanwhile, are facing more heartache after coming close on a few occasions and also still never managing to lift this famous old trophy.
Simeone guided the Spanish giants to two finals just over a decade ago, but lost to bitter rivals Real Madrid on both occasions, so this was a big chance for them to get there again without having to face a side who have such a psychological edge over them.
It could be a major rebuilding job for them this summer, however, with Antoine Griezmann set to leave and doubts over Julian Alvarez’s future.
The France international is currently going through a difficult period at the Bernabeu, despite his impressive individual statistics so far this season.
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Mbappe has 85 goals in 100 games for Real Madrid since joining last season, though he’s yet to win a major trophy with Los Blancos, and this season is also set to finish without silverware.
According to Fichajes, this has seen Liverpool register an interest in Mbappe in an ambitious potential move.
This comes as Marca and other Spanish football news outlets have reported on the former Paris Saint-Germain man’s attitude seeming to rub his teammates up the wrong way.
Liverpool, let’s not forget, spent huge money last summer on big names like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, so that could limit what they’re able to do this year without some serious sales to help balance the books and stay in line with Financial Fair Play rules.
Even then, not only would Mbappe cost a huge transfer fee, but he’d surely immediately become the club’s highest earner by some distance, which seems far from ideal, even if he is one of the best players in the world.
But before we even get into that, it’s not even clear if the 27-year-old will definitely be leaving Madrid.
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There may be some issues going on behind the scenes, but this sort of thing happens at every football club and the most likely thing is that all parties will work to resolve it.
Mbappe’s performances on the pitch mean it’s surely worth trying to keep him happy, and unless things really spiral from here, it doesn’t currently seem like we’re close to the stage where the club would look to get rid.
It would be hugely exciting to see Mbappe at Liverpool or another Premier League club, and while there’s perhaps always going to be some interest in his situation, we can’t see that leading to any concrete bids or negotiations just yet.
Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has reportedly spoken with Barcelona winger Raphinha about life at the Nou Camp amid doubts over his future.
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Still, it seems the Blues do not intend to sell Pedro this summer and the Brazil international has also not explicitly told them he wants to leave, according to Simon Phillips.
The report adds that Chelsea could make some sales this summer, but it seems that Pedro is not likely to be one of those, even if he does seem to be putting feelers out over a potential move away.
It would surely make sense for Pedro and other Chelsea players to consider moving on after such a poor season, with the west London giants now looking unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, while they could even miss out on Europe altogether.
Is Joao Pedro looking for a transfer to Barcelona?
Barca seemingly have an interest in Pedro, according to Phillips, but for now it’s all at an early stage and not necessarily likely to happen, even if the player himself has also asked his fellow countryman Raphinha about the club.
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Pedro certainly looks like someone who could flourish at a bigger club like Barcelona, but he’s on a long-term contract at CFC, so it would take a lot to force them into letting him go.
The 24-year-old has 20 goals and six assists in his first season at Chelsea, so they’ll no doubt want to keep him around for a long time.
Still, if he keeps performing like this it’s going to be very hard fighting off interest from Barcelona and other elite clubs if Chelsea are unable to convince players of this calibre that they’re serious contenders for the biggest trophies.
I’ve been speaking with my sources about a Serie A star who could be heading to the Premier League this summer after some impressive form.
A player attracting growing interest is Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. I’ve reported before on the Frenchman being eyed by Liverpool after his strong performances and positive scouting reports. I’m told that the Reds continue to monitor him closely as one of their top defensive targets, while Manchester United and Aston Villa are also in the mix.
Juventus, however, are standing firm. Sources close to the Italian giants insist they “do not intend to sell Kalulu” and view him as “central” to their long-term project.
Some sources have also suggested that Juventus are preparing a new contract for Kalulu, running until 2030, which would include a salary increase to around €3.5 million net per season plus bonuses. This move would not only secure the player’s future in Turin but also protect his market value against potential offers from abroad.
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Pierre Kalulu transfer could go through for the right price
I feel I should also share some information, however, from sources who’ve done a lot of work in and around the agents industry, who state that the strong suspicion is that Juve would sell for the right price, perhaps around €40m, especially if the player won’t agree to a new contract.
There is not yet a clear frontrunner out of Liverpool or Man United, but both clubs are making a defensive signing a top priority this summer, so it’s just about determining who looks like the best option and also who’s available. On that latter factor, it’s fair to say the messages are a bit mixed, but my personal feeling is that I suspect there might be an offer that would test Juventus’ resolve, even if they genuinely want to keep him.
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Aston Villa’s pursuit adds another layer to the story. The Midlands club are keen to reinforce their defensive line and see Kalulu as a potential solution. Yet Juventus’ determination to keep him makes negotiations difficult. Only an extraordinary offer could force the Italian side to rethink their position, and Villa’s Financial Fair Play issues certainly make that look unlikely without a big sale. With all the speculation surrounding Morgan Rogers, however, perhaps that’s something that can’t be entirely ruled out.
Kalulu’s fine form for Juventus shows just how big a talent he is, and we’ve seen many times before that in this situation if the Premier League’s top clubs want a player like this, they usually get him. It’s early days on this one, but it definitely has the feel of one of the biggest stories to watch for summer 2026.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has explained how the Gunners masterminded a Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
The legendary ex-Gunners boss says he felt that Mikel Arteta’s side’s ability to win their duels and limit Atletico Madrid’s chances ended up being key on the night.
Arsenal won 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, and 2-1 on aggregate, booking their place in the Champions League final in Budapest later this month.
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They’ll face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in that game, but for now Wenger feels it’s normal to celebrate even just making it to the final.
Arsene Wenger on Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final success
“I think Arsenal wanted wanted it a bit more than Atleti and they were more decisive in the duels,” Wenger said, as quoted by the Metro.
“We said before the game that to go to the final they needed to be strong defensively and they didn’t concede a goal tonight.
“They played a team who for 45 minutes absolutely needed to score a goal and they didn’t give them a chance.
“I believe it shows how strong Arsenal are defensively and how disciplined they are, as well a bit the limitations of Atletico, who were not good enough in the final third.”
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He added: “In the end it’s a well-deserved win for Arsenal, there’s no doubt they were the better team over the two legs.
“They celebrate well tonight which is normal but you want to focus already on the final and the next games.
“The celebration is deserved and happiness is normal – absolutely normal – but the next step is to go to the final and win in.”
Arsenal have been superb in the Champions League this season, having gone unbeaten in the competition up to this point.
The north London giants are also sitting top of the Premier League and may now be the favourites to win it after Manchester City slipped up away to Everton in their game on Monday night.
Could Arsenal now go all the way and win a Premier League and Champions League double? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has given credit to the improved form of Viktor Gyokeres in recent games after a particularly strong display in last night’s Champions League semi-final.
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Henry admits he’s been critical of Gyokeres at times, but he now feels that the former Sporting Lisbon man is proving him and his other critics wrong by becoming more of a real number 9 that opponents fear.
Watch below for Henry’s analysis…
Thierry Henry gives the Arsenal team their flowers after they make their first #UCL final since he played for the club in 2006 ??? pic.twitter.com/dlZpHPO1tm
— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 5, 2026
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Thierry Henry on Viktor Gyokeres
Discussing Gyokeres, Henry said: “You know, I’m old school, show me what you can do and I’ll say it.
“If you’re not playing well I’ll say you’re not playing well. For a very long time, for example, if I take the example of Gyokeres, the jury was out on him.
“It’s not a bad thing – embrace it, try to prove people wrong. Tonight he did, not only tonight but in the last month.
“I will give him his credit. He’s running, he looks solid, he looks a bit more like a number 9 you can be scared of.”
The Frenchman also praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the players for seeming to adapt better to Gyokeres by looking for him early and doing more to get the best out of his strengths.
Viktor Gyokeres’ first Arsenal season in numbers
Gyokeres stats
Games
Goals
Assists
Arsenal 2025/26
51
21
3
Gyokeres hasn’t always looked that convincing in a red and white shirt, having been an absolute goal machine at former club Sporting.
Still, the 27-year-old has managed an impressive 21 goals in 51 games in all competitions, which isn’t bad considering it’s his first season with a new club in a new league.
Gyokeres has also managed five goals in the Champions League to help the Gunners reach only their second ever final.
However, nothing has been fully agreed yet due to uncertainty over whether Tottenham can stay in the Premier League, which could lead to other clubs joining the race.
According to talkSPORT, Liverpool could be set to try to get in ahead of their rivals, with there still seemingly being no clarity on Ibrahima Konate staying and signing a new contract at Anfield.
Marcos Senesi transfer looks like a good opportunity for top clubs
Even if Senesi isn’t the biggest name in world football, he’s a quality player with Premier League experience who’s about to be available on a free transfer.
Tottenham could certainly do well to add someone like that to their squad for next season after flirting with relegation this term.
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Liverpool, meanwhile, have also had a disappointing season by their high standards, with Champions League qualification still not entirely guaranteed yet.
It seems clear the Reds would benefit from strengthening at the back after conceding 47 league goals – more than the likes of Everton and Crystal Palace, and 21 more than league leaders Arsenal.
Bournemouth to lose more star players?
Bournemouth saw Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez leave last summer, while Antoine Semenyo then joined Manchester City in January.
The Cherries now look set to lose Senesi for nothing, while there’ll likely be speculation over other star players such as Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott.
Meanwhile, manager Andoni Iraola is also leaving his position as he’ll also be out of contract this summer.
The World Cup is the biggest stage in football, and a chance for the top players to prove their worth. There will be a whole host of stars from the Premier League heading to North America this summer, looking to do the business, and we’ve picked out some of those who could make the difference for their respective nations.
Elliot Anderson
For the last couple of seasons, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has established himself as one of the top-flight’s leading players in his position. This has allowed the Whitley Bay-born star to secure the role next to Declan Rice in England’s central midfield. The Three Lions start as one of the favourites to win the tournament according to the latest online World Cup betting, and if Anderson can transfer his league form to the competition, they have a great chance of success.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is in the running to be named the Premier League’s player of the season due to his stellar form for Manchester United. The Portuguese number ten continues to excel, regardless of United’s form, and he also plays a key role for his country. The talk is often about Cristiano Ronaldo, but in Fernandes, Portugal have another genuine world-class talent who can make the difference on the pitch by scoring a goal or finding the right pass.
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Antoine Semenyo
Last season, Antoine Semenyo started to show what he’s truly capable of at the top level of the English game, and he continued that form into the current campaign. Even before he joined Manchester City in January, the Ghana star was doing the business with goals and assists. Since arriving in Manchester, he’s taken his game to another level, and the Black Stars will be relying on him to help them compete in and progress out of Group L, a group that also features England.
Igor Thiago
Rewind a season, and people would have scoffed at the mere suggestion that Brentford striker Igor Thiago could be on the plane to represent Brazil at the World Cup this summer. Serious injury halted Thiago’s start to life in the Premier League, but this season he’s delivered an impressive goals return of 21 in 33, and is only second to Erling Haaland in the goalscoring charts. The 24-year-old is brimming with confidence and will be looking to take that into the tournament.
Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez has been one of Argentina’s most important and dependable players in recent times, as proven by his displays at the 2022 World Cup. Argentina ran out winners of that tournament, with Martinez showing up in the big moments, and in the final especially. The Aston Villa keeper sets the tone for the rest of the team, and if La Albiceleste are to defend their crown, they will need Martinez to be that big presence he’s shown he can be once again.
Conclusion
As anticipation builds ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a whole raft of Premier League players will be dreaming of what’s to come. The players mentioned above all have the ability to make a difference for their respective nations when it matters most. And, it’s players like these that can ultimately make the difference between progressing in a tournament or heading home.
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The Brazil international is heading towards the end of his Man Utd contract and is keen to make a move to Miami his priority due to a desire to play with Lionel Messi.
Apparently, Casemiro would even be willing to accept a pay cut to get this dream move, with he and his family also keen on the move to the US, according to Sky Sports.
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Casemiro has performed well for United this season, with some fans perhaps even wondering if the club should make a quick U-turn on the 34-year-old’s deal as he edges closer to becoming a free agent.
Manchester United will surely miss Casemiro
Despite surely coming towards the end of his career, Casemiro has enjoyed a real renaissance this season, putting some of his past difficult MUFC form behind him.
It’s slightly surreal that it was two years ago we were seeing Jamie Carragher famously declaring that Casemiro should leave football before the football leaves him, with the former Real Madrid man now looking like someone the Red Devils are really going to miss…
It will be interesting to see how United end up replacing such an influential player, with Casemiro widely regarded as one of the top defensive midfielders of his generation.
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Even if we didn’t see Casemiro at his peak during his time at Old Trafford, he was world class for many years at Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and numerous other major honours.
United will surely have a tough job on their hands this summer trying to strengthen in midfield, with a signing needed to replace Casemiro, and also another probably required as an upgrade on the struggling Manuel Ugarte.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka got a big reaction from the pundits in the CBS Sports studio as he discussed who he wants to play in the Champions League final.
The Gunners were in celebratory mood last night as they made it to the final of Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time in 20 years and only the second time in their history.
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Saka scored the winner for Arsenal as they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium and 2-1 on aggregate, and he was asked about his preferred final opponent out of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain afterwards.
Watch below, however, as Saka insisted he couldn’t give an answer to that question from Micah Richards, though he dropped the cryptic line that “deep down” he knows who he wants to face…
This got a big reaction from the likes of Richards and Thierry Henry on the punditry team, and it’s interesting to think about what Saka could mean.
Who does Bukayo Saka want Arsenal to face in the Champions League final?
We will probably never know for sure which team Saka was talking about as Bayern prepare to host PSG at the Allianz Arena this evening for the second leg of their semi-final tie.
It may be that the England international has his eye on revenge on PSG for knocking them out in last season’s semi-final, which was a closer contest than the 3-1 aggregate score-line would suggest.
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Then again, perhaps Saka is thinking back to Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Bayern earlier this season in the league phase of the competition, with the player and the rest of his teammates perhaps fancying their chances against a side they already know they can beat.
We’ll find out later who will be Arsenal’s opponents, with the two finalists set to meet in Budapest on the 30th of May.
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