🚨 Nicolas Jackson HAT-TRICK, updates on FOUR Man Utd players' futures, good news for Arsenal, Liverpool eyeing South American gem, and more
Today's headlines, featuring Chelsea's win at Spurs, plus Liverpool & Man Utd transfer updates.
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Today’s top stories:
Chelsea stun 9-man Tottenham with a Nicolas Jackson hat-trick!
Plus more from Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Spurs
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AC Milan
Mike Maignan when asked about his future: “I love to stay at AC Milan, you all know that. I’m very happy here. New deal? We’ve not opened talks yet as it’s not the best moment for me and for the club.”
Arsenal
Arsenal fans are breathing a sigh of relief this morning as Tottenham won’t be matching their Invincibles season - Arsene Wenger remains the only manager with a golden Premier League trophy!
Barcelona
Alejandro Grimaldo: “Barcelona move last summer? Barca had no interest in me, no… they stayed focused on the two full-backs they already had.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Alejandro Grimaldo: “Barcelona move last summer? Barca had no interest in me, no… they stayed focused on the two full-backs they already had.”
Bologna
Bologna are unbeaten in their last ten Serie A games, they only lost their first game vs AC Milan. …and Bologna offered new deal to their coach Thiago Motta — “we want to get new deal sealed soon”, CEO Fenucci said. Many top clubs keep following Thiago for summer 2024.
Chelsea
What a result for Chelsea last night to end Tottenham’s unbeaten run, and what an impact Nicolas Jackson had as he hit a hat-trick thanks to a combination of some chaotic Spurs defending and some clinical finishing! FT Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Mauricio Pochettino: “Too many coaches wanted VAR… and now, when it’s against you: ah, no! It’s a disgrace, it’s difficult! I’m not talking about Arteta, eh…”
Pochettino on Nicolas Jackson: “It’s about building his confidence. We know when a striker is young and arrives at a club like Chelsea it is massive. I hope this hat-trick can allow him top play more relaxed, find the confidence he needs.”
Chelsea think they got a bargain with this signing - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
📰 Chelsea are eyeing up Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as a replacement for Thiago Silva, who will leave at the end of the season (Sun)
Liverpool
Andre remains on Liverpool’s list, but how likely is a move and how much would he cost? More from Fabrizio Romano here.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola on the Josko Gvardiol signing: “The mood in our Man City team is absolutely the best I remember for many, many years. Gvardiol? Excellent player. I’m so happy that we’ve been able to sign him, he’s top guy and player.”
Kalvin Phillips is still expected to leave Manchester City in January. Discussing the England midfielder’s future, Pep Guardiola said: “Kalvin , exceptional in many things. Why he doesn’t play? Rodri, key for us... Never, ever makes one action against mates that play, or a bad face, training bad. I’d love to give him as much minutes as possible.”
More here from Fabrizio Romano on Kalvin Phillips and another potential Man City exit in the coming months.
What's Next For Lionel Messi Following Eighth Ballon d'Or?
Manchester United
Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive updates on Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay.
Erik ten Hag: “Our win at Fulham doesn’t change the pressure on us. That is the demand when you work for Manchester United. It counts for everyone, the players and definitely for the manager.”
Newcastle director Dan Ashworth on Man Utd links: “It’s the same situation as Howe. I'm really happy, it's brilliant city, club and project. I’ve got NO release clause in my NUFC contract. Eddie has got a brilliant relationship with the staff, board and supporters.”
Marcel Sabitzer: “I feel very positive about my time at Man United, I’d have loved to stay. You ask yourself: what’s going on? I see there’s a lot of noise, results not good, they’ve had defeats at home, which almost felt unthinkable last season. And there’s still the unresolved situation of the ownership. I feel sorry for them because they’re all good guys, and extremely hungry for success.”
Newcastle United
Newcastle director Dan Ashworth on Man Utd links: “It’s the same situation as Howe. I'm really happy, it's brilliant city, club and project. I’ve got NO release clause in my NUFC contract. Eddie has got a brilliant relationship with the staff, board and supporters.”
PSG
What’s the latest on Kylian Mbappe’s future? Fabrizio Romano with the details here.
Luis Enrique: “Warren Zaire-Emery is a diamond. He knows where to position himself on the pitch, and this is what makes great players”. “It is easy to coach a player like him, with his innate skills”. “One of his best attributes is that he is humble. I love him!”.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have an option to sign Takefusa Kubo for a bargain fee - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Can Real Madrid fans expect to see Kylian Mbappe joining them next summer? Fabrizio Romano with the latest details here.
After Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao will also sign new deal at Real Madrid soon. It will be valid until June 2028, as agreed one year ago. Release clause will be same as Brazilian teammates: €1B. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will also sign new contracts.
Endrick will be joining Real Madrid next July… and has now just been called up for Brazil national team at 17. Diniz: “He has the potential to be one of top players. His call-up is an award, also glimpse into the future as a boy born in 2006 producing what he does catches my attention.”
Tottenham
Before Chelsea’s comeback, Tottenham opened them up well here for the opening goal from Dejan Kulusevski. Could they have won if it had stayed eleven vs eleven? FT Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea [Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Another red card for Cristian Romero yesterday, and since the start of 2021-22, the Argentine has been sent off four times in all competitions for Tottenham, more than any other player in the Premier League in that period, as per Opta.
Ange Postecoglou on referees and VAR: “Premier League managers should just manage their football clubs. I will never talk to a referee about the rules of the game. I was told when I grew up to respect the officials … You know what managers do? We try bend the rules.”
Postecoglou on the defeat to Chelsea: “I am very proud of the players. Right to the end they were trying to create something for us. The players couldn't give any more than they did, part of this game is will, effort and determination, they showed that.”
Postecoglou on Tottenham mentality with high line: “It is just who we are mate, it is who we are and who we will be for as long as I am here. If we go down to five men we will have a go…”
Postecoglou on injuries: “It’s too early to talk about Maddison and Van de Ven injuries but… for Micky, it looks like a significant one.”
📰 Tottenham are looking to raid Leicester City again this January as they eye Wilfred Ndidi to bolster their midfield (Express)
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com