🚨 Haaland's INSANE UCL record, Real Madrid's Saudi FEAR, former Chelsea target available, plus Arsenal star to Newcastle?
Today's headlines, featuring Champions League goals and latest Chelsea and Arsenal transfer news.
Good morning folks and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - your essential round-up of the biggest football stories all in one place and completely ad-free. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
What a goal by Erling Haaland as he continued his stunning record in the UCL
Plus more from Arsenal, Liverpool & Real Madrid
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AC Milan
AC Milan ‘welcomed’ Gianluigi Donnarumma back to the San Siro last night by throwing fake money at their former goalkeeper, as they felt betrayed when he left the club to join PSG.
Olivier Giroud: “Yes, I’m 37 but I’m still experiencing incredible emotions. I love it. San Siro was insane and Milan fans chanting… I loved that and I’m proud of my team.”
AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani: “There’s a chance to have Zlatan Ibrahimovic back with us in the management. We are on it, we’d be proud of that. We are in talks with Zlatan to discuss the next steps.”
AC Milan gem Francesco Camarda scored this stunning overhead kick goal vs PSG in the UEFA Youth League — a top talent born in 2008, he’s just 15 years of age and surely someone with a big future! FT AC Milan 2-2 PSG [Pictures courtesy of UEFA TV]
Al Ittihad
Nuno Espirito Santo has been sacked - Al Ittihad decided to fire the coach. Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and all the other stars will have another coach.
Julen Lopetegui and Laurent Blanc could be two names to watch for the Al Ittihad job, but Zinedine Zidane has categorically rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia in the past.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta: “You can see the unity in our club. My duty is also to defend my players and my club in best possible way. I always do it, I’ll take my responsibility to do it. It’s the way I am, I’m not gonna change that. I have to defend my club, Arsenal.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu on if VAR has improved the game: “I don’t know to be honest, but it’s better not to say a lot of things because I’m a player! My job is to play and perform on the pitch - that’s it.”
Could this Arsenal star be on his way to Newcastle? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
📰 Thomas Partey wants to leave Arsenal in January, with Juventus the front-runners for his signature [Tuttomercatoweb]
Atlanta United
Thiago Almada on his future: “First I want to finish my season here in MLS until December and then we will see what options I’ll have in January. My dream is to play in Europe and let’s hope it happens…”
Atletico Madrid
Was this the goal of the night from Alvaro Morata? The Spanish forward is in superb form at the moment, and what a hit this was as Atletico Madrid thrashed Celtic! FT Atletico Madrid 6-0 Celtic [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Antoine Griezmann: “Whether it's midfield, forward or attacking midfielder, I try to do what everyone should do in that position. I’m learning by watching a lot of football. I do whatever the club and Cholo need. You have to learn. You pick up little tricks from others.”
Diego Simeone on Griezmann: “He’ll be one of best players in the history of the club. I had no doubts, even when not everyone was convinced of his return. He was born to play for Atleti.”
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund’s game against Newcastle was halted briefly as fans of the Bundesliga giants staged a protest against their Premier League opponents - full story here.
Chelsea
Anthony Taylor will return to the Premier League to referee Chelsea vs Manchester City this weekend after his recent demotion to the Championship for wrongly awarding Newcastle a penalty against Wolves last month. A few eyebrows may be raised by this decision as he also made a controversial decision in the game between Preston and Coventry City.
Cause for concern for Mauricio Pochettino despite Chelsea’s win over Tottenham?
Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic can leave Juventus for the right price - full details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Manuel Locatelli will sign a new long term deal at Juventus valid until June 2028 on Thursday. It will be done, sealed and made official this week.
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night together with Giovanni Manna. Juve are exploring the English market for January window, but Kalvin Phillips is not considered a priority target as of now as Juve would prefer a more offensive midfielder.
Liverpool
Manchester City
Erling Haaland is now on 39 goals in 34 Champions League games - and what an unstoppable effort this was from the Manchester City man! FT Man City 3-0 Young Boys [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag confirms a big blow for Manchester United: “I don’t expect Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro to be available again before Christmas.”
Ten Hag supports Antony: “I think he had a really good pre-season. He has to get himself back into form. Hard work, invest and it will come I’m sure.”
Plus - Fabrizio Romano sheds light on potential changes at board level under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Manchester United have been accused of going ‘too far’ with their treatment of Jadon Sancho - full story here.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on the Dortmund defeat: “Today’s task was huge for us and, ultimately, we weren’t good enough. I’m disappointed. I always am when two things come together, you don’t perform at your best and you lose. Those two things are a double whammy for me. We are probably going to have to win our last two games now.”
Porto
What a moment from Pepe as he made history with this goal for Porto last night! FT Porto 2-0 Antwerp [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Pepe says it all after becoming the oldest player ever to score in the Champions League at 40 years and 256 days old… “First of all, it’s a special day as it was my mother’s birthday. I told her: I’m gonna score a goal for you! To be here at this age it’s incredible, to work hard, sacrifice and also enormous passion for football. It was my dream to be a football player one day. To be in a full stadium and play, enjoy, have special nights.”
PSG
Nasser Al Khelaifi on PSG project: “I’d call it evolution, not revolution. More than anything, we’ve a renewed philosophy. It’s based on the collective — not the individual. Based on the long term, not over-reaction.”
Al Khelaifi on Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid: “I didn’t see Real Madrid statement about Mbappe to be honest — we focus on ourselves not others. Time and time again Kylian delivers… he’s the best player in the world. It’s fantastic to see him driving forward PSG.”
Ousmane Dembele: “Initially, I thought I was going to stay at Barca… then contacts with PSG made me want to leave. I came to PSG as I love the club! I’m from Evreux, not far from here… also like this project with the chairman, sporting director and the coach.”
RB Leipzig
Xavi Simons scored again last night for RB Leipzig. That’s now three goal/assist contributions in his first four Champions League games ever, and a total of 12 goal/assist contributions this season on loan at RB Leipzig. FT Red Star Belgrade 1-2 RB Leipzig [Pictures courtesy of TNT Sports]
Many questions about Benjamin Sesko’s limited game time. His agent Elvis Basanovic told Fabrizio Romano: “I get a lot of similar calls, questions in last period. So I would like to be clear that Benjamin and his team around him, we are totally calm and we trust 100% to Mr Rose and RB Leipzig. We choose to come here as they have knowledge, experience with development of top young players, so we are sure they know what they are doing.”
Real Madrid
Official and confirmed: Eduardo Camavinga has signed a new long term deal at Real Madrid valid until June 2029. An agreement was sealed last month and it’s now confirmed by the club. The Frenchman’s new release clause is €1bn.
Real Madrid have one eye on the Saudis as they bump up their star players’ wages and release clauses - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Carlo Ancelotti on Real Madrid transfers: “We are not planning to sign ANY player in January. I think the January market is OFF for us. Militao and Courtois will return before the end of the season. Nothing is set to happen in January. In summer, maybe…”
Ancelotti on criticism: “Unfair criticism? No, I don’t feel it. I feel loved by the fans and the Bernabeu. The club supports me every day. I don’t feel the criticism, I feel very comfortable here at Real Madrid.”
Ancelotti on Brahim Diaz: “I have read that I have something against Brahim Diaz because he didn’t have minutes… not true, I have no problem with him. He didn’t have minutes but I know he can help the team. The competence is very high here. He will have minutes.”
📰 Real Madrid are making Jamal Musiala their priority alternative if they fail to sign Kylian Mbappe (Bild)
Tottenham
Son Heung-min has NEVER been for sale at Spurs - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Richarlison has confirmed he is set for surgery on a long-term issue with his pubic bone. “The last few months haven’t been easy for me... I’ve had health problems. I’ve already spoken to the doctors and soon I will do surgery on my pubis. I think it’s time to rest.”
West Ham United
And finally…
David Beckham did NOT look happy with Thierry Henry taking the last of his crisps…what’s the story here - a genuine argument or were they filming an advert??
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Clearly an advert. Look at Beckham is holding the bag.