🚨Cristiano makes HISTORY, Arteta's FA observations, Klopp's difficulty, Pep's LEAGUE ONE claim, BRILLIANT Maguire and more
Today's football headlines all in one place for you, featuring Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan manager Pioli: “Yes, it’s true — Francesco Camarda will be called up for the Fiorentina game. He’s a very good prospect and talent has no age. He will be ready if we need him.” Camarda, born in 2008, is just 15 years of age.
Al Nassr
After Friday night’s brace for Al Nassr in their 3-0 win over Al Akhdoud, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the most first division goals in football history. It’s also 61 goal contributions in 2023 alone.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta on Tomiyasu: “I value him a lot and I really want him to stay, he’s going to be part of our plans. He’s loved and respected by everybody at the club. He’s at the level we need to make an impact on the team.”
On Aaron Ramsdale: “He’s one of many players who is playing less than he wants. There are many unfortunately in a dressing room of 24 players. The behaviour we always demand is to challenge and to make each other better — just show me that I’m wrong.”
David Raya is unable to face his parent club Brentford… and Arteta has confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal for Arsenal. His last Premier League game was on Sept 3 vs Man United.
Fabrizio Romano has the latest on Aaron Ramsdale’s situation.
Christian Falk’s exclusive insight into the one decision that could see Kai Havertz ruined.
Could Arsenal sign Ivan Toney in January? Fabrizio Romano has more.
Mikel Arteta gave an injury update on Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
He also spoke about sending his observations to the FA regarding being charged against Newcastle [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
“They could upgrade” – Former invincible says Chelsea could sign 25-year-old Arsenal star [talkSPORT]
Barcelona
Jules Koundé isn’t happy with the current status quo in football: “There are too many games. The pace has become more and more intense, there are too many injuries and it's becoming more and more dangerous. What bothers me is that when we make this observation, people say that we used to play a lot more in the past. Even if that was true, it doesn't mean it was good before.”
Xavi on more injury problems for Barcelona: “Ter Stegen will not be able to play this weekend. We’ve all confidence in Iñaki Peña, who is 100% prepared. There is nothing to announce about Gavi's replacement. We are talking to Deco, but at the moment there is no news.”
An Arabic newspaper reported that Ilkay Gündogan has requested to join the Saudi Pro League in January. Xavi: "Really? They said that? Wow. Gündogan is looking for a house here in Barcelona. 𝘚𝘩𝘶𝘬𝘳𝘢𝘯 (‘thank you’ in Arabic)."
Bayern Munich
Bayern director Christoph Freund confirms new signings soon: “We're quite thin at the back. There's also the Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations. There's a lot to do in the next few weeks for us.”
Christian Falk on why Tottenham are unlikely to be able to take advantage of their ‘matching offer’ on Harry Kane.
Harry Kane has now 18 goals after 12 Bundesliga match days after scoring another key goal in Bayern’s 1-0 win on Friday night against Cologne.
Thomas Tuchel on not using any subs against Cologne, meaning Thomas Müller and others were on the bench for 90 mins: “I kept thinking about how I could bring Thomas into the game but I didn't want to disturb the rhythm. This doesn't normally happen, so I apologised to the boys on the bench.”
Chelsea
Fabrizio Romano has the latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Ivan Toney.
Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and also Wolves were all keen on signing Habib Diarra. Strasbourg keep hold of the French midfielder as he has signed a new deal until June 2028. He remains under Chelsea’s control, however, and he’s being monitored closely by the club.
Chelsea injury updates: Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Wesley Fofana are all continuing to undergo their rehabilitation programmes. Mauricio Pochettino spoke about the latest news on Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
Nico Jackson: “When I was growing up, I loved Cristiano Ronaldo. I had his name on a shirt that I always wore. Not an actual football shirt because they are expensive, but I had a shirt that I put the number seven and Ronaldo on with a pen. I did it myself when I was a kid.”
Tomori or Guehi to Chelsea? Si Phillips has more in his weekly deep dive.
Blow for London rivals, 24-year-old target has chosen Chelsea as his next club [Calciomercato]
Everton
Sean Dyche talked about how aggrieved Everton feel about the ‘disproportionate’ 10-point penalty, but said the focus for the players remains the same [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
Inter Milan
Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has signed a new deal until June 2027, done and sealed.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp talked about the game against Man City being the most difficult that his Liverpool side could play [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
Special insight from our columnist Christian Falk on which player could replace Mo Salah if the Egyptian King decides to move to the Saudi Pro League.
Christian Falk on the reasons why Jurgen Klopp could take the German national team job.
Report: Liverpool are now favourites to sign 20-year-old Brazilian prodigy [UOL]
Manchester City
Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta: “Real Madrid links? You should ask Real Madrid, not me. He deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, I hope he’s going to win it one day — but I’m sure he prefers the Champions League title with his team.”
Pep Guardiola was incredibly complimentary about opposite number, Jurgen Klopp, ahead of another Man City vs Liverpool clash [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
Pep Guardiola on the early kick-off time vs Liverpool: “Please don’t blame Man City for that, please, we are not involved. We ruin the Premier League but you know, I’m sorry… it’s not that, it’s a kick-off from them it’s not our fault.”
He also spoke about the charges hanging over the club: “I’ve not changed my view on the 115 charges against Man City. Everton? Two completely different cases. I know people are saying: why don't Man City go to the Conference and I feel that people want City to be punished. But at the moment we are innocent. There's more chance of me staying after being relegated to League One than us winning the Champions League again.”
Could Manchester City or Chelsea actually be relegated? Angus Scott is joined as usual by Ben Jacobs and a special guest on The Debrief podcast, former Manchester City Financial Advisor Stefan Borson:
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag spoke about various issues in his press conference: “Raphael Varane and his exit? I don't know what you're talking about. Rumours... He’s a very important player, but there is internal competition. When you have to decide between two players who are brilliant - Varane and Harry Maguire - then you have to make a choice. All the rest is just rumours. FFP? It was the same in the previous window, and the window before. There's always been a limit on how much business you can do. So, we have to match it but it limits you on the things you can do.”
The Dutchman also had some injury news on Andre Onana, Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
Mason Mount has picked up an injury. Tests took place on Friday in order to understand how long he will be out for. Mount is determined to work hard and return as soon as possible after an unfortunate start to his career at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag could make another move for a Bayern Munich legend reveals Christian Falk.
Erik ten Hag pressing Manchester United to sign 28-year-old Serie A star [Fichajes]
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali: “Sandro has been training very well, which makes it even more frustrating that we can’t use him. It’s probably the best we’ve seen him train. He’s coping very well with the situation I’d say, it’s a hallmark of his character.”
Fabrizio Romano has some exclusive insight into Newcastle’s potential replacement for Sandro Tonali.
Howe was asked about clubs loaning players from other clubs which are owned by the same organisations [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
Christian Falk has exclusively revealed that Newcastle could be on the verge of a brilliant striker acquisition.
Newcastle preparing £34.7 million January offer for technically gifted midfielder [Fichajes]
Nice
Rafaela Pimenta on Kephren Thuram and his future: “Juventus move? It’s too early to say. I don’t know what’s going to happen yet. He’s a key player for Nice, and usually in January there are no big transfers.”
Real Madrid
Fabrizio Romano has the truth on the persistent rumours linking Mauro Icardi with a switch to Real Madrid.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou on Spurs January plans: "In terms of January, the planning is well underway with that. Johan has come in and he's leading that in terms of all the background work. We’re at the beginning of trying to build something…"
Ange Postecoglou hints at involving sensational teenager [football.london]
Despite losing their last two matches, ‘Ange ball’ is still going to be a thing according to the manager [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
West Ham
West Ham manager, David Moyes, had some positive words to say about his former club, Everton, in the wake of their 10-point deduction [pictures from Sky Sports News]:
West Ham set for huge disappointment in striker chase [Sky Sports]