🚨 NO keeper debate at Arsenal, Poch wants top four, Man United's clean sweep, Pep's SORROW, Ange's ANGER, Moyes delighted and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - all today’s essential football headlines in one place for you, completely ad-free and delivered straight to your inbox. Enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
WATCH: Sean Dyche’s passionate response to 10-point deduction
Plus more from Aston Villa, Liverpool and Tottenham
Arsenal
“Stood up and been counted” – Stan Collymore on the Arsenal man who is making Gunners tick [CaughtOffside]
Man Utd want €40m-rated ace with 15 goal contributions, but he prefers Arsenal [Football Transfers]
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, insisted that there was no goalkeeping debate when asked about David Raya’s recent form and mistakes [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Aston Villa
“Saw Pep’s side fall apart” – Stan Collymore lauds one of Villa’s best performances in 45 years [Caught Offside]
Unai Emery is already focused on the match against Arsenal as Aston Villa seek to cement their place in the top three [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Bayer Leverkusen
Bundesliga Rookie of the Month is… Victor Boniface, once again. Rookie of the Month August — Boniface. Rookie of the Month September — Boniface. Rookie of the Month October — Boniface. Rookie of the Month November — Boniface. Four in a row.
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel spoke about the €15m deal for Bryan Zaragoza: “We have signed a very young and very hungry player. He's a good dribbler, very strong in 1v1 situations. Bryan also has a lot of self-confidence and a lot of hunger. We are happy that he's joining us.”
Chelsea
Chelsea receive boost in their pursuit of £70 million-rated Serie A star [90Min]
What’s going wrong at Chelsea and how can it be fixed? Si Phillips has some exclusive insight.
Transfer expert has the latest on Pochettino’s position at Chelsea after Man United debacle [Fabrizio Romano]
Despite a poor start to his Chelsea tenure, Mauricio Pochettino believes that the Blues will challenge for the top four in the Premier League [pictures from Hayters].
Everton
“Really poor” – BBC Pundit enraged by what 38-year-old did during Everton’s win against Newcastle [BBC]
Everton manager, Sean Dyche, was as pragmatic as always after the Toffees 3-0 win over Newcastle, suggesting that the first-team will just “get on with it” after their 10-point deduction [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Fenerbahce
Fenerbahçe’s proposal to Rade Krunic remains the same since last summer, almost agreed on personal terms. He's the top target for the Turkish club. AC Milan are waiting for a formal proposal on the club side in the next few weeks as Krunic will not be offered a new deal.
Inter Milan
Inter CEO Marotta: "We are advancing in talks to extend Lautaro Martinez’s contract, and it will be valid for the next five years. He loves Inter and our negotiation is progressing well."
Lautaro Martinez: ‘Played World Cup and Champions League Final with pain-killers’ [Football Italia]
Liverpool
£60m-rated “really impressive” 23-year-old England international being tracked by Liverpool [Football Insider]
Jurgen Klopp isn’t fussed if Liverpool can go top of the table with a win before Arsenal play Aston Villa this weekend [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Manchester United
Manchester United complete a clean sweep of the Premier League’s November Awards. Manager of the Month, Erik ten Hag. Goal of the Month, Alejandro Garnacho. Player of the Month, Harry Maguire. “Couldn’t have done it without my team mates, the staff and you fans. Your love and support doesn’t go unnoticed, I appreciate it,” Maguire said.
Erik Ten Hag on Marcus Rashford’s current form: “I’m not going to change my idea. He’s an incredibly good player. He can't play every game, he's not in the moment of form he was last year, but I am sure Marcus will get there.”
Erik ten Hag on McTominay goals: “Actually from the first moment I saw, he has a very good smell to make it in the box and is a very good finisher. That's not a surprise when the team, when we bring it and the way we want to play, get the balls to them, he will finish.”
Erik Ten Hag when asked if Jadon Sancho will ever return to his squad: “Jadon knows what he has to do if he wants to return and it is up to him. It’s about a culture and every player has to match certain standards. It was about that.”
Victor Lindelof will miss the Bournemouth game. Erik ten Hag confirmed to club media that he’s not available because of injury but Raphael Varane is “available to play.”
£55m ace has had a tough time but remains the future of Man United [Fabrizio Romano]
Intriguing Sancho swap deal mooted at Man United [Fabrizio Romano]
Man United have no hope with Bruno as leader says Stan Collymore [Caught Offside]
Erik ten Hag lauded Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, saying that both had played themselves back into his starting XI [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola: “I'm so sorry for Kalvin Phillips. I ask for good personality and also good character and he’s the perfect example. It’s just because I visualise something, I visualise the team and I struggle a little bit to see him. That’s all.”
More journalists should be like Carra and dig out Pep Guardiola and others says Stan Collymore [CaughtOffside]
Pep Guardiola said there were many factors in play with regards to Man City’s current loss of form, not just the absence of Rodri [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Newcastle
De Gea waiting for the right opportunity with Newcastle set to make a decision [Fabrizio Romano]
Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr is working hard to return as soon as possible after the injury suffered in November, with sources confident he will be back in January. The plan isn’t confirmed yet but Real are now optimistic.
Incredible stats show Real Madrid star has become Carlo Ancelotti’s most reliable option [AS]
Carlo Ancelotti spoke about various matters in his Friday press conference: “Tchouameni and Arda Güler are close to a return with the team. Vinicius Jr. and Camavinga will be back in 2024… Arda Güler is almost back, he will train harder next week and then he’ll be ready. I can't say if he will play the last games of the year or at the start of 2024…
“…If I would go to Saudi Arabia for €500 million? Look, I wouldn't even have to book the flight. I would walk with my feet to go there. No, I'm joking. I don’t need money. The world is really changing and will keep changing…. I’ve not received any call from Saudi. I’ve another plan and it’s not about Saudi. I never decided anything based on the financial package. Money is not crucial, I’ve enough money, I just want to feel good.”
Ancelotti when asked about his future or Kylian Mbappé news for 2024. “I’m not going to comment on Mbappé, on what’s going to happen in the club and the same about my future.”
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham register interest in attacker, £20 million offer would get deal done [Football Insider]
Son Heung-min wasn’t happy with Spurs’ defeat by West Ham: “It’s unacceptable. The fans do not deserve this. When you have the chances to kill the game, you have to play better. As a group, we should take responsibility.”
Son limped off in the West Ham game, and manager, Ange Postecoglou, gave an update to reporters on his captain’s condition [pictures from Sky Sports].
The Spurs manager also set out the challenges that his team face and why he’s still not happy with the way they are performing [pictures from Sky Sports News].
West Ham
Saudi Arabian clubs plotting January raid on West Ham for 27-year-old star [Football Insider]
David Moyes was delighted with West Ham’s ‘exceptional’ win over Tottenham. The Hammers face Fulham in another away London derby on Sunday [pictures from Sky Sports News].
Anyone else think that Pochettino is on borrowed time?