🚨 Bellingham scores AGAIN, Haaland shines for Man City, Arsenal linked with Ligue 1 star, latest on Chelsea duo's futures, new Liverpool deal, & much more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for read, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Jude Bellingham was on fire again for Real Madrid last night
Erling Haaland was back to his best to help Man City beat Everton
Fabrizio Romano responds as Arsenal are linked with two big names
AC Milan
Theo Hernandez when asked about return to Real Madrid. “I’ve great memories at Real Madrid, I’ve many friends there but I’m so happy at Milan, I’m not thinking about other options. We never know the future but I’m happy and focused on Milan.”
Arsenal
Nico Williams has been scouted by Arsenal and another top Premier League club - details here from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Is Khephren Thuram the latest name on Arsenal’s list of midfield targets? Fabrizio Romano takes a look here.
Gabriel Magalhaes on being benched earlier in the season: “It is difficult for any player to not be in the team but now I’m back in I want to keep on working hard to prove my worth. He (Arteta) spoke to me and obviously explained the reasons behind the decision. Why I should stay, but the most important thing was to remain focused and concentrate. He knew how important I was to the team, so I’m happy to be back and to be able to help the team in every game. I’m happy to be back in the team and hopefully I can help them moving forward.”
Arsenal have reportedly been scouting this Premier League attacker…
Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen beat Bayern Munich 3-0 and they’re still unbeaten this season in all competitions, with 27 wins and four draws from 31 games, while they’re now five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen announces that Thomas Tuchel job is still safe: “Nothing has changed. Deserved defeat today but we won’t give up, we keep going.”
Tuchel on Josip Stanisic scoring against Bayern while he’s on loan to Leverkusen. “In England there’s a nice rule where when you loan a player out, they can’t play against you. For me that makes more sense. The rule unfortunately doesn’t exist in Germany.”
Tuchel on Sacha Boey playing at left-back: “It’s our responsibility. We needed Sacha there with his speed against Tella and Frimpong. Everyone was just sleeping in the first goal. That was a very cheap goal to concede.”
Harry Kane: “We’re five points behind now but there are still a lot of games to go. This one hurts, we wanted a different outcome, but we have to focus on, first, the Champions League, and obviously the next game. There are a lot of games to be played and we have to try and make up as many points as we can, as quickly as we can.”
Thomas Muller after the 3-0 defeat to Leverkusen: “We lack courage. I have to quote Oliver Kahn here. We’re too caught up in our heads… we have no freedom. That’s missing in our game. Sometimes you have to speak about the players. It's not just about the coach.”
Brentford
Ivan Toney on Thomas Frank saying he’s likely to be sold: “I see that as he doesn’t want me! [laughs] Nah, the manager has said what he’s said but listen, I can’t make clubs come and get me. I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and that’s score goals and like I said, what will be, will be.”
Chelsea
Could Chelsea rival Arsenal for this exciting winger? Fabrizio Romano with more exclusive info here.
Thiago Silva was left out of Chelsea’s XI against Villa, so what does it mean for his role in the team now?
Conor Gallagher may have to sign a new deal or leave this summer - latest details here from Fabrizio Romano’s column.
Inter Milan
Alessandro Bastoni bagged Inter’s fourth goal in a dramatic comeback win at Roma! FT Roma 2-4 Inter [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Inter were less than kind to their former player Romelu Lukaku after the game…
Liverpool
Liverpool wonderkid Kieran Morrison had interest from English and German clubs before agreeing a new contract - more from Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column here.
How much truth is there to Lecce wonderkid Patrick Dorgu and links with Liverpool? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his column.
Jurgen Klopp on Trent Alexander-Arnold going off at half time: “He felt pain in same area, in the left knee. Nothing really bad, but he felt it again, and we have to see. We will assess it. We had to be careful and take him off.”
Manchester City
Everton held on for a while, but eventually Man City found a way through thanks to the quality of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne! FT Man City 2-0 Everton [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Erling Haaland has now scored 51 goals in 50 Premier League starts. It’s more than any other player managed in their first 50 starts in the competition.
Haaland praises Kevin De Bruyne, who’s provided five assists since returning from injury: “De Bruyne’s assist? I know I’m going to get the pass perfect... that’s the small difference, you know the ball is going to go with Kevin.”
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag: “I said to the team from the start of January every game is now a final. It’s very important to play Champions League. You have more financial power when you achieve the Champions League, and that is our target.”
📰 Man Utd are among the clubs in the race for Amadou Onana, but Barcelona could struggle to afford the Everton midfielder (Sun)
Newcastle United
What a goal by Bruno Guimaraes to give Newcastle the win in this thrilling encounter with Nottingham Forest! FT Forest 2-3 Newcastle [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Nottingham Forest
Callum Hudson-Odoi did his best to keep Forest in the game against Newcastle with this superb solo effort. FT Forest 2-3 Newcastle [Pictures from Sky Sports]
PSG
Goncalo Ramos capitalised on some poor defending by Lille to slot in this PSG equaliser in last night’s game. FT PSG 3-1 Lille [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Luis Enrique was seen smiling to Leny Yoro after last night’s game between PSG and Lille as they wanted to sign him in January. Lille’s president Letang didn’t want to let Yoro leave. In the summer he’s going to join a top club with many interested.
Randal Kolo Muani: “I’m going to tell you a secret: with time, people will say that €90m was a good price for Randal Kolo Muani. I know that at the moment people are saying: what’s €90m for Kolo Muani? But I insist: they will see, quite simply.”
📰 PSG have offered Kylian Mbappe a new two-year contract in the hope that he’ll turn down Real Madrid (AS)
Real Madrid
20 goals and 8 assists in 29 games at Real Madrid for Jude Bellingham - what a fantastic signing he’s been! FT Real Madrid 4-0 Girona [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Real Madrid want Alphonso Davies and have another left-back on their radar - more from Fabrizio Romano here.
Rodrygo Goes: “If Kylian Mbappe comes, he will help us. He is one of the best in the world. I want to play with the best players of course but I can’t say more on this topic.”
Carlo Ancelotti on Toni Kroos’ contract due to expire in June. “It’s just him deciding. It’s up to Toni. He will decide at the right moment and in the best way, I’m sure.”
Ancelotti on Mbappe: “You keep asking me about a player who plays for another team. We already have the best players in the world here. In order: Vini Jr first, Bellingham second, Rodrygo third. Then Kroos, Valverde, Camavinga…”
Vinicius Junior: “I’m always happy to be a Real Madrid player, very happy. I hope the president lets me play here for a very long time because I love this club. Jude Bellingham? He’s the best this season! We’re a family.”
Real Madrid expect Antonio Rudiger to return from his muscle injury in February, he should be back within two weeks if all goes to plan.
Roma
A lovely strike by Stephan El Shaarawy in off BOTH posts, though it wasn’t enough to win Roma the game. FT Roma 2-4 Inter [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Salernitana
Serie A side Salernitana are set to sack Filippo Inzaghi as they’re looking for a new head coach. Jerome Boateng and Kostas Manolas both signed for Salernitana last week as free agents.
Tottenham
Union Berlin
Danilho Doekhi scored the winner for Union Berlin today and he’ll be one to watch next summer. His contract expires in June 2025, and there are clubs from Serie A, Premier League and Bundesliga monitoring him.