🚨 WATCH Van Dijk's winner for Liverpool, Leao's Milan GOLAZO, plus latest on Arsenal target's asking price, Sesko to Chelsea, and more
Today's round-up, featuring Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and much more!
Happy Monday folks and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Arsenal, Man Utd & Real Madrid
AC Milan
What an absolute worldie this was by Rafael Leao! FT AC Milan 1-1 Atalanta [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Pedro Neto to Arsenal? Wolves will decide his asking price soon…
Mikel Arteta: “Jorginho is a top player, especially when the opponents have certain behaviours or certain set-up. He’s world class, for sure. Remember he’s not playing consistently, so credit to him because he was magnificent once again.”
Declan Rice: “Saliba is unbelievable, obviously I heard a lot of talk about him before I came here...But the one that really surprised me is actually Gabriel. He’s so aggressive, so strong, really wants it all the time, never loses a duel. Top!”
Evan Ferguson to Arsenal? Latest reports suggest he’s on their radar…
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future may be in some doubt - get the latest from Matteo Moretto’s column.
Mikayil Faye has scored two goals in last two games for Barca Athletic...as a defender, he’s doing fantastic in the Blaugrana Academy. Barca are very happy with his performances as they already turned down €9m proposal from RC Lens in January.
Bayern Munich
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen confirms Thomas Tuchel approved the decision to part ways, it was not only made on club side: “If Thomas hadn’t been of the same opinion as us, we wouldn’t have said together in a press release that we were parting ways amicably...”
Bayern director Christoph Freund when asked about Xabi Alonso: “That’s not a topic for us now. We now all have to work together to ensure that we spend three more nice and successful months together with Tuchel.”
Joachim Low says he will definitely not be the next Bayern coach: “Bayern probably have no interest in me as a coach and I would also have no interest in Bayern. I’ve always said another job here in Germany is out of the question for me.”
Harry Kane on Tuchel leaving Bayern: “The club made a decision. We have to show our responsibility to the manager, our responsibility to the club, to give everything we have for the season. We knew as players we haven’t been performing as well as we can. We have to fight.”
Brentford
What next for Antonio Nusa? Fabrizio Romano has discussed his future…
Chelsea
What a save this was to keep out Chelsea’s best chance of the game! FT Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Mauricio Pochettino on extra time: “The players started to lose their energy. The team felt maybe penalties would be good for us. Chilly felt really, really tired. Gallagher, after five minutes, we needed to change. The effort was massive…”
Could we see a new Chelsea goalkeeper signing this summer?
Benjamin Sesko to Chelsea? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his column…
What’s the latest on Romelu Lukaku’s future? Matteo Moretto takes a look in his column.
Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez made it 100 Serie A goals with this finish! FT Lecce 0-4 Inter Milan [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Juventus
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli: “We decided to sign Charly Alcaraz as we wanted a young talent and it was an opportunity. We didn’t have time to negotiate proper buy option clause, so in case we want to sign Alcaraz then we will negotiate with Southampton in the summer.”
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk headed in this late winner in extra time to give Liverpool the win in the Carabao Cup final! FT Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Fabrizio Romano on Liverpool’s win and their future after Jurgen Klopp…
Jurgen Klopp after the game: “This is the most special trophy I have won in 20 years. I couldn’t care less about my legacy. I was not here to create one. This was so special. What happened here was absolutely insane, these things are not possible. The team, a squad, an academy full of character. I am so proud I could be part of that tonight.”
Klopp reserves special praise for Caoimhin Kelleher: “I’m super happy with Kelleher, he’s been super. We have the best goalkeeper in the world, and we have the best number two in the world.”
Luis Diaz dedicated the League Cup Final win to his parents, who were both at Wembley: “After everything we’ve been through as a family, it makes this even more special.”
Manchester City
A new contract for Oscar Bobb is in Manchester City’s plans…
Manchester United
Manchester United will sign a striker this summer, with two players likely to leave - more exclusive info from Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Kobbie Mainoo for England’s Euro 2024 squad? Fabrizio Romano has his say…
Manchester United are prepared to continue talks with Newcastle in the next days to agree on compensation for Dan Ashworth. Man United want Ashworth to be part of their project as soon as possible, INEOS will try again.
Erik ten Hag: “Definitely we are in the right direction here at Manchester United. When we have the players in the squad available we have a good team.”
Ten Hag when asked about Antony coming on in the 99th minute against Fulham: “It was nothing to do with fitness. He is fit but we have many options over on the right side. I’m playing who deserves to play. With that form in the Autumn, we have all seen, Antony has to step up.”
PSG
Luis Enrique when asked why he decided to sub Kylian Mbappe off: “Sooner or later, at some point, we have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappe.”
Real Madrid
Luka Modric showed he’s still got it with this superb winner against Sevilla. FT Real Madrid 1-0 Sevilla [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Carlo Ancelotti: “Luka Modric in the coaching staff? I don’t know what he will do in his future. He’s still an incredible player. He will choose his future, I don’t speak about this with you journalists.”
Modric: “Sergio Ramos is my brother and he’s a real legend. People always judge us by our age but his level is simply outstanding. I loved to see him today.”
Ancelotti on Arda Guler who turned 19 yesterday: “He has had a difficult season with injuries. He is very young, he needs to patient. He needs to reach the level which will be adequate for him to contribute at his level.”
Ancelotti on zero minutes for Arda Guler against Sevilla: “I had a plan with Arda before Modric's goal, then I changed my mind. Arda understands it very well, of course... and if he doesn’t understand it, nothing happens.”
Twente
Ruud Nijstad has just signed new long term deal at Twente valid until June 2027. Dutch 16-year-old centre back visited Juventus training structures in Turin last week and was also wanted by Ajax and PSV. Nijstad decided to stay at Twente and trust his club’s project.
Wolves
Wolves beat Sheffield United thanks to this fine header from Pablo Sarabia! FT Wolves 1-0 Sheffield United [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Wolves are yet to decide Pedro Neto’s asking price for this summer…