🚨 Mbappe's reaction to being subbed off, Haaland's wasted chance vs Arsenal, plus latest on Man Utd midfielder links, Chelsea star's future & more
Today's round-up, featuring Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, United, and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
Should Haaland have done better with this chance vs Arsenal?
Plus more on Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid
Arsenal
Arsenal’s defending was superb as they earned a draw away to Manchester City, but how much could they live to regret this missed chance? FT Man City 0-0 Arsenal [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Fabrizio Romano reacts to Arsenal’s defensive performance and gives his thoughts on the title race in his latest exclusive column here.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed no issue with Bukayo Saka: “He just went out today with fatigue, nothing serious.”
Declan Rice: “We are not inferior to them at all. We are Arsenal, they are City. We have got some unbelievable players, they have got some unbelievable players. I would rather go there and be an underdog!”
Be the first to read EXCLUSIVE NEWS ARTICLES from me, Fabrizio Romano, Christian Falk, Neil Jones, Ben Jacobs, Jonathan Johnson, Charles Watts and Matteo Moretto!
Barcelona
Barcelona are optimistic about tying Pau Cubarsi down to a new long-term deal with an improved salary and huge release clause - more info in Fabrizio Romano’s column here.
Could Khephren Thuram to Barcelona transfer be one to watch this summer? The Nice midfielder also has other suitors, according to Matteo Moretto.
Bayern Munich
Bayern director Max Eberl on Julian Nagelsmann as candidate for the job: "I know that this is of interest to the entire public... I've said often enough that we're exploring our options". "I've never commented on a name", told DPA.
Brighton
Danny Welbeck got Brighton off to a dream start with this fine finish against Liverpool yesterday. FT Liverpool 2-1 Brighton [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Roberto de Zerbi: “I want to keep my ambition and my motivation. I really live 24h/day for football. I want to understand Brighton’s plan and project because if I don’t feel comfortable, I can’t stay anymore.”
Will De Zerbi be the next Liverpool manager? At the moment there’s another favourite, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Chelsea
Is there really a chance of Reece James leaving Chelsea this summer?
Benoit Badiashile to AC Milan transfer links have started up again and Fabrizio Romano has addressed the speculation in his latest column.
Could Chelsea face serious competition for the transfer of Estevao Willian?
Mauricio Pochettino: “We have a clear idea in each way we need to improve. That is the fact, that is the reality. We cannot analyse in a different way. It’s to blame everyone because maybe we need to be a bit tougher when we have the players.”
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi to be next Liverpool manager? Or will he commit to Inter? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic has long been linked with Premier League clubs, but what’s his situation looking like ahead of this summer?
Massimiliano Allegri “should be ashamed” after Lazio defeat - the Juventus manager has come under fire from pundits.
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah finished this superb move as Liverpool edged past Brighton in what could be an important win in this season’s title race. FT Liverpool 2-1 Brighton [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Alexis Mac Allister has provided seven assists this season in all competitions, plus five goals. “He’s a difference maker. We had that sense when we signed him and he fulfilled all expectations and more!” Klopp said before the game, and it was another excellent performance in the win over Brighton.
Jurgen Klopp: “I told De Zerbi to keep turning the football world upside down. I will watch it from some distance. I respect so much what he’s doing.”
Roberto de Zerbi has spoken about his future amid links with the Liverpool job - is this his biggest hint yet he could leave Brighton?
Will De Zerbi be the next Liverpool manager? At the moment there’s another favourite, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive column.
Simone Inzaghi to be next Liverpool manager? Or will he commit to Inter? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Joao Neves to Liverpool? The Reds have joined the race for Benfica’s midfield gem, according to reports in Portugal.
Manchester City
Not Erling Haaland’s finest moment as he wasted this big chance - did Manchester City need more from him yesterday? FT Man City 0-0 Arsenal [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Manchester City’s 57-game scoring streak at the Etihad Stadium has now come to an end as Arsenal held out for a 0-0 draw yesterday.
What is the solution playing against an opposition with a low block? Pep Guardiola: “Kill someone, maybe?”
Are Man City still in this title race? Fabrizio Romano has his say in his exclusive column here.
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Manchester United
Joao Gomes to Manchester United? The Wolves midfielder has 4-5 clubs closely monitoring him, says Fabrizio Romano…
Erik ten Hag sent this message to his Man Utd players: “Even when we don't play well we have to win the game and we almost did. That is what disappoints me the most. We should all stand up and all take responsibility for this. We will keep fighting. It could be a very good point in the end with many games to play...”
Joselu has been linked with Manchester United - Matteo Moretto takes a look at the story in his exclusive column.
Newcastle United
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has suffered a rupture to the ACL in his right knee. After seeing a specialist consultant, he is expected to undergo surgery next week and will be out for 6-9 months, the club have confirmed.
PSG
Kylian Mbappe was NOT happy at being taken off in the 63rd minute! FT Marseille 0-2 PSG [Pictures from Prime Video Sport]
Luis Enrique on Mbappe being subbed off: “People don't agree with my decision? I don’t care. It’s the same music every week, the same music... it’s boring. I am the manager. I make decisions every week. I do my best for PSG, I will do this until my final day in Paris.”
Real Madrid
What a stunning strike by Rodrygo Goes as Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao! FT Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Real Madrid are now confident of reaching a final agreement with Andriy Lunin over a new contract. Real want Lunin to stay and be part of their project, even if they plan to rely on Thibaut Courtois as their first-choice goalkeeper again from next season. A contract proposal for Lunin is ready.
Rodrygo Goes: “Mbappe to Real? I think it’s close as it’s what journalists say, I trust you guys! But I don’t know what’s going on. If Mbappe comes, I will be benched? It will be an happy problem for the manager. I’m only focused on Real Madrid.”
Xabi Alonso is very highly thought of at Real Madrid, as reported by Matteo Moretto in his exclusive column.
Tottenham
Tottenham are preparing a new loan for young forward Alejo Veliz after his lack of playing time with Sevilla since joining them in January - full story here.