Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Trossard’s early goal helped Arsenal thrash Chelsea! FT Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea [Pictures from TNT Sports]
It was a night to forget for Chelsea, while Levi Colwill has admirers elsewhere…
Plus more from Man United, Bayern Munich and don’t miss Neil Jones’ column!
AC Milan
Olivier Giroud has signed his contracts as a new LAFC player, ready for MLS new chapter after a verbal agreement was reached in March! Contract until December 2025 set to be sealed in the next hours. Giroud will leave AC Milan as free agent. Here we go, confirmed.
Stefano Pioli will be sacked by AC Milan board at the end of the season despite public statements after the Derby. AC Milan are already looking for new manager.
Arsenal
What a night it was for Kai Havertz as he scored twice against his former club Chelsea in an emphatic win for Arsenal! FT Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea [Pictures from TNT Sports]
This was Arsenal’s biggest ever win over Chelsea in all competitions, while Havertz became the first player in the Premier League to score a brace against the Blues having previously played for them.
Mikel Arteta on summer plans with Edu: “We have a few ideas, yes. We have to see where we finish first and to see what we are capable of doing. See how we are going to make another step or two steps forward because we are not satisfied with where we are.”
Arteta asked about Pochettino: “All the sympathy in the world, all he’s been through. I’ve been on the other side as well. He’s doing a great job. Their last seven games, they’ve deserved to win every match.”
Brian Brobbey to Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the Ajax striker’s future in his exclusive column.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery has signed a new deal at Aston Villa for one more season, as he’s always been 100% committed to the project. His former deal was expiring in 2026, while the new deal expires in June 2027. The relationship between Villa and Emery is excellent and it’s all a done deal.
How close was Emery to Bayern? Fabrizio Romano has the details in his exclusive column.
Barcelona
Ronald Araujo’s Barcelona future could be in doubt after all, according to latest reports…
Bayern Munich
Ralf Rangnick has always been on Bayern list and he remains a concrete option for the job, as talks took place. Roberto de Zerbi, part of the shortlist too but contacts are not advanced yet. Unai Emery, never close to Bayern job as he’s 100% focused on Villa.
Could Thomas Tuchel still stay at Bayern? Fabrizio Romano has his latest info in his column.
Leon Goretzka on his plans for the future: “From my point of view, everything is clear - my contract runs until 2026, and there's no reason to think about a move.”
Chelsea
It was a night to forget for Chelsea, but what a save this was to prevent an even worse score-line! FT Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Chelsea have now conceded more goals this season (57) than in any previous Premier League campaign. Meanwhile, this was the Blues’ biggest defeat in a London Derby since losing 6-0 to QPR in 1986.
Mauricio Pochettino on Romelu Lukaku’s loan expiring in June: “He’s a Chelsea player, so for sure we will pay attention. It’s an option. But still we did not take any decision about Lukaku.”
Pochettino on the Arsenal defeat: “Embarrassed? No. That word is unfair to describe our players. I’m not going to blame the players. We cannot blame young guys that came here after suffering circumstances and came here to fight against a team fighting to win the Premier League.”
Dusan Vlahovic: “I’m under contract at Juventus for two more years, I am very happy here. I want to win some important trophies at Juventus. PSG or Chelsea? I heard the rumours but I was not even interested in those stories.”
Surprise new striker target for Chelsea? Simon Phillips has the latest.
Levi Colwill to Liverpool - the Chelsea defender is a long-term target, according to Neil Jones in his exclusive column.
Has Thiago Silva’s next club already been decided?
Inter Milan
Marcus Thuram clause - what’s the truth? Fabrizio Romano provides his latest information in his column.
Inter Milan player ratings for the season after their latest title victory!
Inter director Piero Ausilio: “We want to close Lautaro’s renewal by the start of next season, we absolutely want to extend. Not only Lautaro, so I’ll give you more news... but we also want to get Nicolo Barella’s new deal done soon.”
Denzel Dumfries: “I’m in talks with Inter over new deal, I hope we will keep negotiating terms again soon. Then you never know how it goes in football…” Current deal expires in 2025; Inter will try again for new contract otherwise would sell Dumfries this summer.
Juventus
Dusan Vlahovic: “I’m under contract at Juventus for two more years, I am very happy here. I want to win some important trophies at Juventus. PSG or Chelsea? I heard the rumours but I was not even interested in those stories.”
LAFC
Olivier Giroud has signed his contracts as a new LAFC player, ready for MLS new chapter after a verbal agreement was reached in March! Contract until December 2025 set to be sealed in the next hours. Giroud will leave AC Milan as free agent. Here we go, confirmed.
Leicester City
A typical Jamie Vardy goal helped Leicester City to a big win as they close in on promotion back to the Premier League! FT Leicester 5-0 Southampton [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Liverpool
Liverpool had direct contact with Arne Slot as candidate for the job. One direct contact took place with Feyenoord manager and understand one more is already scheduled as Slot is one of the candidates on their list.
What do Liverpool like about Slot and what happened with Amorim? Fabrizio Romano has all the details in his exclusive column.
Alan Varela to Liverpool - how likely is this deal? Neil Jones takes a look in his exclusive column.
Levi Colwill to Liverpool - the Chelsea defender is a long-term target, according to Neil Jones in his exclusive column.
Ryan Gravenberch’s Liverpool future could be in some doubt - Neil Jones provides his latest info in his column.
Ruben Amorim update: After initial round of talks, it’s highly unlikely to see Amorim as new West Ham manager. Discussions are not expected to advance after meeting in London. Talks on stand-by with Liverpool since last week. Amorim is keeping his options open.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed a new injury for Liverpool: “Unfortunately Diogo Jota scored a goal and felt a bit — he will be out for two weeks.”
Manchester City
Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester City? Fabrizio Romano addresses the rumours in his latest exclusive column.
Manchester United
Thomas Tuchel to Manchester United? Fabrizio Romano takes a look at the story in his exclusive column.
Could Brian Brobbey be a Man United target this summer? Latest info in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Erik ten Hag: “The reaction, the comments after Coventry game… that was a disgrace. That was embarrassing from you. It is the comments. Top football is about results, we made it to a final and we deserved it not only by this game but also the other games.”
Antony: “Coventry proved why they reached the semi-final. We seeked this spot in the final for our fans and we achieved. The way our fans were treated by their player was not nice and I, in the heat of the moment, I've reacted to the provocations in a natural defence of my club.”
Ten Hag: “Amad deserves more game time, but don’t forget he had a long period in the season injured. I am very happy with his performances and his progress, I see his qualities and his assets can really contribute to our game.”
Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester City? Fabrizio Romano addresses the rumours in his latest exclusive column.
PSG
Milan Skriniar transfer - is he already unhappy at PSG? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his exclusive column.
Roma
Mauricio Pochettino on Romelu Lukaku’s loan expiring in June: “He’s a Chelsea player, so for sure we will pay attention. It’s an option. But still we did not take any decision about Lukaku.”
West Ham United
Ruben Amorim update: After initial round of talks, it’s highly unlikely to see Amorim as new West Ham manager. Discussions are not expected to advance after meeting in London. Talks on stand-by with Liverpool since last week. Amorim is keeping his options open.
🚨 Arsenal THRASH Chelsea, Arne Slot to Liverpool latest, Man United new manager links, City eye Prem midfielder, & more