🚨 Chelsea win seven goal thriller, Alexis' blockbuster, João Félix's two wishes, Salah's disgust, Foden on Rodri and more
Today's round-up, featuring Man United, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks, as always, for reading and for signing up to this newsletter. Enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
🎧 LISTEN: The Debrief Podcast - What do Chelsea need right now?
Liverpool set a new Premier League record against Sheffield United
Arsenal
Arteta: "When Emile Smith Rowe is in that moment... guys, it's very difficult to stop him. He won a lot of duels and he was thinking with that killer instinct to play forward and to make things happen."
Thomas Partey: “I know a lot of speculation has been going on, but for me, I'm really happy to be here. I’m happy to continue playing for this club, I like Arsenal.”
Mikel Arteta heaps praise on Emile Smith Rome [Evening Standard]
Barcelona
João Félix: “I hope for Xavi to change his mind and stay at Barça. He has great ideas and he’s a young coach. Barça fans really love and rate him.”
João Félix: “I hope Barça will go and sign Bernardo Silva. He’s a top player and top guy. He’s always asking me about Barcelona as his family is here. I told Bernardo it’s all perfect and set for him to join us.”
Reminder: Bernardo Silva has a £50m release clause in his Man City contract valid from this summer.
João Félix: “I’d be happy to stay and continue at Barça but it doesn’t depend on me. Let’s see what happens next year, I’d love to play at Camp Nou. We will see what’s needed to stay at Barça.”
Matteo Moretto takes an exclusive look at Eric Garcia’s recent comments.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Roberto de Zerbi: “Next season Deniz Undav will come back to Brighton after loan at Stuttgart.”
Chelsea
Former Chelsea ace Joe Cole celebrated Cole Palmer’s winning goal - the latest ever scored in the Premier League - just like a fan, but broadcast colleague Rio Ferdinand was none too happy [pictures from TNT Sports]:
16 goals and 8 assists for Cole Palmer in the Premier League - 24 G/A in 25 PL games as a Chelsea player. Superb signing.
Cole Palmer: “I had a few penalties this season. I'm just going to continue to try to score them.”
“If someone wants a clown, they can go and find a clown." Mauricio Pochettino was in fighting mood in his post-match press conference after the epic win against Manchester United [pictures from Hayters]:
After their brilliant win, Si Phillips does an exclusive deep dive into Chelsea’s training methods.
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!
Fiorentina
Vincenzo Italiano will part ways with Fiorentina at the end of the season. The manager remains focused on upcoming games and targets for the season then he’s leaving in June, as planned. Fiorentina are already looking for another coach.
Mauro Icardi is keen on a Serie A return, and Matteo Moretto has more on his options.
Liverpool
Liverpool set a new Premier League record with an 83.1% possession stat in their match against Sheffield United.
Mo Salah was not happy at being substituted in the Reds win over Sheffield United [pictures from TNT Sports]:
Jurgen Klopp thought that Liverpool should’ve had a better rhythm in the match but he still found time to talk about the positives in his post-match press conference [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Liverpool open talks with in-demand manager to replace Klopp [Foot Mercato].
Manchester City
Phil Foden on Rodri: "I'm lost for words. This guy, mate... he can do everything. I don't see a weakness to his game. For me, he's our most important player, he's the best holding midfielder in the world... 100%."
Stefan Ortega on his future: “It’s not my single decision, it’s up to my wife as well, and we are expecting a second child. I’m not in my early 20s anymore so I have to choose wisely.” Ortega remains happy at City but the prospect of being the No.1 at another club is still attracting him.
Stefan Ortega wants his future resolved this summer [Mail Sport]
Luciano Rodriguez has scored his first Copa Libertadores goal for Liverpool Montevideo. Perfect free-kick for one of the most wanted talents in South America. Feyenoord on it since January but City Group are seriously working on a deal. Talks are ongoing.
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United deserved to win their game at Chelsea on Thursday night [pictures from TNT Sports]:
Erik ten Hag urges patience with his job: "We are in a good way, a good direction and we need to make the next steps. Don't interrupt this process."
Ten Hag: "I have high standards... and so I would be disappointed if we didn't qualify for the UCL. I know it will be very difficult because we are not in a good position. But we will keep fighting until the end."
Manchester United lost Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane to injury during the Chelsea game, meaning that they join injured defenders Lisandro Martínez, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines, and landed Erik ten Hag with another headache.
Ten Hag on injuries: "We don't train too hard. With the standards in this league, you need to be fit. We have good departments, we have good people around with a lot of knowledge. Based on data, we make our decisions. The huge amount of games also has an impact."
Manchester United have offered a new deal to 16-year-old winger Bendito Mantato, including a potential pact for a future pro-contract. Up to Mantato now, he’s considering the proposal while many important clubs are keen on signing him on a free by paying compensation.
Man United expected to make vital signing this summer [The Athletic].
Napoli
Giovanni Manna is set to sign a five-year deal at Napoli as a new director. All documents are ready. He's leaving Juventus as the end of the season, as expected.
Napoli didn’t need to inflate Osimhen transfer [Football Italia]
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Premier League Goals
Liverpool vs Sheffield United (3-1): Liverpool left it late to see off a dogged Sheffield United side. Darwin Núñez opened the scoring for the hosts but they were pegged back when Conor Bradley scored an unfortunate own goal in the 58th minute. Alexis Mac Allister fizzed in a pile driver on 76 to send the Anfield crowd wild [pictures from TNT Sports], before Cody Gakpo completed the scoring.
Chelsea vs Manchester United (4-3): A crazy game at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea take an early two-goal lead through Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer, however, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes had levelled for United by half-time. Garnacho then put the Red Devils into the lead in the second half, a goal that was made possible by an exquisite pass from Antony [pictures from TNT Sports]:
Manchester United still held the lead until well into injury-time before another Cole Palmer penalty levelled the game in the 100th minute, and then Palmer’s deflected shot in the 101st minute won the match for the Blues [pictures from TNT Sports]:
RB Salzburg
Luka Sučić is expected to leave RB Salzburg in the summer with several clubs interested. Current deal expires in June 2025 and it's the last opportunity for Salzburg to get a transfer fee. One to watch this summer.
The Debrief Podcast
Today’s focus is on Chelsea and the club’s immediate needs in terms of results, finances, incomings and outgoings and a new stadium. Here to break it all down is Chelsea expert and football insider for The Evening Standard, Nizaar Kinsella. Fabrizio Romano joins us in his normal spot — updating Chelsea’s key targets for the summer window and weighing in on the latest rumours from around the game. Could Xavi stay at the Camp Nou after all? Fabrizio explains.
Watford
Several English clubs are keeping a close eye on former Watford winger Adrian Blake (2005). FC Utrecht rejected loan proposals in January and he’s showing what he can do in the Eredivisie after he scored his first senior goal for FC Utrecht.