🚨 Coman dumps Man Utd out of Europe, Chelsea in ten-club race for wonderkid winger, Tottenham striker links, Di Maria scores from a corner, and more

Dec 13, 2023

Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

N’Golo Kante scored a superb goal for Al Ittihad at the Club World Cup. FT Al Ittihad 3-0 Auckland City [Pictures from TNT Sports]

Eddie Nketiah scored a superbly-taken goal for Arsenal as a heavily rotated side drew 1-1 away to PSV. FT PSV 1-1 Arsenal [Pictures from TNT Sports]
This in-form striker could be one to watch for Arsenal - more info from Ben Jacobs’ column here.

Mario Hermoso on contract due to expire in June: “It’s true that the decision will be made when the time comes…Atletico means a lot to me; it’s been a long time of learning alongside Cholo. I’m a better player, I take that into account but the decision is not made.”

Sergi Roberto: “I’m only talking to Barca. At the moment, I’m not going to go to another team. Rumours on Inter Miami or Palmeiras... all lies. I’d like to try MLS experience in the future, but it is not yet the time for it.” Roberto’s contract expires in June 2024.
David de Gea has been linked with Barcelona, but what’s the truth?

Kingsley Coman scored the winner as Bayern won at Old Trafford to dump Manchester United out of Europe - and what a clever assist this was from Harry Kane! FT Man Utd 0-1 Bayern [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Thomas Tuchel: “Manchester United is a huge club, remember that. When you see the group, you’d expect them to challenge for winning the group and reaching round of 16. But from my experience I can tell you we had a very difficult group. Now can look easy, but it was difficult.”

What a strike by Angel Di Maria as he scored for Benfica directly from a corner! FT Red Bull Salzburg 1-3 Benfica [Pictures from TNT Sports]

Mauricio Pochettino may be safe from the sack because Chelsea are worried about putting transfer targets off - more info from Ben Jacobs here.
Jonathan Tah has been monitored by Chelsea and two other Premier League clubs, says Ben Jacobs.
Gabriel Moscardo has been targeted by Chelsea, but why have they cooled their interest?
Antonio Nusa is wanted by Chelsea and possibly as many as TEN clubs - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Reece James has undergone medical assessment, scan results have confirmed an hamstring injury. Reece will now begin his rehabilitation programme at Cobham. Chelsea now expect James to be out until February/March — based on recovery programme.
Noni Madueke’s future is the subject of some speculation - Fabrizio Romano has the latest details in his column here.

Eintracht Frankfurt are leading the race to sign Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United - talks over the move are advancing, with the Dutch midfielder set to leave Old Trafford.

Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini has decided to retire from professional football with immediate effect. One of the best centre-backs of the last decade calls time on a great career.

Saudi clubs are not giving up on signing Leicester City star Jamie Vardy - more from Ben Jacobs here.

Pep Guardiola: “The people say it’s over for Man City but we want to make them wrong and believe that still it’s not over, still we want to be there challenging. Will we be able to? It depends on us how we perform.”
Guardiola with an update on the Erling Haaland injury: “He’ll be back I think on Thursday. We’ll see how he feels…”

The scenes at full time as Manchester United crashed out of Europe with a defeat to Bayern Munich. How much pressure is Erik ten Hag under after such an awful group stage? FT Man Utd 0-1 Bayern [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Erik ten Hag: “We made mistakes. Today the performance was very good. We didn’t deserve to lose but we lost the game. In the end, it’s not good enough.”
Manchester United ended up conceding a total of 15 goals in the Champions League this season - the highest total ever conceded by a Premier League side in a single group stage campaign in the competition.
Eintracht Frankfurt are leading the race to sign Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United - talks over the move are advancing. Girona also asked for Van de Beek on loan but offering different conditions at this stage. Time for decision soon, but the Dutch midfielder will leave United.

From Young Player of the Year to Best African Player of the Year: Victor Osimhen edged out Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi for this year’s prize.

Johan Bakayoko came close to joining Brentford in the summer and remains a target for Premier League clubs - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.

What a header this was by Joselu, who scored twice for Real Madrid last night. FT Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid [Pictures from TNT Sport]
Carlo Ancelotti: “Modric, Kroos and Nacho will decide their future when they want. The legends of this club decide what they want to do. The club has such a high respect for these players that they have earned the right to decide about their future.”