🚨 Ronaldo and Pogba BANNED, Rashford bites back, Arsenal's belief, Napoli's regret, Klopp's pride, Atlético out of Copa del Rey and more
Today's round-up, featuring Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and PSG
Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one game and fined the equivalent of £6,300 for making an obscene gesture at Al Shabab supporters after they began chanting Lionel Messi’s name.
Arsenal
Arteta: “Thomas Partey should be part of the squad on Monday. He had a session before the last game, now he’s done two or three sessions. He’s progressing well.”
Arteta: “Jurrien Timber is still not ready to be part of the squad but the staff are really happy with his attitude and commitment. Jurrien is in a really good place, now we have to manage him.”
Declan Rice: “The team learned a lot last year. We’re stronger and have more belief. When we go a goal down we always believe we will get back into games. It’s honestly an honour to play for this club.”
25-year-old striker issues come and get me plea to Arsenal, he is rated at £43m [BILD]
Atalanta
Former Leicester City director Lee Congerton leaves Atalanta by mutual agreement as he’s set to try a new chapter in the Saudi Pro League. Congerton will sign as a new Al Ahli director in the next few days.
Bayer Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz’s father/agent: “Florian has a contract in Leverkusen until 2027. That will also roughly be the amount of time he will spend in Leverkusen. We should wait for the next two years and then we'll see where the path leads.”
Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes on Xabi Alonso: “I'm still calm, optimistic. Xabi feels comfortable here, for sure. What if he asked to leave? There are many subjunctives in the world. Not all of them have to happen.”
Bayern Munich
Bayern director Eberl plans for Tel to play more — and Tuchel replies: “I am, was and remain responsible for the line-up. On Tel, I see no source of conflict. In my opinion, he has never played as much or as regularly as he does now with us. So I don't see any conflict.”
Could Zinedine Zidane replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern? Jonathan Johnson takes a look at the detail.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzić on his future: “I’m not surprised to hear that my job is in danger, it’s normal when you’re at a top club. It’s always like this since the beginning of the season, to be honest. I want to focus on our games, no distraction.”
Chelsea
Si Phillips discusses Pochettino’s biggest mistake in depth.
Pochettino: "Mudryk has an amazing talent. You need to put your talent in the team. For that, you need time. Gallagher? He is an important player. His contribution is fantastic for the team. The effort is there and the quality is there."
Manchester United to battle it out with Chelsea for €50m-rated defender [Calciomercato]
Copa del Rey
Athletic Club will play Mallorca in the Copa del Rey Final. Atlético Madrid were beaten 3-0 in the second leg of their semi-final (4-0 on agg) thanks to goals from Inaki Williams, Nico Williams and Gorka Guruzeta. The first goal caused pandemonium inside San Mamés Stadium - just listen to that noise! [pictures from RFEF]
Diego Simeone after Atléti were eliminated from Copa del Rey: “We remain calm, these are moments… we trust all our players. We want to continue with the daily effort of what matters to the club, being among the top four in La Liga.”
FK Bodø/Glimt
FK Bodø/Glimt are now closing in on a deal to sign 18-year-old striker Nigerian Ibrahim Hafiz Umar. Hafiz would join FK Bodø/Glimt from Ojodu City Academy in Nigeria.
Juventus
Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years due to doping.
Paul Pogba released an official statement after his four-year ban: ‘I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping's decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect. I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me. When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations. As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against. As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.’
Juventus’ stance after Pogba’s four-year doping ban revealed [Football Italia]
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp: "This week is all about the Academy. I am so happy to say that, really, but don't forget about this when the transfer window opens."
Liverpool offer Jurgen Klopp replacement three-year deal after positive talks [TeamTalk]
Manchester United
Ten Hag on Bruno: "You saw? Forest were targeting him. He had a serious injury and he did his best to be part of the game and help the squad. Social media criticise him... it's pathetic. He has a very high pain threshold. It shows his leadership."
Marcus Rashford: "I promise you, the world has not seen the best of this United squad and these players. We want to be back playing in the Champions League. We will be back where we belong… If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better."
Marcus Rashford: "Listen, I’m not a perfect person. When I make a mistake, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I need to do better... But if you ever question my commitment to Man United, that’s when I have to speak up."
Marcus Rashford: "I can't accept some things in the media. I grew up here at Man United. I have played for this club since I was a boy. My family turned down life-changing money when I was a kid so I could wear this badge.”
Jonathan Johnson on how one Manchester United transfer target is feeling after a recent meeting.
Napoli
Napoli president De Laurentiis on Victor Osimhen: “Some players stay for many years, others are wanted by PSG, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea… It’s difficult to keep players when they are wanted by rich clubs. I can confirm there’s a release clause, and it’s a very high one.”
Napoli president de Laurentiis: “I was on the verge of signing Erling Haaland for €50m from Salzburg. The official proposal was ready but Mino Raiola told me: ‘please, don’t try to sign Erling as I’ve already planned his next move.’”
Aurelio de Laurentiis: “On TV, football should be free for everyone.” [TMW]
Paris Saint-Germain
Luis Enrique on PSG’s plans for Xavi Simons: “He’s a Paris St Germain player and so obviously we are following him closely. I don’t want to say too much, I respect Leipzig but yes — we are in contact and we follow Xavi’s progress.”
Luis Enrique on PSG’s new project: “If all goes to plan, I’m sure we will have a way better squad next season. I’m convinced of that. In the defence, in the attack, physically and also from a technical/tactical point of view… we will be better. No doubts.”
Kylian Mbappe’s entourage have sounded out Man City according to French football expert, Jonathan Johnson.
Which Chelsea player is interesting PSG? Jonathan Johnson has the lowdown.
Sporting
Viktor Gyokeres has 31 goals and 10 assists in 34 games for Sporting since joining from Coventry last summer. Top European clubs, in attendance once again to follow the Swedish striker.
The Debrief Podcast
The New Invincibles: Inside Bayer Leverkusen's Magical Season Bundesliga football expert Kevin Hatchard joins the show to talk about Bayer Leverkusen’s fairy tale run this season. Can Die Werkself remain unbeaten this season? Will they win the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Europa League? Our experts weigh in. Plus, Fabrizio Romano on Xabi Alonso’s future, Pochettino’s prospects of staying at Chelsea and what a Man United player exodus might look like in the summer.
Toronto FC
Toronto FC agree a deal to sign Matty Longstaff and the former Newcastle player has been unveiled as a new signing.
