🚨 SCENES at end of Valencia-Real clash, late Liverpool winner, Ruben Amorim Chelsea & LFC links, interest in Man Utd midfielder, and more

Mar 03, 2024

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

Today’s top stories:

Arda Guler to AC Milan? They’ve had interest in the past and now he’s struggling for playing time at Real Madrid…

Douglas Luiz to Arsenal boost?
Mikel Arteta on Rio Ferdinand’s opinion about leaving Arsenal in case of Man United job: “Normally we highlight opinions that are not that positive… sometimes we focus too much on the negatives.”

Ollie Watkins has continued his superb form, with this lovely finish against Luton eventually given after a VAR check. FT Luton 2-3 Aston Villa [Pictures from Sky Sports]
What’s the latest on Nicolo Zaniolo’s Aston Villa future?

Barcelona asked about signing this Man Utd midfielder in January!
Barcelona manager Xavi: “I stand firm on my decision to leave the club at the end of the season. There are no changes. I’m gonna leave.”

Bayern director Max Eberl on Joshua Kimmich’s contract being due to expire in June 2025: “I will sit down with him too and talk to him. Of course the question will be, who is actually the future coach? This is the topic that, in the best case scenario, we solve first.”
Eric Dier after contract extended until June 2025: “I am very happy in Munich. Now my future is settled and I can focus solely on my performances and how I can help the club. We want to win games and titles again.”

What a sublime strike this was by Yoane Wissa against Chelsea! FT Brentford 2-2 Chelsea [Pictures from X/Brentford FC]

Roberto De Zerbi on Ansu Fati: “He needs to believe in himself more. He is a sensitive guy, a good guy and part of my work is to help players believe in themselves to show all of their qualities and not one part. He has to push 100%, every day.”

Celta Vigo have agreed deal to sign Unai Nunez on permanent transfer from Athletic. It’s all done, set to be announced soon. Celta will pay around €10m package with add-ons included for Nunez. It’ll be a five-year contract for the 27-year-old centre-back, it’s been agreed until June 2029.

What a cross by Malo Gusto and what a header by Nicolas Jackson against Brentford yesterday! FT Brentford 2-2 Chelsea [Pictures from X/Chelsea FC]
The latest on Chelsea’s manager plans and links with Ruben Amorim.
Mauricio Pochettino on Chelsea fans chants: “We need to understand the fans are emotional. I am fighting to provide the team the best tools to work and to improve and play in this way, score goals and win games.”
Pochettino on Reece James: “I think Reece will be involved before the end of the season. This is my hope, but for me, the priority is about him, to help him find his best again to feel solid and strong. I cannot say the exact date of when his return is possible.”
Pochettino on ‘boos’ for Raheem Sterling: “Someone told me but I didn’t hear it. I have only been here nine months, I don’t understand why that happens…He is fully committed to Chelsea, he’s at 99 per cent of training sessions. Always training and always available.”

Darwin Nunez scored a crucial late winner for Liverpool, that’s now 14 goals and 11 assists for the Uruguayan striker this season. FT Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool [Pictures from X/Liverpool FC]
Ruben Amorim could be one to watch for Liverpool if they miss out on Xabi Alonso, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Jurgen Klopp on Nottingham Forest fans chanting about Darwin Nunez being a ‘sh*t Andy Carroll’: “Honestly, I’d not sing a song like that...I would never try to wind Darwin up!”
Cody Gakpo: “Manchester United had talks to sign me before joining Liverpool. I also spoke to Erik ten Hag. But in the end, Liverpool came and it was the best decision for me.”

Pep Guardiola: “Do you remember what happened when United went to Anfield? Last season, 7-0. Do you remember the comments? ‘How many goals are they going to score? It will be easy for Liverpool’. Result: Liverpool didn’t win. United is United. It’s Man United.”

Sofyan Amrabat had suitors this January, but what does the long-term future hold for him? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his exclusive column.
Cody Gakpo: “Manchester United had talks to sign me before joining Liverpool. I also spoke to Erik ten Hag. But in the end, Liverpool came and it was the best decision for me.”

What a thunderous effort from Jonathan Clauss as Marseille thrashed Clermont! FT Clermont 1-5 Marseille [Pictures from TNT Sports]

Who could replace Dan Ashworth at Newcastle? Fabrizio Romano has the latest in his column here.
Callum Wilson to Atletico Madrid? Fabrizio Romano discusses if that saga is over or not…
David de Gea was an option for Newcastle a few months ago, but what’s going on now?

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was FURIOUS as he chased referee Paul Tierney after the end of the Liverpool game!

Official, confirmed: Isaac Babadi has signed a new long term deal at PSV Eindhoven until June 2028.

Crazy scenes at the end of Valencia vs Real Madrid! Jude Bellingham thought he’d won it, but the referee blew his whistle, and then sent Bellingham off for complaining! FT Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Carlo Ancelotti: “What to say… there is not much to say. Something unprecedented has happened. We’re not happy with Jude’s red card. He just told the referee: it’s f*cking goal. He didn’t insult Gil Manzano.”
Ancelotti on Alphonso Davies deal and potential new left-back joining Real Madrid: “We trust Ferland Mendy, same for Fran Garcia. We are ok with these players, as of now.”

Paulo Dybala is on fire for Roma - he has now scored seven goals and also provided one assist in his last five Serie A appearances. FT Monza 1-4 Roma [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Daniele De Rossi: “Dybala is working at top level every day. He’s a role model, his talent is something different.”

Boulaye Dia refused to enter the pitch today, Salernitana manager Fabio Liverani said: “I wanted him to enter in the final 7-8 minutes but he said no”. The relationship between Salernitana and Dia is broken since club decided not to sell him to Wolves at the end of August.

Tottenham came from behind to beat Crystal Palace, with Timo Werner netting his first goal for the club. FT Tottenham 3-1 Crystal Palace [Pictures from X/Tottenham Hotspur FC]
Werner on his first Spurs goal. “I wanted to celebrate but then when I saw no one was coming over, I remembered it was still only 1-1 and we had to get another goal!”
Adrien Rabiot to Tottenham? Spurs are on the hunt for a midfielder…

It looked like a serious, bad injury for Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby. All the players on the pitch at Mestalla were in shock - you can watch the video here, but be warned that some may find it distressing.