🚨 Sebastian Haller FAIRYTALE, Chelsea star has no future at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool's first steps over new manager, Arsenal thrash West Ham, and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
Sebastien Haller scored the winner as Ivory Coast won AFCON!
Plus more from Liverpool, Man Utd, Barcelona and Real Madrid
Ajax
Agent Nathan van Kooperen on Steven Bergwijn’s future at Ajax: “It’s true about the interest from Saudi and West Ham last window. At the moment Stevie is very important for Ajax, he is the captain so nothing to complain. We started a two years project with Ajax. What will happen in the summer we will see. He is focused on Ajax and to play the Euros.”
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice scored two superb goals as Arsenal absolutely battered West Ham 6-0 at the London Stadium. FT West Ham 0-6 Arsenal [Pictures from Sky Sports]
This Leandro Trossard goal is also a must-watch!
More thoughts on Arsenal’s emphatic victory here from Fabrizio Romano.
Mikel Arteta: “Declan Rice loves West Ham so much and I know what it meant to him to play today. It’s never easy but the fans were really good to him, it was good reception.”
“Bring Ethan Nwaneri in!” - Arsenal players on the bench were whispering in the second half. Mikel Arteta: “They really wanted me to bring Ethan in.”
One bit of bad news was this latest injury blow confirmed by Arteta before the game…
Aston Villa
Douglas Luiz continued his fine scoring form with this equaliser against Manchester United. FT Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Atalanta
What a beauty this was from Charles De Ketelaere as Atalanta thrashed Genoa! FT Genoa 1-4 Atalanta [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Athletic Bilbao
Nico Williams is a popular talent among top clubs ahead of this summer - more from Matteo Moretto’s exclusive column here.
Atletico Madrid
Alvaro Morata left the pitch crying after a knee injury during the Sevilla-Atletico game. He had to return to the dressing room as tests will follow in the next hours.
Barcelona
What a goal this was by Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in a thrilling game with Granada. FT Barcelona 3-3 Granada [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Xavi: “It's very difficult to win the league, especially after today…The difference is big, but it’s still not impossible. We can’t fail. Today we gave away goals and dangerous situations in many moments.”
Bayer Leverkusen
Josip Stanisic on scoring against Bayern: “Even though you're happy, you also somewhat feel sorry. I didn’t celebrate out of respect. I wanted to prove it to myself first and foremost. I want to do my best for Bayer Leverkusen this season.”
Xabi Alonso’s tactical masterclass is clear with the insane numbers being produced by his wing-backs this season: 10 goals and 11 assists for Alejandro Grimaldo (who was signed as free agent!), and 8 goals and 10 assists for Jeremie Frimpong.
Bayern Munich
Could Bayern look to this Bundesliga boss to replace Thomas Tuchel?
Thomas Muller: “Sometimes we have to speak about us players. It’s not just about the coach. We have many international players at the highest level, we need to step up our game.”
Chelsea
Ian Maatsen is attracting interest from other clubs after impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund - more info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Mauricio Pochettino on injured players: “You’re judged on results... but circumstances are there. If you don’t have your best players, it’s difficult. When you only see the result, people criticise because you lose the game. But never you go into the analysis of why.”
Dusan Vlahovic has been considered by Chelsea - more info from Matteo Moretto here.
Granada
Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri scored in this thrilling draw away to Barcelona. FT Barcelona 3-3 Granada [Pictures from ViaPlay Sports]
Ivory Coast
In July 2022, Sebastien Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In February 2023, Haller beat cancer and then made his return to football. Now, in February 2024, Haller scored the winning goal as Ivory Coast won the AFCON final!
Lille
Several European clubs are now working to sign Yusuf Yazici at the end of the season, as his contract at Lille is due to expire in June. Yazici scored vs PSG at the weekend and he recently signed with super agent Pini Zahavi’s Gol International.
More on Yazici’s future here in Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive column.
Liverpool
📰 Liverpool are monitoring Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo ahead of a potential move this summer (Mail)
Lyon
Alexandre Lacazette with a superb finish - how good has he been for Lyon this season? FT Montpellier 1-2 Lyon [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Manchester City
Is this Manchester City youngster really on Real Madrid’s radar?
Kalvin Phillips: “I felt like if I wasn’t going to play at Man City, I want to go to a club where I’m wanted. Not that Man City didn’t want me but I just wanted to go somewhere where the manager was really keen and where he really wanted me.”
Phillips on Guardiola: “When Pep came out and said I was overweight, he was right to do so… but there are different ways to go about it. I did not disagree but obviously it took a big knock on my confidence. My family were not happy about it, either. Especially my mum. People can say overweight like it’s 10kg. I was probably 1.5kg over my weight target…”
Phillips on miscommunication with City: “Pep was frustrated that I didn’t come back into training early after the World Cup, of course — but it was miscommunication between the people that worked at City and myself. I got told to be back on a certain date and I was always going to go back earlier than that date anyway because I hadn't played that much for England during the tournament. I’d just recovered from my shoulder injury so Pep wanted me to come in the day after we finished the tournament so I could be involved in the friendlies. I never got that information because if he asked me to have been there… I would have been there.”
Manchester United
What a cross by Diogo Dalot to set up this Scott McTominay winner! FT Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Erik ten Hag on match-winner Scott McTominay: “You have to credit a player like Scott McTominay. He is an example for many players these days. There are not many players any more who are ready for every minute they can be on the pitch. He is always ready to come on and make a difference.”
Ten Hag when asked about players not available. “Unfortunately Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia are not ready to return to the squad.”
Ten Hag: “Casemiro is trying to help and to support Kobbie Mainoo. I had that confidence in Kobbie because I saw him performing in autumn, then I saw him progressing during spring and in summer I had that game from Arsenal in my mind…I didn’t have any doubt.”
Ten Hag on Diogo Dalot: “Everyone gets criticism but he is a fantastic player who is developing very well. He can play in so many positions and he is improving on crosses. He can score and his defending is improving so I am very pleased with him.”
Orlando City
Luis Muriel will fly to the USA early next week as medical tests as a new Orlando City player have been booked on Tuesday. Deal done, as revealed days ago — here we go confirmed. Also wanted by new Orlando City VP Ricardo Moreira who refused bids to stay at the club.
Real Madrid
Is this Manchester City youngster really on Real Madrid’s radar?
Jude Bellingham has been diagnosed with a high-grade sprain in his left ankle and he will miss the club’s upcoming games. Real Madrid staff see Bellingham being out for two or three weeks - they’re hoping for his return for the RB Leipzig match on March 7th.
Carlo Ancelotti: “I asked Carvajal if he’d like to be a right or left centre-back. He said he doesn’t care. Tchouameni felt more comfortable on the right, that’s why I put him on the left. He looked like he played 400 matches there!”
West Ham United
David Moyes after the 6-0 defeat to Arsenal: “I take the responsibility, I pick the team but players have to take responsibility. If you’re not tackling, turning you're back, not winning headers... those things are part of your job. I’ll take bit of time and see if I can fix it.”
Mikel Arteta: “Declan Rice loves West Ham so much and I know what it meant to him to play today. It’s never easy but the fans were really good to him, it was good reception.”
Kalvin Phillips: “I felt like if I wasn’t going to play at Man City, I want to go to a club where I’m wanted. Not that Man City didn’t want me but I just wanted to go somewhere where the manager was really keen and where he really wanted me.”
Phillips: “Now I’m here at West Ham and playing, I feel a lot more alive. I still loved the game, it just changed my way of thinking a little bit. The game wasn’t letting me down but the fact I had nothing to look forward to kind of pushed me away. Now I’m here at West Ham and playing, I feel a lot more alive. It’s not starting from scratch, it's starting afresh.”