🚨 What's next for Eden Hazard? Plus Liverpool's admiration for EPL ace, ANOTHER award for Ange, Ronaldo and Mbappe on target, and more
Today's headlines, featuring Bayern Munich, Man United, Real Madrid and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
Juventus release Nicolò Fagioli statement as betting crisis deepens
Chelsea star is youngest player to score in Conmebol qualifying
Arsenal
Arsenal defender’s contract is now a priority for the club. Find out more here.
Bukayo Saka gets the nod ahead of Jude Bellingham as player of the season so far [Stan Collymore via CaughtOffside]
Aston Villa
A breakdown of the latest in the Italian betting scandal involving Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo can be read exclusively here.
Bayern Munich
Discussions will follow between Bayern and Leroy Sané over a new deal. It will be one of the priorities at Bayern in the next few months. Sané is happy at the club and also in his private life with family in Munich.
Belgium
Dodi Lukebakio has been in great form this season, and his brace against Austria in Belgium’s 3-2 win included a brilliant first international goal.
Romelu Lukaku got in on the act with what proved to be the winner thanks to a sensational assist from Jeremy Doku.
[Footage courtesy of Viaplay]
Chelsea
Kendry Páez becomes the youngest player to score in Conmebol qualifying history — 16 years, 161 days. Youngest to debut with Ecuador, also youngest to debut in Conmebol World Cup qualifying. Looks like a great piece of business for Chelsea as they signed Kendry last March.
What next for Eden Hazard? Discussion, tributes and more with Si Phillips here.
England
An England debut on Friday night for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins scored England’s only goal against Australia in their 1-0 victory at Wembley.
[Footage courtesy of Channel 4]
In his post-match press conference, Gareth Southgate spoke about his unhappiness with the booing of Jordan Henderson by the Wembley crowd.
[Footage courtesy of Hayters]
Euro 2024 Qualifying
There were seven games played in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday evening. Results as follows:
Estonia 0-2 Azerbaijan
Ireland 0-2 Greece
Netherlands 1-2 France
Iceland 1-1 Luxembourg
Austria 2-3 Belgium
Liechtenstein 0-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Portugal 3-2 Slovakia
France
Kylian Mbappé bagged a brace in France’s game against the Netherlands, a match which ended 2-1 to Les Bleus. His first was good but his second was a little bit special. They were his 41st and 42nd goals for his country and took him past Michel Platini in the all-time top scorer’s list. He now only has Antoine Griezmann (44), Thierry Henry (51) and Olivier Giroud (54) ahead of him.
[Footage courtesy of Viaplay]
Italy
Italy coach Spalletti on Zaniolo and Tonali possibly being involved in illegal betting: “We will support them but it’s correct to let them leave our camp after speaking to police. If they have committed irregularities, it is absolutely right to proceed with the investigation.”
A breakdown of the latest in the Italian betting scandal involving Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo can be read exclusively here.
Antonio Conte: "When I come back, it will be very hard for everyone else... I will be ready to battle. After Tottenham I promised to dedicate time to my family, it's a lifestyle choice. One day, I'd like to coach a team that has won something recently.”
Juventus
Juventus statement specifies that as soon as the club received news of the possible involvement of player Nicolò Fagioli in the betting story, they “immediately and promptly contacted the FIGC Federal Prosecutor's Office.”
Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch: “Klopp was key for me to join Liverpool. He said to me “I want you.” I spoke to him before, he told me his plans and explained everything, and he gave me a such good feeling that my decision was an easy one.”
Which Premier League player has admirers at Anfield and could replace Mo Salah? Find out exclusively here.
The latest on Saudi interest in Mo Salah can be read about here.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola recently called for player strikes to force the issue over too many games being played. Former Premier League striker, Stan Collymore, agrees but with one caveat [via CaughtOffside]
Manchester United
David Beckham: "So far there've been no talks about me being an ambassador for Qatar to buy Man United. I have a long-standing relationship with Qatar due to my time at PSG. People are going to make the connection between the two.”
Liverpool looked at signing Jadon Sancho before he went to Man United. Neil Jones with some exclusive insight and detail here.
Newcastle United
Newcastle announce that Dan Burn has agreed a new contract that will keep him at St. James' Park until 2025. Signed and sealed. Time to see those dance moves again!
[Footage from Sky Sports/YouTube]
A breakdown of the latest in the Italian betting scandal involving Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo can be read exclusively here.
Paris Saint-Germain
Warren Zaïre-Emery will sign a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain soon — it’s just about final details then it will be done. Salary will be improved as part of the new long term contract agreement.
Xavi Simons on his future: “Future at PSG? I am happy in RB Leipzig, it’s a very exciting season.”
World Cup winner claims Newcastle beating PSG was a fake result [CaughtOffside]
Portugal
Of course Cristiano Ronaldo scored (twice) for Portugal in their 3-2 win over Slovakia. He now has 125 international goals in total, 73 of which he’s scored since turning 30 years old… more than anyone has ever scored at any age for Germany, France, Italy, England, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Croatia, Denmark, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, USA, Egypt, Ghana and 176 more countries.
[Footage courtesy of Arabian TV]
Some brilliant fan footage from the stands captured Cristiano Ronaldo’s second goal of the night, which turned out to be the winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo: "I hope I will be at Euro 2024 as there is still a lot of time left. I hope I won’t have any problem or injury, I hope to play. I left Portugal early but it will always be my home. They support me at every stadium in Portugal."
Real Madrid
Tchouaméni: “We really have to do something about the schedule. We play 70-80 games per season… If we want to play until age 38/39, it would be difficult for our body. We have many different competitions to play in, and not all of them are really important.”
Luka Modrić: “Arda Güler, great boy with extra talent. It’s a shame that due to an injury he hasn't had the chance to show it to the Madrid fans yet. He has a bright career ahead of him and I believe he will bring a lot of happiness to our fans.”
What’s the latest on rumours linking Toni Kroos with Man City? Find out exclusively here.
Real Madrid eye 2024 move for Germany star Malick Thiaw [Football Espana]
Saudi Pro League
Saudi League COO Carlo Nohra: "Thomas Müller to Saudi as a free agent in 2024? Why not? That would be my answer to you. There's absolutely no reason why anyone is off the market. Anyone that can add value and quality to the league would be welcome.”
‘Personal favourite’ – Saudi Pro League chief courting Liverpool’s Mo Salah again [Metro via CaughtOffside]
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month again. Back-to-back awards.
West Ham United
Contract talks have been scheduled for an important Hammers ace. Find out who it is here.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Ronaldo man... guy is a machine!