🚨 Why Chelsea snubbed Vlahovic, how Rice is settling at Arsenal, Man Utd contract talks, PL signing of the summer, and more
Today's Briefing, featuring Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing, brought to you completely ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Al Ahli SC
Julian Draxler completed medical tests yesterday as new Al Ahli SC player in Doha — documents sealed with PSG. He’s signed a contract valid until June 2025.
Al Hilal
Aleksandar Mitrovic: “I have no nostalgia for England, I played many years there”. “I’m happy to have finally arrived at a top club. Al-Hilal is a bit like Real Madrid in Europe. I’m very happy here and I want to win titles.”
Arsenal
David Raya got his first start for Arsenal in the win over Everton. Mikel Arteta explaining why Aaron Ramsdale was benched, said: “There will be rotations. I mentioned that we wanted to build a squad with two quality players in each position. We have got that now. And to maximise that they’ve to play games. Trust me — it’s like playing Fabio Vieira or Eddie Nketiah… it is nothing different. I have 11 players to pick and no-one is different”.
Arteta on Gabriel Martinelli injury: “He felt something on one of the sprints, in his hammy. He will need to be assessed.”
Aston Villa
Atletico Madrid
Thomas Lemar has sustained an Achilles tendon rupture — he will need surgery and will be out for long time, around 6 months. Bad news for Atletico Madrid, wishing Lemar speedy recovery.
Barcelona
Joao Felix has started well at Barcelona - more on how that move came about here.
How good was *this* dummy assist by Joao Felix for Robert Lewandowski? [Pictures courtesy of Barca HQ/YouTube]
Bayern Munich
Bayern director Christoph Freund on Mathys Tel: “He’s a really good and positive guy who accepts his role, wants to learn in every training session and has decided to establish himself at FC Bayern. Mathys is on a really good path, I’m very happy that he’s with us.”
Chelsea
Chelsea had a busy summer and there were even more players they nearly signed!
Chelsea remain on just six wins in all competitions in 2023 following yesterday’s 0-0 draw away to Bournemouth.
Mauricio Pochettino: “The fans are disappointed because of the situation but I am not worried about that. I say that because we really know what we are doing — we deserved to win.”
Pochettino on Moises Caicedo not featuring yesterday: “Caicedo arrived back with a knock in his knee. We need to assess him in the next few days but he wasn’t available for today, that’s why he not here.”
Pochettino on other players not selected: “So, Cucurella was not available due to fever. He was ill. Noni Madueke came from the national team with a muscle problem.”
Pochettino on Mykhaylo Mudryk: “He is improving. He still needs to learn, he needs time. Mudryk needs to understand the game better — and try to be more connected sometimes with the team. We need to give the time and tools for him to improve.”
Germany
Liverpool
[Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports]
Liverpool have been linked with a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah - more info here.
Liverpool were very keen on this Chelsea player this summer - more info here.
Lyon
Olympique Lyon’s new manager Fabio Grosso was in the stands last night as he’s set to be presented on Monday. Grosso, currently in Lyon with his agent Giuseppe Riso who took care of the deal with John Textor.
Manchester City
📰 Manchester City are set to delay contract talks with Kevin De Bruyne as they wait to see how he recovers from his injury (Daily Star)
Manchester United
Manchester United remain in contract talks with Aaron Wan-Bissaka - full details here.
📰 Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is on Bayern Munich’s radar ahead of January (Mirror)
Newcastle United
Nice
OGC Nice are set to unveil Salvatore Sirigu as their new signing after he trained with the squad this week. Sirigu will sign until June 2024 and was available as a free agent after Napoli and Fiorentina chapters.
Real Betis
Isco: “I hope I will be received well by the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid was the most important club in my life. I will always love and respect Real.”
Real Madrid
Isco: “I hope I will be received well by the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid was the most important club in my life. I will always love and respect Real.”
Carlo Ancelotti: “I really like Joselu — as he’s a guarantee. He's very important because he's the only one with his qualities in attack. We missed someone like him the past seasons.”
West Ham
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Football players say some daft things, but Mitrovic comparing Al-Hilal with Real Madrid takes the biscuit. What a tool!
Lovely play by Joao Felix - intrigued to see if he can fulfil his potential in this Barca side as it clearly looks a better fit for his style of play