Potentially good news for Chelsea and the chasing pack in La Liga: Atlético seem to be tying up with injuries. Per Reuters:
Atlético Madrid forward Yannick Carrasco could miss their Champions League last-16 first leg against Chelsea in Bucharest next week. The Belgian joins a growing absentee list for the Liga leaders and will definitely not be fit to face Levante on Saturday as Atleti seek to preserve their six-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid.
“Yannick’s got a knock that he picked up against Granada (on Feb. 13) and played through it against Levante (on Wednesday), and that’s why he was substituted when he was - we wanted to protect him,” Simeone told a news conference. Unfortunately he’s still got a problem and we’ll see how it develops over the next few days.”
Héctor Herrera, José María Giménez, Sime Vrsaljko and Geoffrey Kondogbia also did not train on Friday. Meanwhile Saúl Ñíguez, Stefan Savic and Kieran Trippier are all suspended for Saturday’s game.
In a quirk of the fixture list, Atletico also played Levante in midweek in a re-arranged fixture, drawing 1-1 away. They have drawn two of their last three La Liga games, which has offered the chasing pack encouragement in the title race.
Everton 4-4 Liverpool in the FA Cup was 30 years ago tomorrow. It had consequences beyond a replay. Two days later, Kenny Dalglish walked away and Liverpool Football Club has never been quite the same since.
The whole game here.
Good news for West Ham fans, the talismanic Michail Antonio is returning, meaning the Hammers have an actual centre forward available for the Tottenham game on Sunday. A twanged hamstring has seen him miss the last two matches for David Moyes.
Quoth Moyes: “Michail Antonio has a good chance for Sunday because he has had a few days training. We’re always careful with Mick because we want to make sure he’s right, but he was close for the last game (against Sheffield United). He’s been doing more work on the training pitch, not with the group but individually and we’ll know more tomorrow.”
Quiz!!! Quiz!! Quiz!
All the team news on Dycheball v Big Sam.
Fulham boss Scott Parker said the surprise birthday party thrown for Terence Kongolo was “not acceptable”.
It is reported that Kongolo had no prior knowledge of the party, which was to celebrate the Holland international’s 27th birthday, and was rep Parker also suggested the club will launch an in-house investigation into the incident, which was reported in tabloids on Thursday.
“I think like anything you can imagine my reaction to it was not pleased in the current climate in terms of what everyone is facing,” he said a pre-match press conference. “It’s not acceptable to be honest with you. In terms of Terence, he didn’t know too much about it, (that) is my understanding, and the people who planned it put him in a vulnerable position.”
Kongolo, who has been stepping up his recovery from injury, will not feature in Fulham’s upcoming match against Sheffield United, but is play for the under-23s on Friday.
Sky Sports Premier League(@SkySportsPL)
Fulham head coach Scott Parker described Terence Kongolo's breach of Covid guidelines as 'unacceptable', after the defender was in attendance at a surprise party. pic.twitter.com/iBdsSx6BMT
If not a Cheshire life at Manchester City, or a South Beach life at Inter Miami, how about the environs of Pudsey, Beeston and Armley, suggests Justib for Lionel Messi. “Can we start a Messi-to-Leeds rumour in the hope that it might put ideas into the heads of Argentina’s greatest coach (presently working) and greatest player (presently working). Justin Kavanagh (presently not working, though I should be).”
Thanks, Tom. Anyway, let’s restart with a bit of Manchester United speculation on something that probably won’t happen: David de Gea being dropped for Dean Henderson, after the reserve goalie put in a decent display against Real Sociedad last night. De Gea has not been great of late.
Simon Stone(@sistoney67)
OGS on Dean Henderson: "Dean is in with a shout (for Sun). Dean was very solid (v Sociedad), he had a good kicking game should have had an assist for Marcus which is another thing we worked on. But I have a very good keeper in David. I can’t say now (who's going to play)"
Miguel Almirón’s availability could miss two Newcastle games in early April due to Covid restrictions. The forward seems certain to be selected for Paraguay’s World Cup qualifiers in Chile and at home to Colombia late next month. But with all arrivals into the UK from Paraguay and Chile currently mandated to isolate in a government-approved hotel for 10 days, Almirón would, as things stand, miss games against Spurs and Burnley here
Louise Taylor has the story here, and with that I’ll hand you back to John.
A Saints v Chelsea match preview for you’se:
Crystal Palace have suffered from injuries and poor form of late and Roy Hodgson has called upon his depleted squad to prove they can perform better after two successive defeats when they face Brighton in the M23 set-to on Monday.
“I think whatever team we were playing after the last two results where we’ve been below par, we’d have been anxious to show that we’re better than that and that we have more in our locker to show than in the last two games,” the 73-year-old said.
“So the fact that it’s Brighton adds the extra spice because it’s a game which is very important to our fans and everyone at the club is very much aware of that. It’s a good opportunity to get out there and show that the last couple of performances are not what our fans can expect from us.”
Wilfried Zaha is just one of a host of injured players unavailable to Hodgson, with two more sustaining knocks during the defeat to Burnley last weekend.
Hodgson added: “He (Zaha) is still suffering from the injury, there’s no question of that and the doctors in particular and the physios are very anxious not to put dates on people so they would be very angry with me if I was to suggest dates for when he might return.
James McCarthy returned to training on Thursday but it would be unlikely that he will be fit enough for the short trip to Brighton on Monday.
“In case you are struggling to follow up which clubs are not in talks with Messi,” quips Patrick McGinley, “I am happy to confirm that the Frittenden Greens (long term opponents of Frittenden Blues) have also *not* approached Barcelona or Messi.”
Thomas Tuchel has said that Chelsea have no plans to sell Christian Pulisic following suggestions that Barcelona and Real Madrid could target the winger this summer.
Pulisic is yet to start a league game since Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge last month and has struggled to find consistency since joining Chelsea 18 months ago. His talent is obvious but injuries have held him back in the past 12 months. Fitness issues have frustrated Pulisic this season and he could miss Saturday’s trip to Southampton because of a calf problem.
But while reports in Spain have claimed that Barça and Madrid could look to offer Pulisic a fresh start, he remains part of Tuchel’s plans. The German knows the 22-year-old’s quality after coaching him at Borussia Dortmund, who sold him to Chelsea for £58m, and gave an emphatic response after being asked if he wants him to stay.
“That is my point of view, clearly yes,” Chelsea’s manager said. “Chelsea bought Christian for a reason, his quality and potential, and it is our job to get the best out of him. He has proved in many weeks he has the level to be a regular Chelsea player. It is the challenge now to improve and hold his level.
Tuchel said that Chelsea do not need to manage Pulisic’s fitness. “We are not concerned but the medical department is on that” the German added. “We have little issues with the calf, he stopped training yesterday before it became an injury so I would not say it is an injury, it is risk management. And it relies on the history of injuries. We did not want to enter the same cycle.
“The main thing for Christian is to stay positive, keep his head up and be ready as he can have a big impact when he starts or off the bench with his intensity. There are absolutely no decisions made for summer. There is simply not time for that.”
Tuchel said that Tammy Abraham, who suffered an ankle injury during Chelsea’s win over Newcastle on Monday, is in contention to face Southampton. Thiago Silva is still out with a thigh injury.
Jürgen Klopp speaks, insisting that no rancour will be carried over from last autumn’s Merseyside derby, and the Virgil Van Dijk injury sustained then. “Nothing will be carried into tomorrow. It was good that we didn’t play Everton again immediately after we got the diagnosis but now it’s not a factor.” Injury-wise Fabinho is ruled out again.
Basking in the win against Leipzig, Klopp says: “We showed we can deal with mistakes, and backed his goalkeeper, Allison: “My confidence in him nothing has changed in that. We’ere all human beings, Ali as well, and he showed that in recent games. It’s not about telling him he’s a world-class goalie he knows that. Ali’s too smart to ignore it completely … in the end he can rely and we can rely on his quality, on his attitude, how focused he is in a game.”
Confirmation from José Mourinho on what Spurs have feared for some time – Giovani Lo Celso will not be back before early March, at best. The midfielder injured his hamstring in the 2-0 home defeat against Leicester on 20 December and has not played since. “When will Gio be back? I don’t know … not close,” Mourinho said. “Gio is still a few weeks to go and of course we need him because he gives us lots of quality and options.”
Mourinho hopes to have Sergio Reguilón back for next Wednesday’s Europa League tie at home to Wolfsberger. Serge Aurier is also out of Sunday’s derby at West Ham.
Thanks John, and afternoon everyone. A bit of Real Madrid news for all y’all: their top scorer, Karim Benzema, will miss tomorrow’s trip to Real Valladolid with ankle knack and is also a doubt for the Champions League tie against Atalanta next week.
His manager, Zinedine Zidane, said: “He’s got something, a problem, that flared up yesterday and he won’t take part tomorrow. We’ll have to wait and see how he is for next week. Injuries are what they are. We want to avoid more injuries, everyone tries to do so, but there’s a lot of different factors and right now things aren’t going for us in that sense. We’ve got a lot of injuries, today it’s Karim, and we need to be patient and wait to get our lads back.”
Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard are among nine first-team regulars currently sidelined as Real remain six points behind La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid
Ok, lunch calls and Tom Davies will be taking over for a while. You can email him on Tom.Davies@theguardian.com or tweet him @tomdaviesE17.
Some Chelsea injury news, ahead of the Southampton game.
Tammy Abraham, has avoided a lasting ankle injury and should be fit for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Southampton on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel criticised Jamaal Lascelles’ “reckless” challenge on Abraham in Monday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle, revealing his “worry” that the Blues striker could have picked up a serious problem.
But now Abraham is expected to be ready for the weekend, with Tuchel delighted to have the 23-year-old fit so quickly. “We’re very happy that Tammy is very, very good. He feels very good, he’s free for training today at three o’clock. And if things go well he’s in the squad (for Southampton).”
Thiago Silva will be missing despite being back in training as he continues his recovery from a thigh issue. Christian Pulisic has a minor calf concern, with Chelsea taking him out of training as a precaution. “Kai Havertz is back in training and can join us in Southampton,” said Tuchel.
Per PA Media
Manchester City have distanced themselves from claims they are negotiating with Lionel Messi over a summer move to the Etihad. The Barcelona forward is out of contract at the end of the season and the Argentina international has been continually linked to a reunion with his former manager Pep Guardiola.
However, club sources insist no offer has been made to the 33-year-old, either last summer or since, and there are no talks taking place.
Messi has also been linked with Paris St Germain, probably the only other club likely to be able to afford the player’s reported £120m-plus a year salary, with speculation about his future intensifying in the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp.
Six World Cup winners have moved to the WSL and Alex Greenwood and Ellen White are with three at Manchester City. Suzanne Wrack reports.
Bad news for Chris Wilder and Sheffield United. John Egan will be out for around eight weeks with a dislocated toe. The 28-year-old defender was carried off on a stretcher late on in the defeat at West Ham on Monday evening, after hurting himself in a collision with Jesse Lingard. Blades boss Chris Wilder provided an update on Egan ahead of his side’s Premier League game at Fulham on Saturday.
“John Egan is going to be out for eight weeks. He needs an operation on a dislocated toe,” said Wilder. It’s a situation where John has gone to block a shot and when we saw the reaction of a committed, brave player, straightaway we all knew he was in trouble. It’s a big blow to lose him for eight weeks. I do feel we’ve been cursed with injuries. We’ve had big injuries that have hurt us.”
Sheffield United(@SheffieldUnited)
‘We’ve got the results back and he’s being monitored at the moment. So, I’ve got no real news about his return, which is hugely disappointing.”
Ralph Hasenhüttl has been speaking ahead of Southampton v Chelsea, Saturday’s lunchtime game. The Saints are looking to avoid what would be a seventh successive league defeat.
For us as a club it is not so surprising that we also have times in the season where it is not working well, we have our limits. We don’t have a squad able to handle injuries like others do. The Premier League season is a long one and for us, as a smaller club, I wouldn’t say it is normal you have a (bad) run, but losing a few games in a row is always possible. We had in the past consistency (in performances), but getting less than maybe we deserved to get. There were a lot of games, I think, where we were playing better than the opponent but then get punished with a decision that we cannot avoid, they were not always right, but it’s ok, we took it, and there is always a way out of this. What is important for us is that we still trust in what we are doing and we still know we can beat teams.
More on Ryan Shawcross: the expectation appears to be that he will end up at Inter Miami, working for David Beckham and Phil Neville; all three are graduates of the Manchester United academy. Will he hook up with Lionel Messi there? We can but speculate. The new season in Major League Soccer gets underway in April. In Miami he will play alongside Blaise Matuidi, Brek Shea, Scotland’s Lewis Morgan and Gonzalo Higuaín.
Ahead of that Milan derby, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been modelling a new fashion range. It appears to be modelled on Robbie Williams circa 1991, with some a Backstreet Boys onesie chucked, and all bottomed out by the type of Italian brogues Clark W Griswold would delight in.
Gusten Dahlin(@GustenDahlin)
Just det... Myggjagare, skoteroverall, brynja, kavaj och en cykelkedja med dogtag. pic.twitter.com/FoN8Ze1RP6
Matt Crossen had to learn how to walk and talk after a stroke. He kept going and now captains the England cerebral palsy team.
Sunday’s is the biggest Milan derby between the city’s (fallen?) giants since they were duking it out in the Champions League in the 2000s.
A reminder of last night’s red-hot Europa League action
The predictions are in.
Ryan Shawcross has had his Stoke contract terminated by mutual consent to bring an end to his 14 years with the club.
The 33-year-old made over 400 appearances for the Potters - most of them as captain - after arriving from Manchester United in 2007. In a club statement, Stoke said Shawcross had left “to allow him to pursue new playing opportunities in the United States”.
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: “Ryan’s contribution to the club over the last 14 years simply cannot be under-estimated. His outstanding leadership and the consistency of his displays made him a talismanic figure for us.
“He has been an outstanding role-model, both on and off the pitch, and the way he applied himself in training and matches epitomised the city of Stoke-on-Trent - hard-working, committed and loyal.
“He feels the time is right to explore new opportunities and leaves with our very best wishes. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Ryan, his wife Kath and their family every success for the future - they will always be welcome at the bet365 Stadium.”
Stoke City FC(@stokecity)
After 14 years of outstanding service with Stoke City, we can confirm that Ryan Shawcross has left the Club.
Ryan and his family will always be welcome at the bet365 Stadium and he departs with the best wishes of everyone at the Club.#SCFC 🔴⚪️
National League North and South fixtures will cease with immediate effect after clubs voted in favour of the season being declared null and void. As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll at the levels of the football pyramid below the EFL, clubs voted 24 to 19 in favour of the campaign being ended early, thereby satisfying the 51 per cent majority required for the resolution to be passed.
According to a statement, the National League board will take the outcome to the Football Association for ratification, where the issue of promotion and relegation will be discussed.
The majority of National League South clubs voted to continue the season (12-9) but it was a different story in National League North (7-15), resulting in the overall decision to scrap proceedings.
The National League season will continue as planned after 13 of its 23 clubs decided against declaring the season null and void.
Two clubs in that division are yet to cast votes but, with a majority decision already reached, the outcome cannot be affected.
The 66 clubs from the three divisions received a resolution from the league to decide the outcome of the season after learning 11million due to be offered as part of the Government’s Sports Winter Survival Package would be in the form of loans rather than grants.
Clubs were given 28 days to consider their positions and vote.
Fixtures in both the National League North and National League South were suspended for a two-week period last month amid the discontent over funding, before resuming early this month.
The National League(@TheVanaramaNL)
National League Statement | Outcome of Written Resolutions
The maintenance programme of having top-level football injected into your veins in lieu of bog all else to do continues apace. Recovered from the buzz of the Champions League and Europa League, the Premier League is back, though it’s actually only been two days since Manchester City confirmed their title with that 3-1 win at Everton. And those who watched it know that Burnley played Fulham in a fixture that made a micrometer screw gauge manual look like Jilly Cooper’s Riders.
So, what’s in store this weekend. There’s Friday night lights as entertainers Leeds take on non-entertainers Wolves at Molineux. It’s sad the fans won’t get to sidle down Piss Alley to catch that one. Saturday begins with off-form Southampton taking on very much on-form Chelsea, now flushed with the teutonic efficiency and vegan values of Thomas Tuchel. (Oh Frank!)
Burnley v West Brom is a battle of kindred spirits in Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce, with Sam having out-tactic-ed Manchester United last week. Then comes the Merseyside derby in which bad blood flows after Virgil van Dijk’s felling by Jordan Pickford in their last meeting. Liverpool looked OK v Leipzig, and Everton didn’t actually look too bad when losing to City in midweek. The race for sixth place is on.
Then comes Fulham v Sheffield United, a battle of two teams who have played well of late without getting the results required to pull them anywhere close to being out of the relegation battle.
Sunday begins with the ‘chosen one’ in David Moyes getting the chance to put one over on José Mourinho and West Ham to exert their clear superiority over Tottenham. Then comes Aston Villa v Leicester, a battle of the quiffs in Jack Grealish v James Maddison, with Brendan’s boys looking good for second place, barring a collapse like last season. Manchester City v Arsenal sees the Premier League’s best two young players in Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka going head to head, barring a piece of Pep Guardiola jiggery pokery. The evening session is Manchester United, fresh off giving David Silva and Adnan Januzaj a good hiding, take on the often supine form of Newcastle.
And it all finishes on Monday - there’s actually a PL game on Tuesday too, of course there is - with that Eagles/Seagulls, Alan-Mullery-related derby that nobody else really understands with Brighton taking on Crystal Palace.
So, plenty to build up to.
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