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Pep Guardiola has backed Rodri in his comments suggesting Manchester City's stars would consider a 'strike' due to an increasingly intense schedule.

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• Rodri hinted players could strike
• City could play more than 70 games this season
• 'Players have the power to make change' insists Guardiola

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Guardiola echoed Rodri's sentiments that the players are the most important factor in football, with the City boss claiming that any change would only come from the actions of his own stars. Rodri had criticised the decision to add more fixtures to the football calendar, believing many players would be willing to go on strike as 'we are the guys who suffer'.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  UEFA has introduced a new-style Champions League format, leading to more fixtures being added to an already-intensive football calendar. City are also set to play in the revamped Club World Cup at the end of the season, which will feature additional teams and matches, leading to Rodri's claim that the wellbeing of players was being overlooked, although some have claimed any notion of a strike as 'nonsense'.

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  WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola said: "I agree that many voices are talking about the players. If something is going to change, it must come from the players. They are the only ones who can change something.

  "The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media and owners – but without players you cannot play. They alone have the power to do it."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA AND MAN CITY?

  The intensity does not stop for City, with Guardiola's men facing off against Arsenal on Sunday in a match which could have significant implications on the title come the end of the season.

  City will then play in three competitions over the course of a week, hosting Watford in the Carabao Cup before visiting Newcastle in the Premier League followed by a Champions League trip to Slovan Bratislava prior to the international break.

Amid their Scottish Premiership title ambitions, Rangers are set to bid farewell to several stars this summer upon the expiry of a number of contracts, including one star who Philippe Clement wants to keep.

Rangers transfer news

Keeping together a side who could yet end the season as champions is usually seen as a vital step ahead of potentially defending that crown, but the exit door is well and truly open at Ibrox even if they do pip Celtic to the title.

Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Leon Balogun and Borna Barisic are all among the players set to become free agents this summer, moving on and making room for fresh faces in Clement's first summer in charge.

In a ruthless act from Clement, he will hope to make his mark more than ever in Glasgow this summer. He's already shown what he's capable of by reviving Rangers mid-season to get them back in the title picture, so there's plenty of promise in giving him the keys ahead of his first full season in charge.

Rangers’ 10 best managers of all time ranked by win percentage

The Gers missed out on the league title in his first season, but where does Philippe Clement rank among his predecessors?

By
Charlie Smith

Jan 4, 2025

One player that he'll likely have to do it without next season is John Lundstram, however. According to 61 Trabzon Haber via Sport Witness, Lundstram has agreed a deal in principle with Trabzonspor after reports earlier in the week indicated that they were chasing a deal. Now, with just a few details to agree on, the midfielder looks to have taken a step closer to finding his next club.

The news will leave Clement undoubtedly frustrated, having previously been positive when asked about the chances that Rangers keep hold of Lundstram.

Rangers must find right replacement for Lundstram

Despite Clement's attempt to pour water on flames to put out any rumours regarding Lundstram's exit, it looks increasingly likely that Rangers will be in need of a replacement for the Gers midfielder this summer. And they must make sure to get things right.

His exit does at least pave the way for a fresh face and clear a reported £22,000 per-week from their wage bill, but that doesn't make finding a replacement for Lundstram any simpler this summer.

The midfielder ticks the box for both experience and quality, which are two traits which may not go hand in hand for fresh faces. Instead, Clement could go down the route of finding a young player to mould into his system to hand Rangers a long-term option who may even eventually become better than the version of Lundstram that Ibrox has seen over the years.

Tom Brady claimed he will take Lionel Messi to Birmingham City after the NFL legend was present at Inter Miami's 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati.

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• Brady watches Inter Miami win 2-0
• Meets Messi and Miami owner Beckham
• Jokes he will take Messi to Birmingham

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Brady became a minority shareholder at Birmingham City last year and has been actively involved in the footballing circuit. The NFL legend is now retired and made his way to Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium ahead of their Major League Soccer clash against Cincinnati.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Brady met up with Messi and Inter Miami owner David Beckham and the trio watched from the stands as Luis Suarez scored a first-half brace to secure the Herons' spot in MLS Playoffs. The three also posed for a photo together as Beckham labelled the two superstars as 'The greatest'.

• WHAT BRADY SAID

  Under Beckham's post, Brady commented that he plans to take Messi back with him to Birmingham City. He said: "I'm bringing Lionel Messi back to Birmingham with me. Sorry, David Beckham."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  The eight-time Ballon d'Or is currently out injured and is not expected to return for some more time. However, Beckham and Inter Miami boss Tata Martino will hope that Messi will be able to return in time for the start of the playoffs in October.

Chelsea are already preparing an offer to sign a clinical Victor Osimhen alternative this summer, as they remain on the hunt for a striker.

Boehly targeting new frontman despite Chelsea worries

Some concerns have surrounded their ability to comply with PSR regulations, after the club posted seismic losses for the second financial year running.

Chelsea forced into green-lighting player sale at 50 per cent discount

The Blues need to balance their books this summer.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 10, 2024

There are suggestions that Chelsea need to raise £100 million through player sales by June 30, to avoid potential sanctions, but it remains the case that Mauricio Pochettino's side are chasing a new number nine.

One front man who they've been very regularly linked with is Napoli star Osimhen. It is believed Chelsea are among the frontrunners to sign Osimhen this summer, with former midfielder John Obi Mikel even playing agent.

"I know you're going to come to Chelsea," said Mikel.

"I'm telling you, I'm going to be the agent to broker that deal! You are 100 per cent going to Chelsea next season. I'm going to make sure that deal happens because we are crying out for someone like you. Since the big man left the club, you know Didier Drogba, my teammate, we haven't had anybody with that figure, that stature, that personality.

"Someone who can score goals in big games and somebody we can depend on scoring goals, and I just feel like you are that person, you will fit right in at what we need to achieve at the club."

While Osimhen would be a dream capture from Chelsea's perspective, reports also suggest Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis could remain firm on the Nigerian's release clause (Fabrizio Romano) – which stands at around £113 million.

It could therefore be wise to have alternatives to Osimhen when the window reopens, and it is believed one such player could be Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swede has scored a quite sensational 36 goals and bagged 15 assists over 2023/2024, lighting up the Primeira Liga under Ruben Amorim ever since he opted to make the move to Portugal from Coventry City.

This has alerted Chelsea chiefs, as explained by journalist Pedro Sepulveda this week.

Chelsea preparing summer bid for Gyokeres

According to Sepulveda, Chelsea are "preparing an offer" to sign Gyokeres this summer as they gear up for a transfer tussle with Arsenal – who are also on the look out for a star frontman.

While an £86 million release clause still represents a significant investment on Chelsea's part, the valuation remains lower than that of Osimhen's, so this could be one to watch.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has admitted that the Red Devils are not ready to compete for the Premier League title this season.

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• Fernandes tempers Man Utd expectations
• Defends Casemiro's form at Old Trafford
• Believes Red Devils will fight for the top four

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United have started their Premier League campaign as poorly as they ended the last season. The Red Devils have lost twice in their opening three games and their 3-0 loss against Liverpool at home was their worst performance. United have come under a slew of criticism for their continued lack of results despite a major overhaul in the transfer window. However, Fernandes has tempered expectations by claiming the league title was not achievable.

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  WHAT FERNANDES SAID

  Speaking to in Portugal Fernandes said: "Yes, I am perfectly aware that this Manchester United is not ready to win the Premier League.

  "We are, indeed, fighting for the title with the concrete and real objective of trying to finish in the top four, in the places that give access to the Champions League. But there is still a lot to improve for the greater objective, and for my dream, which is to one day win this championship."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Casemiro was at the centre of two mistakes in United's loss to Liverpool and has come under a load of criticism as such. Fernandes has also defended the underfire Brazilian, who has struggled for form since the start of last season.

  He said: "Casemiro is more experienced than me, he played for the two best clubs in the world in terms of media coverage. He has a lot of quality. And mistakes are going to happen to everyone. We just have to be more cautious when they are about to happen and compensate and correct them in time.

  "We have to be more alert when we lose the ball, feel and smell the danger and be more objective. Whenever we have opportunities, we have to score more goals. We have attacking quality, but few goals."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDES?

  The Portugal star has joined his national team for their Nations League group stage clashes against Croatia and Scotland before he returns to Manchester to continue the Red Devils' battle to improve.

The MLS club have added the former Dortmund attacking midfielder on a free transfer.

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• Reus left Dortmund as a free agent in June.
• Signed two-and-a-half year deal with MLS side.
• A boost for the Western Conference leaders.

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After months of speculation, Reus has made his long-awaited MLS move official, penning a contract with Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy, the club announced on Thursday. The Galaxy acquired Reus' discovery rights from Charlotte FC in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money – split between 2024 and 2025. His contract will last until the end of the 2026 season, at which point Reus will be 37.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  In Reus, the Galaxy are getting one of the most effective players in recent Bundesliga memory. The attacking midfielder totaled 301 goal contributions in 12 seasons for Dortmund – and won Bundesliga Player of the Year three times. He helped Dortmund win the German Cup twice, and appeared in two Champions League finals.

• WHAT GREG VANNEY SAID

  LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney hailed Reus' quality in a statement: "We are excited to welcome Marco to the team. He is a proven winner and leader whose talent and vision for the game will integrate seamlessly into the group as we prepare for the restart of the league and the run into the playoffs.”

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  WHAT'S NEXT FOR REUS?

  The German will join up with the Galaxy when MLS reopens play on Aug. 24. Vanney's side currently sit two points clear atop the Western Conference.

Liverpool have had quite a whirlwind couple of weeks of late. From winning the Carabao Cup to scoring a last-minute winner against Nottingham Forest, now feels like a good time to be a Reds fan.

Alongside their last six games resulting in victories, due to the injury crisis that the club have found themselves in, they have had to rely on their academy much more often than they would've liked to have done.

However, due to Jurgen Klopp's reliance on Liverpool's youngsters, it has sprung some of their careers into gear.

For example, Conor Bradley is the name which would come to the forefront of fans' minds when thinking about which youngsters have made the most progress.

The right-back has filled in for Trent Alexander-Arnold on multiple occasions and has even outshone him here and there.

The Northern Ireland international has played a total of 14 games in all competitions thus far and has managed six goal contributions during that time.

Although for the academy graduates, their inclusion within Liverpool's first-team is undeniably good for their development, it has meant some of the Reds' first-team players have drawn the short straw.

Liverpool's biggest loser from academy success

The most notable of those is that of Cody Gakpo. The attacker hasn't been in the best of form of late and looks to have lost some of the confidence he showed last season amidst an upturn in performance level from the younger stars of tomorrow around him.

That was particularly the case in the Reds' most recent Premier League tie against relegation battlers, Nottingham Forest.

Despite starting the game on Saturday and playing a total of 84 minutes, the attacker failed to have much of an impact on the tie.

During his time on the pitch, the Dutchman, who played as a striker, failed to register a shot on target. Additionally, he only amassed a total of 32 touches and ended up with a pass accuracy of just 81%.

Having such a minimal number of touches during the clash meant that the former PSV man had fewer than Caoimhin Kelleher, which, for someone who is supposed to be one of the Reds' best attackers, is quite concerning.

Unfortunately, across the rest of the season, despite scoring 11 goals, it feels as if the 24-year-old has lost his spark in recent games, failing to net in the Carabao Cup final and then frustrating at the City Ground.

Compared to the previous term of 2022/23, where the attacker joined the Merseyside club in January, the difference in output is staggering.

Gakpo played a total of 12 games less (so far) and still managed to end up with ten goal contributions with one even ending up inside the top 10 of Liverpool's best goals of the campaign.

Although this season has seen a downturn in the form of the 24-year-old, for Jayden Danns, his career has just begun.

The sudden rise of Jayden Danns

Prior to being involved in Liverpool's senior squad for the first time against Luton in what was a 4-1 win for the Reds, the striker had been lighting up the youth leagues for the club.

In just 17 games, the attacker managed to involve himself with 20 goals, 16 of which came as his own.

Standing at a height of 6-foot, the striker is a physical presence on the field and offers Klopp yet another tactical option should he feel the need to change it up during a game.

His clinical scoring ability (as shown by his goal tally) is also a major advantage to his game. Additionally, the fact that the 18-year-old managed to slot two goals past Southampton in the FA Cup isn't something that should be frowned upon.

The attacker is one of the best stories to come out of the Liverpool camp this term and looks set to have a bright future ahead of him if his form continues.

Athletic Club star Nico Williams has reportedly made a decision regarding his future amid Barcelona's interest in his services.

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• Barcelona keep hoping for Williams signing
• Winger has ruled out possible move to PSG
• Athletic Club offer winger extension at San Mames

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Williams has been Barcelona's number-one transfer target this summer as they look to bolster the squad for Hansi Flick, but the Spain star's future is uncertain as the Basque club look to keep the the winger at San Mames for at least another season. However, both Barcelona and Athletic Club are unsure as to what the Pamplona-born player's decision will be.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Catalan publication has reported that Williams is yet to make a final call on his future, but he has decided that he will not be joining Paris Saint-Germain, who have been hoping to challenge Barca to his signing. Instead, he wants to continue his career in La Liga, meaning he will be at one of Athletic or Barca next term. Williams wants his future to be clear to both parties before he begins pre-season training under Ernesto Valverde.

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  WHAT VALVERDE SAID

  While speaking to the media earlier this week, Valverde was asked about Williams' future and he said: "We already know that Nico is good, we'll see what happens because every day something new comes out in the press and what we can't do is let ourselves be guided by that, but simply by the things that are happening."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMS?

  La Liga is set to commence later this month with Athletic Club set to take on Getafe on August 15 and the Basque club will be hopeful that Williams will have made his decision by then.

It was an odd day for Arsenal on Sunday. While they dropped two points away from home and surrendered top spot to Liverpool, there is a renewed sense of belief in the club's Premier League title credentials.

Mikel Arteta's men finally ended their dreadful run of results at the Etihad, took a point back to north London and stopped Manchester City from scoring at home for the first time since October 2021.

It wasn't an entertaining game, not by any stretch, but it was a defensive masterclass from the Gunners, and one of the shining lights, as he so often has been this season, was Declan Rice.

Declan Rice's game in numbers

While the game produced very little attacking football to excite fans – just three shots on target proves as much – it did provide plenty of brilliant defensive performances to analyse, with Rice's efforts just in front of his back four worthy of notable praise.

This is an opinion shared by the Standard's Simon Collings', who awarded the Englishman an 8/10 on the night, writing that he 'put in a big shift' when out of possession and that he 'broke up play so well' despite having to play 'deeper than he has recently.'

The Englishman's numbers from the match, while not spectacular at first glance, help to reveal how vital his role in the team was. In his 95 minutes of action, the £105m man played one key pass, maintained a passing accuracy of 86%, succeeded in his one dribble, won four of eight ground duels, made three tackles, and took 45 touches – the third most in the team.

It wasn't a vintage performance that'll be clipped up for fans to watch in ten years, but the 25-year-old titan was everywhere for the Gunners, led from the front and played an essential role in Arteta's plan to stifle the treble winners, which is precisely what he did.

That said, there was another starter who was just as, if not more important for the visitors, a player who has a genuine case for being the most important player in the team this year.

Gabriel Magalhães' importance to Arsenal

The player in question is Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, who has been quietly putting in brilliant performances all year for the north Londoners, while the attention has been on his teammates like William Saliba and Rice.

Yesterday was no different. While the Gunners' defensive unit was seriously impressive overall, he stood out and made arguably the best striker in the world – Erling Haaland – look distinctly average.

After the game, Collings awarded the 26-year-old an 8/10, rightfully named him his 'star player', claimed he 'made countless blocks and tackles' and described him as a 'warrior at the back.'

However, it wasn't just yesterday that the former LOSC Lille ace was a titan at the back for Arteta; he's been one all year.

The club have conceded just 23 goals in the 37 games the São Paulo-born ace has started, which works out to be around 0.62 goals per game.

In contrast, in the four games the "unstoppable" star, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, wasn't on the pitch, the club conceded three goals, which works out to around 0.75 goals per game.

Arsenal struck gold with a star who'd be worth more than Martinelli today

The former Arsenal man was a tour de force at the Emirates.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Mar 27, 2024

Ultimately, it can be quite tricky to summarise a defender's importance to a team through statistics, but Gabriel's importance to Arteta's title-challenging Arsenal side cannot be ignored, and if they can get over the line in May, it'll have a lot to do with him.

The midfielder's struggles in pedestrian pre-season friendlies do not bode well for next season with the Red Devils – but there's no easy solution

While his Manchester United team-mates were dripping with sweat at the Copa America, or being soaked in rain at the European Championship in Germany, Casemiro was able to enjoy his holidays. And if his Instagram account is anything to go by, he’s had quite the summer.

He and his young family jetted off to Orlando to visit Disney World, a trip he famously cancelled in 2019 to rush back to training after Real Madrid had been hammered 7-2 by Atletico Madrid in pre-season. He drove a classic Volkswagen Beatle around Brazil and then he and his wife celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a helicopter ride and by drinking the finest wine.

And who can blame him for enjoying his holiday after the awful season he had just endured? Casemiro’s reputation as a world-class midfielder and serial winner had been dragged through the mud by a dire campaign for him and his club. He was one of the main scapegoats of United’s lowest ever finish in the Premier League, while Jamie Carragher had urged him to quit elite football for his own good.

He was absent from the Red Devils’ one positive episode, missing the FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City amid confusion as to whether he was injured or had refused to be a substitute. His woeful performances saw him axed from the Brazil squad for the first time in a decade, leaving him with no Copa America.

The upside of that was he got a rare extended break and some time to relax away from the glare of anxious United fans and the critical media. But now his holidays are over, he is back to work, and the time off appears to have made very little difference. And that presents a big problem for him and the Red Devils.

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  Off the pace

  Casemiro put his thumb up as he posed for a photo upon returning to Carrington for pre-season training in July but his early showings have been given a firm thumbs down. The Brazilian wore the captain’s armband for the games against Rosenborg and Rangers but he had very little authority on the pitch.

  He was sluggish in Norway, unconvincingly scuffing a clearance and getting dispossessed on the edge of his own area before getting hacked by Tomas Nemcik. He was able to continue and completed the first half like the rest of his outfield team-mates but had looked off the pace in the eventual 1-0 defeat.

  It might have only been a pre-season friendly but Erik ten Hag was furious with what he saw and did not mince his words, calling the performance "below standards". He also took aim at the more experienced players and it was hard not to assume he had Casemiro in mind when he said: "As an individual you must make sure you are fit. They (young players) are looking to listen and want to transfer that – it didn’t work."

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  Head-in-hands

  The Brazilian skippered United again against Rangers in Edinburgh and once more he was one of the worst performers. He misplaced simple passes, was easily beaten whenever Rangers attacked and he lost the ball in dangerous areas.

  The nadir came when he squandered a decent United counter with an overhit ball towards Aaron Wan-Bissaka which went out of play. Casemiro knew he had messed up and did not hide his shame. He sank to his knees and put his head in his hands. How he must have wished he was still on holiday, still riding in helicopters or shaking hands with Mickey Mouse.

  After all, these were hardly difficult opponents, from Norway and Scotland, ranked 12th and 17th respectively according to UEFA. "Good test in Scotland" Casemiro wrote with a brave face on his Instagram account after the Rangers game. The tests are going to get much harder. United face Arsenal in Los Angeles on Saturday and then Real Betis in San Diego before rounding off their tour of the USA against Liverpool in South Carolina.

  Then it’s the Community Shield against Manchester City before United begin the Premier League season at home to Fulham. Casemiro does not have long to get in shape and time is running out to either prove he is still good enough for United or for any prospective suitors.

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  Horror show

  Casemiro had an excellent debut season with United, powering their return to the Champions League and their Carabao Cup triumph, their first trophy in seven years. So his drop-off last season took everyone by surprise.

  It began with a leggy performance in the curtain raiser against Wolves and got steadily worse, his declining physical capabilities being particularly evident in the 4-3 defeat by Bayern Munich – despite him scoring twice – and in the home defeats by Brighton, Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, getting sent off in the latter.

  When it was revealed he had injured his ankle while on Brazil duty in October and would be out for several months, it was not the blow it would have been the previous campaign. If anything it was seen as a blessing.

  Casemiro returned to action in late January and though there were some positives, such as a last-minute winner in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest and a decent display against West Ham, the decline continued, culminating in the horror show at Selhurst Park, when he was dribbled past eight times and which led to Carragher’s brutal character assassination.

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  Expensive fix

  Carragher had emphatically told Casemiro: "Leave the game before it leaves you", suggesting he left United immediately and sought refuge in Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League. Not many United fans would have disagreed with the former Liverpool defender. Fast forward a few months and moving him on is proving difficult.

  When United signed Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70m ($90m) late in the summer of 2022 in a panic after defeats by Brighton and Brentford, they offered him a four-year contract worth £350,000 ($450,000) per week, the equivalent of more than £18m ($23m) per year.

  The Brazilian had told his agent at the time that he would fix United’s problems and that he did, but only in the short term and for a huge cost.

  His signing was the equivalent of not repairing a broken window in your home and cranking up the heating to stay warm. United have been left with a huge bill but the same problem: a porous midfield which teams can play through for fun. And no one seems to be willing to bail them out.