Newcastle updates
After the euphoria of winning the Carabao Cup, it is back to the Premier League for Newcastle United, with the Champions League in their sights.
The Magpies host Brentford tomorrow, and Eddie Howe has provided an injury update on two key players.
Anthony Gordon suffered a hip issue while representing England over the international break, but he's expected to be back in training soon.
He was suspended for tomorrow's match anyway, meaning Harvey Barnes will likely start.
Meanwhile, Howe hopes to have Dutchman Sven Botman back before the end of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference about Gordon, he said: "He has some nasty bruising around his thigh but he's up and running and feeling quite good. He's not trained with the group yet so we anticipate he'll do that within the next few days."
And on Botman: "Sven's not too bad. He's had a very minor operation just to clean out some floating bone that was in his knee and was causing him a problem. The initial diagnosis was between six and eight weeks but I think he's already got through a few of those. Fingers crossed we'll see him in May."
'For Trent'
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has responded to talk of Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving this summer.
talkSPORT understands the England international has agreed a deal to join Real Madrid and Jude Bellingham, and he will leave his boyhood club for nothing this summer.
Ahead of the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, Slot revealed that Alexander-Arnold wouldn't be involved, while he refused to comment on the player's future.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "His situation is unfortunately that he is injured, otherwise people would have probably spoken about him that he had one or two brilliant performances for the England team. But he's injured and for him that means he is fully focused on his recovery and for us that means we are trying to help him to be back as soon as he can.
"For the rest, of course, for eight months it went a bit up and down maybe, with all kinds of talks about him, Virgil [Van Dijk] or Mo [Mohamed Salah]. But we have never been focused on those talks, we have always been focused on what we have to do.
"For Virgil and Mo that is trying to win the Merseyside derby, and for Trent, that is making sure he is can get fit as soon as he can.
"It's a situation that is there for eight months now and all these three players have performed so well under these circumstances so it doesn't affect me at all.
"I think there was a bit of noise about us losing against Paris St-Germain and us losing against Newcastle as well. I always try to be rational. I was a bit more frustrated about the final, because I think we deserved to lose that one. For the first time, we deserved to lose a football game."
Pressers, pressers, pressers
Okay, the Premier League is back tonight, meaning we have a round of press conferences to get through.
Yesterday, we heard from Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal playing Fulham this evening, and today, we will hear from Arne Slot.
The Dutchman is speaking right now and is expected to be asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to join Real Madrid this summer.
It is also the small matter of the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Newcastle United's Eddie Howe is also currently speaking to the press, and he'll no doubt be asked about the club's incredible parade at the weekend.
Pep Guardiola is also set to give his thoughts, and he should have an update on Erling Haaland, who hobbled off at the weekend.
Hey big spenders
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is expecting a big summer of spending to help the club take "the next step" and end their wait for silverware.
Arteta was speaking a day after the Gunners announced their successor to sporting director Edu, with Andrea Berta, formerly of Atletico Madrid, taking up the reins.
Arsenal, whose last trophy was the 2020 FA Cup, have been criticised for not signing a striker in recent windows, and their failure to act has been exposed in the second half of this season with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both sidelined.
Without a recognised striker, the north London outfit have fallen 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League. It leaves them on course to finish runners-up for the third consecutive season.
But speaking ahead of his side's match against Fulham at the Emirates on Tuesday, Arteta said: "It's going to be a big one (summer) and we are very excited about it.
"When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.
"Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary.
"But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team."
Can't blame him
Wayne Rooney says he can understand why a possible move to Spanish giants Real Madrid would be appealing for Liverpool and England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at Anfield this summer. He has reportedly agreed terms on a free transfer to Real.
"If Trent Alexander-Arnold does join Real Madrid this summer, fair play to him. I was once tempted to make a big move to Spain myself," Rooney said, in his BBC Sport column.
"Alexander-Arnold is 26 and out of contract at the end of the season, so he is in a position where he either commits the rest of his career to Liverpool or decides to go to Real - who clearly want him.
"If he was to leave Liverpool for any other club you might wonder why, but, because it is Real we are talking about, I don't think you could question it as a career move."
Rooney said that Real, Barcelona and Chelsea made approaches for him in 2010 when speculation was rife about his Manchester United future, before he agreed a new deal at Old Trafford.
"A deal with Real looked more likely for a couple of days, but it was Barcelona whom I thought about the most, and how I might fit into their side alongside Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets," he added.
"Real are the same now with superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, so of course it must be appealing to Alexander-Arnold to think about playing alongside them - anyone would feel the same."
Statement
Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed they are having a 'temporary issue' regarding the payment of player salaries in March.
A club statement continued: "This has occurred as a result of significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses which has in turn impacted on the club’s immediate cashflow.
"The chairman is working hard to resolve this situation at the earliest possible opportunity and in the meantime thanks everyone for their patience and understanding."
This is not the first time Wednesday have experienced problems of this nature with chairman Dejphon Chansiri revealing he was concerned the club would be unable to pay players and staff their October 2023 wages on time amid what he described as ‘cashflow issues’.
In a bizarre moment, Chansiri asked fans to stump up £2million within a few days to save their club.
However, all payments were satisfied within 24 hours and their transfer embargo was lifted.
The Owls are currently 12th in the Championship, five points off a play-off spot.
Latest
Erling Haaland is out for an indefinite period after sustaining an ankle injury yesterday.
The forward went off in the second half of Manchester City's FA Cup win at Bournemouth on Sunday having injured his left ankle.
City have now confirmed that following tests on Monday, Haaland will see a specialist to confirm the full extent of the injury.
While the club didn't give an idea on how long he'll be out for but City did say the Norwegian is expected to be back before the end of the season and should be available to play during this summer's Club World Cup.
If Haaland is out for a prolonged period it would be a big blow in City's bid to finish in the top four.
City are currently fifth in the Premier League table, a point behind fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games to go.
In what's been an uncharacteristically sloppy season for Pep Guardiola's side, Haaland has remained consistent having scored 30 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions with 21 of them coming in the Premier League.
'No excuses'
Nuno Espirito Santo won't allow excuses from Nottingham Forest when they face Manchester United after playing extra-time on Saturday.
Forest went the distance against Brighton and won on penalties to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
They may still be feeling the effects of the 120 minutes of football, but head coach Espirito Santo insists this won't get in their way.
"No excuses. Don't give anyone excuses," he said before their home clash against United on Tuesday. "We're going to go.
"We'll assess the players, we'll prepare for the game and we're going to compete. It's very difficult on the players but they are recovering well.
"They are always being positive so we are confident we can perform against a good team.
"These short turnarounds are all about recovering and fortunately the match is in the evening so it will gives us the day to finalise the details, so we will be OK.
"We are delighted that we will play in more matches. We are delighted that we will have more chances to perform and improve and grow as a club and as a squad.
"We are in the final stages of the season and we are delighted to be in this position."
Improvement
Chelsea have announced their financial accounts for the year ending 30 June 2024.
The Blues' profit before taxation has been revealed as £128.4million compared to their loss of £90.1million from the year prior.
A statement read: "The club benefitted from increased profit on disposal of player registrations and repositioning of Chelsea Football Club Women Ltd."
Chelsea also said that revenue had fallen to £468.5million having not participated in the Champions League.
"However, the club’s broadcasting receipts benefitted from an improved sixth-place finish in the Premier League and semi-final and final appearances in the FA Cup and League Cup respectively," they said.
"There was a decrease in operational costs in the year, to offset the fall in revenue resulting in a stable operating loss in comparison to the previous year."
Matchday revenue at Chelsea gas risen to £80.1million, with a growth in commercial revenue taking them to £225.3million.
"Decreased operating expenses, including matchday and non-matchday costs, profits on disposal of player registrations of £152.5million and a profit on disposal of subsidiaries of £198.7million led to the group recording an overall net profit of £129.6million after tax."
Not down just yet
Kieran McKenna has insisted that Ipswich Town are 'still in the fight' to avoid relegation.
Ahead of the season run-in, the Tractor Boys are 18th in the Premier League and nine points away from safety.
Bournemouth are their first opponents back from the international break on Wednesday before tough fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle.
But when speaking in his press conference, manager McKenna was not one to write off their chances of survival.
"It's an important week for us. Of the nine remaining games, we've got two in four days," he said as per the East Anglian Daily Times.
"There's 27 points to play for and nearly a quarter of the season left so we know, from a points perspective, we're certainly still in the fight and we know that things can change really, really quickly this week with one positive result or two positive results.
"So there's still absolutely that belief that we can compete until the end of the season in terms of league positions.
"Irrespective of that, we've got a quarter of our first Premier League season in 22 years left.
"I think whether we were 16th, whether we were one point off the line where we want to be, or we were 24 points off the line of where we want to be.
"I couldn't really understand or legislate for any difference in the mindset here and the difference in how we prepare and the difference in how we go to the games.
"We need to go to every game, give absolutely everything we've got and try to do ourselves and our supporters proud. Hopefully we get good results from that and that'll leave us at the end of the season in a position that we're really, really happy with.
"That's still absolutely the focus and belief and we hope that a good week this week can really contribute to that. I don't see that changing any time soon."
HaCunha Matata
"It means no worries"
And that's the mentality Wolves manager Vitor Pereira has surrounding Matheus Cunha's latest comments.
Cunha says he's ready to fight for titles and take the next step.
Those comments will be concerning for Wolves who are in the Premier League relegation battle and need full squad commitment.
But Pereira has remained calm about the situation and he is planning to keep playing the Brazilian for the rest of the season.
"He knows his potential, he is a top player," the Wolves boss said. "It is normal that he has the ambition to fight for titles, it’s natural.
"It happens with other players. But the most important thing is to be committed and help the team to achieve our targets.
"At the end of the season we will see. Next season I don't know, I don't know if I'm alive tomorrow. It's better to wait. The focus is the next game and the team."
Pereira continued: "If training gives me the confidence to play with Cunha, I will play with him because he has the quality to help us.
"With goals, with assists, in this moment if he has the right mentality to be focused and be with us it’s very easy to manage. If not, I'm here to decide."
Awkward...
A video of Trent Alexander-Arnold greeting some of his Liverpool teammates has gone viral on social media.
It comes after Alexander-Arnold agreed to join Real Madrid on a free at the end of his contract this summer.
The defender walked into the Reds' training centre and shook hands with Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
But fans are pointing out the death-stare he received from Mac Allister and a lack of eye contact from Gakpo.
Of course, there may be nothing to it, but some of the Liverpool squad could be angry with Alexander-Arnold for his decision.
It's certainly been something that has split the fanbase, so something similar may be happening in the changing room...
'Improving'
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has given a new update on striker Chris Wood.
Wood picked up a hip injury over the international break and didn't feature in Forest's FA Cup quarter-final win.
It's left him as a major doubt to face Manchester United and him missing out would be a huge blow considering his form.
Espirito Santo discussed Wood's issue this afternoon, saying: "He's improving. He's getting better day by day.
"We have to assess him day by day, it's all about him being free and getting better."
So, it seems his involved this week remains up in the air and that will leave Fantasy Premier League managers on edge.
Over 45 per cent of managers own Wood on the game and they will be left with a tough decision on whether to stick or sell.
Defending spending
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has responded to calls from fans that the club should be spending more money.
Spurs released their financial results for the last year this afternoon and they have shown a total revenue decrease.
As part of the report, posted on the club's website, Levy gave a statement on the year's numbers.
He discussed the season so far and then seemed to defend himself and Spurs over their transfer approach.
Part of the statement read: “Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over £700 million net in player acquisitions.
"Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.
"I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world. However, a closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues.
"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club.
"Indeed, our off-pitch revenues have significantly supplemented the lower football revenues this year, testament to our diversified income strategy."
The full report can be found below...
Endo the road?
Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly enquired about taking Liverpool cult hero Wataru Endo back to the Bundesliga.
Signed for just £16million in August 2023, it was common knowledge that the Japan international was not the Reds' first midfield target.
That was following high-profile pursuits of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom went on to join Chelsea for a combined fee of £173million - with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both leaving a void of experience when heading to Saudi Arabia.
However, the 32-year-old, who still has two years on his deal, proved himself to be a favourite among fans and former manager Jurgen Klopp.
In his first 17 starts at Liverpool, the Merseysiders failed to lose a single game, having won 15 and drawn two - which included a standout role in the 2024 Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley.
Endo has continued in a secondary role under Arne Slot this term, and Sky Sports Germany claim the club's No.3 will be allowed to leave this summer.
The report adds that Frankfurt are informed about the situation, but his transfer is currently not a priority, partly because the overall package is still too expensive.
Case for the defence
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Manchester United's defensive duo, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro, are both available to face Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
England international Maguire has been absent with a calf issue since being forced off during the FA Cup defeat by Fulham on March 2.
A week later, Yoro had to be replaced at half-time in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal on March 9.
Amorim said: "Luke [Shaw] is not ready yet. We are starting to do some drills with the team but we are building Luke.
"Mason Mount is feeling better but he was on the bench in the last game, Kobbie [Mainoo] is almost ready, Jonny [Evans] is recovering, [Lisandro Martinez] is out.
"[Harry] Maguire is also ready to go to the game and [Leny] Yoro, yes."
On Ayden Heaven, who was stretchered off against Leicester City: "It is not so serious. He is recovering.
"He is not yet ready to play but he will return this season, for sure."
Full fitness
West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug is set to return to action tomorrow for the Hammers' trip to Wolves.
The German, who arrived in the Premier League for £27million last summer, has only made nine appearances.
He's struggled with injuries and his latest, a hamstring issue, was picked up in January and he hasn't played since.
But manager Graham Potter had a positive update to give.
"Fullkrug has been training with the group," Potter revealed.
"He will more than likely be in the squad, we've just got to build his minutes up in terms of what he's able to do.
"He hasn't played competitive football in a while and has had a fairly significant injury.
"He's training well and is building his fitness up so he'll be in the squad."
Rash decision
Former Crystal Palace owner and talkSPORT host Simon Jordan doesn't think Aston Villa will decide to sign Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has hit form since moving on loan to Villa Park and he netted his first two goals for the club against Preston in the FA Cup quarter-finals yesterday.
There is reported to be a £40million buy clause in his loan contract, but even with his strong performances, will Villa sign him?
Jordan doesn't think so, saying: "I could have bet you any money in the world that Rashford would come alive for Aston Villa.
"Fantastic, but wait until Villa have got to write a cheque out. I think they're too canny and too wise to fall into this trap.
"It's one thing having a player on loan, playing a small percent of his wages so it's a small transaction. You have him for four months, it costs you £5-6million, nothing, nobody cares."
He added: "Everybody knew he was going to lift a leg. I think the system helps as well.
"I just think Villa are too wise for it and first of all, they're not going to want to pay over £300,000 a week and a transfer fee.
"It's too big of a deal."
One in, one out
Bukayo Saka's return will be a major boost for Arsenal, but they've lost a key defender at the same time.
Mikel Arteta revealed this morning: "Calafiori unfortunately picked up a knee injury again with the national team.
"It was really unfortunate how that injury happened but it could have been much worse.
"So hopefully it's going to be a matter of weeks. But we have to see how the injury evolves."
This is now the third knee issue Calafiori has suffered this season and it came after he landed awkwardly playing for Italy.
However, in more positive news, Arteta did confirm that Jurrien Timber is back fit to feature.
"Jurrien has been ill for long but he has felt much better in the last few days, so he is available," he said.
Left in tears
Ander Herrera is not having a good time in Argentina...
The ex-Man United midfielder was left in tears after picking up another injury only five minutes into his return.
Herrera, who spent five years at Old Trafford, now plays for Boca Juniors and has missed six of their 11 games since joining.
He had already been sat out before making a comeback last night, but it didn't last long.
Just after coming on, he pulled up holding his groin and walked off the pitch to sit on the bench.
Herrera was then seen crying on the sidelines as his teammates consoled him in the dugout.
The injury was a recurrence of another issue he had after joining Boca Juniors from Athletic Bilbao.
The Spaniard has only made four appearances for the Argentine side since signing on January 17.
'Shown us all what courage means'
Former Arsenal midfielder Kristoffer Olsson has mutually agreed to terminate his contract at FC Midtjylland.
That comes just over a year after the 29-year-old was diagnosed with an acute brain condition.
Olsson graduated from the Gunners' academy in 2013 spending time at Midtjylland on four different occasions.
Last year, he lost consciousness at his home and was then diagnosed with several small blood clots in his brain.
The midfielder has been rehabilitating from that ever since and now he's said to be joining Swedish side Norrkoping where he will be closer to his family.
Midtjylland deputy football director Kristian Bach Bak said: "It's not just a story about sports, but about human strength when life hits unreasonably hard.
"He has shown us all what courage means in practice."
Tours announced
Arsenal and Spurs have confirmed this morning that they will both be touring Asia this summer.
The North London rivals will compete in their first derby outside of the UK in July as part of their tour.
Managing Director at Arsenal, Richard Garlick said: “Everyone at Arsenal is excited to be visiting Hong Kong in July. It’s great to be back with our men’s first team squad after 13 years, and gives us the opportunity to meet so many of our fantastic supporters in the region again.
“As well as training hard and playing the match, we cannot wait to connect with our Hong Kong supporters in this wonderful part of the world.
“Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters, and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations ahead of the new season.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool are heading to Japan for the first time while also playing for The Standard Chartered Trophy.
Ben Latty, Liverpool Football Club’s chief commercial officer, said: “We’re extremely excited to be returning to Asia for this summer’s pre-season tour and we’re very grateful to our principal partner, Standard Chartered, for their support in sponsoring the Standard Chartered Trophy against AC Milan, 20 years on from that magical night in Istanbul.
“And it’s a great honour for us to enjoy the award-winning and first-rate hospitality of Japan Airlines, our official airline partner, to fly us in comfort and ensure our pre-season tour starts and ends in the best way possible.
“We look forward to bringing our hundreds of millions of fans in Asia closer to the club they love.”
