Cole-Palmer-Chelsea
Former Chelsea star Florent Malouda has lauded Chelsea for stealing Cole Palmer away from Manchester City, claiming the England international reminds him of Kylian Mbappe when he first burst onto the scene.
Palmer has got 21 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, making him the most effective Under 21 player in Europe’s top five leagues, and has been one of few bright spots for Chelsea in another disappointing season.

Cole Palmer a shining light for Chelsea

The Blues sit ninth in Mauricio Pochettino’s first campaign in charge having finished 12th last season, with Todd Boehly and Clearlake’s running of the club coming under scrutiny after a £1bn spend which has made them significantly worse.
But Palmer has been an undoubted success, and Malouda – who spent six years at Chelsea between 2007 and 2013 – has been blown away by his progress this season, which looks set to earn him a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad this summer.
Whether the 21-year-old can be the next Mbappe remains to be seen, but Malouda says Palmer’s impact has been similar to Mbappe’s when he first caught the eye for Monaco.

“Same ability…”

“I think that what Palmer has shown this season is the same ability that Mbappe showed when he first burst onto the scene at Monaco,” Malouda told Gambling Zone. “Cole is a little bit older than Kylian was when he broke through, but in terms of his decision-making, his calmness and his ability, he reminds me of Mbappe. That tells you everything about his potential and how far he could go.
Related video: How does Kylian Mbappé spend his money? (Soccer Stories)

“Chelsea should be planning to build around Palmer for years to come. We haven’t had a player at Chelsea that the team should be built around in a long time. Every week, Palmer is so reliable. You know exactly what he will give you. I think that is the way forward and that Cole Palmer is the future of Chelsea.
“I’m also looking forward to seeing him perform in the national team because you can see he has this confidence in his own ability, he is ambitious, and he has his own style. He is a unique player.”
READ MORE: Palmer behind Arsenal man in top 10 Premier League signings of the season but Tottenham dominate

Guardiola ‘wants five players out’ of Man City this summer as one player ‘betrays’ the Spaniard

Kyle Walker and Matheus Nunes could reportedly leave in the summer
Pep Guardiola wants a ‘major clean-up’ operation at Man City this summer with up to five players leaving the club in the summer, according to reports.
The Citizens, who won the Treble last season, have had some serious competition in the Premier League this term with Arsenal and Liverpool currently one point ahead of them in the title race.

Pep Guardiola is ‘preparing a major clean-up’ at Man City

Man City could potentially win the Treble again with Guardiola’s men still in the FA Cup and Champions League, as well as going strong in the Premier League.
But a report in Spain has indicated that Guardiola is looking to make some changes in the summer as he enters the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has previously hinted that he could remain beyond the end of his deal and when asked in November if he was open to the possibility, the Man City boss said: “I have energy. I’m not going to answer. One year and a half is a lot of time in football. I arrived here with long hair and look what happened.”
When pressed on whether he could stay beyond 2025, Guardiola added: “Yeah of course – I can leave tomorrow [too]. I would have loved the team that won 100 points [in the 2017-18 season] to stay eternally. At all the clubs this happens.”
Related video: 'Here, it is never over' - Guardiola reflects on 3-3 Madrid draw (SNTV)

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Following the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, Guardiola brought in Jeremy Doku, Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes in the summer transfer window.
But now Spanish website Fichajes insist that Guardiola is ‘preparing a major clean-up’ at Man City with the Spaniard looking to sell as many as five players.
The report names ‘five players’ who Guardiola ‘wants out’ in the next transfer window with Kalvin Phillips, Kyle Walker, Nunes, Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez on the for sale list.
Phillips is set to leave after an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham, while a surprise inclusion on the list, Walker, ‘could be overtaken by the emergence of young talents such as Rico Lewis’.

Nunes, who arrived from Wolves in the summer, has ‘failed to impress since his arrival at the club, which could lead to his eventual departure’.
Straight to the comments! Should City really consider getting rid of Kyle Walker? Join the debate here

Yan Couto to Real Madrid?

And another Spanish publication Nacional claims that Yan Couto, who is on loan at Girona from Man City, ‘betrays’ Guardiola by ‘offering himself’ to Real Madrid.
Couto has been in good form in La Liga this season and Man City are ‘very seriously considering his return’ to ‘be the replacement for the veteran Kyle Walker’.
But the right-back hopes to ‘fulfill one of his dreams’ by playing for Real Madrid next season and he ‘would cost between 30 and 35 million euros’.
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Man Utd director ‘heavily involved’ last summer ‘will take control’ of transfers amid Ashworth problems

Dan Ashworth is wanted by Man Utd as their new sporting director
Man Utd director of player negotiations Matt Hargreaves ‘will take control’ of transfers in the summer with Dan Ashworth unlikely to be involved, according to reports.
There are likely to be major changes at Old Trafford over the summer after Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed a deal to buy 27.7 per cent of the Red Devils earlier this year.

Man Utd are still struggling to strike an agreement with Newcastle

Man Utd announced on Tuesday that John Murtough is stepping down as football director with the Premier League club looking to go in a different direction.
The club said in a statement: “John Murtough is to step down from his position as football director of Manchester United and leave the club after almost 11 years in a variety of roles at Carrington.”
Omar Berrada will join from arch-rivals Man City in the summer as their new CEO, while Ratcliffe wants Newcastle sporting director Ashworth and Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox to lead the overhaul of the club’s recruitment department.
Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave at St James’ Park with the former Brighton sporting director keen on taking on transfer business at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Hojlund tops dismal ranking of John Murtough’s 20 signings as Man Utd football director
Related video: Ten Hag: 'We have to make better decisions' after Man United suffer stunning 4-3 defeat at Chelsea (SNTV)

It is believed Newcastle are looking for £20m to allow Ashworth to join Man Utd in the summer but the Red Devils are hoping to pay around half of that amount.
And now the Manchester Evening News claims that Hargreaves ‘will take control of Manchester United’s recruitment plans following the departure of John Murtough’.
There ‘remains uncertainty’ over Hargreaves’ long-term future at Old Trafford after he was ‘heavily involved in United’s discussions for signings last summer’.
But Ashworth is ‘not expected to be involved in recruitment this summer’ with Man Utd ‘yet to make any headway in discussions over a severance package’ with Newcastle.
The report adds that Murtough ‘was still heading up Man United’s recruitment plans prior to his resignation last week’ and that Ratcliffe’s ‘new plan’ is Hargreaves as Man Utd usually sort their summer transfer plan out at the end of January.

Fabrizio Romano: Dan Ashworth delay will hold up the club’s strategy

And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano admitted last week that the delay over Ashworth could make the “process slower in terms of the club’s strategy”.
Romano wrote on his Caught Offside column: “The negotiation with Newcastle is still ongoing for Dan Ashworth. It’s not been easy, as expected, but Man United are still working to have Ashworth and Jason Wilcox as soon as possible.
“This delay can of course make the process slower in terms of the club’s strategy, but the vision will always be there thanks to the co-owners and new people at the club.”

Former Chelsea boss ‘seriously interested’ in Man Utd job as Romano gives update on Ten Hag future

Graham Potter is reportedly eyeing up Erik ten Hag’s job at Old Trafford
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is ‘seriously interested’ in the Man Utd job with Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford looking inscure, according to reports.
The Red Devils had wonder strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo to thank for getting a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday with the Red Devils allowing Jurgen Klopp’s side 28 shots on their goal.

Graham Potter is ‘seriously interested in replacing Erik ten Hag’

It was a good result for Man Utd but did little help their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with fourth-placed Tottenham now 11 points ahead.
Ten Hag has come under pressure over results and performances with Rio Ferdinand describing his “style” as “kamikaze chaos football”.
It has worked in some games this season but that style will never take them to the top of the Premier League and GiveMeSport have now claimed that Man Utd have been ‘boosted in their hopes of potentially appointing Graham Potter as their next manager’.
The report adds that Potter would be ‘seriously interested in replacing Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout’ with new Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘contemplating whether to make an alternation in the hot-seat in the coming months’.
READ MORE: Hojlund tops dismal ranking of John Murtough’s 20 signings as Man Utd football director
Related video: 'We have to improve' says Erik ten Hag after Man United's draw with Liverpool (Metro)

Yes and I think the most important was

But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has played down expectations of Ten Hag’s dismissal after “positive” talks with INEOS, who are set to decide on the Dutchman’s future at the end of the campaign.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Manchester United’s struggles on the pitch continue, but with Erik ten Hag I still think there’s the sense that they want to see how the season will pan out in the final weeks and then discuss internally, but I’ve always been hearing that the talks between Ten Hag and INEOS have been positive.
“Still, obviously this is a results industry, so we’ll have to see how the team reacts to recent setbacks in the coming weeks, and in general I think this is an absolutely normal process. United want to keep monitoring the situation around Ten Hag, but so far the conversations have been positive and I’m not aware of anything close in terms of discussions with other managers. We’ll still have to be patient before getting a clearer understanding of what the manager situation will look like next season at Manchester United.”

Alan Smith: I would expect to see a change there in the summer

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith expects “to see a change” of manager at Old Trafford in the summer with a “big cloud of uncertainty around” Ten Hag.
Smith told instantcasinos.com: “There’s a big cloud of uncertainty around Erik ten Hag. I don’t think the performance and result against Liverpool even papers over cracks – so much work needs to be done with that team and it doesn’t look like Ten Hag is capable of doing it.
“He’s just gone backwards at a worrying pace after a good season in his debut year, so I would expect to see a change there in the summer with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS coming in and having their first full summer in charge of the club.
“It’s a new chapter in Manchester United’s history. There’s just an element of chaos with them on the pitch – they’ve got players who can win you matches, but there just isn’t the structure or organisation there that there should be and that’s largely down to the manager.”

When asked who Ratcliffe should turn to if he sacks Ten Hag, Smith added: “I’ve heard for a while that Manchester United like Gareth Southgate. Whatever happens with England in Germany for the Euros, I think Southgate will step down as manager of the national team – he was close to doing it a couple of years ago and I reckon he’ll do it this summer.
“I’m unsure as to whether he would be a good fit for United – the jury’s still out about whether he can be a successful club manager, particularly with a club the size of United, but he can certainly handle it pressure-wise because there’s not much more scrutiny on anybody than being the national team manager.
“I would like to see him get the chance to be honest, considering what he’s achieved with England. Yes, there’s still question marks about his in-game management and tactics, but it would certainly be satisfying for him if he were to be offered the role and everyone would be interested to see how he gets on.”

Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos to forge new path together with second link up on cards at Inter Miami

Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos could be soon to link up together for a second time after the Spaniard’s agent spoke to MLS clubs regarding a move at the end of the season.
During their respective spells at Barcelona and Real Madrid, Messi and Ramos did not like each other. The centre-back seemed to spend entire games almost solely trying to kick the diminutive superstar.

There have been enough bad tackles and tussles between the pair that there’s a YouTube compilation of the lot.
Ramos was generally the aggressor – though it was sometimes the other way – and he was twice sent off for poor challenges on Messi.
As such, it piqued the interest of many when the defender joined his former fierce rival at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
But there seemed to be no bad blood in the slightest, and the pair helped PSG to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles in their only seasons with the club.
At the end of the 2022/23 campaign, Messi moved to MLS side Inter Miami, and Ramos went home to Sevilla, where he began his career.
The centre-back has played 20 La Liga games for the club since returning and has been a vital member of their side, also showcasing his ability as probably the best goalscoring centre-back of all time, with seven goals in all competitions.
Related video: Messi and Inter Miami try to reach CONCACAF semifinal (SNTV)

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Ramos could join Messi at Inter Miami

However, he is only due to be at Sevilla until the end of the season, and links to Inter Miami have cropped up of late.
Relevo have added fuel to that fire by stating Ramos’ agent has been meeting with MLS clubs ahead of a potential transfer.
While it’s not clear, it’s suggested Inter Miami will have been one of those clubs – with the amount of former La Liga talent in their ranks, it would be a surprise if they didn’t also want Ramos.
If he does join the club, he’ll be linking up with Messi for a second time.

Ramos might have to choose Messi or Ronaldo

It’s also been reported that Cristiano Ronaldo’s side Al Nassr are keen on getting Ramos through the door.
His pockets would surely be lined very well by moving to either club.
But if he’s given the choice between the two sides, it will almost certainly be perceived by fans that he is choosing between not only two of the best players ever, but two of his former teammates.


Ramos and Ronaldo spent nine years playing together at Real Madrid – the Portuguese forward’s entire Real career. They won five Champions League titles and two La Liga trophies alongside one another.
As such, it would seem hard for Ramos to turn down the chance to play with his former teammate. However, the draw of playing with Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in Miami will be hard to say no to, too.
It will be a painstaking decision if Ramos does have to choose between the two sides and his two former superstar teammates.
READ MORE: The 10 most valuable MLS stars including Lionel Messi, Prem-linked ace and Barcelona academy graduate

Ten Hag sack: Man Utd ‘approach’ Brazil-born coach as major five-year criticism of Dutchman emerges

Erik ten Hag could be replaced as Manchester United manager by Bologna coach Thiago Motta
Speculation that Erik ten Hag is facing the Manchester United sack continue to gather pace amid reports in Italy claimed a shock approach for a surprise successor had been made, while criticism of the Dutchman’s playing style from Ruud Gullit five years ago have raised serious alarm bells.

The Dutchman made a big impression during his first season at the helm, leading Manchester United to a third placed finish in the Premier League as well as securing two cup final appearances, with success coming in the Carabao Cup. But his second year at the helm has not gone according to plan, with United slipping down the table and seemingly in with little chance of returning to the Champions League again next season.
As it stands, they are a distant 11 points adrift of the top four as it stands, having already lost an alarming 12 times in the Premier League this season. An embarrassing UCL campaign has not helped matters, with United finishing bottom of Group A after losing four of their six games.
DON’T MISS ~ Ten Hag sack: The eight Man Utd players whose standards have most dipped and leave Dutchman on the brink of axe
And while they could reach a second successive FA Cup final, Ten Hag’s prospects of keeping his job seemingly remain in some jeopardy amid claims that new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering his position carefully.
Related video: 'We have to improve' says Erik ten Hag after Man United's draw with Liverpool (Metro)

Yes and I think the most important was

Indeed, our exclusive last month broke the news that a number of leading figures at Old Trafford expect Ten Hag to be relieved of his duties over the summer.
In the days that followed, both the Daily Mail and the Manchester Evening News produced copycat reports, albeit the latter having to tread extremely carefully around the subject given their close relationship with the club.

Ten Hag sack: Man Utd tactics slammed

And those claims appear to have reached fever pitch in the wake of Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Although United hit back from a goal behind to take the lead in the match – and may have even taken all three but for the concession of a late penalty – it was the manner of the tactics on display that caused serious alarm bells to ring.

Indeed, United allowed Liverpool 15 shots at their goal in an alarming first half, with the Reds ultimately conceding an incredible 90 shots in their three games against the Merseysiders this season.
That statistic also followed the concession of 28 shots on their goal against Chelsea in midweek, and with their midfield seen as being far too open, Gary Neville quickly took umbrage with Kobbie Mainoo for his high positioning when Liverpool were on the attack.
That left their central midfield badly open and exposed to Liverpool breaks time and again and, but for better finishing from Liverpool forwards, could have put the game beyond United’s reach.
Rio Ferdinand also weighed in for what he felt was ‘kamikaze football’, with speculation also suggesting the performance has now convinced Ratcliffe that a change of management may be needed for the good of the club.

Man Utd struggles were in evidence at Ajax years earlier

Now some historical comments made about Ten Hag’s lack of tactical awareness by Ruud Gullit have emerged – and it seems the same problem of gaping holes in his midfield has dogged the Dutchman form quite some time.
Speaking back in 2019 when Ten Hag was in charge of Ajax, Gullit told Ziggo Sports that the Dutch giants were way too open in midfield.
“The annoying part about Ajax,” the Dutch legend began, “especially in transition, I’ve seen it against Bayern Munich, I’ve already seen it many times before, at the moment they’re taking a lot of risks.
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“Especially in midfield and all of a sudden you get ridiculous counters. If it gets intercepted, they can just run all the way through.
“You think, ‘you’re taking so much risk’, because you want to press. But then [the opposition] can also run straight through the midfield.

“There has to be one player in the middle who thinks ‘what if?’. Yeah, he always secures the midfield [Man City’s Fernandinho]. Frenkie de Jong is playing well but you still need someone next to him.”
To this, Ten Hag responded: “The way we play, those are the risks we have already calculated, and I agree with you, you have to be positioned correctly.”
Ten Hag faced a similar criticism earlier this season with Casemiro caught high up the field.
“No that can never happen”, Ten Hag explained about both holding midfielders being too high up the pitch.
But he also insists that ball retention is also a massive part of how he wants his side to play, and when they lose possession, that’s when things get unpicked.
“Well if you lose the ball there [first phase of play], every team gets killed.”

Next Man Utd manager: Approach for Thiago Motta made

With the pressure building on Ten Hag’s shoulders, a report on Monday suggested Ratcliffe had drawn up a two-man shortlist for the job, with both Gareth Southgate and Julian Nagelsmann on his wishlist.
However, neither coach can take charge until after their respective European Championship campaigns are over this summer, leaving Ratcliffe with something of a delay to both planning for next season and with regards potential transfer targets.
As an alternative, reports in Italy now state the club has a growing admiration for Bologna coach Thiago Motta, who has worked wonders for the Serie A side as they hunt down a place in next season’s Champions League.
As a result, the Brazil-born coach’s stock has risen dramatically and he has been mentioned as a potential option for both the Liverpool and Barcelona vacancies this summer.
However, Italian publication La Repubblica claims officials from United have put in a request to Bologna asking for information about Motta and what it would take to prise him away from the Serie A side.
His current deal expires at the end of the current season, and with Juventus also reportedly sounding him out as a replacement for Massimiliano Allegri, United have now been tipped as potential rivals for his signature.
The Red Devils could offer a greater salary than that on offer at Juve, though whether that would be enough to tempt him into the move remains to be seen.
Bologna owner  Joey Saputo had offered Motta a deal to 2026, but with a series of top clubs on his trail, those talks are thought to have broken down and it is now accepted that the 41-year-old will move on.
READ MORE: Ratcliffe shows Man Utd man blamed of ‘wasting £518m’ the door as double arrival nears