Vesper

Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi and a gruelling episode of Taskmaster A somewhat unerring shot of Pep appearing to be grilled by his bejardiganed self. Photograph: Matt McNulty/Manchester City FC/Getty Images Barry Glendenning @bglendenning ALL PART OF THE MASTERPLAN? While the news that Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year extension to his contract that should keep him in charge of Manchester City until the end of the 2022-23 season is undeniably important, it is one of those stories that didn’t come as much of a surprise. The Fiver knows better than anyone that when you’re handsomely remunerated for excellence in the line of football-related duty, working daily in an state-of-the-art environment that is lavishly tailored to your every need and employed by bosses who would happily break the bank to keep you on board, there’s no real need to play hardball when it comes to pledging two more years. And so it came to pass, as Pep was pictured beaming broadly with expensive pen poised over paper, looking for all the world like Donald Trump pretending to work in the Oval Office, except without the general air of confused ineptitude, upside-down pen and blank sheet of paper. Pep Guardiola commits to Manchester City by signing new contract to 2023 Read more “Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself, by the players, the staff, the supporters, the people of Manchester and the chairman and owner,” parped Pep, having applied his John Hanc0ck to the new deal. “Since then we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies and we are all very proud of that success.” Having thanked his employers for their faith in him, he added: “The challenge for us is to continue improving and evolving and I am very excited about helping Manchester City do that.” Quite whether Pep will be able to do that remains to be seen. While nobody can question his ability to put together a title-winning side, something he has achieved at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, he has never before stayed in any managerial post long enough to try to build two. Like a big-name Manchester-based manager before him, he must build a team capable of knocking Liverpool off their perch, while also guiding City to that elusive first Big Cup triumph. Think of it as a particularly gruelling and humourless episode of Taskmaster, with the British football media looking on from their throne as they prepare to sit in sneering judgement. And of course, with Lionel Messi out of contract at Barcelona next summer, talk is already rife that Pep has got his ducks in a row in a bid to help convince the Argentinian to sign for City, after being linked with a move to Manchester last summer. “I’m tired of always being the problem for everything at the club,” sighed Leo on his return from international duty, in response to recent accusations from Antoine Griezmann’s former Mr 15% that he had treated the French striker deplorably. The chances of the world’s best player finally moving elsewhere look pretty high, and unless Barnsley turn his head with a better offer than the one they recently made Mario Balotelli, Manchester City looks as likely a destination as any. QUOTE OF THE DAY “I’m not coming back just to come back, I’m coming back to reconquer my position in world football” – Lyon superstar Ada Hegerberg gets her chat on with Suzy Wrack about her recovery from knee-knack and subsequent tibia-gah. Yes, Ada. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images RECOMMENDED LISTENING It’s only Football Weekly Extra. FIVER LETTERS “When the team that I have supported since childhood wins, the joy factor of my weekend generally rises by about 10 or maybe 15%. However, when my team’s historical, or local rivals loose, I’m over effing moon. Is it time that I gave up football?” – Chris McHallem. “Given the non-ability-to-score misfortunes of Republic O’Ireland lately, may I suggest that the ‘O’ be replaced by a ‘0’?” – Gerry Rickard. “Can I be the first of 1,057 people to suggest that Karren Brady’s complaints about state money being used to the benefit of Premier League clubs (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs) would find a more sympathetic audience if she wasn’t vice-chairman of Taxpayers FC” – Ed Taylor (and no others). Send your letters to [email protected]. And you can always tweet The Fiver via @guardian_sport. Today’s winner of our letter o’the day is … Gerry Rickard, who wins a copy of Glove Story 2 – Another Book for Every Goalkeeper, Past and Present, by Rob Stokes [postage available to UK only, sorry – Fiver Postal Ed]. NEWS, BITS AND BOBS Rebekah Vardy has brought a libel action against Coleen Rooney only as a last resort to “vindicate her reputation”, the high court was told at a preliminary hearing of the high-profile dispute between the pair. Rebekah Vardy arrives for a training session at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham earlier on Thursday as she prepares to take part in, er, Dancing On Ice 2021. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA They’re dancing on the streets of Blaenau Ffestiniog (socially distanced, of course) after Wales secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. “If you could bottle that feeling and see what you’ve seen in the changing rooms you’d make millions,” cheered caretaker manager Robert Page. It’s all change in the WSL after Spurs sacked managers Karen Hills and Juan Amoros, while West Ham parted company with boss Matt Beard. Fifa has announced measures that will lead to clubs facing fines and transfer bans if they discriminate against players during pregnancy. “There [are] too many questions for me about what maternity leave consists of,” warned Watford striker Helen Ward. “It’s a tough subject and one that needs a lot of work.” With Euro 2020/21/?? in mind, Olivier Giroud could look for a move from Chelsea in the January window. Pope’s Newc O’Rangers pair Jordan Jones and George Edmundson have been banned for seven games after breaking Covid-19 rules by attending a house party. Paul Tisdale is the new manager of Bristol Rovers. “His ambition and long-term goals mirror that of the club’s ongoing strategy, to build a Bristol Rovers DNA,” whooped chief suit Martyn Starnes. And if you weren’t feeling old enough already, Fabio Cannavaro’s son Andrea has signed for Lazio’s youth team. STILL WANT MORE? Barry Glendenning rigs up his chalkboard to peel through the chaos and select a Premier League team of the season thus far. Because: why not? Barney Ronay finds signs of life within England’s dead game with Iceland. Big Phil Foden and the crew. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Erstwhile Barclays Premier League promotions man and shorts enthusiast Owen Coyle speaks to John Duerden about coronavirus, coaching in the Indian Super League and Robbie Fowler. Tom Sanderson reckons T1te is the best man for Brazil’s World Cup hopes. Oh, and if it’s your thing … you can follow Big Website on Big Social FaceSpace. And INSTACHAT, TOO! ALWAYS LOVE A SCORPION GOAL

fuck yes!!! outrageous shit here

Worry for Chelsea as multiple clubs hover to snatch youngster away from Blues http://sportwitness.co.uk/worry-chelsea-multiple-clubs-hover-snatch-youngster-away-blues/ Bundesliga clubs are interested in signing of Chelsea youngster Emran Soglo, according to claims from Germany. Fussball Transfers reports that the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart are both following the 15-year-old’s situation at the London side. It’s explained that Chelsea are working on giving the player a long-term contract and want him to commit his professional future to the club. They are already in touch with the player’s family and want to convince them that Stamford Bridge and the Blues is the right choice for his future. However, his relatives haven’t always liked the way Soglo was handled by the Premier League club, so that may weigh on their decision and could mean they send him to play somewhere else. Fussball Transfers highlights the fact that many young players have been seeing Germany as a good place to develop their talent, and that would make it an attractive destination for the Chelsea midfielder. Still, it’s not only Bundesliga sides who’ve been following the teenager. The report actually claims that other English clubs have been following his situation as well, so he should get more options on the table. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGEie36ltin/?utm_source=ig_embed

yes, I am not sold yet on Ampadu as a long term starting quality type for us that can change, but it has not so far

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tells Chelsea to sign two players to help Frank Lampard win Premier League https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/19/chelsea-news-frank-lampard-urged-sign-two-players-win-premier-league-transfer-13619983/ Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has urged Chelsea to sign two players in January to help Frank Lampard win the Premier League. The Blues are currently fifth in the English top-flight – three points behind leaders Leicester City – with four victories from eight matches. Lampard’s side finished fourth last season but will be hopeful of a closer run at the title following a summer in which the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell arrived at Stamford Bridge. Hasselbaink believes Chelsea are close to a serious title push but has urged his former club to sign a defender – either Caglar Soyuncu or Milan Skriniar – and another attacking midfielder in January. He told Ladbrokes: ‘A lot of people are talking about Kalidou Koulibaly but he’s 29 years old and would be very expensive. ‘I actually quite like the Leicester defender, Caglar Soyuncu. I think he’d be very good at Chelsea. Also the defender at Inter Milan, Milan Skriniar – everybody is talking about him, another very good player. ‘So there are players out there, but it’s such a difficult position to fill at the moment.’ Hasselbaink, who scored 87 goals in 177 appearances for Chelsea, added: ‘I would also like to see another creative midfielder. ‘I like Mason Mount, but maybe somebody to play alongside him. Havertz is there, I know, but you want healthy, quality competition in that area. ‘I don’t think Chelsea are far off at all.’ On Saturday, Lampard’s side travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United, who have on three of their first eight matches to sit 13th in the Premier League.

Koke is not the new Xavi – but he’s back to his best and dominating midfield https://theathletic.com/2200490/2020/11/18/koke-spain-atletico-madrid-midfield/ “Koke was super happy, as is logical, as he really wanted to get back and play for Spain,” a source close to the Spain midfielder told The Athletic after their 6-0 Nations League win over Germany on Tuesday evening in Seville. “Even though he was not called up for two years, he never lost that excitement of playing for La Seleccion or the ambition to return. He is a super balanced guy — not someone who gets carried away when things go really well or get down when things get difficult. He knows clearly what he has to do and he does it, as he did last night.” It really was a triumphant return to prominence with La Roja for Koke, who was even wearing the captain’s armband as the last three goals went in after usual skipper Sergio Ramos limped off with a hamstring injury. Koke had been the leader of the Spanish performance over the entire game as he completely outshone Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos in the German engine room and pushed his team into waves of attacks, completely overwhelming Joachim Low’s team. Spain had 70 per cent possession, 23 shots to Germany’s two, and Koke pulled the strings with 95 per cent pass accuracy, including seven accurate long balls and four key passes. It was also no wonder that Koke was delighted after the game given that just a few months ago, things were looking very different for the Atletico Madrid midfielder, with his career seeming to have stalled for both club and country. He won his 44th international cap for Spain soon after playing his part in their disastrous 2018 World Cup in Russia, but was then discarded completely by both national coaches Luis Enrique and Robert Moreno through qualifying for Euro 2020 and the first two rounds of Nations League games this year. Koke’s disappearance was noted but not really a source of much debate outside of Atletico-leaning pundits. He had burst onto the scene as a key part of Diego Simeone’s 2013-14 La Liga title-winning side, having won the previous year’s Under-21 European Championship alongside near-contemporaries David de Gea, Thiago Alcantara, Isco, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Morata and Iker Muniain. This generation of emerging Spanish players were supposed to continue on the success of La Roja’s amazing successes from 2008 to 2012 when Xavi, Iker Casillas, David Villa et al were unstoppable. But instead, Koke’s first years with the international team saw national disappointment and embarrassment at the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. “We all had those memories of the players who won everything with Spain, who made everyone so happy,” says the source. “But Koke never compared himself to Xavi. That would be crazy. It was like looking for a new Iker (Casillas), which is what is still happening now with the ongoing debate over the goalkeeper. Or looking for a new Villa. There will be no more Xavis, or Casillas’ or Villas — and those comparisons among fans and in the media were unfair and did not help.” Atletico have also been through their own seasons of transition over that time, with key players and team leaders like Gabi, Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann moving on, and Koke being earmarked as the new leader at club level, too. At age 28, he has played 467 games for his only club in all competitions, placing him fourth on their all-time appearances list already. But when the team has struggled, as it has at various times in recent years, the homegrown kid has been the focus of criticism from frustrated Rojiblancos supporters. After he was whistled at the Wanda Metropolitano in October 2019, Simeone explained that Koke was spending too much time trying to fix all his team’s problems, taking on former team-mate Gabi’s role screening the defence as well as shouldering his playmaking responsibility. It was too much — and also explained why Spain coaches looked at players such as Sergio Canales and other, younger options including Dani Ceballos, Mikel Merino and Fabian Ruiz. “Koke’s generosity on the pitch, sometimes, takes away from the brilliance of his play,” the source who knows him says. “Koke is a guy who understands football like few do. He sees perfectly what is happening on the pitch. That brings him to try and fix all the imbalances he detects, and that often sees him looking backwards, running 13 kilometres a game, and spending a lot of time in tactical adjustments. When he is surrounded by the right team-mates, with the right balance, then he is freed to play his best position and produce his best attacking football. And when Koke can go forward, things happen like (Tuesday) night.” The opening months of the 2020-21 season have seen Koke playing a central playmaking role for Atletico, noticeably breaking into the penalty area more often and linking productively with the team’s new attacking stars Joao Felix and Luis Suarez. He has been at the heart of their play as Atletico have won five and drawn two of their first seven La Liga games, while scoring 17 times and conceding twice, and they go into their game against Barcelona (on Saturday) in good form. He is touching the ball 88 times per game, while giving 65 successful passes. Last season, that was 71 touches per 90 minutes, and 47 passes completed. It is a small sample size yet it looks like he is flourishing within a better-balanced and more attack-minded Atletico team. “Having arrived so young, and won things so early, people might think he is coming towards the end,” Koke’s source says. “But he is coming into the peak of his career now. Physically, at the moment, he is like a bull, a missile. He has had good fortune with injuries and he knows that, as the years pass, he has to mind himself a bit more off the pitch. He also has experience at his age that few players have. There is a lot of hard work, a lot of talent, and also that touch of good fortune and timing.” The timing was also ideal on international level, with no other playmaker nailing down a place in the Spain XI while he was away. Enrique recognised Koke’s return to form and brought him back into the fold for these November international games. A 45th senior cap came in the friendly against Holland last week when he captained an experimental XI from the start. He came off the bench in Saturday’s Nations League game in Switzerland, helping his team come back and equalise late on in a 1-1 draw. Then came the fantastically dominant individual and collective performance against Germany. There were other redemption stories for Spain on Tuesday, too. Morata continued his superb start to the season, following his escape from Simeone’s Atletico to Juventus. Manchester City’s Ferran Torres is also revelling following his liberation from Peter Lim’s Valencia last summer and hit a clinical hat-trick as the German defence was cut apart again and again. Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon keeping his place in goal ahead of Manchester United’s De Gea looked significant, as did another City player, Rodrigo, starting as the “holder” ahead of the injured Sergio Busquets. Directing the traffic though, with the balance back again, was Koke. He’s not the new Xavi and Spain still have plenty of issues, which a better opponent than this Germany might exploit at next summer’s Euros. But he is playing his best football in a long time and that augurs very well for both club and country over the coming months.

Giroud set to push for Chelsea exit in January over fears for France place https://theathletic.com/2202606/2020/11/17/giroud-chelsea-january-transfer-france/ Chelsea are facing a battle to keep Olivier Giroud in January and The Athletic understands the 34-year-old will definitely look to leave unless he plays significantly more for the west London club over the next few months. The club successfully kept the France striker from leaving at the start of the year and in the summer, but it is going to take something quite dramatic to make it third time lucky. The situation has become so stark because Giroud’s place in the France team is at risk for next summer’s European Championships. That is also the reason he considered departing earlier in 2020 before the tournament was postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. France coach Didier Deschamps made the situation clear during a press conference before their UEFA Nations League game against Sweden on Tuesday night. “Olivier knows it — the situation he’s in today cannot drag on forever. Before March (when France begin their World Cup qualifying campaign) he will have to find another situation than this one,” he said. That last sentence could just be referring solely to getting more appearances at Stamford Bridge before March, but it is believed Deschamps has also privately suggested to Giroud that he should consider moving elsewhere. Deschamps’ concern is understandable. Giroud has been his first-choice centre forward in recent years, including the successful 2018 bid to win the World Cup, but he is barely getting on the pitch at Chelsea. Giroud was in the same scenario 12 months ago, yet he has actually registered less playing time before the November international break this season compared to the same date (November 7) last year. In 2019-20, he had played 211 minutes (over six games) for 2019-20, but he has only been given 154 minutes (also over six games) this season. There is the caveat that this season began in September, with four extra games played by November 7 in 2019-20, but the numbers make grim reading regardless, especially when you consider his only start was in the Carabao Cup defeat by Tottenham. In contrast, Giroud has played 340 minutes for France since the start of September but there has been a sign of Deschamps’ selection policy being affected by the Chelsea player’s lack of match sharpness. He was a substitute in two of France’s last three games, with Deschamps starting Anthony Martial in the wins over Croatia in October and Portugal on Saturday. It is hard to see how things will turnaround at Chelsea in the manner they did at the beginning of the year. Giroud was close to joining Inter Milan but ended up staying for the second half of the season, mainly because Chelsea were not able to make the signings that they hoped could freshen up the attack. Positive talks were also held with coach Frank Lampard at the end of January, which helped to forge the close bond that is still enjoyed between them today. Giroud was in the starting XI for 10 of the final 12 Premier League games last season, scoring eight times. His impact was a major factor in Chelsea securing a top-four finish. But the former Arsenal striker only had the (relatively) inexperienced Tammy Abraham and much-maligned Michy Batshuayi to compete with, whereas things are a lot tougher now. The £47 million acquisition of Germany international striker Timo Werner is a major factor. He has been in the starting XI for all eight Premier League games this season. The only Chelsea fixture in which he has not got on the pitch at all was the victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. Abraham has reestablished himself under Lampard, which can be seen by the 12 games he has played, albeit half as a substitute. And notably, the Chelsea coach opted for another new buy, attacking midfielder Kai Havertz, to lead the line against Liverpool rather than Giroud. Lampard’s thought process is comprehensible — players bought for a lot of money are always going to play. As talented as Giroud still is, at 34 and with less than a year left on his contract, he is not going to be part of the club’s long-term plans. Abraham and Werner also offer a lot more pace. Giroud has been very happy being part of the squad and felt at home at Chelsea. He is much admired in the camp for his professionalism. There has been no trouble behind the scenes throughout. Lampard said as much when asked about how Giroud has reacted to his predicament earlier this month. The Chelsea coach said: “He has given a typically great response to train as well as possible and support the group. He is amazing around the group and that is just a fact with Oli and maybe not a fact with people all around the team. I can’t speak highly enough of him on that side. “It is part of my job I don’t like. Good players, top people who are around the group, that don’t always play. But I have those issues. Tammy Abraham started at least half of the games last season and he was one of the top scorers in the Premier League. When Oli came in, he performed very well in the restart for us, which was a huge factor in us getting into the top four. I have difficult questions to answer and selections in the team. I have great professionals and Oli is absolutely showing that.” But praise, respect and enjoying your surroundings can only go so far. Giroud hasn’t got many years left of his career for club and country and won’t want to watch others from the sidelines every week. Deschamps is clearly increasing the pressure on his shoulders too, as he went on to say: “I never give advice, I give an opinion. At the end of the day, it’s the player’s decision. He has had situations that have sometimes been complicated to deal with. “Today, it is not good for him. Will it stay the same or will it improve? It’s up to him. He knows what I think, even if I don’t forget everything he has done and everything he would still be able to do. “Olivier has been affected, first of all with the situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm. It’s hard. That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated, we’ll talk, but obviously he has every interest in it not lasting, for him, to remain competitive, but we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do. “Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously.” So what will happen next? Chelsea will take a lot of persuading to let him go unless they find a replacement. Lampard certainly won’t want to see his options cut amid an intense fixture list and increased possibility of injuries. And persuading someone else of the suitable quality to join the squad won’t be an easy task either with Werner and Abraham in situ. Inter Milan will likely make another attempt to buy Giroud. The Serie A side still require a back-up for Romelu Lukaku, although it remains to be seen whether the forward would be happy with that scenario. There is a possibility he could seek another Premier League club and that was certainly mooted before, with Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa all considering making an offer at various times over the last 10 months. After adding Gareth Bale and Carlos Vinicius to their ranks, one can assume Spurs is no longer an option, though. The situation will have to be resolved one way or another and as things stand, the likelihood is that Giroud won’t see the season out at Chelsea.

Is this all part of Germany's elaborate rope-a-dope masterplan? A proper shoeing, earlier. Photograph: Fran Santiago/Getty Images Scott Murray LET’S TALK ABOUT SECHS, JÖGI It’s about time The Fiver started seriously planning for the future. Time to grow up, identify prudent investment opportunities, build a portfolio, make our money work for us. So this morning we put our entire life’s savings on Germany winning either the Euros next year or the World Cup the one after. It’s a shoo-in, quite frankly, if Tuesday night’s fiasco in Seville is anything to go by. Joachim Löw’s rabble had the back seat of their trousers handed to them by Spain, a team who hadn’t won in three and didn’t fancy their chances of getting the victory that would send them to the semi-finals of the Confected Importance League. Germany’s 6-0 defeat is being framed in some quarters as a humiliation, but The Fiver knows it’s as good as a written guarantee of silverware. Pints of Germany’s answer to Purple Tin, das Föamingshaafft, all round! Ferran Torres's treble helps Spain humble Germany in Nations League Read more Thing is, many of Germany’s biggest successes have come hot on the heels of their most egregious and embarrassing failures. The 1954 World Cup, for example, won a couple of weeks after losing 8-3 to Hungary. The 1974 World Cup, hoisted in the wake of a politically embarrassing defeat by the East Germans, a result that sent coach Helmut Schön so deep into the slough of despond that he locked himself into his room and only ate when staff mashed up his food for him. Germany reached the 2002 final despite the humiliation of shipping five goals at home to Géd Houllier’s Liverpool. And then there was 2013, when they heaped shame on the nation by only managing a 1-0 win against a team managed by Mr Roy. You know exactly what happened the year after. It’s a long-established pattern. It’s how they roll. Mind you, Germany are really going for it big this time. Tuesday’s farce was merely the cherry on the cake of a distinctly underwhelming sequence in which they’ve won only three of the last eight, scoring 14 but letting in 17. If this is all part of an elaborate rope-a-dope masterplan, they’re really pushing their luck this time, because habits die hard after a while. Happily, everyone in the German camp seems calm and in control, even though Löw’s stricken demeanour in the post-match presser may have convinced the team chef to cut up his steak into little cubes that go choo-choo in the tunnel. “We still trust Joachim Löw, no doubt about that,” insisted DFB director Oliver Bierhoff afterwards. So the manager’s job is safe … as is The Fiver’s £3.72 investment with the turf accountant, we’ll be bound. LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE Join Scott Murray from 7.45pm GMT for hot MBM coverage of England 2-1 Iceland, while Nick Ames will be on hand for international clockwatch coverage too. QUOTE OF THE DAY “I’m quite down to earth so when I met them for the first time I wasn’t too starstruck. But when I did find out it was people with such significant global reach, it did seem quite surreal. It’s been a wild few months” – Wrexham director Spencer Harris tells Ed Aarons about the red-hot chats that tempted Deadpool and Mac from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to enter the world of National League club ownership. The Gang Ready Themselves for Aldershot at Home. Composite: Lewis Storey/Getty Images; Woohae Cho/Getty Images for Netflix; Philip Cheung/The Guardian RECOMMENDED LISTENING The game and mental health: a Football Weekly special.

CHELSEA WANT JUDE BELLINGHAM, FRANK LAMPARD LIKES ROSS BARKLEY, AND THE PLAYERS WHO WILL LEAVE Welcome to Inside Football, our new regular football feature which takes you inside some of the biggest clubs, and biggest stories, in European football. In Tuesday's edition, Dean Jones looks in detail at Chelsea's transfer plans and the changes Frank Lampard hopes to make to his squad, including a possible move for England's next superstar, Jude Bellingham... https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/transfers/2020-2021/chelsea-could-put-rice-pursuit-on-hold-to-target-bellingham_sto7996133/story.shtml Frank Lampard is starting to figure out his best Chelsea line-up but there are many new questions for him to ponder in the coming year. His job this season in merging the elite talent of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell into the XI is starting to show signs of huge promise. Yet as we approach 2021 there will be at least 10 player situations to address, with big decisions to make over transfers for January and next summer. Some choices will be easier to make than others. For example, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and full-back Emerson Palmieri have no long term future in his side and there are plans to find new clubs for both. Then there are the cases of Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and Olivier Giroud - who all have clubs waiting to find out if they will be available for moves in January. But more complicated are the circumstances around Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who were supposed to be poster boys for the club's academy but are going through a rocky patch. And then there is Ross Barkley, who has been loaned out to Aston Villa but has done so well that the club are already starting to wonder if he might fit in after all. On the transfer front there is the pursuit of Declan Rice to make a decision on too.... THE BIG CALL: GO FOR RICE, OR WAIT FOR BELLINGHAM? Declan Rice talks to Jude Bellingham as England play Republic of Ireland at Wembley Image credit: Getty Images Lampard would still love to sign Rice but the valuation from West Ham remains high - and there is another name that is starting to be whispered around Stamford Bridge. If they can't get Rice, sources are indicating there are figures at the club who feel it could be worth waiting for England’s newly-capped wonderboy Jude Bellingham instead. The Rice transfer will probably make most headlines in the build-up to January as Lampard considers him a perfect addition to the current set-up. The board realise how much the manager admires him, and figures around the club are perfectly aware of Rice’s strengths and personality as he grew up in their youth ranks. Midfield is Lampard’s area of expertise, obviously, and Rice's ability to read danger, intercept possession and dictate play are all key assets that have him earmarked for a big transfer. Yet there are some questions being asked inside the corridors of power about whether Chelsea truly need the West Ham man right now. A £70 million price-tag will need negotiating but there are a couple of other key points being considered too before any offer in 2021. One of those is that they already have N’Golo Kante. The 29-year-old French World Cup winner and two-time Premier League champion has recently been the anchor of a midfield three for the Blues, and has played well. There are some doubts about how long he will remain at the Bridge but there is also a trail of thought that if the side can get through the next 18 months with Kante, it could be worth biding time to make an offer for Dortmund midfielder Bellingham in 2022 instead of Rice. Chelsea are going to keep close tabs on the player’s development at Signal Iduna Park but are very aware that he is one of the most promising teenage midfield players around. Bellingham had interest from the Premier League before moving to Germany, particularly Manchester United. Chelsea have always monitored him though, and like the fact he can play as a number six or number eight. The Blues have confidence they can convince almost any player in the world to become part of what Lampard is building. A RETURN FOR ROSS BARKLEY? Ross Barkley of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton Image credit: Getty Images Then there is the case of Barkley to analyse as he makes a big impact at Villa. Sources say Lampard has already touched base with the player to let him know just how impressed he has been by early performances, and there could still be a way back for him if the loan spell continues to go well. There have always been factors of Barkley’s game that Lampard has been fascinated by. However, on the back of Chelsea’s big summer spend he could not guarantee game time for the player and it was decided he would be better off having a full season of Premier League football. The door will remain open for him to work his way back into the plans - but there are others that will not be so lucky. THE PLAYERS ON THE WAY OUT One such player is goalkeeper Kepa, who was identified as a problem by Lampard at the beginning of the year. Since signing Edouard Mendy it has become even more clear that Kepa needs a new club. A loan move in January is almost certain, as it is the easiest way to get around his fee and wages in the short term. They would be happy to let him leave temporarily for this season, then work on a permanent plan for the summer. Similarly Emerson, who should really have left before this season began, is available and ready for a fresh start. Chelsea are also preparing to field enquiries on three other players who sit on the fringe of the side: Rudiger, Jorginho and Giroud. Rudiger’s stance is that he would like to leave. He has not played a minute of Premier League action this term and does not feel he is being treated fairly, sources say. There has been interest from previous club Roma about a possible return, though there will be other options on the table too. Jorginho of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sheffield United Image credit: Getty Images Jorginho has had more of a role this season, though that is beginning to change. He has been a substitute in the past two league matches and has also lost his role as penalty taker. Interest from Juventus has faded but sources say he has other options opening to return to Serie A. Meanwhile, striker Giroud has played just 70 minutes of football across Chelsea’s 11 Premier League and Champions League matches and talks will take place over his future soon. Inter Milan are expected to table an offer in the January window for him to be reunited with Antonio Conte, and there is a feeling the player will push for the move to go through. UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR ACADEMY GRADUATES Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek both have work to do over the coming months. Loftus Cheek has been sent on loan to Fulham to recapture his form and confidence, yet is not in their starting XI at present. It’s a concern but Chelsea will scrutinise his future properly at the end of the season. Hudson-Odoi has similar pressure to prove himself. Sources say Lampard has no doubts about his quality and class, but has had some concern about the way he applies himself and that has continued into this season. A loan move in January is not out of the question. Lampard is still growing as a manager - yet he is preparing to make big calls that will impact the Blues for years to come.

I am REALLLY liking most of out team atm now if only fucking wee Puli can stay healthy

he has it in him, he just never really gets that far forward if he turned into a 8 to 10 goal, 10 or so assist CMF a year, he is worth £60-70m easy

wow Kova with a brace if HE starts scoring too, well damn league may be starting to get in range for for the taking

yes, he and Foden will be terrors for years

fucker is ex Chels too won the bloody FA Cup with us in 2000 he needs to staple his gob shut

fuck these Geordie nobs payback time

Ferran Torres is looking every bit the monster I assumed he would become hat trick and almost had a 4th

boom 6 nil wowow Joachim Löw needs to be sacked as well insane scoreline

Sule is poor, Koch even worse Max is meh horrid back 4

Giroud scored for France up 2 1 v Sweden http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2020/nations-league-france-vs-sweden-s3/

Kovacic scored for Croatia they are up 1 nil v Portugal http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2020/nations-league-croatia-vs-portugal-s2/

Ginter is having a horrorshow for Germany 3 nil Spain only 39 minutes in http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2020/nations-league-spain-vs-germany-s1/

Man Utd fear Mason Greenwood could throw career away like Ravel Morrison Ravel Morrison was tipped for big things at Manchester United but his career went off track, and Old Trafford officials are desperate for Mason Greenwood to avoid the same fate https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-fear-mason-greenwood-23010284 Manchester United officials are desperate for Greenwood to avoid the type of downward spiral that cost Morrison his Old Trafford career. And that’s why after several key meetings, Solskjaer and his staff have devised a strategy to get the teenager back on track. Having watched gifted Morrison – now 27 and playing with Den Haag in Holland – fail to fulfil potential that could have made him a world-beater, there is a genuine belief that Greenwood could fritter his career away. Solskjaer, United’s coaches and even former boss Sir Alex Ferguson believe Greenwood could have the world at his feet with a natural goal-scoring ability that makes him exceptional – even up against fellow strike partners Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. But even before Greenwood was caught smuggling girls into England’s team hotel and breaking their bio-bubble with fellow Manchester City youngster Phil Foden before the game in Iceland in September, concerns were growing that the United star wasn’t putting all his energies into his football career. Stories emerged of being late for training on occasions – denied by Solskjaer – and there is concern that late nights mean he isn’t getting the required rest and sleep needed to perform at the highest level. Mystery also surrounded his absence from the squad at Goodison Park before the latest international break as United won 3-1 against Everton. Solskjaer claimed the teenager had an illness. But explaining why Greenwood had not been included in the England Under-21 squad for games against Andorra and Albania manager Aidy Boothroyd made no mention of that. He said: “It was felt from Man United that the best course of action was to sit out this one. “He has had a lot of niggling injuries and a lot of things going on in his life.” There’s still huge disappointment within United that Morrison’s immense talent was lost. Morrison has had ELEVEN clubs in the eight years since leaving Old Trafford including West Ham, Lazio, QPR, Middlesbrough as well as spells in Mexico and Sweden.

Who has the best defence in the Premier League? https://theathletic.com/2200245/2020/11/16/premier-league-best-defence/ It’s the season of terrible defending, according to many. In the Premier League, there has been an average of more than three goals per game — no English top-flight season has come close to that level since 1966. This season’s goal-per-game rate was even higher a few weeks ago, but managers have responded in recent games, shoring up their back lines and putting in some dogged performances. Clean sheets rarely been more priceless. But whose defence is best? Whose would you want as your back four (or five) if you had a big game tomorrow? Our writers make the case here for the teams who have conceded the fewest goals so far. Then have your say below. Manchester City (Goals conceded: 9) Whisper it but City’s defence is actually doing all right at the moment. It’s been a problem for them for the past year or more, highlighted by their issues as soon as Aymeric Laporte got injured, with Pep Guardiola preferring to use Fernandinho than pair up John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi. The left-back situation has been a mess for a while and, in all honestly, it still is. Joao Cancelo has not been the most reliable defender but he has improved of late, even out of possession and, apart from Kevin De Bruyne, he has been City’s main creative threat. Laporte is back and he seems to have a very solid and reliable partner in new signing Ruben Dias. Kyle Walker is probably City’s player of the season so far. City’s patchy defence last season was not done any favours by a porous midfield and an occasionally lethargic forward line that failed to stop counter-attacks. Liverpool streamed through at will recently, but the back line held up under the scrutiny and showed the kind of defensive mettle that hasn’t been associated with Guardiola’s team for a while now. Sam Lee Aston Villa (Goals conceded: 9) When talking about the Premier League’s best defensive line, few fans will rush to mention Aston Villa. But they should. Since “Project Restart”, Dean Smith’s team have gone from having the worst defensive record in the league to the joint-best. It was during lockdown that Smith used the break to show his players what a cohesive defensive line should look like, with videos on how Manchester City cover and fight for each other. That is a passion you can clearly see has passed into 2020-21. Smith’s current four-man defence is set in stone: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett. Notably, Cash, who joined from Nottingham Forest for £16 million, has solidified his place in the starting XI thanks to his willingness to win the ball and ability to make attacking runs from deep, something Villa fans feel they have not had the pleasure of watching for some time. With centre-backs that are consistently winning aerial duels and full-backs that are quick and able to not just make tackles, but win them and not draw the foul, Villa’s defence have been turning possession over higher up the pitch a lot more compared to last season. It’s also pretty useful to have defenders who aren’t afraid of scoring: Mings already has two goals and one assist and Konsa also has a goal to his name. Holly Percival Tottenham Hotspur (Goals conceded: 9) From the horror of conceding three late goals against West Ham United to letting in just one in their next three games, it’s been quite the defensive turnaround for Tottenham. Looking at the season as a whole, Spurs have the joint-best defence in the league. The recent solidity has been, in large, down to the partnership formed by Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld, both of whom relished the aerial challenge of playing Burnley and were then resolute against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion. Neither is the quickest, but with the pacier Davinson Sanchez out of form, the hope is that Dier and Alderweireld can be Mourinho’s equivalent of the John Terry-Gary Cahill axis that helped deliver the 2014-15 title. If Sanchez can start building his confidence again, he and the highly-regarded Joe Rodon offer quicker alternatives. Spurs’ defence is also helped by having four strong full-backs in the squad. Summer signings Sergio Reguilon and Matt Doherty have broadly been the first-choice picks, but in Ben Davies and Serge Aurier, Mourinho can call on, respectively, greater defensive nous or an additional attacking threat. Then there’s the discipline of midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, which means Spurs are less vulnerable to counters when their full-backs bomb on. With a daunting set of games on the horizon, Spurs’ defenders now have the chance to show they can shut out the division’s very best. Charlie Eccleshare Leicester City (Goals conceded: 9) Like an old football that has been kicked into the rose bushes, Leicester City’s defence has had to be patched up this season. Of last season’s regular back four, only Caglar Soyuncu started the campaign before he, too, was sidelined through injury. The same can be said for key defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who actually started the season as a makeshift centre-back because of Brendan Rodgers’ limited options. However, the switch to a back five and the arrival of 19-year-old wunderkind Wesley Fofana has ensured Leicester’s rearguard has provided the solid foundation for their best start to a Premier League season. Veterans such as Christian Fuchs and Wes Morgan have stepped up to plug gaps, while relative rookie James Justin has displayed his versatility, switching from left to right on demand and even playing as a third centre-back. The cavalry could arrive before Christmas, with Soyuncu, Ricardo Pereira, Timothy Castagne and Ndidi all approaching full fitness, but it is testament to those who have stood in that they haven’t been missed as much as feared. Rob Tanner Wolverhampton Wanderers (Goals conceded: 9) Wolves’ defensive rigidity is nothing new. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, when they returned to the Premier League, Wolves have the third-best defensive record in the top flight. Only Manchester City (67) and Liverpool (71) have conceded fewer than Wolves’ 95 goals in those two and a bit seasons. Their record compares favourably when stacked up against far more expensively-assembled back lines such as Manchester United (104 goals conceded), Arsenal (109) and Chelsea (103). Oh, and in their last 22 Premier League matches, Wolves have kept 13 clean sheets. Thirteen. And yet the central defensive trio Nuno Espirito Santo has selected for their last three games possess a combined total of three international caps, all of which have been earned this season by Conor Coady (Willy Boly and the London-born Max Kilman are uncapped but the former has just joined up with Ivory Coast for the first time). Wolves’ solid defence relies not on individual brilliance but on an unyielding defensive system in which every man knows his role inside out. Forged in the hills of Austria in 2017, Wolves’ 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation has been enlisted for every single game of Nuno’s tenure. The back three are incredibly well protected by wing-backs, deep-lying central midfielders and forwards who defend from the front. A clean sheet is always Wolves’ priority. The defensive system means Coady, Boly, Kilman, Romain Saiss and the rest are very rarely left isolated at the back, so any lack of pace isn’t exposed. The system works. Whether it’s Kilman or Nelson Semedo or Fernando Marcal, if a new player is dropped in, they tend to do so seamlessly, because their roles have been seared into them daily via repetitive, incessant training drills. And it means that when Wolves aren’t exactly smashing goals in at the other end, like now, they can still regularly pick up points. Tim Spiers Chelsea (Goals conceded: 10) The mere notion of arguing for Chelsea in this conversation seemed ridiculous only a few weeks ago, but Frank Lampard’s new-look team is still taking shape — and recent matches have given cause to believe that they have found a defensive structure worthy of a Premier League title contender. Edouard Mendy looks like he was designed in a lab to be a good Premier League goalkeeper: formidably tall, fundamentally solid and unwaveringly calm. In front of him, Thiago Silva is performing like the elite defensive leader Chelsea have lacked since John Terry left Stamford Bridge. Kurt Zouma’s overwhelming physicality makes for an impressively complementary centre-back partnership and although full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James spend most of their time acting as auxiliary wingers, neither is easy to exploit defensively. There’s also the small matter of N’Golo Kante, arguably still the best midfield destroyer in world football, patrolling the space in front of them in Lampard’s fluid 4-3-3 system. Chelsea’s improved defence has yet to prove itself against the very best opponents, but as long as Silva’s 36-year-old body stands up to the rigours of a relentless schedule, their defence now looks as reliable as any in the Premier League. Liam Twomey Arsenal (Goals conceded: 10) Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa is fresh in the memory but, so far this season, scoring goals has been a bigger issue than keeping them out. It’s not been an easy ride for Mikel Arteta at the back, with constant injury setbacks leaving his back line stretched extremely thin. The frequent use of a back three has given him more stability, with Kieran Tierney dropping in as a left-sided centre-back and Gabriel excelling as the middle man. The 22-year-old has been exceptional in his reading of the game, timing of the challenge and confidence in possession. Arteta’s main issues come from the right side of the defence but with Calum Chambers returning alongside Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and David Luiz, the Arsenal manager has the options. That’s before 19-year-old William Saliba is added to the equation. Adopting this system after last season’s restart, Arteta found it especially useful in the run-up to Arsenal’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea. However, opting for a better defensive structure — with which Arsenal had conceded the least amount of goals (seven) heading into the Villa game — has come at the cost of less having attacking impetus. That is a sacrifice which may force a change in approach when Premier League football returns. Art de Roche West Ham (Goals conceded: 10) It may not have felt revelatory at the time, but the defeat to Newcastle United at the beginning of the season gave David Moyes important agency. As the gloom descended and civil war raged over the Grady Diangana affair, Moyes was ditching his back four and rebuilding West Ham in mind and body. The new back three, often collapsing to a five, has made them dense and difficult to cut through. Angelo Ogbonna’s resurgence has played a part, as has the reappearance of Fabian Balbuena. The insertion of Aaron Cresswell’s left foot into that central rearguard has been a novel tweak, too, not least because of how it complements the work of Declan Rice and Arthur Masuaku with the ball. Other than that, it’s not complicated: West Ham are good in both boxes, organised at set pieces and unafraid to play long, direct and out of trouble. But they’re also more rugged. They’re physically bigger and mentally tougher, a team more loyal to Moyes’ style. Defensive midfielder Tomas Soucek has been an outstanding signing and right-back Vladimir Coufal is on a similar path. These are sharp-elbowed footballers with muddy knees and the kind that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Goodison Park a decade ago. Importantly, they’re also the sort that wouldn’t have been found at London Stadium until very recently. It’s a project still, rather than a completed work, but Moyes’ West Ham are now more than just a papier-mache of tissue-thin reputations. Seb Stafford-Bloor Cast your vote now… results so far

Liverpool unlikely to sign defender, Traore deadlock, Carmo latest https://theathletic.com/2197832/2020/11/16/ornstein-liverpool-defender-january-adama-traore-carmo-united/ Liverpool’s loss of Virgil van Dijk and now Joe Gomez to long-term knee injuries has generated speculation that they will use the January transfer window to strengthen in central defence. But despite the absence of their first-choice centre-back pairing, it understood the Premier League champions currently have no intention of entering the winter market to bolster in that position or any other. Van Dijk damaged ligaments during the trip to Everton in October and Gomez also underwent surgery having suffered a tendon problem training with England last week. Joel Matip has battled fitness issues of his own, while a hamstring complaint put Fabinho on the sidelines and Dejan Lovren was not replaced after his move to Zenit St Petersburg in July. As a consequence, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been linked with options including RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba. However, The Athletic is told that, as things stand, Liverpool are not planning to bring anyone to Anfield for now with all recruitment work taking place at present focused on next summer. Although these situations can change and Liverpool have shown flexibility in the past, they are not prone to knee-jerk reactions and do not anticipate deviating from this path even if results were to deteriorate. It is said to be a joint decision between Klopp and the club’s hierarchy. It is not impossible that a summer scenario is brought forward to January if the need and availability match-up, but at the moment that is considered to be unlikely and the focus remains on finding internal solutions. Matip came through the recent draw at Manchester City unscathed and Fabinho will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s visit of Leicester City. Rhys Williams, 19, has featured in three Champions League games this season and Nat Phillips, 23, impressed against West Ham United in the Premier League. Amid the disappointment of seeing key personnel ruled out, there is also recognition the situation could provide opportunities for players who might not have got the chance in normal circumstances — and as long as the team stays competitive, that would be viewed as a positive development. Liverpool sit a point behind early-season Premier League leaders Leicester and are in firm control of their Champions League group, thanks to a 100 per cent record from their opening three fixtures. Traore feels he’s not being picked because of contract deadlock Talks over Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Adama Traore signing a contract extension have reached deadlock, Dermot Corrigan and Tim Spiers understand. Traore looked set to sign a new deal last month, but the Spain international believes the offer doesn’t reflect his value to the squad. There is no pressing urgency from either side to resolve the issue imminently, with Traore’s current deal running to 2023. But The Athletic has been told the 24-year-old believes he is being left out of the XI as a result of him not having agreed to the terms on offer. “Adama thinks it could be part of a strategy to get him to sign a new contract, but he does not want to,” a source says. “So that’s why (he thinks) he’s not in the team. He’s a bit pissed off, to be honest.“ A separate source rejected that suggestion, saying head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has left Traore on the bench purely for football reasons. Daniel Podence has impressed having started Wolves’ past five league games, with Traore’s most recent start coming in the 4-0 defeat at West Ham on September 27. Neither Nuno nor Traore have been directly involved in the contract talks. The stand-off comes just as the Catalan-born former Barcelona youth teamer is making a splash at senior international level. After a lengthy “tug of war” with Mali, for whom he also qualifies through family, he made his competitive debut for Spain in October and immediately impressed fans and pundits with his direct running and end product. If Traore were to leave, Wolves would expect to get at least double the £18 million they paid Middlesbrough for him in 2018. Wolves have tied down Raul Jimenez, Conor Coady, Pedro Neto and Max Kilman on long-term deals recently, and Nuno signed a three-year contract in September. Premier League to provide rapid coronavirus test after internationals There were major concerns among some Premier League clubs that their build-up to the resumption of fixtures next weekend would be significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 testing protocols, especially when it came to players returning late from international duty. It was feared — in particular by those clubs who play top-flight games on Saturday — that squad members who are not due back in the country until Thursday would either be required to compete having benefited from little-to-no preparation time or find themselves ruled out completely. That is because players cannot re-enter training grounds until receiving a negative coronavirus test result through the league’s official service, which to date has taken around 24 hours. There are 28 players from eight clubs (Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion) who could feature outside of England for their nations on Wednesday before scheduled domestic matches three days later. They include Kevin De Bruyne, Edinson Cavani, Toby Alderweireld, Emiliano Martinez, Jorginho and Miguel Almiron. But The Athletic understands the Premier League now has the capacity to produce rapid test results and that will be made available for the first time later this week, which should enable those international returnees to begin training shortly after giving a sample (provided it comes back as negative). The news was relayed to club doctors at a meeting last Tuesday and it raises the prospect of a much slicker procedure for top-flight sides. Players and staff are currently tested twice a week by the Premier League and additionally by UEFA if their club are in European competition. The rapid turnaround option is being administered by the league’s existing testing partner Prenetics as it continues to develop its operation and seeks to become increasingly efficient. A number of clubs have already trialled the system and a decision to implement it across the board would be need to be made by the 20 shareholders. United to face competition for Braga defender Carmo Manchester United have been linked with a move for young Portuguese centre-back David Carmo in recent days. But any potential suitors are likely to face stiff competition for his signature. Carmo, who only made his Sporting Braga debut in January, has drawn early comparisons with Virgil van Dijk due to his commanding physique and ability on the ball. That has piqued interest throughout Europe. The Athletic understands at least 10 different clubs have held discussions with the player’s representatives — a number of them Premier League sides, including one of United’s “big six” rivals. Italy’s Roma came closest to signing Carmo in the summer transfer window but had a €17 million bid rejected. The 21-year-old had a release clause of €20 million at that time, but this rose to €40 million when he signed a new contract last week. Legal team want to interview Bennell in prison It is four years to the day since Andy Woodward waived his anonymity to speak about the years of sexual abuse he encountered as a youth-team player at Crewe Alexandra and set off what the FA described as the worst crisis in the history of the sport, writes Daniel Taylor. The numbers have been mind-boggling ever since. In the first 16 months alone, 2,800 incidents had been referred to Operation Hydrant, the specialist police unit investigating the abuse of children in football. In the same timeframe, 849 alleged victims had come forward, naming 300 suspects and referencing 340 clubs at all levels. Of those, 77 were professional clubs. All of which might help to explain why we are still waiting for the FA’s independent inquiry, led by Clive Sheldon QC, to be concluded. Many of the victims have been frustrated by the lack of communication from Sheldon’s legal team and had never expected, four years on, that they would still be waiting for news. The Athletic’s information is that the report might finally be ready for publication before the end of the year. Manchester City will also be publishing their own QC-led inquiry at some point. First, however, their independent legal team is exploring whether the former coach and talent-spotter Barry Bennell is willing to be interviewed from behind bars. Bennell, described by a judge as “sheer evil” and “the devil incarnate,” is serving a 36-year prison sentence for raping and molesting boys in City’s junior system and, later, as Crewe Alexandra’s youth-team coach. Investigators for City are trying to find out how he got away with it for so long, and who knew what, during Bennell’s seven-year association with the club. They want to see if Bennell will co-operate and, though there is every chance he will say no, they have been trying to make arrangements with the prison in Cambridgeshire where he is likely to spend the rest of his life.

XAVIER MBUYAMBA & CHARLY MUSONDA INCREDIBLE RECOVERY (CHELSEA INJURY UPDATE)