THE DEBRIEF AS ARSENAL GO TOP AND CHELSEA FALL ONCE AGAIN

 As always, Saturday’s Premier League fixtures did not disappoint.

Here is the scoop on what you may have missed from across the grounds.

In the early window, first met second as Manchester City and Liverpool shared the points at the Etihad Stadium to allow Arsenal a chance to reclaim the top spot.

Mikel Arteta’s side pulled off a dramatic victory away to Brentford, with Kai Havertz scoring in the dying minutes to send them to the top of the league.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s apparent turnaround seems to have been a flash in the pan as Newcastle put four past the Blues in an almighty thumping at St. James’s Park.

You can read through all of the results here.

Brighton just seem to pluck these young stars from nowhere don’t they?

João Pedro is just the latest member of Roberto De Zerbi’s side to begin his launch towards stardom in the Premier League, and a brace against Nottingham Forest will help his cause.

The Brazilian now has five goal contributions in 13 Premier League games, but has really made his mark in the Europa League, where he has a staggering four goals in four games in Brighton’s first ever European campaign.

Is he the next Seagull to be hunted by one of the big boys?

Read more

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-debrief-as-arsenal-go-top-and-chelsea-fall-once-again-38620443

16 CONCLUSIONS ON MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 LIVERPOOL: ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, DOKU, ALISSON, NUNEZ, SILVA

 Will Virgil van Dijk or Pep Guardiola be happier with the result?

Jeremy Doku and Trent Alexander-Arnold were both somehow excellent, Liverpool finally returned the favour to Alisson and Bernardo Silva is something special.

handy post-international break trail to a gargantuan Saturday lunchtime clash between first and second in the Premier League, it was fitting to see Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp call it even again after 100 more minutes of battle. Both can lay a claim to being among the very best the sport has ever produced but after a 1-1 draw between the country’s two best teams of the past few years, Lightning McQueen remains the clear GOAT.

Klopp: We played 'ok' today | 'Trent...

2) It was a curious game perhaps best summed up by the man of the match being announced as Jeremy Doku over the Etihad stadium tannoy, shortly before Gary Neville anointed Trent Alexander-Arnold – there is not enough time to get into the ‘opposite number’ debate – as his pick.

And both were fair choices. Doku was the match’s persistent threat, electric on the left with more chances created than anyone, more dribbles completed (11) than the other 26 players combined (10) and more tackles made than any player bar Bernardo Silva; Alexander-Arnold scored a sublime equaliser, led the game for interceptions and held his own in that one-on-one after some shaky early moments.

That contrast between opinions suited a match in which perspective will be the king when examining the result. Both Manchester City and Liverpool have as much cause to see this as one point gained as they do two points dropped, depending on their chosen agenda.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Man City.

3) Doku, though. Honestly. He is such a ridiculously effective footballer that it is easy to forget he has replaced a five-season veteran in Riyad Mahrez so seamlessly. The recent desperation to paint Manchester City and Guardiola as foolish in letting Cole Palmer go are best-advised to watch Doku in action again, because the Chelsea forward would have had a restricted diet of minutes up against the Belgian this season, and no argument to change that situation. 

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Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/16-conclusions-on-manchester-city-1-1-liverpool-alexander-arnold-doku-alisson-nunez-silva-38619755

CARLO ANCELOTTI LAUDS POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR AT REAL MADRID

 Carlo Ancelotti has touted Xabi Alonso as a future Real Madrid manager and says fans can expect an update on his contract situation soon

The Italian's current deal is due to expire in 2024 and there is significant interest in his services from the Brazilian national team, and talks with the South American nation's football federation have been held.

90min understands that Madrid are prepared to accelerate contract talks with Ancelotti in 2024 with a view to tying the legendary boss down to an extension - something he has now suggested may be his priority.

Alonso, meanwhile, has led Bayer Leverkusen to ten wins in 11 Bundesliga outings, providing a genuine and real threat to Bayern Munich's hopes of a 12th consecutive league title.

"I think I’ve had a great time with him. He is having a fantastic career," Ancelotti said of Alonso in a press conference to the media. "He has the knowledge of football, he has the personality. I really like the way his team plays as a coach.

"He’s one of the coaches I like the most, yes. I like Thiago Motta as well. Obviously Xabi can have the profile to be coach of Madrid, obviously because he knows the club very well."

Ancelotti also spoke about being linked to the Brazil vacancy and confirmed that Madrid supporters and the world will soon know what's going to happen.

"I’m proud that one of the best international teams in the world like Brazil is linked to me, that gives me a lot of pride," he said. "But I have a contract until June 30.

"My future will soon be known. I am here for at least six more months."

Asked whether he would wait until the final day of his current deal with Madrid for an extension to be offered, Ancelotti insisted: "Of course".

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/carlo-ancelotti-lauds-potential-successor-at-real-madrid-38618507

5️⃣0️⃣ ERLING HAALAND BREAKS A REMARKABLE PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

 Erling Haaland has become the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 50 goals.

The Norwegian goal machine did it after 27 minutes of Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday, in his 48th game.

Manchester City -01

Liverpool  -01

The Norwegian goal machine did it after 27 minutes of Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday, in his 48th game.

Haaland found space between two defenders and finished with aplomb past Alisson.

It means that the City sensation has reached a half century faster than the previous record-holder, Andy Cole.

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/50-erling-haaland-breaks-a-remarkable-premier-league-record-38618060

REAL MADRID PREPARING FOR HAALAND/MBAPPE GALACTICO SIGNINGS

 Real Madrid are preparing to make a ‘Galactico’ signing next summer and are targeting deals for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

The Spanish side want to sign an elite centre-forward in next summer’s transfer window and have been raising cash behind the scenes in preparation for a big-money bid.

Mbappe has been a long-term target for Real Madrid and is approaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, having turned down the option of an extension at the Parc des Prices.

Real Madrid have offloaded several high earners from the club’s wage bill in recent windows, with Marcelo, Isco and Gareth Bale moved on in 2022, and Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard all departing last summer

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The additional wage bill provides room to manoeuvre in the market, according to AS, particularly when presenting a proposal to sign Mbappe on a free transfer at the end of the season.

However, the Spaniards also have significant sums with which to spend, with €128m available in cash and a further €265m already approved to spend, according to the club’s official accounts.

Read more

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/real-madrid-preparing-for-haalandmbappe-galactico-signings-38611433

HOW PEP GUARDIOLA BORROWED FROM JURGEN KLOPP TO ELEVATE MANCHESTER CITY

 In 2021, Pep Guardiola was reflecting on an epic managerial rivalry that then only lasted a mere eight years. “He made me a better manager,” he said of Jurgen Klopp. When he registered his greatest achievement since leaving Barcelona, it owed something to Klopp, too.

In swift succession, his captain lifted the Premier League, the FA Cup and then the Champions League. A decade after scoring for Klopp in a Champions League final at Wembley, Ilkay Gundogan struck twice for Guardiola in an FA Cup final at Wembley. Gundogan felt like a footballing soulmate of Guardiola – as well as a neighbour in the same deluxe Manchester apartment block – but a diplomat had links in each camp: Klopp often texted his former midfielder congratulations when Manchester City won something, just as he got in touch when Liverpool drew Guardiola’s team in the Champions League in 2018.

Gundogan is gone now – to Guardiola’s old club and spiritual home, Barcelona – but he remains an example of how the Catalan has been influenced by the manager who has beaten him most often. As Guardiola’s haul from the seasons when they have faced each other stands at five Premier League titles and two Bundesligas, Klopp is likelier to defeat him over 90 minutes than nine months. That Guardiola has always tended to have greater resources is a factor: a mantra of Klopp’s is that he has never wanted to be the best team in the world as much as beat the best. And, with great regularity, that is how he describes City.

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/how-pep-guardiola-borrowed-from-jurgen-klopp-to-elevate-manchester-city-38611211

FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS: REAL MADRID BUDGET FOR MBAPPE & HAALAND; ARSENAL MAKE TONEY DECISION

 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world...

Real Madrid have organised their finances in such a way that they will be able to compete for more 'Galactico' signings next summer, with PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland on their shortlist. (AS)

Manchester United view Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio as ideal long-term replacements for Raphael Varane. (The Sun)

Another player on Manchester United's radar is Pedro Neto, who is also wanted by Arsenal and Saudi Pro League clubs. Wolves have set a £60m asking price. (TeamTALK)

Liverpool lead Inter and Juventus in the race to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, with the France international able to leave if a club comes in with a £35m bid. (Corriere dello Sport

Chelsea could turn to Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez if Napoli's demands for Victor Osimhen prove excessive. (Football Transfers)

In their attempts to find a cut-price replacement for the injured Gavi, Barcelona are weighing up a move for West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals, whose contract expires in the summer. (Cadena SER)

Read more 

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/football-transfer-rumours-real-madrid-budget-for-mbappe-haaland-arsenal-make-toney-decision-38611601

MILAN’S R9-INSPIRED PUNK ROCK STRIKER PROSPECT IS READY TO TAKE SERIE A BY STORM – AND HE’S ONLY 15

What do you do when footballers are being introduced too young, inevitably ravaged by injuries and then forced to deal with a shorter career as a result? Bring through more children to cover for injuries, of course.

In an era where footballers are dropping like flies with muscle and ligament injuries galore in and around seasons that are asking for as many as 60 games from players, managers are having to instil more trust in youth prospects, even if those youth prospects are not still legally old enough to drive a car or buy an energy drink

It’s a double-edged sword, though. Because if you’re good enough, you’re old enough

And if you’re good enough to be given a chance to play first-team football at a jaw-droppingly young age, the chances are you’re going to grasp that once-in-a-lifetime, genuine fairytale opportunity with both hands.

Despite their recent resurgence which culminated with winning the Scudetto in 2021-22, Milan’s striker roster is still incredibly fragile.

The Rossoneri managed to extract the absolute maximum out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his second spell with the club before his body finally forced him into retirement, plugging the gaps around him whenever he faltered by relying on Olivier Giroud, who has since taken over the role as starting striker.

Experience is great, but having two players in the autumn of their careers with a limited shelf life is bound to catch up on you at some point.

Read more 

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/milans-r9-inspired-punk-rock-striker-prospect-is-ready-to-take-serie-a-by-storm-and-hes-only-15-38611422

VIRTUAL COACHES AND SCOUTING APPS: HOW THE AI REVOLUTION IS TRANSFORMING FOOTBALL'S FUTURE

Football

Clubs not embracing the new era of artificial intelligence risk being left behind with the impacts set to be wide-ranging

Matt Majendie2 minutes ago

QPR’s relegation at the end of the 2012-13 season acted as an unlikely precursor of sorts to the introduction of artificial intelligence in football.

At the start of the season, midfielder Esteban Granero arrived amid fanfare from Real Madrid but was unable to halt the club’s drop from the top flight.

He returned to Spain the following season, first on loan with Real Sociedad before joining permanently. While there, he befriended a team analyst, who found himself unsure what to make of the reams of data he had at his disposal.

Granero’s solution was perhaps atypical to that of his peers. “I took the data and started asking clever people about it,” he recalls. “I went to universities and asked professors about artificial intelligence, as I felt AI could improve data analysis, as in other industries.”

By 2016, he had founded Olocip, an early entry into football AI used to aid decision making when it comes to signing players and also around in-game decisions.

Read more 

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/virtual-coaches-and-scouting-apps-how-the-ai-revolution-is-transforming-footballs-future-38608623

RAPHAËL VARANE WANTS TO LEAVE MANCHESTER UNITED

 According to Florian Plettenberg, Raphaël Varane (30) would like to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window. The former France international is hoping that the Premier League club will give him the green light and allow him to leave in the winter window.

The 30-year-old is said to be unhappy with his current situation at Old Trafford. Following an injury which kept him out for a month at the start of the season, the former Real Madrid defender has seen his minutes at United limited. Varane has only seen 116 minutes of action under Ten Hag since he returned from injury in late September.

Florian Plettenberg reported that Bayern Munich are considering a winter move for the World Cup winner. However, as things stand, the Bundesliga champions are yet to make any advances to the Frenchman’s entourage. Manchester United have set a price tag of between €20m – €30m for the centre-back and are not willing to entertain loan moves for Varane in the January transfer window.

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/raphaeal-varane-wants-to-leave-manchester-united-38609014

REAL MADRID STUNNED IN UWCL; CHELSEA CRUISE; BAYERN BEAT PSG; ROMA WIN

 The second round of Women’s Champions League group games concluded on Thursday with several big-hitters in action.

Here’s what went down.

BK Hacken Women - 02

Real Madrid Women - 01

Scorers: Kafaji 59′, Kosola 76′; Bruun 9′

Real Madrid are still seeking their first Group D win of the season after being downed by Häcken.

Signe Bruun had opened the scoring for the visitors by reacting quickest after Jennifer Falk tipped Ivana Sanz’s long-range attempt onto the post.

But Las Blancas were pulled level right before the hour mark when Rosa Kafaji pounced on a loose ball to rifle home from inside the area.

The hosts completed their comeback in the final 15 minutes as Katariina Kosola produced a curling effort from Kafaji’s pass to deliver a famous victory.

It means Alberto Toril’s side sit third in the group with just one point from their opening two fixtures while their hosts are comfortably top with six.

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/real-madrid-stunned-in-uwcl-chelsea-cruise-bayern-beat-psg-roma-win-38609790

BRAZIL 'COULD FACE POINTS DEDUCTION' FOR ARGENTINA BRAWL BECAUSE OF FIFA RULE

 

Highlights

• The brawl during the Brazil vs. Argentina match may result in a points deduction for Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers, as per FIFA's Disciplinary Code.

• Lionel Messi and other players expressed concern for the safety of families in the stands during the incident, emphasizing the potential for tragedy.
• A points deduction could severely impact Brazil's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as they are currently in sixth place and struggling for form

The brawl that broke out inside the Maracana stadium during Brazil's match against Argentina could have massive aftershocks for the home side. According to reports, one FIFA rule means that Brazil could face a potential points deduction because of the incident.

The two nations renewed their feisty affair in a recent World Cup qualifying match, which saw Lionel Messi clash with Rodrygo. Argentina would eventually run out 1-0 victors, thanks to a goal in the 63rd minute from former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi, which handed Brazil a first defeat in a World Cup qualifying match at home.

However, the main headline news from the game came from an incident which occurred before the match even kicked off. There was chaos in the stands of the stadium as tempers flared between both sets of fans, with Emiliano Martinez and other players intervening as the police stepped in. The match was postponed for almost 30 minutes as Lionel Messi led the visiting squad from the field

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/brazil-could-face-points-deduction-for-argentina-brawl-because-of-fifa-rule-38608088