All posts by n8rngtd.top

Chelsea have reportedly parted company with coach Bruno Saltor despite claiming that he would form part of Mauricio Pochettino’s backroom team.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Spaniard joined the Blues alongside Potter
• Took in one game as caretaker manager
• Is now walking away from Stamford Bridge

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 42-year-old Spaniard has, according to , seen his contract paid up, allowing him to walk away from Stamford Bridge. That agreement has been reached during private talks behind the scenes, with no public announcement being made.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bruno had moved to Stamford Bridge alongside Graham Potter in September 2022, with Chelsea paying a world-record £21 million ($26m) compensation package to Brighton when bringing in the new manager and his coaching staff. Only two members of that group – head of goalkeeping Ben Roberts and data analyst Kyle Macaulay – remain in west London.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Potter lasted 31 games across seven months in charge of the Blues, with Bruno – who took caretaker charge for a 0-0 draw with Liverpool – among those to be put on leave when managerial reins were passed to club legend Frank Lampard on an interim basis. Chelsea claimed that he had returned to the fold following Pochettino’s appointment over the summer.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  That agreement has lasted less than four months, with Bruno allowed to move on. Pochettino is hoping that those still by his side can deliver a reversal in fortunes over the coming weeks – as questions begin to be asked of his future – with big-spending Chelsea picking up just five points from six Premier League games in 2023-24, while already being without European football on the back of a 12th-placed finish last season.

Kylian Mbappe will reportedly have to sack his own mother in order to secure a transfer to Real Madrid, with Fayza Lamari unable to act as his agent.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• France international represented by family
• They do not have FIFA license
• Potential problem amid Blancos links

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The France international forward is represented by members of his close family at present. However, that situation could cause issues when it comes to negotiating a potential switch to Spain.

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe continues to be heavily linked with Madrid as he is yet to extend a contract at Paris Saint-Germain that is due to expire in 2024. claims that in order to land a move to Santiago Bernabeu, the 24-year-old will have to sever professional ties with his mother.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  That is because a new FIFA rule dictates that transfers and contracts can only be discussed by licensed agents. Lamari is not listed on the FIFA Agent Platform, and is therefore unable to represent any player on an official basis.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Lamari would be unable to obtain the relevant certificates until May 2024 and faces the threat of a fine if she continues to represent her son. There are, however, a couple of loopholes that could be explored as teams in Germany and England have blocks in place that prevent them from having to adhere to the FIFA regulations for now – meaning that Mbappe could head for the Bundesliga or Premier League if he wanted to keep his mother in place and speak with other clubs.

Liverpool have been warned, as talk of Jurgen Klopp successors rumbles on, that there will be a “three-horse race” for Xabi Alonso’s services.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Spaniard impressing at Bayer Leverkusen
• Deal until 2026 mirrors Klopp's at Anfield
• Played in England, Spain and Germany

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Reds have no managerial vacancy to fill at Anfield, with Premier League and Champions League-winning coach Klopp tied to a contract through to 2026. The German tactician has, however, suggested that he will be bidding farewell to Merseyside when his current deal comes to a close.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Following in Klopp’s illustrious footsteps will be no easy task and debate has already begun regarding potential candidates to step into that void. Former Reds star Alonso has impressed during spells in charge of Real Sociedad B and Bayer Leverkusen, but the World Cup-winning former Spain international is becoming a man in demand. Ex-Liverpool team-mate Hamman – speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest – has said: “Xabi is doing fantastically well and it depends on how long Klopp stays at Liverpool. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two competitors to Xabi's services, too. It looks like Alonso will leave in the summer, but Real Madrid will need a new coach with Ancelotti going to Brazil. It's a matter of timing, but Xabi is highly rated at all three of those clubs, it could be a three-horse race. Having said that, Liverpool may not even need a manager in the summer, and perhaps they need to wait a bit longer.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Hamann, who spent time in Liverpool’s midfield engine room alongside Alonso, added on whether he saw the classy Spaniard becoming a top coach: “Xabi was a very good reader of the game, but if I look back at the players I played with, the ones I thought would become managers never did and vice-versa! You could always tell with Xabi he was a student of the game, and he had to be as he was never the quickest. I'm not surprised he's doing so well.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Alonso took the reins at Leverkusen in October 2022 and led them to the semi-finals of the Europa League during his debut campaign at the helm. His contract with the Bundesliga outfit is also due to run until 2026 – mirroring Klopp’s on Merseyside – but he has plenty of admirers in Madrid and Munich having also represented Real and Bayern with distinction during his playing days.

The U.S. needed every last minute to break down the Soca Warriors, but a trio of goals over the final 10 minutes saw the USMNT take the result.

If you felt a heavy gust of wind emanate from Q2 Stadium, it will have been from the collective exhale inside the venue. For 80 minute, the U.S. men's national team smashed their heads against a wall, failing to break down a 10-man Trinidad & Tobago. And, through those 80 minutes, it looked like the USMNT would be setting up a familiar scenario: a trip to T&T needing a result to qualify for a major tournament.

And thus, the exhale…three of them in fact. Unable to create much of anything, the U.S. blitzed the Soca Warriors for three goals in seven minutes, all but booking their place in the Copa America.

A first half red card to T&T's Noah Powder helped set the U.S. up, but it would take some time for the Americans to figure things out. The breakthrough didn't come until the 81st minute, when Ricardo Pepi flicked home an Antonee Robinson cross to take U.S. hands away from the panic button. Robinson scored a goal of his own five minutes later while Gio Reyna added another moments after that, giving the U.S. a 3-0 advantage heading to the second leg.

The scoreline will flatter the U.S. a bit, but they won't care. Job done, even if it was harded than it needed to be.

GOAL rates USMNT players from Q2 Stadium…

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Matt Turner (6/10):

  No saves, just a handful of touches. About as easy a game as you can have as a goalkeeper.

  Antonee Robinson (8/10):

  Played a few good crosses, but also gave the ball away a bunch. Ultimately, got the assist, although Pepi will deserve plenty of credit for the finish, before scoring a goal of his own.

  Tim Ream (7/10):

  Did everything right, as usual. Not much else to say about a player that is still so, so important to this team.

  Cameron Carter-Vickers (7/10):

  Provided the physical presence in the few moments that T&T did get forward, although those moments were few and far between.

  Sergino Dest (6/10):

  So close to a goal in the 73rd minute as he hit the hell out of the ball, forcing a good save. A typical performance from Dest, even if he didn't quite create that moment of magic he's capable of.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Weston McKennie (8/10):

  Almost certainly the best USMNT player on the field. Drove the ball forward, drew the red card and would have drawn a penalty if VAR didn't intervene. Overall, a great performance from the Juve star.

  Yunus Musah (6/10):

  In a game where the U.S. really needed someone else to run at the T&T defense, Musah always felt a bit too deep. Because of that, he never really impacted much in the attacking end.

  Gio Reyna (7/10):

  For most of the game, it felt like, if something was to happen, it was to come from Reyna. He had several good moments but finally got his goal late to put this game to bed.

• Getty
  

  Attack

  Malik Tillman (5/10):

  Totally anonymous, which is surprising considering his form with PSV. Never was able to contribute in a game where the U.S. needed him to.

  Folarin Balogun (6/10):

  Had little to no service throughout the game. The U.S. just still doesn't quite know how to get the best out of him, although his lovely one-two with Reyna on that third goal was a positive sign.

  Kevin Paredes (5/10):

  Just couldn't take his chance. Was unable to do much of anything in the first half and skied his best chance in the 64th minute.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Brenden Aaronson (7/10):

  Almost an immediate impact, but his shot went just wide. Overall, he did change the game off the bench, though.

  Ricardo Pepi (8/10):

  Choo-Choo! Got the goal the USMNT needed as he continues to change games off the bench. A big performance from the young forward.

  Gregg Berhalter (7/10):

  If this had gone live after the 80th minute, this score would have been a lot lower. Still, Berhalter stayed the course even as the U.S. struggled to break down T&T. He deserves credit for doing so as his guys, inevitably, wore them down before blowing them out.

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted it was a "big mistake" to snub a handshake with Pep Guardiola when Chelsea last played Manchester City.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Pochettino avoided handshake with Guardiola
• Claims same thing will not happen this weekend
• Two sides set to go head-to-head on Saturday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 4-4 draw between Chelsea and Manchester City ended in dramatic fashion earlier this season, as Pochettino angrily confronted referee Anthony Taylor as he felt Raheem Sterling had a chance to score on the counter-attack when the official blew the whistle. Such was his fury, he made a beeline for Taylor on the pitch, thus avoiding a handshake with Guardiola, and was booked for his outburst. With the two sides set to renew hostilities on Saturday, Pochettino has claimed that he will not behave in such a way again.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

  Pochettino said: "No, because I was so angry with the referee, remember? That was why. I then apologised in my press conference after the game. Of course, it is not going to happen again. I was so upset with the referee and I went like an arrow to the pitch to try and fight with the referee. Big mistake and I say sorry again. "I need to be more calm and relaxed and to show respect to the opponent. I feel really bad, but I apologise again."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pochettino and Guardiola have enjoyed a relatively jovial relationship in recent years and there have been no other flashpoints, with the two happily shaking hands when the Argentine was managing both Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain. One has to think that will be the case again this weekend.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The encounter between the two sides is vital for each. Chelsea can climb to seventh, while City can move top if they manage to vanquish their fellow Blues if other results go their way.

Idrissa Gueye has revealed that Lionel Messi mocked him for watching Everton games on his phone during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Senegalese star left Goodison in 2019
• Worked with iconic figures in France
• Returned to Merseyside in summer of 2022

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Senegal international midfielder spent one season working with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at Parc des Princes in 2021-22. He kept a close eye on events at Goodison Park during that campaign, as the Toffees battled to avoid relegation out of the Premier League.

Advertisement

• WHAT GUEYE SAID

  His team-mates in France were left a little puzzled by his interest in Everton, with Gueye telling : “It was difficult in the last year, we keep supporting, we believed. I remember [Julian] Draxler every time we lose, he would go 'you see your team, they are not good!' and I would say, 'We will survive' so the day we survived against Crystal Palace he said 'you were lucky' and I said 'I told you'. I told him to come to Everton but he hasn't listened!”

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Argentine icon Messi was another to question Gueye’s passion for the Toffees, but he did get Kylian Mbappe on board. The 34-year-old midfielder, who returned to Merseyside for a second spell in 2022, added: “Mbappe, yeah he would watch. He liked to watch every game. Messi, no. It was difficult for me because we were losing a lot and he would say, 'Bro come on you see your team is losing and playing like this?' but it was funny. I used to send Seamus Coleman, Mason Holgate and Jordan Pickford messages 'Bro, please do it!'. It was important for me to support and show I was there for them.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT?

  Gueye is hoping to help steer Everton clear of danger again in 2023-24, with another basement battle being played out. Messi, meanwhile, is now in MLS with Inter Miami while Mbappe is reportedly preparing to sever ties with PSG and complete a stunning move to Real Madrid as a free agent.

An assistant referee in La Liga was left bloodied and requiring treatment after colliding with a camera during Real Betis’ clash with Athletic Club.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Early goal at Benito Villamarin Stadium
• Official caught up in celebrations
• Taken away in an ambulance

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Female official Guadalupe Porras was the unfortunate linesperson in question as she took up a position on the touchline at Benito Villamarin Stadium. She was involved in proceedings for just 13 minutes before having to be escorted to hospital.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Porras was heading back towards the halfway line after helping to confirm Chimy Avila’s opening goal for Betis. She never made it that far as medical staff rushed to her aid with a stretcher and moved her into a nearby ambulance.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Porras is reported to have collided with a DAZN 4K television camera operator who was looking to film close-ups of the goal celebrations. She was left sporting a nasty cut above her eye and was replaced on the sidelines by fourth official Holgueras Castellanos following a lengthy delay to proceedings.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT FORMER REFEREE SAID

  Questions are now being asked of whether cameras need to get so close to the action, with former La Liga referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez telling Cadena SER: “Message to Javier Tebas [Liga president] – the camera goes where it shouldn't go. Please let them work, the assistant referee is as professional as a player.”

Wolves should tread very carefully about making a move for Napoli attacker Hirving Lozano this summer, according to Italian football expert Conor Clancy.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Lozano

Bruno Lage will be keen to make new signings during the summer transfer window, and one player with whom Wanderers have been linked in recent months is Lozano.

The £31.5m-rated Mexican has made 30 Serie A appearances for Napoli this season, registering five goals and five assist, along with netting once in the Europa League.

Lozano also famously shone at the 2018 World Cup with Mexico, chipping in with one goal and one assist and catching the eye with his dazzling performances out wide. Indeed, it was he who netted the winner against then-world champions Germany at that tournament.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-from-wolves-6/” title=”All the latest from Wolves!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Latest: Clancy sounds Lozano warning

Despite that impressive summer in Russia, Clancy is not convinced about Wolves signing the 26-year-old, telling GiveMeSport that Lozano is too hit-and-miss as a footballer.

The Serie A expert warned:

“Lozano, he’s what you expect from a number 10. He’s small, he can create, he can really amaze you on his day, but his days are too few and far between.

“He’ll frustrate you; he’ll have moments of brilliance, but he’s not someone to build a project around, I would say.”

[freshpress-poll id=“388780″]

The Verdict: One to avoid

While Lozano is clearly a talented player who is capable of match-winning moments on a big stage, Clancy’s assessment should act as a word of warning to Lage ahead of the summer.

Wolves need to be signing reliable players who are likely to perform in the Premier League on a consistent basis, rather than someone who will blow hot and cold all too often.

There could be some excitement if the Old Gold end up signing Lozano, given his pedigree at World Cup and Champions League level, but Lage could be better off focusing on the signing of a winger who isn’t going to leave the Molineux faithful tearing their hair out in frustration, as Clancy has suggested of the Mexican.

In other news, Wolves have been boosted in their quest to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

Celtic have been dealt a blow to their hopes of signing Ferencvaros striker Ryan Mmaee during the upcoming summer transfer window after a worrying behind-the-scenes development has emerged.

What’s the news?

Speaking to Hungarian media outlet NS (via Daily Record), Ferencvaros sports manager Tamas Hajnal made clear his stance on Mmaee’s future after recent reports emerged linking him with a move to Parkhead.

He said: “At the moment, however, I can’t report anything specific about this. Ryan is recovering from his injury anyway and I am sure he will stay with us this summer.”

Having scored 19 goals and delivered 11 assists in 37 appearances for the Hungarian club across all competitions this term, it’s easy to see why the Hoops have been linked with a move for Mmaee and why his current side are looking to keep hold of him.

Also, with the striker only signing for Ferencvaros last summer and still having a couple of years left on his contract, it’s understandable why the club would be reluctant to let him leave during the upcoming transfer window.

Bad news for Celtic

These comments from Hajnal will undoubtedly be bad news for Celtic and their hopes of signing the 24-year-old this summer, although it could just mean that it might take a substantial amount of money from the Bhoys to secure his signature.

If Celtic still want to test the Hungarian club’s resolve and try to bring Mmaee to Parkhead, it could be worth the gamble given the impressive attacking form he has shown this season.

However, while Ange Postecoglou may want more depth in his squad as they look to not only regain the Premiership title but go as far as they can in Europe, having the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis in his squad would still offer the Hoops a lot of attacking power.

In 41 league appearances combined this season, the Celtic pair racked up 25 goals between them, showing that Postecoglou can definitely rely on them to do the business at the top of the pitch for the Hoops when called upon.

Either way, if the Australian is looking for another striker to add to his squad this summer and should a move for Mmaee end up being out of the question, the Bhoys will then have to move on to other potential targets.

In other news – Better than McGregor: Postecoglou must secure Celtic move for “massive” £8m “rocket”

According to Sky Sports injury expert Ben Dinnery, Manchester City could have an agreement in place with Gareth Southgate to make sure that right-back Kyle Walker isn’t too heavily involved whilst on duty with England this month.

The Lowdown: Walker’s injury concerns

The 32-year-old veteran sustained an ankle injury earlier in the season during the Sky Blues’ Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. Pep Guardiola at one point even confirmed that the £150k-per-week star had been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Despite these fears, the defender managed to make a comeback and was named on the bench for City’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on the final day of the season, which clinched the Manchester outfit the Premier League title in dramatic style.

It was then revealed by the club’s media team just last week that the Sheffield-born talent had been included in the Three Lions squad for their upcoming Nations League games.

The Latest: Dinnery’s agreement claim

Speaking during an interview with Football Insider, Dinnery revealed that he thinks Southgate will be very sensible when it comes to Walker’s game time. He told correspondent Adam Williams:

“He is a very, very fit player.

“We saw that when he returned in the Champions League semi-final. He had done very little training with the group but he put his body on the line.

“Then, after being ruled out for the season, he made a surprise inclusion on the bench for the final day. The time between then and now will certainly have helped him.

“I’m sure Gareth Southgate will have agreed with clubs that he won’t be pushing players unnecessarily. I can’t see Kyle Walker playing every minute of every game.”

The Verdict: An integral England starter

The City gem first made his England debut under Fabio Capello 11 years ago and has since gone on to become an integral part of the Wembley outfit’s starting XI, having been capped 65 times to provide eight assists across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Walker has been equally as effective in and out of possession for Southgate’s team, where he averages 1.3 tackles and clearances apiece along with 6.5 long balls per game, via WhoScored, showing the impact he can have at both ends of the pitch.

The Three Lions are set to face Germany, Italy, and Hungary in their forthcoming fixtures over the next few weeks as they begin their preparations for the start of the World Cup in November.

In other news… a Manchester City first-team star has been told he is free to leave the club this summer.