Key events
Reports are suggesting Erling Haaland will not start, after all, this evening in Saudi Arabia. Julian Alvarez looks set to continue up front, with Rico Lewis to partner Rodri in midfield against Fluminense.
Suárez signs for Inter Miami
Inter Miami continue to get the Barcelona band back together. Luis Suárez has signed for the David Beckham MLS franchise on a single-year deal for the 2025 season.
He joins former Barça teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in Miami.
Unai Emery has no intention of allowing loanee Clément Lenglet back to Barcelona, despite suggestions that the centre-back could join AC Milan on another loan, after limited game time at Aston Villa.
The former Spurs defender has played just five times for Villa – all those appearances coming in the Conference League, but could make his league debut against Sheffield United tonight.
“I am very happy with him,” Emery said yesterday. “His commitment in every training session is amazing. He is a very good professional and always ready to play. The last matches he was sick. He was with us in Zrinjski.
“He was better at Brentford but still a little bit sick. Other players maybe wouldn’t be with the squad if they were feeling like he was.
“[On Friday] if everything is going well, I think he is going to play. I am wishing to see him and am really very excited about how he will help us in the next matches.”
Ivan Toney is available for selection from 17 January – and his Brentford manager Thomas Frank has been looking ahead to the striker’s return; although it won’t come without a flurry of transfer speculation.
“Ivan Toney is looking good and it’s very good to have him getting closer,” Frank said today. “We’re all looking forward to having him in the team again and he’s looking forward to it.
“He is a Brentford player right now and I expect him to be a Brentford player in the spring.”
Is this tweet from Erling Haaland to be interpreted as an early team news ‘hint’ for tonight’s Club World Cup final? The Manchester City hitman is nearing a return to full fitness, but playing in bare feet is probably inadvisable.
Time to get your Premier League preview on.
Revealed: Premier League 2024/25 scheduling details
More on the fact that there will be no Christmas Eve fixtures in the 2024/25 season, with the Premier League also announcing the following:
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The first weekend of the season will be on 17 August, 2024
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The final round of matches will take place on 25 May, 2025
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The league say “arrangements will be made to allow more rest time over three of the festive match rounds”
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The 2024/25 season will consist of 33 weekends, four mid-weeks and one Bank Holiday match round
More from Mauricio Pochettino here, as the Chelsea head coach expressed his frustration at apparently feeling pressured into rushing players back from injury – including a thinly-veiled dig at the entourage of forward Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman was out for a long time after signing for Chelsea in the summer.
I want to make clear with the players [who have had] a big period off, they are desperate to be involved. They can be involved – but in which way? In which form? At what level? It’s easy to say, ‘I want to play’, but we are competing. This is a serious competition.
After six months off like Nkunku and Lavia, they need to understand they must train really, really hard every day to be involved. They need to make an impact every time they go to the pitch.
Sometimes the professionals feel so disappointed because they want to play. It’s difficult to understand. The environment of the player, also, they [the representatives] say they are disappointed because Nkunku didn’t play against Sheffield United.
I am disappointed to have a player that should be an important player for us [who] is not helping the team. If he doesn’t play, it is not because we don’t believe in him. It is because there are many other players fit and training in six months and at that moment maybe we need to decide.
Well that’s something, I suppose. Chelsea and Wolves fans will be wondering why it couldn’t have happened in 2023.
Premier League announce there will be no fixtures on Christmas Eve in 2024
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) December 22, 2023
Thanks Luke, good to be back. Here’s Andy Hunter on Everton’s blue Christmas.
And that concludes my contribution to today’s festive football blog: Dom is here to take it home. Merry Christmas to all.
What do you mean, you missed our La Liga roundup from last night?
Real Madrid, the European Super League panto villains, went top thanks to a late winner from Lucas Vázquez against Alavés:
A further smattering of Klopp after the furore, or semi-furore, following his comments about home fans at Anfield during the week and how he was disappointed with the atmosphere in the Carabao Cup win against West Ham.
“It was my feeling, directly after the game … we missed a chance, and I turned around and people were sitting there, flat,” Klopp said.
“I enjoyed 99.7% of each second in that stadium … I didn’t know everyone takes me word for word, but maybe after all the years, I should be used to that.
“If people wanted to understand me right, I think it was possible … we need Anfield tomorrow. That’s 100% true. I can’t wait for the first whistle to be honest.”
Klopp glad Fifa and Uefa had ‘a bit of a shake’ over Super League ruling
The Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, opposes the European Super League but said he is glad Fifa and Uefa “get a bit of a shake” from a court ruling that curbs their power.
The European Union’s top court ruled against the attempt by Uefa and Fifa to block plans for the breakaway competition. The Premier League club released a statement ahead of Klopp’s press conference to reiterate its position that it is not involved in the Super League and will continue playing in Uefa competitions.
“I agree 100% with that statement, but I like the verdict anyway — just like it that we finally get a little bit of understanding that Fifa and Uefa and other FAs or whatever cannot just do what they want,” Klopp said.
“In football we have to talk about a lot of stuff and if you are just doing those things they do like putting in competitions with more games and nobody has a real say in it… I like that they get a bit of a shake — OK, you cannot exactly do what you want,” he said. “But no, Super League, same opinion like I had before.” (AP)
You can’t beat a nice, polished social media graphic to mark cup final day. The Club World Cup final, Manchester City v Fluminense, kicks off in exactly three hours.
If you missed Jürgen Klopp complaining about the atmosphere at Anfield a couple of days ago, here’s the video:
Welch refereeing Fulham v Burnley ‘a matter of quality’ – Silva
The Fulham manager, Marco Silva, insists he and his players will treat Rebecca Welch no differently to any other referee ahead of her landmark first Premier League match. Welch will become the first woman to take charge of a top-flight match when Fulham face Burnley at Craven Cottage on Saturday. The 40-year-old became the first female fourth official in the top flight when Fulham hosted Manchester United in November.
Silva said: “It is important, of course. She was the first (female) fourth official in the Premier League in our game at the Cottage as well and we are going to welcome her here again. It should not even be a question, it is a matter of quality and the ability to referee a football match and for sure she has or she’s not going to be at this level.
“For us it will be a normal situation. Of course it will be the first time so everyone has to talk about it, but when the game starts it is going to be another Premier League game, with people with good ability to be a manager, a player or to be a referee.
“For us she is going to be the ref in the game. For us it has to be something normal. I know it’s not normal because it’s the first time but for us it’s completely the same. We will not even talk about it before the match because for us she is the ref like she was the fourth official some weeks ago in our game against Manchester United and for us it was a normal situation. Tomorrow is going to be the same. We have to always respect all the officials and she’s going to be welcomed. She got this chance because she deserves it for sure, and she has the ability to be at the level she is going to be tomorrow.”
“It’s been a very good month … But we want to have a better Christmas,” says Fulham’s Marco Silva before the home game with Burnley tomorrow and the Boxing Day meeting away at Bournemouth.
“Christmas hasn’t arrived yet and for us to have a really good Christmas, we have a game tomorrow to win, and that is our aim really, our vision.
“Of course we are going to train on Christmas Day. We are going to prepare, we are going to be together.”
As for meeting Burnley, Silva added: “It’s a really dangerous game, I don’t have doubts about it … When we analyse a team we analyse their strengths, their weaknesses and their organisation, and what I can tell you is that, even without the best results, they are a really well organised team.
Tottenham’s Postecoglou was also asked about their disciplinary record: 46 yellow cards and four reds thus far.
“It’s obviously something that is not great for us, because it’s costing us during games, post games,” Postecoglou said. “The players are well aware of the impact that those kinds of things have and I’m sure they’ll learn from those experiences.
“My experience in football is that the best remedy for those kinds of things is the players feeling like they’re missing out on something. It brings them back into line pretty quickly. Hopefully we keep winning and the guys that miss out learn their lesson that way.”
Fulham’s Marco Silva will be talking soon.
A bit more from Ten Hag now, on Rasmus Højlund, and Manchester United’s recent lack of goals, and why injuries are partly to blame: “His mentality is great. He’s a very good performer under stress. He deals with that. But it’s not just about Rasmus Højlund. It’s also about Marcus Rashford, about Garnacho, about Antony, it’s also about Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay … don’t forget our full-backs, who have to be a big part in that. I’m sure we will work on that fact [goal scoring] as a group … I’m sure we will be improving. If our squad is full, complete, is better balanced … we should create more chances.”
How did our panel of 218 judges vote for the top 100 men’s footballers of 2023?
Marcus Christenson explains all:
I agree with Claire about Gallagher’s qualities. At a club frequently hampered by bizarre decision-making, potentially selling such a quality midfielder to a direct rival might top the lot.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked about Conor Gallagher’s future and gave a distinctly non-commital, “I just work here” kind of answer.
“It’s between the club and the player … he’s doing well, he’s doing fantastic for the team,” Pochettino said. “But in another side, talking about the future is more about the club, and the player, and to see what they decide to do.”
Thanks to Chelsea supporter, Claire McConnell, for an email about the prospect of Conor Gallagher leaving Chelsea for Tottenham:
“It would be an unmitigated disaster,” writes Claire. “He knows Chelsea, he’s one of our own. He’s captained the team many times, so Poch has faith in him, and rates him highly. He works oh so hard and provides energy and passion lacking in others. Ok yes I understand FFP, but to fix our spending problems on the back of one of our best players would suggest utter myopia by the ownership, and signify where their interests really lie – please let us keep our Conor.”
Thanks Dom. Enjoy your sandwich.
Right, what’s occurring? Mikel Arteta is on my telly but that was literally five hours ago. Let’s have a look for something else.
I’m off to grab a sandwich, so here’s Luke McLaughlin to see you through the next bit. There’s more pressers aplenty, as well as buildup to that big Club World Cup final, coming up.
Tottenham issue latest on Maddison and Van de Ven
It’s not great news for Tottenham on the injury front right now, with Ange Postecoglou confirming neither James Maddison nor Micky van de Ven are anything like close to returning to training, as they battle hamstring lay-offs.
Both had been key players after signing for big Ange at the start of his reign at Spurs, but he’s had to adapt without them, with the likes of Gio Lo Celso and Ben Davies stepping in.
“They’re both in rehab and neither of them are anywhere near training with the first team at the moment,” said Postecoglou on Madders and Micky.
“If you look at timelines, [they] did it in pretty much in the same game. Micky might be just ahead of schedule in terms of with Madders. Both kind of January and [Rodrigo] Bentancur fairly similar.”
Oh, mate.
Quite, John. Quite.
Why are they still arguing about Mary Earps? It was a public vote. You lost, get over it.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) December 21, 2023
Jürgen Klopp adds to Liverpool’s statement on the European Super League, speaking at today’s press conference:
On this, Klopp says: “I agree 100% with the statement. I also like that we finally get an understanding that Uefa and other FAs can’t just do what they want, putting in more games with people having no say in it. I like that they’ve got a bit of a shake.” https://t.co/LR5UrP3lJA
— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) December 22, 2023
Another good read here. Hannah Jane Parkinson on a refereeing milestone.
The Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has been speaking today about the ordeal the club went through last weekend, with the collapse of their captain Tom Lockyer due to a cardiac arrest in their game against Bournemouth. Edwards has revealed the unity in his squad and the desire to ‘do it for Locks’ as they take on Newcastle at Kenilworth Road tomorrow.
I’ve been really careful not for anything to seem like we’re using it. It’s about ‘what would Locks want?’
I think that’s the most important thing now, and what does this group of people want? We’re a really tight-knit group, a family, and we’ve got to look after each other now.
It’s about really coming together even more than we already are. And we do want to do it for Locks, but that’s coming from the right place as well. It can’t be selfish, and I’ve been really keen to stress that.
It was a really scary moment, the scariest moment I think I’ve ever had in football. I was emotional on Saturday. It scared me, but everyone rallied. The medical guys were incredible, in such a scary, pressurised situation with the world watching them as well.
They made every decision bang on. I’m so proud of them. They saved him. They’re real heroes.
Reece James is such a terrific footballer who’s had rotten luck with injuries. This latest one is another big blow for the Chelsea star, with Mauricio Pochettino hopeful 2024 will bring better fortune.
Pochettino says Reece James is out for “several weeks or months”.
Adding, “I hope less than four months, it is my wish for the New Year”. https://t.co/RUdkJRBKyE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 22, 2023
An email from Liverpool fan Madge Stapleton on the club’s European Super League flip-flop in April 2021:
I think you’ll find that Liverpool fans, including [supporters’ trust] Spirit of Shankly, were vehemently opposed to the Super League, as were the players. John Henry was forced to apologise for his underhand behaviour. I think we all remember his hilarious sackcloth-and-ashes demeanour at the time. It shows the importance of fan solidarity and groups like the SoS.
Absolutely right, Madge. It was just a shame owners didn’t bother consulting fans before airing their ill-fated plans.
Ten Hag on United injuries and January transfer plans
Erik ten Hag added that he’s “happy” with his Manchester United squad when pressed about the current injury crisis and the prospect of dipping into the January transfer market.
“The current squad, I am happy,” he said. “As we get our players back, we have a good squad, a lot of the way it went in the first season, the reasons behind because many players were not available.
“I am sure when all players are on board it looks different, Casemiro, Martinez, Mount, we will be much stronger after the window.”
Speaking of Manchester United, here’s Erik ten Hag, speaking about his defensive injury malaise …
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag says Harry Maguire is scheduled to return from injury in the early part of January while Victor Lindelof will be out for a couple of weeks 🔴 pic.twitter.com/WCseCSZPPH
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 22, 2023
The revered Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth has been linked with a possible move to Ineos’ Manchester United project in recent days, with Eddie Howe addressing such speculation in today’s press conference.
Ashworth, formerly of the FA and Brighton, is well respected in the game and apparently on United’s list of would-be DOFs, but Howe says he’s committed to St James’ Park.
“Of course I’ve spoken to Dan, but not necessarily about that,” Howe said on the United links. “It’s very difficult to comment on speculation, whether that be a player or someone in Dan’s position. I’ve got no doubt that Dan is here for the long-term, but it’s probably a question for Dan rather than me.
“He’s done a really good job in helping us in loads of different ways – building departments, the training ground, he’s connected with everything that goes on in terms of the decision making at the football club.
“He’s hugely important and has been a really calming influence behind the scenes, his vast experience has really helped.”
Liverpool statement on European Super League
Liverpool have joined many other clubs in reiterating their opposition to the European Super League. (They didn’t initially do that back in April 2021, did they … no, no they didn’t. )
Here’s a statement that’s just been released on their website:
Yesterday’s ruling by the European Court of Justice does not change Liverpool FC’s previous stance on a proposed European Super League. Our involvement has been discontinued. We will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions.
