18/03/2022
Good Morning and Welcome to Friday's Paper Talk...
Jose Mourinho. “I’m not happy that a lot of my players from tonight have to play again on Sunday while Lazio are at home smoking a cigarette with Sarri”
Diogo Jota: “When you have a player like Thiago, if you have the right space then you know he can see you and put the ball there, and it was the first time I really had space in the game in the defensive line and I took advantage of it and it was massive for us.”
Juventus are ready to let Dybala walk on a free. Allegri wants at least 3 “big” players, on the list are: Rudiger, Pogba, Jorginho and Zaniolo.
Real Madrid star Fede Valverde has been impressed by what he has seen from Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez.
“They are playing very well. They’ve had a very big change, “They are playing very well and it shows that they want to go looking for points in the game.
“For us, we have our play, we are going to go for something first and we have our weapons.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are the first full back pairing in Premier League history to record double figures for assists in 3 separate seasons.
Frank Lampard to Amazon: “I’ve broken my hand by the way in the celebrations. I’ll take it for the three points. I didn’t realise at the time but as the game went on, it was a bit sore & shaky. But I don’t care.”
"This is one of the best atmospheres that I've experienced in my career." Xavi on the road win at Galatasaray.
Juventus CEO Arrivabene on Paulo Dybala’s current deal expiring in June: “Nothing has been decided yet [on Dybala’s contract extension], it’s not guaranteed”, tells Corriere dello Sport.
“It depends on financial parameters and how he will act in the negotiations”.
Gary Neville: “I don’t blame Ralf Rangnick, there’s big players in this club, there’s big problems in this club, the owners are not good enough, the owners need to sell the club I’ve said that all season.”
Real Betis crashed out of the Europa League in gut-wrenching circumstances on Thursday night.
Paris Saint-Germain have not proposed any contract extension to Angél Di Maria as of today. Situation still quiet, Di Maria has now huge chances to leave the club as free agent.
Benfica have set a £67m asking price for their striker Darwin Nunez, according to a report.
Gareth Southgate: "In the last eight squads he [Rashford] has ended up pulling out of five, while Maguire has been in the team and a key part of the team for massive matches over a long period of time."
Tottenham Hotspur are set to make the Dejan Kulusevski move permanent, according to a report.
Gary Neville on Liverpool:
“Look at Jürgen Klopp, look at Jordan Henderson, they’re the 2 leaders of that football club in this moment of time on and off the pitch. They’re good people and they’re honest.”
Chelsea are set to officially close the bidding race to buy the club at 9pm this Friday, according to a report.
Everton hands Newcastle a second defeat in two matches following their loss to Chelsea. Iwobi’s goal ends a run of four winless games for Lampard’s team.
Manchester United have reportedly been scouting Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch ahead of a potential move during this summer's transfer window.
Southgate: 'It never crossed our mind not to select Harry Maguire in this squad. He's been a key part of the starting XI that got us to a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final.'
Chelsea's transfer targets will be having doubts about moving to the European champions this summer, an agent has warned. The Blues have been linked with a host of players including West Ham's England midfielder Declan Rice, 23.
Jorginho’s agent João Santos on contract expiring in 2023: “The market is blocked for Chelsea - if the situation gets resolved, the priority will be to extend the contract with Chelsea”.
“I haven't talked to Juventus but I know of their interest”.
Championship leaders Fulham are lining up moves for Liverpool defenders Joe Gomez and Neco Williams. England international Gomez, 24, is rated at £23m by the Reds. Wales full-back Williams, 20, is currently on loan at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool are said to have also made it known they are admirers of Marcus Rashford.
Ronald Koeman has revealed the humiliation he felt at being sacked by Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta on a flight back after defeat by Rayo Vallecano.
Atalanta general manager Luca Percassi used their Europa League quarter-final qualification to again protest that they have been ‘badly damaged’ in Serie A by refereeing decisions.
Cristiano Ronaldo is happy with the plan Manchester United have going forward, one he feels could lead them to ‘aspire to win the Premier League and the Champions League next season’.
Jose Mourinho criticised Roma for ‘giving the ball away so cheaply’ and was impressed with Vitesse in the Conference League, but joked Lazio are ‘home smoking with Maurizio Sarri’ to prepare for the derby.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane congratulates Atalanta and pin-points Merih Demiral for praise. ‘If not for him, we’d have created far more scoring opportunities.’
Jurgen Klopp spoke extensively to his players in a meeting at Kirkby in early January about the need to tighten up collectively. He wanted them to be more aggressive out of possession. He felt the balance wasn’t right, there were too many gaps.
Tammy Abraham admits the fans have been reminding him non-stop that he’s equalled Vincenzo Montella and Gabriel Batistuta with 21 goals in his debut Roma season, the one against Vitesse booking their Conference League quarter-final spot.
Gian Piero Gasperini is impressed by Bayer Leverkusen and describes where Merih Demiral can improve, but warns Barcelona aren’t the only club Atalanta want to avoid in the Europa League quarter-final draw.
Paul Pogba will see out his contract at Manchester United rather than agreeing a pre-contract with another club for next season.
Inter fans have reason to celebrate seeing Juventus crash out of the Champions League, as it boosted their coffers by €13.7m, while Milan still earned more than Atalanta.
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