Premier League

Jamie Carragher has sent a warning to Thomas Tuchel he is dealing with a ‘timebomb’ in the shape of the club’s record signing Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer after a £97m move from Inter Milan and was billed as the final piece in Tuchel’s jigsaw. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After a good start, however, Lukaku’s form has deteriorated to the extent he is not even currently considered an automatic starter and was criticsed for his recent performances against Manchester City and Brighton. The controversial interview he gave to Italian media this month has hardly helped what appears to be a fractious relationship with his current manager and Carragher fears Chelsea may have to cut ties with Lukaku at the...

Ralf Rangnick has again defended Cristiano Ronaldo substitution, also revealing Bruno Fernandes has been unhappy in the past, but says his decisions are always in the best interests of the team. The former Juventus forward threw a strop during ManchestervUnited’s 3-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday when he was withdrawn for Marcus Rashford, with the latter netting their third goal just a few moments later. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ronaldo was criticised for his reaction, but Rangnick has defended the player and the decision to sub him off, while he says Fernandes has reacted similarly in the past – though that will not stop the German from making tough decisions in the future. Ian Wright hits out at Cristiano Ronaldo after Brentford strop Anto...

Antonio Conte has given his Tottenham players more incentive to beat Chelsea this weekend by promising them extra time off next week as a reward, according to reports. They are unbeaten in their first nine Premier League games under the Italian manager, though they lost to Chelsea in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final with an aggregate score of 3-0. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sunday’s latest trip presents a huge chance for Tottenham, though, who would move five points behind the Blues with four matches in hand if they win, dragging the Blues into the top-four race. Rangnick speaks out on Ronaldo sub & reveals another Man Utd star was ‘not happy’ Alexander-Arnold fires warning to Chelsea after Liverpool reach Carabao Cup final If th...

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Gabriel Martinelli as an ‘outstanding’ player after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi final on Thursday. Two goals from Diogo Jota were enough to secure the win at the Emirates to book Liverpool’s place in the Carabao Cup final against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea on February 27. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Martinelli, meanwhile, provided huge problems for Trent Alexander-Arnold on Liverpool’s right flank. And after the game, Klopp singled out the Brazilian star for special praise. When asked about the prospect of facing Chelsea in the final, Klopp started his answer with: ‘Martinelli by the way, everybody should remember that name because he’s an outstanding player.’      (adsbygoogle = w...

Trent Alexander-Arnold has told Chelsea that Liverpool are desperate to win silverware in front of supporters after setting up a Carabao cup final. Jurgen Klopp's side saw off Arsenal at the Emirates in their semi-final with the goals in either half from Diogo Jota. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The two clubs had drawn the first-leg at Anfield but the Merseyside outfit will now prepare for a final with the Blues next month at Wembley. Liverpool and Chelsea have already squared off twice this campaign. Both matches ended in draws with the most recent a 2-2 draw.      (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); There will be no sharing the spoils in February however and Alexander-Arnold knows they need to deliver. He told Sky Sports: ...

Former Arsenal player Ian Wright has paid tribute to ‘inspirational’ Edouard Mendy after the Chelsea keeper’s outstanding rise was recognised by FIFA. On Monday, the Senegalese goalie won the Best Fifa men’s goalkeeper award after a superb first campaign at Stamford Bridge, in which he kept a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League final win over Man City. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Mendy also helped the Blues reach the FA Cup final and secure a top-four finish after displacing Kepa Arrizabalaga as first-choice goalkeeper. The 29-year-old’s development is even more impressive given he almost walked away from the sport totally in 2016 as he was not able to find a new team.      (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Lack o...

Ralf Rangnick believes he has found the ‘perfect’ position for Bruno Fernandes in his Manchester United team after the 3-1 win at Brentford. The interim manager had David de Gea to thank for ensuring the scores remained level at the break after the Spaniard produced a number of excellent saves to frustrate Thomas Frank’s side. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Red devils emerged a much improved team in the second period with Fernandes at the heart of their attacking play, operating in a deeper No.8 role from which he produced assists for the goals scored by Greenwood and Marcus Rashford. Rangnick previously found it difficult to accommodate Fernandes in his preferred No.10 role having attempted to fit him, unsuccessfully, into his favoured 4-2-2-2 f...

Ralf Rangnick told Cristiano Ronaldo he was substituted ‘in the interests of the team’ during Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Brentford on Wednesday. The Portuguese forward reacted angrily to being replaced by Harry Maguire in the 71st minute with the Red devils already leading 2-0. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As he made his way to United’s dugout, Ronaldo was seen throwing his coat to the floor and asking the coaching staff, ‘why me?’ as he sat on the steps next to the bench. But Rangnick defended his decision and said he has ‘no issue’ with Ronaldo. Speaking about the incident after the match, Rangnick said: ‘The only reaction I got was him asking me, ‘why me, why did you take me off?’. I said to him, ‘listen, I have to take the decision in t...