That’s all from me today. Check out David Hytner’s England squad report for a recap of the day’s big news and enjoy the rest of your evening.
Updated
If you enjoyed this blog, sign up to Football Daily for the latest updates.
Eddie Howe’s side need a big result after their heavy defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday. Reflecting on that loss, Howe said:
We need to regroup and, as always, look at some of the positives. I know we lost 7-2, but for the first half we were more than a match for Barcelona, it was a very even game. Our bravery in and out of possession was excellent, but of course we need to learn from the second half. The individual errors we made can’t happen again.
The Tyne-Wear derby is the standout Premier League game this weekend. Sunderland beat Newcastle 1-0 in the reverse fixture. The Sunderland head coach Regis le Bris said:
The first game set the tone and the standard. It will be a different occasion, but our focus is on us. We’re not overloading the game with emotions, we’re just controlling the controllables.
Updated
Away from England, there’s injury news for Portugal’s national team. Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of their friendlies against Mexico and the United States. No reunion for Ronaldo and his friend Donald Trump then.
We also have a quiz for you to enjoy!
Which clubs will be relegated from the Premier League? Check out our piece and email me with your thoughts.
Guglielmo Vicario will have an operation on a hernia next week. The Spurs keeper will still play against Nottingham Forest this weekend and is expected to recover from his operation sometime next month.
He also spoke about Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of the Afcon title and its effect on Senegalese left back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
What happens in the pitch stays in the pitch for me. For me, Malick is a champion, it’s over and all the decisions that come after that. For Malick, he’s happy and he deserves a medal.
Nuno Espírito Santo spoke to the press before West Ham’s game against Aston Villa. Addressing Jarrod Bowen’s England call up he said: “I’m very happy and I think it’s deserved … I didn’t see the makeup of the England squad. I just got the info Jarrod is in it and that’s enough.”
Here’s another message from Krishnamoorthy:
Arteta may be playing the situation by the rules suppressing all his emotions and pressures. It is, nevertheless, pretty obvious that a lot rests on this apparently ‘just another trophy’. The positive of winning this , and starting the Quadruple dance, can’t be over emphasized. Lose it and probably the dominoes start to fall. This final is probably the most important game of this season in my opinion. Pivotal.
Updated
Igor Tudor has revealed that James Maddison could still play a part in Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation fight. The attacking midfielder has been out for almost 10 months with a knee injury and it was touch and go whether he would play this season. But in his press conference ahead of a huge relegation crunch match against Nottingham Forest, Tudor said that Maddison is “positive” and there is a chance he returns before the end of May. “Maddison is already doing interesting things as well with the ball,” Tudor said. “Sprinting as well. I saw him.”
Thanks Luke! Keep on sending in your thoughts on the England squad and this weekend’s games.
That’s the lot from me, Xaymaca has returned to steer you through the afternoon.
“Is Trent Alexander-Arnold really not worthy of a place in 35 man squad?” asks Sai on email.
“If Reece James was there, I understand his exclusion as James does offer what TAA can in attack. But to not have him when Reece James is injured is boggling my mind.”
A reporter asks Mikel Arteta: “There has been talk about “trusting the process”. Does that apply on Sunday?”
“I don’t know. At the end you have to win a lot of games. People have to believe in the project …”
Well, if that doesn’t get you excited for Sunday, what will?
Updated
Whatever you do, don’t miss Barney Ronay on Millwall, the club’s new 999-year lease at the Den, and much more besides:
Updated
“It’s about the next step, the next game … you need certain moments to go your way,” Arteta continues.
“Winning always helps. It gives you confidence, a feeling you can do it when it comes to that moment.”
This is electrifying stuff!
“It is going to be one of the defining moments of the season … we need to prove our point, that’s clear, it needs to be done on the pitch,” says Arteta.
“It’s not about the apprentice and the master. In this profession you are constantly learning, constantly evolving … I was lucky to work with Pep but you have to continue to evolve.”
Updated
Is Arteta nervous?
“No. Not today.
“Excited. Enthusiastic. Positive.”
“We are focused on preparing and making it happen in the next 48 hours,” says Arteta, answering a question about this match maybe having wider ramifications than just the trophy. “Only that.”
Arteta has never lost at Wembley as a player or coach (four times in each capacity). Why?
“I don’t know. But let’s keep it the same.”
Micky Arteta is speaking now before the Carabao Cup final: “The Arsenal” v Manchester City at 4.30pm on Sunday. He reveals he has no fresh injury concerns.
Updated
Nice email Russell, thanks.
I’ve not thought hard enough about it to say I agree or disagree. What I can say with confidence is that if you start Kane, you need as much pace as possible everywhere else in forward areas, because he obviously poses no threat running behind and beyond the opposition defence. At a major tournament that is a BIG problem unless you compensate for it as much as possible with pacey players to run beyond and around. And even then it’s arguably still a major problem unless you keep the ball exceptionally well. (Which England traditionally have never been capable of in major tournaments.)
Updated
“My reaction upon seeing the squad is, in essence this is England’s big problem that had been building for a while, now come to a head,” emails Russell. “A real need to develop world-class forwards that had been identified during the nadir of the late 2000s and early 2010s has manifested in a surfeit of attackers, all peaking at the same time and all of whom would justifiably feel they’ve earned a look-in, and we’re even still talking about Dowman. But realistically, you can’t take them all, and even if you did, what would be the point?
“Everyone knows come matchday 1, Kane will start. At most, two of the other 10+ will play alongside him. One or two more might run on when games are safe or desperately need chasing. Who of the remaining 6-7 will be willing to sit there, at best, hoping for 15 minutes against Panama, assuming no result is needed by then? It cannot help but be tokenism.
“Meanwhile, none of the central defenders (a position of such strength for England in the 2000s) are world-class, one of the right-backs (Spence) isn’t really a right-back and the left-back has had two caps. Even the best virtues of the best midfielders are offensive rather than defensive (the one who could actually offer the most balance, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has had a fine season, is extremely unlucky). None of this is Tuchel’s fault, obviously, but just like Eriksson’s managerial epitaph was “couldn’t make Lampard and Gerrard work”, Tuchel’s could well be “too many forwards”.”
“It was a beautiful sensation, a feeling of togetherness with the fans,” Tudor says of the win against Atletico Madrid that nonetheless saw them eliminated from the Champions League . “Very rare I felt this. I enjoyed the feeling, the sensation we were doing good on the pitch, but together with them. Really nice – rare. We need to continue all together, this if we can say, this small positive moment, after these two games.
“We can recognise small but important things for the squad. There is a positivity … [Forest] is an important game but it will probably not decide anything.”
Tudor says Dominic Solanke did not train today, but probably will tomorrow, and “will be OK”.
Of his misconduct charge from the FA for comments about the referee after defeat by Fulham, he says: “To focus on the game is the most important thing.”
What did he learn about his players this week? “Nothing new.”
Is it an advantage that Forest went to penalties midweek? “It is not an advantage.”
How important will set-pieces be against Forest? “Set-pieces are important. We need to win them if it’s possible. It’s not just set-pieces. We need to be “inside” from the first second of the game. Big respect to them … but we need confidence and courage in what we do.”
Updated
Igor Tudor is having a chat with media now before Tottenham’s relegation six-pointer against on Sunday.
A video of super Tommy Tuchel below, talking about the Trent omission, with a dash of Max Dowman:
Updated
“It’s important the players stay level-headed,” says the Coventry manager Frank Lampard before tomorrow evening’s Championship test at Swansea City. Cov were beaten 2-1 by Southampton last time out.
“I know they’re a good group, resilient … I know they are good players, the table says so.
“You’re going to take a few hits in this league, there are 46 games. We’ve been the team that have been proven to be at the top of that so far. We need to take confidence from that and move forward.”
Updated
“So sad that Trent’s not included,” emails Claire of Tuchel’s latest playing panel.
“Do you think he would have been left out of the French/Spanish/Portuguese squad? (If he were any of those nationalities, of course.)
“I can see why he might not fit well in a Thomas Tuchel team - which I see as exciting, dynamic and efficient but not massively creative … Hmmm.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan was just on my telly talking about his incredible 153 break in Yuhan.
“I just wish I got paid more for it, that’s all.”
Stay classy, Ronnie.
Also from Andrews, on Igor Thiago’s Brazil call-up and the possibility of the forward winning the Premier League golden boot:
“He needs to keep striving, keep pushing hard – he’s an amazing character.
“He’s had a big week with his call-up to Brazil. Such a proud moment for him and his family, and us as a football club. It’s pretty special. We’re going to keep supporting him, like we always have, and hopefully he can keep scoring consistently.”
Updated
A quick injury update from Keith Andrews, the Brentford boss, before his side’s Premier League trip to Leeds tomorrow night.
“Dams [Mikkel Damsgaard] was on the grass today. Which was obviouslly positive. We’ll give him every chance for tomorrow.”
Andrews is asked about all the predictions, before the season, that Brentford would be relegated.
“I’m not aware of what was said. I had a decent idea at the time … I don’t read or watch very much. I focus on what I can control. We’ve spoken a lot about our journey which has been very pleasing and gives us a lot of pride about what we stand for. We’ve got eight huge games left.
“All our focus naturally just goes in to what we do day today. Then what people say is their prerogative.”
Updated
Liverpool condemn online racist abuse of Konaté
Liverpool have condemned the “vile and abhorrent racist abuse” aimed at Ibrahima Konaté following their Champions League win over Galatasaray and accused social media companies of allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked.
Konaté has received racist abuse, comments about the recent death of his father and even about Diogo Jota having been involved in the incident that left Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen with a fractured arm at Anfield on Wednesday.
Liverpool have not only condemned the abuse in the strongest possible terms but widened their criticism to include social media companies who fail to prevent it or take action against it.
“This behaviour is utterly unacceptable. It is dehumanising, cowardly and rooted in hate,” read a club statement. “Our players are not targets. They are human beings. The abuse that continues to be directed at players, often hidden behind anonymous accounts, is a stain on the game and on the platforms that allow it to persist.
“Words of condemnation alone are not sufficient. Social media companies must take responsibility and act now. These platforms have the power, the technology and the resources to prevent this abuse, yet too often they fail to do so. Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice – and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game.
“We will continue to offer Ibrahima our full support and will work with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible wherever possible. But the burden cannot keep falling on players and clubs to respond after the damage has already been done. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It must be confronted, challenged and eradicated – not tomorrow, but now.”
Thomas Tuchel says England will not take risks with Jude Bellingham’s fitness as the Real Madrid star continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old was reduced to tears after pulling up injured in the opening stages of the Spanish giants’ 2-1 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano on 1 February.
Bellingham is yet to return to action and watched from the stands as Real overcame Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, but three days later the midfielder was included in England’s 35-man squad.
Tuchel believes it is important to have the midfielder in the final camp before the World Cup but tried to set expectations ahead of the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
“Everyone had the same interest, which is not always the case,” the England boss said. “But in this case, we all had the same interest.
“I wanted Jude to be in camp, Jude wanted to be in camp and Real Madrid is happy for him to come to camp because we can provide, basically, team training for him, which is a bit difficult because Real Madrid is just like on the international break.
“We can provide that, so all boxes are ticked. I think it was very important to get the expectations right - it is maybe also very important to get your expectations right (in the media) about Jude in this camp.
“We will continue his progress in integration into team training. We will be very careful and not take any risk with Jude regarding a risk of re-injury.
“It’s a very rare injury for him to have a muscle injury, so he’s not experienced in it, so we will be very, very careful with it and not take any risk.
“The best case scenario is that he gets some minutes against Japan. That is the framework and then we will adapt from day to day.” PA Media
A few bits from earlier, including things to look out for this weekend:
In other recap news. Why did Tuchel leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his squad again?
“It is more the evidence we have, that we were good in September, October, November, than any reflection on Trent.
“I know very well what Trent can offer us … I played many times against him [as a club manager], and suffered … I know what he can give.
“We have evidence of how good we were in September, October, November … those full-backs have to push, they have to show again they deserve their spot.”
Updated
That of course is David Hytner’s news hit on the 35-man England squad, if you missed it earlier.
Thomas Tuchel has recalled Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo for the Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in an enlarged England squad of 35 players. The manager said he has picked almost two groups for the matches in order to give opportunities to fringe players and, initially, rest to other more established ones at this critical stage of the season.
Tuchel’s other headlines were the decisions to bring back Lewis Hall, Fikayo Tomori, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke. He has also given a first call-up to James Garner. Tino Livramento is back. The most eye-catching omissions were those of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ollie Watkins, who have to fear for their World Cup places.
I can exclusively reveal that I have a ticket for England v Uruguay next week.
Do you?
You can mail me with your reaction to Tuchel’s squad, and his decision not to involve 11 front-line players against the South Americans.
Is it ironic that Arsenal have adopted the dark arts after Arteta criticised Guardiola for the same? (Jamie with the question again.)
“Did you hear me talk about dark arts and Arsenal? [Or] Do you say that?"
“What time is the conference in London? You have time to go to London and ask Mikel about that …
“The officials have to handle it or the guys, behind the scenes …
“Look what happened around the world … The world is going to collapse, and we are here talking about the “dark arts” from one team or the other team … there are more important things than that.”
Note: The world is not going to collapse.
Updated
Our very own Jamie Jackson asks: Was there a falling out between Arteta and Guardiola last year, after the game when Rodri got injured? Are they friends now, do they have dinner together?
“I don’t have time to go to London and I think he has no time, with four competitions, to come to Manchester … all the managers have a lot of business to do … if you want to try to create some conflict between me and Mikel, I am old enough to do that.” [I think he means old enough to see it coming and not rise to it.]
Updated
“To be there [in the final] is a big honour and a big challenge,” Guardiola says of facing Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday.
What impresses him about Arsenal’s progress under Mikel Arteta? Admittedly I didn’t catch all of it but this featured:
“They control many things, many aspects of the game. A spirit of many years of winning. You see a solidarity in all the aspects. They control when they defend deep, when they are high, the buildups, long balls, second balls … many, many good things. They have alternatives, there is a fluidity in his [Arteta’s] buildup, there is no pattern, consistent pattern – as I said, fluidity. Champions League they won all their games in the group stage … exceptional team. It’s a big challenge for us to see our level.”
How focused is Erling Haaland?
“I’m pretty sure he’s focused, like all of us. I didn’t speak with him. We had two days off. I’m pretty sure he’s ready.
What about Antoine Semenyo, big moment for him, first game at Wembley?
“As with James [Trafford, the goalkeeper who Guardiola says will start], for all of us. To reach these finals is really tough.
“Being there … it’s a big opportunity … you never know when it’s going to happen again.”
Updated
Thank you Xaymaca. Pep Guardiola is speaking now before the Rumbelows Cup final on Sunday.
Updated
That’s all from me for now. I’m handing over to the very capable Luke McLaughlin.
Away from the national team call ups, we also have Premier League and League Cup games to look forward to. Here are the talking points going into the weekend.
Who do you think Tuchel should start as England’s no. 10 at the World Cup?
Tuchel on England's no. 10: 'We will have to make a tough call'
We need clarity around every position. It is unlikely that we bring three, four or five players for one position. That will confuse everyone. The choice between world-class players in the number 10 means at some point we will have to make a tough call. The competition is on [in March], but we will share it.
Here’s Rick Harris’ opinion on Luke Shaw:
I find the omission of Luke Shaw extraordinary unless the player himself has called time on his international career. Shaw is defensively better than Lewis Hall or Livramento and I would question the assertion that he isn’t able to get forward as much as he previously did. He has played most of United’s games this season so the injury argument is rather flawed. The thing that swings it for Shaw however is his ability to play at centre back so that versatility ought to be a no brainer. I agree with Maguire and Mainoo being recalled but Shaw has been more impressive this season than either of those two. Livramento has barely featured for Newcastle incidentally.
A message from Tim Talbot:
Danny Welbeck has gotta feel hard done by. Comes across as a calm, experienced guy who could be an asset to the squad at a World Cup; and in the form he’s currently in, pop up with a few extra time goals.
I agree, he’s made a great case to be included. He’s older than the other options but I’d count on him to roll back the years.
Here’s Kirsty McNally’s response to the previous comments about John Stones:
John Stones is not diminished he is one of the best players in England. He is fit. What he needs is games. Should he get that between now and the World Cup it is a no brainer he starts.
Tuchel refuses to rule out Dowman for the World Cup
While Arsenal prodigy Max Dowman is not named in the group, Tuchel did not rule out the 16-year-old’s chances of forcing his way into the squad for the World Cup.
He has put himself into the spotlight,” he said. “He’s a fantastic talent. The reality is he’s not a regular starter. He’s in the best environment possible, learning from the very best. We always have the chance to call him up for the World Cup. There is no need to call him up now to increase the pressure but we have all the options.
Updated
When asked about Alexander-Arnold’s omission, Tuchel went on to say:
I know it’s a tough one, I know it’s a big name. He’s a huge talent with a big career. The right-backs (we have) offer slightly different profiles (to Alexander-Arnold), the evidence is we were good in September-November than anything from Trent. I played many times against him and suffered many times when he played against my teams. I know very well his strengths and what he can give.
Updated
Tuchel: 'It's a tough decision for Trent'
I know that it’s a tough decision for Trent, as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These tough decisions come with the job. It’s a sporting decision that we stick with Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence who can play for us at right-back. It is a decision for Dom Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who I don’t know as well as Ollie Watkins. I feel I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us so I want to have a look at two other players.
Updated
A thought from Paul Haynes:
In terms of longer term thinking, Jobe Bellingham might be picked to gain experience with the senior squad at this stage as he seems to be improving rapidly at Dortmund and looks like a future England captain, although this World Cup is perhaps a little too soon; however, he won’t be exhausted after along hard season like some of the alternative choices in the box to box role – a plus in the hot temperatures expected throughout the tournament. Just a thought.
A message from Jonathan McKinley:
I’m surprised that Morgan Gibbs-White isn’t in. For me he has been a more energetic and effective player than either Foden or Palmer this season.
It’s a good point. Cole Palmer hasn’t looked the same since his groin injury and Phil Foden has been anonymous for the majority of the season.
Here’s a message from Geoff Wignall:
If you’re right in thinking that Shaw has been omitted because of his history of injury problems, it’s hard to understand the inclusion of Stones. They’re of similar age and seem to have had similar numbers of injuries. I think it’s more likely that Shaw no longer appears able to get forward as often and as powerfully as he used to - probably a result of his injuries; but Stones looks equally diminished. And good honest pro that he is, how is Dan Burn anywhere near an international squad?
Thomas Tuchel is speaking to the press about his England squad announcement.
Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele is probably the most surprising call up. England intend to use him as a training keeper at the World Cup.
Mo Salah injury news
Mo Salah has been ruled out of Liverpool’s Saturday game against Brighton and Egypt’s squad. Arne Slot said the winger “felt something” during Liverpool’s win over Galatasaray.
What do you think of the England squad? Who should/shouldn’t have been included? Let me know.
Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw have also been left out of the squad. Watkins has only scored three goals this year and Shaw has struggled with injuries throughout his career. I imagine that’s the thinking behind their exclusion.
Thomas Tuchel explains his logic for naming such a large squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost, so we bring players in that we haven’t seen who haven’t played so much to open up the picture and the competition for plane tickets to the US. Then from Friday and Saturday, a group of players will come into camp - 10 or 11 players who get a rest before and we will then go with a new group and mix of players into the match against Japan.
Updated
So, who has been left out of the squad? The big omission is Trent Alexander-Arnold. The defender has started seven of Real Madrid’s last nine games after being out of favour earlier in the season. Reece James is also unavailable as he picked up a hamstring injury against Newcastle. It seems strange to leave him out of a 35-man squad.
Updated
England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke
Updated
We will have more England squad news to follow.
Maguire, Mainoo and Calvert-Lewin in 35-man England squad
Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo have been recalled to the England squad for the upcoming Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Thomas Tuchel rewarding them for their excellent form at Manchester United. The England manager has also given a first call-up to Everton’s James Garner and recalled Lewis Hall of Newcastle, Leeds’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke. Tuchel has picked a larger-than-normal squad of 35 players in order to manage their minutes at a critical stage of the season. It is the last squad he will name before he does so for the World Cup in the summer.
Updated
Here’s a message from Krishnamoorthy:
Will the Premier League teams make a clean sweep of the European trophies? As of now I am confident only about the Europa League. My trust is not with Villa but with the serial winner Unai Emery.
A Premier League clean sweep looks unlikely after last round’s showing. The top teams from elsewhere in Europe have a decisiveness in key moments that some of the Premier League teams lack. I don’t see Liverpool beating PSG or Nottingham Forest beating Porto in the next round.
Lewis Hall is also set for a return to the England squad. Newcastle’s left back has been excellent this year and will likely be the first choice in his position for the World Cup.
Updated
Here’s a recap of last night’s European fixtures involving English teams.
Michael Carrick has changed Manchester United’s fortunes since taking over as interim coach after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. His side have only lost once in the nine games that he’s been in charge – a 2-1 loss against Newcastle. Read Jamie Jackson’s piece about how Carrick keeps his cool on the touchline.
Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire seem set for England call ups. Recalls today would mark the first time a Manchester United player has been involved in the England setup since September 2024.
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another football live blog! Yesterday English teams managed to redeem themselves in Europe slightly, with Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace progressing to the next round of the Europa League and Conference League respectively. This all bodes well for the national team. The England squad will be announced at 11am. Stick with me for updates and feel free to send me a message with your thoughts.
