Here are the latest Premier League headlines for Saturday, April 16.
Maddison backed for England
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has backed James Maddison to keep proving his England class as he chases a Three Lions recall. The 25-year-old starred and scored in Thursday's 2-1 Europa Conference League quarter-final win away against PSV Eindhoven to earn the Foxes a last four clash with Roma.
His strike in Eindhoven was his 14th goal of the season, his best return for Leicester, and Harry Kane and Tammy Abraham are the only Englishmen to score more than the attacker in all competitions this term. Maddison, who earned his only cap in November 2019, has spoken about his desire to force his way back into the England squad, with the World Cup at the end of the year.
"All you can do is perform consistently well, work hard and be humble and keep proving a point," said Rodgers ahead of Sunday's game at Newcastle. "I think he has been consistent for a long period of time - his contribution to the game and his efficiency in terms of goals and his assists but also his pressing and his work.
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"He can do no more (to get into the England squad). He is obviously playing at a very high level and contributing in big games. I thought he was wonderful in Eindhoven, especially in the second half, and in any team you are looking for efficiency.
"He is playing at a really high level, then it is just all about choice. He can't do any more other than just stay consistent and focused. He is up there with his numbers and work-rate. The unfortunate thing for him is there are so many talented players in the positions he plays but he is certainly up there."
Tuchel's Wembley point
Thomas Tuchel has admitted Chelsea have "something to prove" at Wembley after losing two finals at England's national stadium. Chelsea lost last season's FA Cup final 1-0 to Leicester but that disappointment was quickly eased by the Blues toppling Manchester City to claim the Champions League crown.
Tuchel's Chelsea then lost out 11-10 on penalties to Liverpool in this term's Carabao Cup final on February 27. The Blues face Crystal Palace in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final in a return to Wembley that Tuchel has conceded will be laced with unfinished business.
"It helps that we got to Wembley and that we have a knockout game in the FA Cup and something to fight for straight away," said Tuchel. "The next big challenge, and we're so close to a final and so close to another title you can fight for.
"That helps to shift the focus because we have been in a final there already this season, the Carabao Cup final. We've lost both our finals at Wembley. You feel you have something to prove. And it comes at a good time because there is a lot of reward and a lot to play for. It is easier to shift the focus than with a normal Premier League game."
Noble's Hammers role
David Moyes has hailed the influence of captain Mark Noble on and off the field as West Ham chase Europa League glory. Hammers boss Moyes feels the picture that emerged of the veteran midfielder sweeping the dressing room after Thursday's stunning victory at Lyon perfectly epitomises the club's values.
West Ham reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time in 46 years with a 3-0 victory over the French side at the Groupama Stadium. The long-serving Noble, 34, came off the bench for the final 13 minutes as the London side completed a 4-1 aggregate success.
Noble, who made his first-team debut at the age of 17 in 2004, shed tears in the dressing room as the magnitude of the victory sunk in before later being pictured clearing up, wearing just a towel and flip-flops. Noble may no longer be a regular starter but Moyes says he remains a big part of his squad.
The manager said: "There are young players who have been really fortunate to be on the bench in most of the games in European competition, and Mark is the first one to try and make sure that they realise a lot of the old values, like tidying up after you, keeping things right, not just leaving it. I think a lot of us will say he is a great example. He takes the lead himself, he just does it himself. And if Mark Noble can do it, anyone can do it.
"It's the sort of values we want because it might not necessarily make you a better team but it makes you better individuals.
"It means that you're working with humble people, it means that you're also working with people who understand lots of things in life and 'Nobes' is well aware of that. And that's the message we're trying to get through the young players. It's not just about being a player. There's much more to that than just that."
Guehi has no regrets
Marc Guehi is in no doubt that his decision to leave Chelsea last summer was the right one for his career and says the FA Cup means everything to clubs like Crystal Palace. The 21-year-old will line-up against his former side at Wembley on Sunday and attempt to ensure the Blues endure a rare trophy-less season by knocking them out in the last four of this historic competition.
Since Guehi swapped Stamford Bridge for Selhurst Park, he has forced his way into the England senior set-up and become one of the best young defenders in the country under Patrick Vieira's guidance. A total of 30 starts out of 31 Premier League games this season serves as evidence and vindication that his desire to find a new home has paid off.
"I thought the decision to leave Chelsea and come to Palace was the right one in order to get that game time and hopefully show what I can do," Guehi explained. "Coming here didn't mean it was going to be a given that I would play, I still had to prove myself, work hard, train hard, but it was definitely the club I thought would give me the platform to do so.
"Patrick's definitely got me thinking about the game in a completely different way, both very tactically and on the ball especially because I have improved a lot in my decision-making. It is really hard at this level, a step up from the Championship, so every decision you make is a vital one and can lead to an important or decisive part of the game. He has definitely helped in that aspect."
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