Here’s Football Daily, to which you can sign up. Today’s edition centres on levelling up.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I think the football [we are playing] is very dynamic and now we have to work on the recovery of [injured players], like Christopher Nkunku to help us have more goals and be more solid. But of course, we already start to work [on January]” – Mauricio Pochettino there, admitting that despite Chelsea’s near-£1bn-plus splurge in the past two seasons, he still needs just a couple more players to compete.
Two managers forming a mutual admiration society – Emery and De Zerbi – in Saturday lunchtime’s early kick-off.
That is where Brighton and De Zerbi come in. Before their last meeting Emery namechecked Brighton – as well as Sunderland and Andorra FC – as teams who had caught his eye and his admiration for De Zerbi dates back to the Italian’s spell at Benevento, when the club were newcomers to Serie A in 2017-18. Benevento were relegated but De Zerbi was praised for his daring, possession-hungry style, something he then transmitted at Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk before replacing Graham Potter at Brighton last September.
A reminder of some fallen giants.
How the mighty have fallen... 😳
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) September 29, 2023
🏴 Chelsea: 14th 📉
🇳🇱 Ajax: 14th 📉
🇫🇷 Lyon: 17th 📉 pic.twitter.com/xspZMP7opW
Chelsea go to Fulham on Monday, Ajax are at RKC Waalwijk tomorrow night while Lyon are at Reims on Sunday. Let’s throw Roma in there, too, 16th in Serie A, losing 4-1 to Genoa last night. Roma play eighth-placed Frosinone on Sunday night. Watch out, José.
News from Germany. Eberl has been rumoured to be joining Bayern Munich for a while. And Liverpool before that.
RB Leipzig have relieved managing director for sport Max Eberl of his duties with immediate effect. Sporting director Rouven Schröder will take over. pic.twitter.com/0IDmg3JIyb
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) September 29, 2023
Aston Villa host Brighton on Saturday lunchtime having lost three of their last five games.
Unai Emery wants more from his team:
We must run more than them, we must win duels more than them, we must be more organised than them, we must take each one with the responsibility facing them being a winner. That is the key. Everybody has to help us and support us to try and [produce] another special moment in Villa Park. We are really connecting with them. The key is to try and be strong with everybody and to feel our supporters behind us for 90 minutes.
Then try to play with personality, to play 100 per cent focused on our gameplan and be very demanding of ourselves, individually and collectively. We will try to impose our idea, our style. We are feeling better when we have ball possession and we are keeping it. We are feeling better when we can organise our pressing against the opponent, collectively and individually.
Roberto de Zerbi will be missing Adam Lallana, James Milner and Pascal Gross while skipper Lewis Dunk was among those to miss the Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday. Evan Ferguson, Brighton’s top Premier League scorer with four goals, is available after illness while Ansu Fati continues to build his fitness following his loan move from Barcelona.
De Zerbi said:
When I choose the first XI I have to consider how much the player plays in the games before and the strategy of the game. I want to give everyone the possibility to play and then I have to analyse the performances. It was a plan with [Fati] for 45 minutes at Chelsea and 45 minutes at Bournemouth because we are working to reach the best of his physical condition. If you lose days because you are injured it’s impossible to reach the best (condition) quickly. For him we are managing how much he plays.
Roy Hodgson, speaking ahead of Crystal Palace’s second visit to Manchester United this week, where he will be without Dean Henderson, after the thigh problem he pulled up with in this week’s Carabao Cup loss. Roy has sympathy for the job Erik ten Hag has taken on.
The bigger the club, in terms of the support and the money the club generates and the amount of people who follow it, the pressure gets ramped up. But in fact - certainly Erik would agree with me - that whether you are at Manchester United or a lower league club in England or Holland, to a certain extent the conundrum remains the same.
You have to work very hard to prepare your team, you have to try and then live with what the team is doing on the field, and make the improvements that you can. In the meantime you have to accept from the outside there will be scrutiny and people telling you that you are not doing it the right way. The actual equation doesn’t change - it is the volume and noise which changes, so if you get good at blocking out noise, I suppose it is just a question of how strong your eardrums are.
Ange Postecoglou has been talking ahead of Spurs’ clash with Liverpool. There’s real admiration for Jürgen Klopp from the one-time Reds fan.
Yeah, very highly. They’ve been a very good football team for a while now. obviously they fell off the pace last year a little but the elements of who they are as a football team have always been there. It’s a great test for us. They probably bring something different from any other team in the league in the way they play and the manner they go about things, and it’ll be a really good test for us to try to impose our football on a team that’s fairly unique in the way they play the game.
Jurgen is an outstanding manager, he’s one the managers I think it’s fair to say who has made an impact on the competition, not just his club. Because when he came in, with the way Liverpool went about things, he challenged quite a few of the conventions about the Premier League and introduced a new style of play that others have followed. It’s a great test for where we are at the moment in terms of our development.
It was the ‘70s, so you went one of two ways: it seemed they only used to show Liverpool or Man U at the time so a couple of my best mates went Man U, so I went the other way so we could keep it interesting. Like any kid, I had the posters up on my wall, so Liverpool was my team. But you grow up, things change. I used to love Happy Days back then too, but I don’t have pictures of The Fonz on my wall today either. So it’s just the way things are.
Ten Hag tries to see the bright side of his latest injury crisis. And fails.
For tomorrow the players who were out of the squad for Tuesday, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen, they are back. We already expanded the squad this season.
We had a World Cup in the middle of (last) season, so we had a longer season. We had to play a longer season as well because of the FA Cup (final) then nations games, so a shorter break. Every time the shadow is expanding, and the load on the players is just too much. It’s such a great overload.
But many colleagues have already pointed to that, and I have pointed to that as well. But it kept going, we keep expanding the shadow, but anywhere it will stop and players can’t deal any more with this overload. I think this is what you see across many squads in this moment.
And Todd Boehly was doing such a grand job…
“The good thing is the relationship and communication is very good with the sporting directors and owners,” Pochettino said. “When the transfer window was closed I said I need to be more involved now in all the decisions. I have started to work to identify what we need for January.”
Lisandro Martinez out for two to three months
Further news from Manchester United is that their Argentine defender has suffered a recurrence of his foot injury. The problems pile up for Ten Hag, who also lost Sergio Reguillon this week. Martinez has had a poor season so far, perhaps not fully recovered from the problem that curtailed his first season at the club.
Erik ten Hag has been speaking at his weekly press conference about Antony. He’s not giving much away.
We make the statement, so I refer to the statement. No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We focus on the games and he will do as well. On Saturday, he will be back in the training, so tomorrow. I have to see (how fit he is), but I think, yeah (he’s fit).
Thanks, Yara. Sterling stint on the Friday special. Let’s see what we have this afternoon.
Well, this is where I leave you all in the capable hands of John Brewin, who will continue to provide you the latest football news ahead of what is sure to be an exciting weekend.
Thanks for joining me!
Can Villa build on last season’s fifth place finish? Carla Ward has added exciting talent such as Ebony Salmon to an established squad. Find out where they stand in Louise Taylor’s preview.
Carla Ward has said her players have “similar concerns” to their male counterparts over Aston Villa’s ‘wet-look’ shirts.
Ahead of Villa’s opening WSL match against Man United, players are worried regarding the kits they will have to don.
Villa’s new home shirts, made by British sportswear group Castore, noticeably change colour in games.
Castore are trying to find a solution to the problem, but it will not be achieved before this weekend.
I think we have similar concerns as to what the men have. It was highlighted early in the pre-season from the men’s side and backed up by the women. But as far as I am concerned, it’s over to the club and Castore to deal with it, my focus has to be the weekend and making sure the players are focused on that.
One thing I will say is the club has been absolutely superb in these last few days. There’s been a constant communication of how can we help the players and make them feel better. There’s a genuine care from the football club. The players feel that, we feel that, and our focus is now solely on Manchester United.
Villa have expressed their concerns over the kit to Castore and the company is now trying to create a version that does not retain sweat.
The club signed a multi-year contract with Castore - who also provide kits for Newcastle, Wolves and Rangers, as well as European teams such as Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla - in May 2022.
Updated
Can Arsenal turn Champions League disaster into a domestic advantage? The club have signed five players this summer, including striker Alessia Russo. Results now need to come on the pitch, after disappointingly being knocked out of the CL in the first qualifying round. Read more in Suzanne Wrack’s preview.
Katie McCabe signs new Arsenal contract
Here is some good news for you, Gooners – Katie McCabe has signed a new contract at Arsenal.
The Republic of Ireland captain has made 193 appearances for the club, winning one WSL title, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.
“Arsenal is home for me and I’m excited to have committed my future to this football club,” said McCabe in an interview on the club’s website.
“I’ve grown up here as a player and a person and developed a really special bond with our supporters, which means a lot to me. Over the years, I’ve experienced some amazing moments here – but I believe that the best is yet to come and I know the aim here at Arsenal is to compete for the highest honours.”
Head Coach Jonas Eidevall added: “Katie McCabe brings us so much on and off the pitch, so we are delighted to say that she has signed a new contract here with us. She has been one of the top performers in world football over the past few years and her quality and character are integral to what we do here.
“We were very proud to see how she stepped up as captain when called upon last season and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together moving forward.”
Katie McCabe has something to say… pic.twitter.com/dLvnBVYCQh
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 29, 2023
Before we get Ange Postecoglou’s thoughts on Liverpool, let’s look elsewhere in North London.
Injuries are piling up for Mikel Arteta, who said he could be without as many as eight first-team players when Arsenal face Bournemouth tomorrow.
They are all in the same pool. We have a few. We have to see and adapt to the situation because that’s a big number. My hope is that everybody is fit and available, because we need them with the amount of games that we have already under the belt in the last two weeks and what is coming in the next seven to 10 days. We need them, so hopefully today we get some good news.
The full list of Arsenal first-team absentees:
Bukayo Saka (knock)
Declan Rice (back injury)
William Saliba (knock)
Fabio Vieira (knock)
Gabriel Martinelli (muscle injury)
Leandro Trossard (hamstring injury)
Jurrien Timber (knee injury)
Thomas Partey (groin injury)
Will we see seven-goal thriller again? Both Tottenham and Liverpool have scored 15 Premier League goals this season (joint-fourth behind Brighton, Manchester City, and Newcastle).
Get in touch and let me know who you think will be on the scoresheet on Saturday.
While we’re on the topic, let’s reminisce about the last time Tottenham took on Liverpool in the league.
Back in the spring, Liverpool went 3-0 up at Anfield after 15 minutes with goals from Curtis Jones, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah, against a Spurs side then managed by Ryan Mason.
Spurs then galvanised themselves, scoring an equaliser in the 93rd minute to make it 3-3. Richarlison, the goal-scorer, celebrated passionately with the travelling fans.
And then a minute later, Diogo Jota scored to make it 4-3. The scenes (Sorry, Spurs fans).
NEVER GIVE UP. pic.twitter.com/khsu6v2cy2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 30, 2023
Updated
More from Jürgen Klopp on Liverpool’s midfield rebuild and this weekend’s opponents: Tottenham.
With the exits of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner, Liverpool spent quite a bit on their midfield this summer. The club brought in Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60m, Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for £35m, Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich for £34.2m and Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for £16.2m.
Despite the massive overhaul in the middle of the pitch, it has so far looked to paid off. The club are unbeaten in all competitions so far, having won five of their opening six Premier League games to sit second in the table.
We had a good pre-season with a lot of players together and that’s the main reason - we could work together and that helped definitely. Then getting results in moments when maybe recently things would have gone the other way helped us grow together.
The quality of the boys is really good, the potential is outstanding, attitude good too which means a good chance for quality. The group is open to new things.
We called it a new start, this is year one for this team. These are only words but we live it, so we gave ourselves a chances to create a basis and use it.
We don’t know how good we are, we don’t know how stable it all is but we all see there are good moments in the games and that’s what we want to increase.
Updated
Jürgen Klopp shares thoughts on FSG selling a minority stake of the club
The Liverpool manager is pleased with the arrival of new investment into the club, even if it the funds will not necessarily be used for transfers.
FSG selling a minority stake in the club to global investment firm Dynasty Equity will allow them to pay down bank debt incurred during the pandemic and through recent improvements to Anfield and the club’s training facilities.
I can understand that people see money in football as all about spending and I get that. I am part of it in moments and I want to spend money as well, but people should not forget that we are building a new stand. If somebody comes in and helps us to do it that’s absolutely great. It’s not that we need a budget of £200million that we can spend for the team, but the better place that we are in the more we can spend anyway.
We are in a year when we don’t play in the Champions League which is a massive financial blow for a football club but we invested anyway, we improved the team anyway in the summer which is difficult but possible. But it’s good news, it’s money that will be well used.
Can West Ham crack into the top half of the table this season? The team need stability and the hope is new coach, Rehanne Skinner, is right for the job. Plus, can Australia’s No 1, Mackenzie Arnold, continue her fine form after a stand-out World Cup this summer? Don’t miss Sophie Downey’s preview of the Hammers’ 2022-23 season.
Let’s first turn to West Ham’s Hawa Cissoko, who has shared how she coped racist abuse last season.
Around this time last year, Cissoko clashed with Aston Villa’s Sarah Mayling, and was sent off. Cissoko apologised, and was given a two-match ban and £200 fine by the Football Association. On social media she was bombarded with abuse, including racist abuse.
I didn’t expect it would happen to me, especially when the people that did it don’t even watch our games. If it was from people who follow the league, I would understand a little bit more, but when it was from not even French or English people I was like: ‘You should focus on your own business.’ I realised: OK, some people are just racist and they just find every opportunity to be racist and say whatever they want.
Read more in her interview with Suzanne Wrack on feeling harshly treated by officials and wanting to become a referee herself below.
Updated
Coming up, we’ll get the thoughts of Jürgen Klopp on FSG selling a minority stake to the US private equity firm Dynasty Equity.
The investment does not equate to a “transfer war chest” for Klopp, but instead will be used to pay down bank debt incurred during the pandemic, capital expenditure on the new Anfield Road stand, the new Axa training centre and the repurchase of Melwood training ground, and acquisitions in the recent transfer window.
Speaking of that 8-0: What is happening in Sheffield?
After promotions for both, the Blades and Owls have played 14 league games between them this season – and are yet to win.
Read Aaron Bower’s story on how “football’s first city” hit rock bottom.
Eddie Howe has confirmed the extent of Harvey Barnes’ injury
We think he’s going to be out for around three months. No surgery required, which is good news, but his foot is now in a boot.
It’s not a fracture. I don’t actually know the right term to use, but it is an unusual injury and they’re a little bit baffled as to how it’s come about and why it’s come about.
Things will settle down and then when he comes back, which will quickly be around the corner, he’ll have a big part to play for the rest of the season.
Barnes suffered the injury during Newcastle’s 8-0 (Yes, that actually happened) Premier League win at Sheffield United last weekend.
Updated
Can Man United get over last season’s hurt? A devastatingly tight title race last season saw United finish second last season in the WSL, two points behind champions Chelsea. Marc Skinner has also lost Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle but has a tantalising array of attacking options and the best goalkeeper in the world at his disposal. Check out Daniel Harris’ preview.
Back to the WSL now – Man United boss Marc Skinner says he can see the first WSL ending with “walking football” following the international window.
His comments come on the back of the Lionesses 2-1 loss away to the Netherlands in the in the inaugural Women’s Nations League, weeks after their World Cup final loss.
I watched England’s performances and I’m sure Sarina wasn’t...it’s not a usual England performance, right? It wasn’t as fluid as they usually are, as they have been, and the players have just come off a World Cup coming into important games, difficult opponents. We were not at the races because the girls have to mentally reset as well as physically.
I just hope it doesn’t have a lag into the season. We all want this energetic start. I might get it wrong, but I’d imagine every game this opening weekend will end with walking football.
From my perspective it’s a crazy way to just shovel games in. I get the format, the intent, but I’m not even sure the international managers were happy with it. I think it’s a strange window. It definitely wasn’t ideal.
I’ll give you a glimpse on our side of it. I will have had most of my team for five days of training, that’s all. It’s a reality of putting a window like that. We could have done with those weeks, or at least 10 days with the team. But it is what it is.
I think we need to, as governing bodies, look at when players rest and how they rest and when they recoup. Because we all know that can, even mental fatigue, cause injury. I think we need to be careful of that.
Updated
Marco Silva has heaped praise on Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea, who have managed just five points from their opening six Premier League games and head to Craven Cottage for a west London derby on Monday.
I don’t know how many times we’ve played each other in the Premier League but he’s a very good manager.
Look at what he did at Southampton, then Tottenham and then the spell in France (with Paris St Germain). With the CV he has, he’s come back to England to manage Chelsea, which is a tough job much like many jobs in the Premier League.
I have huge respect for him, he’s a very good manager and a very good guy and it will be nice to see him again.
Chelsea is Chelsea and no-one can underestimate them because the quality is there.
Silva seems to think that fans need to be patient with Pochettino’s project. What do you think? Send me your thoughts.
Updated
Emma Hayes adds some thoughts on her new captain.
I would like to congratulate Millie on becoming our new captain. I’ve watched her grow as a player and a person in the nine years we’ve worked together and she’s ready for this.
The biggest compliment I can pay her is that you can always count on her. However big the challenge, whatever the occasion, she can cope with the pressure and the expectation.
Even without the armband, she’s been a leader for so many years. I’m not just talking about the example she sets, but she’s vocal, she’ll organise people on the pitch and she’ll drive the team on, whether we’re pushing for goals or seeing a game out.
I can’t tell you how important it is for a manager to have someone like that on the pitch.
Updated
Chelsea announce Bright as captain ahead of 2023/24 season
Long-serving defender Millie Bright becomes Chelsea’s captain ahead of the new season, with former captain Magdalena Eriksson making the move to Bayern Munich this summer.
It’s a massive honour to have the title of club captain,” Bright said in a statement on the club’s website. “Chelsea is my home. It always has been and always will be, so I’m delighted to have that title, but nothing changes. I’m in a really privileged position.
I’m excited and delighted Emma has given me the trust and put me in this position. It’s an absolute honour to be captain of Chelsea, and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.
I’ve led the girls out quite a lot over the years that I’ve been here. I’ve also had the honour of being vice to some top legends and amazing people I’ve learned a lot from.
I learned a lot from Kaz (Carney), Katie (Chapman), Mags (Eriksson) and other leaders we’ve had within the team. Now, it’s a massive honour to have the title and to be able to call yourself club captain is huge.
I’ve always been me no matter what. My role doesn’t change, I don’t change and I’ve always taken pride in whether I have the armband or not, I will always lead by example.
I will always be a leader within the team because that’s just who I am and what I demand from the team will never change. It’s the culture at Chelsea, everyone is a leader and has responsibility.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/TrhpI9qrqN
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 29, 2023
Updated
Manchester United ready to play Antony again as police inquiries continue
The Brazilian winger, who has denied allegations of violence, will rejoin training next week and be available to play.
More from Jamie Jackson below.
Updated
Manchester United say Antony to be made available for selection again
Manchester United have issued a statement saying Antony will resume training with the club.
The statement said: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has cooperated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so. As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case. As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
Time to think big when it comes to the WSL, says Anita Asante.
I’m really excited for the possibilities and thrilled the opening weekend of the Women’s Super League is upon us. Many players will be coming almost straight from the World Cup wanting to maintain momentum; others may feel they didn’t do themselves justice there.
To drive the game forward, you have to think bigger. It’s important players feel they are part of one club, that commitment is being shown towards achieving the potential of the women’s game.
Updated
Our 10 things to look out for in this weekend’s Premier League matches, including a possible Raheem Sterling position change, Son Heung-min’s scintillating form, and the conundrum of Newcastle’s new-found popularity with television and football executives.
Jodie Taylor hangs up the boots. The former Arsenal striker, who scored at two World Cups, played for 17 clubs in six countries and won the Champions League is “at peace” with her decision to retire.
Are Chelsea the favourites once again? Emma Hayes’ side have won the last four consecutive league titles. They have the star power, the depth, and the experience. But will compalcency come into play? Get in touch and let me know your thoughts. And don’t miss Suzanne Wrack’s preview.
Some interesting action in the WSL transfer market this summer. Maximum marks for Aston Villa and Brighton’s windows but Everton and Manchester City were less successful. Plus, find out which players that dazzled at the World Cup earned a summer move to the league.
Preamble
The WSL is back.
After an incredibly successful World Cup, women’s club football returns, with some of the biggest stars in action on Sunday.
Aston Villa v Man Utd begin it all on Sunday with Marc Skinner’s side looking like a very different team than last year. Everton v Brighton, Bristol v Leicester, Arsenal v Liverpool, and West Ham v Man City round out the afternoon kick-offs before defending champions Chelsea host Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
And of course, we will have all the build-up to the upcoming Premier League weekend. Aston Villa v Brighton, two very in-form sides, gets us underway tomorrow. But the big one is certainly Tottenham v Liverpool, a huge test for both Ange Postecoglou’s entertainers and Jurgen ‘3-1’ Klopp.
Join me for all the news and press conferences throughout the day.
