Right, that’s it from me. All the team news and previews will still appear here as they launch. But from me it’s goodbye and have a great weekend.
Here’s Barney Ronay with his take on this week’s remarkable results in Europe:
So far there’s been a disappointing lack of “who-are-they?” names popping up in the predicted XIs for Sunday’s games. It didn’t always have to be this way:
Who will feature in Scott Parker’s first Fulham XI of his full-time stint as manager?
And the possible lineups at one of the two big games. Davy Propper is a doubt for Brighton, while Kevin De Bruyne is also touch-and-go for Manchester City:
How Burnley and Arsenal might line up on Sunday:
A bit of news coming out of the Football Association: Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury, who was this month charged with misconduct by the FA due to comments the 21-year-old made on social media in 2013 and 2014, has been fined £5,000 and ordered to attend an education course.
Uefa has responded (sort of) to Arsenal’s concern about Henrikh Mkhitaryan potentially missing the Europa League final against Chelsea because of the continuing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The governing body said in a short statement to Press Association Sport: “It is a standard procedure for Uefa to send letters of support to associations, clubs or embassies in order to obtain visas for players and allow them to play in Uefa competition matches.”
Which I don’t think is really addresses Arsenal’s concerns
Get your hands on today’s Fiver:
The Netherlands have named their provisional squad for next month’s Nations League. Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst has been recalled but Watford’s Daryl Janmaat did not make the cut. The 28-man squad will be cut to 23 before the tournament.
Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (AZ), Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona), Kenneth Vermeer (Feyenoord ), Jeroen Zoet (PSV)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Daley Blind, Matthijs de Ligt (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Denzel Dumfries (PSV), Terence Kongolo (Huddersfield), Kenny Tete (Lyon), Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Davy Propper (Brighton), Pablo Rosario (PSV), Kevin Strootman (Marseille), Donny van de Beek (Ajax), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Fulham), Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Steven Bergwijn, Luuk de Jong (both PSV), Memphis Depay (Lyon), Quincy Promes (Sevilla), Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg)
Updated
And in other Celtic-related news, Neil Lennon has said Rangers have a “huge disciplinary problem” ahead of the final Old Firm meeting of the season on Sunday. Asked if he would look to exploit any disciplinary problems, the Celtic manager said: “It’s not a tactic that I adopt. It’s not my problem that they have a huge disciplinary problem and if it manifests itself again on Sunday then we will try to take advantage.”
Tim Weah, the son of the former Milan striker and current Liberian president George, has been named in the US squad for the Under-2o World Cup in Poland. The US U20s, by the by, are managed by USA 94 squad member (and Leonardo elbow victim) Tab Ramos.
A request from the Guardian community department:
Updated
Where will Gareth Southgate spend the final day of the Premier League season? Anfield? The Amex? No! He’ll be at Old Trafford for Manchester United v Cardiff, according the Press Association, while his assistant Steve Holland will be at Crystal Palace’s match against Bournemouth after taking in the Championship play-off between Derby and Leeds on Saturday. Southgate will go to see Borussia Dortmund v Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday before heading to Manchester on Sunday.
Julian Speroni will not get a final appearance for Crystal Palace despite the Argentinian goalkeeper’s imminent departure from the club after 15 years and 405 games. Here’s Palace manager Roy Hodgson: “Those sentimental moments are debatable, whether they’re the right approach or not. But certainly I didn’t have a decision to make anyway on that front.
“Julian’s a consummate professional. He made it clear to me we should carry on approaching this game in the professional way we’ve approached all games this season; that he doesn’t see any reason he should be the second goalkeeper or put onto the field of play just because it’s the last day of the season.
“That tells you more about Julian Speroni as a professional and a person than many other things that are going to be said about him. I was actually quite touched by the fact he wasn’t looking for that gesture where he’d come on for five to 10 minutes and the crowd will go wild. He’s taken that out of my hands by making it clear to me that’s what he wants.”
Hello (again). A few nuggets of hot, spicy team news:
- Everton will be without forwards Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Sunday’s Premier League finale away to Tottenham.
- Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng is out of Newcastle’s final game of the season at Fulham
- Andreas Christensen is a doubt for Chelsea’s trip to Leicester.
- And Burnley manager Sean Dyche sees it as “probable but not definite” that one of his three England-capped goalkeepers will leave the club this summer.
Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have everything to play for on Sunday, and by everything I mean, in this instance, 12th place. Here’s a match preview:
Here’s a bit more on Arsenal’s concerns about Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s participation in the Europa League final:
We reported earlier that Neymar has been banned for three matches for striking a supporter after the French cup final. Not so fast! PSG have already slapped in an appeal.
Hello again! Some WSL news to tell you about: Manchester United and Tottenham will both compete in the competition next season, while both Blackburn Rovers and Coventry United will play in the Championship.
And with that, I’ll pass you back to Simon.
Another factor to add to the lengthy list of Reasons It Might Not Be A Great Idea To Hold Major European Finals in Baku: Arsenal say they are “hugely concerned” that the fact the Europa League final is being played in the Azerbaijani capital could rule out Henrikh Mkhitaryan because of the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This from the Press Association:
The Armenia captain skipped the Gunners’ earlier fixture in the competition against Qarabag in the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku because of the issue, which has flared once again with the city set to host the final. Hostility remains over the disputed Nagorno Karabakh region, where a ceasefire was declared in 1994 after fighting erupted several years earlier.
Arsenal said in a statement: “The safety and security of our players is of paramount importance. We are seeking guarantees from Uefa that it will be safe for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to travel to Baku for the Europa League Final, which both Arsenal and Micki require for him to be included within our squad.
“Acceptable guarantees have not been received yet, and we hope that Uefa will be able to supply these promptly. We are of course hugely concerned that the location of the final could lead to Micki not being able to play in a European final.”
Everton manager Marco Silva says he is still keen to sign Andre Gomes on a permanent deal, despite reports in Spain suggesting he’s on the way to Spurs. “The only feedback I have had until now is from Andre, our relationship is really honest from the first day,” said Silva. “He didn’t decide anything about his future. It is up to us to show that ambition with the players.”
This seems long overdue: the first prominent public sculpture of a female footballer will be unveiled in Manchester in June.
Here’s Amy Lawrence on how Arsenal’s season will boil down to one game:
Fulham’s statement features Parker saying Manager Things but no details about the length of his contract (not that it seems to make all that much difference when it comes to managers). Parker’s first game in full, permanent charge of the club will be against one of his old sides – Newcastle – at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Scott Parker appointed Fulham head coach
And back at Fulham, where Claudio had a brief and unhappy spell this season, Scott Parker has been confirmed as head coach on a full-time basis.
“Scott was brave to accept a very difficult challenge in February when appointed as our Caretaker Manager,” said Fulham chairman, Shahid Khan. “Since that time, day by day, whether in training or on matchday, we’ve undeniably become a better football club.
“Scott will now have another challenge to face, and that is to return Fulham to the Premier League. I fully believe Scott is more than up to the task. I appreciate that he’s been clear for many years that his ultimate goal is to excel as a manager, and he will be given every opportunity to succeed at Fulham. I also have no doubt that he knows and loves this club every bit as much as our supporters, and that’s an intangible that everyone can welcome.”
Claudio Ranieri has confirmed his bell with dilly-ding no longer at Roma – he’ll do one at the end of this campaign. Here’s a snippet from Reuters:
Roma manager Claudio Ranieri expects to leave the Serie A club when his contract expires at the end of the season, the Italian said on Friday.
The former Chelsea and Leicester City coach took over at Stadio Olimpico in March after being sacked by Premier League side Fulham in February.
“I came to Roma because my reaction to getting the call from the club, as a Roma fan, was one of excitement and eagerness to help,” Ranieri told reporters ahead of Roma’s league clash against newly-crowned champions Juventus on Sunday.
“My job here runs until the end of the season. When these three games are over, my work here will be over.”
Hello all. For a kick-off, here’s this week’s sports quiz of the week (nine out of 11 since you ask, not that I’m prone to blowing my own trumpet):
Some Premier League team news:
- Kevin de Bruyne could play for Manchester City at Brighton. “He has made part of the training sessions for the past two days,” said Pep Guardiola.
- Richarlison is out of Everton’s trip to Spurs with a rib injury.
- Etienne Capoue is back for Watford, while Jack Wilshere is in line for his first start since September after returning to the West Ham squad.
And some Friday blog team news: John Ashdown is coming in on a temporary basis. Send your emails here. Bye for now!
And a couple of previews, of games that might prove decisive in the fight for first and 9th/10th/11th place, respectively:
Meanwhile Martin Laurence from WhoScored assesses Chelsea’s loan players to see if any of them could stay at Stamford Bridge next season and spend it being largely ignored on their bench instead:
Here’s Andy Hunter on Jurgen Klopp’s approach to the final game of Liverpool’s league season:
Pep Guardiola insists he won’t be interested in the Liverpool score during Manchester City’s game at Brighton:
It’s better to focus on what we have to do. If we win we don’t have to look at anything else. Why should we be distracted by other situations?
Updated
Here’s Maurizio Pochettino looking ahead to Sunday’s game at home to Everton:
We are at the moment living the dream, and it is difficult to be in reality. It’s an important day for us and to be ready is our first priority, and of course to finish in the right way in front of our fans is the most important thing. Of course it was an amazing moment, one of the best moments that we lived together in five years. Now our responsibility is to be ready. And of course finishing the right way is going to be a massive boost for us to prepare for the final in Madrid. They had all the week clear to prepare for the game. We cannot be distracted.
Also on his way out after the weekend is Brighton’s captain Bruno, although the club say “it is hoped El Capitan will retain his association with Albion in a non-playing capacity”. The 38-year-old has started five of their last seven games, and 13 times in the league this season.
👏 After nearly seven years, El Capitan will hang up his boots after this weekend's game against @ManCity...
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) May 10, 2019
#GraciasBruno 🇪🇸
#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
Crystal Palace have announced that Jason Puncheon is following Julian Speroni out of the big door marked “exit”, ending a six-year spell at the club. He spent the second half of the season on loan at Huddersfield after making five substitute appearances for Palace, averaging a shade over two minutes each, before Christmas. “It’s not an overstatement to say we would not be entering our seventh successive season in the top flight without him,” said the club’s chairman, Steve Parish. This is what the man himself has to say:
To have had the honour of captaining the club, my club, the club I supported as a boy, will always remain with me as one of my proudest achievements. I’ve loved every minute of my time at Palace and would like to wish everyone at the club, and our amazing fans, all of the very best for the future.
We will always remember this...PUNCHEON!! ❤💙 pic.twitter.com/nqsXMYqGBO
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 10, 2019
Of Watford’s last 11 Player of the Season winners (counting multiple winners only once), eight are current members of the club’s first-team squad. This seems unusual, especially for a club that is not exactly synonymous with stability. Etienne Capoue became the latest winner this week.
As some have already pointed out, Capoue is the eighth member of the current #watfordfc squad to win Player of the Season. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/jO1vm0vqfj
— Anthony Matthews (@Ant_Watford) May 10, 2019
This looks a bit tasty. Apparently Maradona himself had more than 500 hours of footage in his personal archive, which is surprising, but it appears to have come in handy:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that Manchester United would need “a miraculous season” to challenge for the league title next year:
I think I’ve been quite honest that challenging for the title next year would be a miraculous season because we’re so far behind points-wise,. Next season we have to close that gap, if we manage to get to February or March and still be close that’s fantastic. If not this summer will also be about players that can last here for many years. We want to get back to where we used to be ... it’s going to be important we come together from the first day.
Here’s the Press Association on Yaya Touré’s retirement, which has been confirmed by his agent, who predicts he will go on to “head one of the serious clubs and achieve great success in the coaching field”:
Yaya Touré has announced his retirement from playing and is set to launch a coaching career, according to his agent.
Touré’s agent Dimitri Seluk has been quoted by Russian website Sport 24 saying the 35-year-old former Ivory Coast international has made the decision after having his contract at Greek club Olympiacos terminated in December.
Selcuk said: “Yaya has decided to end his career as a champion.
“The farewell match which Manchester City gave him was, in principle, the real end of his playing career, not only in that team, but in general.
“Yaya is one of the best players in Africa and had one of the brightest careers in the history of African football, so should leave football at its peak. We talked for a long time on this topic.
“Of course every footballer wants to play as long as possible and in terms of his physical condition Yaya could do this at a sufficiently high level for another five years.”
Selcuk added: “I’m sure that two years after Yaya gets the Pro coaching license, he will head one of the serious clubs and achieve great success in the coaching field. Now he has already begun to take steps in this direction.”
David Luiz has suggested he will sign a new contract at Chelsea with an announcement likely ahead of the Europa League final against Arsenal. The Brazil defender, who is in in his second stint at Stamford Bridge, held productive talks with the club’s hierarchy earlier this month with his current deal due to expire this summer.
The head coach, Maurizio Sarri, had already indicated a confidence that the 32-year-old would commit his future to the club beyond the end of the current campaign, though it remains to be seen whether the deal to be agreed by David Luiz will be a simple new one-year contract or a deal that actually includes an option through to 2021. Chelsea have a long-standing policy of only offering one-year extensions to players in their 30s.
Asked whether he would still be at the club to at the start of next season, the centre-half said: “Yes, I think so. Soon everybody is going to know. It will be before the Europa League Final – in five days. I love this club. My great moments in football were here, especially the European titles: the Champions League and Europa League in 2012 and 2013. My relation with the fans has always been great since the first day I played here. I just try to my best and make them happy.”
Back to the price of attending the Champions League final. This morning the Liverpool and Tottenham Supporters’ Trusts released a joint statement. Arsenal’s Supporter’s Trust has said they “back every word”:
For many, the final is not a one-off event. It is the culmination of a season-long journey for fans, who have spent thousands of pounds already travelling to support their team, bringing the spectacle and atmosphere that is a key part of the game so prized by television.
It is time to stop cashing in on fan loyalty. As the independent supporter organisations at Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC we call for:
- A cap on ticket pricing
- Transparency over allocation
- Consumer protection measures to halt prices being forced up exponentially, and to stop the practice of repricing existing deals
Updated
Claudio Ranieri has announced that he will leave Roma at the end of the season, after just 12 games in the hot seat. “I arrived here in a moment of need,” he said. “At the end of the season my job will end.”
In the last hour the cheapest price of a direct flight from London to Madrid for the Champions League final, leaving on Friday afternoon/evening and returning on Sunday, according to Skyscanner, has gone up by over £400! It currently stands at £1,488. You can still go via Frankfurt for a comparatively bargainous £570.
Fylde and Salford City meet tomorrow in the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium, with a place in the Football League at stake. Neither club has ever played in the top four divisions. Here’s Jamie Jackson on the Class of 92-backed Salford:
Jürgen Klopp snuck a Brexit gag into his press conference this morning:
😂 Klopp's #brexit joke. We thought it was a good one anyway Jurgen! pic.twitter.com/voLEUjQFMH
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) May 10, 2019
Claire Rafferty, the West Ham and former England left-back, has confirmed her retirement this morning:
Saturday will be my last game... pic.twitter.com/JwNsrP7D8O
— Claire Rafferty (@clrafferty1) May 10, 2019
Latest price of direct flights from London to Madrid for the Champions League final, leaving on Friday evening and returning on the Sunday: £1,108. You can go via Frankfurt for £570 with not-totally-ridiculous journey times.
Klopp says he "sympathises a lot" with fans having to pay "crazy" prices to attend CL Final. "Madrid is unbelievably expensive but who decides Baku for a European final? Or Kiev? I don't know what the people who decide these things have for breakfast."
— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) May 10, 2019
A couple of other headlines:
- Neymar has been banned for three domestic matches after hitting a fan following the French Cup final.
- Yaya Touré has hung up his boots, according to his agent. Just three weeks ago Touré said he was definitely not retiring, just having a bit of time off: “No one can stop me from playing football, I just decided to take an important time off for myself and it is very important to carefully weigh the options. It’s not the end or retirement from the game because I believe I can still play on for another two or three years”
Klopp is asked if he’s been able to sleep since Tuesday’s Champions League madness:
I sleep as much as I need to. I can sleep pretty well. The only problem is, all the other guys in my age group know as well, I wake up in the night three times. But no worries, I’m fine.
Klopp describes Liverpool's defeat of Barcelona on Tuesday as "one of the best moments in football history, not just Liverpool."
— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) May 10, 2019
Here’s Jamie Jackson on Mike Phelan’s appointment by Manchester United:
Mike Phelan has been appointed as Manchester United assistant manager for three years. The 56-year-old has followed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in having his position made permanent.
Phelan said: “I am thrilled to be back as assistant manager. Manchester United has been a huge part of my life since i joined as a player in 1989 and I am delighted to be able to continue that relationship in this key role. Since returning in December, I have enjoyed working with Ole, Michael [Carrick, Kieran [McKenna], Mark [Dempsey] and Emilio [Álvarez] and we are all focused on preparing for the new season.”
Solskjaer said: “Mike is a great person to have around and has been invaluable to me since we returned in December. He brings a wealth of experience to this role with along established connection to the club. We have a good group of coaching staff and we are already working on the challenges that lie ahead of us as we plan for the new season and the future beyond.”
United are yet to appoint a Technical Director, whose role will include the long-term strategy of the first-team squad and recruitment.
Solskjaer said: “The club will announce when they feel they’ve found the right man. Until then we just work on the same structure that we have now. I can just say that for me, Mick, we’ve been involved in loads of meetings about recruiting players and how we go forward.
“I’m happy with the communication, the process, the targets we’ve put up and now hopefully we can get some over the line.”
Reports have linked the 21-year-old Swansea City winger Daniel James with a transfer to United. “I can’t comment on every single individual,” Solskjaer said. “I don’t like when other managers talk about my players and I wouldn’t even if I wasn’t or was [interested].”
Updated
Here’s Klopp on English football’s European final clean sweep:
People say it’s the money and stuff like that. But if you look at the way Tottenham took to the final with all the difficulties, after a short summer break, and missing a lot of players, it’s not all about money. We went through because of our desire, and Tottenham it’s the same. I don’t think it will happen a lot of times, but this year it’s nice for England. At least the big clubs in England want to stay, with all they have, in Europe.
Jurgen Klopp is giving his Friday press conference. Here’s his opening salvo:
It was a week of big football moments and if there could be a big football moment for us as well at the weekend it would be nice. I think most people expected me to sit here today and say, after not reaching the Champions League final it’s pretty difficult to become champions. But we are in the Champions League final, and it’s still difficult to become champions. That’s how it is. The only thing we can do is win the game.
A couple of Guardian-based links for you. Firstly, 10 things to look out for in the Premier League weekend:
And also, some transfer rumours!
Phelan signs United contract as assistant
Some assistant managerial news as well! Mike Phelan has signed a three-year contract to continue as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant at Manchester United. This is what Solskjaer said:
I’ve been a player under him and his knowledge, his experience, his demeanour ... the players really respect him, they know what he can do, and he’s worked with the best. For me, I’m a young manager and Mick’s got more experience in a few areas than I have.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of @Mike_Phelan_1 as our new assistant manager. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 10, 2019
Updated
And some managerial news: Walsall have announced the appointment of Darrell Clarke as their new manager. The 41-year-old, who left Bristol Rovers in December, has promised to “bring the good times back”:
I am excited by the challenge that lies ahead. This is a great club and I can’t wait to get my teeth into the task at hand. The club have had a couple of disappointing seasons and we now find ourselves in League Two. I want to give these brilliant fans something to shout about, put a smile on their faces and give them a team that will give their all for the club and the badge. I like my teams to be on the front foot and play attractive, attacking football with the ability to adapt to different scenarios. I know all about the division we are in, I’ve had success at League Two level before and I want to bring the good times back.
✍️ Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce that Darrell Clarke has agreed to become the #Saddlers' new First Team Manager!
— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) May 10, 2019
👉 https://t.co/59az9isPRG#WelcomeDarrell pic.twitter.com/JWeJ1cK8O8
Some Friday morning transfer news: Sky Sports are reporting that Manchester United are close to a £15m deal for Swansea’s fleet-footed wide-man Daniel James:
BREAKING: Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal to sign Swansea City winger Daniel James for £15m
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 10, 2019
Good morning!
And so, for the final time this season, we prepare ourselves for a weekend of Premier League action. All but one of the major questions – the top four, the bottom three, fifth and sixth, seventh place – have already been answered, leaving only the identity of the actual champions to be decided. Sunday’s top-flight fixture list, with all games starting at 3pm, looks like this:
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
Burnley v Arsenal
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Fulham v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United v Cardiff City
Southampton v Huddersfield Town
Tottenham Hotspurs v Everton
Watford v West Ham United
There will also be play-off matches in the three other divisions of the English league, the final games of the Women’s Super League and key fixtures in leagues across Europe. So there is plenty of interest and intrigue ahead of us, plus the usual press-conferential business and the ongoing fall-out of England’s European final clean sweep. Welcome, friends, to the Final Friday!
