Striker Neymar said his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé became “a little jealous” after superstar Lionel Messi joined the French club in August 2021 in a free transfer.

Speaking in a podcast hosted by World Cup winner Romário released Thursday, the 32-year-old Brazilian who plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal added that big egos affected the performances of PSG in big matches.

Neymar made his comments after Romário asked whether Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid this season, “is annoying.”

“No, he is not. I have my things with him, we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived. I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together,” Neymar said.

“We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn’t want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior,” the Brazilian player added.

Mbappé joined PSG from Monaco in 2017, the same year Neymar moved from Barcelona to the French club in one of the biggest transfers in soccer history.

Both were signed as the club sought its maiden Champions League title, which it is yet to win. Neymar said the team often struggled due to big egos, but didn’t name anyone.

“It is good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone. There needs to be another guy by your side. (Big) egos were almost everywhere, it can’t work,” Neymar said.

“If nobody runs and nobody helps, it is impossible to win anything.”

Neymar didn’t rule out returning to Brazil after his contract in Saudi Arabia expires in the middle of the year.

Neither Mbappé nor Messi have reacted to Neymar’s comments.

Amad Diallo struck a 12-minute hat-trick in a dramatic finish as Manchester United came from behind to snatch a 3-1 win over Premier League basement boys Southampton at Old Trafford.

United’s first-half performance seemed to undo much of the good work from their 2-2 draw at Liverpool and Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out at Arsenal as Southampton created chance after chance but only capitalised on one through a Manuel Ugarte own goal.

But as time ticked down Diallo would prove United’s saviour again. The Ivorian levelled in the 82nd minute and then, in the dying seconds of the 90 minutes, exchanged passes with Christian Eriksen before putting the hosts ahead.

He was not done there, capitalising on a horrible error from Taylor Harwood-Bellis to grab a third in stoppage time.
It was another vital intervention from the 22-year-old, who grabbed the last-gasp winner in the Manchester derby last month before scoring a late equaliser in that draw at Anfield.

Yet for much of the night United appeared dangerously close to losing a fourth successive top-flight home game for the first time in 95 years.

Southampton arrived at Old Trafford on course for the worst campaign in Premier League history and the late finish means they now remain on six points, with a goal difference of minus 34 – having found the net only 13 times in the league this season. And yet they looked by far the more dangerous side in the opening half.

Twelve minutes in, Kamaldeen Sulemana left Leny Yoro trailing in his wake before Andre Onana palmed away his low shot. Moments later Mateus Fernandes charged into the box before firing straight at the United goalkeeper.
The hosts responded as Rasmus Hojlund burst down the left and pulled the ball back for Alejandro Garnacho, starting his first league game since December 7. When the Argentinian somehow placed his shot wide, Hojlund kicked the post in frustration.

But the better chances came at the other end, where Onana made an outstanding double save in the 27th minute. Tyler Dibling spun clear of Lisandro Martinez before shooting at Onana and, when the ball fell for Matheus Fernandes, the keeper made an even better save to keep out his close-range effort.
Dibling shot over before Sulemana again beat Yoro, then ran past both Matthijs de Ligt and Martinez before bending a shot narrowly wide.

United did not even manage a shot on target until a tame effort from Bruno Fernandes was scooped up by Aaron Ramsdale in the 36th minute.
Few could deny Southampton deserved the lead they took two minutes before half-time, when Matheus Fernandes’ corner was flicked on by Dibling before striking Ugarte on the back and deflecting in.

Seconds later, Dibling might have doubled the advantage with a powerful shot palmed away by Onana, yet the Saints still led at half-time for only the third time this season.

The visitors started the second half strongly as well with Sulemana continuing to give Yoro a torrid time but United should have been level just before the hour.

Garnacho’s low ball was perfect for substitute Antony, but the much-maligned Brazilian got it it all wrong, his finish effectively a pass back to Ramsdale as Amorim put his head in his hands.

Instead they would leave it late. In the 82nd minute Kyle Walker-Peters blocked Diallo’s first effort but the ball came straight back to the Ivorian, who made no mistake the second time around.

Eight minutes later he had them level after a perfect combination with Eriksen but even Diallo was shaking his head in disbelief after Harwood-Bellis failed to control a pass from Ramsdale, allowing him to swoop in and apply the killer blow.

Liverpool are entering a crucial phase in the Premier League title race after failing to secure a win in two consecutive league games for the first time this season – with Arsenal hot on their heels following a significant 2-1 victory over Tottenham.
The Reds have only managed to clinch three wins out of their last seven matches across all competitions, sparking concerns that Arne Slot’s squad might be experiencing a slump for the first time this season, especially after a challenging 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Securing a win at the City Ground was always going to be a tough task, given Nuno Espirito Santo’s team’s current second-place standing in the table after an impressive season so far. However, this result followed a disappointing home draw with Manchester United and a Carabao Cup defeat.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had been without a win in three games across all competitions before their North London Derby showdown but have now regained momentum and closed the gap to just four points behind their rivals following Wednesday night’s triumph, reports the Mirror.
Here, we examine the next six fixtures for both Liverpool and Arsenal, which could prove pivotal in the title race.

Liverpool and Arsenal are set to face a defining period in the Premier League title race after the Gunners closed the gap on their rivals to just four points.

Liverpool are entering a crucial phase in the Premier League title race after failing to secure a win in two consecutive league games for the first time this season – with Arsenal hot on their heels following a significant 2-1 victory over Tottenham.
The Reds have only managed to clinch three wins out of their last seven matches across all competitions, sparking concerns that Arne Slot’s squad might be experiencing a slump for the first time this season, especially after a challenging 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Securing a win at the City Ground was always going to be a tough task, given Nuno Espirito Santo’s team’s current second-place standing in the table after an impressive season so far. However, this result followed a disappointing home draw with Manchester United and a Carabao Cup defeat.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had been without a win in three games across all competitions before their North London Derby showdown but have now regained momentum and closed the gap to just four points behind their rivals following Wednesday night’s triumph, reports the Mirror.
Here, we examine the next six fixtures for both Liverpool and Arsenal, which could prove pivotal in the title race.

Liverpool

Arne Slot’s team face some significant yet very achievable upcoming Premier League games after navigating through a difficult series of fixtures that included clashes with Manchester United, Tottenham and high-flying Forest.
First up, they travel to Brentford, who staged a dramatic comeback from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in the dying minutes. Thomas Frank’s side have proven to be a formidable opponent this season, having netted 40 goals so far.Following a Champions League clash with Lille, they’ll have a quick turnaround before squaring off against relegation-threatened Ipswich on January 25 – a match that is undoubtedly a must-win for them against a team teetering on the brink of the drop zone.

A challenging journey to Bournemouth awaits on February 1, following another European encounter with PSV, before the much-anticipated rescheduled showdown with local rivals Everton at what is set to be the final match at Goodison Park.
There may be some weary legs for that one, given they face Spurs in the Carabao Cup and Plymouth in the FA Cup within a six-day period prior to the Merseyside Derby.
Liverpool will then host Wolves at Anfield on February 16, in another crucial game against a team fighting for their Premier League survival.

A daunting trip to Manchester City concludes their six-game run in the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola aiming to reignite their season after a disappointing spell before the New Year.
Liverpool’s next six Premier League fixtures are as follows:

Brentford (a) – January 18Ipswich (h) – January 25Bournemouth (a) – February 1
Everton (a) February 12Wolves (h) – February 16Manchester City (a) – February 23

Arsenal

Like Liverpool, the Gunners have had to navigate some challenging matches after suffering losses to Newcastle and Manchester United in the cup before their North London Derby victory over Spurs, which is always a tough game.
Their upcoming six games are no stroll in the park either, starting with a home match against former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, who’s doing a stellar job at Aston Villa.

Next up is an away game against Wolves on January 25, followed by a home clash with last year’s title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates on February 2, just days after a trip to Girona.They’ll enjoy a brief respite between their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle on February 5 and their journey to struggling Leicester City on February 15, before hosting Graham Potter’s West Ham in north London.

Arsenal’s next six Premier League fixtures:.Aston Villa (h)Wolves (a)Manchester City (h)Leicester City (a)West Ham (h)Nottingham Forest (a)

FC Barcelona whizzkid Lamine Yamal received public praise and an order from his idol Neymar on social media, after the youngster put up another world class display against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey to usher in talk of him being the best player in the world on current form.

Teammate Gavi and head coach Hansi Flick made it clear that they agreed with this conclusion in separate post-match interviews in Montjuic.

Elsewhere, Lamine is being talked up as a mix of Lionel Messi – who El Chiringuito says he will inherit the number 10 shirt from next season – and Neymar by figures including the popular Spanish soccer program’s panelist and diehard Culer Jota Jordi.

While Lamine has often been compared to Messi because of their similarities as left-footed La Masia prodigies that debuted for the first team as teenagers and began their careers on the right wing, the Spain international has made it clear that his idol is the Santos academy product.

Speaking to CNN Sport earlier this month, Lamine explained: “I was five years old when I saw him at Santos, but seven years old when I saw him in person at FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou.”

“It was incredible to see him. Yes, it’s true that Messi was there who was also incredible, but he was something totally different. Neymar has always been my idol. He’s a star, a football legend.”

How thrilling it must have been for Lamine to receive praise from his idol following the Real Betis thrashing then.
As Lamine shared photos from the match on his Instagram account accompanied by the Spanish caption “disfrutando” – a declaration that he is enjoying himself – and a Brazilian funk song from Oruam, MC Tuto and Ze Felipe, a famous user of the social media platform showed up in the comments section.

“You are very Brazilian,” Neymar replied, alongside laughing and applause emojis.
“Dance, craque,” he added, with the latter word a name in Portuguese for a phenomenon or star player in soccer.

Considering the way the 17-year-old dribbles and boasts complete, skillful dominance of the ball at his feet while full of tricks, it is difficult to argue with the former statement that the Spaniard of Moroccan and Equitorial-Guinean descent looks like he could have easily derived from the land of the five-time World Cup winners.

VAR was unable to intervene for Arsenal’s equaliser in the north London derby.
Son Heung-min had opened the scoring for Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners were able to battle back through a corner. However, there was controversy in the goal, as Arsenal should have never been awarded the corner

The last touch came off Leandro Trossard, but it was missed by the on pitch officials – with replays showing it should have been a Spurs goal kick. However, VAR is unable to intervene in these situations as it can only call on the referee in certain situations.

In the event of a goal, VAR is only able to analyse the attacking possession phase that led to the goal, and the starting point is limited to the immediate phase, in this instance the corner being taken.
As a result, the Arsenal corner and goal are allowed to stand.

Spurs fans were left furious on social media, and one posted: “I truly believe VAR should be checking if corners are corners. Super quickly while corner taker strolls over to take or if a goal is scored…”

“It’s ridiculous VAR can’t intervene and deny a corner, which will almost always lead to a goalscoring opportunity, if incorrectly given. Again makes you wonder what’s the point in VAR,” a second sighed. While a third posted: “That wasn’t a corner na. Came off Trossard. Why wasn’t it checked?”
“What is the point of VAR if they won’t help with stupid decisions,” a fourth fumed. And another added: “Would be great if VAR could step in with wrongly awarded corner decisions…”

Newcastle United made it nine wins in a row in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park.

A goal in either half from Alexander Isak put the Magpies 2-0 ahead before the Swede set up Anthony Gordon in the 74th minute.

Gordon wheeled away in celebrations but quickly feared the goal would be ruled out as VAR checked for offside against Isak in the build-up. However, the goal was eventually cleared after a lengthy review.

The Premier League Match Centre, which explains VAR decisions, explained: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR as Isak was in an onside position in the build-up.”

Five minutes later, Wolves thought they’d pulled one back when Santiago Bueno turned the ball in from a corner. The goal was given on field but VAR intervene.

The Wolves defender was then penalised for handling the ball – again explained by the Premier League Match Centre.

“Bueno’s goal was awarded on-field,” it explained. “The VAR deemed that Bueno handled the ball immediately before scoring and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Newcastle completed their first league double over Wolves since 1905-06 to move up to fourth in the Premier League table.

The race for the 2024-25 Capocannoniere is in full swing. Established superstars and rising sharpshooters will battle it out for the prestigious crown of the Italian top-flight’s leading goal scorer.
Inter’s talisman Lautaro Martinez stood head and shoulders above his Serie A colleagues in the top scorer stakes for the 2024-25 season with an impressive 24 goals comfortably outpacing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who finished a distant second, trailing the Argentine by eight goals.

As Martinez aims to defend his crown and secure back-to-back titles this year, the competition promises to heat up. Challengers include stars like Vlahovic, Inter’s own Marcus Thuram, Napoli’s powerhouse Romelu Lukaku, Roma’s rising talent Artem Dovbyk, and potentially AC Milan’s American forward Christian Pulisic, who could spring a surprise.

1Marcus Thuram | Inter | 13 goals

When Inter signed Marcus Thuram following the expiration of his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach, they had to beat out a fair bit of competition to do so. There was a sense that he was a long-term signing who might take a few months to find his feet.
But that didn’t prove to be the case. He well and truly hit the ground running and was super decisive in the final third, alongside goal-machine and partner-in-crime Lautaro Martinez.

2Mateo Retegui | Atalanta | 12 goals

While whispers of a potential transfer to Inter Milan swirled, it was Genoa who secured Mateo Retegui from Boca Juniors in July 2023.
In his debut Serie A campaign, Retegui found the net seven times across 29 appearances, a tally impacted by a three-month injury layoff. Under manager Alberto Gilardino, he was tasked with an intense pressing role, which demanded significant effort off the ball. Even so, Retegui’s natural abilities shone through. His instinctive play in the penalty area and a relentless desire to shoot stood out as hallmarks of his game.

Fast forward to August 2024, and another astute coach recognized his potential: Gian Piero Gasperini. Now thriving in Bergamo, Retegui has transformed from a raw talent into a refined attacker. Known for his aerial prowess, he has sharpened his finishing inside the box and improved his interplay with teammates.
Frequently dropping deep into midfield, Retegui excels at holding up the ball, playing with his back to goal, and executing quick one-twos—particularly with Ademola Lookman—before bursting into space to finish with flair.

3Moise Kean | Fiorentina | 11 goals

It has been eight years since Moise Kean made history with Juventus, becoming the club’s youngest-ever debutant and the first footballer born in the 2000s to feature in one of Europe’s top five leagues as well as the UEFA Champions League. In his maiden season, he clinched a domestic double before heading out on loan to Hellas Verona.
Since then, Kean’s career has been a whirlwind, taking him from Juventus to Everton, then to Paris Saint-Germain, and back to Turin. A move to Atletico Madrid in January 2024 appeared imminent, but a medical examination revealed that his tibia injury required an additional three weeks of recovery, halting the deal.

While Kean dazzled in his early days—making his senior debut for Italy at just 18 years old and earning a nomination for the 2019 Kopa Trophy, awarded to Europe’s best young player—his journey has been anything but smooth. Yet now, on the verge of turning 25 years old, it seems Kean is finally rediscovering his spark. He is transitioning from a perpetual “golden boy” into a mature and reliable striker capable of delivering at the highest level.

4Ademola Lookman | Atalanta | 9 goals

The Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, endured somewhat lackluster stints with Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City earlier in his career, but he has undoubtedly elevated his game to new heights.
In the 2024-25 season, Lookman has been in scintillating form for Atalanta, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net across all competitions. His current contract with the Italian club runs until June 2026, but his impressive performances have sparked a flurry of rumors about his future. A host of clubs are reportedly vying for the talented forward’s signature.

5Dusan Vlahovic | Juventus | 7 goals

Since Dusan Vlahovic made his high-profile switch to Juventus, expectations have mounted for the striker to evolve into a standout performer for the Bianconeri, especially given the club’s substantial investment in him. However, his displays have been somewhat erratic.
During Max Allegri’s tenure, Vlahovic struggled to hit his stride and fulfill the lofty expectations tied to his transfer. Now, under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, the Serbian forward appears to be rediscovering his form, even as speculation about his future and contract negotiations swirl around him.

6Valentin Castellanos | Lazio | 7 goals

After delivering standout displays for Lazio in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this season, Valentin Castellanos has made significant strides as a forward under Marco Baroni’s guidance. His growth in composure, accuracy, and movement—both inside the penalty area and beyond—marks a notable improvement from prior campaigns.

Castellanos has been instrumental for Lazio, contributing both goals and creative play. His knack for stepping up in crucial moments has been evident, with key strikes in matches against Nice in the UEFA Europa League and AC Milan in Serie A showcasing his ability to shine under pressure. This impressive form not only boosts Castellanos’ reputation as a forward but also strengthens Lazio’s attacking prowess. With a reliable focal point up front, the team now has a solid foundation to enhance and refine their offensive strategies for the long term.

7Lorenzo Lucca | Udinese | 7 goals

Lorenzo Lucca has firmly established himself as a rising star in the footballing world, attracting attention from several elite European clubs following a stellar start to the season. The 24-year-old’s outstanding performances earned him his maiden call-up to the Italian national team in October, where he made his debut for the Azzurri in a clash against Israel.

8Romelu Lukaku | Napoli | 7 goals

Napoli has its sights firmly set on dethroning Milan in the race for the Scudetto, with Antonio Conte at the helm and steering the charge. Central to their ambitions is the resurgence of Romelu Lukaku, now 31, who is thriving under Conte’s guidance and proving to be the cornerstone of their attacking prowess.

The Belgian forward has been a revelation at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this season. This dynamic duo—Lukaku and the Italian tactician—has reunited to great effect, rekindling the chemistry that brought them success during their two-year stint at Inter Milan. Back in the 2020-21 Serie A season, the partnership led Inter to the Scudetto, with Lukaku delivering an impressive 24 goals and 11 assists in 36 league appearances.

9Sebastiano Esposito | Empoli | 7 goals

For now, Sebastiano Esposito remains officially on Inter Milan’s books, as the young striker is spending this season on loan at Empoli after making the switch during the summer transfer window.
The Nerazzurri forward has relished his stint at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, making the most of his opportunities with the Tuscan side. In Serie A, Esposito has found the back of the net five times so far this campaign, showcasing his knack for crucial goals. Furthermore, he etched his name into Empoli folklore by delivering a match-winning performance in the Coppa Italia, where he played the pivotal role in knocking out their fierce rivals Fiorentina.

10Riccardo Orsolini | Bologna | 6 goals

Riccardo Orsolini proved his worth for Bologna last season. The Italian winger featured regularly for Bologna since 2018 after arriving on a loan deal first before the club made the move permanent. The 27-year-old usually featured as a right winger, and his red-hot form helped his side massively surpass expectations this season by achieving a top-four finish. He has carried over that form into the ongoing season.

11Andrea Pinamonti | Genoa | 6 goals

Andrea Pinamonti has emerged as Genoa’s primary goal-scoring threat this season. Renowned for his excellent ball-handling skills, he plays a vital role in retaining possession under pressure and crafting chances in the attacking third. His pace is a significant asset, enabling him to capitalize on gaps in opposing defenses.

12Christian Pulisic | AC Milan | 5 goals

Since departing Chelsea in the summer of 2023, Christian Pulisic has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence. The U.S. international has become a pivotal figure at San Siro, achieving career-high numbers in both goals and assists.
His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with several Premier League clubs reportedly eyeing a potential return to England for the 26-year-old. However, Pulisic is currently reaping the rewards of stability and regular playing time, making any hasty departure from Italy unlikely.

13Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli | 5 goals

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is widely considered to be one of the best players in his position in Europe ever since joining in 2022. He has enjoyed another fine start to the season for Napoli, who are flying high in Serie A under former Inter, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte.

14Lautaro Martinez | Inter | 5 goals

Lautaro Martinez has been in sensational form for club and country in the last few seasons, and it is no surprise that he continues to be linked with a big-money move to the Premier League. The 27-year-old has been at the Italian giants for six years, and during that time, he has become one of the top strikers in football.

The England star is out of contract with Liverpool at the end of the season, with no sign yet that he will extend his stay at Anfield. Madrid have long been seen as the frontrunners to sign him as they look for Dani Carvajal’s successor.

The La Liga leaders saw a £20million bid for Alexander-Arnold rejected by Liverpool at New Year’s. The 26-year-old remains the Spanish giants’ top target despite seeing that offer turned down.

They can come to a pre-contract agreement with the right-back at any point until his Liverpool deal comes to an end. And it appears that they are now happy to wait until the summer before renewing their interest.

According to Revelo, Madrid believe that a deal to sign him in January is ‘practically impossible’. Instead, Alexander-Arnold is set to move to the Bernabeu in July, barring any ‘unexpected tun of events’.
Madrid chiefs have approved the decision to park their interest in the summer. Liverpool’s ‘lack of will’ towards letting Alexander-Arnold go and an expectation the right-back will not force an exit are cited as the two biggest factors for a January move being abandoned.

Los Blancos believe that Liverpool would not accept even a high offer, while Alexander-Arnold is thought to be ‘unconvinced’ that leaving the Reds in the middle of the season is the best option.

While Madrid will now push for a free transfer in the summer, they expect the Reds to also mount a sustained bid to keep him at Anfield. Carlo Ancelotti is now hoping to have Alexander-Arnold in his squad ahead of the Club World Cup, which Liverpool have not qualified for.
Ancelotti has been keen to avoid jeopardizing a potential move by speaking publicly about it. He said at the start of the month: “January signings? It’s a bit more complicated to talk about this. We’ll see, we’ll see. Talking about this is not easy at the moment.

“I said that we will not sign anyone in January before. Look, I can’t talk about it now. This is not the time and place. We will see what will happen but I have a great squad. We have got injuries and problems with that but we are also able to overcome them.”

Alexander-Arnold meanwhile has moved to keep rumours around his future out of the public eye. Instead, he is focusing on helping the Reds to win silverware this season.

“I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public – and this one won’t be either,” he told Sky Sports in December.
“I think we win multiple trophies. I think that’s the level that we’re at, that’s the level we’ve shown that we’re capable of, beating the best teams in the world”

Thomas Tuchel has made his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked as Chelsea manager, as the new England boss took in the Blues 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

Tuchel officially started his role as England head coach on January 1 and has been seen at several Premier League matches this month.
The 51-year-old’s latest port of call was Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

Tuchel was seen in the stands watching a dramatic clash, with Chelsea and Bournemouth playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
It marked the first time Tuchel had returned to his former club since his reign was ended in acrimonious fashion on September 7 in 2022.
Tuchel had won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup as Chelsea boss, as well as leading the club to the finals of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

He was sacked the morning after a 1-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb, on what was the 100th day of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership of the club.

Tuchel had revealed to Mail Sport in 2023 that he had been ‘shocked’ but his abrupt exit from the club, with the meeting to confirm his dismissal lasting just three minutes.
talkSPORT presenter and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan claimed that secret off the field issues had been behind his departure.
‘There’s a lot more behind the scenes of Tuchel that would make most people’s eyes water as to the reasons why Todd Boehly made that decision and it wasn’t just a case of losing to Dinamo Zagreb, it was case of a whole raft of other things – that’s Todd Boehly’s gift to tell people what that is,’ Jordan said on talkSPORT in 2023.
‘But it opened my eyes and I would’ve done exactly the same thing as Todd Boehly did which is “you can go mate”.’
It was reported last year that Tuchel would be given a warm welcome on his return to Stamford Bridge in his new capacity as England boss.
Tuchel could become a regular visitor to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea boasting a number of potential candidates for his England squad.

England internationals Levi Colwill, Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke all started for the Blues on Tuesday evening, while 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong also made Enzo Maresca’s side.

Full back Reece James, who played under Tuchel at Chelsea, also came on in the second half.
James netted a stoppage time equaliser from a free kick, while Palmer had opened the scoring for the Blues in the first half.
Chelsea had been forced to bounce back after a Justin Kluivert penalty and an Antoine Semenyo strike had seen Bournemouth lead in the second half.
The draw has seen Chelsea extended a run of five matches without a win in the Premier League. 

James, who has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, underlined his England post-match having last featured for the Three Lions in March 2023. 

Christian Norgaard scored an added-time equaliser as Brentford fought from two goals down to salvage a point from a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium.

Phil Foden scored a second-half brace to give the champions control but – typical of their patchy season – they shipped goals to Yoane Wissa and Norgaard and had to settle for a Premier League point in west London.
The draw will dampen City’s spirits as they failed to fully take advantage of top-four rivals Chelsea’s draw to Bournemouth.

After Wissa fired a warning shot wide of Stefan Ortega’s post in the opening minutes, the hosts’ reluctance to press City gave Josko Gvardiol plenty of time on the ball.
The defender almost added to his tally of four goals this season with a drilled right-footed attempt which was kept out by Mark Flekken.

The attacking partnership of Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, absent from the Bees’ starting XI in Saturday’s FA Cup third round loss to Plymouth on Saturday, were showing just how important they are to the west Londoners.
Both players were aggressive off the ball in their own half and, after Wissa hunted a loose ball to play Mbeumo down the right flank, the winger tested Ortega with a powerful effort.
Despite City being second best for much of the first half, Kevin De Bruyne showed his creativity when he forged a big chance for Erling Haaland. The Belgian playmaker used his weaker left foot to whip an outswinging cross to Haaland, whose header from six yards sailed wide.

The action-packed clash continued after the break with both sides edging closer to opening the scoring.
After Brentford’s Nathan Collins’ free header from a corner was nodded wide, Savinho almost continued his recent scoring run but saw his shot across goal cannon off the post.
Seconds after Mikkel Damsgaard’s goal was ruled out for offside, Pep Guardiola’s men took a 66th-minute lead. De Bruyne produced another curling ball and Foden turned it home.

When the England international completed his brace 12 minutes later, the visitors were seemingly on course for three points.
However, Wissa gave the hosts hope when he pulled one back with eight minutes remaining.
And, after a valiant midfield display all match, skipper Norgaard’s efforts were rewarded in the second minute of added time when he equalised, heading an effort goalwards which Ortega got a hand to but could not keep out.

Chelsea 2 (Palmer 13, James 90+5) Bournemouth 2 (Kluivert 50, Semenyo 68)
Reece James scored a free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Chelsea at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The home side looked beaten and could have had few complaints had Antoine Semenyo’s sensational strike midway through the second half turned out to have been the winner.

Chelsea had scored early through Cole Palmer but then true to recent form wasted enough chances to finish Bournemouth before half-time, with Nicolas Jackson striking the post at 1-0 and spurning two further golden opportunities.
Bournemouth levelled through Justin Kluivert’s penalty – Moises Caicedo at fault with a needless foul – then Semenyo crashed in the goal of his life to make it 2-1.

But up stepped James, on as substitute following yet another injury nightmare, to put the pain behind him and steal a point.
Chelsea led in the 13th minute when Jackson produced a conjuring trick in midfield to spirit his way free from a three-man Bournemouth trap and slip a pass through the middle for Palmer, who sent goalkeeper Mark Travers to ground with a devilish feint before stroking into the net.
Chelsea were playing with a creative spirit not seen enough during their recent barren run. Jadon Sancho drew a roar of admiration from home fans for an impudent nutmeg on Lewis Cook then Enzo Fernandez danced through Bournemouth’s defence before dragging inches wide.

Yet poor finishing is still an issue for Enzo Maresca’s young side. Jackson skied a simple chance over the bar from six yards, a bizarre, uncontrolled action that seemed to involve all four of the strikers limbs.

It heralded the start of a wild two-minute spell in which first Kluivert struck a post for Bournemouth following a careless pass by Robert Sanchez, then as Chelsea broke Jackson again came within inches, hitting the woodwork as the game threatened to turn, though it was impossible to say in which direction.
Travers parried a close-range header from Jackson who snatched at the rebound and found only the side-netting. That Chelsea were not further ahead will have been a matter of personal regret for the Senegal international as the teams departed for half-time.

Whatever fears Jackson might have nursed were realised five minutes after the restart. Semenyo was not in a prime position to shoot as the ball reached him inside the box, but Caicedo blundered into the challenge with unwarranted urgency and too little care. From the resulting penalty, Kluivert equalised with aplomb.
Bournemouth endured a nervous wait while referee Robert Jones reviewed pitchside what looked a clear pull of Marc Cucurella’s hair by David Brooks, who could count himself fortunate he was only shown a yellow card.
Chelsea might have pointed fingers for the goal that gave Bournemouth the lead. Young defender Josh Acheampong allowed Semenyo to beat him on the outside, Sanchez left room at his near post, but in truth neither player could have predicted what was to come as Semenyo’s hit slamming into the top corner as though shot from a cannon.

It looked like being decisive, until James’s intervention at the death.

West Ham 2 (Soler 31, Soucek 33) Fulham 1 (Iwobi 51)
Graham Potter worked his magic as West Ham beat Fulham 3-2 in his first home game in charge.
Goals from Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta secured a first Premier League victory for Potter, who took over from the sacked Julen Lopetegui last week.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss has had just three training sessions, and Friday’s FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa, to get his ideas across to his new players.
Yet the Hammers, at times shambolic under Lopetegui, already look like something approaching a functioning, well-drilled football team.

Yes, they were helped by some horrendous Fulham defending, with goalkeeper Bernd Leno in particular having a night to forget.
They also let Alex Iwobi score twice with crosses which flew straight in, to maintain their average of conceding two goals a game this season.
Fulham hit the crossbar twice as well, but West Ham rode their luck and withstood a late barrage to pick up a first home win since December 9.
Potter had promised to be “creative” in picking his line-up, with his attacking options depleted through the absence of Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville.
He was true to his word, putting Brazilian playmaker Paqueta in the central striking role, with Czech midfielder Soucek an unlikely number 10.

But his new side were almost caught out in the sixth minute by a quick throw-in, with Iwobi able to swing in a cross which Harry Wilson volleyed against the crossbar.
West Ham did have the ball in the net midway through the first half, but Max Kilman was flagged offside as he headed in Soler’s free-kick.
However, West Ham’s fortunes changed on the half-hour mark thanks to an ill-judged pass across his own penalty area by Andreas Pereira.
With Leno out of position, Soler calmly placed his first-time shot into the back of an empty net.
Two minutes later West Ham doubled their lead when Soucek swept Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross home from eight yards.

The crossbar came to West Ham’s rescue again before half-time with Raul Jimenez’s header brushing the top of Lukasz Fabianski’s goal.
However, six minutes into the second half Fulham did get on the scoresheet. Jimenez went to prod in Iwobi’s cross, and although he did not get a touch it was enough to put off Fabianski as the ball drifted into the net.
Yet Fulham gifted a two-goal cushion back to West Ham when Leno, under pressure from substitute Danny Ings, played the ball straight to Paqueta who rolled it into an empty net.
Nothing is ever simple with West Ham, though, and Potter had an anxious final 15 minutes after another Iwobi cross, this time towards Wilson, flew straight inside Fabianski’s far post.

But in stoppage time young substitute Ollie Scarles blocked on the line from Sasa Lukic and Adama Traore skied the rebound to ensure Potter got off to a winning start in east London.

The Chairboys are currently managerless after Matt Bloomfield’s sudden and shock departure to Luton Town was confirmed on January 14 – just four days after guiding the Adams Park side into the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in four years.
He replaces Rob Edwards, who left the Hatters after a poor run of form which has left the Bedfordshire-based team in 20th in the Championship – two points above the relegation zone.

Bloomfield leaves with Wycombe second in League One, with assistant manager Richard Thomas, goalkeeper coach Lee Harrison and analyst Ben Cirne all joining him at Kenilworth Road.
Prior to his exit, delegates from Luton had visited Adams Park to watch the Chairboys in action.
These included the last two fixtures against Portsmouth and Huddersfield Town respectively

According to the bookies, 45-year-old Dane Norgaard, who has been second in command to Thomas Frank at Brentford since December 2022, is the front-runner.
He is one of many names to be linked with the role, but with the Chairboys signing Danish centre back Anders Hagelskjær, as well as being posed in securing the services of midfielder Magnus Westergaard who is also from Denmark, it looks like the Adams Park side are looking at the Nordic market in terms of playing staff and recruitment.

Whilst this has not been confirmed, the bookies show that Norgaard is currently 1/2 odds on favourite to become Wycombe’s new manager.
Ex-Oxford United boss, Des Buckingham, is the second favourite whilst former MK and Southampton manager, Russell Martin, who spent four years at Wanderers as a player, is also on the shortlist.
Other names include Rob Edwards, Steven Schumacher, Rony Mowbray, Adam Hinshlewood and Tony Mowbray.

Development manager Sam Grace will take interim charge of the Chairboys.
Up next for Wycombe is a trip to Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon – the club’s first fixture since 2003 that will not involve Gareth Ainsworth or Matt Bloomfield. 

Reports in Italy claim Benfica are unwilling to sell Antonio Silva this month, but Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is pushing to leave Barcelona and move to the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus are still looking for reinforcements in defence despite reaching an agreement to sign Vitoria Guimaraes right-back Alberto Costa.

The Bianconeri need a replacement for injured centre-back Gleison Bremer, and Sky Sport Italia claims Araujo has become their primary target after Benfica informed Jorge Mendes that they won’t listen to offers for his client Antonio Silva in January.
According to Sportitalia, Araujo wants to leave Barcelona and join the Old Lady this month, but the Catalans have not yet agreed to let the Uruguayan defender go.
Araujo has recently returned to action after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury in the summer.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus will make a new attempt for Milan’s Fikaoyo Tomori if Barcelona refuse to sell Araujo.

The Bianconeri are busy in the winter transfer window as they are also looking for reinforcement in attack and are currently in talks with PSG for Randal Kolo Muani.