Nuno Esp\u00edrito Santo spoke to the press before West Ham\u2019s game against Aston Villa. Addressing Jarrod Bowen\u2019s England call up he said: \u201cI\u2019m very happy and I think it\u2019s deserved \u2026 I didn\u2019t see the makeup of the England squad. I just got the info Jarrod is in it and that\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
File photo dated 24-03-2025 of Jarrod Bowen, who has been called to the England squad for friendlies with Uruguay and Japan. Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s another message from Krishnamoorthy:<\/p>\n double quotation markArteta may be playing the situation by the rules suppressing all his emotions and pressures. It is, nevertheless, pretty obvious that a lot rests on this apparently \u2018just another trophy\u2019. The positive of winning this , and starting the Quadruple dance, can\u2019t be over emphasized. Lose it and probably the dominoes start to fall. This final is probably the most important game of this season in my opinion. Pivotal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.58 EDT<\/p>\n Igor Tudor has revealed that James Maddison could still play a part in Tottenham Hotspur\u2019s relegation fight. The attacking midfielder has been out for almost 10 months with a knee injury and it was touch and go whether he would play this season. But in his press conference ahead of a huge relegation crunch match against Nottingham Forest, Tudor said that Maddison is \u201cpositive\u201d and there is a chance he returns before the end of May. \u201cMaddison is already doing interesting things as well with the ball,\u201d Tudor said. \u201cSprinting as well. I saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Luke! “>Keep on sending in<\/a> your thoughts on the England squad and this weekend\u2019s games.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s the lot from me, Xaymaca has returned to steer you through the afternoon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIs Trent Alexander-Arnold really not worthy of a place in 35 man squad?\u201d asks Sai on email.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Reece James was there, I understand his exclusion as James does offer what TAA can in attack. But to not have him when Reece James is injured is boggling my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A reporter asks Mikel Arteta: \u201cThere has been talk about \u201ctrusting the process\u201d. Does that apply on Sunday?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. At the end you have to win a lot of games. People have to believe in the project \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Well, if that doesn\u2019t get you excited for Sunday, what will?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.23 EDT<\/p>\n Whatever you do, don\u2019t miss Barney Ronay on Millwall, the club\u2019s new 999-year lease at the Den, and much more besides:<\/p>\n Millwall fans after the 3-1 defeat by Portsmouth last month. Photograph: Andy Hall\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.21 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about the next step, the next game \u2026 you need certain moments to go your way,\u201d Arteta continues.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning always helps. It gives you confidence, a feeling you can do it when it comes to that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n This is electrifying stuff!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt is going to be one of the defining moments of the season \u2026 we need to prove our point, that\u2019s clear, it needs to be done on the pitch,\u201d says Arteta.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not about the apprentice and the master. In this profession you are constantly learning, constantly evolving \u2026 I was lucky to work with Pep but you have to continue to evolve.\u201d<\/p>\n Pep and Mikel in 2023. Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.14 EDT<\/p>\n Is Arteta nervous?<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Not today.<\/p>\n \u201cExcited. Enthusiastic. Positive.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe are focused on preparing and making it happen in the next 48 hours,\u201d says Arteta, answering a question about this match maybe having wider ramifications than just the trophy. \u201cOnly that.\u201d<\/p>\n Arteta has never lost at Wembley as a player or coach (four times in each capacity). Why?<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. But let\u2019s keep it the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Micky Arteta is speaking now before the Carabao Cup<\/a> final: \u201cThe Arsenal\u201d v Manchester City at 4.30pm on Sunday. He reveals he has no fresh injury concerns.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.09 EDT<\/p>\n Nice email Russell, thanks.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve not thought hard enough about it to say I agree or disagree. What I can say with confidence is that if you start Kane, you need as much pace as possible everywhere else in forward areas, because he obviously poses no threat running behind and beyond the opposition defence. At a major tournament that is a BIG problem unless you compensate for it as much as possible with pacey players to run beyond and around. And even then it\u2019s arguably still a major problem unless you keep the ball exceptionally well. (Which England traditionally have never been capable of in major tournaments.)<\/p>\n Harry Kane. Not a fast runner. Photograph: Bradley Collyer\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.07 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cMy reaction upon seeing the squad is, in essence this is England\u2019s big problem that had been building for a while, now come to a head,\u201d emails Russell. \u201cA real need to develop world-class forwards that had been identified during the nadir of the late 2000s and early 2010s has manifested in a surfeit of attackers, all peaking at the same time and all of whom would justifiably feel they\u2019ve earned a look-in, and we\u2019re even still talking about Dowman. But realistically, you can\u2019t take them all, and even if you did, what would be the point?<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knows come matchday 1, Kane will start. At most, two of the other 10+ will play alongside him. One or two more might run on when games are safe or desperately need chasing. Who of the remaining 6-7 will be willing to sit there, at best, hoping for 15 minutes against Panama, assuming no result is needed by then? It cannot help but be tokenism.<\/p>\n \u201cMeanwhile, none of the central defenders (a position of such strength for England in the 2000s) are world-class, one of the right-backs (Spence) isn\u2019t really a right-back and the left-back has had two caps. Even the best virtues of the best midfielders are offensive rather than defensive (the one who could actually offer the most balance, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has had a fine season, is extremely unlucky). None of this is Tuchel\u2019s fault, obviously, but just like Eriksson\u2019s managerial epitaph was \u201ccouldn\u2019t make Lampard and Gerrard work\u201d, Tuchel\u2019s could well be \u201ctoo many forwards\u201d.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt was a beautiful sensation, a feeling of togetherness with the fans,\u201d Tudor says of the win against Atletico Madrid that nonetheless saw them eliminated from the Champions League . \u201cVery rare I felt this. I enjoyed the feeling, the sensation we were doing good on the pitch, but together with them. Really nice \u2013 rare. We need to continue all together, this if we can say, this small positive moment, after these two games.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can recognise small but important things for the squad. There is a positivity \u2026 [Forest] is an important game but it will probably not decide anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Tudor says Dominic Solanke did not train today, but probably will tomorrow, and \u201cwill be OK\u201d.<\/p>\n Of his misconduct charge from the FA for comments about the referee after defeat by Fulham, he says: \u201cTo focus on the game is the most important thing.\u201d<\/p>\n What did he learn about his players this week? \u201cNothing new.\u201d<\/p>\n Is it an advantage that Forest went to penalties midweek? \u201cIt is not an advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n How important will set-pieces be against Forest? \u201cSet-pieces are important. We need to win them if it\u2019s possible. It\u2019s not just set-pieces. We need to be \u201cinside\u201d from the first second of the game. Big respect to them \u2026 but we need confidence and courage in what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.58 EDT<\/p>\n Igor Tudor is having a chat with media now before Tottenham\u2019s relegation six-pointer against on Sunday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A video of super Tommy Tuchel below, talking about the Trent omission, with a dash of Max Dowman:<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.47 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important the players stay level-headed,\u201d says the Coventry manager Frank Lampard before tomorrow evening\u2019s Championship test at Swansea City. Cov were beaten 2-1 by Southampton last time out.<\/p>\n \u201cI know they\u2019re a good group, resilient \u2026 I know they are good players, the table says so.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to take a few hits in this league, there are 46 games. We\u2019ve been the team that have been proven to be at the top of that so far. We need to take confidence from that and move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n An unnecessarily old photo of Frank Lampard. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.45 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cSo sad that Trent\u2019s not included,\u201d emails Claire of Tuchel\u2019s latest playing panel.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he would have been left out of the French\/Spanish\/Portuguese squad? (If he were any of those nationalities, of course.)<\/p>\n \u201cI can see why he might not fit well in a Thomas Tuchel team – which I see as exciting, dynamic and efficient but not massively creative \u2026 Hmmm.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Ronnie O\u2019Sullivan was just on my telly talking about his incredible 153 break in Yuhan.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wish I got paid more for it, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n Stay classy, Ronnie.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Also from Andrews, on Igor Thiago\u2019s Brazil call-up and the possibility of the forward winning the Premier League<\/a> golden boot:<\/p>\n \u201cHe needs to keep striving, keep pushing hard \u2013 he\u2019s an amazing character.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s had a big week with his call-up to Brazil. Such a proud moment for him and his family, and us as a football club. It\u2019s pretty special. We\u2019re going to keep supporting him, like we always have, and hopefully he can keep scoring consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n Igor Thiago has been banging them in. Photograph: Dylan Hepworth\/Every Second Media\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.35 EDT<\/p>\n A quick injury update from Keith Andrews, the Brentford boss, before his side\u2019s Premier League<\/a> trip to Leeds tomorrow night.<\/p>\n \u201cDams [Mikkel Damsgaard] was on the grass today. Which was obviouslly positive. We\u2019ll give him every chance for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrews is asked about all the predictions, before the season, that Brentford would be relegated.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not aware of what was said. I had a decent idea at the time \u2026 I don\u2019t read or watch very much. I focus on what I can control. We\u2019ve spoken a lot about our journey which has been very pleasing and gives us a lot of pride about what we stand for. We\u2019ve got eight huge games left.<\/p>\n \u201cAll our focus naturally just goes in to what we do day today. Then what people say is their prerogative.\u201d<\/p>\n Keith Andrews. Photograph: Rene Nijhuis\/MB Media\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.30 EDT<\/p>\n Liverpool condemn online racist abuse of Konat\u00e9 Liverpool have condemned the \u201cvile and abhorrent racist abuse\u201d aimed at Ibrahima Konat\u00e9 following their Champions League win over Galatasaray and accused social media companies of allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked.<\/p>\n Konat\u00e9 has received racist abuse, comments about the recent death of his father and even about Diogo Jota having been involved in the incident that left Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen with a fractured arm at Anfield on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Liverpool have not only condemned the abuse in the strongest possible terms but widened their criticism to include social media companies who fail to prevent it or take action against it.<\/p>\n \u201cThis behaviour is utterly unacceptable. It is dehumanising, cowardly and rooted in hate,\u201d read a club statement. \u201cOur players are not targets. They are human beings. The abuse that continues to be directed at players, often hidden behind anonymous accounts, is a stain on the game and on the platforms that allow it to persist.<\/p>\n \u201cWords of condemnation alone are not sufficient. Social media companies must take responsibility and act now. These platforms have the power, the technology and the resources to prevent this abuse, yet too often they fail to do so. Allowing racist hatred to spread unchecked is a choice \u2013 and it is one that continues to harm players, families and communities across the game.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to offer Ibrahima our full support and will work with the relevant authorities to identify those responsible wherever possible. But the burden cannot keep falling on players and clubs to respond after the damage has already been done. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It must be confronted, challenged and eradicated \u2013 not tomorrow, but now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the win against Galatasaray. Photograph: David Blunsden\/Action Plus\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Thomas Tuchel says England will not take risks with Jude Bellingham\u2019s fitness as the Real Madrid star continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old was reduced to tears after pulling up injured in the opening stages of the Spanish giants\u2019 2-1 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano on 1 February.<\/p>\n Bellingham is yet to return to action and watched from the stands as Real overcame Manchester City in the Champions League<\/a> on Tuesday, but three days later the midfielder was included in England\u2019s 35-man squad.<\/p>\n Tuchel believes it is important to have the midfielder in the final camp before the World Cup but tried to set expectations ahead of the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone had the same interest, which is not always the case,\u201d the England boss said. \u201cBut in this case, we all had the same interest.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted Jude to be in camp, Jude wanted to be in camp and Real Madrid is happy for him to come to camp because we can provide, basically, team training for him, which is a bit difficult because Real Madrid is just like on the international break.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can provide that, so all boxes are ticked. I think it was very important to get the expectations right – it is maybe also very important to get your expectations right (in the media) about Jude in this camp.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue his progress in integration into team training. We will be very careful and not take any risk with Jude regarding a risk of re-injury.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very rare injury for him to have a muscle injury, so he\u2019s not experienced in it, so we will be very, very careful with it and not take any risk.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best case scenario is that he gets some minutes against Japan. That is the framework and then we will adapt from day to day.\u201d PA Media<\/p>\n Jude Bellingham watches Real Madrid defeat Manchester City in the Champions League. Photograph: Molly Darlington\/Copa\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n A few bits from earlier, including things to look out for this weekend:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In other recap news. Why did Tuchel leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his squad again?<\/p>\n \u201cIt is more the evidence we have, that we were good in September, October, November, than any reflection on Trent.<\/p>\n \u201cI know very well what Trent can offer us \u2026 I played many times against him [as a club manager], and suffered \u2026 I know what he can give.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have evidence of how good we were in September, October, November \u2026 those full-backs have to push, they have to show again they deserve their spot.\u201d<\/p>\n Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid. Photograph: Matt West\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.07 EDT<\/p>\n That of course is David Hytner\u2019s news hit on the 35-man England squad, if you missed it earlier.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Thomas Tuchel has recalled Harry Maguire<\/a> and Kobbie Mainoo for the Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in an enlarged England squad of 35 players. The manager said he has picked almost two groups for the matches in order to give opportunities to fringe players and, initially, rest to other more established ones at this critical stage of the season.<\/p>\n Tuchel\u2019s other headlines were the decisions to bring back Lewis Hall, Fikayo Tomori, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke. He has also given a first call-up to James Garner. Tino Livramento is back. The most eye-catching omissions were those of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ollie Watkins, who have to fear for their World Cup places.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I can exclusively reveal that I have a ticket for England v Uruguay next week.<\/p>\n Do you?<\/p>\n You can mail<\/a> me with your reaction to Tuchel\u2019s squad, and his decision not to involve 11 front-line players against the South Americans.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Is it ironic that Arsenal have adopted the dark arts after Arteta criticised Guardiola for the same? (Jamie with the question again.)<\/p>\n \u201cDid you hear me talk about dark arts and Arsenal? [Or] Do you say that?”<\/p>\n \u201cWhat time is the conference in London? You have time to go to London and ask Mikel about that \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe officials have to handle it or the guys, behind the scenes \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cLook what happened around the world \u2026 The world is going to collapse<\/a>, and we are here talking about the \u201cdark arts\u201d from one team or the other team \u2026 there are more important things than that.\u201d<\/p>\n Note: The world is not going to collapse.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.00 EDT<\/p>\n Our very own Jamie Jackson asks: Was there a falling out between Arteta and Guardiola last year, after the game when Rodri got injured? Are they friends now, do they have dinner together?<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have time to go to London and I think he has no time, with four competitions, to come to Manchester \u2026 all the managers have a lot of business to do \u2026 if you want to try to create some conflict between me and Mikel, I am old enough to do that.\u201d [I think he means old enough to see it coming and not rise to it.]<\/p>\n![\"Tuchel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774020849_247_1920.jpg\")
Tuchel explains \u2018tough decision for Trent\u2019 and refuses to rule out Dowman for England \u2013 videoShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Andy_Hunter.png\")
Andy Hunter<\/p>\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/David_Hytner,_L.png\")
David Hytner<\/p>\n