Liverpool and Chelsea will meet again in the Carabao Cup final on February 25, and their latest encounter has all the makings of a cup final classic.

Jurgen Klopp hogged the headlines on Friday by <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/admin/stories/add/Jurgen Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at season's end in shock move">announcing he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season</a> - and he will be hoping to lift the Carabao Cup before he heads off into the sunset. Liverpool and Chelsea have met twice before in League Cup finals, in 2005 and 2022, with Chelsea winning the first 3-2 after extra time, and Liverpool winning two years ago on penalties after that game ended 0-0.&nbsp;In fact, the penalty shootout was the most memorable thing about that final – the first 21 penalties were all scored before Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga skied his shot woefully.&nbsp;In all, Liverpool hold the record for most League Cup wins with nine, compared with Chelsea’s still impressive five victories.&nbsp;Both teams will be confident of winning this time round after strong semi-final displays. Liverpool overcame a quality Fulham side over two legs, while Chelsea stormed back from the shock of losing 1-0 at Middlesborough with a 6-1 blitz at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer the standout player yet again, scoring two goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> analyses what the deciding factors could be in this season’s Carabao Cup final.&nbsp;<h1>Chelsea attack finally clicks</h1>Chelsea have amassed the second-best xG in the Premier League this season with 42.1, but have only managed to score 35 goals. But recently, the Chelsea attack has finally started to find the back of the net more regularly.&nbsp;Over their last six games in all competitions, they have managed to score 16 goals – with Palmer contributing five.&nbsp;After the semi-final second leg, the beaten Boro manager Michael Carrick said: “They have had six shots and scored six goals, which is very ruthless.” And with Christopher Nkunku set to return from injury soon, this could spell danger for Liverpool.&nbsp;<h1>Liverpool have the best defence</h1>Jurgen Klopp's teams have often been praised for their free-scoring style of play over the years,&nbsp; but this season their defence has also excelled. They have currently conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League with 18, as well as having the most clean sheets with eight.&nbsp;Their key defensive player is once again Virgil van Dijk, who has not been dribbled past a single time in the Premier League this season. In addition, he is averaging 72 accurate passes per game, showing his importance in both defence and moving the ball forward.&nbsp;YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/jurgen-klopp-praises-liverpools-grit-as-reds-secure-carabao-cup-final-berth">Jurgen Klopp praises Liverpool's grit as Reds secure Carabao Cup final berth</a><h1>Gallagher’s form</h1>Conor Gallagher is in great form at the moment, with an average Premier League match rating of 7.46 – the highest in the Chelsea squad. He’s also equal top for assists with Palmer (both have contributed four from midfield in the Premier League).&nbsp;Gallagher should be key to Chelsea’s gameplan in nullifying Liverpool’s strong midfield, including the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones.&nbsp;Gallagher is in the top 1% of midfielders for average touches per match this season, as well as being in the top 1% for number of defensive actions per game.&nbsp;<h1>Liverpool injury boosts</h1>Having hurt his hamstring during Egypt's draw with Ghana at the Africa Nations Cup, Liverpool talisman Mo Salah may be out for 3-4 weeks. This should mean he is (just about) back in time for the Carabao Cup final, which will be a major boost to Liverpool's chances.&nbsp;Salah has got 14 goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season. And there’s more good news for Liverpool: both Thiago Alcantara (hip injury) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) are expected to return in the next week or two, so plenty of time to be ready for the final.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Chelsea’s Silva lining</h1>It is not only Chelsea’s attack that has improved over the past few weeks. Their defence has only conceded five goals in their past six games in all competitions.&nbsp;Thiago Silva’s experience is playing a key part in the development of this young Chelsea team. While he will be 40 in September, he is still putting in consistent performances at the heart of the defence – and has the added motivation of the Carabao Cup final being potentially his last for Chelsea.&nbsp;After the semi-final win, he said: “With each game that ends I have the feeling that [my time at Chelsea] is ending, so that makes me a little sad. The three times I went [to Wembley], I lost all three. So I think it’s time to win, right?”&nbsp;<h1>But the form book says Liverpool</h1>Liverpool have been in incredible form over the past few months, only losing one of their last 16 games in all competitions. In this time, they have scored 38 goals while only conceding 13.&nbsp;Such fine form means they will be full of confidence going into the Carabao Cup final.&nbsp;In the semi-final second leg against Fulham, even Liverpool’s newcomers looked dangerous – for example, Luis Diaz opened the scoring off a Trent-esque pass from Liverpool's new young centre-back, Jarell Quansah.&nbsp;The 20-year-old, making only his 16th appearance in all competitions, looked assured throughout the game at centre-back – making seven clearances (joint first with Van Dijk over both teams) and seven recoveries (first overall).READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/jurgen-klopp-to-step-down-as-liverpool-manager-at-seasons-end-in-shock-move">Jurgen Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at season's end in shock move</a>

Will Liverpool or Chelsea win the Carabao Cup? Six key factors that could decide the final

Diogo Jota ‘is out of this world’ – or so said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after Liverpool thrashed Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday. 

Carragher compared Jota to Michael Owen, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres in terms of finishing ability - high praise indeed from the former Liverpool defender.&nbsp; With Mo Salah having been away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, many Liverpool fans may have feared this season’s attacking force would be dented.&nbsp;&nbsp;But judging by Jota’s latest performance, which included two goals and an assist to put Liverpool back on top of the Premier League by five points, they don't need to worry.&nbsp;The Portuguese striker could play a critical role in maintaining Liverpool’s title charge in Salah’s absence - and then alongside him when the Egyptian returns.&nbsp;Jota signed for Liverpool for £41million from Wolves in September 2020. Largely utilised off the bench since then, the 27-year-old has made 135 appearances in all competitions, scoring an impressive 52 goals and 21 assists.&nbsp;Now Jota should look at these next few weeks as a chance to push on and make a starting spot in the forward roles his own.&nbsp;Salah, meanwhile, is on his way back to Liverpool for treatment on a muscle strain he sustained against Ghana. The severity of Salah’s injury is unclear, but it will keep him out for at least two AFCON games - and potentially longer.&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> assesses why Jota is the ideal man to step up in Salah’s absence, and beyond.&nbsp;<h1>Liverpool’s best finisher?&nbsp;</h1>One of Jota’s most impressive stats this season is his goalscoring record compared to expected goals, racking up seven goals in the Premier League from an xG of just 3.3. This shows how clinical Jota is when he gets a chance in front of goal.&nbsp;In comparison, Salah has scored 14 goals from an xG of 14.3, and Darwin Nunez has scored seven from an xG of 9.45.&nbsp;In short, Jota has been by far the most clinical of the three in the Premier League.&nbsp;Earlier this season, his manager Jurgen Klopp said of Jota: “He has the speed and the desire to finish situations off really good. I think his goalscoring record is pretty impressive.”&nbsp;<h1>His football brain&nbsp;</h1>Jota is having a fantastic season, managing a goal or assist every 84 minutes in the Premier League. Despite not starting him more often, Klopp clearly has huge faith in him – and in particular, his football brain.&nbsp;“He is a very smart footballer...he understands the game particularly well,” said Klopp when Jota came back from a muscle injury at the end of December.&nbsp;"I really think Portugal is blessed with these kind of players who really understand the game on a different level - and he is one of them, definitely.”&nbsp;This just shows the belief Klopp has in Jota, so the goal of getting more starts in this Liverpool team looks very attainable. And unlike Salah, he’s two-footed too!&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Defensive capabilities</h1>A key part of Liverpool's key success over the last few years has been their excellent press and rapid regaining of the ball. Jota is one of the best and hardest-working in their forward line, averaging 1.1 tackles per game in the Premier League this season and making a total of 140 aerial challenges.&nbsp;In comparison, Salah only averages 0.46 successful tackles per game and has made 78 successful aerial challenges this season.&nbsp;This shows the benefits to Liverpool of having Jota "defending from the front”.&nbsp;<h1>Diogo the dribbler</h1>Jota’s average successful dribble per game in the Premier League is also high at 1.4 per game - bettered only by Cody Gakpo (1.8) and Luis Diaz (1.9) among the Liverpool squad.&nbsp;In comparison, Salah averages 0.9 successful dribbles per match, on the lower side of the Reds forwards.&nbsp;Jota’s ability to keep hold of the ball while moving Liverpool up the pitch is another key facet of his play - and has led to a high rate of assists as he draws defenders to him before delivering a killer pass.&nbsp;This is incredibly important in any Klopp team, which always rely on fast transitions and quick counter-attacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Jota’s extra motivation</h1>A bonus for Liverpool is the added motivation Jota may have to perform as the European Championships are on the horizon.&nbsp;Jota has only started two of Portugal’s last six games, but has still managed two goals and two assists.&nbsp;He could yet turn out to be one of the stars of this summer’s tournament for Portugal – assuming he gets proper game time with Liverpool first.YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/diogo-jota-inspires-liverpool-surge-as-injuries-fail-to-dampen-premier-league-lead">Diogo Jota inspires Liverpool surge as injuries fail to dampen Premier League lead</a>

Five reasons why Diogo Jota can fill the Mo Salah-shaped hole in Liverpool's attack

Jadon Sancho exploded onto the scene in Germany when he signed for Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old from Manchester City’s academy in August 2017. Just over a year later, he made his England debut, and everything looked golden for the London-born winger. 

After four record-breaking seasons at Dortmund, Sancho was snapped up by Manchester United (then managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) in July 2021. It was a massive fee of 85million euros (£73m) and a massive five-year contract (£13m a year) - but things soon went badly wrong.&nbsp;&nbsp; Current Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag says “he had issues all the way through” with Sancho, who has been training and eating with United's academy players since falling out with the Dutchman last September.&nbsp;Now Sancho, still only 23, has been sent back to Germany, signing a loan contract with Dortmund until the end of the season.&nbsp;He says it “felt like coming home” and is looking forward to “playing with a smile on my face again” - and he didn’t take long to show his value on and off the pitch.&nbsp;In his first game back, he managed an assist off the bench during Dortmund's 3-0 win at Darmstadt 98. Meanwhile, the club sold more than 5,000 replica Sancho shirts within the first few days of his return.&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> assesses whether Sancho’s return to Dortmund will be the start of a resurgence for the young Englishman.&nbsp;<h1>Why Sancho was so good at Dortmund&nbsp;</h1>Sancho spent four seasons at Dortmund, playing 137 matches and contributing 50 goals and 64 assists. He mainly played on the left in Germany.&nbsp;In the 2018/19 season, his 14 assists won him the playmaker award in the Bundesliga - then amazingly, he did even better the following season, scoring 17 goals and assisting 16 goals while still a teenager for most of it.&nbsp;Known for their fast-passing attacking football, Dortmund's style suited Sancho down to a tee. Allowed to stay forward while his team were defending, Sancho ranked third in the league for big chances created in 2019/20 with 19, and eighth for successful dribbles with three per game.&nbsp;This was his best season to date and cemented his status as a world talent.&nbsp;Sancho was key to Dortmund's build-up play, the focal point of an attack that also featured Erling Haaland and (in his final season) Jude Bellingham.&nbsp;READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/who-will-jose-mourinho-manage-next-after-roma-sacking-napoli-newcastle-or-england">Who will Mourinho manage next after Roma exit? Napoli, Newcastle...or England?</a><h1>Why Sancho was so bad at United&nbsp;</h1>The first glaring issue for Sancho when he joined United was that they signed him to fill in on the right side, when he has always been more comfortable coming in off the left.&nbsp;The trouble was, United already had Sancho’s England team-mate, Marcus Rashford, playing there. In addition, United were very much a counter-attacking team under Solskjaer and have largely remained that way under Ten Hag.&nbsp;Sancho thrives more with plenty of touches of the ball where he can control the play. United needed an explosive winger, where Sancho is more of a creator. As a result, he only managed 12 goals and six assists in 82 games during his two-and-a-half-year stay at Old Trafford.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ten Hag was never Sancho’s biggest fan, but the writing was on the wall when the United manager said "on his performance in training, we didn't select him”, after Sancho was left out of the squad for their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal last September.&nbsp;Sancho hit back on social media, saying it was “completely untrue” - but he never played another minute for United.&nbsp;<h1>What the future holds for Sancho&nbsp;</h1>Perhaps the key to Sancho’s future is the way he is managed off as well as on the pitch. Already there are clues to how Dortmund will treat him differently.&nbsp;Shortly after he returned, the club’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, was quoted as saying: "Jadon only has one problem, he's late from time to time. His internal clock is not so well-developed. He's a very nice boy, but every now and then he's late. But you have to accept that.”&nbsp;Judging by this, Dortmund clearly have a better understanding of Sancho than old-school Ten Hag ever did. Also, they have given him the number 10 straight away, a shirt normally worn by the key player in the team (think Messi and Maradona), which should help Sancho’s confidence on the pitch.&nbsp;Despite his lack of recent gametime, Dortmund manager Edin Terzic is relaxed about his fitness, saying that Sancho’s “stats are outstanding". There are reports that Terzic may play Sancho up front alongside Dortmund’s latest young sensation, Youssoufa Moukoko.&nbsp;However well Sancho does over the rest of this season, it looks unlikely he has a future at United - but plenty of other European clubs will surely want him, even if the fast pace of the Premier League may not be best suited to his talents.&nbsp;Right now, Sancho’s biggest aim will be to get back on Gareth Southgate’s radar in time for the European Championships this summer - which are, of course, being played in Germany.YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/transfer-window-opinion-the-five-best-premier-league-based-deals-so-far">Transfer window opinion: The five best Premier League-based deals so far</a>

The rise and fall of Jadon Sancho – and why he will rise again back in Germany

Having managed many of the world’s greatest teams - including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United - and worked with many of the world’s best players, Jose Mourinho has certainly left his mark on the beautiful game. 

The 60-year-old has raked in a lot of money along the way too – it’s reported that in payouts alone, he has made more than £80million from his many sackings.&nbsp; The Portuguese legend was pictured in tears after departing Roma, a two-and-a-half-year stint that ended two days after their striker Andrea Belotti said the team had “hit rock bottom” when they lost 3-1 to AC Milan last Sunday.&nbsp;"Sweat, blood, tears, joy, sadness, love, brothers, history, heart, eternity,” Mourinho posted on his Instagram after being sacked by Roma (reported payout: £3m)&nbsp; – a message to the fans who had supported him passionately during his time in the Italian capital.&nbsp;In his illustrious career as a manager, Mourinho has now won 26 major trophies including two Champions League and three Premier League titles.&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> looks back on his rarely dull career as a manager, and asks: where could he end up next?&nbsp;<h1>On the map with Porto</h1>After famously starting his career as (among other things) Bobby Robson’s interpreter at Barcelona, Mourinho’s first breakout managerial job came at Porto (2002-2004). He averaged 2.32 points per match and notched up 91 wins in 127 games – including, most impressively, the 2004 Champions League final (a 3-0 win over Monaco), which instantly put the Portuguese prodigy on the map of every European super club.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the summer of 2004, Mourinho became the first Portuguese manager in the Premier League when Roman Abramovich signed him for Chelsea despite Mourinho having previously said that “Chelsea does not interest me so much”.&nbsp;Instantly coining himself “the Special One”, Mourinho showed the unbreakable self-belief he is now famous for. In this first stint at Chelsea, Mourinho averaged 2.23 points per game, winning 124 of his 185 games, two Premier League titles and a League Cup.&nbsp;Mourinho’s first league title was also Chelsea’s first for 50 years, and his tactical prowess was demonstrated by Chelsea conceding only 15 league goals all season. Reported Chelsea payoff: £18million.&nbsp;<h1>From London to Milan</h1>After three years in London and a falling out with Abramovich, Mourinho moved to Inter Milan. The Portuguese only lasted 108 games at the San Siro, but this was a memorable time for Inter fans.&nbsp;He won Serie A two years in a row and, most famously, the Champions League in 2010.This was among his shortest stints as a manager but also one of the most memorable.&nbsp;<h1>Ciao Milan, Hola Madrid</h1>At Real Madrid from 2010, Mourinho’s record was again outstanding, winning 128 of his 178 games for an average tally of 2.3 points per match.&nbsp;Despite having a team boasting legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, he only lasted two and a half years – but still managed to win La Liga over Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona. Reported Real Madrid payoff: £17million.&nbsp;YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/carlo-ancelotti-reflects-on-real-madrids-copa-del-rey-loss-to-atletico-madrid">Carlo Ancelotti reflects on Real Madrid's Copa del Rey loss to Atletico Madrid</a><h1>Guess who’s back?</h1>Mourinho then chose to return to England again, managing Chelsea from 2013 until 2015 and picking up another Premier League title and League Cup.&nbsp;He managed the London club for 136 games, having a points per game of 1.96 and win percentage of 58.8%.&nbsp;But in his third season, he had only gained 12 points from his first 11 Premier League games when he left Chelsea again in December 2015, this time “by mutual consent”. Reported Chelsea payoff: £8.3million&nbsp;<h1>Mourinho in Manchester</h1>In May 2016, Mourinho took over at Manchester United, where he brought home a Europa League and League Cup trophy (which now looks a pretty creditable record) before being sacked in December 2018 – having recently described himself as “one of the greatest managers in the world”. Points per game record: 1.97. Reported Man Utd payoff: £19.6million.&nbsp;<h1>Trophyless at Tottenham</h1>But Mourinho’s love affair with England still wasn’t over. In November 2019 he took over at Tottenham, where he was to endure his first trophyless spell as a manager since 2002 – although he was questionably dismissed just two days before they were set to face Manchester City in the 2021 League Cup final.&nbsp;In charge for just 86 games, Spurs was Mourinho’s career low in management, achieving a win percentage of just 51.1%. Reported Spurs payoff: £15million.&nbsp;Now, having only just left Roma, the rumours of his next likely appointment are already beginning to swirl (always helped by having fellow Portuguese superagent Jorge Mendes working for you). Here are some of the possible candidates for his next managerial role:&nbsp;Napoli&nbsp;Napoli are not having the season they were hoping for, after winning their first scudetto last year since 1989/90.&nbsp;Currently sitting in eighth place in the Serie A table, Mendes has reportedly contacted Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Could a return to Serie A at a third different team now be on the cards?&nbsp;Saudi ArabiaMourinho is not a stranger to large contracts, and Saudi Arabia is the place handing them out regularly at the moment. The top teams in the Saudi Pro League are always looking to add another superstar to their roster, so who better than the Special One?&nbsp;&nbsp;NewcastleA surprise return to the Premier League may not be out of the question. Newcastle's recent influx of money means they would be able to match Mourinho's sizeable contract request – coupled with the fact that Eddie Howe is not having the best of seasons.&nbsp;Mourinho has been quoted in the past saying he “feels a connection with the club through Mr [Bobby] Robson”.&nbsp;PortoAn unlikely return to the scene of his first Champions League triumph may also be on the cards.&nbsp;The Portuguese giants are not dominating the Primeira Liga as they have in the past, with rivals Benfica having won the title twice in the last three years.&nbsp;Mourinho is eternally loved in Porto, so a return to where it all started should not be ruled out.&nbsp;EnglandThere are a few international teams on the lookout for a new manager, especially with the 2024 European Championship meaning some likely high-profile changes immediately afterwards. While Portugal is the obvious choice being Mourinho's place of birth, Roberto Martinez is doing a decent job there, helping them to qualify for the Euros.&nbsp;Instead, England could also be an interesting destination for Mourinho to consider. It’s reported that the FA has already been looking for managers to replace Gareth Southgate after the Euros, and the quality of the current England squad – coupled with his fondness for English football – would make it hard for Mourinho to look the other way.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/bayern-munich-eye-newcastles-kieran-trippier-in-transfer-window-tussle">Bayern Munich eye Newcastle's Kieran Trippier in transfer window tussle</a>

Who will Mourinho manage next after Roma exit? Napoli, Newcastle...or England?

England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is a wanted man - almost everywhere, that is, except his current club, Manchester City.

Since signing for City for £42million from his boyhood club Leeds in the summer of 2022, it has not all been plain sailing for the Yorkshireman, with his manager Pep Guardiola criticising him immediately for returning after the Qatar World Cup “overweight”.&nbsp; Since then, 28-year-old Phillips has only made 31 appearances for City in all competitions, scoring one goal and registering no assists. This is a far cry from his Leeds career, where he was a mainstay of their central midfield in both the Championship and Premier League.&nbsp;By last October, Phillips was suggesting he might need to move on to preserve his spot in the England squad for this summer’s European Championship, commenting: “To keep my spot, I have to be playing games.&nbsp;“I want to play football and want to play as much as possible. Hopefully my chance does come but if it doesn’t, then I will have to make other decisions as well.”&nbsp;Unfortunately for Phillips, his chance hasn’t come. In December, Guardiola told the media: "I don’t know what will happen to Kalvin Phillips. He has good character, I’m so sorry I have not picked him. I visualise my team...and I struggle to see him."&nbsp;It was reported that City are looking to sell Philips in the January 2024 transfer window, but a loan has not been ruled out. Phillips won’t come cheap, though - City are said to want a loan fee of at least £5million, as well as the club paying most of Phillips’ £135,000-a-week wage.&nbsp;Despite this, a good selection of clubs in the Premier League and beyond are looking to sign Phillips.&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> assesses the most likely candidates to secure his signature, ranked from least to most likely.&nbsp;<h1>5. Juventus</h1>The Italian giants have reportedly spoken to City about a loan deal for Phillips. The two-times Champions League winners need more depth in midfield as they look to cement their current second-place spot in Serie A. However, their interest has reportedly cooled in favour of Udinese midfielder Lazar Samardzic.&nbsp;Juventus are a European giant boasting past midfield legends such as Zinedine Zidane and Andrea Pirlo. Phillips was called the Yorkshire Pirlo by Leeds fans during his time at the club – but a move to Italian football looks unlikely for now.&nbsp;<h1>4. Everton</h1>Everton manager Sean Dyche would surely love to add Phillips to his ranks for the rest of a season that still looks very uncertain for the Merseysiders, despite their decent form.&nbsp;Dyche, of course, is renowned for his no-nonsense approach to football, with his Everton side attempting 64 long balls per game in the Premier League this season.&nbsp;Phillips was very well known for his amazing long passing ability during his time at Leeds, often being likened to an NFL quarterback. On top of this, Phillips would fit Dyche’s hard-working style of football well – and looking at their current midfield, he would have a good chance of being their number one in the deeper position.&nbsp;Unfortunately, Everton are facing massive financial issues. Already docked 10 points for breaking Financial Fair Play rules, they now look likely to be punished again by the FA (along with Nottingham Forest) for more broken rules.&nbsp;This being considered, it is highly unlikely Everton could pull together the funding for Phillips even with sales of other players.&nbsp;<h1>3. West Ham</h1>With West Ham through to the last 16 of the Europa League and sitting sixth in the Premier League, it’s likely to be a very congested few months for the Hammers – so the addition of Phillips could be just what they need to deliver an even better season than the last one.&nbsp;Likewise, the chance to play on a major European stage will be a massive attraction for Phillips as he seeks to cement his place in the England squad for the Euros this summer. And with West Ham having sold their midfield star, Declan Rice, to Arsenal last summer, Phillips might have thought this would be a great opportunity to slot straight into the West Ham midfield.&nbsp;&nbsp;Except that the Hammers already have a midfield three playing very well. James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek have created a well-balanced midfield that has been the core of West Ham’s defensive, counter-attacking style of football.&nbsp;This may make it difficult for Phillips to fit in – and currently West Ham seem to be more interested in boosting their attacking line-up with one of Ajax winger Steven Bergwijn or Sunderland winger-striker Jack Clarke.&nbsp;<h1>2. Crystal Palace</h1>Chairman Steve Parish was quoted in December saying that Palace are aiming to “sign loan players and experienced players” this January transfer window.&nbsp;Phillips certainly fits both these criteria and with Palace being weak in central midfield, he looks the perfect target. Some reports suggest they are now favourites to sign the out-of-favour City midfielder.&nbsp;Phillips just has to look at previous players who have left the top-six clubs for Selhurst Park to show how well a move to Palace could suit him. Marc Guehi left Chelsea to play regular first-team football and is now a regular in the England squad. Similarly, Conor Gallagher's loan season at Palace (also from Chelsea) was his breakout season.&nbsp;Against this, Phillips may see this move as a step down in level compared with the other clubs knocking on the door.&nbsp;Palace have finished between 11th and 14th in their last five seasons in the Premier League, and don’t have the same European credentials as Newcastle or West Ham.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>1.&nbsp; Newcastle</h1>Since their controversial financial takeover in October 2021, Newcastle have been transformed by manager Eddie Howe and some sensible buys into serious challengers for a Champions League place, reaching it for the first time since 2002/03 this season.&nbsp;Even though they’re out of Europe now, Newcastle’s improvement will be a massive draw for Phillips, now that he’s used to being part of a team at the top of European football.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, Newcastle have massive squad issues at the moment, including Sandro Tonali (betting ban), Joelinton (thigh injury), Joe Willock (calf), Elliot Anderson (back) and Jacob Murphy (shoulder).&nbsp;Their misfortune should allow Phillips to instantly slot into the Magpies team alongside Bruno Guimaraes.&nbsp; And despite Howe saying that Newcastle’s activity in this transfer window is being held back by Financial Fair Play rules, of all the teams discussed here, they still seem the most likely to be able to afford Phillips’ large contract.&nbsp;The one con may be that once the players return from injury, he will not be guaranteed first-team football.&nbsp;However, this should not deter Phillips - as a professional, he should back himself to be good enough to cement himself in the first-team squad.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/man-city-manager-pep-guardiola-clinches-best-mens-coach-at-fifa-awards">Man City manager Pep Guardiola clinches best men's coach at FIFA awards</a>

Who will win the battle for Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips’ signature?

The EFL Cup semi-finals offered up two exciting first legs, with Middlesbrough surprising Chelsea 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium and Liverpool coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Anfield, thanks to quickfire second-half goals from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo.

If Fulham beat Liverpool on January 24 it will be their first EFL Cup final in the club’s history.&nbsp; “It’s source of pride for us to be there [in the semi-final] but we want more,” said their manager Marco Silva. “It’s still tight. We lost the first half – now we have to go for it in the second."&nbsp;All the other teams have won it previously, with Middlesbrough’s final victory coming 20 years ago when they beat Bolton Wanderers.&nbsp;Chelsea, who have won the League Cup five times, and nine-time winners Liverpool are the clear favourites to meet in the final, as they did in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;But both semi-finals are still up for grabs.&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> outlines six key factors that could decide the final outcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Chelsea’s wasted chances</h1>Chelsea's ability to underscore their expected goals has been an issue for them all season.&nbsp;Against Middlesbrough, they accumulated an xG of 2.17 without finding the back of the net once.&nbsp;In the Premier League, Chelsea have a total xG of 39.9 – second only to Liverpool – but have only found the net 34 times.&nbsp;One explanation may be because their squad is so young. The average age of their starting XIs this season is 24 years, 352 days – the third youngest in the Premier League.&nbsp;Nowhere is a lack of experience more revealing than in front of goal&nbsp;<h1>Middlesbrough’s away strength&nbsp;</h1>Middlesbrough need a massive performance at Stamford Bridge on January 23 to see off Chelsea –&nbsp; but some stats are in their favour.&nbsp;Interestingly, in the Championship, Boro’s form is much better away from home than at the Riverside Stadium.&nbsp;When the table only includes games played at home, Middlesbrough sit down in 16th. But when it’s away games only, they make a massive jump up to sixth, which may increase the confidence of the players.&nbsp;They’ve also got history to encourage them: the last time Middlesbrough reached the last four of the EFL Cup in 2004, they went all the way. Boro fans should be quietly excited.&nbsp;<h1>Cole Palmer</h1>The exciting 21-year-old attacking midfielder was undoubtedly Chelsea’s main threat in the first leg, even if he missed a few big chances (he racked up an xG of 1.25 without scoring).&nbsp;Chelsea bought the youngster off Premier League rivals Man City in the summer for £45million, which looks like a right bargain going on his form this season.&nbsp;He has contributed 10 goals and seven assists in 24 games in all competitions, while also scoring four out of four penalties. This could be a boost if the second leg ends 1-0 to Chelsea and the tie is decided by a penalty shoot-out.&nbsp;<h1>Jurgen Klopp's game management</h1>Klopp's tactical fluidity must be credited for Liverpool's success in the first leg. In the 56th minute, he subbed on Gakpo and Darwin Nunez – and within 15 minutes, the game had turned around. First Nunez assisted Jones, then three minutes later the two subs combined to make the score 2-1, with Nunez getting his second assist of the night.&nbsp;This season, Nunez has been brought off the bench to great effect in the Premier League, providing four goals and two assists as a sub this season.&nbsp;The question now is does Nunez deserve to start the second leg, especially with Mo Salah away at AFCON? His stats off the bench make it clear why Klopp utilises him this way.&nbsp;READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/who-are-the-favourites-to-win-the-2023-africa-cup-of-nations">Who are the favourites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?</a><h1>Fulham’s home comforts</h1>“At home, with our fans behind us, it's going to be a great night for Fulham Football Club," said Marco Silva when questioned about the second leg of the tie with Liverpool.&nbsp;Fulham have picked up 18 of their 24 points at home in the Premier League this season.&nbsp;&nbsp;They did a great job of staying in the game at a hostile Anfield, particularly in the second half.&nbsp;Overall, Liverpool had 21 shots to Fulham's six, but the most important thing for Fulham is that the score only ended up 2-1, despite Liverpool dominating possession (67%) and xG (1.77 to Fulham's 0.29).&nbsp;This was in large part due to Joao Palhinha, who totalled an impressive five successful tackles away at Liverpool and was Fulham's second highest rated player on the night after Andre Pereirra (7.9).&nbsp;<h1>Battle of the fans</h1>The famous Anfield crowd definitely helped Liverpool push on to victory in the second half – and afterwards, Klopp paid tribute to the noise they had made to get them back in the game when, early in the second half, they looked to be struggling.&nbsp;The question now is whether Fulham’s fans can have the same effect at Craven Cottage.&nbsp;It should be a very special atmosphere as Fulham go all-out to try to break their cup duck.YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/five-reasons-why-man-city-will-win-the-premier-league-title-again">Five reasons why Man City will win the Premier League title (again)...</a>

Carabao Cup Conclusions: Six lessons learned from the semi-final first legs

At the halfway stage of the 2023/24 season, we have five realistic teams vying for the Premier League title.

Aston Villa and Tottenham are the unexpected contenders, with Liverpool leading the way after 20 games and Arsenal in the hunt once again.&nbsp; Pep Guardiola is all too used to this over the past eight years and won’t be daunted by a five-point gap (especially with a game in hand).&nbsp;Manchester City are currently aiming to win the Premier League title for a record fourth time in a row which undoubtedly will increase the team's motivation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite a sense that City are not at their best right now, they have still won six of their last seven games in all competitions.&nbsp;As well as this, Man City will not play another current top-eight side until March 2, this being the Manchester derby.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I think this team wants even more, we want to have everyone back and I think we will be even better,” Rodri told the BBC prior to Man City’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> outlines five reasons why Man City will once again be crowned Kings of England in May.&nbsp;<h1>The thrill of the chase&nbsp;</h1>After 19 games last season, Manchester City were second in the Premier League but were actually further off top spot than they currently are.&nbsp;Arsenal were in first on 50 points with City in second on 42 points - but Pep Guardiola’s men went on to win the league with ease, finishing five points clear of the Gunners.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Man City went on an unbelievable run towards the end of the season, going unbeaten for 16 games, only losing 1-0 to Brentford on the final day of the season.&nbsp;In this run, they won 12 of the 16 games and scored an amazing 41 goals.&nbsp;City managed impressive wins over Liverpool (4-1) and Arsenal (4-1), reaffirming their dominance over their Premier League rivals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>De Bruyne is back&nbsp;</h1>Kevin De Bruyne made his return in City’s fixture against Huddersfield in the FA Cup with an impressive 5-0 win.&nbsp;It took him just 17 minutes to record his first assist after being back from injury with a lovely cross to Jeremy Doku, who had also just returned from injury.&nbsp;De Bruyne had been sidelined for five months with a hamstring tear he picked up against Burnley on the first day of the season.&nbsp;&nbsp;City’s all-round play has, of course, been negatively affected by this as last year he was the top playmaker in the league with 16 assists as well as contributing seven goals to City’s title charge.In the Premier League, De Bruyne has 240 appearances for Manchester City with an impressive 64 goals and 104 assists in that time.&nbsp;This puts him fourth in the all-time Premier League assist chart and only one assist behind Wayne Rooney in third, with 251 appearances less than the Manchester United man.&nbsp;Man City’s win rate with De Bruyne in the team is 73% but drops to 65% when he is not playing.&nbsp;Interestingly, their average goals conceded per game has also been negatively affected, changing from 0.8 per game with De Bruyne to 1.1 when he is not available.&nbsp;<h1>Full-strength squad</h1>A massive bonus for Man City is the fact they have no players going to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations or the Asian Cup - the only other teams also not affected by these competitions are Newcastle and Burnley.&nbsp;This will benefit City massively as they are currently still in the FA Cup and Champions League, leading to a high congestion of games over the coming months because they will no doubt go deep in both these competitions.&nbsp;&nbsp;On top of this, their injury list is shortening quickly. Doku made his return alongside De Bruyne against Huddersfield, managing to get on the scoresheet with a lovely volley.&nbsp;Bernardo Silva sat out the FA Cup game due to illness, but is expected to be fit in no time. Erling Haaland's return is also imminent, and he is currently in training again.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Erling is a little better, his bone, so we need to be careful,” Pep was quoted saying when discussing Haaland's injury. “He has had two or three sessions and feels good. Hopefully, he can play soon but, I don’t know for Sunday or for Newcastle.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Underlying numbers</h1>Man City’s stats in the Premier League this season will fill fans with confidence as they top most metrics in the league.&nbsp;They have the highest rating per game of any team with an average of 7.31 (rating from Fotmob). This beats out Tottenham in second place with an average of 7.18.&nbsp;Manchester City also have the highest average goals per match with 2.4, 0.2 higher than second-placed Aston Villa.&nbsp;To continue the impressive list, City can also boast the highest average possession (63.8%) as well as the most shots on target per match (6.7).&nbsp;If the fans weren’t feeling good about their team's chances before seeing these stats, then one look through this list will boost their confidence massively.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Pep Guardiola</h1>Saving the best reason until last, we have Guardiola, a serial winner who has won everything in a career spanning 25 years where he started at Barcelona B in 2007.&nbsp;Over the course of his illustrious career, he has won three Champions Leagues, four FIFA Club World Cups, five Premier League trophies, three German championships, three Spanish championships, four UEFA Super Cups and 15 top tier cup competitions across Germany, Spain and England.&nbsp;This list of accolades shows Pep’s ability to win constantly and is another factor working in Man City’s favour when it comes to getting over the finishing line first in a title race.&nbsp;The fact that he can make history this season by winning a fourth Premier League title in a row will be driving him on more than most to secure this record.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/jurgen-klopp-pleased-with-darwin-nunezs-reaction-to-missing-opportunities">Jurgen Klopp pleased with Darwin Nunez's reaction to missing opportunities</a>

Five reasons why Man City will win the Premier League title (again)...

Fulham manager Marco Silva thinks Fulham can ‘do something special’ in their first EFL Cup semi-final – but will it be enough to overcome Liverpool?

The Merseysiders, who have won a record nine League Cups, are the hosts for <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/match-centre/match-detail/2583186">Wednesday night’s semi-final first leg</a>, and they come into the game in fantastic form having only lost one of their last 13 games in all competitions while scoring a staggering 31 goals. There were lots of goals the last time these two teams met at Anfield in the Premier League at the start of December. With a few minutes to go, Fulham were leading 3-2, only for Liverpool to snatch victory with two late goals.Head-to-head, the prospects look daunting for Fulham, with Liverpool having won 10 of their last 15 meetings against Fulham's three wins – the last coming in March 2021 when they surprised Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.Their history in the League Cup looks even more worrying: Fulham have never beaten Liverpool in nine meetings, including losing 10-0 in September 1986!However, the Cottagers should not be counted out, having recently beaten Arsenal 2-1 at home not long after their stunning back-to-back 5-0 home wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham.Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> takes a look at some key battles and factors that Fulham will need to overcome to have any chance of reaching the Carabao Cup final, with the second leg to be played at Craven Cottage on January 24.&nbsp;<h1>Jurgen Klopp vs Marco Silva&nbsp;</h1>The two managers have faced each other eight times over the years, with Jurgen Klopp winning four and Marco Silva just the once.&nbsp;Silva has faced Klopp while managing Fulham, Everton and Watford. They’ve had a few memorable meetings, none more so than in the Merseyside derby in 2018 during Silva’s stint as Everton manager.&nbsp;This feisty game remained 0-0 until, in the 96th minute, Liverpool substitute Divock Origi finally broke the deadlock after reacting fastest to a shot that had hit the crossbar. Massive celebrations ensued, leading to Klopp having to apologise to Silva in the aftermath for his unprofessional celebrations.&nbsp;<h1>Raul Jimenez vs Virgil van Dijk&nbsp;</h1>Fulham’s Raul Jimenez has been in great form recently, scoring four goals in his last four games including a brace against Nottingham Forest.&nbsp;Jimenez being clinical is key to Fulham's success against Liverpool – but the downside is he'll be facing Virgil van Dijk, who is back after illness and playing close to his best again this season.&nbsp;Liverpool have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season with seven, and at Anfield, Van Dijk has an incredible record of only losing one of the 90 games he has played there.&nbsp;The Fulham striker has to be on top form to get the better of powerful centre-back Van Dijk but in his current form, he will be full of confidence.<h1>Fulham's danger areas</h1>In their last six games in the Premier League, Fulham have scored a total of 12 goals, with no fewer than seven of these coming from crosses.&nbsp;Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out for three weeks with a knee injury, which means he will miss both legs of Liverpool’s EFL Cup semi-final. In addition, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are both still sidelined with injuries.&nbsp;This could mean there is a golden opportunity for Fulham to take full advantage with their threat from wide areas, especially with Andreas Pereira (who has created a club-high 37 chances in the Premier League this season) and Antonee Robinson (three assists from left-back) attacking Liverpool’s stand-in full-backs and whipping crosses in for Jimenez.&nbsp;YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/liverpool-can-handle-trent-alexander-arnold-loss-insists-pep-lijnders">Liverpool can handle Trent Alexander-Arnold loss, insists Pep Lijnders</a><h1>Joao Palhinha vs Alexis Mac Allister&nbsp;</h1>Another interesting battle will be in the middle of the park between two midfielders who could not be more different in playing styles.&nbsp;Joao Palhinha is an absolute rock in the middle of the pitch. Last season the Portuguese averaged 2.4 successful tackles per game to top the Premier League by this metric - yet this season he has improved on this stat, averaging 2.8 successful tackles.&nbsp;Argentinian World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is much more known for his passing ability, averaging 59.9 accurate passes per game this season – higher than Bernardo Silva (55.5) and Douglas Luiz (54.7).&nbsp;The varying styles of these two players will be fascinating to watch – and whichever player gets the better of the other could be a key to the result.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Missing Men - No Mo Salah&nbsp;</h1>Fulham are missing important players to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the form of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) and Fode Ballo-Toure (Senegal).&nbsp;Liverpool are missing Wataru Endo to the Asian Cup – but the departure of Mo Salah to Afcon 2023 is what will give Fulham hope they can spring a surprise.&nbsp;This season, the Egyptian magician has contributed 14 goals (joint first in the Premier League) and eight assists (also joint first).&nbsp;In the seven games Salah has played against Fulham in the Premier League, he has scored and assisted a total of five times. Salah’s importance to Liverpool cannot be overstated, and the fact he is missing from both legs will improve Fulham's confidence massively.&nbsp;<h1>Overall&nbsp;</h1>With key players missing on both sides, it will be an uphill battle for Fulham to overcome this Liverpool team and reach the EFL Cup final for the first time.&nbsp;But if they can win these specific battles on and off the pitch, history could be made when they bring the Reds back to Craven Cottage in a fortnight.By Sam HerdREAD MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/liverpools-trent-alexander-arnold-faces-extended-absence-due-to-knee-injury">Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold faces extended absence due to knee injury</a>

Five key battles Fulham must overcome to beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semis

Ivan Toney is set to return to Premier League action after his eight-month ban when Brentford host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, January 20.

Thomas Frank’s Bees are in a spot of bother, lying 16th in the Premier League table after winning just five of their opening 19 top-flight games. So the return of their England international is a welcome one, especially considering he has scored 32 goals in 68 Premier League appearances for Brentford since signing in August 2020.&nbsp;Toney himself is as confident as ever that he will hit the ground running, telling Sky Sports in an interview that he feels “hungrier” and “in better shape” after his layoff.&nbsp;He has also got something to prove to the club who have stood by him, adding: "Everybody at Brentford knows I will do my best to try and get the club out of the sticky patch we're in."&nbsp;Here, <a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/">Vodacom Soccer</a> takes an in-depth look at Brentford’s performances with and without Toney in their team, discussing such clues to his influence as how their expected goals performance compares and how their style of play has changed during the striker’s absence.&nbsp;<h1>Brentford's goalscoring&nbsp;</h1>After 19 Premier League games, Brentford are struggling in 16th position. At the same time last season, they were riding high in ninth place.&nbsp;A concern is their lack of goals: so far they’ve scored 26 in total (13th in the league) and their top scorer is Brian Mbeumo (seven goals).&nbsp;This time last season, they had scored 32 goals of which Toney had got 13 – including a brace against Manchester City and a hat-trick against Leeds.&nbsp;He ended last season as the Premier League’s third-highest scorer with 20 goals, one ahead of Mo Salah.&nbsp;READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/man-citys-kevin-de-bruyne-expects-to-be-on-the-bench-after-returning-from-injury">Man City's Kevin De Bruyne expects to be on the bench after returning from injury</a><h1>Expected goals</h1>Offensively, the underlying numbers give a clue as to Brentford’s drop in form. Whereas last season, they had significantly overscored their xG of 26.22 at game week 19 (with 32 goals), this season they have underscored it significantly (xG 33.8 but only 26 goals).&nbsp;Similarly, over the whole of last season, Toney overscored his xG of 18.74 by scoring 20, underlining the importance of his clinical finishing to Brentford.&nbsp;This season they’ve shown plenty of impressive build-up play, but without someone to finish the chances, it’s all rather fruitless.&nbsp;<h1>Change in style</h1>Last season, Brentford played a longer-ball style of football, averaging 26.6 accurate long balls per game (third in the Premier League).&nbsp;Toney's ability in the air was key to this – he ranked sixth overall for total aerial battles won, notching up 109 successful headers.&nbsp;This season, Brentford have dropped to 24 accurate long balls per match (ranking seventh).&nbsp;They have had to revert to a more possession-based style, averaging 48.7% possession per match, compared to their average of 43.5% last season.&nbsp;Known for breaking lines early and moving up the pitch quickly, the need for a more careful and precise build-up is dampening Brentford’s attacking ability.&nbsp;There’s no doubt that Toney's return and ability to link up with players around him, both in the air and on the ground, will allow them to be much more dynamic.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Big chances</h1>A big chance is one that a player should reasonably be expected to score, such as a one-on-one or from close range.&nbsp;This season, after 19 games, Brentford have missed 36 big chances (fourth in the Premier League).&nbsp;At this point last season, they had only missed 23 of these chances. This highlights Toney's ability to get shots off when chances fall his way as opposed to current Brentford strikers, who may not be as decisive (or lethal) in front of goal.&nbsp;Toney averaged 2.9 shots per game last season, which is incredibly high when you consider the calibre of players around him.&nbsp;Diogo Jota (2.8) and Julian Alvarez (2.9) were just below Toney last season, showing just how impressive this statistic is.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Penalties</h1>Throughout his career, one of Toney’s standout qualities has been his penalty taking, so you’d expect him to have been particularly missed in this area. However Mbeumo, Brentford's current penalty taker, actually has a better record of 100% (3/3) this season than Toney did last year (6/7), with Toney having missed against Nick Pope in a game Newcastle ended up winning 2-1.With Mbeumo currently injured, Toney will surely be first-choice penalty taker again. When Mbeumo returns, though, the Cameroonian might have something to say about that.&nbsp;OverallLast season, Toney ranked fourth in the Premier League on expected goals and assists with a massive 22.3.&nbsp;The only three players above him, Salah, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, were all world-class players at the top of their games.&nbsp;Now, for the rest of the Premier League, facing a fresh and rested Toney with a point to prove must be a scary thought.By Sam HerdYOU MAY ALSO LIKE:&nbsp;<a href="https://vodacomsoccer.com/news/january-transfer-window-talking-points-man-utd-chelsea-phillips-henderson-toney">January transfer window talking points: Man Utd, Chelsea, Phillips, Henderson, Toney...</a>

Brentford analysis: Five ways striker Ivan Toney’s return will boost Bees

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Sam Herd is a Sports Business and Management student at Leeds Beckett University, with football being his No 1 sport when it comes to playing and watching.
He is a Brighton &amp; Hove Albion fan and has followed them since he was 12, so has seen them rise through the footballing ranks to the Premier League, where they are now an established top-flight team.

Manchester City and the Premier League are gearing up for a fierce legal battle as the verdict in the Citizens' long-running financial fair play saga draws near, according to fresh reports. 

The outcome could shake up the top flight like never before.An independent commission kicked off proceedings in September last year, wrapping up in December after dissecting 115 charges leveled against Manchester City by the Premier League. The investigation first sparked to life back in 2018, but it wasn't until February 2023, after several legal hold-ups, that the charges were formally laid, and the matter was handed over to the commission.The accusations cut deep. Manchester City are alleged to have dodged rules requiring clubs to provide accurate financial details, everything from sponsorship deals to manager and player wages.They're also said to have flouted UEFA's financial regulations and the Premier League's own profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).On top of that, the league claims the Citizens didn't cooperate fully with their probe. The charges span every season from 2009-10 to 2022-23, a hefty chunk of their trophy-laden era.A decision is expected any day now, and according to The i Paper, it could "significantly change the race for the top five and even the relegation battle." Whispers around the football world suggest that if Manchester City are found guilty of the most serious breaches, they might face a points deduction so severe it could dump them into the relegation zone this season.But the drama doesn't stop there. The report warns of "legal warfare" on the horizon, with rival clubs potentially lining up to demand compensation if Manchester City are pinned down. Experts are calling it a "crazy situation" for the Premier League, predicting a flood of lawsuits that could rack up legal bills in the nine-figure range, hundreds of millions of pounds, if the charges stick.Carlos Hurtado, a sports lawyer with Baker McKenzie, told The i Paper the threat of compensation claims against Manchester City is "real and serious."He pointed to a separate case that's got everyone's attention: Burnley's upcoming bid to extract damages from Everton. The Clarets argue they deserve a payout for lost revenue after slipping into the Championship in 2022, a season when Everton breached PSR but stayed up.Hurtado admitted Burnley have a "compelling case," though proving it won't be easy. That hearing, set for this summer before a three-person panel, has Premier League clubs watching like hawks."It's possible the Burnley and Everton case could set a precedent," Hurtado said. "Clubs that feel they were disadvantaged by Manchester City's alleged breaches might seek compensation. Just like relegation, missing out on European spots or a higher league finish hits club revenues hard. Any claims would hinge on lost opportunities and cash due to rule-breaking."The stakes couldn't be higher. If Manchester City are hit with a guilty Verdict, the fallout could reshape the Premier League table and spark a legal firestorm.For now, fans and pundits alike are holding their breath, waiting for the commission to drop the hammer, or let the Citizens off the hook. Either way, football's heavyweights are ready for a fight.

Man City could face financial firestorm as FFP verdict nears

Real Madrid are set for a huge clash with Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg today, and Carlo Ancelotti has admitted the prospect of a final is lifting the club.

Speaking ahead of the tie, the Italian boss shared his thoughts on the mood as they prepare for their 50th match of a gruelling season, one that could hit 72 games if they reach the Club World Cup."We're in good shape," Ancelotti said. "The squad are buzzing, motivated, and fit. The South American lads are back from the international break, and we're excited about the chance to play in another final. In recent years, we've done well in the Copa."The veteran manager, no stranger to the demands of top-level football, also reflected on how the game has changed. "Things were different back in the day," he noted."The wear and tear wasn't as intense. Football's evolved, the way we prepare for matches, the injuries, it's all shifted. We've got to manage it and hope for an extra day here or there to recover and plan properly. This season's going to test us, but we're handling it well despite the injury setbacks."On the goalkeeper situation, Ancelotti kept his cards close to his chest. "Andriy Lunin or Thibaut Courtois could play tomorrow," he said with a wry smile. "If they're both injured, Fran Gonzalez will step up. And if we don't make the final, none of them will get a game!"One player who's caught the eye this season is young starlet Arda Guler. Ancelotti was full of praise for the teenager. "He's not worried, he's happy and training well," the boss said. "Whenever he gets a chance, he takes it. He's calm, and he's in the mix tomorrow because he's been brilliant in the cup."Competition for places at Real Madrid is famously fierce, and Ancelotti didn't shy away from that reality. "I do consider him," he said of Guler. "It's about a lot of factors. He's got everything except the lack of competition, and that's not a flaw. This club's history shows even the biggest stars have had to bide their time on the bench. Vinicius Junior waited a couple of years, Rodrygo Goes too, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, it's part of being at Real Madrid."The manager also had some advice for Kylian Mbappe, amid ongoing speculation about a future move. "If I could tell him anything, it's to match what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved here," Ancelotti said. "He's got the chance to become a legend like Cristiano."Another talking point was the impact of Castilla youngster Nico Paz, who's been turning heads. "He's made a real difference," Ancelotti admitted. "I don't know him too well, but I've got a fond memory from the 2014 final when I took a photo with him, he's Marcelo's lad, and Xabi Alonso's son. Seeing that snap resurface now is perfect. The whole club's excited about him. If he's got half his dad's quality, we've hit the jackpot!"Ancelotti also touched on the strain on his coaching staff. "Expanding the team… ours is pretty lean," he said. "I've got two assistants, some analysts, and a goalkeeping coach. We're thinking about it, but the real issue is time to prep for games. More staff wouldn't change the workload on the pitch, I don't think that's the answer."As for rivals Barcelona, Ancelotti was diplomatic but proud. "Barcelona play lovely football, while Real Madrid have their own high-quality style," he said. "I love how we play, and I enjoy watching Barcelona too. You can't really compare them, it's down to the players. Barcelona might play well, and people say we play badly, but I've loved how Real Madrid play for the last three years. It shifts with the squad, you can't always keep the same identity."The excitement's palpable as the Whites chase another trophy.

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid eye another cup final

Arsenal are preparing for a crucial summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad following a challenging season.

With nine games remaining, the Gunners sit 12 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, making a title challenge increasingly unlikely.Mikel Arteta's side has struggled with attacking depth, largely due to injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. As a result, Arsenal are prioritising reinforcements in the forward positions.A new striker is high on their agenda, with Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko all emerging as potential targets.Arsenal have lacked a consistent goal-scoring presence this season, and bringing in a prolific number nine could be crucial for their ambitions.In midfield, Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is a key target, with Arsenal keen to add a composed, defensive-minded player to complement their existing options.Meanwhile, Athletic Club's Nico Williams is being considered to bolster the wide areas, providing much-needed cover and competition for Saka."It's going to be a big [summer] and we are very excited about it," Arteta told a press conference."When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step."Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary."But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team." &nbsp;

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal are preparing for a 'big' transfer window

Barcelona are standing firm amid swirling talk of a blockbuster transfer swoop from Manchester City for their midfield maestro Pedri.

Whispers from England over the past few days have suggested that Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are plotting a 100 million euros move for the 22-year-old Spaniard.Reports have painted Pedri as the prime candidate to step into the boots of Kevin De Bruyne, whose time at the Etihad remains under a cloud. Yet, Barcelona have dismissed the chatter, with club insiders insisting no such offer has landed at Spotify Camp Nou. "He's not for sale," a source close to the club has said via Marca. &nbsp; That hasn't stopped the speculation. Pedri's dazzling displays for both Barcelona and Spain under Luis de la Fuente have made him a hot property across Europe. The Catalan giants acknowledge that top clubs are bound to circle for a player of his quality, but they're unfazed. "It's no surprise the big guns are watching," one club official admitted. "He's special."For now, Barcelona are keeping their cool. Pedri has been a linchpin under Hansi Flick this season, clocking 44 appearances in their 45 matches, his only absence coming against Valencia due to a stomach bug. The Canary Islands native, who rose through the ranks at Las Palmas, inked a new contract in February tying him to the club until 2030. "This is one of the seasons I've enjoyed most," Pedri said last week. "The lads make it a joy, and I just want to keep winning with them."&nbsp; Back when he signed that deal, the lifelong Barcelona fan couldn't hide his delight. "I dreamed of this as a kid, and it's even better than I imagined," he said. "Renewing was one of the best moments of my life, I'm over the moon to stay where I've always wanted to be."Those words are music to Barcelona's ears, and they're banking on his loyalty to see off any suitors. &nbsp;Pedri doubled down on his team-first ethos in a recent TV3 interview, shrugging off personal accolades. "I'd rather my teammates win the Ballon d'Or than me," he said. "I'd love to see Raphinha or Lamine Yamal take it, they're the ones making waves. As long as we're lifting trophies, I'm happy."He also brushed aside comparisons to Barcelona icons Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. "It's an honour to be named with them—they were my idols," he said. "But they won it all. I've got miles to go."Manchester City have yet to make their move official, and Barcelona are quietly confident they won't need to fend off any bids. A recent X post from the club's official account, dated March 29, showed Pedri beaming in training with the caption: "Our midfield engine, happy and thriving."For now, the message is clear, Pedri's future lies in Catalonia.