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Lionel Messi fit as Inter Miami eyes 'big step' into semifinals
<p>Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said he recognized the importance of reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals as a young club, but warned against taking the quarterfinal series against LAFC for granted.</p><p>Miami, which began life in MLS in 2020, is in its second season in North America's top club competition, after falling 5-2 on aggregate over two legs to Liga MX side CF Monterrey in last year's quarterfinals.</p><p>"I don't know if it's the biggest [game so far in our season] or not because in the end one, for me all the matches are important and I say the same thing: the most important is the next one," Mascherano told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday.</p><p>"We don't look beyond the next match but it's clear that we know we are in an important point of the competition. If we manage to reach this stage we would be among the four best of Concacaf. For a club like Inter Miami that has had little time of existence, I think it would be a big step."</p><p>Inter Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City and Cavalier FC to reach the quarterfinals and a matchup against LAFC. Now, the team will be looking to play the first leg against the MLS Western Conference giant at Los Angeles' BMO Stadium on Wednesday with Lionel Messi on the roster.</p><p>Though Mascherano failed to disclose how involved Messi would be in the match, he revealed the player is fit after featuring for over 35 minutes against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. The forward had previously missed two World Cup qualifiers with an adductor issue.</p><p>"I expect that Leo will be fit for tomorrow and he can play but at the end you will know at the beginning of the game," said Mascherano.</p><p>"The most important thing is that he finished the match against Philadelphia well. The reality is that we returned to training yesterday. We gave them a rest on Sunday, so today we'll see how they feel."</p><p>Inter Miami will host LAFC just seven days later in the second leg at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.</p>
Lionel Messi's bodyguard no longer on sidelines for Miami games
<p>Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko expressed frustration after saying he was no longer allowed to protect the Argentina forward from the sidelines during Inter Miami matches.</p><p>Cheuko gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to stop potential pitch invaders from harming the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.</p><p>"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," the bodyguard said in an interview with social media channel House of Highlights.</p><p>"I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch.</p><p>"I came to the USA and in just 20 months, 16 people have already done so. There's a huge problem here. I'm not the problem. Let me help Messi."</p><p>An Inter Miami team spokesperson told EasyChamp it was a club decision, not MLS', to not have Cheuko on the sidelines. However, he remains an employee of the club and part of the security detail.</p><p>Major League Soccer said earlier on Tuesday that its protocols regarding team security guards had not changed and multiple sides had designated team security guards that are stationed near team benches on the field.</p><p>This story includes a correction to the original story from Reuters, which stated that it was MLS that had taken the decision not to have Cheuko on the sidelines. It also includes a correction from Reuters, which had previously said that Cheuko was a former Navy SEAL.</p><p>Information from EasyChamp 's Lizzy Becherano and Reuters was used in this report.</p>
Barcelona's Marc Casadó out for season with knee injury - sources
<p>Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó is likely to miss the rest of the season after injuring his right knee during Sunday's 4-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, sources have told EasyChamp .</p><p>Casadó picked up the injury during the first half at the Metropolitano, but played on until midway through the second period, when he was replaced by Eric García.</p><p>Barça said in a short statement he will undergo further tests in the coming days to determine the severity of the problem and the treatment required moving forward.</p><p>The 21-year-old was enjoying a breakout season under Hansi Flick after being formally promoted to the first team last summer.</p><p>He has featured 35 times across all competitions, with his performances with his club earning him a Spain debut last November.</p>
Arsenal's title race ends, Real Madrid win ugly, more
<p>The European soccer weekend delivered a ton to talk about as usual, so let's dig in. In the Premier League, Arsenal's draw at Manchester United and Liverpool's comeback win at Southampton more or less puts the title race to bed for Arne Slot and the Reds, while Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti played their way to an ugly home win over Rayo Vallecano that had fans booing in frustration. (So what? Three points, job done.)</p><p>Elsewhere, we have plenty to discuss from Manchester City's latest loss (and what it says about Erling Haaland), Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Tottenham and much more. Here are some musings and reactions to the most memorable moments of the weekend.</p><p>Sunday's 1-1 draw away to Manchester United means Mikel Arteta's crew are 15 points behind Liverpool, with a game in hand and a head-to-head to look forward to. Even if you assume they win them both -- a huge assumption -- you'd still be talking nine points with seven left. Yeah, never say never and all that, but it simply feels like way too big an ask, especially when you don't have a center forward, as has been the case since Kai Havertz's injury in early February.</p><p>At some point, someone will have to explain the whole Ollie Watkins fiasco. The official line is that Arsenal were ready to bring him in during the January market, but when Aston Villa got the wild offer for Jhon Durán from the Saudi Pro League, they stopped listening to inquiries for Watkins. OK, fine, makes sense: but then how do you not bring in another body up front, even on loan? Just so we don't have to watch Mikel Merino attempt things he's clearly not cut out to do?</p><p>Even without a central striker, Arsenal shaded the first half at Old Trafford against a Manchester United side down to the bare bones. (It's not a good sign when Rasmus Højlund is the only senior player on the bench, and when Victor Lindelöf and Christian Eriksen -- two guys who won't be back next season -- are on the pitch). Bruno Fernandes' injury time goal, in veritable one-man-gang style from a free kick, sent United ahead going into the break.</p><p>You expected some sort of rousing Arsenal response in the second half; instead, other than the Declan Rice strike and a Martin Ødegaard chance, you got very little. In fact, it was United who had the better chances and David Raya who saved the point for Arsenal with some crucial late blocks.</p><p>It's hard to overstate how disappointing this result is for Arsenal. Since Dec. 1, United had played eight league games at Old Trafford, losing five and beating only relegation-threatened Ipswich and Southampton (the latter thanks to injury time goals). With the quarterfinals of the Champions League already in the bag -- PSV Eindhoven aren't coming back after losing 7-1 -- you don't even have the excuse of needing to rotate or being distracted by Europe. And you had two extra days to prepare, since United played on Thursday night.</p><p>As for United, Ruben Amorim himself said they were defensive and nearly apologised for it. I've said it before, their domestic season is over: these league games are basically training sessions between Europa League fixtures. I don't need to see Lindelof and Eriksen at this point, but given he had only kids on the bench (other than Højlund), you assume that's why he played them.</p><p>Projecting forward, Bruno is still streets ahead of the rest of his United team, though ideally you'd play him closer to the goal. (Then again, I guess a midfield duo of Eriksen and Casemiro would amount to a turnstile in terms of mobility.) Joshua Zirkzee had his moments up front (though maybe his best position is in attacking midfield); the wingbacks did well (other than the Noussair Mazraoui miss); and Alejandro Garnacho got minutes in a position he'll have to play if he wants to stay at the club (and if Amorim stays too). It's baby steps along the learning curve and it's frustrating, but they're 14th in the table for a reason.</p><p>Madrid boss Ancelotti once told me that the Bernabeu is the only place where you can be 4-0 up and still get booed: that's how demanding the fans are. They were only 2-1 up against Rayo Vallecano in the second half on Sunday, but the crowd evidently liked neither his substitutions (Fede Valverde for Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga for Kylian Mbappé) nor his tactics (they played on the counter and mustered just 37% possession while taking just two shots, neither on target).</p><p>Ancelotti knows the club well enough to take it in stride, and he knows he made the right call. What mattered were the three points and with Barcelona's game being postponed and Atletico losing earlier in the day, this was a chance to go back to the top of LaLiga, at least temporarily. And, of course, what mattered was keeping momentum and avoiding injury ahead of Wednesday's Champions League round of 16 second leg against Atleti. His approach ticked all those boxes.</p><p>This isn't about being defensive: it's about being realistic of where you are and what your priorities are. On a day when Rayo -- despite some key absences -- were making life very difficult for them, he made the right call. Nobody will remember the boos anyway if they get past Atleti on Wednesday anyway.</p><p>Erling Haaland signed a monster contract through 2034 (though you probably still believe in the Easter Bunny if you think it isn't packed with release clauses) earlier this year, and given all Manchester City's woes -- take out the FA Cup against lower league cream puffs and they've won two of their past seven -- his 28 goals in all competitions is impressive.</p><p>Yes, he's good, but not good enough to score if you don't get him the ball. In Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, he touched it just 17 times, managing just two shots on goal, both in the first 15 minutes.</p><p>Yes, Forest sat deep as they usually do and space was congested. That's how City ended up with 69% possession. But even in the footballing equivalent of a basketball "half-court" offense, you have to do better when you have a large blond target in the centre of the attack and plenty of talent to feed him.</p><p>It's not just the wonky defence and the Rodri-less midfield that Pep Guardiola needs to fix; it's also what they do in the final third against teams who are well organized. That had rarely been a problem for City, until this year. But the lack of urgency and creativity is worrying.</p><p>By the way, this takes nothing away from Nottingham Forest's spectacular campaign, which could well result in a trip back to the European big time -- they're third with 10 games to play -- for the first time since the glory days of Brian Clough.</p><p>At some point, you slip into delusion. Thiago Motta talking about how well Juventus played against Atalanta until the penalty Weston McKennie conceded that was supposedly unjust was such a case. First off, McKennie jumps with his left arm straight up in the air like he's hailing a cab: every time you do that in the modern game, you're at risk of conceding a penalty. There's no argument to be made there.</p><p>Second, by that point, Juventus had taken three shots for a combined xG of 0.10 to Atalanta's five for an xG of 0.52. You're entitled to your own opinion; you're not entitled to your own facts.</p><p>It also ignores what happened after the penalty because, lest we forget, Juventus were still just a goal down at the break and they managed to concede three times en route to a 4-0 home defeat.</p><p>Motta's second-half subs felt like acts of self-sabotage. Teun Koopmeiners for Kenan Yildiz, so the Dutchman can play out wide, which he has never done before (while McKennie stays at No. 10). Changing two defenders nine minutes into the second half because ... hey, why not? Oh, and Dusan Vlahovic coming on with 15 minutes to go when you're 3-0 down, and doing so for your other center forward, Randal Kolo Muani because, you know, you wouldn't want to play two up front when you're chasing the game.</p><p>Read the room. Listen to what the Juve fans who abandoned the stadium were singing. Yes, geniuses do weird and unusual things sometimes, but the reverse isn't always true: you can do weird and unusual things and not be a genius.</p><p>As for Atalanta, were it not for the six points they dropped in their last three at home against Torino, Cagliari and Venezia in games they mostly dominated, they'd be top of the league. And judging by the hugs pitchside, whatever rift there was between Ademola Lookman and manager Gian Piero Gasperini has been repaired.</p><p>10. Antonio Conte's fingerprints all over Napoli as they beat Fiorentina to keep heat on Inter Milan: In terms of performance, Napoli had already turned the corner in the draw with Inter, and it continued in the 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Romelu Lukaku notched his first goal from open play in nearly two months and also served up the assist for the reborn Jack Raspadori. Conte's usual 3-5-2 formation looked like a 4-2-4 (with Scott McTominay as the world's biggest winger) and for an hour or so, Napoli dominated, with only David De Gea's saves keeping Fiorentina in the game. Then came the decision to sit back, invite pressure and play on the counter -- hopefully Conte discovered that it isn't really Napoli's thing after some hairy moments at the end. But the fact that's getting a tune out of Raspadori and Billy Gilmour (in the absence of David Neres and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa) has to be encouraging.</p><p>9. Ousmane Dembélé hits 28 goals for the season, discovering he's a scorer at age 27: With the Ligue 1 title virtually locked up and a trip to Anfield on Tuesday, Luis Enrique rightly made eight changes from the side that dominated (but lost to) Liverpool in the first leg and ended up 4-1 winners at Rennes. Dembélé came on and played the last half-hour, possibly because, at 2-1, Luis Enrique didn't want any surprises. He scored twice in garbage time, taking his total in all competitions to 28. That's more than his past five seasons combined. We're not even halfway through March; he has started only 27 games; and all but one of his goals are from open play. His transition from two-footed, athletic, tricky (but inconsistent) winger to legitimate goal machine is one of Luis Enrique's success stories this season. It's also the sort of feat that makes you wonder whether all his previous bosses missed a trick.</p><p>8. Inter's comeback? Resilience is important, but quality is better... Maybe it's just a coincidence, but in the week that featured both the Serie A and Premier League leaders needing to come from behind at home against their respective league's cellar dwellers, you can't help but be reminded that once you step on the pitch, there is no points table. You have to earn it, 11 vs. 11, every time, and when nobody expects much from your opponent, the pressure is off. Against Monza, Inter came unstuck by an improbable back-heel assist and a finish from a hugely gifted but maddeningly inconsistent forward, who went from rising star to 30-year-old journeyman in the blink of an eye. They came back in the second half because they're resilient and have (a lot) more quality than the opposition, but let this be a reminder...</p><p>7. That's three more points for Liverpool, but is Arne Slot right when he says Liverpool had a "work rate" issue? Slot and Liverpool were a goal down at home to Southampton, the league's bottom club (who have lost 10 of their past 11 games), and his center forward was lucky not to have been sent off moments earlier. Not only did he make three changes (Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott on for Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai), but he made it a point after the game -- which Liverpool turned around and won 3-1 -- to say he "had to change because of work rate." Most coaches know the news cycle moves quickly -- especially after a home win -- and he could have said nothing, but he chose to raise the issue. I think it's a worthwhile one. Liverpool's core players have a ton of minutes under their belt this season, and the gap at the top of the table might have widened, but that was more because the chasing pack stumbled. You only need to have watched them over the past month to notice they are less sharp. It's likely part of why, despite their 1-0 win in midweek, they got their backsides handed to them by Paris Saint-Germain. And why, with the return leg coming up, Slot is pushing buttons.</p><p>6. Bayern's B-team delivers a stinker, but we did learn something: I'm OK with heavy rotation ahead of big European ties. Your starters get some rest, you mitigate the risk of injuries and you give minutes to guys who might impress. With a healthy eight-point lead (and nine games to go), manager Vincent Kompany felt empowered to do so for the visit of second-bottom Bochum, even on the day when they unveiled their 125th anniversary kit. It backfired badly, however, and it's not just the 3-2 home defeat that will sting, but the fact that in the first 28 minutes they took a two-goal lead, missed a penalty and somehow still contrived to lose. Other than keeper Jonas Urbig (who will likely start anyway in Manuel Neuer's absence) and Raphaël Guerreiro (who scored both goals), I don't think anyone's stock went up. (Certainly not that of João Palhinha, who got himself sent off in the first half.) The fact Bayer Leverkusen also lost means no damage was done in terms of the title race, but this was a real buzzkill, and what's more, Kompany's team selection is evidence that, even at 3-0 up from the first leg in the Champions League, he has a ton of respect for Xabi Alonso and their ability to potentially turn it around Tuesday night.</p><p>5. Christian Pulisic saves Sérgio Conceição's job at Milan: At least, that was the buzz with Milan 2-0 down with just over 20 minutes to go against relegation-threatened Lecce. They were headed for their fourth straight defeat, and the game before that -- the collapse against Feyenoord that knocked them out of the Champions League -- was nothing to write home about either. Having three coaches in one season is an embarrassment, but maybe not as great as screwing up five straight games and seeing your domestic and European campaigns grind to a halt. Lucky for Conceição, Pulisic had other plans. After João Félix's badly scuffed shot bounced off an opposing defender and into the net (you need some luck too), Pulisic won and converted a penalty before scoring the winner off Rafael Leão's pinpoint cross. Milan's issues run deep, and while Conceição isn't the only problem, he's clearly not part of the solution either. But there's enough talent here to take a run at the Coppa Italia and get back into Europe with him at the helm.</p><p>4. Chelsea grind out win over Leicester as their Cole Palmer dependency becomes a worry: Manager Enzo Maresca was open and honest about how Palmer was unwell with diarrhea (TMI, Enzo, BTW) and didn't train before Sunday's visit of Leicester. Maybe that's why he missed the penalty, and it could have been decisive if Chelsea had conceded on the usual Robert Sánchez blunder and Marc Cucurella hadn't found the net in the second half. In the end, it's three points that keeps them fourth in good shape for a Champions League slot, but it's not a good thing that Chelsea are so Palmer-dependent that he has to play in these conditions, even at home against an opponent like Leicester who have lost five games in a row. Injuries have hit hard (Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson were both out), but this comes back to squad construction and thinking you could go into the season with just one legitimate striker (sorry, Marc Guiu).</p><p>3. Xabi Alonso is correct in calling it a "s--- day" for Bayer Leverkusen: The double whammy of a home defeat against a Werder Bremen team that had lost five on the bounce and the ankle injury to Florian Wirtz will do that. Yes, Alonso rotated (though not as heavily as Bayern) his squad from the midweek Champions League defeat, though given the wacky lineup we saw in Munich, the more significant absentees were the wingbacks and, of course, Wirtz. An early Mario Hermoso mistake sent the visitors on their way, and the rest of the game was a fruitless siege to only reinforce the notion that fancy schemes are only as good as the guys asked to execute them. Chief among them of course is Wirtz, who came on at half-time and came off after 14 minutes with a suspected ankle injury. Needless to say, turning around that 3-0 first-leg defeat without him is an even more monumental task. But the fact that Bayern lost at home and Leverkusen weren't able to capitalise has got to hurt almost as much.</p><p>2. Atleti throw away lead and chance to go top of LaLiga as Simeone rotates only a little: We know Atletico have a deep squad. We also know that, of late, Diego Simeone hasn't exactly used it. Against Getafe this weekend, he started nine of the XI that lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and it made little difference against Pepe Bordalás' gritty crew. Atleti managed just one shot (off target, to boot) in the first half, took the lead thanks to a generous (read: nonexistent) penalty converted by Alexander Sørloth and then collapsed at the end, conceding twice after the 88th minute, the first time in 74 games that Atleti scored first and lost. "Bordalás Ball" is its own thing, and with Barcelona's game postponed, you don't want to fault Simeone too much for not trying to pull away at the top of the table. But this sort of collapse -- and the minutes on the pitch for his starters -- could well come back to haunt him in midweek when Real Madrid roll into town.</p><p>1. Kepa's blunder(s) help Tottenham rescue a point, but Ange Postecoglou is thoroughly outcoached: OK, so we know Andoni Iraola is a really, really good coach. In fact, there probably should be a separate Arne Slot-less category in the Manager of the Year award for those outside the Big Six. But to see the way Bournemouth road-graded Tottenham only underscored how a smart coach like Iraola can poke big, gaping holes in Ange-ball. Bournemouth were 2-0 up and could have had more. That they didn't is down to a Pape Matar Sarr hit-and-hope and Kepa's terrible judgement in giving away that Son Heung-Min penalty with six minutes to go. Tottenham are rightly focusing on the Europa League because their domestic season ended a long time ago, but performances like this, more than the result, might end up costing their manager his job.</p>
St. Louis City hand Galaxy fourth-straight defeat to open season
<p>Cedric Teuchert scored a goal with an assist as St. Louis City SC picked up its first win of the season and extended the misery of the defending champion LA Galaxy with a 3-0 victory Sunday in Carson, California.</p><p>Marcel Hartel and Simon Becher also scored goals for St. Louis City (1-0-2, 5 points), who found the back of the net for the first time this season after opening with a pair of scoreless draws. Roman Burki made eight saves for his third clean sheet in three games.</p><p>St. Louis City is the 11th team in MLS history to not allow a goal over their first three league games in a season.</p><p>The Galaxy have not only lost all three MLS games this season, its four straight to begin 2025 when counting a Concacaf Champions Cup loss last week to Costa Rica's CS Herediano. The Galaxy are the first team in MLS history to start a title defense with three consecutive league losses.</p><p>Novak Micovic made two saves for the Galaxy (0-3-0, 0 points), who have given up seven total goals in their three MLS defeats so far this season, while scoring once.</p>
Alonso urges Bayer Leverkusen to channel Miracle of Istanbul
<p>Xabi Alonso said Bayer Leverkusen must use Liverpool's 'Miracle of Istanbul' as motivation for a Champions League fightback against Bayern Munich after suffering a 3-0 round of 16 defeat against the Bundesliga leaders.</p><p>Two Harry Kane goals and one from Jamal Musiala gave Bayern a commanding first-leg lead ahead of next Tuesday's second-leg, when Leverkusen will be without midfielder Nordi Mukiele following a sending off for two yellow cards in the Allianz Arena.</p><p>Leverkusen recorded a 3-0 home win against Bayern on their way to a first-ever German title last season and the same scoreline must be repeated for Alonso's team to stay in the tie next week.</p><p>But after helping Liverpool fight back from a 3-0 half-time deficit against AC Milan to win the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, Leverkusen coach Alonso said that his team can pull off a similar result in the BayArena next week.</p><p>"Absolutely," Alonso said when asked about using Liverpool's win as inspiration. "It will take time to analyse and go through this result because we have been beaten well. Everything went against us because of us.</p><p>"But it is not over until it is over and, as you said, anything can happen. The mindset has to be that and if there is a chance, we will fight for it.</p><p>"We have to fight back. We will learn from this and believe in our return leg. We don't give up so easily.</p><p>"Three goals? You never know. One goal can change anything."</p><p>After conceding the opening goal on four minutes, Leverkusen also saw Mukiele sent off and referee Michael Oliver award Bayern a penalty following a VAR intervention after a challenge by Edmond Tapsoba on Kane.</p><p>But Alonso said that his team were largely the architects of their own downfall.</p><p>"A lot went against us today, but that was our own fault," he said. "We didn't have good control and made big mistakes. That's obviously very annoying."</p>
Champions League draw: Liverpool's Arne Slot relishing PSG test
<p>Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has urged his players to look forward to the "challenge" of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.</p><p>Slot's side finished top of the league phase, having won seven of their eight games in the competition so far this season, but that has not spared them from a tricky draw against the French champions in the next round.</p><p>Liverpool will contest the first leg at the Parc des Princes next month before the return fixture at Anfield. The first leg matches are scheduled for March 4-5, with the return legs taking place on March 11-12.</p><p>Reacting to the draw, Slot told club media: "At this stage of the competition, the quality of opponent is only going to be of a very high standard and in PSG we have drawn a team and a club with real European pedigree.</p><p>"They qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League in style earlier this week with a big win against Brest and they had some really good results in the league phase, defeating Stuttgart, Manchester City, Girona and Salzburg."</p><p>PSG finished 15th in the league phase of the competition, reaching the round of 16 with a 10-0 aggregate win over fellow French side Brest in the playoff round. The winners of next month's tie are due to face either Villa or Brugge in the quarterfinal.</p><p>"As is the case with ourselves, PSG are top of their domestic league and are enjoying a long unbeaten run," Slot added. "This tells us all that we need to know about the challenge that we will face but it is also a challenge that we will look forward to, knowing that we also fully deserve to be in the last 16.</p><p>"Of course, our immediate focus is on our upcoming Premier League fixtures, starting with Manchester City on Sunday, but we will be doing everything we can to ensure that we are in the best possible shape when the Champions League resumes."</p>
The Football Reporters: Man United and INEOS, one year on
<p>On the latest episode of The Football Reporters podcast, Mark Ogden, Rob Dawson and James Olley mark the anniversary of INEOS' purchase of a minority stake in Manchester United by taking a look at the key decisions Sir Jim Ratclifffe has made in his first 12 months.</p><p>The British billionaire's first 12 months have seen the club appoint a new chief executive, hire and then part ways with Dan Ashworth as sporting director and replace Erik ten Hag with Ruben Amorim as head coach.</p><p>The drama in the boardroom has been extended to the rest of the club with redundancies made across United's workforce and the team languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.</p><p>But what does the future hold for INEOS and United?</p><p>Download the episode wherever you get your podcasts by clicking here.</p><p>Or, you can watch the full episode on EasyChamp 's YouTube page.</p>
Takehiro Tomiyasu: Arsenal defender confirms knee surgery
<p>Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has confirmed that he has undergone knee surgery.</p><p>British media reports said the Japan international will miss the remainder of the season. He has only played six minutes of football for Arsenal this season, coming off the bench in October in a Premier League clash against Southampton.</p><p>"I've had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I've already started my rehab to do what I love the most again," Tomiyasu said in an Instagram post.</p><p>"It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won't give up. Thank you for your support and see you again."</p><p>Arsenal have been hit by a number of significant injuries this season. Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Kai Havertz (hamstring) have both been ruled out for the rest of the season. Bukayo Saka has missed three months with a hamstring injury, although he is nearing a return.</p>
Vinícius' agents send Real Madrid salary ask for renewal - source
<p>Vinícius Júnior's agents have informed Real Madrid of their client's financial demands if he is to continue at the club beyond 2027, a source told EasyChamp .</p><p>The player's representatives are hopeful of meeting Madrid executives in the coming days to continue discussions.</p><p>According to the same source, Vinícius is closer to extending his contract at Madrid than to making a potential move to Saudi Arabia, as has been widely reported in Spanish media.</p><p>The Saudi Arabian league wants to make the Brazil forward the highest-paid player in the world, but sources added that since December there have been no updates on a proposed move.</p><p>According to the source, the player's entourage is annoyed that the Saudi league has yet to make an official offer because the ongoing reports could hinder Vinícius' image.</p><p>While the source did not reveal the specifics of Vinícius' financial demands to remain in Madrid, it did confirm that the player would receive higher wages than Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, while adding that Vinícius, 24, recently received an important bonus after winning The Best FIFA Men's Player award in December.</p><p>Vinícius' current deal ends in 2027 and as EasyChamp has reported in the past, the player's wages are close to €10 million ($10.45 million) net per season plus add-ons.</p><p>EasyChamp reported last week that Madrid had approached Vinícius' entourage to begin contract renewal talks.</p><p>The source adds that Vinícius is in no hurry to renew despite having spoken publicly about his intention to continue at Madrid long term.</p><p>EasyChamp contacted Madrid for comment but has yet to receive a response.</p><p>Vinícius finished runner-up to Manchester City's Rodri for the Ballon d'Or. In his seventh season with Los Blancos, he has scored 16 goals and set up 12 more in 30 appearances this season.</p>
Man City searching for causes of lost leads - Nathan Ake
<p>Nathan Aké has said Manchester City are "trying to find the reason" they keep throwing away leads after conceding two late goals against Real Madrid.</p><p>City led twice at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday and were 2-1 up with just four minutes of normal time remaining.</p><p>But goals from Brahim Díaz and Jude Bellingham turned the tie in Real Madrid's favour, leaving Aké to admit that another late collapse was "hard to take."</p><p>"Obviously the last five minutes or so when you're winning 2-1 to give it away like that is frustrating and hard to take," Aké said.</p>
NWSL 'not done' expanding with announcement set for next week
<p>NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said Thursday that expansion efforts are "not done," with the league set to name its newest franchise next week.</p><p>EasyChamp sources confirmed reports that Denver will be awarded the 16th franchise when that announcement is made.</p><p>"Obviously, there's been a lot of rumors circulating, but we will have an announcement next week, so more to come in the not-too-distant future," Berman said. "We know that our expansion is not done. We're in active conversations with our board to determine the next sequence of expansion, and as I've shared before, we have so many interested bidders who were not given a team in this round.</p><p>"Part of the effort in the next three to six months is really developing our next expansion strategy. We want to be aggressive with expansion, but we also want to be strategic and smart about how we do that."</p><p>Currently at 14 teams, the league will grow to 16 by 2026, with the 15th team BOS Nation FC already announced and Denver expected to be revealed next week.</p><p>Regarding how the league will choose future markets, Berman outlined three guidelines that will determine where the league moves beyond 2026.</p><p>"The first is ownership and knowing that we have the right owner with the right -- both financial wherewithal as well as vision to invest," Berman said. "The second being infrastructure, making sure that we have a bid with a professional and appropriate stadium and training facility that meets the standards, not just of today, but of where we think the league is heading.</p><p>"The third being the market, the reason the market is third is really only because we're in this vast country where we know there's opportunity for growth in so many different cities. So it doesn't have to be the driver for our decisions.</p><p>"I could sit here and think of 10 to 12 markets where we could have a team be successful."</p><p>Heading into the 2025 season, the league will also be charting new waters without a college draft and free agency. Those decisions, among others, will be an adjustment after the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement last year.</p><p>"It's a learning process for the whole ecosystem," Berman said. "On the technical staff side, they've never experienced anything like this. There actually is nothing to point to as a case study of how to make this transition, because there is no league that has gone from a world of a draft and having years of service, to being able to earn free agency and just having that melt away overnight.</p><p>"But I think it's also been an adjustment for the players. I've seen some reports of the number of players who are out of contract, who are still looking for a job, and I think being able to find places for all of them, either within our ecosystem or beyond, is also going to be an adjustment for everyone."</p><p>On Wednesday, the league announced the full schedule for the 2025 season that will include a Rivalry Weekend and the return of Decision Day. Berman said the location of the 2025 championship will come in "the next few months."</p>
Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal's Zinchenko headed to Dortmund
<p>Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko could be set to leave the Emirates Stadium amid interest from Borussia Dortmund, while PSV Eindhoven have no plans to part ways with U.S. men's national team striker Ricardo Pepi. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe</p><p> Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's January grades | Women's January grades</p>
Popovic wants Arzani, other Socceroos to 'improve significantly'
<p>Tony Popovic has thrown down the gauntlet to Daniel Arzani and other Socceroos hopefuls with the team entering a critical 2025, declaring that only those who can raise their game to an elite level -- and keep it there -- will "survive."</p><p>Amid a 120-day break between World Cup qualifiers, Popovic recently returned to Australia after a period scouting players in Europe, attending A-League Men matches and assembling his staff at Football Australia's Sydney offices this week to review their first two windows in charge and lay plans for the months ahead.</p><p>Picking up a win and three draws since taking over after Graham Arnold's resignation in September, Popovic's Socceroos occupy the second of two automatic qualifications slots in Group C heading into March fixtures against Indonesia and China; trailing Japan, but just a point clear of a trailing pack of four nations. The third- and fourth-placed finishers in the group will advance to a further phase of qualification but the bottom two nations will have their hopes of qualification end. Given the stakes -- and his expectations -- Popovic says every one of Australia's players has to improve.</p><p>"Every player needs to raise their level," said the coach. "That's how we want to be. We want to be competing with the best.</p><p>"In our last two World Cups, we [qualified] through the playoffs -- but we keep expecting to make top two [in qualifying]. That's good but if we expect to come in the top two, then we must raise the level, we must raise the bar. Your expectation, my expectation, should be higher, because history shows we don't do that often. We don't go automatically to World Cups. But that's something that we should aspire to, we shouldn't shy away from that.</p><p>"The Socceroos is the highest level possible. You're playing for your country. That needs to be elite. The elite will survive. And if you're not elite, you're not gonna be able to play for the Socceroos. That's basically what we're saying to everyone."</p><p>Across an extended conversation with media ahead of another trip to Europe, Popovic spoke on several issues confronting the national side, confirming, amongst other developments, that Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson's international status remains unchanged: "If he was available to play for Australia he'd certainly be on the list of a potential player to come in March. But nothing's changed."</p><p>The former Melbourne Victory boss was also quizzed on the international future of mercurial attacker Arzani, who was selected in Popovic's first squad in October before being left out in November. Like his teammates, the winger has struggled in front of goal this A-League season, leading the league in successful dribbles and second in expected assists per 90, but producing just three assists and no goals from open play.</p><p>And the Socceroos coach didn't mince his words.</p><p>"I know Daniel well," he said. "He's got potential and we talk about him with potential; we've been talking about that since he was 18. What's he now, 26?</p><p>"He needs to raise his level. We need goals, we need assists. That's what Daniel needs to do. Doing one good dribble, one good trick or setting up one goal should not be enough to play for the Socceroos. There needs to be more.</p><p>"I had him in camp in October. He knows what I think of him -- I'm [saying] something now that he knows: he wasn't good enough. He wasn't good enough in October. His level was really poor in training.</p><p>"Maybe for him, it's okay. But it's not enough."</p><p>Popovic's demands for consistent performances also extended to the young players in the A-League seen as on the cusp of a national team call-up. Jed Drew at Macarthur FC, Melbourne Victory's Ryan Teague, Western United striker Noah Botić, and Western Sydney Wanderers' Nicolas Milanović have all generated national team buzz with their performances across the opening half of the season, but the coach made clear that expectations would rise to another level with the Socceroos.</p><p>"A young player can have a good game [but] we're looking for that consistency," said Popovic. "And if they're consistent, can they step up to another level to play for the Socceroos? That's another level altogether.</p><p>"Every player is in the mix, regardless of age -- I don't think that that should matter. It's more about whether they can raise their level again. Playing at club level is one thing, you have to raise your level [with the Socceroos] and then you have to back up that performance four days later. You hear a lot of players play and say: 'Well, I was fit enough to play the second game four days later.'</p><p>"But that's just to play. We need the elite level.</p><p>"We're talking now about three or four young strikers that are playing. Now the question is, in three or four years, can we be watching one of them playing in the bigger leagues in Europe? That's the question, can they take the game to another level? The level they're at now, it's not good enough to play in Europe. That's just the reality. They would have to improve significantly.</p><p>"This is part of the journey."</p>
FC Dallas sends Velasco to Boca Juniors, Tafari off to LAFC
<p>FC Dallas transferred midfielder Alan Velasco to Boca Juniors in Argentina on Thursday, and also moved defender Nkosi Tafari to LAFC.</p><p>Dallas did not disclose the fee received for the deal, but said it was the club's second-largest transfer in its history.</p><p>"I'm happy to be here. This is a very important step forward in my career," Velasco said after the deal was completed. "The transfer took longer than expected. We had a few days of uncertainty, but the main thing is that I'm here now."</p><p>Velasco, 22, is an Argentina native and played for FC Dallas from 2022-24. The winger collected 12 goals and 13 assists in 62 appearances (55 starts) for Dallas in that span.</p><p>He had two goals and two assists in eight matches (five starts) in 2024, getting a late start on the season after suffering a knee injury in the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs.</p><p>His best season in MLS was his first, when he tallied six goals and seven assists in 26 games (23 starts) in 2022.</p><p>Dallas received $300,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money and a 2026 international roster slot in exchange for Tafari.</p><p>Tafari, 27, registered seven goals and six assists in 107 matches (84 starts) with Dallas from 2021-24.</p><p>"Nkosi is a player of great promise, and we are excited to welcome him to LAFC to see him fulfill his potential," LAFC general manager John Thorrington said. "[His] technical ability and physicality will further solidify our strong backline."</p><p>Dallas selected the New York City native in the first round (14th overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.</p>
New Indonesia era under Patrick Kluivert will not faze Socceroos
<p>Patrick Kluivert's installation as Indonesia coach may have provided an unexpected twist in the build-up to their FIFA World Cup qualifier with Australia, but Socceroos boss Tony Popovic is confident his side will be able to adjust and prepare for what the Dutchman brings to Tim Garuda come March.</p><p>PSSI, Indonesian football's governing body, raised eyebrows when they sacked coach Shin Tae-Yong in early January, with chairman Erick Thohir stating: "We see the need for a leader who is better able to implement the strategies agreed upon by the players, and who has better communication."</p><p>This was despite the South Korean elevating Indonesia to a debut appearance in the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup at the start of 2024 and a first appearance in the third stage of the Asian World Cup qualifiers since taking over in 2019, as well as securing a historic 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia as recently as November.</p><p>Kluivert was named as his successor two days later, signing a two-year deal with an option for an extension and installing former Eredivisie stalwart Denny Landzaat and ex-Sparta Rotterdam boss Alex Pastoor as assistants.</p><p>On a playing level, Popovic has a history with Kluivert -- the Dutchman netting against the former's Crystal Palace while playing for Newcastle United during the 2004-05 Premier League season. Kluivert also spent some of his formative coaching years in Australia, serving as an assistant to current Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar in 2010.</p><p>Outside of two relatively successful stints in charge of Curaçao and a 20-game spell with Turkish club Adana Demirspor, however, the new Indonesia boss has mostly worked as an assistant and in academies -- giving Popovic scant material for analysis ahead of March.</p><p>"We'll have a look at his coaching history," the Socceroos boss said. "[Kluivert] hasn't had a long [head coaching] history but we've seen the structure he's played.</p><p>"He was in Turkey, he was at Curaçao, and we saw that he played a back five [with Curaçao] and in Turkey he played a back four. [Shin] was playing a back five in Indonesia. [Kluivert's] assistant coach [Alex Pastoor] has always played a back three at clubs that he was coaching.</p><p>"Whatever it is, we'll analyse it -- we've got to respect the opponent. We have to be prepared for either way of playing; how they want to build up and how they want to defend.</p><p>"And to focus on our game being better, we will have to reinforce some of our principles and foundations that we're trying to lay in October and November because there's been a four-month gap.</p><p>"But I'm sure the players will be looking forward to coming to camp and playing a vital window in these two games and I'm sure they're excited like we are, as a staff."</p><p>Contributing to the shock nature of Shin's axing, Indonesia will head to Sydney in March just a point behind the second-placed Socceroos in Group C and, with home games vs. Bahrain and China to come, they are well-placed to push for a third- or fourth-place finish that would see them move to the next stage of qualification.</p><p>With Popovic's eyes firmly set upon the earliest ticket to the World Cup that comes with a top-two finish, six points from Australia's coming fixtures against Indonesia and then away to China will be crucial for the Socceroos as -- for the second cycle in a row -- tough assignments at home to Japan and then away to Saudi Arabia await them in the final slate of qualifiers in June.</p><p>"Are they vital games? Yes, every game is a vital game for the Socceroos," Popovic said.</p><p>"My first game against China was a vital game. These two games coming up now, Indonesia, firstly, are vital, because our goal is to come to the top two. To do that, we need to get positive results.</p><p>"We are in a good position and it's up to us to stay there. We need to have that elite focus, elite mentality, and elite performance.</p><p>"The dreams that we have about qualifying automatically, we can make that possible.</p><p>"But it's one game at a time. I know it's an old cliché but you have to respect the opponent. Indonesia has shown thus far how good they are on their day.</p><p>"But we have to believe, playing in front of our fans, that if we can produce the quality that I know that we can, we have to really aim and work hard for those three points."</p>
Ruben Amorim coy on Alejandro Garnacho exit talk: 'Let's see'
<p>Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out the possibility that Alejandro Garnacho could leave Manchester United before the transfer deadline.</p><p>The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit this month amid interest from Napoli and Chelsea.</p><p>He impressed in the 2-1 UEFA Europa League win over Rangers on Thursday. But asked afterwards whether it could be the Argentinian's last game at Old Trafford, Amorim did nothing to dampen the speculation surrounding his future.</p><p>"I'm focused on the games and he's here," said Amorim.</p><p>"He's a player for Manchester United. He was really important for us today and let's see in the next days."</p><p>Sources have told EasyChamp that United are not forcing Garnacho out of the club. However, their financial situation means a realistic offer for any senior player will be considered. Receiving a fee for Garnacho -- an academy graduate -- would be a bonus for United because it counts as pure profit in relation to compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).</p><p>"I think he's improving in every aspect of the game," said Amorim.</p><p>"You can see it until 90 mins he's always there recovering and helping, sometimes showing some frustration and that is good because he wants more. I think he has potential to be so much better in every situation in the game. What I can say is he understood what I was trying to do, was really clear, I just want to help them but in the end it's them that do the job."</p>
Amorim's Man United are enduring a roller-coaster season
<p>MANCHESTER, England -- Among the songs at the end of Manchester United's UEFA Europa League match with Rangers, the home fans started to sing Ruben Amorim's name.</p><p>The Portuguese head coach says he doesn't like it because he doesn't yet think he deserves the honour. But on this occasion, he will have been quite glad to hear the tune of "Ruben Amorim's Red and White Army."</p><p>With his United team minutes away from another damaging result, having inexplicably allowed Rangers to score a late equaliser completely against the run of play, Bruno Fernandes popped up with a stoppage-time winner as the match ended 2-1.</p><p>It caused Amorim to turn to his bench and clench his fists in celebration. It was a goal he badly needed. Amorim has said this season is going to be a roller coaster, and against Rangers, he seemed to cram all the ups and downs into one game.</p><p>"We didn't deserve that draw at the moment, and it was fair for us to win the game, a game we knew would be tough," Amorim said.</p><p>"In this moment, we started well, the pace of the game helped us because it's different, and you could feel it. We tried to do things, we were better with the ball, sometimes we controlled well in the beginning and then we lost control for seven minutes because of some bad passes, some transitions, but then I think we created the best chance to win the game, and we deserved to win."</p><p>This has been an ugly week for United, even by their standards.</p><p>A fourth home defeat in five games against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday prompted Amorim to speculate afterwards that this might be the worst team in the club's history. He backtracked slightly in a news conference Wednesday, but clarified that he meant only that he had perhaps chosen his words poorly. If anything, he doubled down on the sentiment that this is a significant low point.</p><p>There can be little doubt that Amorim has to deal with extensive problems in his new job. But at least for a few days, he might be able to enjoy a bit of respite from the doom and gloom. What lies in wait at Fulham on Sunday is anyone's guess.</p><p>Victory over Rangers leaves United fourth in the Europa League table with one foot in the round of 16, but there can be no talk about corners being turned. United were fortunate.</p><p>This was a makeshift Rangers team forced into another defensive reshuffle at half-time that saw left-back Rıdvan Yılmaz moved to right-back and right-back James Tavernier forced to centre-back. United took the lead in the second half only when their former loan goalkeeper Jack Butland punched Christian Eriksen's corner into his own net.</p><p>"Jack saved us a few times also in the second half," Rangers boss Philippe Clement said.</p><p>"That is the life of a goalkeeper. I am not going to be focused solely on that."</p><p>After Butland's blunder, United had chance after chance to put the game to bed. They almost paid the price when substitute Cyriel Dessers took advantage of Harry Maguire's mistake to smash in an equaliser with two minutes to go.</p><p>It would have been enough to condemn Amorim's team to another embarrassing night, only for Fernandes to latch on to Lisandro Martínez's perfect cross in the second minute of injury time.</p><p>"We are not playing our best, but we regrouped from the last game," Amorim said.</p><p>"I know the opponent is different. It wasn't as fast. You can see the connections. I think we need to be more clinical in the right moments because that can help us a lot."</p><p>For a change, Amorim walked down the tunnel after the final whistle wearing a smile, but it was another night when the size of his task was made brutally clear.</p><p>It has been 13 games in a row without a clean sheet, which is a major problem when the team isn't scoring goals. Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Manuel Ugarte and Maguire all had good chances. United had 16 shots in total with only an own goal and Fernandes' late strike to show for it.</p><p>Garnacho looked like the most dangerous attacking threat, but there is no guarantee he will be at the club next month. The 20-year-old Argentina international is the subject of interest from Napoli and Chelsea, and United might have to seriously consider a good offer because of their precarious financial position.</p><p>Amorim wants to keep him, and the club, ideally, does not want to have to auction off its best young players. This, though, is the situation it finds itself in.</p><p>"He's a player for Manchester United," Amorim said when asked about the winger's future.</p><p>"He was really important for us today, and let's see in the next days."</p><p>Amorim can only hope that Garnacho is still part of his squad this time next week. For now, the coach can enjoy the relative serenity that comes in the aftermath of a win.</p><p>The storm hasn't passed, but the clouds have parted ever so slightly.</p>
Fantasy hockey: Safe to drop? What to do with these disappointing players
<p>Well into the second half of the NHL season, with the 4 Nations Face-Off still three weeks away, this feels like an appropriate occasion to tidy up our fantasy rosters. It's the perfect time to scrutinize underperforming skaters and goalies and determine whether a current lull in performance is merely a negative blip during an otherwise successful run, or if there's serious cause for concern.</p><p>For instance, you won't find Brady Tkachuk below, despite one goal and zero assists in his past 10 contests. Why? Not only because he's Brady Tkachuk -- although that's part of it -- but because the winger is still skating on the top line and power play unit, and rifling on net with impressive regularity. We all know the dam will break shortly. The same applies to a handful of others -- Dylan Strome in Washington, for example -- who are clearly enduring a rough patch.</p><p>Instead, the following don't appear to boast the same sunny-side-of-the-street prospects for this weekend, next week or even next month. These players could be worth shipping out for less-popular players available on your wire or sent out in a trade.</p><p>Resources: Goalie depth chart | Daily lines | Projections | Play for free | Player rater | Most added/dropped | Mock draft lobby | How to watch on EasyChamp +</p><p>Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks : While his 3-2 winning performance against the Oilers over the weekend was solid enough, that game involved only 15 shots on Vancouver's net. Demko's follow-up loss to Buffalo was much less impressive, while the preceding defeat to the Kings even less so.</p><p>His 3-4-3 record, .873 SV%, 3.23 GAA has netted fantasy managers -6.4 fantasy points on the year in EasyChamp standard leagues (Connor Hellebuyck has 177.0). How much longer would you like to wait? Unless there are no viable replacements on the wire, I would suggest not another minute. Not in light of how the Canucks are fumbling altogether.</p><p>Charlie Lindgren, G, Washington Capitals: The hottest netminder since before Christmas, Logan Thompson has 65.2 fantasy points to show for nine starts. For comparison, the aforementioned Hellebuyck has a (wholly respectable) haul of 44.2 through 10 appearances during the same stretch. A winner in six of his past seven games, while posting 1.18 GAA and .955 SV%, Thompson is the undisputable go-to for coach Spencer Carbery and crew in Washington, which relegates Lindgren to "other guy" status. Managers are better off hitching their fantasy cart to an active wildcard like Montreal's Jakub Dobes at present.</p><p>Jake DeBrusk, F, Vancouver Canucks : One goal and one assist (minus-four) while averaging 1.45 shots/game since New Year's Eve ain't gonna cut it. Drop the ice-cold winger now, then keep an eye on when/if he reignites for a fruitful stretch. He's still likely to remain available on the wire at that point.</p><p>As for forward Elias Pettersson, who's cobbling together a disappointing campaign, have a bit more patience before making a drastic move. At least until J.T. Miller is moved out (very likely), or he isn't (less likely), and the dust settles. Then re-assess how much good Pettersson is serving you in shallow leagues.</p><p>Mattias Ekholm, D, Edmonton Oilers : As a fan of the defenseman, this one's a bit painful to float, but even the biggest Ekholm supporter has to admit there isn't enough moving and shaking within the fantasy fold these days. One assist in 2025. Nowhere near a sufficient number of blocked-shots. Few hits.</p><p>Now newbie John Klingberg is endeavouring to sub in on the Oilers' secondary power play. Outside of the deepest of fantasy leagues, there are likely better blue-line options available on your wire.</p><p>Casey Mittelstadt, F, Colorado Avalanche: It's time to part ways with the second-line center. First of all, he doesn't shoot on net, registering a goose egg in that category in five of his past six games. Which helps to explain the two goals and four assists in his past 15 contests, and not many more since his rather productive October.</p><p>Plus, we now know Valeri Nichushkin -- who Mittelstadt had the chance to skate with at times -- is expected out indefinitely as he recovers from a lower-body injury. Then there's the chatter that the Avs, who are still missing Nazem Kadri, are shopping around for another second-line center ahead of the trade deadline. Just drop Mittelstadt.</p><p>Trevor Moore, F, Los Angeles Kings : Never mind what last season's numbers suggest, Moore isn't a 30-goal scorer. His six in 36 contests this round, and modest tallies in years previous, provide proper evidence to that end. Kings insider John Hoven also submits that Moore hasn't been his best self since returning from an upper-body injury earlier this month. Toss in the limited minutes -- until Wednesday versus the Panthers, anyway -- and it appears time for fantasy managers to move on.</p><p>Tyson Foerster, F, Philadelphia Flyers: The 23-year-old's productive stretch from late December into early January now feels like distant history. Drop him and pick up a currently sizzling young performer like Adam Fantilli, who remains available in nearly 80% of EasyChamp leagues,or Kaapo Kakko, who's figured out how to best exploit his fresh start in Seattle. Check out our edition of fantasy hockey waiver picks for more appealing options.</p><p>Sam Bennett, F, Florida Panthers: To take nothing away from what the imposing center contributes to the Panthers as a whole, he's served as a fantasy dud lately. Skating on a forward unit with rookie Mackie Samoskevich and Eetu Luostarinen, Bennett has a goal and two helpers since Dec. 10. Yikes.</p><p>However, there's reason to hesitate on moving in a different direction. The 28-year-old is still generating shots on net and his 1.79 shooting percentage since Dec. 10 is hardly sustainable. Plus, according to Evolving Hockey, Bennett sports a 7.1 ixG (individual expected goals based on quality of shots) over that aforementioned 20-game stretch when he earned just the single tally. A turnaround could be in quick sight.</p><p>Pavel Buchnevich, F, St. Louis Blues : No invested manager should be a fan of his current third-line assignment with Alexey Toropchenko and Oskar Sundqvist or the one assist in five recent contests. Only a couple of weeks removed from a pleasant flurry of two goals and four helpers in five games, Buchnevich merits a little more runway to rev back up before being shown the door in deeper leagues.</p><p>Ivan Barbashev, F, Vegas Golden Knights : Is he still skating on a Vegas top line with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone? Yes? Leave him be, at least in deeper leagues. Barbashev deserves more time to get back into a groove after recently returning from an upper-body injury.</p>
Man United: Financial position puts club at risk of PSR breach
<p>Manchester United said on Thursday that they are "in danger" of breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).</p><p>The club made the admission in a letter sent to fans groups in response to concerns over rising ticket prices. United have reported losses before tax of £312.9 million over the last three years with the precarious financial position so far, preventing head coach Ruben Amorim from making any signings in the January transfer window.</p><p>"We are currently making a significant loss each year totalling over £300 million in the past three years," the letter issued by the club said. "This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP (Financial Fair Play) requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch.</p><p>"We will get back to a cash positive position as soon as possible and we will have to make some difficult choices to get there."</p><p>Premier League clubs in breach of PSR rules -- which allows clubs to lose a maximum of £105 million ($132.5 million) over a three-year period -- can be hit with fines and points deductions. New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented wide-ranging cost-cutting measures since taking over in February including making 250 club staff redundant in the summer.</p><p>Sources have told EasyChamp that United's tight finances mean they are open to offers for any senior player in January. That includes academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho.</p><p>Although the club does not want the youngster to depart, they may be forced into negotiations with either Chelsea or Napoli before the deadline.</p><p>United have also faced a backlash from fans over rising tickets prices, with supporters hitting out after the club raised its lowest-priced tickets to £66 ($81) partway through the season. Previously, the lowest priced ticket was £40 pounds ($49).</p><p>The club said it did "not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall" but would look at its ticket pricing strategy to make sure it was "charging the right amount."</p><p>United fired manager Erik ten Hag in late October, just a few months after handing the Dutchman a contract extension through next season. Then, in December, the club announced that sporting director Dan Ashworth would leave by mutual agreement less than six months after taking over the role as part of Ratcliffe's overhaul.</p><p>United's financial issues come at a time when it is need of improvements on the field.</p><p>Last week, head coach Ruben Amorim said this was "the worst, maybe, in the history of Manchester United" after defeat to Brighton left it 13th in the standings and closer to the relegation zone than Champions League qualification.</p><p>Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.</p>
Tottenham striker Solanke out for 6 weeks with knee injury
<p>Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke is likely to be out for around six weeks because of a knee injury, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said Thursday.</p><p>Solanke sustained the injury in training last week and missed the Premier League game against Everton on Sunday and Thursday's Europa League win against Hoffenheim.</p><p>"With Dom, the information now is that we are looking at around the six-week mark," Postecoglou said after his team's 3-2 win in Germany. "No surgery. Maybe we can get him back a little bit earlier, just see how he progresses.</p><p>"But, at this stage, it's saying around six weeks."</p><p>Solanke was a £55 million ($68 million) signing from Bournemouth in the offseason and has scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for Spurs.</p><p>Tottenham have been reeling from injuries in recent weeks, with Postecoglou adding Pape Matar Sarr to the list ahead of the trip to Hoffenheim. Other key first-team players missing for Spurs include Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, and Brennan Johnson.</p><p>Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.</p>
In-form Chris Wood signs new two-year deal at Nottingham Forest
<p>Chris Wood has signed a new deal at Nottingham Forest to extend his stay at the club until at least the end of the 2026-27 season.</p><p>Wood, 33, is the fifth top scorer in the Premier League so far this season and has been a major factor behind the incredible form that sees Forest sit third, six points behind Arne Slot's table-topping Liverpool side.</p><p>EasyChamp reported that Wood was set to sign the contract extension on Wednesday. The New Zealand international joined Forest on loan from Newcastle United in January 2023 and the deal became permanent at the end of the season. He was named the Premier League's player of the month for October 2024, becoming the first Forest player to win the individual award.</p><p>"I'm very excited and very happy to have it completed and done, and I'm looking forward to the next couple of years, at least," Wood said in a statement.</p><p>"I saw the ambition when I first arrived. When I spoke to the owner and his family and saw where they want to be and where they see this Club to be -- it was clear they have high ambitions and big dreams. He has backed the Club for years, even before promotion to the Premier League, which is fantastic, and the team is pushing in the right direction.</p><p>"I'm excited for the future. This Club has a lot of potential to continue to grow and build, and that is what I want to be a part of. I can't thank the fans enough, they always come in voice and they're always behind the team and myself, it's a pleasure playing in front of them. Here's to a few more years together."</p><p>Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis added: "He has performed exceptionally well with us. More than just his goals, he epitomises everything that it means to wear the Garibaldi Red -- hard work, a fighting and wining spirit, and the attitude to never give up. He is a winner and a role model to inspire all of us, and we reward his dedication with ours."</p><p>Forest travel to face Bournemouth in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday.</p><p>Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report</p>
Ronald Araújo secures Barcelona future, signs through 2031
<p>Ronald Araújo has signed a new contract with Barcelona, committing to the Catalan club until 2031 and ending any lingering doubt over his future.</p><p>The 25-year-old's previous contract was due to expire in 2026 and he had drawn interest from Juventus, among other sides, this month.</p><p>However, EasyChamp revealed recently that a meeting with sporting director Deco had convinced him to stay.</p><p>Araújo put pen to paper on his new terms at the club's offices on Thursday alongside Deco, president Joan Laporta and vice president Rafa Yuste.</p><p>The defender has recently returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the first half of the season.</p><p>During that time, Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez struck up a partnership in the middle of Barça's back four.</p><p>An untimely injury to Martínez opened the door for Araujo to return to the side, though, and the Uruguay international has started four of Barça's last six games.</p><p>Araújo joined Barça from modest Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018 and, after a spell in the club's reserve team, has gone on to make over 150 appearances for the club, playing a key role as they won the LaLiga title in 2022-23.</p>
Transfer rumors, news: Man City make move for €80m-rated Cambiaso
<p>Manchester City's spending spree is set to continue with a move for Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso, while Manchester United are leading a swathe of clubs tracking Southampton's Tyler Dibling. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.</p><p> Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's January grades | Women's January grades</p><p>EasyChamp 's Rob Dawson asks if Manchester United really could make a move for Southampton's Tyler Dibling.</p>
