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Mauricio Pochettino claimed Chelsea have not been playing the way he wants as the Blues manager insisted "this is not my team".

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Chelsea beat Brighton 2-1 in Premier LeaguePochettino says Blues not following his styleCoach referenced Guardiola & FergusonWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite a commendable performance against Brighton, with goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku securing a 2-1 victory, Pochettino did not seem entirely happy as he admitted he is not being able to implement his style at Cobham with the type of players at his disposal. Nonetheless, it was Chelsea's fourth successive win on the trot in the Premier League, which has catapulted the Blues to the sixth position in the standings.

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Chelsea players have been slowly warming up to the methods of Pochettino and the results are a testimony to it. However, the Argentine manager refused to label it as his team and instead insisted that he was only working with the resources provided to him by the Chelsea board, who have spent over £1 billion on transfers across recent windows, with the playing style a far cry from his philosophy.

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

Speaking to reporters after the Brighton game, Pochettino said: "That is not my team. That's Chelsea team. Not my team. What do you mean?"

When further pressed if the Chelsea team were following his style he responded: "I don’t know. After 15 years working at Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and now Chelsea, I think you know my style, no? In the way we want to play in possession and when we lose the ball. We have the trajectory in football.

"For me, it is not important about what I have to say. If you are happy and people are happy about the style we are playing. After, it is to adapt to the circumstances of the squad. For sure, with time, if you ask another coach and have the possibility of 10 years or 25 years, or 22 like Arsene Wenger, or Sir Alex Ferguson, then of course it is your team. In that case we can say Pep Guardiola because every six months you have the power to invest or not to invest and bring players you want in. In one season, with all the circumstances, I am so proud of the squad."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea's latest victory propelled them to the sixth position and now look set to participate in European football in the next campaign. This is a massive improvement from the previous season when they finished 12th with just 44 points from 38 fixtures. Yet Pochettino seemed discontent as his future has often been put under the scanner throughout the campaign.

When asked if he thinks finishing sixth will be a success, Pochettino replied: "I don’t know. We have been all the season talking but it looks like my words are not important and no one cares. People only care about rumours and things like this. It’s not important, the most important thing is winning games for me. It has been tough with all the circumstances."

If Aston Villa do end up finishing in the Champions League places this season, some of the credit will have to go to former manager Dean Smith, who helped to build the squad with which Unai Emery is achieving so much success.

Villa's top three scorers this season – Ollie Watkins (14), Leon Bailey (9) and Douglas Luiz (7) – were all recruited by Smith, while defender Ezri Konsa and goalkeeper Emi Martinez have started every single game for which they've been available. Right-back Matty Cash has also been heavily involved, with 15 starts from 20 games (Transfermarkt).

It's tempting to wonder how big a role another of Smith's targets could have played if Villa had been successful in their pursuit. In the summer of 2021, Villa made two bids for Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe, the second of which was worth £30m, but the Gunners simply refused to entertain any offers. Now, though, one journalist has talked up Villa's chances of bringing him to the Midlands should they choose to revive their interest.

Smith Rowe opening emerges

Smith Rowe missed five weeks of action between late October and early December through injury, but he's been fit and available for the rest of the season. Despite that, he's hardly been used by manager Mikel Arteta, only making six Premier League appearances (one from the start and five from the bench). Already, he's remained an unused substitute on eight occasions.

The cup competitions haven't offered much respite, either. Arsenal exited the League Cup at the second hurdle and Smith Rowe didn't make the XI for any of their Champions League group games.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones urged Villa to make an opportunistic return for Smith Rowe if indeed their interest is "still bubbling away". He thinks Arsenal will now be much more inclined to consider a sale, and wonders if Villa are already aware of his frustrating situation.

"Villa made a couple of bids for Smith Rowe last year, and if that interest is still bubbling away, then this would be an ideal moment to go and have another go," he said.

"I feel like Arsenal will be tempted to cash in on someone who isn't an essential first-team player. Smith Rowe is a very good player with a really good attitude and good application. I think it'd be a very good signing for Aston Villa. Part of me does wonder if they've been keeping an eye on the fact he's only started one Premier League game this season."

Smith Rowe has already shown huge promise

It's easy to forget how much excitement Smith Rowe was generating when he first broke into the Arsenal side. Jamie Carragher raved about him in the autumn of 2021, declaring that he was the "best player in the Premier League running with the ball" and describing him as a "special talent".

Meanwhile, former Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish used the nickname "the Croydon De Bruyne" during an England training session. Midway through the 2021/22 season, Smith Rowe was actually bettering the Manchester City star for assists, and minutes per goal contribution.

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The Londoner would end the campaign with ten Premier League goals, earning a nomination for PFA Young Player of the Year and the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award.

90min has previously reported that Smith Rowe would consider his future in the winter if there aren't any signs of improvement in his Arsenal situation, and that moment of truth has now arrived, with Villa potentially watching on.

Tenth List A century for batsman, who is a name to be reckoned with

David Hopps28-Apr-2019The retirement of Jonathan Trott, an injury to Ian Bell that will rule him out of the entire Royal London Cup and a must-win game. Such circumstance has dictated that Sam Hain has transitioned in the eyes of Warwickshire supporters from talented youngster to battle-hardened senior overnight. A career-best, unbeaten 161 meant that he did not disappoint.Few county batsmen have such an outstanding record in List A cricket as Hain. That was already known. But his presence can rarely have felt more central to Warwickshire’s chances than the super-cool approach that laid the foundations of a 34-run win against their closest rivals, Worcestershire.Already a name to be reckoned with as far as his fellow professionals are concerned, perhaps he is about to become a name to be known.A lesser one-day batting side than Worcestershire would have been marmalised by Hain’s innings, which underpinned Warwickshire’s highest List A score against Worcestershire.An opening stand of 86 in 12 overs by Hamish Rutherford and Riki Wessels was a good base for a 316 chase but Jeetan Patel’s mid-innings intervention on a pitch offering some turn dragged them back to 145 for 7 only for Wayne Parnell’s belligerent 75 from No. 9 to delay the kill and underline Worcestershire’s batting depth.That makes 10 List A hundreds for Hain now at an average of 57. Compare that to James Vince, who is increasingly discussed as a World Cup possibility, but who averages 41. The difference is in the strike rates. Vince’s 98 runs per 100 balls is where it needs to be; Hain’s 85 sounds as if it comes from a more cautious age.A Warwickshire middle order including all of Trott, Bell and Hain exemplified that cautious age. It dealt in building blocks, it certainly had ample class to win games, especially on problematic pitches, but there was no sense of imminent danger: it might have been designed by an ECB Health and Safety executive. The Warwickshire that Paul Farbrace, the new coach, must build around Hain is likely to surround him with greater aggression.Hain’s half-century took 69 balls, brought up by heaving a full toss from legspinner Brett D’Oliveira over midwicket for six, but more in tune with the mood of his innings was the deflection backward of point off Wayne Parnell that brought his first boundary in the ninth over.It was 19 overs before he risked another boundary, a none-too-confident down-the-pitch blow against Mitchell’s 55 mph tempters. He appears to be a bulkier figure these days, but he had announced his arrival at the crease unobtrusively, gaining control without excess.Early movement and the loss of three wickets by the 15th over had justified Hain’s cautious approach. There was a wicket apiece for three Worcestershire seamers – Ed Pollock uppercutting to third man, Dom Sibley driving to short midwicket and Will Rhodes out to a square drive.But Hain and Liam Banks, a 19-year-old batsman who is impressing in his debut season, then righted matters with a stand of 99 in 17 as Worcestershire settled for containment too readily. Alex Thomson helped build on that in a subsequent stand of 103 in 14.Hain was reprieved on 90, by Mitchell at midwicket. Soon afterwards, came his final surge – perhaps a new element in his came that will one day bring international recognition. He struck five more sixes in the last seven overs, against Parnell and Chris Morris, the most resounding of them a legside blow of one knee against Morris.”The wicket was a little bit tacky,” Hain said. “There was a bit of moisture underneath so I found it hard initially to put pressure back on the bowlers. I made the decision to see it through and then try and catch up at the back end of the innings.”In reply, Worcestershire burned then crashed. Patel is a class act, both as offspinner and captain, but on a surface that (the first few overs apart) spelled doom for the seamers, he should have been dealt with more respectfully.Wessels is a hot-spell cricketer so when he was bowled through the gate it was understandable; less so D’Oliveira who weakly played all round one. Ben Cox swept to square leg – the product of aggressive field placing. Five wickets fell for 18 runs – three to Patel in an initial spell of 7-3-17-3.The run out of Daryl Mitchell helped. Hain had a role in that, too, with a direct hit, running in from point. Whatever his statistics suggest, it is difficult to escape the impression that his future is more likely to be in Test cricket than a limited-overs game increasingly characterised by violent strokeplay. Perhaps only he needs to believe it.Derby rivalries insist that it is referenced that it is Worcestershire who retain ambitions for a top-three spot while Warwickshire’s qualification chances are only theoretical, but Patel summed up the difference – Hain apart – between the sides. “In this competition it’s all about who can take wickets through the middle overs,” he said. “We won by front-footing Worcestershire.”

Sheffield Wednesday's interest in signing a trophy-winning player has now "stepped up a gear", according to an update from reliable journalist Alex Miller.

Sheffield Wednesday sign new goalkeeper

The Owls may be sitting in the Championship relegation zone currently, but there is an undoubted feeling of positivity at the club, following the impressive start that Danny Rohl has made as manager. He has also already started making inroads in the transfer market, with goalkeeper James Beadle arriving on loan from Brighton.

The 19-year-old is seen as an exciting addition to Wednesday's squad, with his ball-playing quality something that clearly looks to have appealed to Rohl, and he will now battle with current No.1 Cameron Dawson for regular minutes between now and the end of the season.

Another player who has been strongly linked with a move to Hillsborough is West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry, who won the UEFA Europa League Conference League with the Hammers last season, albeit not as a regular.

The 23-year-old has spent this season on loan at fellow Championship side Rotherham United, having also had spells at Lincoln, Peterborough and MK Dons, and he could now be on the move for another temporary switch.

Conor Coventry transfer update

Taking to X, Miller provided an update on Sheffield Wednesday's move for Coventry, saying the Owls are opening talks in the coming days, amid plenty of interest in him.

"Understand Owls interest in West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry has stepped up a gear. The club will hold talks with the 23yo this week. Have some convincing to do amid interest from Champ, L1 and Holland. Some clubs already in talks."

If Wednesday could snap up Coventry as well as Beadle this month, it would represent a promising start to the January transfer window at Hillsborough, as Rohl and his players look to pull off a highly impressive escape act this season.

The Owls' midfield feels well-balanced when everyone is fit, but both George Byers and Will Vaulks have been in and out of the side this season, while Tyreeq Bakinson has left to join Charlton Athletic on loan.

That highlights the need for new faces to come in, and Coventry could be a really astute addition, having made ten appearances for West Ham to date, one of which has come in the Premier League.

Hammers boss David Moyes has said he is "doing great" in the past, and he is at an age where he should only get better, having been praised as a "wonderful" player during his spell at Posh by Darragh MacAnthony.

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Danny Rohl could look to his native Germany for Sheffield Wednesday January additions.

ByKelan Sarson Jan 8, 2024

Squad depth is going to be so important for the Owls during the second half of the campaign, with so much work still to do in the relegation battle and matches coming thick and fast, and Coventry could make a big difference in that respect.

Olivier Giroud has announced this summer's European Championship will be his final tournament in international football.

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Giroud to retire from international footballGiroud is France highest scorer in men's footballStriker set to move to LAFCWHAT HAPPENED?

Giroud will retire from international football as his nation's highest-ever goal-scorer in men's football. The veteran striker has led the line consistently for Les Bleus throughout Didier Deschamps 12 years in charge. Giroud repaid Deschamps' faith by playing a selfless role in their World Cup win in 2018 but now the 37-year-old is bringing down the curtain on his international career.

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Giroud explained his decision in an interview with . He said: “This will be my last competition with Les Bleus. Obviously, I’m going to miss it a lot.

“We need to make way for the youngsters. You also have to be careful not to have one season too many. You have to find the right balance. I’ve always said that I was going to stop when my body asked me to. I think I’ve got two good years left. But as far as the French team is concerned, I think that’ll be the end of it.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Giroud has made 131 appearances for the French national team, scoring 57 goals. He overtook Thierry Henry's record of 51 goals at the 2022 World Cup and also holds the record for the oldest goal-scorer in the history of the French national team.

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The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker is also set to bring an end to his career in Europe. Giroud has agreed to sign for LAFC in MLS and reunite with his compatriot and former captain Hugo Lloris. For the moment though, Giroud's focus will be on helping France win yet another major honour.

Gio Reyna is clearly pumped ahead of Copa America, with the USMNT star flying into tackles and producing clever flicks during intense training drills.

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Playmaker struggled for spark at ForestHas now linked up with his countryBids for trophies & medals on the cardsWHAT HAPPENED?

The 21-year-old has plenty to prove this summer after enduring a forgettable loan spell in the Premier League at Nottingham Forest. With game time proving to be in short supply there, parent club Borussia Dortmund have a big decision to make on the playmaker’s future.

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While things have not been going well for Reyna at club level, he has continued to impress for his country – with an important role played in the United States’ CONCACAF Nations League triumph. He now has the opportunity to chase down continental glory, before potentially figuring at the Olympic Games in Paris.

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Reyna is desperate to prove his worth to Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT coaching team, with every ounce of effort being put into pre-Copa training sessions. International team-mate Brenden Aaronson found that out the hard way after being on the receiving end of one full-blooded challenge.

Josh Cobb in to face Sussex after skipper falls ill on arrival at ground

Jon Culley21-May-2019Alex Wakely, the Northamptonshire captain, has withdrawn from his side’s County Championship match against Sussex and been replaced with a concussion substitute after suffering a head injury at home.The 30-year-old Wakely was taken ill before play on the second morning, telling medical staff at the club that he had hit his head on a low beam at his home. An assessment on the ground detected signs of concussion and determined that he could take no further part.Northamptonshire have been given permission to replace Wakely in the team with a concussion substitute, in this case Josh Cobb, who has been cleared to take Wakely’s place as a batsman, although he will not be allowed to bowl.David Ripley, the county’s head coach, said: “Alex actually drove to the ground this morning as normal but was sick after he got here and it was clear he was not well.”He explained that he had banged his head on a beam last night and after an examination by our medical staff it was decided he was showing signs of concussion. He has not gone to hospital but clearly we are monitoring his condition to see how he progresses. His welfare has to come first.”We were not sure we would be allowed a substitute as the injury did not happen during the game but the regulations do allow it and after we had spoken to the Sussex captain it was agreed that Josh Cobb could take his place.

West Ham United are now weighing up a late January bid to sign a player who's been called "the best" in his country this season.

West Ham shortlist 20 players ahead of potential January moves

According to some media sources, the Hammers have shortlisted as many as 20 transfer targets as technical director Tim Steidten and co-chairman David Sullivan decide who to move for.

£13m forward also expected to join West Ham amid talks for Kalvin Phillips

He’s pretty likely to arrive.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 19, 2024

Claret & Hugh contributor and founder of westhamfootball.co.uk, Sean Whetstone, says West Ham have a long list of candidates who the club are considering to strengthen manager David Moyes' options.

This comes amid widespread reports that West Ham have opened talks to sign Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips in particular, with Moyes looking to strengthen his midfield.

While both James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez have impressed in that position, injuries could leave West Ham desperately short of alternatives.

Lucas Paqueta is also expected to be out for around two months with his calf problem, while Mohammed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd are currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

Moyes' midfield is being stretched pretty thin in some respects, leaving little wonder West Ham are looking at the likes of Phillips.

Now, as per a report from HITC, the Irons are said to be considering a new transfer target to bolster Moyes' options.

West Ham weighing up late O'Riley move

According to their information, Celtic star Matt O'Riley is the man in question, coming amid his phenomenal SPFL campaign north of the border.

The 23-year-old midfielder boasts 10 goals and seven assists across 21 league starts this season, which will come as enticing for Moyes given his real creativity in the final third.

HITC claim West Ham are weighing up a late January bid to sign O'Riley alongside a host of other sides, and it will be interesting to see if they advance that interest.

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon even called him the best player in Scotland right now.

“Matt’s had a huge impact on the team this season. He’s been magnificent. Wherever I’ve watched him, be it domestically or in Europe, he’s been excellent,” said Lennon to the Scottish Sun.

“His three assists in the Champions League were out of this world, and his game has just improved no end. Under Brendan, he’s scoring a lot of goals, and creating so many opportunities. He’s always a threat, and he’s got a real knack of making those late runs into the box, undetected.

“He’s a fantastic talent. He’s proven himself at the highest level, in the Champions League. He’s been the best player in Scotland this season."

Inter Miami ace Lionel Messi sent tennis star Carlos Alcaraz a good luck gift before the Spaniard beat Alexander Zverev in the French Open final.

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Alcaraz took on Zverev in French Open finalMiami's Messi sent Spaniard pre-match giftYoungster beats German in epic five-setterWHAT HAPPENED?

Shortly after the 2024 men's singles French Open final got underway, it emerged on X, formerly Twitter, that Argentine icon Messi had sent a classy gift to the 21-year-old. The Spaniard was seen holding up a framed, and signed, Inter Miami shirt from the veteran on Sunday afternoon – something the tennis ace appeared to be thrilled about.

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Alcaraz won his third grand slam at the age of 21, becoming the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces (hard court, grass, and clay). Such is his star power, sportsmen from across the world are praising his talent – such as Al-Hilal's Neymar.

DID YOU KNOW?

This is not the first time Messi has sent gifts to a tennis player. In December, he sent Rafael Nadal some signed Argentinian memorabilia one year on from their 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. This came after Nadal backed him to win the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award.

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While Alcaraz will enjoy a well-earned break after his first French Open win, Messi is preparing to represent his country at this summer's Copa America. His side face Canada, Chile, and Peru in the group stages of that competition.

Tottenham Hotspur are seeking to sign another fresh face after already completing deals for both Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, with journalist Nizaar Kinsella sharing more news on an "exciting" potential addition.

Spurs tipped to be busy on deadline day

Before the January window even opened, manager Ange Postecoglou publicly expressed the importance of getting players through the door in quick fashion.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

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The club granted his wish by getting Dragusin and Werner, with the former bolstering Postecoglou's defensive ranks and providing a solid alternative option to the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. The latter, meanwhile, has bagged two assists in two Premier League games since joining from RB Leipzig on loan.

Timo Werner

Arrival

Radu Dragusin

Arrival

Djed Spence

Departure

Eric Dier

Departure

Japhet Tanganga

Departure

Sergio Reguilon

Departure

Ivan Perisic

Departure

Ashley Phillips

Departure

Despite already bolstering their squad sufficiently, with Spurs among the division's biggest spenders this month, selling Harry Kane last summer for pure profit means they have more wiggle room financially where other clubs do not (Luke Edwards).

This has resulted in suggestions Tottenham could make a third January signing after Dragusin and Werner. Indeed, there are still reports surrounding Chelsea star Conor Gallagher as one target, with reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano refusing to rule out a late deadline day bid.

Elsewhere, Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall is central to a tug-of-war between both the north Londoners and Barcelona. Spurs have been continuing their policy of signing some of Europe's rising stars on buy-to-loan-back deals, in a similar fashion to how they first brought first teamers Destiny Udogie and Pape Matar Sarr to the club.

Postecoglou's side are apparently attempting to hijack Barca'a deal for the 17-year-old, who is emerging as one of Scandinavia's most exceptional talents.

Both Spurs and the La Liga giants have apparently made proposals to sign the Djurgårdens IF.winger, and he is said to be deciding whether to make a move to England or the Nou Camp.

Decision pending as Bergvall eyes Tottenham and Barcelona moves

According to Nizaar Kinsella of The Evening Standard, who shared an update on the matter today, Bergvall's decision between Barcelona and Tottenham is "pending" in what he calls an "exciting" potential move for the club.

The teenage sensation was meant to be making his call last night (Kinsella), but it appears the pull of N17 is giving him something to seriously think about.

Bergvall has been lavished with praise for his potential by members of the media like journalist Antonio Mango, who perhaps explained in December exactly why he's being highly coveted by Tottenham.