Premier League news and talking points
Cascarino: Kane needs help at Tottenham
As he did against Newport in the previous round, Kane scored a crucial goal against Rochdale in the 2-2 FA Cup draw after coming on as a sub for the infective Fernando Llorente. But Cascarino believes Kane shouldn’t have even been needed for yesterday’s cup tie.
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Writing in The Times, Cascarino said: “For three seasons Harry Kane has known he is not only Tottenham’s star striker, he’s been their only striker. The lack of talent has helped Kane flourish but it means Tottenham are one serious injury away from their season falling apart. Rochdale deserved a draw but Kane shouldn’t have been needed.”
Pardew close to getting the sack at West Brom
West Brom manager Alan Pardew has two games to save his job, The Sun reports. West Brom are bottom of the Premier League and four of the club’s players – Gareth Barry, Jonny Evans, Boaz Myhill and Jake Livermore – were last week involved in the alleged theft of a taxi during a training trip to Barcelona.
A source close to West Brom owner Guochuan Lai told the Sun: “Mr Lai is furious. In China, discipline is a basic skill, the minimum required to be successful in any professional. He cannot believe that a group of players who are supposed to be all pulling their weight in getting out of trouble in the league cannot stay out of trouble off the field. It has raised serious concerns about Pardew’s leadership because he is the man who should be setting an example.”
Arsenal extend Emirates shirt partnership
Arsenal and Emirates have signed a £200m five-year extension to their shirt sponsorship deal until the end of the 2023-2024 season. The new agreement marks a club record. Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Our shirt partnership is the longest running in the Premier League and one of the longest relationships in world sport.”
Ancelotti wants Premier League return
Carlo Ancelotti isn’t interested in returning to Paris Saint-Germain and wants a job in the Premier League. The Daily Mirror reports that PSG look certain to replace boss Unai Emery at the end of the season. Ancelotti is one of the names in contention, but the Italian isn’t keen on returning to Paris. The Mirror says that Ancelotti, 58, has moved back to London.
Will Tottenham play FA Cup semi at Wembley?
The Times says there’s “anger brewing” over the possibility of Tottenham playing a “home” semi-final at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup. If Spurs beat Rochdale in the fifth-round replay, and then beat either Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea City in the quarters, they would play at Wembley, their home ground this season, in the last four of the cup.
Premier League transfer news and gossip
Marcos Rojo: Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain
The Sun says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is “fuming” that contract talks with defender Marcos Rojo have been delayed. The Argentine’s current deal expires next year and Mourinho wants to “secure the centre-back’s future”. The delay in talks has put French giants Paris Saint-Germain on alert. They could make a £30m bid this summer.
Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure: Watford to Tottenham
Spurs are lining up a £50m “double swoop” for Watford’s Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure, according to The Sun. Brazilian Richarlison, 20, is rated at £30m and has impressed Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino this season. French midfielder Doucoure has yet to agree to a new deal at Watford. The Sun says Spurs are “ready to move for him”.