With just two days until the transfer window slams shut a number of Premier League clubs, players and agents are eyeing late moves before the 5pm deadline on Thursday.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois have been linked this morning to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, but perhaps the biggest deal of the summer is happening in north London.
American billionaire Stan Kroenke has put in an offer to take full control, but the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust is not happy and has called it a “dreadful day”.
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We take a look at the other stories making headlines today in the Premier League.
New role for Stones?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he would like to sign another midfielder but could he already have that player within his talented squad?
The Daily Telegraph reports that central defender John Stones could play as a holding midfielder more regularly this season after impressing in the role for the final ten minutes of the 2-0 Community Shield win against Chelsea on Sunday.
Stones, who excelled in England’s defence at the World Cup, was praised by City gaffer Guardiola, who said: “I was happy to see him in the last 10 or 15 minutes like a holding midfielder. John maybe can play there. We will see what’s going on in the future. In the Premier League there are a huge amount of games and everybody will be involved.”
‘Liverpool were robbed’
A study by ESPN, Intel and the University of Bath has found that Liverpool were the Premier League’s “unluckiest team” last season. The ESPN Luck Index research revealed that Jurgen Klopp’s side were “robbed” of 12 points because of incorrect decisions. The index also found that Manchester United were the “luckiest” Premier League team last campaign after gaining six points for “incidents that went in their favour”, the BBC reports.
Willian: Conte was difficult
Brazilian playmaker Willian has revealed that former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was difficult to work with. Conte has since been replaced by Maurizio Sarri and Willian told ESPN: “For me, Conte was a manager very difficult to work with. His philosophy, his way of dealing with things is very complicated. There were a few games... sometimes we just don’t understand. You’re playing very well, then you get substituted. There were two times when I got substituted and I went straight to the locker room. It was hard to work with him.”
Toon stars in bonus row with Ashley
Newcastle United players are refusing to “fulfil any media commitments”, The Guardian reports, because of a row with club owner Mike Ashley over bonuses. The club could be fined by the Premier League for breaching “contractual obligations to broadcast rights holders”.
Sky Sports reveal live TV fixtures
The Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United will be the pick of the November Premier League matches live on Sky Sports. The broadcaster has revealed its schedule for October and November:
October matches live on Sky Sports
- Monday 1 October: Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace (8pm)
- Friday 5 October: Brighton vs. West Ham (8pm)
- Sunday 7 October: Southampton vs. Chelsea (2.15pm); Liverpool vs. Man City (4.30pm)
- Saturday 20 October: Chelsea vs. Man Utd (12.30pm)
- Sunday 21 October: Everton vs. Crystal Palace (4pm)
- Monday 22 October: Arsenal vs. Leicester (8pm)
- Saturday 27 October: Man Utd vs. Everton (12.30pm)
- Sunday 28 October: Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal (1.30pm); Tottenham v Man City (4pm)
November matches live on Sky Sports
- Sunday 4 November: Wolves vs. Tottenham (1.30pm)*; Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (4pm)
- Monday 5 November: Huddersfield vs. Fulham (8pm)
- Saturday 10 November: Cardiff vs. Brighton (12.30pm)
- Sunday 11 November: Chelsea vs. Everton (2.15pm); Man City vs. Man Utd (4.30pm)
- Sunday 25 November: Bournemouth vs. Arsenal (1.30pm)
- Sunday 25 November: Wolves vs. Huddersfield (4pm)
- Monday 26 November: Burnley vs. Newcastle (8pm)
* subject to Champions League, game could be moved to Saturday 3 November (7.45pm)
