Liverpool stalwart Andy Robertson has emerged as a shock January target for Tottenham.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says Cole Palmer is “very happy” at the club following reports the England international is homesick.
Spurs in Robertson talks
Tottenham have opened talks with Liverpool over the signing of Scotland captain Andy Robertson, the Press Association understands.
Robertson has made 363 appearances for Liverpool since he joined from Hull in 2017 but has found his left-back spot taken this season by summer recruit Milos Kerkez and has entered the final six months of his contract at Anfield.
The Reds vice-captain revealed earlier this months that talks were still taking place over a new deal, but Spurs have enter preliminary discussions with their Premier League rivals over securing the services of the 31-year-old.
Atletico Madrid attempted to sign Robertson last summer but he opted to stay at Anfield.
Palmer homesick rumours played down
Chelsea chief Liam Rosenior insisted Cole Palmer is “very happy” with the Blues despite reports the England star is homesick.
Palmer moved to Stamford Bridge in 2023 from Manchester City where he had progressed from the academy to the first team but struggled for minutes under Pep Guardiola.
But this has been the most difficult period of the 23-year-old’s career as injury and poor form have seen his goals and assists dry up.
“I’ve had numerous conversations with Cole and he seems very happy to be here, he is very happy to be here,” said Rosenior.
“He’s a huge part of our plans in the long term. He’s an outstanding player. Every player goes through difficult moments in their career in terms of injury. It’s not any reflection of his quality.”
Guardiola hails Arsenal as ‘world’s best’
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal are the best team in the world.
The Gunners are seven points clear of City at the top of the Premier League and boast a perfect record of seven wins from seven in the Champions League.
Guardiola accepts his out-of-form side now have their work cut out to catch them – but he remains hopeful.
The City manager said: “They are the best team in the world – look at the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
“They are the best team right now and hopefully we can be close, get better and better, and they can give us one chance to catch them.”
Infantino ‘joke’ not helpful, say police
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s joke about British fans’ behaviour at the Qatar World Cup was “neither helpful nor accurate”, the UK’s football policing lead has said.
Infantino aimed a jibe at British supporters during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, saying the Qatar finals in 2022 were special because “no Brit was arrested”.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the football policing lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, told the Press Association: “Whilst these things may be said in jest, it is neither helpful or accurate to make this sort of comment.
“For the record, ‘British’ fans behaving at World Cups is the norm, not something special.”
What’s on today?
Manchester City will attempt to bounce back from their shock Champions League defeat by Bodo/Glimt when they host rock-bottom Wolves in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank will be hoping Tottenham can build on their win over Borussia Dortmund at lowly Burnley, while West Ham can claw back some ground on Nottingham Forest in the relegation scrap if they beat visitors Sunderland.
