Football news LIVE: Everton takeover agreed, Ten Hag criticised for Sancho treatment, Man United boss to address media as Premier League action returns

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• Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he inherited a club with “no good culture”, while refusing to speak about Jadon Sancho.

  Sancho is currently training away from the first team after claiming he had been made a “scapegoat” following his omission from the defeat and Ten Hag declined the opportunity to say how long he will be away.

  The Dutchman declined several opportunities to answer specifics about Sancho, while also revealed he had “no idea” how long Antony would be away from the club while he deals with allegations of violence towards women.

  Ten Hag: “Strict lines is what the club asked me because there was no good culture before I entered last season, so to set good standards, that is what I did and it is my job to control the standards.

  “Of course, it is never someone only makes one mistake, it is a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines.

  “If staff or players or whoever, there is a structure to cross lines so you have to be strong.”

  

• Jack Grealish and John Stones remain unavailable for Man City’s trip to West Ham on Saturday due to injury.

  The pair both missed England’s recent games against Ukraine and Scotland with thigh problems.

  Manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference: “Both injured for tomorrow.

  “The injury for Jack is muscular but has an incredible knock for his knee and the damage is there. John is better but still has issues.”

  

• Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has promised to give Richarlison whatever help he needs.

  The forward took part in a candid interview while away on international duty with Brazil where he reflected on the ‘turbulent time’ in his personal life and revealed he would seek ‘psychological help’ upon returning to Spurs.

  Postecoglou, speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit of Sheffield United, said: “Whatever Richy needs, we will help him get to the space he wants to get to.

  “He put it out there because he was quite emotional after the game and we will give him support he needs, but we do for all players.

  “What I will say is no one has a perfect life. People think footballers do things well and have all the money they need but it does not make them immune from life.”

  

• Mauricio Pochettino says Reece James is ‘desperate’ to help Chelsea, but has confirmed his captain won’t be back on the pitch just yet.

  The right-back has been out of action since he picked up a hamstring injury in the opening 1-1 draw against Liverpool last month.

  At the time, the England international was expected to be out for a ‘few weeks’, but Pochettino has now pushed James’ return back.

  “He’s recovering well,” Pochettino said in his press conference on Friday ahead of the trip to Bournemouth.

  “He is starting to do things on the pitch with the ball. He’s really well.

  “He’s desperate to return and help the team. I hope he’s close and hope he can be available before the next international break.”

  

• Erik ten Hag deflected the first questions asked about Sancho by talking about something else.

  Quizzed on the forward’s exile from first-team training, the Man United boss instead spoke about the game he dropped Sancho for – their defeat to Arsenal before the international break.

  Asked a direct question about Sancho, Ten Hag replied: “We close the game, we work on the feedback, the data team feedback, we played very well very Arsenal, we trained very well, we played very well, we deserved much more in Arsenal.

  “It was not on our side, that was the outcome of our analysis and you can see our progress against a good Arsenal and minimum we have to get a draw there and we could have won.

  “We come back and we trained very well. We are ready for it.”

  

• Erik ten Hag has deflected questions about Jadon Sancho.

  Asked for comment or more information on the situation with the outcast winger, the Dutch boss replied: “I think everything has been said.”

  He then insisted the Man United squad as a whole is in a ‘good mood’ despite the Sancho saga, the recent allegations about Antony and the controversy surrounding Mason Greenwood which has depleted his attacking options.

  “The squad is in good mood, good spirit and ready to go into the next game,” said Ten hag.

  “You have setbacks in seasons, players are injured, for other reasons they are not available.

  “But the squad is very good and the players that are available are in very good spirits.”

  

• A prosecutor has requested Luis Rubiales is given a restraining order – banning him from contacting Jenni Hermoso.

  The former president of the Spanish football federation has been giving testimony in court today on charges of sexual assault and coercion after kissing the player at the Women’s World Cup final.

  Spanish women’s footballer Hermoso says it wasn’t consensual – with the backlash forcing him to resign.

  However, Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing to a Spanish judge over his behaviour.

  The court, presided over by Judge Francisco de Jorge, is yet to rule whether the case will go to trial.

  

• Arsenal legend Martin Keown has urged Jadon Sancho to take responsibility for his own failures and ‘be the bigger man’ in his apparent falling out with Erik ten Hag.

  The former defender says Ten Hag has tried to put his arm around the player in the past, and it still hasn’t worked.

  Speaking on White and Jordan earlier this morning, Keown told talkSPORT: “You’ve got to follow this all the way from the beginning – when Ten Hag came to the club I think he did brilliantly for the player, he took him out of the firing line and he took him away to Holland to to nurse him, there was talk of mental health issues, there was talk of injuries as well and he nurtured him and tried to get him back into the team.

  “At no real point have I ever seen this Sancho play with any directness, with determination. He doesn’t strike me as being a player who, yes he’s an incredible talent and we saw that at Borussia Dortmund where he was taking defences apart, but I’m not seeing it, so why is that? Is there a lack of motivation or a lack of desire?

  “The manager is looking for a performance in training, a work ethic, and first of all you’re going to be on time for training. If you’re late there’s a problem, they’re non-negotiables.

  “This is about discipline and there’s a message for the group here, not just this player, that this is really important, it’s about spreading the message to the group of how you’re behaving. He’s not working hard enough in training, he doesn’t have the discipline, he’s not respecting the group or the staff, so he’s had to take him one step out .

  “This is tough love for him, but Ten Hag tried the other approach, tried to put his arm around him and it doesn’t seem to be happening.

  “When I was a young player many years ago Graham Taylor said to me, ‘When you come to a football club make sure they’re talking about you for years afterwards, make sure that your photographs are up around the building’.

  “They’re not going to be there for Sancho, because he’s done nothing since he’s been at Manchester United.

  “It’s not about whether a manager is getting the best out of him or not, you’ve got to get the best for himself and he should be holding his hand up and apologising to the manager.

  “He got emotional and the manager has tried to wake him up, that’s what this is abou, and the player is not prepared to make an apology.

  “I think he needs to be the bigger man. If I’m in his corner I’m telling him, ‘You go to the manager and you rescue your career’.”

  

• Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his and Chelsea’s disappointment at Romeo Lavia’s injury, admitting they don’t know when the midfielder will be fit to return.

  The big-money summer signing is yet to play a game for his new club after suffering an ankle problem in training.

  The Blues boss said in his press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Bournemouth: “We’re really disappointed because he was training really well.

  “In the international break, he twisted his ankle. We hope it’s not a big issue.

  “It’s a sad situation because he was nearly fit to be involved.

  “We don’t know how long he’ll be out for. We need to assess.”

  

• Jurgen Klopp has also confirmed there was no misunderstanding with Jordan Henderson over his Liverpool exit this summer.

  In his interview over the international break, the midfielder said he felt it was the right time to leave Anfield because he was not wanted.

  Klopp said that was not necessarily the case, but he understood how Henderson took it that way because he could not promise the club captain he would get regular minutes this season.

  “Hendo said the truth, that’s how it was,” said the Reds boss.

  “We had our talks. I told Hendo I wanted him to say, but we had to talk about the possibility of him not playing regularly. I cannot tell a player he will play 50 games, I don’t know that, it all depends on performance.

  “But with the relationship we had I thought it was important we spoke about everything, including ‘what happens if’.

  “He’s a fantastic player, a fantastic guy, I will love him forever, but he was not great when he wasn’t playing. Milly was like that, Lucas Leiva was like that too. It was like Jekyll and Hyde. That was Hendo’s problem.

  “He was my captain for nearly eight years but I needed to speak with him about that because I didn’t want to lock horns with him [during the season].

  “Obviously in Hendo’s ear’s that meant I didn’t want him here. If I had said to Hendo, ‘You’re going to be the main man, I want you to stay’, he would have stayed, that’s the truth. But I couldn’t say that, as much as I wanted him to stay, I couldn’t say it.

  “So that’s why it was better he moved on.

  “There’s not one bit of bad blood. He is the the captain of the most successful Liverpool team in the Premier League era, and rightly so. He is a sensational player and I wish him only the best.

  “When he comes back here he gets a really big farewell. So there is no misunderstanding.”

  

• Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold will take no part in tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off against Wolves.

  “Trent is not available,” the Reds boss has said at his pre-match press conference.

  “He didn’t train with the team once. It will take a little bit, it’s not the worst hamstring injury you can have, but it’s a hamstring injury, they don’t heal in two weeks.

  “He’s running already, we hope he can start ball work next week and we’ll go from there.”

  

• Darren Bent has rated former Chelsea stars Mason Mount and Kai Havertz as the two worst signings of the season so far.

  The pair were among a host of stars involved in the club’s mass player exodus this summer, with homegrown talent Mount moving to Manchester United in a £60million deal.

  Havertz, who scored Chelsea’s winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, penned a long-term deal with Arsenal at the cost of £67.5m.

  Despite the substantial fees involved in both transfers the pair are yet to reach their best level, albeit with only four league games played.

  “The two that I’ve gone with for the worst deal are Mason Mount and Kai Havertz,” Arsenal fan Bent told talkSPORT.

  “Mount has had no impact whatsoever and that started in pre-season.

  “But the reason why I’d have to say that Havertz so far is the worst deal is because he’s been given opportunities.

  “Mason Mount has been injured, Havertz has been playing every single week and his performances have not been there.”

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• Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks with club captain Martin Odegaard over a new contract and will look to tie Ben White to a new deal next.

  The Gunners have moved quickly over the summer to tie their top players down to renewed terms.

  Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale and Willaim Saliba, among others, have all signed new deals with the north London club.

  And now, according to the Daily Mail, Odegaard is set to be the next to commit his future to Arsenal.

  Odegaard’s existing deal is due to expire at the end of next season, but he is now said to be in talks over a new four-year contract, which will also give him a pay bump from his current £120,000-a-week wages.

  After the Norwegian, the Gunners then plan to open formal talks with Ben White over an extension, having become an important player for Mikel Arteta following his £50million arrival from Brighton in 2021.

  

• James Maddison has been named the Premier League player of the month for August.

  The playmaker has earned the first gong of the new season after his stunning start at Tottenham.

  The summer signing and new club vice-captain managed one goal and two assists in three games in August, and has since added another goal to help Spurs to second in the table.

• Erik ten Hag is not at fault for Manchester United’s ongoing issues with Jadon Sancho.

  That’s according to former Man United and Leeds striker Alan Smith, who says the winger should his grievances with the coach private.

  Ten Hag has received criticism from some quarters over his handling of the situation, but Smith insists the manager is not to blame.

  “I don’t think Ten Hag, or any manager, can ever be at fault,” he told BoyleSports.

  “Football has changed, though, as the social media aspect has caused internal events to be broadcast to the outside world. 

  “Fallouts between players and managers are common. If you’re not playing, then you’re not happy. The usual response is to get your head down and focus, but nowadays the feuds are put in the public domain.

  “At the end of the day, the manager has to be the figurehead of the club and if anyone speaks out about the manager, then the player has no future at the club.

  “Those conversations should be kept private. If you’ve got a problem with your boss at work, you speak to them, and it’s done. That’s how it should be in any walk of life.”

  

• Jadon Sancho has been pictured arriving at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground this morning, as the winger prepares for his solo training sessions.

  The Premier League giants announced yesterday Sancho will be training away from the rest of the first-team group ‘pending resolution of a squad discipline issue’.

  A reminder that Ten Hag will be speaking to the press at around 1pm this afternoon, where the Sancho saga will certainly be at the top of the news agenda.

  Stay with talkSPORT on air and on line to get the latest.

  

• Who are 777 Partners, the incoming new majority owners of Everton?

  The American firm is based in Miami and already has a number of European football clubs under its wing.

  In a statement, it is said the 777 Football Group is ‘bringing together some of the most historic football clubs in the world within a structure that creates significant synergies through access to world-class data and analytics, player development and global commercial opportunities’.

  The 777 Football Group currently comprises Genoa C.F.C. in Italy, Vasco da Gama in Brazil, Hertha BSC in Germany, Standard de Liege in Belgium, Red Star FC in France, Sevilla FC in Spain, and Melbourne Victory FC in Australia.

  Josh Wander, Founder and Managing Partner of 777 Partners, said about the Everton deal: “We are truly humbled by the opportunity to become part of the Everton family as custodians of the Club, and consider it a privilege to be able to build on its proud heritage and values.

  “Our primary objective is to work with fans and stakeholders to develop the sporting and commercial infrastructure for the men’s and women’s teams that will deliver results for future generations of Everton supporters.

  “As part of this, we are committed to partnering with the local community over the long-term, working on important projects such as the development of Bramley-Moore Dock as a world class stadium venue, allowing thousands more Evertonians to attend our home matches and contribute to the economic and cultural regeneration of Merseyside.”

  

• Everton have announced their takeover has been agreed.

  American investment firm 777 Partners has signed an agreement with Farhad Moshiri to acquire his full stake in the Merseyside club, which accounts for 94.1 per cent of the Club’s shares.

  Moshiri, a shareholder at Everton since 2016 and majority shareholder since 2018, said: “The nature of ownership and financing of top football clubs has changed immeasurably since I first invested in Everton over seven years ago. The days of an owner/benefactor are seemingly out of reach for most, and the biggest clubs are now typically owned by well-resourced PE firms, specialist sports investors or state-backed companies and funds.

  “I have been open about the need to bring in new investment and complete the financing for our iconic new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, on the banks of the Mersey, which I have predominantly financed to date. I have spoken to a number of parties and considered some strong potential opportunities. However, it is through my lengthy discussions with 777 that I believe they are the best partners to take our great Club forward, with all the benefits of their multi-club investment model.

  “As a result of this agreement, we have an experienced and well-connected investor in football clubs who will help maximise the commercial opportunities, and we have secured the complete financing for our new stadium, which will be the critical element in the future success of Everton. Today is an important next step in the successful development of Everton and I look forward to closely following as our Club goes from strength to strength.

  “Of course, none of this could have been achieved without the hard work of everyone at the Club. From our team at the training ground, our commercial and support teams through to matchday employees, I extend my sincerest gratitude.

  “And to our fans, the last few years have been challenging but you have supported the Club through it all and consistently been our twelfth man. You are the best fans and deserve success.”

  

• Callum Wilson has signed a new deal at Newcastle United, the Premier League club has announced.

  The striker has penned a one-year contract extension at St James’ Park.

  It means the No.9 will now stay put on Tyneside until the summer of 2025.

  Wilson has scored 40 goals in 79 league games for Newcastle since his arrival from Bournemouth in 2020.

  He has been the club’s leading goalscorer for the past three seasons and is currently fifth in the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorers chart – sitting just one goal behind the legendary Les Ferdinand.

  Wilson said: “I’m delighted to extend my time here. It’s a fantastic football club, I’ve been welcomed ever since I came through the door and now the club’s going in a fantastic direction and on a journey so it’s nice to commit my future to be to being a part of that.

  “We’ve got some great things to look forward to and I think being around here, the city, fan base, is what players dream of so I can’t wait to be around for the next few years.

  “When I first joined the club, I had ambitions to come back to the Premier League having been relegated with Bournemouth and over the first few interviews I mentioned Europe and I mentioned getting to 100 Premier League goals.

  “They were ambitions of mine and they still are. I’m close to get into the ‘100 Club’ and also becoming the second all-time Premier League scorer for Newcastle would be an amazing achievement, having looked up to Shearer for many years.

  “There’s so many fantastic names that have been before me at Newcastle – goalscorers who have worn the number nine – and it’d be nice to join them in the record books during my time here.”

  🤝 We are delighted to announce that Callum Wilson has has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2025.

  Well deserved, @CallumWilson! 🫡

  — Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 15, 2023

• Ivan Toney should be an example for other players to follow as he prepares to make his return to training with Brentford, according to head coach Thomas Frank.

  The 27-year-old was suspended for eight months in May after admitting 232 breaches of Football Association gambling rules, but will be allowed to return to work at the club’s training ground from Monday.

  Frank said that the club has made a plan for Toney’s involvement that will see him initially working separately from the first-team squad before rejoining his team-mates for the rest of the 16 weeks before he is eligible to play.

  “I’m proud of Ivan, massively,” said Frank.

  “The journey he’s been on, the resilience he’s been showing throughout his life. The progress he’s done is amazing, he should be an example for a lot of people and footballers with what he’s achieved.

  “Playing in the lower leagues and constantly getting higher and higher, scoring 31 goals in the Championship, 12 in his first (Premier League) season and then 20, with not even playing 38 games. It’s remarkable I would say.

  “For us it’s very good to have him back, he’s a very good player but more importantly a person to have around the group. He trains hard, he’s very positive.

  “He brings a lot of energy, which is very good for any group. I’m pretty sure he’s also very happy to be allowed back in to play football and to be around his team-mates that he loves to be around.

  “He’s vibrant, definitely, and he’ll give us a lift. We’d prefer to have him in the team, but that’s not possible. But to have him every day is definitely going to be positive.

  “He should be able to join the group (on Monday). He hasn’t had a team session, we’ll have to adapt him a bit. That should maximum be two weeks, without knowing all the details the physical team have made for him.

  “As I see it we have made a plan for him for the next 16 weeks. Then of course I will change, especially when we get closer to when he can play and be in the team.”

  

• Arsenal have signed Australia World Cup star Kyra Cooney-Cross on a permanent deal.

  The 21-year-old played all seven matches at the Women’s World Cup as the Matildas finished fourth.

  The highly talented midfielder has already played 39 times for her country and has won two trophies for Melbourne Victory in Australia and one in Sweden at Hammarby IF.

  Cooney-Cross was set to become a free agent in January, with Chelsea and Manchester United both ready to pounce.

  However, the Gunners announced that she had signed from the Swedish side late on Monday night, moments before the WSL transfer window closed.

  

• The Premier League returns on Saturday and talkSPORT.com will bring you all the build-up on Friday.

  After a two-week international break, Wolves will host Liverpool tomorrow lunchtime – live on talkSPORT – to begin a blockbuster weekend.

  Today, top-flight bosses will address the media to preview the upcoming action, with all eyes on Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho was banished from first-team training.

  Here’s what is coming up on Friday…

  09:00 Newcastle press conference

  12:15 Liverpool press conference

  12:30 Chelsea press conference

  13:00 Bournemouth press conference

  13:00 Manchester United press conference

  13:00 Tottenham press conference

  13:15 Brighton press conference

  13:15 Wolves press conference

  13:30 Arsenal press conference

  13:30 Aston Villa press conference

  13:30 Burnley press conference

  13:30 Crystal Palace press conference

  13:30 Everton press conference

  13:30 Fulham press conference

  13:30 West Ham press conference

  14:00 Manchester City press conference

  14:30 Nottingham Forest press conference

  

• Welcome back to talkSPORT.com’s live blog!

  To the big story: Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho has been banished from first-team training after a fallout with Erik ten Hag.

  The Red Devils released a blunt statement on Thursday, condemning Sancho to a ‘personal training programme’ due to a ‘squad discipline issue’.

  It is understood the 23-year-old refused to apologise to Ten Hag for publicly contradicting the manager’s comments after the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.

  Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor has accused Ten Hag of behaving like a school teacher…

  “Stop acting like a school teacher!” 😡

  “I got sent to the U18s, it’s demoralising. What’re #MUFC getting out of this?!” 🤷‍♂️

  Gabby Agbonlahor hits out at Erik ten Hag, after exiling Jadon Sancho from the squad. pic.twitter.com/UkxgXcASfM

  — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 15, 2023

• Jadon Sancho’s reaction to showdown talks with Erik ten Hag wasn’t what was hoped or expected at Manchester United, talkSPORT understands.

  The Red Devils announced earlier today that Sancho will not be training with the first-team while a ‘discipline issue’ is being resolved.

  Sancho issued a furious denial of Ten Hag’s claims that the England forward was left out of the Man United squad for their defeat to Arsenal on September 2 due to his training performance not being good enough.

  It’s been reported that Sancho refused to apologise to Ten Hag, something the club hasn’t denied and talkSPORT understands that the meeting with the manager has not gone as planned.

  

• Ibrahima Konate’s return to training has given Liverpool a boost ahead of their Saturday lunchtime trip to Wolves.

  Virgil van Dijk is suspended following the imposition of an extra game ban after his red card at Newcastle last month and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recovery from a hamstring problem is unlikely to see him ready to return.

  The expected absence of the England right-back, who was pictured with the main group on Thursday but not in full training with them, means Joe Gomez will be asked to fill in on that side of defence.

  That would have left Joel Matip as the only available senior centre-back with 20-year-old Jarell Quansah on standby to make his first Premier League start after two substitute appearances this season.

  However, Konate’s involvement in full training with his team-mates offers manager Jurgen Klopp hope the 24-year-old, who has been sidelined for almost a month, could some straight back in.

  Listen to full commentary of Wolves vs Liverpool, live on talkSPORT, kick-off 12:30pm.