Yahoo Sports ⏮️ Guardiola talks Haaland's massive new deal; Palmer injury blow
Hear from Premier League managers on Friday as they speak to the media ahead of this weekend's action.
2025-01-17T14:38:12Z
That's all from Friday's managerial updates. Read below for updates on Erling Haaland's blockbuster new contract, an injury to Cole Palmer, Arsenal's transfer plans and more.
2025-01-17T14:20:34Z
Aston Villa captain John McGinn is close to a comeback but isn't ready to return yet.
Unai Emery confirms #AVFC have no fresh injury concerns ahead of facing Arsenal before the final training session this afternoon.
John McGinn remains out, but has started to train on the grass again. Diego Carlos is unavailable.— John Townley (@johntownley11) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T14:15:58Z
Aston Villa's big winter signing could be in line for a debut this weekend.
Unai Emery has confirmed that Donyell Malen is available for selection tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ONHRPQ3aSh
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:58:54Z
Oliver Glasner has admitted that Crystal Palace are close to confirming a deal for Romain Esse and is dealing with some fresh fitness concerns for this weekend.
✅ Oliver Glasner: "I hope we can announce a signing later today or tomorrow. We are also looking for a second signing in another position." #CPFC @BobbyManzi pic.twitter.com/cynKiFPank
— The Red and Blue (@TRNB1861) January 17, 2025
🎙️ 🏥 Glasner:
"There is a small question mark around Ismaila Sarr, he has a slight problem with his hamstring.” @BobbyManzi pic.twitter.com/9WFOFL0852— TPW News (@TPWNewsHQ) January 17, 2025
#CPFC
Oliver Glasner confirms Jefferson Lerma is out of the game on Saturday.
'Jeff is not available tomorrow – he is sick – but all the others who played at Leicester look quite good.
'We've a little small question about Ismaïla Sarr. He's suffering a little bit with…— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:52:43Z
Wolves coach Vitor Pereira is hopeful but not confident Matheus Cunha will feature this weekend and discussed which positions his side must strengthen in.
Team news: "Cunha was out of training today because he has the flu. I hope tomorrow he will train, if he is then he has the possibility to play the next game." #wwfc
— Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) January 17, 2025
More on signings: "I'm very happy with the players I have, but we need more solutions in midfield and maybe another defender. We are trying to understand the opportunities in the market. If we don't find the right players, it's better to bring no one." #wwfc
— Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) January 17, 2025
There was also a personal apology from Mario Lemina, although the man in charge is unsure if any bids have been received for him or if he will play any further part.
Lemina has trained with the first team today.
Forgiven him? Pereira: "We all make mistakes. We must give him the opportunity to show (he is sorry). I believe he spoke with his heart and he will try. I will see if he can or not. If he cannot, I prefer to go with another player."— Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:42:20Z
New Everton boss David Moyes is hopeful that a return to action for Dwight McNeil is in the offing, while also updating on the fitness of four other sidelined stars.
▶️ David Moyes is hoping Dwight McNeil is not too far away from a return following a knee injury and provides updates on James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, Youssef Chermiti and Seamus Coleman. pic.twitter.com/7A9Hn1zEC7
— Everton (@Everton) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:38:41Z
The United boss has also warned that the rest of the season will be filled with difficulty - and offered his thoughts on potential exits.
Amorim: "I think it's going to be hard until the end of the season. It's going to be a little bit of a rollercoaster."#MUFC ⬇️https://t.co/fT7s5KJf3J
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) January 17, 2025
🗣️ Amorim on the uncertainty of players leaving this window: "They are our players. We have control [who leaves or stays]. Sometimes it’s harder for the players because sometimes they have information [on their futures]. For me, it’s harder to prepare the game when we lose. When… pic.twitter.com/Guq6JG17i8
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:35:01Z
Manchester United boss Rúben Amorim is next up. Firstly, he has defended striker Rasmus Højlund after his drought stretched to eight games.
Amorim: ‘I think it's more a team problem than a Rasmus problem. You can see it, it's not just from now, it's from the past. So we have clearly a lack of goals and a lack of threat.' #mufc
— Chris Wheeler (@ChrisWheelerDM) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:29:21Z
Arsenal's boss did not seem particularly bothered by the big news of the day concerning Erling Haaland either.
🗣️ "Good news for them"
Mikel Arteta reacts to the news that Erling Haaland has committed his Man City future until 2034 📝 pic.twitter.com/6jK3X3Nnua— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:26:46Z
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta doesn't have any positive updates on either the club's injuries or their pursuit of a new striker.
Arteta on Calafiori’s fitness: “There’s a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff.”
Anybody close to returning?
Arteta: “Not so far.”— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) January 17, 2025
Arteta on signing a forward: "At the moment we don't have them. We are trying to find the best possible solution, we are going to try to see what we can do." #AFC
— Alex Howell (@iamAlexHowell) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:18:27Z
Next up, Ange Postecoglou has disclosed the latest on Spurs post-derby injury issues, with Timo Werner set for a month on the sidelines.
Postecoglou on team news: "Couple still sore from midweek. Looking to see how Brennan is, he's had a calf complaint, and Biss is a bit sore. Ben Davies should be involved.
"Timo has got a hamstring tweak, probably three to four weeks." https://t.co/ZRX3JY3hKH— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) January 17, 2025
In addition, he insisted that the club were never close to a deal for striker target Randal Kolo Muani.
Postecoglou on whether he's frustrated at Spurs missing out on Muani: "We've been interested and looking at a number of players but were we ever at the stage where we thought he was coming to us? No." https://t.co/ZRX3JY3hKH
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:14:16Z
Chelsea are also sweating over the fitness of four players, including Cole Palmer, ahead of this weekend.
Maresca says Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia didn't train today. Palmer picked up an ankle knock vs Bournemouth. "He didn’t train today and we don’t know if he will train tomorrow or in two days." #cfc
— Peter Rutzler (@peterrutzler) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T13:11:09Z
After Reece James' comeback heroics for Chelsea in midweek, Enzo Maresca has pleaded for patience to avoid any setbacks.
🚨 Enzo Maresca on James' fitness
"For Reece, it's not about if he scores goals, or how many minutes; it's about to manage his situation. For sure, if he plays 45 minutes it means he can be ready. But we don't want an injury again. We are trying to help him and we will do the… pic.twitter.com/8LdRampEea— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) January 17, 2025
The Blues boss also opened up on the decision to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace.
Enzo Maresca on Chalobah recall:
“Quite easy process in terms of we have a few injuries and we were looking for a solution. The best solution was to call back Trev because we know him and we know he can help us.”#Chelsea @BobbyVincentFL | ✍🏾DT— Blue Season Daily (@YourBlueSeason) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T12:44:18Z
Guardiola: "Next year I will have been here for 10 years, he has to beat me."
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T12:43:34Z
Here's more from Pep on Haaland's extension...
"In 10 years, wow, you never know what is going to happen! It's a long, long time, and always in a short career you have to say, OK stay, see what happens, and he proved what he wanted, and trusts the club.
"We have to create an environment where he is unstoppable, because there he is the best... He's still so young, and I'm pretty sure he'll mature by playing games, and games, and games, and it's going to happen naturally.
"I don't have the feeling that he's a guy with a contract who says, 'Now I have this I'm going to take a nap'. It's not going to happen.
"He loves to play, a huge competitor, but at the same time he as the ability to get away from good moments and bad moments immediately. His mindset is really good to forget what happened, and think about the next.
"He comes from Norway; I think maybe the weather here [in Manchester] is better. And he settled perfectly, and I think what happened is because he loves the club, the people he is around, he loves the Premier League, he loves to be here with his wife and now he's a father.
"So I think he visualised that there is no better place that he could be right now in the next 10 years. And that's why he and his family decided to do this step."
2025-01-17T12:41:33Z
Earlier today the news broke that Erling Haaland has signed an extraordinary contract extension which will keep him at Manchester City until 2034.
Speaking ahead of his side's trip to Ipswich on Sunday, City boss Pep Guardiola has expressed his delight at the news.
"If he continues with the numbers since he arrived, yeah [his records will never be beaten]. But it will depend on the team, him as well," said Guardiola.
"But it's exceptional news for all of us, the club. When one player decides to sign this type of contract never done before it's because he wants to show how desperately he wants to be here..."
Pep Guardiola on @ErlingHaaland: "Of course, he can improve..."
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T09:46:18Z
Fabian Schär is the only fresh injury concern for Newcastle to deal with as they face Bournemouth this weekend.
Eddie Howe's team-news:
"We will make a decision on Fabian [Schär] today, he trained yesterday but was not 100% – we will see how he has recovered today. Other than that, it is pretty much the same squad." pic.twitter.com/Ht6M4ezcrr— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T09:43:27Z
Liverpool have been without Luis Díaz in training but he is expected to be available this weekend.
Diaz didn't train yesterday due to a sore throat but Slot expects him to train today.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T09:37:27Z
Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola has revealed which position his side want to strengthen in.
On other transfers, Iraola says they are not specifically targeting any other positions beyond a striker, but he says the market is open so they will take opportunities if they come up. #afcb
— Alexander Smith (@AlexSmithEcho) January 17, 2025
He is also unhappy with suggestions that his style of play is a factor in their recent injury woes.
Iraola rejects the claim that his aggressive style of play is contributing to the big injury list.
Says he has played this way his whole career, and this is the first time he has suffered so many injuries.#AFCB— Nerve Sport (@nerve_sport) January 17, 2025
2025-01-17T09:24:39Z
The first manager to speak on Friday is Liverpool's Arne Slot who has revealed that their saviour against Nottingham Forest, Diogo Jota, is an injury doubt for Brentford.
Slot on Jota: There's no doubt about fact he is important player for us. We have to see today where he is. It's not sure that he will be available for tomorrow. Felt a little niggle during half-hour he was in, could finish game but complained after it. That's why he didn't train
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) January 17, 2025
