• Both Klopp and Pep Guardiola are worried about their players being jet-lagged and tired after playing in World Cup qualifiers this week but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
• News from inside Old Trafford is that Andre Onana will be fit for United’s trip to Everton on Sunday.
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We entered the international break after witnessing a classic 4-4 draw between Chelsea and Manchester City. We re-join the Premier League title race on Saturday with a mouth-watering tie between City and Liverpool.
It’s the Erling Haaland v Mo Salah show. Liverpool are rejuvenated and Jurgen Klopp’s men have rediscovered their winning ways. They are confident of going to the Etihad Stadium and beating the champions.
Add that tantalising battle to the fact that Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa are within three points of the top two and each of those five teams have scored an average of two goals per game – 370 in 120 games – and the entertainment value is sky high.
Liverpool are second in the table, just one point behind City.
Klopp has already complained to the FA about a 12.30 pm kick-off (UK time). Both Klopp and Pep Guardiola are worried about their players being jet-lagged and tired after playing in World Cup qualifiers this week but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Guardiola had 15 players called up for international duty this month and Klopp was missing 18 (including the Under-21 internationals). Another factor in City’s favour is that only Josko Gvardiol (Croatia), Manuel Akanji (Switzerland) and Julian Alvarez (Argentina) were playing on the final World Cup qualifying date of November 21.
Liverpool, in contrast, had 10 of their 16 internationals playing on the last possible dates and because of the time difference, Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister did not finish their games until early Wednesday morning and then had to fly back to the UK.
Now, I am not accusing anyone of feigning injury but it was pointed out to me that many of City’s top players did not participate in the World Cup qualifiers because of injuries. For instance, we all know about Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Nathan Ake who had pre-tournament injuries.
However, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes all pulled out of the competition and did not travel and Haaland and Rodri returned to the Etihad early because of injuries. You might, therefore, find it suspicious if any of them miraculously return to fitness in time to face Liverpool.
Klopp and Guardiola have different ways of preparing for this weekend’s match. Klopp worked his players hard in training from Tuesday but Pep gave several players two days off and did not ask them to return until Wednesday and Thursday.
Klopp has wrestled with deciding his best attacking strike force. Salah and Nunez have been penciled in and the remaining place goes to either Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz.
Diaz would have been the priority choice but because of his family trauma, he could start later if the Liverpool boss decides his focus might be affected.
Darwin Nunez and Diaz have an electrifying pace and could cut through City’s defence but they played early on Wednesday and travelled later in the day which could open the door for Jota, who is fresh because he was an unused sub for Portugal’s game against Iceland on Sunday.
Kyle Walker, who arrived back at the Etihad on Tuesday after playing on Monday against North Macedonia, was given time off and looked very impressive and sharp when he returned to training.
After a 10-point deduction, Everton could face further problems
I have learned this week that Leeds United, Burnley, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest could pile on the misery for Everton by seeking compensation relating to the Toffee’s financial irregularities. Those clubs want answers as to whether or not Everton enjoyed an advantage by overspending in transfer fees.
More than 2,000 fans and members of the Everton 1878s organisation have donated money to help the club fight the harshest punishment ever handed out to a club for breaking FA financial rules.
Clubs are not allowed to lose more than £105million and Everton are alleged to have lost approximately £20million more in 2020/21. Although the ten-point penalty has already meant an immediate deduction it could take all season for the appeal’s panel to reach a decision.
Coach Sean Dyche has hauled his Everton team off the bottom of the table and was heading upwards. However, the point deduction sees them dumped back in the relegation zone, alongside Burnley, with just four points.
Everton are claiming the deduction of 10 points is disproportionate for the offence but admit they should not avoid punishment.
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Onana fit to face Everton
News from inside Old Trafford is that Andre Onana will be fit for United’s trip to Everton on Sunday.
He suffered a painful back injury on international duty with Cameroon in their 3-0 win over Mauritius. He has now returned to Manchester after missing Cameroon’s World Cup qualifying match against Libya.
After a somewhat unconvincing start at United when many fans said the club should have retained David De Gea, Onana has improved considerably and the 27-year-old has four clean sheets in the Premier League and sits joint second behind Newcastle’s Nick Pope on a save percentage of 76.7 per cent.
Jesus and Odegaard almost ready to go
Good news for Arsenal fans. Striker Gabriel Jesus trained with Brazil earlier in the week. Brazil scanned his injured hamstring on arriving in Rio de Janiero and Mikel Arteta was glued to his phone to monitor Gabriel’s progress hoping the injury would not be aggravated.
Arteta is also expecting to have captain Martin Odegaard available and should be ready to face Brentford this weekend. He was left out of the Norway squad after being hit in the face during training at Arsenal. He missed games against Newcastle and Sevilla.
Varane likely to be sold next summer
News has reached me that Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is likely to be offered for sale next summer.
He has become injury-prone and after a spell out of the team, is finding it difficult to get his place back due to the excellent form of Harry Maguire. My sources tell me that Varane is not a happy man at the moment and has become unsettled sitting on the sidelines.
He is on wages of £340k-a-week which makes him the highest paid player at United. Varane is 30 and United want to cut their wage bill. With two years left on his contract, the club could save £30million. The Saudi Pro League are bound to be interested given their current strategy is to buy as much of Europe’s top talent as possible.
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Diaz family fly in for Christmas
The most heart-warming story for some time ended in an emotional success in Barranquilla last week. Luis Diaz scored twice in three minutes to lead Colombia over their mighty rivals Brazil.
Watching from the stands was Diaz’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, who had been held hostage in a kidnapping for 12 days. He was overcome with emotion. Liverpool gave the family their biggest early Christmas present and flew them over by private jet to Merseyside so that Luis could spend time with them.
West Ham chasing Solanke
Behind the scenes at West Ham, the recruitment team are preparing to contact Bournemouth about Dominic Solanke. He has scored six goals in 12 games this season in the Premier League including two against Newcastle last week.
My sources tell me that the Cherries rejected an approach of £40million during the summer transfer window. Hammers boss David Moyes wants another striker to replace Gianluca Scamacca. Moyes could also lose striker Danny Ings in January and his team have also discussed the possibility of signing former Chelsea attacker Timo Werner.
Trevoh Chalobah dream move dies
Reports are reaching me that Bayern Munich no longer regard Trevoh Chalobah as a priority signing following the failed deal in the summer. Coach Thomas Tuchel tried to push the transfer through on deadline day but due to time difference, the window closed before documents had been signed.
Now Bayern have moved on and the Cobham Academy graduate remains at Chelsea but is determined to get away because he wants more playing time and feels that Mauricio Pochettino has not given him enough opportunities.
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Fernandes pledges loyalty to United
I have checked on the situation regarding rumours and reports that Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes’ agent is talking to the Saudi Pro League about a possible lucrative move. Fernandes says the rumours are not true and he is not looking to move.
He commented: “I don’t look at rumours. I am focusing on Manchester United. It’s easy to spread rumours in the press today but I prefer to concentrate on my goals.”
He has also spoken about his desire for the Red Devils to sign Portugal and Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, who is regularly impressing in Primeira Liga. United’s scouts have watched him for several months.
However, across Manchester at City, another national teammate of Neves is trying to get his club involved. Bernardo Silva is also an admirer of Neves and feels he should join City and not United and has vowed to use his influence in Portugal to give the light Blues the edge in any negotiations and to secure a move to the Etihad.
Nkunku approaches debut start for Chelsea
Chelsea are determined that they will not rush Christopher Nkunku back into action after he underwent a knee surgery after being injured in pre-season.
I have been told from the Cobham training ground that Nkunku is now closing in on a return to action and has been out training on grass and is keen to play against Newcastle on Saturday. Chelsea’s medical staff are being very cautious before letting the striker take the field for his first competitive game for the club.
The Blues face Brighton, Manchester City and Everton during a seven-day period at the start of December and they will need Nkunku and a full-strength squad.