🗣️ Thierry Henry speaks to us at @CBSSportsGolazo on Arsenal's Premier League chances. "The last game [against West Ham] didn’t reassure me. From Arsenal's point of view, since the beginning of the season, I have been saying you don’t win a title on emotions...
"You can win a cup, the #UCL, maybe even the World Cup. But across 38 games you can’t be too emotional about it, and recently we’ve been too emotional...
"You can feel the emotion coming, but don’t be emotional. There’s a difference. Stay calm. We are still ahead of #MCFC, but I am saying they need to get rid of the emotional part of the game and concentrate on what they have to do...
"We are still ahead. City still have to win their games and beat us. It’s still there in front of #AFC. But for me, get rid of the emotional part of the game. When you watch City, they look composed whatever the result...
"I know we are talking about the crème de la crème, but when you look at Arsenal, sometimes they lose control of the game. The point is, we are still ahead. So if I was in that dressing room I’d be saying it’s right there, just go and grab it."
Exclusive: At least three Premier League teams are considering joining the new Union of European Clubs (UEC), which launches in Brussels on Monday and has the support of LaLiga president Javier Tebas. Crystal Palace definitely in.🦅
Tebas is not the founder or running the UEC, but he is lending firm support. Project driven by Dennis Gudasic (Lokomotiva Zagreb) and lawyers Katarina Pijetlovic and Gareth Farrelly (ex-Ireland international).
UEC is not positioning itself as a toy in the 'fight' between Tebas and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who don't see eye to eye. Tebas and LaLiga didn't come up with it, but after meeting the founders a few months ago they are backing it.
Joan Laporta calls allegations Barcelona paid for preferential officiating "one of the most ferocious attacks in our history". Prosecutors allege Barcelona paid £7.4m to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira (ex-VP of Spain's referees' committee). Barca say money was for consultancy work.
🗣️ "I am fully convinced Barcelona has never performed any act with the intention of altering the competition to gain an advantage. Consulting on technical-refereeing issues does not constitute any kind of illegal act...
"This is one of the most ferocious attacks in our history. Barcelona has not committed any crime of sports-related corruption. I hope that sooner rather than later it is fully exonerated. I ask Barcelona supporters to be as united as ever in defence of our crest."
🗣️ Lampard on Boehly entering dressing room. "I'm comfortable with that. There was criticism of our old owner not coming to games & being around. That wasn't always true. But when an owner is very invested it's their prerogative to have the input they want... it shows passion."
🗣️ On Chelsea's plight. "I think the word broken is a bit much, but we are not where we want to be..."
🗣️ On players taking some blame. "I'm always big in football on personal responsibility & [accepting it] as a group. It's something we have to address now. It's a big part of the game. This is not a question of the commitment of the players. My job is just to focus the players."
🗣️ Bruno Saltor on Graham Potter's sacking. "Graham and the club thought it was the right step. I am just here and trying to be the most professional I can."
🗣️ What does a smooth transition mean? "It probably means I am here right now and just trying to keep the process going. We are just trying to collaborate as best we can. I think Graham did an amazing job. Football is a complex business."
🗣️ On speaking to the owners. "I spoke to them. They have been really supportive. I am focused on tomorrow then after that step by step."
Bit more on Graham Potter's sacking. Line in the statement on a "smooth transition" is a reference to the parting being amicable (as much as a sacking can be) and some of Potter's staff remaining on, at least until a permanent manager is appointed.
There has been a lot of back and forth. The prevailing view earlier in the day (as reported! 😅) was Potter would stay on for Liverpool. The club even sent out a release about his pre-match press conference. But things changed rapidly following further internal talks.
The decision was led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart with Potter informed by mid-afternoon. Behdad Eghbali also present in London, but Todd Boehly is in America. Discussions thus had to factor in that time difference.
🚨 Graham Potter has been sacked by Chelsea. Very unexpected and fast-moving development based on this morning. All happened very quickly. It was anticipated he'd manage against Liverpool, but things moved quickly and Potter is now gone.
Bruno Salter will take interim charge and Potter will help with "a smooth transition".
🗣️ Boehly & Eghbali: "We want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea. We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome...