Julian Nagelsmann’s agent AIMS Dig at Chelsea over manager pursuit

The agent of former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has claimed that his client was right to reject Chelsea’s advances. Chelsea earmarked the German who Bayern sacked in March to become boss after the Blues sacked their manager Graham Potter around the same time Nagelsmann was sacked.  However, after it seemed the former RB Leipzig coach would be heading to Stamford Bridge, he decided to pull out of the race. Chelsea quickly turned their focus to Mauricio Pochettino and have reportedly reached a full agreement with the former Tottenham and PSG boss. Read more: Newcastle could MISS OUT on Premier League top four  But Naglesmann’s agent has backed his client for walking away from Chelsea’s offer. Speaking on Bild podcast Phrasenmaher via 90min, Nagelsmann’s agent, Volker Struth, insisted he was glad a move did not come to fruition. “I can confirm that Chelsea were quick to call,” he began. “There were some phone conversations. “It was the right decision [by Nagelsmann] not to go there. It’s a club in troubled waters at the moment. And their transfer policy, spending a few hundred million euros, has raised expectations that need to be met. There were also some other issues. “He was their number one; that was our information. I believe it would have happened if he had wanted it.”

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Real Madrid to battle Manchester City for Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly targeting Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies ahead of the summer transfer window. Los Blancos are looking to build their team with the long-term in mind and have identified the 22-year-old Canadian as the perfect candidate to become first-choice left-back. Davies starred at the World Cup in Qatar. Los Blancos sees him as one of the best left-backs in the world, with the Spanish giants seeing him as the heir to Marcelo’s throne at Santiago Bernabeu.  Read more: Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement However, Real Madrid aren’t alone in their desire to sign Davies, with Premier League giants Manchester City also in the race for the Canada star. City are short in the left-back position after sending first-choice left-back Joao Cancelo on loan to Bayern Munich.  The Portuguese international is not expected to return to the Etihad after falling out with City coach Pep Guardiola. And City do not see their only current specialist left-back, Sergio Gomez, as able to lead them forward. Hence, their desire to sign Davies.  Meanwhile, the 22-year-old’s contract with Bayern Munich runs till the summer of 2025. And according to Sky Sports, Bayern will be reluctant to let him leave, let alone depart cheaply. Since joining Bayern in 2018, Davies has won the Bundesliga four times and the Champions League. 

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Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Preview and Expert Football Prediction 

Manchester City and Real Madrid will renew their UEFA Champions League rivalry this Wednesday when both sides meet at the Etihad for the second leg of their semi-final tie. The Cityzens went to Madrid in the first leg and snatched a decent draw, with a thunderbolt from Kevin De Bruyne cancelling Vinicius Junior’s equally great strike. So this tie is finely poised ahead of this second leg at the Etihad, which City will feel confident of winning, given their recent record at the Etihad.  Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last 14 games at home in all competitions. Added to that is an unbeaten UCL run at the Etihad Stadium that stretches back to September 2018 (W22, D2).  Read more: Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction  Overall they are unbeaten in 22 competitive games (W18, D4), with a 3-0 win over Everton the most recent in that sequence. That win kept their match towards the Premier League title alive, as they require just one more win to secure it. However, it is this competition that they crave the most, and Guardiola will be desperate to do all it takes here to overcome Madrid and book a place in Istanbul, where they will face either AC Milan or Inter Milan. But Madrid are no easy opponent and will come into this tie in a confident mood after resting many of their players at the weekend. Los Blancos are looking to book a place in their final for the second year in a row, while manager Carlo Ancelotti is aiming for five consecutive UCL wins over British opposition on foreign soil. However, that run only started after they lost 4-3 here last season, so the Italian knows how difficult it is to play City away with Madrid winless in four away trips to the Etihad (D2, L2). Click here to get accurate soccer predictions.

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Newcastle could MISS OUT on Premier League top four 

Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have claimed that third-placed Newcastle United are more likely to drop out of the top four than Manchester United before the end of the season. Both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons and have spent most of the recent months in the top four. However, they are now under pressure from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The Reds have won seven league games in a row to narrow the gap between them and the two teams to one point. They have scored 20 goals in their last seven games while keeping three clean sheets in their last three games, leading to suggestions that they are back to their best. However, they have played a game more than Manchester United and Newcastle, meaning their top-four destiny isn’t in their hands. But Neville and Carragher have insisted there is a possibility that Eddie Howe’s side will miss out on qualifying for the Champions League. Read more: Manchester United target FOUR summer signings  “I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.  “They’ve been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching. They’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points, it’s not necessarily they play badly; they just drop points.  “But yeah, I think that Brighton game (on Thursday) is absolutely huge, and if they drop points in that, I think there will be a big worry.” Fellow pundit Neville backed up Carragher’s view and stated that Newcastle’s fixtures made it more difficult for them than Erik ten Hag’s side. The Magpies face Brighton and Leicester at home and Chelsea away, while the Red Devils travel to Bournemouth before hosting Chelsea and Fulham to end the season. “Newcastle is a little bit of a wobble by losing to Arsenal and drawing at Leeds, so I’d say probably Newcastle (to miss out), and that’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games. ‘Chelsea away last game of the season. I know Chelsea have been awful, but it’s still quite difficult.’ Neville continued: “I mean, the unthinkable could happen (United missing out on the top four). I’ve always expected Liverpool to go on this run and finish in the top four. I actually thought Newcastle would drop off before this, but they’ve been sensational. “I thought Man United would get in the top four, so it’d be harsh on Newcastle if they didn’t and obviously, United have comfortable games there.  “They’ve got a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home, so they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t get in the top four.”

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Chelsea RESUMES Mason Mount contract talks after Mauricio Pochettino agreement

Chelsea are reportedly planning to accelerate contract talks with midfielder Mason Mount following their imminent hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as the new manager. The Blues are close to reaching a full agreement with the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss, who is set to fly into London and sign a contract in the coming days. After months of uncertainty, the Argentine is expected to take over from Frank Lampard at the end of the season. And with that sorted out, Chelsea are expected now to turn their focus on the future of midfielder Mount. The 24-year-old’s deal at the club expires next summer, and he has previously rejected the offer of an extension. As a result, the club has told him that he will be sold this summer if he does not change his stance. Read more: Barcelona will do EVERYTHING to sign Lionel Messi And now, according to a report by 90min, Chelsea want to return to the negotiation table. They feel confident that they can persuade Mount this time, with the imminent arrival of Pochettino seen as the primary reason the midfielder would commit to new terms.  Pochettino is understood to be a massive fan of the 24-year-old England international and has made it clear to Chelsea that he wants them to fight to keep the academy graduate beyond this summer.  Should Mount renew his contract at Stamford Bridge, it will be a massive blow to Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, who are keen on his services. The German boss wants to rebuild his ageing midfield and sees the 24-year-old as a perfect fit.

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Inter Milan vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction 

The Champions League return this Tuesday with Inter Milan and AC Milan facing each other for the second time in a week when they meet at San Siro in the second leg of their UCL semi-final tie. Inter come into this tie in serious form, having won each of their last seven games in all competitions. The most recent in that sequence was a 4-2 win over Sassuolo at the weekend. That result kept them on course to finish in the Serie A top four, as they ended the round sitting in third position, five points ahead of fifth-placed AC Milan.  Read more: Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview and Expert Football Prediction They will not turn their attention to the Champions League, where they will look to secure their first European final since 2010. Inter put one foot in the final thanks to a 2-0 win in the first leg of this tie, with goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan giving Simone Inzaghi’s men a commanding first-leg lead. They only need to secure a place in Istanbul to avoid defeat here. They will fancy their chances here because they have kept four clean sheets from their five 2022/23 UCL knockout games.  Meanwhile, having been humbled in the first leg of this semi-final, things went from bad to worse for AC Milan, as they were humiliated by relegation-battling Spezia in the league.  That result leaves their hopes of UCL qualification for next season through a top-four finish in Serie A in tatters. So their best chance to play in the UCL is to win this tournament in this campaign. Stefano Pioli will be hoping his side can run this around at San Siro, where they enjoyed good form in Europe this season, despite a 2-0 loss in the first leg.  However, the Rosenneri haven’t won a UCL knockout game when they are the designated away side since 2006/07 (D4, L6). And their record of just one win in their last eight away games (D4, L3) also complicates their chances here. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s last eight games in all competitions have produced exactly two total goals. So, we can expect an under 2.5 goals game here. 

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Granit Xhaka attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has reportedly told his teammates he wants to return to the Bundesliga, with Bayer Leverkusen interested in his services. According to a report by Sky Germany, Xabi Alonso’s side are expressing a continued interest in the Swiss midfielder’s services. The 30-year-old’s future at the Emirates is still in the air as he is heading into the final year of his Arsenal contract. And according to the report, he is contemplating a return to the Bundesliga, despite establishing himself as a key player for Mikel Arteta. Read more: Manchester United target FOUR summer signings  Leverkusen have long held an interest in Xhaka and were close to signing him last summer before he managed to turn around his fortunes at Arsenal.  But he has now told teammates about returning to the German top flight, a league he played for four years when he was with Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, a move to the Bundesliga is likely in 2024, when he could leave for free, as Arsenal does not want to lose him this summer.

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Barcelona will do EVERYTHING to sign Lionel Messi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that the club will do everything possible to bring legendary attacker Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou. The Spanish club are one of the clubs that has been linked with a move for Messi, whose contract at Parc des Princes expires this June. The 35-year-old left Barcelona two years ago due to the club’s financial struggles but could return this summer if Barca can pull off a deal for him. The Catalan club have several hurdles to clear before they can sign the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, but Laporta has vowed to do everything in his power to make the dreams of the club’s supporters come true. Read more: Jurgen Klopp admits he waited TOO LONG to change things at Liverpool this season  Laporta told Jijantes after seeing the Blaugrana win the 2022-23 La Liga title at the weekend: “We will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona.” In another interview on Monday with RAC1, the Barca president said: “I spoke with Messi recently. We have a relationship with him. Messi is the best player in the world; any coach would want him in his team. He had some unpleasant incidents with the fans in Paris. I won’t disturb him right now. We exchanged some messages recently. Barca is Messi’s home, and Barça can compete with Saudi Arabia and everyone.” During a recent conversation with Carrusel via Goal, the club’s vice-president Rafa Yuste said, “Messi? He’s a very good friend of many guys who are celebrating La Liga today… I’m sure he is so happy! I would love Messi to come back.”

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Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Real Betis will continue their quest for European football next season when they host Rayo Vallecano on Monday. The hosts come into this tie on the back of a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. That result kept them in sixth position, four points ahead of Girona in seventh. So their dream of playing in the Europa League remains intact. However, manager Manuel Pellegrini has publicly admitted he is “not confident” that his side will qualify for European football next season because of their recent form.  At one point this season, Betis looked certain to secure a UEFA Champions League spot for the first time since 2005/06, but four losses in their last seven La Liga outings (W2, D1) scuppered that dream. Read more: Leicester City Liverpool: Preview and Expert Football Prediction While that claim by Pellegrini looks like a motivational tactic, the fact that the hosts have just three wins from their last eleven home league outings (D4, L4) shows why he might be keen to incentivise his squad. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano travel to Estadio Benito Villamarín looking to make it back-to-back league wins. They come into this tie on the back of a 2-1 home win over Real Valladolid at home. That win kept them on track to achieving their dream of qualifying for European football for only the second time in the club’s history. However, the Red Sashes are on a worryingly poor run on the road, losing four of their last six away fixtures (D2).  They don’t have happy memories in this fixture, having won only one of their last ten H2Hs (D4, L5), and that was a penalty shoot-out win in the Copa del Rey.  That said, Real Betis have lost eleven of the 13 league games in which they conceded the first goal (W2), so Vallecano will feel they have a chance after scoring first in three of their last four away games.  Click here to get accurate football predictions.

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Leicester City Liverpool: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

The fight for Premier League survival continues for Leicester City this Monday when they welcome Liverpool to King Power Stadium. The Foxes come into this round of games sitting inside the relegation zone after three games without a win (D2, D1). The last in that sequence was an embarrassing 5-3 loss to Fulham in their previous outing. That game saw them concede five times (three in the first half), taking their total goals conceded for the season to 64. So ahead of this round, only four sides have conceded more goals than Dean Smith’s side, who are running out of time to secure their Premier League destiny. Read more: Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano: Preview and Expert Football Prediction They will welcome Liverpool to the King Power Stadium, hoping for a good result. But having not kept a clean sheet in their last 20 PL outings (W3, D4, L13) despite scoring in ten of those 17 winless matches, they seem unlikely to get a result here. However, the away form of Liverpool could also serve as an encouragement for the Foxes. The Reds have secured more than double the number of points at home (43) compared to their away haul (19).  Yet, they are a team in form, having won their last six Premier League games to push themselves into fifth position ahead of this round of matches. But each of the last five wins have come by one-goal margins, as in the reverse fixture when Jurgen Klopp’s side won 2-1. Moreover, the visitors have kept two clean sheets in their last two games. So we can expect a cagey affair with few goals. Therefore, an under 2.5 goals game is highly likely. Click here to get 100 percent winning tips.

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