Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been speaking to the media before his side take on Manchester United in the first leg of their semi-final Carabao Cup tie against Manchester United.

Here's the main lines from his news conference...

The Guardian

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Chelsea are planning to make a fresh move for Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez after failing to agree a deal for the midfielder with Benfica earlier this month, reports the Guardian., external

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Frank Lampard "will probably pay" for Everton's poor first half of the season, says Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards, but the Toffees' problems run far deeper than the manager.

Defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham on Saturday made it 10 without a win in all competitions for Lampard, leaving his job prospects hanging by a thread.

However, Edwards told the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast that dismissing Lampard was not the answer.

"They probably feel in the boardroom they have no choice but to sack the manager," he said.

"But their situation reminds me of Sunderland. They were stuck in a spiral of bringing in a high-profile manager to save them from relegation until eventually they went down.

"It does not matter what changes in the dugout. The toxicity of the situation, the lack of plan, the muddled appointment of managers - Everton are in a real mess.

"Unless they give someone the time to implement their blueprint, they will stay in a cul-de-sac of failure."

More of today's gossip is here on BBC Sounds

The Daily Mail

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The Mail, external have reported that Everton are closing in on signing Arnaut Danjuma from Villarreal after the Netherlands midfielder completed his medical on Saturday.

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Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Arsenal's recent resurgence.

"I wake up in the morning of a game and it’s as if I’m still playing, I’m nervous before the game, I’m nervous during the game and then maybe afterwards I’m celebrating on the way home," he said.

"It was extraordinary and it is extraordinary what we are seeing.

"I think even the unbiased football fan what they have been seeing so far has been exciting, entertaining, exhilarating, it’s just been exciting.

"You look at the age of this side and how they are playing and how they are performing without the huge backing that Man City, Newcastle and Man United have where they’re able to get the money, it’s just amazing.

"Never have I witnessed the crowd and the fans, who pay a lot of money as you know to go and watch, and that support at that moment is absolutely part of this success as it stands.

"Of course they’ve only played 19 games, there are 19 to go, that’s 57 points that are still up for grabs.

"This is way from finished, it’s incredibly exciting and very good for the football world generally. The book is only halfway read.

"You think of how close Manchester City could be and how close everything is at the top of the league, I think it will go down to the wire.

"I’m just in awe and privileged to see what I am seeing."

Southampton

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Jones on Southampton's transfer plans: "We want to bring more potency in. Whatever that is. Striker, forward. That’s all. We've started to build a real definite structure. We're not getting the return we feel we deserve. We need to make sure we win games."

On team news for Tuesday's tie: "[Carlos] Alcaraz and [Mislav] Orsic are ready. You can't be too bold or silly with them and then lose them. We’re at a stage where everyone is up to speed. We're in a lot stronger position in terms of options."

Southampton

Jones on similarities between himself and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe: "Me and Eddie spoken a few times. There's lot of parallels between our careers. If I can do anything near job he’s doing I’d be delighted.

"I have loads of admiration for him as a human, a coach, and as a manager, proving that you can build something, have setbacks, and then if I can get anywhere near him would be delighted."

Southampton

Jones on his personal semi-final experience: " As player got to semi-finals and finals, I know the mentality and what it takes to win.

"We’d love to take a lead to St James’s. We've got to be solid, make sure the game doesn’t go away from us, have to try and get a lead as it will be tough in the second leg. It's always better to have second leg at home but you never know.

"I'm really excited about game. We beat one of the best teams in the world in the quarter-finals and now playing one of best teams in Premier League in semi-finals. When you’re at this stage, it's not going to be an easy game."

Southampton

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Jones on Southampton's semi-final desires: "It’s really important to the fans and club. Something to get behind. On a personal level I would love to do it.

"For Southampton to be competing at this level, shows we have done something right in recent weeks.

"It's not a distraction, it’s another challenge, but a different challenge. We’ve stepped up so far, it’s a wonderful game against a really tough side. It gives the club and everyone associated with club something really special to try and achieve."

Southampton

Jones on recalling Jan Bednarek from his loan spell at Aston Villa: "Felt we needed a bit more experience, a leader, a voice. With greatest respect, we've got some young centre-backs, but some are in their first Premier League season, a tough league.

"We could have signed someone new but someone who knows the building, played in aggressive team before was logical."

Southampton

Southampton boss Nathan Jones has been speaking to the media ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Newcastle on Tuesday.

Here's what he had to say...

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Think you know your Premier League players? Well now you can prove it by taking our picture quiz.

You've got two minutes on the clock to name these seven players

Have a go here.

Bob: Once Kane has taken Greavesy’s record, there’s nothing left to do at Spurs. Levy will never back the club sufficiently for him to deservedly win some silverware. He owes the club nothing and should do whatever he needs to fulfil his own ambitions, good luck to him.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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There has been a lot of talk about England skipper Harry Kane and his Tottenham future recently.

Kane still has 18 months left on his present deal and Manchester United are known to be interested in a player they have coveted for a number of seasons.

However, Kane is understood to be committed to Spurs, wants to succeed there and is open to discussing a new contract.

Evidently it will have to be right for the 29-year-old but it is only if that doesn’t happen that he will start to look elsewhere.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his competitive debut for new club Al Nassr in their 1-0 win over Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Portugal forward joined the club last month on a deal that runs until 2025, reportedly earning more than £177m per year.

He played the entire game in which Brazilian midfielder Talisca scored the winner.

Al Nassr are top of the Saudi league, a point above second-placed Al Hilal.

Full report.

And further across the water, a certain someone was making his competitive debut in Saudi Arabia's top division...