Football news LIVE: Havertz suffers ‘season-ending injury’, more Man United cuts, Wrexham star in car crash, Kerr statement

Wednesday, February 12

Saturday, February 15

Sunday, February 16

Gunner rue their decision

Martin O'Neill has stressed Arsenal only have themselves to blame over their forward crisis having neglected to sign someone in the winter transfer window.

Kai Havertz is the latest player to find himself on the treatment table to leave the Gunners without a recognised striker for the remainder of the season.

Speaking on White and Jordan, ex-Aston Villa boss O'Neill said: "It is a blow, I must admit.

"From the outset, and I don't know whether if they'd been chasing Watkins from January 1 let's say, but it looked like an 11th-hour attempt to try and get a player.

"And if you're Aston Villa, there's no chance of you letting him go there, no chance, no chance at all, and it didn't materialise.

"But you'd have thought Arsenal, in the predicament that they're in, could scour Europe and surely pick someone up.

"And I know that January is not the best time to picking players.

"But there must have been one or two loan players that you would think would not necessarily start, but at least come in if there is going to be a crisis.

"And the crisis has developed out in Dubai if that is the case with Havertz."

Taking the Mik

Simon Jordan believes Kai Havertz's season-ending injury has given Mikel Arteta the perfect excuse as to why Arsenal may not win the Premier League this season.

Havertz's injury means that none of the club's starting forwards are now fit with wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli out, with versatile star Gabriel Jesus also on the sidelines.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the ex-Crystal Palace owner said: "This is going to enable Arteta to hide in the long grass and have a justification for Arsenal not winning the league this year - and it might be a legitimate one.

"But it's going to take the heat of him in some respects, because people are not going to expect him to win the league now because he's bereft of strikers.

"Up you step Raheem Sterling, everyone tells how wonderful you are, there might be a reason why Man City bounced you off to Chelsea and Chelsea bounced you off to Arsenal.

"Now is your opportunity to prove everybody wrong and earn your money."

Sticky Toffee pudding

Everton fan Tony Bellew is desperate for his beloved club to get one over rivals Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The Toffees go into Wednesday night's clash in great form having won three consecutive Premier League matches since David Moyes returned.

Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast show, ex-WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew said: "We're a cult, and we're unlike any other.

"The streets will be painted blue tonight, believe you me, we are getting the better of these horrible Kopites, well and truly.

"I've had enough of them, all I've heard is they've won the league in November, I've heard it all before, there's always a sob story with them, there's always an excuse.

"Tonight, they're getting it put on them, I'm not going to lie, I've had enough of them."

Arsenal nightmare

Arsenal expect Kai Havertz to be sidelined until the start of NEXT season after tearing his hamstring during their warm weather training camp in Dubai, talkSPORT understands.

Germany international Havertz will undergo tests upon Arsenal’s return to the UK today to determine if he needs surgery.

It remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old requires surgery to fix his issue.

Havertz's blow is the worst outcome for Mikel Arteta, with Arsenal already without Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

And with the club in the middle of a Premier League title challenge, their quest to end 21 years of hurt had just got harder.

Gooners will now be left even more furious that the club neglected to bring in another striker during the winter window.

Tottenham takeover?

A Qatari consortium is reportedly weighing up a takeover of Tottenham.

That is according to the Guardian, who has stated that Qatari investors are keen on Spurs, who are valued at £3.75billion.

While it will come as welcome news for Tottenham fans, they will be left concerned by the Qatari's alleged plans to keep chairman Daniel Levy on.

Levy is a divisive figure in north London, where he is regularly subject to 'Levy out' chants from the Spurs faithful.

But it has been said that should the Qatari's indeed complete a takeover, a long-term contract would be on the table for Levy to continue as executive-chairman.

Though any takeover could take the form of a phased buyout with ENIC owning an 86.91 per cent stake.

Toothless

Manchester City have lost their fear factor - teams aren't scared to take them on anymore.

That's the view of Simon Jordan, who has had his say on the Citizens following their 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday in their Champions League knockout play-off first leg.

A late collapse at the Etihad has left Pep Guardiola's side on the brink of exit, with the defeat their 12th in all competitions this term.

Speaking of the club, ex-Crystal Palace owner Jordan said on talkSPORT: "The varnish has come off, no-one is frightened of them anymore, they think they're gettable, they think they're easy to play through.

"And so half the battle, which is lost in the dressing room sometimes by lesser opposition, is no longer there, so City get put to the sword as they previously wouldn't have done.

"There's no respect there for City anymore, they're going at them, and it's just a personal issue.

"You're looking at the team they've got out there, you're thinking to yourself, 'Well why wouldn't they be able to see this game through?

"'Why wouldn't they have the ability, why wouldn't they have the structure?'"

Gunner get ya?

Darren Bent insists he would take ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane at Arsenal in a heartbeat.

Recent reports say he has a release clause at Bayern Munich worth £67million that could have been activated during the January transfer window.

Kane remained coy when asked about the release clause last week, insisting he did not want to comment on it.

When asked on talkSPORT Drive if he would take Kane at the club, Gunners fan Bent immediately said: "I'd take him."

Co-host Andy Goldstein then asked Bent if there would be any Gooners that wouldn't take him, to which the ex-Spurs striker replied: "No, that guy guarantees you goals."

He added: "His goal return, the year before he left to go to Bayern, he scored 32 in all competitions.

"Before that, it was 27, 33, 24, 24, 41, 35, 28, do you know what I mean? I'm telling you now, he would never go to Arsenal in a million years.

"But if you're asking me if I'd take him, 100 per cent."

Wrexham scare

Wrexham fan favourite Elliot Lee escaped with no major injuries after being involved in a car crash on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred following the Welsh outfit’s 1-0 victory over Bolton at the Racecourse in their Vertu Trophy quarter-final clash.

A club statement read: "Wrexham AFC can confirm that last night, after the Vertu Trophy match against Bolton Wanderers, a first-team player (Elliot Lee) was involved in a road traffic incident when returning home.

"The incident involved one other car and resulted in the drivers of both cars being taken to hospital. Emergency services were quickly on the scene and the Club would like to thank them for their prompt response and action.

"The player suffered no major injuries, while the driver of the other vehicle is being treated for their injuries.

"The Club will be making no further comment at this stage."

Radical change

Legendary referee Pierluigi Collina has called for a major change to penalties to help out goalkeepers.

The 64-year-old, who retired in 2005, is now chairman of the FIFA referees committee.

And he believes that spot-kicks taking during the match should adopt the approach from penalty shootouts - no rebounds allowed.

He told Repubblica: "I believe there is an excessive gap between the opportunities available to the attacker and those of the goalkeeper.

"On average, 75 per cent of penalties are already scored, and often, the penalty kick is a bigger chance than the one taken away by the foul.

"On top of that, the attacker is also given a chance to play the rebound off the goalkeeper. In my opinion, goalkeepers should be complaining.

"I’ve already mentioned this in discussions we’ve had at IFAB. One solution is the ‘one shot’ rule. Just like in penalty shootouts after extra time.

"No rebound. Either you score or play resumes with a goal kick, period. This would also eliminate the spectacle we see before a penalty is taken, with everyone crowding around the area.

"It looks like horses at the starting gates before the Palio di Siena (a traditional Italian horse race with jockeys riding bareback)."

Done deal

Former Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy has joined struggling Switzerland side FC Zurich on a deal until 2026.

The 30-year-old has liked up at Stadion Letzigrund on a free transfer having terminated his contract at Lorient.

Mendy joined the French outfit in 2023, but has failed to feature this season following the club's relegation to Ligue 2.

He has now joined Zurich, who sit eighth in the Swiss top-flight - seven points behind leaders Basel.

Speaking of Mendy's arrival, Zurich president Ancillo Canepa said: We are of course very pleased and also a little proud that we were able to sign such a high-calibre player.

"He will be an important support, especially for our young players."

Mart my words

Lisandro Martinez has hit back at Paul Scholes after being told he's 'not good enough' to win the Premier League.

The Argentine defender is currently out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury at the start of the month.

While he is a popular figure amongst United fans, he has come under criticism from pundits since moving to Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022.

And during the recent episode of The Overlap, Red Devils legend Scholes said of the centre-back: "Even when he's fit he's not good enough to win the Premier League with."

His comment triggered Martinez, who launched into a furious message on Insgagramm.

He posted: "This jinx guy is really hurting....You put him in Argentina, and he wouldn’t survive."

In 58 Premier League appearances, Martinez has lost 19 times - keeping 13 clean sheets and being part of a defence that has shipped in 72 goals.

Havertz update

Arsenal striker Kai Havertz is set to be assessed to determine the severity of his injury, talkSPORT understands.

It is believed that the German has suffered a suspected hamstring injury picked up during the club's warm weather training camp in Dubai.

The Gunners fear that the 25-year-old could now be set for a short spell on the sidelines.

With Arsenal to return to the UK later today, Havertz will undergo a scan to determine how serious his knock is.

Gooners will be rocked by the news with Havertz the only striker they have amid a forward injury crisis.

Ahead of Saturday's clash at Leicester, Arsenal are already without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

Silverware = success

Stuart Pearce believes that Manchester City can class their season as a success if they win any sort of trophy.

Pep Guardiola's side experienced an unprecedented slump in form towards the end of 2024 to put them out of the Premier League title race.

However, they remain in the FA Cup and will reach the last 16 of the Champions League if they beat Real Madrid in their play-off.

Even though just one trophy maybe disappointing by their standards, former City captain Pearce believes it would still be an 'incredible' campaign.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast: "The way the team have been playing this season, and when I say this season I would say probably from about October onwards...

"If they get their hands on any form of silverware, I think you would have to view that as a successful season for City.

"For whatever reason, they've not found that level of consistency that Pep's instilled in that football club over a decade.

"If they get their hands on any silverware, FA Cup or Champions League, it would be an incredible season for them."

Another Arsenal injury

Kai Havertz has reportedly suffered an injury scare during Arsenal's mid-season training trip to Dubai.

The Daily Mail report that the German picked up a hamstring issue.

Havertz's precise diagnosis is not yet known but a hamstring injury could force him to be sidelined.

Arsenal are already without fellow attackers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with similar injuries.

Gabriel Jesus is also a long-term absentee after he tore his ACL.

Cost-cutting

More than 100 Manchester United employees will be made redundant as part cost-cutting plans, talkSPORT understands.

The news comes as another instance of the club's ruthless methods to decrease spending.

United's plans to cut their workforce by almost a quarter were revealed in July, with around 250 employees set for redundancy.

INEOS Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken various controversial steps to cut costs since his £1billion minority stake purchase in February 2024.

talkSPORT has contacted the club for comment.

Statement

Sam Kerr has released a statement after being found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment.

The Chelsea Women's striker called a Metropolitan Police officer 'stupid and white' in an incident in Twickenham in January 2023.

However, she has been cleared by a jury and now spoken following the verdict.

"Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me.

"While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed.

"I would like to thank my partner Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day.

"I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family."

Mo money

Keeping Mohamed Salah beyond this summer could save Liverpool more than £70million.

That's according to football business expert and ex-player Eni Aluko, who says that keeping the Egyptian star makes total sense for the Reds.

Explaining in a video on her LinkedIn profile, she said: “So the transfer window is closed and we still have no real news about what is happening with Mo Salah so I want to do a financial breakdown of what it looks like for Liverpool to keep Mo Salah vs letting him go.

“Mo Salah is currently on £350,000 a week as reported and that’s just base salary.

“The biggest competitor to Liverpool right now is the Saudi league and I think he’s asking Liverpool for £500,000-per-week so £500,000 multiplied by 52 is £26million a year.

“If Mo Salah is asking for a three-year contract that’s £78million over three years.

“If Liverpool let Salah go for free in June 2025 they are losing an asset who they could get a transfer fee worth upwards of £150million for.

“Replacing Mo Salah is going to cost at least £150million, so we’re looking at £150million to replace Mo Salah versus £26million to keep him for a year verses £78million over three years.

“Liverpool are making a saving of £72million by keeping Mo Salah, so straight away that proves my point."

Tripped up

Kieran Trippier is staying at Newcastle after they rejected an offer from Galatasaray, talkSPORT understands.

The Turkish giants were willing to pay €3million plus add-ons and hand Trippier a three-year contract.

But with the Turkish window closing today, Trippier will not be leaving at least until the summer.

It is thought Newcastle reaching the Carabao Cup final meant Trippier did not push for the move.

Spurred on

Tottenham have posted an update on injured defender Radu Dragusin after he underwent successful surgery.

The Romanian international tore his ACL 21 minutes after coming on against Elfsborg in the Europa League at the end of last month.

Dragusin has since shared his own update on Instagram, captioning a post from his hospital bed: "This morning, I successfully got through the surgery, which went perfectly.

"I am grateful to the entire medical team for their care and professionalism.

"At the same time, I am thankful for all the messages of encouragement and your continuous support. It’s wonderful to feel this kind of support.

"I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth recovery and come back stronger as soon as possible."

(Stamford) Bridge the gap

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has completed a minority stake purchase in The Hundred franchise Trent Rockets, talkSPORT understands.

The Blues chief has expanded his investment in English sport outside of football and with the Nottingham-based cricket team.

Boehly has secured a near-£40million acquisition through his investment firm Cain International.

Trent Rockets, who play at the famous Trent Bridge, are said to have been valued at around £80million in an auction.

Boehly's Cain International are working alongside private equity firm Ares Management and have purchased a 49 per cent stake.

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club will keep the controlling 51 per cent and the two parties will now move into a period of exclusivity.

Moyes: 'Years before we can compete with Liverpool again'

Everton manager David Moyes has been speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Merseyside derby tomorrow.

On the rivalry with Liverpool, Moyes said: "I think it's a great footballing city, it's always had incredibly good players, from different generations. It's always been a game where even when I was a young boy I was looking forward to seeing.

"As a football supporter generally it was always one of those games you looked forward to watching.

"I can't kid myself, I've had my fair share of defeats. We're chasing Liverpool, and probably none more so than now. It was always great to get a result.

"But I always go back to my last two years where we finished above Liverpool in the league twice. It took us a good few years to prepare that and get us ready. As you know, we've got a few years to go before we're ready to compete with Liverpool again."

On team news, Moyes added: "I know everybody is doing their best to make it memorable, for everybody who watches football.

"Vitalii Mykolenko has started training. He could be available. That's probably the main one."

"He's [Carlos Alcaraz] done enough with his performances to start the game. Whether he will, that's another question.

"The decision will be made tomorrow."

Chelsea star Kerr found not guilty

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in London.

The 31-year-old was on trial for the abuse of PC Stephen Lovell, following footage of her calling him 'stupid and white' in a clip that surfaced online.

Australian Kerr did not deny using the words 'stupid and white' but denied it amounted to a racial offence.

A jury at Kingston Crown Court have now cleared her in relation to the incident in Twickenham Police Station, along with her partner, United States midfielder Kristie Mewis, on 30 January 2023.

Judge Peter Lodder KC said after the verdict: “I take the view her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation.

“I don’t go behind the jury’s verdict but that has a significant bearing on the question of costs.”

Not so S-Mart

Martin Keown has blasted Ruben Amorim for holding a post-match training session after Manchester United's FA Cup win over Leicester.

The Red Devils scraped past their Premier League rivals to progress into the fifth round of the competition, as they prevailed 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks to Harry Maguire's last-gasp header.

However, head coach Amorim was clearly less than impressed by his side's narrow victory, and took immediate action after full-time.

A post on United's social media channels showed members of their first-team taking part in a training session on the pitch following the conclusion of the evening match.

Appearing on talkSPORT's White and Jordan, the Gunners Invincible accused the Portuguese coach of being unprofessional and argued the training session had been a move to humiliate his players.

Keown said: “Does it come across as a punishment though for the players?

“I mean he can do what he wants. It does feel a little bit unprofessional, [like]: 'Because we haven't got time in the week to do it, so we are doing a session afterwards'.”

He continued: “It's very unorthodox. It's not the norm, there's recovery, there's stretching, okay? They’ve got nine days before they play their next game.

“But is it about embarrassing the players a little bit? Look, they were awful for large periods of that game.

"So for me it has to be [that] he's so annoyed, there's no time to wait, and no time to lose, because he could be out of a job as well, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.”

Home truths

Simon Jordan has slammed Jadon Sancho for his 'freedom' comment on Marcus Rashford's Instagram over the weekend.

The Chelsea winger angered fans of his former club Manchester United following his message of support to his former teammate.

Rashford made his first appearance for Aston Villa in their 2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham on Sunday following his loan exit from the Red Devils.

His transfer came six months after Sancho had agreed similar terms to leave and join Chelsea - although the latter's deal includes an obligation to buy.

Jordan told talkSPORT: "I think what Jadon Sancho has to say is not particularly relevant to Marcus Rashford's situation.

"I don't think he's covered himself in particular glory. He's had a few decent games for Chelsea, but other than that, a few decent games for [Borussia] Dortmund but his career's gone backwards.

"He's responsible for it, not anyone else and this is a sort of atypical response from someone that always, or people that always like to align other people with the blame for their current failings.

"So, I don't trawl across people's social media to find controversial observations.

"I think it's a sad indication of where United have gotten to, that people think they can speak about the club in this way.

"It might just simply be a different message, but I think the underlying message is that you're out of the awful place that Manchester United has become.

"A place that's been created by a culture of players that's been in there and I would suggest that players like Jadon Sancho, who only like things it would appear, only like it when they're told all the good things.

"They can't really deal with any home truths, or they can't have any consequences for their actions. Because if they do, they don't like it."

Poste-no-clue 

Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Tottenham should replace Ange Postecoglou with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola this summer.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: “Top managers now, Iraola, all these managers, like they'll find you out, and that's what happens.

“Spurs need to probably keep Ange, I would, for now, also because who's out there to go and get?

“And I would go and get, maybe the Bournemouth manager.

“But why would he [leave Bournemouth]? That's the problem.”