Another busy day of pre-match press conferences awaits us as Gameweek 34 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) comes hurtling into view.
We’ll have all the key updates from the 13 pressers being held on Friday, including the latest on Diogo Jota (£8.9m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m).
We’ve also got the Wolverhampton Wanderers team news after Julen Lopetegui’s Thursday media gathering, while there will also be new, released-from-embargo quotes from the head coaches of Everton, Newcastle United, Southampton and Manchester United after they faced reporters in the aftermath of their Gameweek 33 fixtures last night.
Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard are the only two managers we definitely won’t hear from ahead of Saturday’s deadline, with Arsenal v Chelsea not taking place until next Tuesday.
This is a ‘live’ article, so you’ll have to hit refresh to get the latest updates when the press conferences are being held.
KEY UPDATES
- Manchester City: Pep: Everyone fit bar Ake
- Liverpool: Jota knock, Konate returns, Klopp on naming a settled side
- Brighton and Hove Albion: De Zerbi unsure on Ferguson
- Manchester United: Ten Hag praises Bruno
- Newcastle United: Saint-Maximin out, Howe discusses rotation
- Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris still injured
- Leicester City: Iheanacho out for “weeks”
- West Ham United: Scamacca the only absentee
- Aston Villa: Same four players still missing
- Crystal Palace: Zaha back available
- Fulham: Wilson expected back, Willian a doubt
- Nottingham Forest: Williams out for the season
- Brentford: Norgaard still out
- Bournemouth: Tavernier a doubt, cramp + fatigue elsewhere
- Everton: Coleman could return, Dyche on DCL
- Leeds United: Sinisterra out for the season
- Southampton: Ward-Prowse illness
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: No new concerns
ARSENAL + CHELSEA: WHAT WE KNOW
- Arsenal: Saliba not expected back
- Chelsea: James + Mount out for the season
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
VIDEO ROUND-UP
MANCHESTER CITY
Kevin De Bruyne‘s “niggles” were not explicitly mentioned by Pep Guardiola in his pre-match presser but, when on a long ramble about tactics and player trust, he did say that everyone was fit bar Nathan Ake (hamstring) for Sunday’s clash with Fulham.
“Everyone except Nathan – but will be back soon – everybody is fit.” – Pep Guardiola
Guardiola revealed that Ake is still not training with the team but will “not be [much] longer” in making a recovery.
“He’s much better. His symptoms are really good.
“Still is not training with the team. I think will not be [much] longer. Maybe tomorrow the doctor will come and say he’s ready for training but I think not.” – Pep Guardiola on Nathan Ake
LIVERPOOL
Diogo Jota “should” recover from a knock to the back he picked up in Wednesday’s win over West Ham United, although Jurgen Klopp did leave a little bit of doubt about the striker’s involvement on Sunday when saying that the Reds would have to see how the problem “developed”.
Ibrahima Konate is available after being rested in midweek, while Naby Keita (muscle) returns to full training today.
Calvin Ramsay (knee) and Stefan Bajcetic (thigh) remain on the longer-term injury list, while Roberto Firmino (muscle) hasn’t recovered yet.
“Ibou will be back. I guess Naby will train today – didn’t get the medical report yet, but probably. Ox is in training. No-one else [is back].
“We have a couple of players out, everybody knows about them, but on top of that from the last game… Diogo got a bad knock in his back but should be alright, we will see that, how that developed. Apart from that, we should be OK.” – Jurgen Klopp
Klopp was grilled about his settled side, with only one line-up change being made – Joel Matip for a rested Konate – across the last four Gameweeks.
“So, a couple of things. We didn’t change not because we won the game before, we didn’t change because we set the team obviously slightly differently up and want to give the boys the chance to find some rhythm in that, to get used to it, to get used to different things. That’s reason number one. Number two is I said the ticket into this team will always be the readiness, or from now on again the readiness, to defend and to counter-press, and I liked a lot of that what I saw, and if you say that, then you have to give the credit for it as well, so you can buy the ticket again, if you want.
“But, I have to say, what it created as well is a situation in training where the boys who didn’t start showed properly up, so we could have changed quite a lot because they really knock on the door, which is good. The main difference is we have time to train and if you have time to train, all of a sudden everybody can show up. Because usually if you say training is as important as the games that’s true, but in a normal week with three games you have recovery where only the guys train who didn’t play the day before, the next day is second-day recovery for the guys who played and the other boys do a little bit more, and then you have one training day in a long week and that’s not a session that should be that intense.
“So, a couple of reasons. I liked big parts of the games, not all of it of, course. Nottingham [Forest], I think around the set-pieces that looked really not cool but that’s something, how I said after the game, it’s difficult to prepare for that because nobody can throw in like Niakhate and nobody in our training session will fight for the ball like Nottingham Forest did; I would want to avoid that otherwise you have injuries after a set-piece in training. So, that’s it, that’s the reason pretty much why we didn’t change.” – Jurgen Klopp
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Roberto De Zerbi said that he was still “unsure” about Evan Ferguson‘s (foot) availability for the match against Wolves but confirmed Joel Veltman (muscle) could play; the Dutchman has already been on the bench twice in the last week.
“I think Veltman can play and Ferguson, I don’t know at the moment. I have to repeat, I don’t want to take any risk with him for two reasons: because we have another seven games after tomorrow and because he is a very young player. I don’t want to joke with the players, especially if they’re very young.
“[Ferguson] is not completely in the group, but he is better.” – Roberto De Zerbi
Tariq Lamptey (knee) and Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle) are definitely out, while Adam Lallana (thigh) and Jakub Moder (knee) have been sighted back in training recently but are still some distance from a playing return.
“[Lallana] is not so close, we need time with him and I don’t know if he can play before the end of the season. We are paying [the price] because to play without Lallana for Brighton is a problem, he is unique.” – Roberto De Zerbi
Kaoru Mitoma‘s “tiredness” was also addressed by his manager.
“I think he’s tired now because he’s playing maybe too many games but he has to get used to playing three games per week if he wants to play for a big, big team or if we will play in Europe next year.” – Roberto De Zerbi on Kaoru Mitoma
MANCHESTER UNITED
Raphael Varane (foot), Lisandro Martinez (fractured metatarsal), Scott McTominay (knock), Tom Heaton (ankle) and Donny van de Beek (knee) remain out, while Harry Maguire will be assessed after he missed Gameweek 33 with an unspecified injury.
Alejandro Garnacho (foot) returns to team training on Friday.
Bruno Fernandes recovered from his ankle knock to last 90 minutes against Spurs, with his manager praising his determination ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Aston Villa.
“He was tough and big compliment to Bruno. He absolutely doesn’t want to miss this game and he did everything to get fit. I think he is the example and that you have to suffer, that you have to sacrifice when you want to play at the top level, when you want to achieve something. So once again, he showed there how [much of a] great captain he is, how he has taken responsibility, even if he is not 100% fit. But he did the job. He was important in this game as well, and hopefully, others in the team can, not learn, but see him as an inspiration and do the same.” – Erik ten Hag on Bruno Fernandes
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Emil Krafth (knee) and Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) will remain sidelined for the visit of Southampton, with the French winger only a “maybe” for Gameweek 35.
“No, Maxi won’t be fit.
“He won’t be available for Sunday. Maybe the game after but no guarantee at this moment.
“I certainly hope he’ll be fit before the end of the season but with hamstring injuries, there’s always that element of doubt. He’s not had a setback, he just needs to build his fitness levels up and make sure he’s fully fit before he comes back.” – Eddie Howe
Howe rested the likes of Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy and Dan Burn in the win over Everton and talked of rotation in his pre-Gameweek 34 presser.
“I’ll probably assess the squad, see how everyone is physically.
“The big thing for me, in this period of games we’ve had, is trying to pick players that I feel are 100 per cent fit and not take chances with players.
“If I have a… choice between two [players], I’ll always pick the more fit player, or who I consider to be fresher or fitter. So, trying to get those decisions right because, certainly physically, we’re going to need to be good. This is going to be a tough game.” – Eddie Howe
As for the conundrum up top, Howe was asked whether he’ll start Isak or Callum Wilson against the Saints.
“I don’t know at this moment in time, it’s too early to say. I need to watch more of Southampton and then I’ll make my decision.” – Eddie Howe
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Emerson Royal (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) look set to remain out, while Hugo Lloris (muscle) hasn’t recovered from the injury he sustained in Gameweek 32.
“Hugo won’t be available for Sunday, and then the other injuries we’re just assessing day by day.
“The lads haven’t trained yet, we’ve just reported now, so we’re going see how the boys are feeling in terms of training this afternoon and also tomorrow, leading into the game on Sunday.” – Ryan Mason
LEICESTER CITY
Kelechi Iheanacho will be out for “weeks” after picking up a groin injury in midweek, while Jannik Vestergaard (calf), Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) and James Justin (Achilles) remain out.
Jonny Evans (viral infection) returns to training today.
“He’s not great. He’s got a tear in his adductor muscle, which puts him out for a number of weeks. It’s significant enough… I’m not going to rule him out for the rest of the season, there’s five games to go, but it’s going to be tough to get him back. Hopefully, we can.” – Dean Smith on Kelechi Iheanacho
WEST HAM UNITED
Gianluca Scamacca (knee) is the only player on the sidelines for the clash with Crystal Palace, with the Italian striker out for some time after surgery.
David Moyes otherwise only reported his usual “knocks” when asked about the Hammers’ team news.
ASTON VILLA
Matty Cash (calf), Philippe Coutinho (thigh) or Leon Bailey (hamstring) were described as being “close to making a return” in Villa’s weekly medical bulletin but remain out along with Boubacar Kamara (foot), who is said to be “progressing well”.
“I think it’s not going to change.
“Cash is close but I think not for Sunday, Coutinho is close but not for Sunday, Leon Bailey as well is close, Kamara is close.
“The four players are out, only Jed Steer is completely out for the season, but the other four players are close. Maybe progressively they can add training with us in the next week but not for Sunday.” – Unai Emery
CRYSTAL PALACE
Wilfried Zaha (groin) will be back in the matchday squad this weekend, having returned to training this week.
Joachim Andersen (hamstring) has also been passed fit but there was no word on Nathaniel Clyne (knee), who like Zaha was pencilled in for a return to the grass in the last few days.
Nathan Ferguson (muscle) is out for the rest of the season.
FULHAM
Aleksandar Mitrovic remains suspended until Gameweek 36, while Marco Silva confirmed that Willian (hamstring) is a doubt after he pulled out of the squad to face Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Harry Wilson (illness) should be fine, however.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Neco Williams (jaw) has been ruled out for the season and joins Scott McKenna (collarbone), Chris Wood (thigh), Dean Henderson (thigh), Willy Boly (hamstring), Giulian Biancone (ACL) and Omar Richards (leg) on the sidelines, while Moussa Niakhate will have to be assessed after complaining of hamstring discomfort in the win over Brighton.
Taiwo Awoniyi also took a “bang” on his shoulder in that game, according to boss Steve Cooper.
Ryan Yates (shoulder), Jack Colback (concussion) and Gustavo Scarpa (calf) were again absent for the midweek victory, with no updates provided on that trio.
“It’s still a bit inconclusive with that one [Niakhate’s injury]. We’ll have to see with regards to tomorrow. I think he definitely did the right thing [coming off] because he felt something in the game and we were able to make the change, but with regards to the extent of his availability, we’ll have to wait and see on that one.
“Taiwo obviously had a real bad bang to his shoulder, so we’ll see where he’s at.
“Just normal fatigue [elsewhere], really, with the three-game week and we’re not only two days after the last game, going into a game tomorrow. We’ve got to consider all these things, going into the team selection.” – Steve Cooper
BRENTFORD
Christian Norgaard (Achilles) and Thomas Strakosha (calf) are both still unavailable for Brentford’s match against Nottingham Forest this weekend, while Kristoffer Ajer (match fitness) isn’t ready for action despite playing for over an hour for the B team on Thursday.
BOURNEMOUTH
Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) is the fresh concern from Thursday’s win over Southampton, while fatigue and cramp were also cited by boss Gary O’Neil as potential problems for the visit of Leeds United.
Ryan Fredericks (calf), Junior Stanislas (knock) and Hamed Traore (foot) were on the sidelines in midweek and are presumed to remain out.
Loanee Jack Stephens is available, however, having not been able to face his parent club in Gameweek 33.
“The boys are going to be extremely tired this morning, going through a recovery session as we speak.
“Tav obviously we need to see how he is this morning. That was obviously the real disappointing aspect to yesterday’s game, losing Tav to a hamstring.
“A couple of boys cramped up. Mati Vina ideally wouldn’t have done 90, but then Tav having to come off made that tricky. So Mati maybe did longer than he was meant to. We will have to see how he is.
“Marcos (Senesi) suffered some cramp as well, obviously hasn’t played as much recently.
“So there will be a few that we need to check. We’ll have a look whether we need to freshen it up a little bit, because some of the distances covered and the intensity of the game last night was very, very high.
“We need to have a look and make sure we get things right and give ourselves the best chance of being fresh enough to cause Leeds some problems. The boys are going to be extremely tired this morning, going through a recovery session as we speak.” – Gary O’Neil
EVERTON
Seamus Coleman (hamstring) could be back in contention for Monday’s clash at Leicester, having returned to training this week.
Mason Holgate also returns from suspension, leaving only Ruben Vinagre (Achilles) and Andros Townsend (ACL) on the sidelines.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Idrissa Gana Gueye were only taken off against Newcastle United on Thursday to spare their legs.
“There is only so much we can change – everyone knows the squad here. There are certain things we can change and certain things we can’t.
“If you add in Seamus [Coleman] to that group, I think that’s the same team that played Arsenal and I don’t think many people would have wanted changes after the Arsenal win. There’s a format here that can work, it’s proven to work. We need sharpness to that performance.
“I took Gana and Dom off [against Newcastle] to protect them, more for Dom, of course. I thought he was alive again tonight, so that will add and enhance.” – Sean Dyche
LEEDS UNITED
Luis Sinisterra will be out for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage, so joins Tyler Adams (hamstring) and Stuart Dallas (leg) on the sidelines this weekend.
Max Wober (hamstring) was absent from the midweek draw with Leicester City and hasn’t trained since, so there’ll be a late call on him.
SOUTHAMPTON
Ruben Selles said that Armel Bella-Kotchap “will be fit for Sunday” after the defender missed the defeat to Bournemouth.
Juan Larios (hamstring) remains out for Saints, while Mohammed Salisu (hip) is also thought to still be sidelined.
Tino Livramento (match fitness) likely needs more reserve game-time before being considered for a comeback, meanwhile.
Two fresh concerns from Gameweek 33 are James Ward-Prowse (illness) and Romain Perraud (ankle).
“He got a sore throat. He went through training, went home and didn’t have the best night. During the day he was recovering well and he wanted to play and he wanted to be there. But with the weather conditions that we had during the first half, it was too much for him. He ran out of energy and then we needed to take him out.”
“I need to speak to the doctor. I think he will be okay but the doctor will need to look at him.” – Ruben Selles on James Ward-Prowse
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Chiquinho (knee) and Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) remain on the long-term absentee list but Wolverhampton Wanderers have no other fitness concerns ahead of the trip to Brighton.
ARSENAL
Mohamed Elneny (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and very likely William Saliba (back) remain out but there were no obvious fresh concerns from Wednesday’s loss at the Etihad.
Mikel Arteta had said ahead of the defeat to Manchester City that next Tuesday’s visit of Chelsea would “probably” come too soon for Saliba.
CHELSEA
Marc Cucurella (quad), Reece James (hamstring), Mason Mount (pelvic) and Armando Broja (ACL) will miss out, while the latest on Kalidou Koulibaly’s (hamstring) recovery is awaited.
James, Mount and Broja are likely out for the season, while Cucurella is sidelined for a “few weeks”.
Kai Havertz (knee) is expected to return to training ahead of the Arsenal game, however.
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