Mesut Ozil will give '100 percent' despite uncertainty over future

The FC crew delve into the murky future of Mesut Ozil with his Arsenal contract set to expire in the summer.

        Paul Mariner continues to question Stan Kroenke and Arsenal's handling of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez's contracts. 
            
        Arsene Wenger calls on Sanchez, Ozil and Lacazette to carry their form against Everton into Saturday's clash with Swansea.

Mesut Ozil has promised Arsenal fans he will "give everything" for the team despite the ongoing speculation about his future.
Ozil, like teammate Alexis Sanchez, has not signed a contract extension and could leave for free next summer -- unless Arsenal decide to sell him in January.
But the Germany international told Sky Sports that the uncertainty will not affect his play or commitment to the club.
"I'm happy here, and I do my job to 100 percent as I always have. I give everything and leave...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/story/3247245/arsenals-mesut-ozil-will-give-100-percent-despite-uncertainty-over-future

Son Heung-Min starts in place of Harry Kane; Eric Bailly back for Man United

The FC panel predict how the Man United-Tottenham clash will play out tactically without Harry Kane up top for Spurs.

        With Harry Kane ruled out against Man United, Shaka Hislop sifts through the other options at Mauricio Pochettino's disposal. 
            
        Mauricio Pochettino believes that whilst Harry Kane's injury is a huge loss, Tottenham have enough quality in the squad to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. 
            
        Don Hutchison discusses how Spurs will cope at Old Trafford without their main man, Harry Kane.

Son Heung-Min will lead the Tottenham Hotspur attack at Manchester United in place of the injured Harry Kane.
Tottenham talisman Kane is missing with a hamstring strain so Son will play as a false nine.
Moussa Sissoko, Ben Davies and Eric Dier return to the team, while Kieran Trippier and Davinson Sanchez drop to the bench in the other changes from the 4-1 win over Liverpool.
United boss Mourinho identified Sanchez as Ajax's weak link ahead of the Europa League final in May and this is the first...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3247095/son-heung-min-starts-in-place-of-harry-kane-for-tottenham;-eric-bailly-back-for-man-united

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy: I'll play in Champions League semifinals

Pep Guardiola confirms Vincent Kompany should return to training with Man City in the next week to 10 days.
Benjamin Mendy says he is convinced he will play for Manchester City in this season's Champions League semifinals and the World Cup with France.
The defender suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury against Crystal Palace in September following his summer switch from French champions Monaco.
City boss Pep Guardiola said he expects the 23-year-old to be out until April and Mendy says he has promised to play in the last-four of the Champions League this season.
"I want to get back fit as soon as possible,"...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3247208/manchester-citys-benjamin-mendy-ill-play-in-champions-league-semifinals

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Romelu Lukaku's presence at Man United eases pressure

Shaka Hislop and Ross Dyer assess Zlatan Ibrahimovic's desire to help Man United win the Premier League upon his return.

        With reports that Luke Shaw and Jose Mourinho aren't on speaking terms, the FC guys offer advice for the United defender. 
            
        With Spurs in red-hot form and ready to face Man Utd this weekend, Layla Anna-Lee asks the question, could Mauricio Pochettino go on to be better than his counterpart Jose Mourinho?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Romelu Lukaku's arrival at Manchester United will make his job "easier" when he finally makes his comeback.
Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in 46 games last season, including 17 in the Premier League. No other player got into double figures in the league as United struggled for goals.
Lukaku, who moved from Everton in the summer, has already got 11 in all competitions and Ibrahimovic says the Belgium international will help take the pressure off his shoulders.
"The team is stronger...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3247140/zlatan-ibrahimovic-romelu-lukakus-presence-at-man-united-eases-pressure

Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp: Man City look like they could win title by January

Raf Honigstein believes Jurgen Klopp has the ability to correct Liverpool's defensive struggles and turn the season around.
Jurgen Klopp has suggested Manchester City could have the Premier League title wrapped up by January if they continue their barnstorming start to the season.
City already boast a five-point lead at the top of the standings after an unbeaten start that has brought eight wins from nine games.
During that run Pep Guardiola's side have scored 32 goals and conceded just four, while they have enjoyed a similar success in their Champions League and Carabao Cup outings this season.
It is an ominous situation...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/liverpool/story/3247206/liverpools-jurgen-klopp-man-city-look-like-they-could-win-title-by-january

Man United's Jose Mourinho hopes to manage international side in future

With reports that Luke Shaw and Jose Mourinho aren't on speaking terms, the FC guys offer advice for the United defender.

        With Spurs in red-hot form and ready to face Man Utd this weekend, Layla Anna-Lee asks the question, could Mauricio Pochettino go on to be better than his counterpart Jose Mourinho?

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he has ambitions to manage an international team.
Mourinho has a contract at United until 2019 and sources have told ESPN FC that discussions have taken place about extending his deal, but the 54-year-old has gone on record to say he does not believe he will end his career at Old Trafford. 
And the Portuguese -- who came close to taking the England job a decade ago -- has suggested he would be interested in taking an international team to a...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3247118/man-uniteds-jose-mourinho-hopes-to-manage-international-side-in-future

Jurgen Klopp didn't consider dropping Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet

Raf Honigstein believes Jurgen Klopp has the ability to correct Liverpool's defensive struggles and turn the season around.
Jurgen Klopp says Simon Mignolet will keep his place as Liverpool's No. 1 goalkeeper for Saturday's meeting with Huddersfield Town.
Klopp will resist calls to drop Mignolet after the Belgium international's indifferent performance in last weekend's 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
Mignolet endured a difficult afternoon at Wembley, but Loris Karius or Danny Ward will not get their chance to stake a claim against Huddersfield.
"Simon will play," Klopp said. "I didn't think a second about changing...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/liverpool/story/3247117/jurgen-klopp-didnt-consider-dropping-liverpool-goalkeeper-simon-mignolet

Wayne Rooney's place one of many dilemmas for Everton boss Unsworth

With Everton's permanent managerial decision still in the balance, caretaker boss David Unsworth is only focused on results.
The two most recent occupants of the Premier League managerial merry-go-round face each other on Sunday as Everton travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester.
While Leicester quickly settled on former Southampton manager Claude Puel to take them forward, Everton are taking a more considered approach. Interim boss David Unsworth has some time to drag the Toffees out of the relegation zone and up the league table while simultaneously hoping to convince the club to extend his tenure beyond...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/everton/368/blog/post/3247077/wayne-rooneys-place-one-of-many-dilemmas-for-everton-boss-unsworth

Burnley manager Sean Dyche calls FA's diving rule 'very weak'

Sean Dyche vows that he is committed to Burnley despite rumours linking him to Everton's manager vacancy.

        Sean Dyche had nothing but good things to say about Manchester City after they comfortably beat his Burnley side.

Sean Dyche has labelled the Football Association's recently-introduced rule on diving "very weak'' and has suggested there is an apathy to kicking it out of football.
Dyche's Burnley felt aggrieved last weekend when Manchester City's Bernardo Silva won a penalty from a challenge with Clarets goalkeeper Nick Pope that set City on their way to a 3-0 victory.
Although there was contact from Pope on Silva's foot, Dyche felt the Portuguese forward made the most of it by theatrically falling to the Etihad...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/burnley/story/3247022/burnley-manager-sean-dyche-calls-fas-diving-rule-very-weak

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez 'happy' amid links to Everton vacancy

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez gives credit to his players after their strong start to the season continued.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has distanced himself from speculation linking him with the vacant manager's job at Everton.
The 57-year-old Spaniard, who spent six hugely successful years on Merseyside with Liverpool earlier in his career, was being touted as a replacement for Ronald Koeman even before the axe fell earlier this week.
However, despite his family still living in the north-west, Benitez, who will send the Magpies into Premier League battle at Burnley on Monday evening, insists he is...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3247027/newcastle-manager-rafa-benitez-happy-amid-links-to-everton-vacancy

Antonio Conte sack talk at Chelsea 'defies belief' - Eddie Howe

Antonio Conte isn't happy being repeatedly questioned on his Chelsea future, stating that all stories around him are false.

        The FC guys try to make sense of the ongoing drama with Antonio Conte and how it's affecting Chelsea's season thus far.

Premier League-winning manager Antonio Conte facing pressure for his job "defies belief,'' according to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
Conte was rumoured to be battling dressing-room unrest and close scrutiny from Chelsea's board owing to three defeats in nine games to start their title defence.
Howe remains nonplussed by football's sack culture, and insisted every Premier League boss' job must be on the line if Conte faces an uncertain future.
"Well if that's the case we've all got problems,'' said...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3247025/antonio-conte-sack-talk-at-chelsea-defies-belief-eddie-howe

Jurgen Klopp claims full responsibility for Liverpool's recent struggles

Raf Honigstein believes Jurgen Klopp has the ability to correct Liverpool's defensive struggles and turn the season around.

        Jurgen Klopp says it's "not clear" whether Philippe Coutinho will overcome an adductor injury and feature against Huddersfield. 
            
        Jurgen Klopp reveals that despite being his best friend of 30 years, he would love his Liverpool side to beat David Wagner's Huddersfield.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is taking full responsibility for his side's recent poor form.
The Reds were thrashed 4-1 at second-placed Tottenham last Saturday, which caused many to fault the team's defence and re-open questions about the club's failure to sign a big-name defender in the summer.
However, instead of letting the blame fall on owners Fenway Sports Group's perceived lack of investment, the former Borussia Dortmund boss bore the weight of the club's current misfortune on his own shoulders.
"I...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/liverpool/story/3247060/jurgen-klopp-claims-full-responsibility-for-liverpools-recent-struggles

Burley: Conte drama tough on Blues

The FC guys try to make sense of the ongoing drama with Antonio Conte and how it's affecting Chelsea's season thus far.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3247040/burley-conte-drama-tough-on-blues

Will Kane's absence for Spurs change United's tactics?

The FC panel predict how the Man United-Tottenham clash will play out tactically without Harry Kane up top for Spurs.
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/video/espn-fc-tv/86/video/3247032/will-kanes-absence-for-spurs-change-uniteds-tactics

Jose Mourinho 'worried' about getting new Marouane Fallaini deal done

Shaka Hislop and Ross Dyer assess Zlatan Ibrahimovic's desire to help Man United win the Premier League upon his return.
MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho has admitted he is "worried" about Marouane Fellaini's contract stand-off.
Fellaini signed a one-year extension in January but will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Sources told ESPN FC in September that Mourinho was keen for the Belgian to agree new terms by the end of the year to prevent the midfielder from being able to negotiate with other clubs from Jan. 1. But with the little progress made since then, the United manager has revealed he is concerned.
Asked...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3246906/jose-mourinho-worried-about-getting-new-marouane-fallaini-deal-done

Arsene Wenger warns of Brexit-like hangover once he leaves Arsenal

Paul Mariner continues to question Stan Kroenke and Arsenal's handling of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez's contracts.

        West Indies cricketer and Arsenal fan Darren Sammy joins the FC crew to discuss the Gunners and his stance on Wenger. 
            
        Arsene Wenger calls on Sanchez, Ozil and Lacazette to carry their form against Everton into Saturday's clash with Swansea. LONDON -- Arsene Wenger has warned his detractors that they could wake up with a Brexit-like hangover once he leaves Arsenal.

Wenger told club shareholders at the club's Annual General Meeting on Thursday that they shouldn't forget about the "weight of the past and the weight of the future" in an era where the present seems to be the only thing that matters.
Asked later to elaborate on those comments and the level of dissent that was on show at the AGM, Wenger seemed to draw a comparison between...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/arsenal/story/3246874/arsene-wenger-warns-of-brexit-like-hangover-once-he-leaves-arsenal

Tottenham 'forced' into changing style against Real Madrid, Liverpool - Poch

Don Hutchison discusses how Spurs will cope at Old Trafford without their main man, Harry Kane.

        With Harry Kane ruled out against Man United, Shaka Hislop sifts through the other options at Mauricio Pochettino's disposal. 
            
        Mauricio Pochettino believes that whilst Harry Kane's injury is a huge loss, Tottenham have enough quality in the squad to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino says he did not instruct Tottenham to play in a different way in the statement performances against Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Liverpool, attributing the change in approach to a "spontaneous" reaction from his players.
Under Pochettino, Spurs have always tried to play with a high defensive line, dominate possession and suffocate opponents by playing aggressively on the front foot. His philosophy has largely been successful but they looked naive in Europe last...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/tottenham-hotspur/story/3246880/tottenham-forced-into-changing-style-against-real-madrid-liverpool-and-borussia-dortmund-mauricio-pochettino

Guardiola not ready to crown Man City: 'We are going to have bad moments'

Pep Guardiola confirms Vincent Kompany should return to training with Man City in the next week to 10 days.
MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City have improved on last season but is refusing to make any predictions on what they can achieve.
His side made an impressive start during his first season at the club but their Premier League challenge began to falter around October and November when they began to drop points.
City are in the middle of a club-record 12-game winning streak, but Guardiola insists they will have another difficult period at some point this season.
"I cannot deny we are...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3246909/pep-guardiola-not-ready-to-predict-future-success-for-manchester-city-we-are-going-to-have-bad-moments

Jose Mourinho expects improved attitude from Man United vs. Spurs

Shaka Hislop and Ross Dyer assess Zlatan Ibrahimovic's desire to help Man United win the Premier League upon his return.
MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho says he is confident the poor attitude of his players that contributed to Manchester United's shock defeat to Huddersfield has been stamped out.
Mourinho accused his squad of lacking "aggression and motivation" after the 2-1 defeat at the John Smith's Stadium.
But ahead of Tottenham's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday, the 54-year-old is adamant it was "an isolated case."
He told a news conference on Friday: "To play badly and lose matches, I think that can happen again.
"It...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3246902/jose-mourinho-expects-improved-attitude-from-manchester-united-against-tottenham