The meeting between Arsenal and Newcastle was heated, the former players were shocked by Chelsea’s activity in the transfer market, and Frank Lampard could be on the verge of being fired.
Here are the headlines for today’s English football news.
Talk of the day: Shearer slams furious Arteta
– There are two types of penalties. that easy. I’m talking about what I’ve seen now, two scandalous penalties,” said Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s scoreless home game against Newcastle.
The coach was very hot along the touchline during the game. Behavior criticized by pundit (and former Newcastle player) Alan Shearer at PLP.
– I think he disrespects opponents and makes it very difficult for referees, whose job is already difficult, says Scherer.
– I understand that he wants to play like that, but if his players behaved like him, I wouldn’t like it. And it cost him. He needs to calm down.
Shock of the day: Chelsea ‘absolutely crazy’
Many are raising their eyebrows at how much money Chelsea seem willing to spend on Enzo Fernandes. It is rumored that one hundred million pounds sterling (about SEK 1.2 billion) is what Benfica wants for Argentina.
Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol believes the deal would be “pretty crazy”.
– Am I the only one thinking “what’s wrong with Chelsea?” , says Nicol on ESPN.
– So you will spend 120 million on Enzo Fernandez? Am I the only one reacting? 120 million? I’m sorry, Enzo Fernandez had a great toilet and he’s a good player. But 120 million?!
Even Gary Neville, who works for Sky, isn’t entirely sold on the idea:
Will Chelsea really pay €127m for Enzo Fernandes? This is a high price. Very good player but damn!
Owner Todd Bohle has spent more than £250m on new signings this summer.
Pressed today: Lampard risks the sack
1-4 at home against Brighton doesn’t please anyone at Everton. Now TalkSport and the Telegraph are reporting that Frank Lampard is on the verge of being sacked. Burop and the Bengals took to the field after the final whistle.
– Since I came here, I’ve been in a relegation battle (last season and this season). I can’t control how the conversation goes but I can’t focus on it, says Lampard on Sky.
– I have great faith in myself, but I can’t predict the future. It’s the next Manchester United (in the FA Cup) and that’s all we can look at.
Quote of the day: Conte is mysterious again
– If you ask me if we are challenging to win the Premier League or the Champions League, that is not the point here. If I want to survive, I must accept this. If I can’t accept this, I have to leave, says Antonio Conte during his last press conference.
The tabloids, including the Daily Mail, interpret the statement as saying the manager must accept that Tottenham will not compete for silverware. Otherwise, he packs his bags and leaves.
Today’s denial: Newcastle deny Ronaldo rumours
Don’t believe everything you read, says Eddie Howe. Before the meeting with Arsenal, the coach dismissed claims that there was a clause in Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with the Saudi club Al-Nasr that allowed him to join Newcastle.
– We wish Cristiano all the best in his new adventure, but there is no truth in that from our point of view, Howe told Sky.
The deal was said to depend on whether Newcastle could qualify for the Champions League next season.