Chelsea are prepared to ask Manchester City for Sergio Aguero in a swap deal if Pep Guardiola makes a move for Eden Hazard, according to the Daily Star.

What’s the story?

Premier League rivals do not tend to sell players to each other due to fierce competition, but after Arsenal and Manchester United struck a deal involving Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, another swap arrangement has made headlines.

The Daily Star reports that Man City are willing to pay a mammoth £150m fee to prise Hazard away from Chelsea.

The publication adds, though, that the West London outfit would only consider parting with their talisman if Aguero was included in the deal.

It is believed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is an admirer of the Argentine striker, but City would be unwilling to let him leave the club before the end of his contract.

Both Aguero and Hazard have two years remaining on their deals.

Which club would benefit more?

The pair are world class in their respective positions and would boost any team.

When Gabriel Jesus arrived at City, some thought that Aguero’s time was up, but he has still managed to contribute with goals this season having netted 29 in 33 appearances in all competitions.

Chelsea have not quite got the blend right with regards to striker options, but if they added the Argentine into the equation, then they could be unstoppable up front.

Losing Hazard, though, would be very damaging for the Blues, particularly as he is capable of winning games single-handedly.

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Given that City already boast the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, having Hazard to call upon as well would make Guardiola’s team that much stronger.

Aguero’s absence would be felt at City, but they have a number of goalscorers in their squad, and with the striker edging towards his 30s, game time will become more limited.

Without Hazard, Chelsea could really struggle, so if this deal were to happen, City would be the bigger winner.

Aston Villa’s winning run in the English Championship finally came to an end of Saturday after they were defeated 2-0 away to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Steve Bruce’s side had previously won every single league match in 2018 so far, a run of seven matches, boosting their hopes of automatic promotion to the English Premier League.

However, with key injuries to the likes of Albert Adomah and Jack Grealish, the Villans lacked a credible attacking threat against Fulham, who managed to pick up the three points thanks to goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Floyd Ayite.

With the duo also a doubt for Tuesday’s home clash against Preston, fans are worried the team’s performance will be below par again.

The loss of Grealish is a particular blow at this stage of the season. The midfielder was sparkling throughout Villa’s winning run, scoring once and creating three assists, with many tipping him to guide them to that second automatic promotion place.

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Fans took to Twitter to discuss what his absence means…

It was as if Manchester City felt they had the night off against FC Basel, or could at least be excused from maintaining their usual standards after scoring five away goals in the first leg of their Champions League encounter with the Swiss side.

While City dominated possession with 78% of the ball, they only really made it count in the early stages as Gabriel Jesus netted in the eighth minute. After that, Basel staged an impressive comeback inspired by clinical breakaways.

While the biggest problem for City’s fringe players was mindset, and perhaps lesser match sharpness than their midweek opponents too, the heart of defence was arguably the most disappointing department on Wednesday night as two young centre-backs struggled to truly impose themselves on a Basel attack that knew they had nothing to lose at the Eithad Stadium.

And there was a key duality in personnel with the last match City lost: the 1-0 defeat to third-tier Wigan in the FA Cup when poorly defending counter-attacks was also at the route of the result. John Stones and January signing Aymeric Laporte were paired by Pep Guardiola for the very first time at the DW Stadium and after another underwhelming performance from the 23-year-old duo against Basel, it appears they’re a somewhat flawed partnership.

Perhaps the most obvious point is their lack of experience, something that always becomes more apparent in the Champions League than any other cup competition. But there is also a clashing similarity in styles; while Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi are both powerful, domineering defenders who look to win the ball high up the pitch rather than engage in foot races, Stones and Laporte are more covering centre-halves – looking to protect the space behind a more assertive partner.

And thus, when FC Basel scored their first goal on Wednesday, the manner in which both centre-backs retreated a few yards too far to allow Basel’s most dangerous player, Mohamed Elyounoussi, enough space to blast the ball beyond Claudio Bravo was incredibly telling. Neither took responsibility, and neither truly confronted the situation.

Of course, some will argue Stones’ clear downturn in form is the more pertinent issue than whether Laporte is the right defender to play alongside him, and it must be said that for all their misgivings defensively, both young centre-halves have consistently demonstrated their quality on the ball during their two outings together, making over 500 passes combined.

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Likewise, after relying on Kompany and Otamendi consistently during a hugely tough week that saw City face Arsenal twice and host Chelsea, it’s understandable that Guardiola rotated for a dead rubber tie.

But the early signs suggest Stones and Laporte just aren’t quite the right fit for each other. While that’s not so much an issue as long as Kompany and Otamendi are around to partner them, providing that extra leadership and difference in style, it’s an issue that could crop up more regularly in the future.

Tottenham Hotspur will be moving into their new state-of-the-art stadium for the 2018-19 season in the summer.

It is an exciting development for the club as they try to match their elite Premier League rivals.

On the pitch, Spurs have shown stark progression over the years having finished third and then second in the last two seasons.

Despite the fact that manager Mauricio Pochettino has transformed the team into genuine contenders, they have not won a trophy since their 2007-08 League Cup triumph.

Many will be hoping that the new ground will give the club a huge boost moving forward.

However, there are plenty of supporters who have been left disappointed by the price hike in season tickets for the 2018-19 campaign.

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On Monday, the North London outfit confirmed on their official website that the prices will range from £795 to £2,200.

Spurs tweeted a quote from chairman Daniel Levy about the club’s soon-to-be home, and the majority of fans responded with anger about the season ticket prices.

As reported by The Sun, former Rangers star Alex Rae believes the decision makers at Ibrox would not be doing their job properly if they don’t at least consider Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke for the Rangers manager job.

What’s the story?

Losing to Killie at Ibrox on Saturday, fans are rapidly losing patience with interim boss Graeme Murty, with many believing he shouldn’t be given the job permanently at the end of the season.

If that’s to be the case, it would again spark a manager search at the Gers and a former player believes Steve Clarke could be the man for the job.

As quoted by The Sun, Alex Rae spoke about the situation at Rangers and said:

They need to have a Plan B in place and be ready to push the button. Steve Clarke has done a remarkable job with Killie — taking on and beating the Old Firm with a fraction of their resources. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t on their radar. In fact, if he isn’t, they’re not doing their jobs properly. The important thing is that there needs to be a clear plan moving forward. This is a big time for the men running the club. Season-ticket renewals will be coming up soon and people will be asked to make an investment without knowing what it is they’re getting for their money.

Is Steve Clarke the right fit for the Ibrox side should they decide to let go of Murty?

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Has he done enough to be considered?

Clarke may not have had a full season in charge of Kilmarnock but has taken them from almost certainties to be relegated to a side challenging for a top six spot in the Scottish Premiership, in just five months.

Although making an iexcellent signing in Youssouf Mulumbu, the Killie boss has mostly inspired the existing talent at Rugby Park, perhaps a sign that he could do an excellent job on limited resources at Ibrox.

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He’s brought organisation and belief to the Ayrshire outfit, two things that Rangers lack right now.

With scalps against Celtic, Rangers and almost every other club in the division, he must be a contender for manager of the year in Scotland and, as such, the Gers would be crazy not to consider him this summer if he’s willing to make the switch.

Arsenal have one foot in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals after a dominant home win in the first leg of their tie against CSKA Moscow on Thursday night.

Rushing to a 4-1 lead over the Russians by half-time, Arsene Wenger’s side were on top form, showing that they are definitely in the running to lift the trophy in May.

Fans were delighted with the result and display from their side, but weren’t entirely happy with every player on the pitch.

Lots of criticism was aimed at midfielder Jack Wilshere, whose form has dropped off sharply recently amidst speculation he could be leaving the club this summer.

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The English international was ineffective despite his side comfortably leading the match, leaving fans wondering whether he is worth a new deal at all. Some even called it his worst performance in an Arsenal shirt.

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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the 26-year-old…

Coming in at the stage of the season Mark Hughes has arrived at Southampton was always likely to be something of a baptism of fire.

But even by those elevated expectations, the Welshman’s first two matches have carried an awful lot of pressure.

His maiden match in charge of one of the sides he represented as a player was an opportunity to take them to Wembley and his Saints side duly battled through against an impressive and spirited Wigan Athletic side to book their place in the FA Cup last four, where they will play another of his former sides – Chelsea.

Following that huge clash, he has had two weeks to prepare for a monster relegation clash against West Ham United, who are just one place and two points ahead of the Saints.

A win against the Hammers would see Southampton leapfrog their hosts so Hughes knew his team selection had to be absolutely right and he has recalled Charlie Austin for his first appearance since December.

We’ve taken a closer look at how the Saints fans have reacted to the team news. They seem pleased as punch as Austin takes his place up front alongside Manolo Gabbiadini…

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Not many would have predicted that Liverpool would be fighting for a place in the Champions League final, least of all their own fans.

Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame Porto and Manchester City after coming through the group phase without a single defeat to their name.

The Reds put themselves in the hat for the semi-final draw thanks to a 5-1 aggregate triumph over Premier League champions elect Man City.

Mohamed Salah, who is in a race for the Premier League Golden Boot against Harry Kane, proved to be pivotal in the outcome of the contest as he opened the scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 triumph in the first leg at Anfield.

At the Etihad Stadium, the Egyptian international was the difference again as he netted an audacious chip to give the Merseyside outfit a crucial away goal.

Klopp’s men had to endure plenty of pressure from City in the first half, but they weathered the storm and got the result that they needed to progress.

The club were handed a slice of luck in the semi-final draw as they managed to avoid Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Instead, the English club will take on Italian outfit Roma, who stunned everyone by coming from 4-1 down to knock out Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

The first leg will be held at Anfield on April 24, with the return fixture at the Stadio Olimpico on May 2.

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Liverpool fans have been tweeting their reactions to the draw.

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As reported by The Daily Mail, former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has predicted the Hoops treble winning dominance could continue for years and have a negative impact on Scottish football.

What’s the story?

Petrov made over 300 appearances for the Hoops in a successful seven-year spell at the club so knows a thing or two about the footballing landscape in Scotland, but are his latest comments wide of the mark?

The former Bulgarian international has been speaking ahead of Celtic’s massive clash with Rangers this weekend, with Brendan Rodgers side on the brink of securing a seventh successive league title at the expense of their rivals.

Also just a Scottish Cup Final away from winning another domestic treble, the Hoops have never been more dominant in Scottish football.

Petrov believes it’s a situation that could continue for years, but doesn’t believe that’s necessarily to the benefit of the game in Scotland.

As quoted by The Daily Mail, the former Celtic favourite said:

I think Celtic have got a chance to win the Treble again next season as well. If Rangers keeps going the same way, they have a chance to do it over the next three years.

We predicted it a year ago and they are going to do it strongly. I would say that it is sad in one way because, if we see that happen, Scottish football will lose its identity.

The advertising in Scottish football is Celtic v Rangers. I come from a different country and every time the game came up, I’d watch it. The build-up, the excitement, the electricity – everything. If that is lost, it would be very sad for Scottish football. I’m saying that as an outsider.

While lack of competition is never necessarily healthy, Celtic have to continue with their foot to the floor in their search for trophies and it’s on the other teams to try and close the gap.

Is it harming Scottish football?

Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are currently setting a standard that the chasing pack must aspire to, rather than feel a victim of.

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That Rangers are in such a mess recently is not connected to the performance of their city rivals, they have simply mismanaged their managerial appointments and until January their player recruitment too.

That Celtic are so dominant is likely a motivating factor to teams like Aberdeen, Hibernian and the Light Blues, increasing their ambition and therefore standards at each club.

One day a challenge will come for the Hoops, but for the moment everyone connected with the club should savour their current success and enjoy it worry-free from the potential that it is destroying Scottish football.

One of the often overlooked aspects of Arsenal’s current search for a new manager is the situation in which the board find themselves.

In any normal situation, they’d simply have lined up a manager, set up a deal in principle and then announced Arsene Wenger’s departure before naming his successor. But this is no normal situation.

The Gunners are in a position that arguably only one team have found themselves in over the last decade or more: Manchester United. The comparisons with the departure of Alex Ferguson in 2013 and the Red Devils’ subsequent decline is an obvious one and is probably overblown. The two clubs are in very different positions.

But whilst no club provides the perfect comparison, and this is very much unchartered territory, there is one which is similar.

On the lists of longest-serving managers in Europe, one name used to be a staple under Arsene Wenger. The Gunners boss was there for two decades, but Saint-Etienne manager Christophe Galtier was in place for nine.

Upon his departure last summer, he was the second-longest serving manager in Europe. When it finally came time to leave, the Saint-Etienne board had realised that the world had changed in the time since they last picked a manager.

They appointed former Watford and Brighton manager Oscar Garcia and from the very start things weren’t right. The first three games started well in terms of results, but performances weren’t great.

As it turned out in the end, Garcia would only last a few weeks, leaving the club after a traumatic 5-1 home defeat to their bitter rivals Lyon. The owners made a mistake precisely because they had little experience in managerial appointments in recent times.

That’s the cautionary tale for Arsenal, not the United one.

Whilst United’s recent decline is a worry, the Gunners are already in the bottom spot in the top six, and it’s unlikely though not inconceivable that they slip to seventh. That would, however, be the absolute lowest you’d think Arsenal can slip under a new manager.

They’ve already had the Moyes decline in that sense. They won’t get that under a new man. Instead, though, what can happen is they can choose a bad fit simply because they haven’t had to appoint a manager in 22 years, and the game (not to mention chairmen and owners) have changed significantly since then.

Instead of stagnation and decline, which they’ve had for ten years already, they could get turmoil and rancour. Instead of falling any further there could be vitriolic fights and bitterness – indeed the split from Wenger is already starting to get slightly acrimonious as the manager has hinted that he was pushed into making his decision.

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Arsenal’s board, like Saint-Etienne’s last summer, are in the position of the middle-aged divorcé who now has to get back out into the market and date again. It’s not an easy thing to do. An ageing man that everyone knows is going through a rough time is hardly a catch. He has baggage and he’s not entirely sure how this brave new world of online dating works.

But Arsenal, unlike Saint-Etienne, are not just coming off nine years of fidelity to one man. They’re coming off 22. That’s not just 22 years of one manager, but over two decades of a man who changed the face of the club.

When the Gunners appoint a new man in the summer, there will be a sense of freshness and hope. But ensuring it lasts any longer than the first few games is going to be the real challenge.

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