Lampard Back in Blue...🤡

Good Morning,

Lampard returning to the Blues as interim caretaker, Ceferin in for third UEFA term, Beckham upping the Messi sweepstakes, Lukaku chants condemned, Players head bloodied by fan thrown object, an FA Barbie gaffe, Newcastle excelling on and off the pitch, Premier League agents are banking, Real Madrid thrashed Barcelona, and some meme brace shithousery as usual to top us off!

Let’s get on with it.

Table Tops

Fixtures We’re Watching

• Fenerbahçe v Kayserispor

• Annecy FC v Toulouse

Full schedule + where to watch

Starting Lineup

• Frank Lampard, Chelsea reportedly agree to contract as interim head coach (BR)

• Ceferin re-elected for third term as UEFA president (SN)

• Zinedine Zidane facing competition from former Barcelona manager for Paris Saint-Germain job (FE)

• David Beckham’s unbelievable offer to Lionel Messi to ensure summer switch to Inter Miami (CO)

• Ceferin backs Morocco to join Euro WC bid (ESPN)

• Infantino condemns 'unacceptable' Juventus chants towards Lukaku (FM)

• Debbie Hewitt: FA chair says it's a 'privilege' after becoming FIFA's first female vice-president (BBC)

• European Super League supporters 'like wolf in Little Red Riding Hood' (SKY)

Transfer Rumors

• Man United eye transfer of Premier League star, Ward-Prowse, as decision made on Marcel Sabitzer’s future (CO)

• Milan continue to negotiate with Real Madrid over a discount for Diaz (FI)

• Kylian Mbappe cools Real Madrid rumours with words to PSG ultras (FE)

• Real Madrid may try to sign Liverpool superstar, Salah, in the summer window (CO)

• Juventus identify Manchester City centre-back, Laporte, as potential defensive signing (FI)

• Liverpool keeping tabs on €50m La Liga ace, Nico Williams, with 13 goal contributions (CO)

• Norwich confirm legend Teemu Pukki will leave at end of season after five years as he targets new transfer ‘challenge’ (SUN)

• Tottenham considering move for RB Salzburg forward, Noah Okafor, with one year left on his deal (CO)

• Ajax want to re-sign midfielder, Donny van de Beek, they let go in 2020 (CO)

• Fabrizio Romano confirms Premier League interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili (FE)

Data Based

• Rasmus Hojlund: How Accurate Are Comparisons to Erling Haaland? (OA)

• Is football media making the most of football data? (AFC)

• Comparing every Premier League club’s wage bill to its league position (PF)

Offsides

• Feyenoord vs Ajax suspended for almost half an hour after Davy Klaassen struck in head by object from crowd (TA)

• FA admits error in WSL 'Barbie' gaffe (TL)

• Wolves winger, Podence, charged by the Football Association after allegedly spitting (BBC)

On The Ball

• Newcastle United to receive £40million windfall according to study (CO)

• Premier League clubs spent £320m on agents' fees in past year, FA data shows (BBC)

• Serie A to play December 30 and evaluate investment options (FI)

Fantasyland

Throw Ins

• MLS-based players to be focus of USMNT squad vs. Mexico (SBI)

• Man United to play Dortmund in Las Vegas this summer (ESPN)

• Juventus ‘furry’ 2023-24 kit leaked (FI)

• Inside Jack Grealish’s staggering fortune as Man City star’s full earnings are revealed (SUN)

• Who is Bruno Saltor? Things to know about the Chelsea interim manager (90MIN)

Injury Time

• Erik ten Hag reveals Christian Eriksen is set for an early return for Manchester United amid ankle injury lay-off (TS)

• Arsenal suffer William Saliba injury blow ahead of clash at Liverpool as Mikel Arteta details update on recovery (TS)

• Haaland returns to Manchester City training after missing Liverpool rout (FM)

Rankings

Meme Brace