Did Pep Guardiola name his successor?

Good Morning,

Liverpool thrashes Man United, Champions League round of 16 continues, Kompany succeeding Guardiola, MLS wants to follow in F1’s footsteps to attract new fans, Conte leaving Spurs, Mbappe breaks a PSG record, the latest transfer rumors, and why celery is banned at Stamford Bridge.

Let’s get on with it.

Table Tops

Fixtures We’re Watching

• Brentford v Fulham

• Osasuna v Celta Vigo

• Torino v Bologna

Full schedule + where to watch

Starting Lineup

• Champions League: What to look out for this week (UEFA)

• Sources: Madrid board angered by Clasico tactics (ESPN)

• Guardiola expects Kompany to become Man City manager: 'It's written in the stars' (FM)

• Anthony Hudson reveals he has held 'positive' talks with Gio Reyna amid Gregg Berhalter drama (DM)

• FIFA and FA chiefs insist they are confident of avoiding another armband controversy this summer (DM)

• MLS partnering with team behind ‘Drive to Survive’ for TV series (WST)

• Growing feeling that Conte will leave Tottenham before the start of next season (CO)

• ‘I play to write history’ – Mbappe reflects on breaking PSG record (ES)

• Foreign Premier League buys create a 'worrying trend' on future England stars, according to FA CEO (DM)

• MLS Week 2: LAFC wins opener, shutouts for Revs, Crew, Inter Miami, Austin, and Seattle (USSP)

Transfer Rumors

• Tottenham set Kane price tag; Man City's asking price for Silva (90MIN)

• Report: Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry in danger at Bayern Munich (BFW)

• AC Milan interested in signing out of favour Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek (M)

• Euro giants on alert for potential transfer of unhappy Manchester United star, van de Beek (CO)

• Sergio Busquets renewal looking bleak with Barcelona contract talks looming (FE)

• Liverpool join the race to sign 25-year-old Premier League star, Tielemans (CO)

• Paris Saint-Germain set price for Kylian Mbappe sale this summer amid Real Madrid interest (FE)

• Way-Too-Early Transfer Landing Spots for Christian Pulisic (BR)

• Emi Martinez on Tottenham's shortlist for potential Hugo Lloris replacements (FM)

• Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Olivier Giroud wants Premier League return with four clubs interested in summer transfer (TS)

Data Based

• Ten Hag's tactics analysed | How Man Utd are a team transformed (SKY)

• 9 incredible Lionel Messi stats after scoring his 700th club goal (PF)

• Stats show how Arsenal absolutely batter teams into conceding late goals (CO)

Offsides

• Chelsea fan banned for racist gesture to Son Heung-min (BBC)

• Fans spot nude painting in background of journalist's video call on Sky Sports News (DS)

• Bizarre reason CELERY is banned from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea fans no longer trusted with vegetable (SUN)

On The Ball

• Chelsea in talks over £1.5bn stadium project with complete rebuild of Stamford Bridge the ‘most likely option’ (SUN)

• Apple may have out clause if MLS Season Pass doesn’t succeed (WST)

• How a teenager’s bedroom fix for drills flourished into ‘Netflix for coaches’ (TG)

Fantasyland

Looking ahead to GW27 and beyond, here’s an overview of what to expect schedule-wise

• Best Brighton Midfielders to Own for Double GW27 (PL)

• FPL experts: Best picks for Double Gameweek 27 (PL)

Throw Ins

• Harry Kane makes a surprise visit to some lucky schoolchildren (BBC)

• Which duo has the most goal contributions in Europe this season? (ESPN)

• Kylian Mbappe gifts record-breaking PSG shirt to Ignatius Ganago just two weeks after Nantes stars daughter, 5, dies (SUN)

Meme Brace

What did you think of today’s Pitch Notes?

• Hat Trick

• Draw

• Own Goal