Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly prepared to submit a €150million bid for star Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the upcoming transfer window.

Osimhen, 24, is in his third season with Napoli after arriving in a club-record €70m move from Lille, and this time around he has put together one of the best goalscoring campaigns in Europe.

With 21 goals in 24 Serie A appearances, and five goals in six Champions League outings, the Nigeria international has been unstoppable.

Now, the world's best clubs have taken notice.
 

TOP STORY – PSG PREPARED TO MEET MASSIVE ASKING PRICE

While there is also said to be strong interest in Osimhen coming from the deep pockets of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain are trying to wrap things up early with a serious bid.

Football Insider is reporting the French giants are ready to meet Napoli's enormous €150m asking price, with the hope they can blow Chelsea out of the water as they consider a £100m (€112m) bid of their own.

Osimhen's contract ties him to the club for two more seasons after this one, but with his value at an all-time high, and with Napoli being able to offer the chance at league titles and deep Champions League runs, the Serie A leaders can demand a substantial windfall.

ROUND-UP

– According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United view Valencia's 22-year-old goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – who is priced around £45m (€50m) – as a potential long-term replacement for David de Gea.

– United are also showing interest in 19-year-old Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, although they face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Real Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool, per Ekrem Konur.

– Football Insider is reporting Liverpool and Tottenham are the two teams 23-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka will choose between when his contract expires in a few months.

– According to the Daily Mail, 31-year-old Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino will join Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the season.

– Arsenal sent scouts to Spain to get a closer look at the Real Sociedad duo of 24-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi and 26-year-old defender Robin Le Normand, per the Daily Mail.

Erik ten Hag expects his Manchester United players to show a stronger mentality and "earn the right to wear the shirt" after they crashed out of the Europa League with a whimper at Sevilla.

It was a horror show for the Red Devils in the second leg at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday as they were consigned to a 3-0 second-leg defeat, losing the quarter-final 5-2 on aggregate.

United shot themselves in the foot, Harry Maguire robbed for the first goal after taking a pass from David de Gea to gift Youssef En-Nesyri an early opener.

En-Nesyri later capitalised on terrible mistake from De Gea to complete the scoring after more poor defending gave Loic Bade the opportunity to score Sevilla's second goal.

United were abysmal with so much at stake and boss Ten Hag, who was appointed as boss a year ago on Friday, warned they must raise their standards ahead of an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley on Sunday.

Ten Hag said: "We can't deny it, it's mental, definitely, we have to learn that you keep going, you carry on. 

"This team what they can do very well is bounce back in between games, what they can do less is bounce back during a game to a setback. That is what we have to improve."

He added: "You have to acknowledge, it's the truth, we have to do better, I know that.

"I have to reach the players to do better in such circumstances, we deal better with such expectations, the demands on this team, we are Manchester United, they are high, we have to improve it, I have to reach the players and they have to step up."

Ten Hag says United remain a work in progress as they prepare for another huge cup tie.

He said: "I think we are always playing for our future as professional players. Every game is a test, every season is a test, you have to earn the right to wear the shirt.

"It's for me as a manager. We are in the same boat. During the season we have made huge progress. We have the experience, but we have a way to go.

"A good thing is Sunday is a huge opportunity, semi-final of the FA Cup, a better event you can't imagine, after that a lot of great games to go, we have to prove it and this group of players has to prove it."

Manchester City are reportedly keeping a close eye on Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.

Kovacic, 28, has been a regular starter since arriving from Real Madrid in a £40million transfer back in 2019, but significant upheaval has seen him fighting for his spot in Chelsea's best XI.

With nine substitute appearances among his 23 Premier League outings this season, Kovacic's future at Stamford Bridge is up in the air as he prepares to enter the final year of his current contract.

While City are said to be serious about their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, it may not stop them making a move for Kovacic, who they purportedly believe could slide in seamlessly in Gundogan's place.

TOP STORY – CITY CONSIDER KOVACIC AS BELLINGHAM REMAINS THE PRIORITY

According to GiveMeSport, City are closely monitoring Kovacic's contract situation, and if no extension arrives he could be a prime candidate for Chelsea to ship off.

Further reporting from the Evening Standard adds that Chelsea are planning a "major overhaul" of their squad before June 30 in a race to comply with financial fair play rules.

That newspaper does not mention Kovacic as one of the likely departures, instead naming Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mason Mount.

City are reportedly not dissuaded by Dortmund's asking price of around £125m for English super-prospect Bellingham, but there has been no indication the teenager would sign off on the move among interest from the world's biggest clubs.

ROUND-UP

– Calciomercato is reporting Napoli have marked 21-year-old Atlanta United winger and World Cup winner with Argentina Thiago Almada as their top transfer priority.

– According to Sport, Barcelona and Inter are in favour of a potential swap deal that would send 26-year-old midfielder Franck Kessie to Italy in return for 30-year-old Marcelo Brozovic.

– David de Gea is on the verge of signing a contract extension with Manchester United, per Forbes.

– Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting Chelsea, United and Paris Saint-Germain target Victor Osimhen will require a €150m (£132m) bid to pry away from Napoli.

– According to TalkSPORT, Aston Villa have renewed their interest in 22-year-old Arsenal talent Emile Smith Rowe after having a £30m bid turned down in 2021.

Erik ten Hag criticised Manchester United's "passion, desire and willingness" following their Europa League quarter-final exit at the hands of Sevilla.

United, who scored two late own goals in last week's first leg to leave the tie all square at 2-2, produced another desperate defensive display as they went down 5-2 on aggregate at Roman Sanchez Pizjuan.

Once again, Ten Hag's side gifted Sevilla two goals with Youssef En-Nesyri helping himself to a brace after errors from Harry Maguire and David de Gea.

United were without several key players, including the suspended Bruno Fernandes and the injured Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, but Ten Hag insisted that was no excuse for the visitors' display.

"We have to do better, that's the demand. We were not composed, not calm," he told BT Sport. "We didn't beat the press; when you do, there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it.

"We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness. That's difficult to win games.

"It's about the players on the pitch. They have to perform, I believe in them and trust them, but they have to show it, and they were not good enough.

"We have shown on so many occasions good things, but tonight we weren't ready for the game. At this level, playing for Manchester United, you have to be ready for every game.

"This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something, and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves.

"It's gone, we can't change it. We have to look forward to Sunday [against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi-finals], that's the next opportunity."

Christian Eriksen also accepted United were not at the races as they squandered the opportunity to return to the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.

"A lot of things happened. We didn't really give them a game from the first minute, and we gave them a lot of opportunities to finish us off," the midfielder said.

"We lost a bit of our coolness, we made more mistakes than we usually do, and the whole team could not catch up with mistakes our team-mates made.

"If you give away goals like we did, you lose, it's nothing to do with the atmosphere. Our own game was not strong enough. It's football, sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days, and it was a bad day. 

"Every football player makes mistakes, they punished us straight away. It's how we bounce back, and today we were not strong enough to bounce back from the mistakes."

Manchester United again gifted Sevilla two goals as they crashed out of the Europa League following a 3-0 defeat in the away leg of their quarter-final.

Two late own goals at Old Trafford had seen Thursday's match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan kick off with the tie all square at 2-2.

And another desperate defensive display saw United eliminated, with Youssef En-Nesyri helping himself to a brace after errors from Harry Maguire and David de Gea.

Loic Bade was also on target as Sevilla cruised through courtesy of a 5-2 aggregate success, with Juventus next in the semi-finals.

United had been quick out of the blocks at home last week, but they contributed to their own early downfall this time as Sevilla broke through in the eighth minute.

De Gea fed the ball into Maguire, who was quickly surrounded by three attackers on the edge of the penalty area and saw his attempted pass intercepted by Erik Lamela before En-Nesyri calmly slotted home.

Sevilla continued to pose the greater threat, and the VAR came to United's rescue five minutes before the break when Marcos Acuna strayed offside before Lucas Ocampos brilliantly fired past De Gea.

It was only a temporary reprieve as Ivan Rakitic's corner looped up off Bade's shoulder and over De Gea at the start of the second half.

Ocampos somehow failed to add a third in a goalmouth scramble, allowing United to attempt their own two-goal comeback as Casemiro and Christian Eriksen went close.

But any hopes of a United recovery were ended nine minutes from time when De Gea raced out of his box and failed to make clean contact with a clearance, giving En-Nesyri the opportunity to curl his shot around the stranded goalkeeper.

Pope Francis beamed with delight as he was presented with a Manchester United shirt belonging to his Argentine compatriot Lisandro Martinez on Thursday.

The gift was handed to the pontiff when an interfaith group from Manchester paid a visit to the Vatican, receiving an audience with the leader of the Catholic Church.

World Cup winner Martinez is resting up after surgery on a season-ending foot injury, but he sent a personal message with the delegation.

The shirt was handed over to Buenos Aires-born Pope Francis by Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham, drawing a smile from the 86-year-old.

Argentina's World Cup final victory against France in December was described by the Vatican's news service at the time as "a truly herculean, titanic and historic example of the absolutely sublime athletic skill, reaching for the stars by the stars".

The United shirt received by Pope Francis was signed by Martinez and featured alongside pictures of him lifting trophies with United and Argentina, and a message – "Your holiness, with much love, LM".

At the meeting with the Manchester group, the pope spoke of the need to ensure "the environmental and social crises of our time are not two separate crises but one".

He said: "Your united witness is particularly eloquent, since the history of your city is closely linked to the industrial revolution, with its legacy of immense technical and economic progress, together with an admittedly negative impact on the human and natural environment."

Celta Vigo will not negotiate a sale for highly rated midfielder Gabri Veiga and instead insist on the triggering of his €40million release clause, according to club president Carlos Mourino.

Veiga has been one of the breakthrough stars of the 2022-23 LaLiga season, catching the eye with his exceptional ability on the ball and eye for goal.

The 20-year-old has scored nine in 27 league games this term at a rate of 0.49 goals every 90 minutes, which is the best frequency of any LaLiga midfielder (minimum 1,000 minutes played) and made all the more impressive by the fact none have come from the penalty spot.

While those nine strikes represent a significant over-performance in relation to his expected goals (xG), suggesting a degree of unsustainability, his 5.5 xG (excluding penalties) is also the highest among the same midfielders.

 Veiga's emergence this term has seen him linked with a host of Europe's biggest clubs, such as Premier League giants Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, and Celta are expected to cash in at the end of the season.

But it will seemingly cost every penny of Veiga's release clause to get him out of Balaidos.

Speaking to Cadena SER radio on El Larguero, Mourino said: "The clauses are in place. We are not going to sell him, rather they are going to buy him from us.

"Nobody has to negotiate because we are not going to sell him. We know of the interest of the teams that initially called, those who've spoken with already with Gabri, who is the one with the decision to make.

"I can assure you that there are teams from England, Italy and France [who are interested]. Our response was, 'you can't talk to us because he's not for sale'."

Erik ten Hag has few concerns about Manchester United defensively and is instead focused on improving their attack as his side head to Sevilla on Thursday.

United have been without a number of key men at the back, including Lisandro Martinez, who will miss the remainder of the season.

Martinez sustained a broken metatarsal in last week's 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire saw United improbably throw away a two-goal lead at Old Trafford, yet Ten Hag is not worried about a repeat.

He is looking to see United make progress in front of goal after a succession of wasteful performances. They have underperformed their xG in seven consecutive Premier League games, falling short by 1.5 in each of their past two outings.

"Our organisation all over the pitch is quite good. We need to do better attacking," Ten Hag explained, adding: "I am confident that we can score goals tomorrow."

The return of Marcus Rashford would aid Ten Hag's cause, with the forward "available" after travelling with the team but set to be the subject of a matchday decision on his fitness.

Impressing at the other end of the pitch, meanwhile, is David de Gea, despite a difficult start to life under Ten Hag.

The goalkeeper's limited ability playing out with his feet caused problems in the early weeks of the season and appeared to indicate he was ill-suited to the manager's tactics.

But De Gea has remained United's number one and leads the Golden Glove race with 14 Premier League clean sheets.

"Stopping goals, that is the main job for a goalkeeper," Ten Hag said.

"Everyone has their own particular style. Nowadays, in possession, it has become more and more important at top levels.

"But at the end of the day it is about stopping goals, shots, crosses, one-on-ones. I think David is a complete goalkeeper."

Manchester United have welcomed Marcus Rashford back into the fold for their trip to Sevilla in the Europa League.

Rashford, who has scored 28 goals this season, suffered a groin issue in United's 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on April 8.

The England international subsequently missed last week's 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie, as well as United's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

However, Rashford has travelled to Spain for Thursday's second leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Luke Shaw also returning from injury after not featuring since April 2.

Bruno Fernandes is not available to Erik ten Hag due to suspension, though.

Scott McTominay is also out.

Reported Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong is similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold in the way he "bravely" attacks but "forgets that he needs to defend".

That is according to Dimitar Berbatov, who played for both United and Frimpong's current club Bayer Leverkusen.

Reports this week have suggested United manager Erik ten Hag is particularly keen on the right-back, having this season rotated between using Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in that role.

Frimpong has scored eight goals in the Bundesliga this season, the most of any defender across Europe's top five leagues, while only Raphael Guerreiro can match his 14 goal involvements.

Dalot has a goal and two assists in the Premier League, while Wan-Bissaka has not contributed to a single goal.

Frimpong also ranks first among defenders for touches in the opposition box (118) and second for chances created from open play (41).

In the latter category, he is joined in the top 10 by Liverpool's Alexander Arnold (35), and Berbatov sees similarities between the two – at both ends of the pitch.

"He is someone who reminds me of Trent Alexander Arnold, because he is primarily an attacking full-back and sometimes he forgets that he needs to defend as well," Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, told Stats Perform.

"But the way he's playing, bravely going up the pitch, attacking, running, assisting and scoring goals, it's a joy for me to watch, to be honest.

"Yes, I say it in the form of a joke, but he needs to work a bit more on his defensive part of the game.

"But he's very young, he has a bright future in my mind, and I think some of the big clubs will come up to him, for sure."

Alexander-Arnold has been widely criticised for his defensive work, with that scrutiny increasing in a difficult season for Liverpool.

However, he played a hybrid midfield role on Monday against Leeds United and provided two assists in a 6-1 win.

Meanwhile, Frimpong has played every game for a Leverkusen side who have conceded 41 goals in the Bundesliga, the joint-most in the top half of the table.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass’. You can view episode one in full https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

Marcus Rashford and three other Manchester United first-team players returned to training on Wednesday in a major boost for their Europa League quarter-final second-leg trip to Sevilla.

Rashford suffered a groin injury in United's 2-0 win over Everton on April 8 and was subsequently ruled out for "a few games".

Although not deemed a serious injury, Rashford's form this season has seen his importance to United increase exponentially, with his 28 goals across all competitions already comfortably his best season.

Therefore his absence was a frustrating blow to United and manager Erik ten Hag, but there appears to be a chance he could feature at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday.

In the first of two games Rashford missed, United remarkably surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Sevilla, with a couple of freak own goals late on allowing Jose Luis Mendilibar's side to rescue a 2-2 draw that never looked plausible such was the hosts' dominance.

Luke Shaw, Marcel Sabitzer and Tyrell Malacia – the scorer of one of those own goals against Sevilla – were also back on the training pitch on Wednesday.

Shaw has not played since sustaining an unspecified injury during the 1-0 win over Brentford on April 5.

His return would be particularly welcome following the news of Lisandro Martinez being ruled out for the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury, as Shaw has regularly filled in at centre-back this season.

Sabitzer's issue was also not made known to the media after his late withdrawal from the starting XI to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Austrian scored both of United's goals in the first leg against Sevilla, though he may find it difficult to get back into the side on Thursday given the high standard exhibited by his replacement Christian Eriksen in the 2-0 victory at the City Ground.

Manchester United need to win the Europa League for this season to be considered a real success, former striker Dimitar Berbatov has told Stats Perform.

Erik ten Hag's side are locked at 2-2 in their quarter-final with Sevilla heading into Thursday's second leg in Spain after throwing away a two-goal lead last week.

United ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February and also have an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.

With a top-four finish in the Premier League now looking a formality, Berbatov is eager to see United go all the way on the continent to make this a truly memorable season.

"Winning the trophy is always a good thing," said Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. 

"But to be successful, in my opinion, really, really successful, I think they should qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League. That'll be an amazing season.

"If they qualify for the Champions League and don't win Europa League, then in my mind will be an okay season because of [the EFL Cup] they won. 

"But I think with Ten Hag now in charge, seeing the team can perform really well, everybody knows what they need to do on the pitch, the appetite for big things should grow.

"I always connect United with [being] the top one. But this is something that is left in my mind from my time there. Obviously, my time is different to now. 

"Man City are top in the Premier League, and everybody's challenging for their spot. United know they have a way to go to catch them. But they're on the right track."

United led Sevilla 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg thanks to Marcel Sabitzer's first-half double, only for late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire to level up the tie.

It marked the first time United had failed to win a European match in which they led by two goals since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.

The Red Devils now have their work cut out, as Sevilla have won 23 of their past 26 home matches in the Europa League, a competition they have won four times in nine years.

Berbatov, who twice finished a Champions League runner-up with United, urged his former side to learn from last week and stay focused right until the final whistle.

"I think now it's 50-50. If you are two goals up going into the second leg, then it's a different game," he said. 

"Now it's 2-2, purely because of the lack of concentration in the first game and two own goals. Now they have made their life difficult and they know that.

"That's why I say it's 50-50 – Sevilla are a dangerous team. They have a lot of history in the competition and they know how to get out of difficult situations.

"Again, the only thing I can say is United need to be fully concentrated for 90, 95 minutes, 100 minutes, it doesn't matter. Stay concentrated until the end. They have the quality. 

"They've been struck with some injuries, but Ten Hag knows how to manage and get the best out of players. The only thing I want to see is concentration for the whole game."

United have faced Sevilla four times without winning in European competition – their joint-most against a side without winning in Europe, alongside Atletico Madrid.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass. You can view episode one in full at: https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

Harry Kane's future at Tottenham is uncertain, with his contract due to expire in 2024.

As a result, speculation is developing about a move for the England international striker during the next transfer window.

Manchester United are known to be interested in the 29-year-old, while Bayern Munich were previously linked too.

TOP STORY – PSG TO CONTEND WITH UTD FOR KANE SIGNATURE

Paris Saint-Germain will battle it out with Manchester United to land Tottenham forward Harry Kane, reports Le Parisien.

PSG sporting director Luis Campos wants to bolster the side's attack and has identified Kane as their top target.

The French champions' president Nasser Al Khelaifi has a good relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, which may help negotiations.

ROUND-UP

- Lionel Messi has decided to remain in Europe for another two seasons, amid speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia or MLS, namely Inter Miami, claims SPORT. Messi has been linked with former club Barcelona, having yet to re-sign with Paris Saint-Germain.

- Fichajes reports Barcelona are circling to make a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in the upcoming transfer window. Barca are hoping to sign him on a reduced fee, with the Reds to miss out on Champions League football next term.

- Liverpool will commence talks with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's camp soon, according to Fabrizio Romano, who said an off-season exit is a certainty.

- Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham are all circling for James Ward-Prowse who has been told he can leave Southampton if they get relegated, claims Daily Mail.

- Inter have turned their attention to signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram or Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, rather than making Romelu Lukaku's loan spell from Chelsea permanent, claims Gazzetta dello Sport.

- Fabrizio Romano reports Borussia Dortmund have agreed personal terms with Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini to join as a free agent in the off-season.

Liverpool are set for a busy off-season with suggestions that Jurgen Klopp and the club's management want a squad overhaul.

Among the key areas to address is their midfield options, leading to links to numerous players.

It was reported last week Liverpool have pulled out of the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

TOP STORY – REDS TO RAMP UP MOUNT INTEREST

Liverpool will ramp up their efforts to sign Mason Mount, amid a lack of a breakthrough in negotiations between the midfielder and Chelsea, reports The Guardian.

The Reds have now moved on from Bellingham given Dortmund's asking price, with Mount in their sights given he is out of contract at the end of this season.

Mount has offered no signs that he will extend his Chelsea deal, with Liverpool eager to capitalise and lure the 24-year-old England international to Anfield.

ROUND-UP

- Chelsea could look to join the race alongside Real Madrid for Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, according to Fichajes. Alvarez is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game-time on the pitch at City.

- Manchester City are interested in an off-season move for Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies along with Real Madrid, reports Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg. Davies' contract runs until 2024 and he has held talks with Bayern on a new deal.

- Man City are also willing to let defender Aymeric Laporte exit in the off-season if he pushes for a move, claims the Daily Mail. Laporte, who is contracted until 2025, has fallen out of favour at City.

- 90min reports Arsenal are tracking Borussia Monchengladbach's Florian Neuhaus, who is contracted until 2024.

- Sport Witness claims Inter's Joaquin Correa has interest from Premier League trio Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham.

- Ex-Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will take over at Roma next season, with Jose Mourinho tipped to move to Paris Saint-Germain, per Calciomercato.

Christian Eriksen expects Manchester United can battle all the way through the rest of a busy season following his full return from injury.

The Denmark international made his first start since January during Sunday's 2-0 win in the Premier League over Nottingham Forest.

After minutes off the bench against Everton and Sevilla, Eriksen is back to help United contend for further silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League.

But he says it is imperative Erik ten Hag's side do not neglect the league, as they aim to secure Champions League football for next season.

"Every game now until the end is going to be very important," he told MUTV. "Someone is going to drop down, [and] someone's going to go in front.

"So if we stay on the front foot like we are now, we're going to be in a very good position and be safe for the Champions League before the season is done."

A post-EFL Cup wobble looks to be behind United, though they conceded twice late on against Sevilla in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Victory over Forest, particularly with several key stars on the sidelines, emphasised what Eriksen feels to be a strong squad ethos over recent months.

"They've impressed me," he added. "They've kept the intensity, they've kept the level for how they play. The games, everything, even from the outside, has been looking good.

"If you take into account how we started [the season], it's a completely different feeling around the club and also on the pitch. The feeling around the boys is really good."