Stories By Harry De Cosemo

• Sport

  Asensio links a strong reminder of PSG’s past mistakes

  Lionel Messi is going, and so is Sergio Ramos. Neymar is extremely likely to follow them out of the door. Paris Saint-Germain are finally getting the message; their plan to supercharge to the top of European football by amassing the biggest squad of stars in the game hasn’t worked.

• Sport

  Is Pep Guardiola the greatest manager of all time?

  This year, perhaps more than any other, has showcased Pep Guardiola’s coaching qualities. Evidence for that is clear, with his Manchester City side on the brink of the treble. Having already wrapped up a fifth Premier League title in six seasons, only Manchester United and most crucially Inter stand in their way in the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.

• Sport

  Kieran Trippier’s Player of the Year nomination much deserved

  Kieran Trippier has been Newcastle’s on-pitch captain all season, with Jamaal Lascelles, the club skipper, rarely selected. In the pre-match huddle on the pitch, it is his job to make sure the team are ready to fight ahead.

• Sport

  Who Newcastle sell this summer will be important

  Perhaps now, after two games without a win, it is worth noting that Newcastle United are ahead of schedule. This, their first full season under new ownership, was billed as one of consolidation. Whatever happens, it has been much more than that.

• Sport

  Busquets’ absence going to be felt by Barcelona

  Sergio Busquets is one of those players who you would only notice when they are not there. And now Barcelona are going to know what that feels like. This week, the 34-year-old decided to say goodbye to his home of 18 footballing years.

• Sport

  Romeo Lavia’s form for Southampton

  After Southampton’s 3-1 defeat at Newcastle last weekend, Romeo Lavia slumped on the pitch. The Belgian teenager had been one of the Saints’ bright sparks in midfield at St James’ Park, exploiting space and setting their counter-attacking game plan in motion, and he deserved more for his afternoon’s work.

• Sport

  Milan Derby is something to savour

  Nobody saw it coming, but the fact that AC Milan will face Inter in a Champions League semi final should get any football fan excited. The perception will be that, even with three Italian teams in the quarter-finals before Milan knocked Napoli out, that the standard of Serie A is not high enough for this level of the biggest club competition in Europe.

• Sport

  Joe Willock has been a vital part of Newcastle’s improvement

  When is it time to talk about Joe Willock? The Newcastle midfielder has been a vital part of their seemingly unassailable ascent to Champions League qualification, but it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest he hasn’t quite got the credit he deserves.

• Sport

  Sheffield United return to the Premier League with a point to prove

  Sheffield United will return to the Premier League next season, and they’ll be doing so with a huge point to prove. Relegation in 2021 came with a whimper, and it was such a shame. In the previous campaign, their first since 2007, they finished ninth and for long spells looked genuinely in contention for Europe.

• Sport

  Thiago Silva doesn’t get the credit he deserves at Chelsea

  Chelsea’s owners are paying for a scattergun approach since taking over from Roman Abramovich, with £600m spent on players since last summer, and after defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, nothing to show for it.

• Sport

  Jacob Ramsey deserves England call-up

  Aston Villa are in the hunt for Champions League football. After their huge win over Newcastle United, another team who have their eyes in qualification this season, that cannot be denied. Two goals from Ollie Watkins, taking his recent tally to 11 goals in 12 games, made him the story.

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