FootyChatter.com

Premier League news conferences taking place with top flight returning on Friday after a three week break Mikel Arteta speaking on title race & Eze and Hincapie's fitness De Zerbi says 'I am not better than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor' but says 'I am more positive for sure' about staying up Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior says midfielder Enzo Fernandez has apologised after comments about his future but remains banned for Sunday Latest from Eddie Howe and Arne Slot on their futures, recap Pep Guardiola's news conference and his stance on Bernardo Silva Team news: Vicario & Bentancur | Dias, Stones, Kovacic & Gvardiol | Guimaraes out, Schar, Miley & Tonali latest | Alisson remains out, Isak available | Brighton | Kluivert and Cook Written by Craig Nelson, Flora Snelson, Mel Edwards, Ben Ramsdale & Tasnim Chowdhury. Arsenal v Bournemouth (Sat, 12: 30 BST) Bournemouth Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on the availability of players for Arsenal: "The only injured players we have are Kluivert and Cook. Lewis Cook is taking more time than expected and he is not there. "Everyone else is kind of available. There are some cases - like Soler, he's not ready to play a lot of minutes but he is at least training with the group. He's kind of recovered. Everyone else is ready, Adams, Doak, they've used the break to put themselves in contention. "We're in a good place. I have difficult decisions to make as there will be more than 20 ready to travel. " Arsenal v Bournemouth (Sat, 12: 30 BST) Bournemouth Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on how he and his team have used the extended break: "It has been strange. It's the first time I think during the season that we've had three weeks without a game. It's given us the chance to work with some of the players - half were with national teams. "It has been especially good for some players - like Soler, Adams, Doak - who have finished this period with the team, in a good place, to be available again. "For some of them, they've had some days off. It's always risky. We did an in-house friendly, because you don't want a lot of time between games. We tried to simulate a game, we'll see if we are ready. We should be fresh, we should definitely be motivated because we are facing Arsenal away in a big game. " Arsenal v Bournemouth (Sat, 12: 30 BST) Bournemouth Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on whether he had any conversations over the league break about his contract: "We spoke but I'm sorry I don't have news for you today. There is no changes on that side but obviously we spoke, yes. " Slightly later than billed then, here's Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola who began his news conference giving an update (ish. .. ) on his contract situation with the club. Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City The majority of Pep Guardiola's news conference was taken up with questions about Bernardo Silva, as the Manchester City manager offered a slightly different line than recent reports the Portugal midfielder was on his way out of the club: Click 'Get Involved' to have your say Yes Paul (12: 31), "permanently on a down" like the same Wolves and Burnley that have both been in the Europa League in the last 10 years, and West Ham and Spurs both European trophy winners. Try being stuck in the EFL. J, awaiting reply from non-league fan Click 'Get Involved' at the top of the page to have your say It's going to be hard to replace Bernardo's engine. I've seen people say they hate him, or that he's a rat. And in many ways that's the best compliment you could give him. If only Manchester was a bit more sunny, I'd say keep him forever. Harry, Manchester Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City A final word from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was asked if he believes Bernardo Silva is underrated: "He is not the tallest one, the most muscular one, or score 50 goals or make 50 assists a season. These are the type of players that are spotlighted and everyone talks about. From nine years, I know him quite well and for what a manager requires. "All managers would say how much they love him because he is incredibly competitive, has a fire inside him always. In the toughest moments and on the biggest stages, he is always there. "I have said many times, in the big games it is not about playing good or bad, it is about being yourself and being not afraid. We have had this since day one when he arrived from Monaco. "He has been an incredible signing for us, incredible. I love this club and I would love if he could stay and finish his career here but I do not know. He will decide what he will decide. It is his decision. "He has been an incredible signing with the numbers, minutes, titles. I judge players when everything is difficult and he always steps up and says he is here to help. " Chelsea v Man city (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Pep Guardiola went on to speak extensively about Bernardo Silva, saying that he would love for the Portugal midfielder to stay at Manchester City and see out the remainder of his career with the club - but added that decision was up to the player. More to follow. Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Bernardo Silva and whether or not he can confirm the Portugal midfielder will leave the club this summer: "I do not know, I am so grumpy with Bernardo. A month ago I said I had to be the first for him to tell me and he didn't say anything to me yet. I do not know if he has already decided. I said jokingly to him to tell me, I deserve it, but he didn't tell me. I do not know what is going on. " On what has made Silva so special: "He is really good in all departments. He plays a lot of games. Nine years we have been together and no injuries. He can play in different positions, he is so smart and reads every moment that the action and game requires. When you play a lot of games, it gives us a lot of trust and confidence how he is going to perform. Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about Arsenal playing before his side this weekend: "We have to win every single game. " Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on his side usually having a strong end to the season: "Hopefully we can get a lot of points. The situation we are in in the Premier League, we need to get all of them otherwise it will not give us a chance to try until the end. "We need to get a lot of points. We have not been consistent enough in the season. We have dropped points that we should have taken which is why we are now in the position where we cannot do it differently. " On April and whether he feels more excited at this time of the year: "No. I have a lot of yellow cards, that means how excited I am. Not just for April but during the season I have had good energy and still have good energy. " Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola started with team news and was first asked about Ruben Dias: "He is getting better but he is not ready for Sunday. " On John Stones: "He will maybe do partial training today. " On Mateo Kovacic: "He is fine. " On Josko Gvardiol: "He is getting better too but still he is not close. " Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Pep Guardiola said he has still not heard from Bernando Silva about his plans for next season, despite reports that the Portugal midfielder would leave Etihad Stadium when his contract ends in the summer. The Manchester City boss said Silva should be the one to confirm his plans, and had not spoken to him about it. More to follow. Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has had good energy this season - pointing to his tally of yellow cards as proof. He added that his team now has to win every single game as they aim for a seventh Premier League title under him. More to follow. Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is in the hotseat. He started with an injury update, saying Ruben Dias is getting better but not ready for Sunday. John Stones is doing "partial training". Mateo Kovacic is back in full training. More to follow. Craig Nelson BBC Sport reporter Anyone care to add to Paul's list of difficult clubs to support? We all have our hard luck stories. .. some more than others. Use the 'Get Involved' button to vent. .. Click 'Get Involved' to have your say Paul: @Joan, Bradford might want to try supporting Wolves, Spurs, West Ham or Burnley and understand what “permanently on a down” actually looks like! Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City winning a ninth Premier League title could mean even more to captain Bernardo Silva, who's expected to leave the club in the summer. The 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and has been linked with La Liga leaders Barcelona, Serie A side Juventus and clubs in the United States. City's assistant manager Pep Lijnders hinted that Silva's nine-year spell at the club coming to an end following their 4-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool last weekend. "You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don't exist, " Lijnders said. "Bernardo Silva is unique. The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things. "But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he is not playing you will see how he is missed - and that's one game. Imagine a season. "But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months - there are only six weeks - and has a good farewell. "He deserves all that attention as well. " Chelsea v Man City (Sun, 16: 30 BST) Manchester City Manchester City are breathing down the necks of league leaders Arsenal - but is this a make-or-break weekend for Pep Guardiola's chasers? City remain nine points behind Mikel Arteta's side but they do have a game in hand and host the Gunners at Etihad Stadium next weekend. But first, they must take down Chelsea. The Blues haven't beaten City since 2021 - when Thomas Tuchel's men won Chelsea's second Champions League title - but as they compete in a race of their own for a UCL spot, is it time for them to break that duck? Last Updated 8th April 2026 at 09: 21 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.