Premier League news live updates: Today’s press conferences plus build-up to this weekend’s fixtures

Erik ten Hag says that “it is fair” that Manchester United winger Amad receives more playing time.

Despite both Marcus Rashford and Antony having disappointing campaigns, the 21-year-old has only made seven appearances in all competitions this season.

United manager Ten Hag says the Ivory Coast international, who missed the first few months of the season due to a knee injury sustained during pre-season, has to keep fighting to establish himself in his side’s first-team.

He said: “Amad is doing really well. We have a lot of competition in the front line and especially, I know, front players you have to give them trust.

“But they have to prove it and there is coming a certain point that things turn around and go against them. There is always a thin line between giving them trust but yeah there is coming a point where other players will get more chances, that is clear.

“Amad had a very bad injury so for a long period in this season he was out, he wasn’t available. But he returned and needed some time to get back, to get match fit, he needed training and in some areas he needed to catch up.

“It’s fair now he gets his minutes. He has to keep fighting, set his performances in the minutes he gets. Not gets but deserves I think. And from thereon, you get your position in the starting XI.”

Man United are next in action against Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino says everyone at Chelsea has to be judged for the club’s results this season and not just him.

Pochettino has taken most of the blame from supporters for Chelsea’s inconsistent form during 2023-24. His performance will be assessed at the end of the campaign even though he will still have one year left on his contract (plus the option for another 12 months).

Chelsea’s head coach admits he deserves to be assessed for the work he has done with the squad but has highlighted how decisions over signings - the club’s idea to concentrate on youth - was put in place before he took over last summer. Most of the acquisitions were also made ahead of his arrival in July 2023.

When asked about who needs to prove they need to be at the club next season, he replied: “It looks like it’s only me, not the whole organisation, (but) it should be the whole organisation. I think it’s important.

“I signed a contract. I support the decision-making. We signed players. And then it’s creating a new structure here.

“In some parts we (the coaching staff) are not involved. My responsibility is that the team perform. But of course, the club is designing and planning a structure that you need to prove works.

“Because of the results, you can say, yes it’s just him (the manager). But I don’t have the key of the club. I don’t take all the decisions here. That is to be made clear. If you say to me I have the key and this guy is here because it’s my decision, that is one thing. But if this is not my decision you need to judge me and judge him (someone else at the club) in his job, no? Because it’s not my direct responsibility.”

Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have taken over a lot of the recruitment since being hired last season.

Pochettino has already hinted he wants the club to acquire more experienced players in the close season.

Pressed on whether he wants a bigger say in what happens during the window, he added: “I don’t know. That is a thing that we need to talk (about). We will see. Still we need to finish the season and like I said before, I am open. We love to be here. We are so happy. But of course, we are open to helping the club in any way that they want."

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old centre-back has turned down Fulham’s latest proposal and has informed the club he will not be renewing terms.

The former Manchester City defender had previously rejected a new deal last season, and was the subject of two bids from Monaco last summer.

Full story below

Leicester City have been promoted to the Premier League after Leeds United’s 4-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

Goals from Ilias Chair, Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes, and Sam Field secured an important victory for QPR at Loftus Road which sees the London side ensure their status in the Championship for next season.

Leeds, who have one league game left to play, can not mathematically catch league leaders Leicester.

Leicester, then-managed by Dean Smith, were relegated to the Championship in 2023. They hired former Manchester City assistant coach Enzo Maresca in June 2023, whose side have scored 86 goals in the Championship this season, the most in the division.

Leeds’ defeat also provides a boost for promotion-chasing Ipswich Town, who are one point behind Leeds in third place.

Find out how Leicester got promoted below

Liverpool and Feyenoord have agreed a compensation package that will allow Arne Slot to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield.

The 45-year-old Dutchman is now free to join Liverpool in the summer after the conclusion to Feyenoord’s Eredivisie campaign.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that Liverpool had an opening offer of €9million (£7.7m, $9.6m) rejected by Feyenoord but the two parties have now reached an agreement.

Full story below

Fresh off their dramatic El Clasico victory over Barcelona last Sunday, Real Madrid are back in action.

Carlo Ancelotti's side face face sixth-place Real Sociedad tonight.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dani Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Arda Guler, and Joselu have all been named in the starting XI.

Will Real Madrid take another step towards re-claiming La Liga tonight?

Real Madrid starting XI in full: Kepa, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Garcia, Guler, Tchouameni, Modric, Ceballos, Brahim, Joselu.

It's been a fun day! Thanks for your company and I hope you're suitably excited about the football ahead this weekend.

Make sure you keep us close by - we'll keep you in the loop with everything you need to know as the action plays out.

I owe you a quiz answer. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has scored in each of his last six Premier League home games - so who are the only two players to have gone on longer Premier League runs for the club ❓

• Andrew Cole (8 in 1993-94)
• Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97)

You may well have got those. I'm not sure they were that hard. Well done it you did - you win our eternal respect.

I'll sign-off now for the night but make sure you keep this page feed or bookmarked, as my lovely news colleagues will continue to bring you the big stories and developments through the rest of Friday. Enjoy.

It could be a big evening for Leicester City - and they're not even playing.

The EFL Championship leaders will be watching on as Leeds United head to relegation-threatened QPR. If Leeds lose, Leicester's return to the Premier League at the first attempt will be confirmed with two games to spare.

And if Leeds win, they will take a sizeable step towards their own automatic promotion.

The game kicks off at Loftus Road at 8pm BST and is live on Sky Sports (or ESPN+ in the U.S.).

It could be a significant weekend for Nottingham Forest, who hover above the relegation zone and host Manchester City on Sunday after everyone else has played.

Likewise, defeat for Sheffield United at Newcastle tomorrow will confirm their EFL Championship return.

Right then, let's remind you of the state of play ahead of the weekend's Premier League games. Here are the fixtures (all times UK BST):

Tomorrow

• West Ham vs Liverpool (12.30pm)
• Fulham vs Crystal Palace (3pm)
• Manchester Utd vs Burnley (3pm)
• Newcastle vs Sheffield Utd (3pm)
• Wolves vs Luton (3pm)
• Everton vs Brentford (5.30pm)
• Aston Villa vs Chelsea (8pm)

Sunday

• Bournemouth vs Brighton (2pm)
• Tottenham vs Arsenal (2pm)
• Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (4.30pm)

Next up, let's bring you the table.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has chirped up today, to criticise FIFA for a lack of consultation over their revamped Club World Cup format.

FIFA’s expanded 32-team tournament kicks off in the U.S. next summer. Here's Masters, speaking at the European Leagues general assembly in London:

💬 “There is a chasm between the consultation with leagues between UEFA and FIFA, where there is none.

“The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played…if you pour more liquid into the cup that’s already full, it will overflow. That’s what’s happening at the moment, not just in terms of the calendar but the players’ abilities to perform at their best.

“So it stands to reason if you overload the calendar and overload the players, at some point something’s got to give.”

There were other issues brought up, including Premier League matches being played abroad (not on the agenda apparently) and the those 115 outstanding charges against Manchester City (possibly heard from the autumn).

But to get a fuller picture, read the dispatches from our reporter Tom Burrows below.

There's been plenty of speculation this week about West Ham talking to managers over their potential vacancy this summer - but while David Moyes is due out of contract, a decision on his departure is yet to be reached.

So what did he say about the subject at his press conference today? Good question - and here is the answer:

💬 “Look, the important thing is things would need to be right between me and the club. If we get that right then we’ll see what happens, but it would be at the end of the season.

“It’s not as if I’ve changed track in any way, we’ve always said a decision will be made at the end of the season.

“As far as I’m concerned that will still be the decision after the final game against Manchester City. It’s what me and the board are happy to do.”

West Ham host Liverpool tomorrow lunchtime to kick off the Premier League weekend.

You can read more from Moyes via our Hammers correspondent Roshane Thomas with the link below.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling will miss his side’s trip to Aston Villa tomorrow due to lower back pain.

The 30-year-old’s back injury is impacting his movement and mobility, and requires rest to take the pressure off it. His condition is being assessed by the medical team but the injury has been described as a “minor strain”.

The forward has not been ruled out of the London derby against Tottenham on May 6 but will be assessed over the days leading up to the fixture.

Sterling, who has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season, has not started a Premier League game since Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle on March 11.

He came off the bench during his side’s 5-0 defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Get your earphones out. It’s matchday 35 in the Premier League on the way with a huge north London derby as Arsenal go to Tottenham, aiming to stay on top in the title race.

The excellent Adam Leventhal hosts this week's Weekend Preview from The Athletic FC Podcast with Tim Spiers, Charlie Eccleshare and Jay Harris all wonderful company, providing all the chat you need ahead of the weekend's football.

Have a listen and enjoy on your podcast player of choice, with the link right here.