Here are the latest Premier League headlines for Wednesday, April 27.
Tuchel's Chelsea vow
Thomas Tuchel has insisted he will put a competitive Chelsea team on the pitch next season irrespective of the Blues' constraints over the club's sale. Toni Rudiger will leave Chelsea this summer, with Real Madrid poised to confirm the Germany defender's switch.
The 29-year-old will quit Stamford Bridge on a free transfer alongside fellow defender Andreas Christensen, who is on the move to Barcelona. Chelsea have lost clear ground on their rivals over recruitment for next season, but still hope to pull off deals for the likes of long-term target Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
The Blues need two centre-backs for next term and ideally a talismanic leader to replace Rudiger, with Tuchel refusing to pull any punches on the impact of the 50-cap Germany star's departure. But asked if he will field a competitive team next term whatever happens this summer, Tuchel replied: "Yes, yeah. And it's my job, and in the end it's my job. No matter how the situation will be solved and when it will be solved, and how things will be settled in the end, and how active we can be on the transfer market.
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"Can we react, and in which frame we can react, at the end we will dig in and we will try to squeeze out everything of the squad that we have. And hopefully, and I know myself, I will again fall in love with a squad that I have then, and try to push the squad to the limit. It has been a pleasure every single day with Toni, and I'm a bit concerned that we talk too much in the past about it.
"Because there are still things we have not reached all our goals for the season, so there are still things to achieve, big things, and he is still a big part of this club and we demand still 100 per cent of him. And this is where the focus is, and from pre-season next season, life will go on, whether we like it or not, if we are happy about it or not. And from pre-season next season we will give our very best, and I will be fully involved with all my heart and all my knowledge, sure."
Rangnick Champions League admission
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick knows Champions League qualification is unrealistic as Manchester United prepare to take on Chelsea without a swathe of key players. Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho have joined the Red Devils' lengthy list of absentees for Thursday's rearranged Premier League clash with Thomas Tuchel's Blues.
There is talk of further protests as Man United return to Old Trafford wounded by back-to-back away losses at Liverpool and Arsenal, which have all but ended any faint hopes of reaching the Champions League.
"I don't think it makes sense now to still speak and speculate about the Champions League," Rangnick said. "We need to be realistic. Even if we win all four games, it's still not in our own hands. But what is in our own hands is the way that we play, the level of performance. Even for the next season it's important to finish this season on the best possible note."
Big blow for Tino
Southampton have confirmed defender Tino Livramento is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of 2022 after suffering an ACL injury. England Under-21 full-back Livramento received oxygen and was carried off on a stretcher after collapsing to the ground during the first half of Sunday's 2-2 Premier League draw at Brighton.
Former Chelsea academy player Livramento twisted awkwardly while attempting to challenge Seagulls midfielder Enock Mwepu. Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl described the injury as appearing "very, very serious," with subsequent scans of the player's left knee confirming surgery would be needed.
A club statement read: "Southampton can regrettably confirm that Tino Livramento has suffered an ACL injury and is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the year. The 19-year-old full-back sustained the injury during the first half of Sunday's Premier League visit to Brighton, with a subsequent scan on his left knee revealing the extent of the problem.
"Livramento, who had been enjoying an impressive debut season following last summer's move from Chelsea, making 32 appearances for the first-team, will now undergo surgery before beginning rehab. Although there is no definitive timescale on his return, it is likely he will be unavailable for the remainder of 2022. Everyone at the club sends their very best wishes to Tino and will be doing everything to support him throughout each step of his recovery."
Vardy back for Leicester
Jamie Vardy could start for Leicester in their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Roma. The striker is back after a knee injury, although boss Brendan Rodgers remains unsure if he can play the full game.
Jonny Evans should return after being rested for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and Boubakary Soumare is available again but Nampalys Mendy is ineligible.
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