All the key lines from Friday's press conferences

See the key quotes from Friday's press conferences as managers preview Matchweek 3 and talk about Transfer Deadline Day. 

Arne Slot (Liverpool)

On signing attacker Federico Chiesa and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili: “We are happy with the ones we signed because I said many times that it’s difficult for us to make the team even stronger because we already have a very strong team. And if we then find them, of course we are very happy with that. Chiesa is someone who can help us for the short term and Mamardashvili is, I think, one of the examples where this club did in the past very good that they look also at the long-term future of the club – and that’s why we signed him."

On Chiesa: “I’m excited. He works really hard on and off the pitch to try to get the best out of him, and he combines this with scoring goals and, like I said, [being] really aggressive without the ball – those are already two characteristics with him. With him [able to play] so many positions – on the right, on the left and maybe even in the middle – it makes him an interesting signing for us. Although we should take care of him in the beginning because he didn’t train with the team in the last two weeks – but before he did. [He] hasn’t played many game minutes yet but we have a very good performance staff, so we will build him up in the right way and then hopefully we can see his quality in the near future.”

On if Chiesa will play at Man Utd on Sunday: “He’s going to train with us today. There’s a bigger chance that he’s not in the squad on Sunday than he is. But if injuries come up, we might need him. But I don’t expect him to be in.”

On Man Utd match: “If you’re starting to work at Liverpool, everybody knows, every player that comes in knows and every manager that comes in knows how important the game against United is. It’s similar to when you work at Feyenoord, how big the game against Ajax is. The good thing for me is it might be my first time that I go there with Liverpool – it is going to be my second time over there – but many of these players have played there before, so I don’t think I have to prepare them for these 75,000 [hostile fans]. They are used to this. I have to prepare them in the best possible way for what they can expect because United play, in my opinion, a bit different than the last two seasons.”

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Erik ten Hag (Man Utd)

On whether Jadon Sancho will remain at Man Utd: “As I know, yes. He is in our squad and we are happy with him. We need a good squad, we need depth. We have to play many games until January. After the break we play every third day so we need options.”

On Scott McTominay’s departure to Napoli: “It’s a little bit mixed. I’m very happy for him. It’s also for us mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him because he is Man Utd in every way. He was so important for our team, he was at Manchester United for over 22 years. But unfortunately, it’s the rules. You have to discuss the rules to do sells and obviously homegrown players, academy players, bring more value. It’s not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it’s a good deal. For Scott, he is happy with it. Of course, for Napoli, a very good player but also for us.”

On when forward Rasmus Hojlund will return to action: “After the international break, but when after the break? We will see how it develops during the break to get him match fit. It will take a while before he is up. He has to build some fitness.”

On building a team for the future: “I knew this was the most difficult job I would ever do in life, come into a club with a lot of problems I had to sort. We inherited a history – six years, no trophies – that meant the qualities were not right. We had to build and construct and bring up to a higher level. We did that with transfers and also bringing academy players into the team. We are in a cycle from the start – we have young players and have to make a team from it. Now we have to make a team for the future.”

Pep Guardiola (Man City)

On team news to face West Ham on Saturday: “Rodri is much better, [Mateo] Kovacic as well, but Phil [Foden] still doesn’t feel good. The rest are ok.” 

On Man City's squad and not replacing Julian Alvarez: “I am happy with the squad. Of course, if we have many injuries it could be a problem. But hopefully in two, three months, we will have Oscar [Bobb] back. And we can have Phil [Foden] in that position, [James] McAtee can play in that position, [Ilkay] Gundogan can play in that position. These are different types of players to Erling [Haaland], of course. Maybe it is a mistake, I don’t know. But I like to work with not a long, long squad. I don’t like to leave a lot of players without playing for a long time. If we have a long squad with no injuries, that could be 10 months without playing and I don’t like it. In winter we have another chance, so if I am not convinced then it is better not to take that step.”

On Kyle Walker, who is yet to feature for City this season: “He will be back to his best and it will be soon. Always, he’s an incredible weapon for the national team to use because he has specific qualities. He was late back and arrived with a few niggles, and Rico [Lewis] was playing well after the pre-season, the rhythm is higher so that is why he is in the position. But there are many, many games in the national team and with his desire, he is going to come back.”

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Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)

On injury to new signing Mikel Merino: “Very unfortunate. Yesterday he had a collision and he has a shoulder injury. It looks like he’s going to be out for a few weeks. He was really excited and everything was looking really good. He landed on the floor and Gabi [Magalhaes] landed on top of him. It looks like he has a small fracture, probably.”

On reported interest in Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling: “You know that I cannot talk about another player.”

On potentially signing Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto to replace Aaron Ramsdale: “It’s clear that we have lost Karl [Hein] and Aaron so we have to replace them both.”

On Ramsdale’s departure to Southampton: “First of all, thank you so much for what he’s done for the club, for the team and for myself. When he joined he brought a lot of joy, charisma and energy, and he was really good at that time. But then things developed. He had a situation where he was insisting a lot that he was happiest when he plays. We have tried to fulfil that desire that he had. He looked really excited and happy the other day. He’s joining a great club and a great coach, he looks really excited so I think we are all happy for him.”

Ange Postecoglou (Spurs)

On player fitness for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle United: “Rodrigo [Bentancur] is all good. He’s passed all the protocols we need to [after concussion], and more importantly he feels really good and the medical team are really comfortable with him being available for Sunday. Dom [Solanke] is close, but we’re going to be a bit cautious with him. We’ve got a big programme post the international break, so he’ll miss out on Sunday. The only other one we got midweek is Richarlison, who unfortunately picked up an injury in training, so he’ll probably miss the next few weeks.”

On summer transfers: “It’s been another positive window. You want to go into every window and come out the other side of it in a stronger sense and I certainly feel that. The players we’ve brought in are already making a short-term impact and even in the longer term, I think they’re going to be really good contributors for us. I certainly think we’ve got a more well-rounded squad to deal with Europe, the extra games and whatever injuries we have. So yeah, I think it’s been a real positive window. We needed to do some fairly major work 12 months ago and since then we’ve gone a long way to getting the team to where we want to. There’s still more work to be done.”

On whether he will get Oasis tickets: “Yeah, I’ll be queuing up mate. No, Great band, great music!" 

Eddie Howe (Newcastle)

On his squad: “We have a good squad and we like all of the players we have in our squad, but there is a feeling, of course, that there are a few areas of the squad that we felt we needed to strengthen. I think we will carry those emotions, depending on what happens, into the last few hours [of the transfer window].”

On whether the club have “failed” by struggling to bring in new players this summer: “I’m not going to sit here and say it’s been a brilliant transfer window for us. I think everyone will look at me and think, ‘I’m not sure he’s telling the truth there’. I do try as far as I can to tell the truth. But it’s not been through the want of trying from anybody’s perspective and I think for me to sit here and say that would be totally wrong as well. Everyone has tried really, really hard to improve the squad to make sure we’ve got a chance of success.”

On fan frustration: “I understand it and I share it. That’s why I say we are all in this together. From ownership to me to the supporters we need one united cause and the cause has to be against everybody else that we are playing. What we can’t do as a football club is tear ourselves apart, we have to be united now more than ever. That starts from me to the board to the supporters. However challenging the conditions, whatever the frustrations people will feel, the biggest thing for me is to get behind the players in every way, then of course for the supporters, as they have done from day one, is to do the same. I think we are a formidable force when we are linked together and are strong and united."

On wanting to win the Premier League within “five to 10 years” of club's 2021 takeover: “I don’t think the dream dies, necessarily, but I think it takes a lot longer. We’ve got to build our revenue streams, that is the biggest thing. We’ve got to bring more money into the football club however we do that, through player sales, through sponsorship, through loads of various things. That’s the big thing that we need to focus on now for the next, probably, 10 years. Whether I’m lucky enough to see any of that, who knows? But the dream is not over, it’s just going to take a lot, lot longer.”

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Unai Emery (Aston Villa)

On whether he is pleased with Villa’s summer dealings: “Yes, very happy because we did what we planned at the beginning, and the squad we have now with some important players, like [Tyrone] Mings and [Boubacar] Kamara, [Emiliano] Buendia, they are coming back progressively. Not yet Kamara and Mings, but they are important players. Last year Jacob Ramsey didn’t play consistently but hopefully he will be this season at the level he was previously showing us. I am very happy.”

On when Ollie Watkins will return to his best: “Some players were playing until the last moment in international competitions with their national teams and had less holiday than others, especially him. He was coming back with a small injury and wasn’t 100% when he started training with us. He needed one week resting more after he came back. Now, after playing two matches, I think he’s going to feel better and better, and be comfortable remembering how we want to get his best performances. He played good, not brilliant, last week. He did the job we are always demanding of him. We want his goals as well and he had two good chances. He is coming back progressively and he’s going to help us.”

Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)

On Marc Guehi’s future: “I can confirm [he will remain a Palace player]. It was never really in doubt. Congrats to Crystal Palace, to the chairman, to the owners that they didn’t give in. Especially after the transfer of Joachim Andersen it was very important that Marc stays. Also thank you to Marc. We always were close and talking a lot. All of the rumours didn’t influence his performance, mood, his professionalism. He always told me he is not pushing to leave Crystal Palace and for me that is the most important thing.”

On the mood at the club: “When I compare when I arrived here in February, the mood of the team and the club, with the mood now, it’s completely two different levels. Maybe we lost some players that we didn’t want to lose but that’s part of football. We were well prepared. Maybe you could be critical with us that decisions could have been taken earlier, but it is what it is. Sometimes in football things happen that you wish don’t happen or wish happen earlier. We couldn’t influence the rumours about Marc for example. It didn’t influence us, the relationship between us and Marc, and him and his teammates.”

Russell Martin (Southampton)

On signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale: “It will be a huge signing for us. He’s hungry to become England’s number one again and he wants to be here. If you had asked me four or five weeks ago if we had a chance of signing him, I would have thought you were crazy. We’ve spoken a fair bit over that period of time. I’ve pestered him a little bit. Even a week ago I would have thought it wasn’t achievable but it’s worth trying. He’s seen the way we’ve played in the first couple of games and I think he admires the courage of the players. I think he knows he has a chance to express himself. He brings a big character and a big voice, which is something [we don't have]. We’re quite a quiet group because we’re a young group. I think he’s going to be great. Some of the guys might be surprised that he’s coming. It will give everyone a lift.”

Oh what Ramsdale’s arrival means for Alex McCarthy: “Alex has been amazing for us. If he hadn't come into the team and did what he did we wouldn’t have been promoted. Without Alex we are not in the Premier League. I will be forever grateful to Alex. He has been great this season. People will talk about the mistake at Newcastle but he was brilliant on Saturday. While I am really happy Aaron is coming in and excited about the group we have, I really feel for Alex. It is a really tough part of football. Someone is always going to be upset and unhappy. I have no doubt Alex will be a brilliant teammate. If Aaron comes in the building, he knows we have someone we really trust breathing down his neck.”

On the prospect of facing a Brentford side without Ivan Toney on Saturday: “He [Toney] is a really fantastic player, he has done brilliantly for them. I don’t know what it changes in their group, but we have prepared for life with him and without him on the pitch. The lads just need to be ready for whatever is coming. They have lots of threats. They have some real power and pace at the top of the pitch. They work really hard and they are evolving all the time. The way they do things is really engrained in that club and it runs throughout. It’s going to be an interesting challenge for us.”

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Andoni Iraola (AFC Bournemouth)

On Bournemouth’s transfer business: “I’m happy with the players we have. Obviously, as a manager you want the best players possible, but I think we have very good players. The level of competition has grown a lot and everyone has improved.”

On goalkeeper Neto’s potential departure following the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga: “If it happens I think it would be a very good option for him and we’re in a really good place with Kepa. [Mark] Travers is staying as well. The main idea of the club is to have three keepers.”

On Bournemouth’s two Premier League draws: “I really liked the two games we’ve played. It’s true that the reward has been very little considering the performances. I see players in a good moment. For sure, we need to improve because the games are decided in the boxes and we need to take our chances, but I like the way the team is playing.”

Gary O'Neil (Wolves)

On signing goalkeeper Sam Johnstone: “I’m really pleased. It’s a good signing. It gives us real good competition in that area of the pitch with Dan [Bentley] and Jose [Sa], who have played games with us this season already. Sam adds quality and experience to that group. He’ll be in the squad tomorrow, everything’s been done in time and he’s ready to go."

On the impact that Johnstone will have on Jose Sa’s future: “From my point of view, Jose will stay and fight out for a shirt that’s been his for a long time. But, of course, the player has his own views and wishes. Our window shuts today, and the Saudi window Monday, but It would be foolish of me to speak for players. But, in this moment, I believe Jose is keen to stay and fight.”

On looking to sign midfielder Andre from Fluminense: “It’s close. I think everything has gone fine but there’s a few boxes to tick. But I don’t see any problems occurring. The midfield is a very strong area of the pitch for us already with Joao [Gomes], Mario [Lemina] and Tommy [Doyle]. Andre is an excellent talent that will add to the group, and it will fall on me to find a structure to fit them all in.”

Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town)

On looking to sign Chelsea forward Armando Broja: “There’s been discussions with Armando, that’s not a secret. It’s not a secret that he’s got an injury issue. The clubs are ongoing with discussions. It has to be the right thing for all parties. It has to be the right thing for us – that he can come and have a positive impact at a point in the season. It has to be the right thing for Armando, as it’s a very important moment for his young career, and the right decision for Chelsea. So those parties are continuing to discuss.”

On Ipswich’s summer dealings: “We’ve done some really good business. We knew it was a big, big window for us – it always is for a newly promoted team. For a team coming from our position, with the trajectory we’ve had as a football club. Everyone was of the same mindset that it was really important to strengthen as much as we could. It’s been a really challenging window and I think we’ve got into a good position. Not everything goes your way, but everyone has worked really hard to give us a squad that gives us a chance to be competitive this year.”