Manchester United target won’t be leaving, according to club

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Jan 13, 2014

According to the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, the club belongs to him and he is likely to stay there for a long-time.

The self-proclaimed special one returned to Stamford Bridge this Summer after spells with Inter Milan and Real Madrid, which followed his first stint in West London, where he went on to become a club legend.

Now in his second stint at the club, Mourinho is adamant that he is there to stay and he is confident that he is the perfect suit for Roman Abramovich’s club.

‘I’m here to stay. I belong to Chelsea, Chelsea belong to me.’

‘More than one year ago, even before I decided to stay in Madrid for one or two more years, our decision was made,’ he admitted. ‘We wanted to go to England next because we feel it’s the best for all four, as a family and me as a professional.

He added: ‘My wife just loves the city to live in. We kept our house from last time and, although we tried to hide it, we came lots of times.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Inter Milan concede that Fredy Guarin could be leaving

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Jan 13, 2014

The Colombia international midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea for some time.

They are not the only side to have expressed an interest in the 27-year-old’s services, but are believed to be the ones leading the chase.

No announcement of an official approach from Stamford Bridge has been made, but Thohir says Guarin’s head has been turned and concedes that he may soon be heading for the exits.

He told Indonesian site Liputan6.com: “Guarin is an excellent player and we’d like to keep him, but when there are offers from big clubs you need to take it into consideration.

“We can’t force him to stay if his heart isn’t in the club.”

Thohir is eager to rebuild Inter and their fortunes, but he has conceded that they will need to sell in January before recruiting – suggesting that they may look to cash-in on Guarin.

He told Republika Online: “The January window comprises of a series of opportunities in the market.

“Fans should not expect bombs but, if we have our chances, we will do something interesting.

“In any case, we have to sell before making any purchase.

“Our project is clear, there is no doubt about this. We want to build a healthy club, competitive in the industry, so this year we are going through a state of transition.

“This is not year zero, this is the last year of a fantastic era. Starting next season we will begin a new era.”

Written by Steve Milne

Jose Mourinho dismisses suggestions of Chelsea move for striker

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Jan 13, 2014

The Blues have been linked with a number of players already this month, including their former midfielder Nemanja Matic, who left Stamford Bridge as part of the deal that brought David Luiz to west London.

However, Mourinho insists any incomings will not include a striker as he has faith in Fernando Torres to continue his good recent form, with the Spain international having scored in two successive games.

“Fernando is calm. He knows we are not going into the market now,” said Mourinho.

“In the summer, normally a club like Chelsea is always trying to improve and get new players but he knows that we like him and support him and he knows there is no problem.

“Everyone needs strikers to score goals; the strikers are the goalscorers.

“If you have players in other positions who can score an important number of goals – better. If you have a Frank Lampard – better. If you have Eden Hazard – better. But the strikers are the ones that normally score the goals.”

There has been much speculation about the future of Mata, who has failed to win a regular starting place under Mourinho.

The Spanish midfielder has won Chelsea’s player of the year award for the last two seasons but has found himself consigned largely to the bench this campaign.

However, Mourinho says both Mata and summer signing Andre Schurrle, who has also spent more time on the bench than in the team this season, will not be sold.

“The others (Oscar, Willian, Eden Hazard), they are playing very well and the team is playing very well,” Mourinho added.

“But we need other players. If the game goes on being 0-0 then Mata is coming into the game as he is a fantastic player. But the game went into another direction, we scored and then after that my brain worked in another way.

“But we need them. We need Mata, we need (Andre) Schurrle, we need these players as we cannot do it with three.

“Maybe in February maybe some are not in the best form and Juan is coming at the top of his game.”

Written by Steve Milne

United’s Adnan Januzaj praised by David Moyes

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Jan 13, 2014

Moyes helped to put Rooney on the path to superstardom during his days at Everton, with a precociously-gifted teenage talent unleased on the world after learning his trade in the Goodison Park academy ranks.

The pair have been reunited at Old Trafford, but it is Januzaj who is now causing a stir after bursting onto the senior stage.

Still only 18 years of age, the tricky winger has fast become an important cog in the United machine – with great expectations being placed on his young shoulders.

Moyes believes Januzaj has the ability to follow in Rooney’s footsteps and become a global star, but insists he will continue to favour a cautious approach when it comes to his ogoing development.

The Scot said after seeing Januzaj put in another eye-catching display against Swansea City on Saturday: “Adnan is in Wayne’s category. He’s in that territory, definitely, because of his ability.

“But he’s slightly different. He’s a really calm boy, he looks after himself in a great way. His father has really helped him a lot and because of that he’s steeped in football. He works and he lives for it.

“He practices every day and has that little bit of arrogance all top players have in their own way. They want to do something special. They want to take a player on. They want to try something.

“I’d known a bit about him, he had been mentioned to me, but I didn’t know enough about him.

“But the minute we got him away with us in pre-season we knew right away there was something there. He can play off the left, he can play off the right. He’s a No. 10 and he’s played centre-forward. He’s that talented a player.

“We want to try and get him on the ball. But we don’t want to play him too much because of his age.”

Written by Steve Milne

Norwich sign Gutierrez

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Ben Reardon

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Jan 13, 2014

Norwich City have officially signed Newcastle United winger Jonas Gutierrez on loan until the end of the season, after the Newcastle winger stated that he will leave the North East Club.

He revealed on his official Twitter account that he would be leaving Newcastle after a five year stay.

Hughton is keen to strengthen his relegation-threatened team in this month’s transfer window, and he believes Gutierrez, a key figure at United during his tenure at the club, can bring experience and energy to Carrow Road’s midfield.

The winger joined Newcastle in 2008 from Spanish side Real Mallorca, and enjoyed a five year stay on Tyneside, as he helped Newcastle win promotion back up the the Premier League in 2010, then onto Europe in the 2011/12 campaign.

In response to a question from a fan, he tweeted: “It was an honour and a pleasure to play with the newcastle shirt and to have the support of the Geordie.”

Gutierrez made a second post wishing his team-mates good luck after being inundated with messages from supporters.

He tweeted: “thanks for the messages. I enjoy my 5 years at the club, I hope the club finish the highest this season and the best to my team mates.”

Gutierrez has made 195 appearances, and scored 11 goals, for Newcastle, during an impressive spell, were he became a real fan favourite.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Man United’s veteran defender Vidic to be offered cracker of a deal

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Jan 13, 2014

The Manchester United central defender is out of contract in the summer and is free to discuss an end-of-season Bosman transfer with foreign clubs.

And the cash-rich Turkish giants will make an early move to sign the Serbian before the end of the week as they look to add to their growing contingent of global stars.

Following talks at the Manchester Piccadilly Hilton Hotel last week, Sportsmail has learned London-based deal-fixer Muzzi Ozcan is due to fly to Istanbul at the end of the week to discuss the deal with Galatasaray chiefs ahead of a formal offer to join next season.

Ozcan helped broker former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini’s move to the Turkish capital, and has also been involved in Galatasary’s attempts to land Chelsea captain John Terry.

Vidic currently earns 90,000-per-week, but the 32-year-old knows he could net considerably more at Galatasaray.

The Turkish giants enquired about the possibility of signing Vidic this month, but United have blocked their attempts – but that will not stop Mancini in trying to land the defender.

The financial details of Galatasary’s offer to Vidic will become clearer after this week’s discussions, but it is understood the offer will be in the region of £3million, including up to £415,000 worth of bonuses, per season after tax.

The Turkish giants have already shown they are willing to pay top money to lure the planet’s most recognised stars to the Turk Telekom Arena.

Wesley Sneijder earns a salary of £5.4million after tax, while Didier Drogba takes home £3.3million a year.

Written by Steve Milne

Rodgers insists Liverpool will muscle in on title race

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Jan 13, 2014

Brendan Rodgers hailed a ‘fantastic’ performance after Liverpool’s SAS tore Stoke City to pieces and warned the Premier League that his club are serious title contenders.

Inspired by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, the Reds beat Stoke 5-3, their first top-flight victory at the Britannia Stadium, to stay only five points behind leaders Manchester City.

Suarez scored a goal in each half — taking his personal tally for the season to 22 — with a Ryan Shawcross own goal, a penalty from Steven Gerrard and a late strike from Sturridge sealing victory.

Rodgers believes such firepower can keep his side in the hunt going into the climax of the season.

The game was tinged with controversy. Stoke boss Mark Hughes was unhappy with referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to give a penalty against Marc Wilson for a foul on Raheem Sterling with the score locked at 2-2 just after half-time.
Victory was secured after Gerrard scored from the spot and Sturridge came off the bench to play a starring role.

Asked if winning the title was still possible, Rodgers said: ‘Absolutely. We came into the match with 18 games to go — nine at home and nine away.

‘Seven of those away games are against teams in the bottom half. That doesn’t mean they are “gimmes” but we’ve shown enough that we’re going to be challenging and that’s all we ever wanted

We never stated we were going to win the league — but we needed to be in the conversation.’

‘The penalty decision was key,’ said an unhappy Hughes. ‘It swung the game back towards them. It was soft. Whether that would have been given in front of our fans, I’m not sure, but in front of 3,000 Liverpool supporters the referee has bought it.’

Rodgers admitted: ‘I’d call that a Spanish penalty, which means that if you get it you are happy. Mark would be aggrieved, I’d think.’

Written by Steve Milne

Nemanja Matic edging closer to Chelsea return in £21million deal

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Jan 13, 2014

Nemanja Matic is edging closer to moving back to Chelsea, according to reports in Portugal, in a deal thought to be worth around £21million.

The Benfica midfielder left Stamford Bridge in 2011 as part of a swap deal that saw David Luiz join the Blues.

But O Jogo reports that Matic, now 25, is on the verge of moving back to London and could complete a deal in the next 24 hours.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho has also been linked with Inter Milan’s Fredy Guarin, though Southampton are also thought to be keen on the 27-year-old.

And according to the Italian side’s president Erick Thohir, it looks like the midfielder will leave over the next few weeks .

“Guarin is a great player, I like him a lot. We would obviously love to keep him, but the situation in Europe is not like in Indonesia,” he said.

“When there are great offers from big clubs, we have to take them into account. And above all, we can’t make a player stay when his heart is not in it, but at another club.”

One man on his way out of Stamford Bridge is Kevin De Bruyne, with Wolfsburg close to sealing a deal for the Belgian international.

Written by Steve Milne

Moyes spotted at Juve game on a Scouting mission!

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Jan 13, 2014

Looking to find a solution to his worries this winter, David Moyes was spotted at Juventus’ Serie A clash with Cagliari on Sunday.

The Manchester United manager won his first game of 2014 against Swansea on Saturday, stopping the rot of three straight defeats.

But he still has a lengthy injury list to deal with at Old Trafford, and has been linked with several players this January.

One question is, who was he looking at during this particular game? The usual January suspects Luke Shaw, Cesc Fabregas and Daniele De Rossi were unsurprisingly nowhere to be seen at the Stadio Is Arenas.

United have been linked with Claudio Marchisio in the past, a creative midfielder (though he was on the bench), while former youth player Paul Pogba was in action.

It’s possible, with former Juve star and current Real Madrid assistant manager Zinedine Zidane claiming, in the Sunday Mirror: ‘I think it was a mistake letting Paul Pogba leave.

‘He will go on to be one of the best central midfield players in Europe and he was the natural successor to Paul Scholes, someone they could have built the team around.’

However, with his defence leaking goals, it could have been that the Scottish boss was keeping a keen eye on Cagliari centre-half Davide Astori.

The Italian international has long been courted by many of Europe’s finest, and has rejected several moves in the last few years.

He turned down Spartak Moscow in 2012, while he allegedly rejected Southampton last summer.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic out of contract in the summer, and Chris Smalling struggling for form, it could be that United turn their attentions to the 27-year-old.

The game finished 4-1 to the visitors, Fernando Llorente netting a double, while Marchisio also conveniently scored.

Stephen Lichtsteiner got the other, while Maricio Pinilla grabbed Cagliari’s goal.

The Cagliari watch follows a series of scouting jobs going on at United. Chief Scout Robbie Cooke was at Rayo Vallecano v Villarreal on Monday night, possibly to check out the away side’s defender Mateo Musacchio.

Also, Phil Neville was reportedly at Getafe v Rayo Vallecano on Sunday morning, was that to check out highly-rated Rayo youngster Saul Niguez again?

With all these possible incomings, what about Old Trafford outgoings?

Moyes will show Anderson, Nani and Wilfried Zaha the exit door this month, while he wants to get rid of a dozen players before the start of next season.

Anderson is close to joining Fiorentina permanently, Nani could return to old club Sporting Lisbon on loan, while Zaha is tipped to join United old boy Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Cardiff on a temporary deal.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

WATCH: LIVERPOOL of HERO | Stoke City vs Liverpool 3 – 5 || Liverpool vs Stoke City 5 – 3 || 12-01-2014

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Jan 13, 2014

WATCH: Newcastle vs Manchester City 0 – 2 Manchester City vs Newcastle 2 – 0 All Goal 12-01-2014

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Jan 13, 2014

Steven Gerrard is set to be asked to play in the “controller” role for Liverpool

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Jan 13, 2014

Liverpool manager Rodgers usually deploys Gerrard in a more advanced role, but here he swapped with Lucas in an attempt to exert more control on proceedings.

If it takes away from the England and Anfield skipper’s ability to get into the penalty box, then the reshuffle allows Gerrard to get on the ball more often and prompt his team-mates.

It was noticeable the amount of defensive work he got through against Mark Hughes’ side as Liverpool won at the Britannia for the first time and Rodgers indicated that he is ready to repeat the experiment in the future.

“I just feel he’s someone who fits the profile of that role,” said Rodgers. “He does it a bit more with England and I think that in the period he had out through injury we had real success with playing with a controlling player and two guys pressing and playing further forward.

“I just feel that position is perfect for him. He’s got the personality to play it. When you play in that controlling role, you need someone who can get on the ball.

“He gives us great variety with his passing. You saw a couple of times from deep where some players might make a short pass, he opened the game up for us and stretched the game with his vision and quality.

“And I also thought he showed great leadership as well. He was sliding across, blocking lines of pass, he was dropping in, he was making headers.”

With the offensive options Liverpool possess in the likes of Luis Suarez, who scored twice, and Daniel Sturridge who came off the bench to grab the fifth (not to mention Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson), there is perhaps not as much emphasis on the need for Gerrard to explode into forward positions himself.

The long-term loser in the switch would appear to be Lucas, who has not scored in 104 games for the club and is less suited to playing in a more advanced role.

Liverpool face Aston Villa on Saturday when Rodgers must decide whether to ask Gerrard to reprise his role, but it is clearly in the manager’s thoughts.

“I think at this stage of his career (it could be the way forward),” added Rodgers.

“I have spoken a lot to him about it. It was just about the timing of him playing him the role. You saw him and I thought he played it really well.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Arsenal planning £30million raid on Premier League

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Jan 13, 2014

Arsenal are set to offer Newcastle United £30million for duo Yohan Cabaye and Davide Santon, according to reports.

The Gunners are reportedly interested in the duo after scouts were sent to watch the French midfielder, but they were also left impressed by The Magpies left-back as well.

Wenger was interested in Cabaye back in the Summer and saw his £10million bid rejected by Alan Pardew and co., but after receiving more positive reports from his scouting team, it is reported that the Frenchman will make yet another bid for the stylish midfielder.

It is believed that Newcastle want around £22million for the 27-year-old, whom they signed for just £4.7million back in 2011, but Wenger has been backed by the club’s board to go on and make that bid.

Although Arsenal have a pretty packed midfield-region, Wenger is still keen to strengthen and will try and persuade Newcastle to sell their French star.

As for Santon, it is reported that Wenger has recently grown fond of the Italian due to his impressive performances both in the defending region and the attacking region.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Rafael tells fans to blame players, not Moyes!

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Jan 13, 2014