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Scholes: “Arsenal lack mental strength”

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Paul Scholes has taken the chance to question Arsenal once again. 

The former England and Manchester United midfielder has criticised Arsenal’s mental strenght in the Champions League, after previously making comments on boss Arsene Wenger and Jack Wilshere. 

Arsenal have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament in the last three seasons, and have been often exited the competition with a whimper. 

Scholes said: They [Arsenal] always qualify and always seem to get through the group.

“The only problem with Arsenal is when they meet top teams, they don’t seem to have the consistent level of mental strength to get through it.”

By Ollie Brown    @olliebrowner

Chelsea intend to keep Mourinho for the next decade

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Jose Mourinho is set to stay as Chelsea manger for the next decade as Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay reveals his plans to keep the Portugese in the job for as long as possible. 

In a recent interview with the evening standard, Gourlay piled heaps of praise on Mourinho and highlighted the manager’s vast knowledge of the club and his abilities with the media.  

“I hope he will stay 10 years. Having the security of Jose is great for me – he knows the club, knows me. 

“Jose can deal with the media in a different way from some of the other managers we’ve had.

“He takes the pressure not only away from the players, but also from the club. He allows us to manage and me in particular to drive the club forward.” 

By Ollie Brown     @olliebrowner

Mourinho lauds Sir Alex Ferguson

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has praised former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 

The Portugese tactician believes that Ferguson is the greatest British manager of all time as the Chelsea man looks to win a second Champions League trophy this season. 

“To win with three clubs is unique,” he said. 

“But it’s far from being an obsession and it’s not something that I think about a lot.

“Even if I don’t do it, how many top managers in the world have only one or even not a single one?

“The greatest in our country (Sir Alex Ferguson), he won it twice.

“Do I want to try to win it again? Of course. But in this moment I only think about ‘don’t play Europa League’.

“We have a championship of six matches and three opponents (in Group G) and we have to do everything to qualify.” 

By Ollie Brown

Jose Mourinho warns Chelsea of Champions League importance

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Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has warned his players that the club simply cannot afford to drop down to the Europa League this season.

The Blues advanced all the way to the semi-finals last season, until they were beaten by Spanish champions, Atletico Madrid, but the season before that, they were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage, after finishing third, and Mourinho has told his players they cannot slip up this season.

Mourinho has lifted the Champions League trophy two times, once with FC Porto and once with Inter Milan, and despite having a relatively easy group, the Portuguese manager has said getting knocked out is unthinkable for the club.

“The competition is part of my history and I’m part of the tournament’s history. To win with three clubs would be unique,” said Mourinho.

“Do I want to try to win again? Of course I want to.

“I have many years ahead of me. But in this moment I only think: don’t play Europa League.

“It would be very bad for the evolution of our players to go to Europa League.

“We have to qualify. We have to do everything to qualify.”

Chelsea face Schalke at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night, whilst Sporting Lisbon take on NK Maribor in the other game of the group.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Luis Gustavo dismisses Prmeier League talk

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Wolfsburg midfielder, Luis Gustavo, has once again distanced himself from a potential move to Premier League sides; Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Premier League trio have reportedly been interested in signing the Brazilian for the past two seasons, but nothing formal came from their interest.

After failing to land a holding-midfielder in the Summer market, Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger will look to add in January, and Gustavo is still high up on his wishlist, but the player himself has distanced himself from any potential move in the New Year.

‘I am very happy, VfL Wolfsburg is a great club to play for and I like living in Germany and the German mentality,’ he told Bild.

‘I feel my future is here and I am able to imagine playing on for many years, because I identify with the city of Wolfsburg.

‘Wolfsburg is a workers’ city, this suits me.’

William Carvalho has also been linked with a move to the English trio, but after United managed to sign Daley Blind, it may be a two-horse race between the two London clubs.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

‘We already have new John Terry’, says Chelsea chief exec

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Chelsea chief executive, Ron Gourlay, believes the club already have an ideal replacement for veteran, John Terry, and praises the youth set-up in West London.

The Blues have been heavily criticised in the past for not giving youth players a chance in the first-team, with Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois a prime example, but with the latter now the club’s number-one, Gourlay believes more youths will start breaking into the first-team at Stamford Bridge.

Despite spending millions in the transfer window, Chelsea’s average age is slowly dipping and getting younger, and the chief exec believes that trend will certainly continue.

When talking about the club’s academy, Gourlay admitted that he has in mind who will be the new Terry at the club, but he refused to name any names in order to avoid putting pressure on the youngster.

He told the Evening Standard: “We’ve also got a core of superb young English boys coming through. I think I know who, in time, could be the next John Terry but I will not name him.

“We have a great academy process. But the academy started nine years ago and you don’t start delivering players immediately.

“We’re now seeing three academy players in the first-team squad [Nathan Ake, Andreas Christensen and Lewis Baker] which is fantastic. Now let’s see them break into the first team and play regularly.

“Jose has said if Izzy Brown, Dominic Solanke and Lewis Baker are not in the Chelsea first team in a couple of years, he will have failed. He takes great pride in the academy.

“Early investment in playing staff paid dividends in creating a team admired around the world but to keep Chelsea among the elite we have always known we must produce our own world-class talent.

“We are beginning to see the benefits of our academy. Our aim is to continue creating sustainable and enduring success on and off the pitch through this dedicated academy programme, while striking a balance with continued investment in world class players and personnel. This, in turn, will also help us meet our long-term objectives for Financial Fair Play.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Jose Mourinho confirms Hazard talks

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that contract talks are ongoing with midfielder, Eden Hazard.

The Belgium international is set to sign a new five-year deal worth roughly £200k-a-week, and ahead of their Champions League game with Schalke tomorrow night, Mourinho has confirmed that talks between the club and the player are ongoing.

The 23-year-old has become one of the world’s top players during his time at Stamford Bridge, and he has voiced his desire to extend his stay, despite being linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain throughout the Summer.

When talking about the Hazard saga, Mourinho said: “We have big hopes that he will go from a top player to reach higher levels.

“He’s a player we want to keep. It’s true Chelsea is trying to have an agreement for a new contract.

“It will be a question of time. It will end with a new contract.

“He wants to commit to us and we want to commit to him for the future.”

Hazard may also be joined by Gary Cahill who is set to sign a new lucrative deal.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

‘Januzaj must leave United’, says Gillespie

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Former-professional footballer, Keith Gillespie, believes Adnan Januzaj must leave Manchester United in order to reach his full potential.

The young Belgium starlet first came onto the scene at Old Trafford last season when David Moyes gave him the chance in the first-team, and after a brace vs Sunderland, it looked like United had found a new gem down the wing.

However, since Moyes’ sacking and Louis Van Gaal’s arrival, new faces have arrived at United, including Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, which could see Januzaj sacrificed and dropped to the bench.

Another issue for the Belgium is Van Gaal’s formation and tactics as at first-glance, it appears that the teenager will not fit into the Dutchman’s system.

Gillespie, who started his career at United, was asked whether Januzaj should leave the club in order to progress, and this is what he said:

“Yes. Unfortunately, with the embarrassment of riches Manchester United have at the moment, he’s not first choice.

“He’s still young though and is learning the game. He needs games to bring out his potential.

“Last season was very poor for United, but he was probably the one shining light in a team which didn’t perform.

“Just look at the players in the team now, the likes of Angel di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

“He’s a winger and I’m not sure he can adapt and play as a wing back. He needs to play further forward. It’s very difficult to fit him in to the system.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Dejan Lovren admits Liverpool struggles

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Liverpool centre-back, Dejan Lovren, has admitted that he’s struggling to settle into The Reds’ defensive line due to being a new player this Summer.

Lovren joined Liverpool from Southampton after the two clubs agreed a fee of £20million, but the Croat has already admitted that he’s finding it hard to lead the defensive line due to being new to the surroundings and his team-mates.

Brendan Rodgers saw Lovren as the perfect man to bulk up his defence, which was all over the place at times last season, but the 25-year-old has admitted that he’s found it harder than he originally thought to settle into his new club.

The centre-half said: “It is a tough job because I am a new player.

“It is not so easy to lead all the time. I was used to other players leading before but I have the confidence in myself and I am ready for it.

“I am just 25 and the thing is I need to improve in every game as a person and as a player.

“I am giving my best, which is the most important thing. With the time and the games it will come.”

Lovren has played every minute for Liverpool so far this season, but he has only managed to help the club keep one clean-sheet so far this season.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool planning £75m redevelopment of Anfield

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Liverpool are planning a £75million redevelopment of Anfield, as they hope the plans will be given the green light by the city council.

The Reds are hoping to hear about the result by the end of the calender year as they finally look set to expand their stadium to be able to compete with Manchester United’s and Arsenal’s stadiums, Old Trafford and the Emirates.

The plans for Liverpool are to expand the main stand, adding a further 8,300 seats, which would take their grand capacity to 53,500, but even if given the green-light, work on the stadium won’t be finished until the start of the 2016/2017 season.

A consultation meeting between the council is set to take place at the end of this month, and Liverpool Football Club will then find out in November whether or not they have been granted permission to develop the stadium and expand it.

If all goes well, Liverpool will start the work immediately and have projected it to take around 20-months until completion.

However, they have stated that whilst doing the work on the main stand, the current capacity of 44,000 will not be affected and fans won’t end up missing out due to the expansions.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Verratti set to pen new PSG deal

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Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United target Marco Verratti is set to sign a new contract at French club PSG, reportds the Daily Express. 

The Itailian was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer, however he has decided to remain at the Ligue 1 title holders. 

Centre midfielder Verratti is understood to have agreed a five year deal at the club, ending speculation surrounding his future. 

And speaking regarding the news of a new deal, Verratti stated his love for the Parisian outfit.

He said: “When I think about my career, I only see myself at Paris Saint-Germain. 

I want to continue winning trophies with this club and continue to improve as a footballer alongside truly world-class players. Paris is magical.” 

by Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

Javier Pastore open to Premier League move…..

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Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Javier Pastore, has admitted that he would be interested in a move to the Premier League, but only if the French club win the Champions League.

The Argentine has been heavily linked with a move to England, with Chelsea, Manchester Unitd and Liverpool all interested in signing the midfielder, but he has insisted that he would only move clubs, if his current club wins the Champions League.

Pastore, 25, cost PSG £32million back in 2011, but despite the large price-tag, the common feeling is that he has failed to deliver at the French club and a transfer away could have been the likely option, however, he has revealed a promise he made to the owners of PSG and he wants to stick to that promise.

He told L’Equipe: “I’ve always been fortunate that other clubs want to recruit me.

“But I said to Nasser on the day that I signed my contract in Paris: ‘I’ll stay here until we win the Champions League’.

“This is what I said and I intend to respect it. The nature of football means I could leave before then, but that wasn’t my original idea.”

Despite promising he will stay until they achieve their goal, Pastore has also admitted he isn’t close to signing a contract extension in France.

He added: “I have had no discussions with the club to extend my contract.

“Last year the leaders discussed that possibility, but for me my commitment to the club does not depend on my contractual situation.

“I trust Nasser and he has my word. I do not need to sign a piece of paper to stay here.

“And he knows I’m not the type to do things to harm the club, like running down my contract so I can leave for free.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool to renew Lavezzi interest

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Liverpool are set to rekindle their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward, Ezequiel Lavezzi, as the Argentine international is still refusing to sign a contract extension.

The Reds were heavily monitoring the forward over the Summer, but after failing to land the 29-year-old, they seemingly gave up on the pursuit and turned their attentions elsewhere.

However, with Lavezzi still refusing to open talks with Laurent Blanc in Paris about a new contract, the club could finally sell up rather than wait for his contract to expire in 2016.

The 29-year-old is growing frustrated with the lack of first-team football at PSG, starting three Ligue 1 games from the bench this campaign, and with Liverpool interested, a move away may take place in January once the transfer window re-opens.

Liverpool aren’t the only team interested however, as Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina and Inter Milan are all tracking the situation.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Anelka heads for Indian League

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Nicolas Anelka has announced that he has joined Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.

I’m pleased to join Mumbai City FC & very exciting in joining Indian Super League,” Anelka wrote on Twitter. 

“Talented international players & top Indian talent will make matches thrilling affairs.

“I look forward to using my ability to do well for my team in the matches we will play.”

Anelka has been without a club since leaving West Brom following a ban for his Quenelle gesture celebration during a match.

The former France international is one of a number of high-profile players attracted by the pay on offer in India, with his former Gunners team-mates Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg among the others. 

The league kicks off in October with a short season ending in December.

 

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

 

SIX out for Liverpool’s first Champions League game

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Liverpool look set to be missing SIX key players for their first Champions League game in 5 years.

Joe Allen (knee) misses out along with fellow midfielder Emre Can (ankle), striker Daniel Sturridge and defender Glen Johnson (both thigh).

Liverpool’s signing Lazar Markovic is suspended, while centre-back Martin Skrtel is still a week away from fitness.

Winger Raheem Sterling will start after being dropped to the bench for the home defeat to Aston Villa, while Mario Balotelli is to keep his place despite failing to find his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.

 

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10