Barcelona find a replacement for Carles Puyol in Daniel Agger

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May 2, 2014

The Catalan club have suffered a disappointing season both domestically and in Europe and are planning to overhaul their squad during the transfer window.

Liverpool’s Agger has been targeted by Barcelona in the past and they are reportedly now set to rekindle their interest in the 29-year-old.

Barca stalwart Carles Puyol will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season, leaving Tata Martino chasing at least one new centre-half.

And Agger’s experience means he has been pinpointed as the ideal replacement for the outgoing Spaniard.

Agger has made just 17 starts for the Reds in all competitions this term, with injury and squad rotation both playing a part in his lack of regular involvement.

And that could mean Brendan Rodgers will be willing to let the Dane depart Anfield should the right offer come in and allow the Liverpool boss to add to his defensive options ahead of next season, when he will also have Champions League fixtures to contend with.

Written by Steve Milne

Jose Mourinho has three striker targets

By

Alex Batt

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May 2, 2014

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has put together a three-man striker wishlist for the Summer as he prepares to spend some of Roman Abramovich’s money to help strengthen the squad, which could end trophyless this season.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa is Mourinho’s main target and he is reportedly willing to pay up to £40million for the Spaniard and is planning to raise the funds by selling all three of his current strikers (Demba Ba, Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o), and will also listen to offers for centre-back David Luiz.

If Mourinho cannot sign Costa, his attentions will turn to Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain as he eyes Mario Mandzukic from the Germans, or Edinson Cavani from the mega-rich French side.

Both strikers could be on their way out of their respective clubs this Summer, and Mourinho is waiting in the wings with a formal offer to lure them to Stamford Bridge.

Mandzukic could be set to leave the Allianz Arena after they secured the signing of Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, and Cavani could leave PSG after becoming unhappy at the club due to playing out of position.

However, Chelsea will face serious competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, who are both keeping tabs on the wantaway forwards.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

The Blues close to completing deal for Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis

By

SteveMilne

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May 2, 2014

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Cole is out of contract in the summer and has had to settle for a bit-part role in Jose Mourinho’s side throughout the second half of the season, with right-back Cesar Azpilicueta impressing in his place.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Southampton youngster Luke Shaw, but the £30m price tag, plus strong competition from Manchester United, appears to have sent Mourinho looking elsewhere.

And it seems the Portuguese has set his sights on Atletico’s Filipe, who helped his team-mates knock Chelsea out of the Champions League last night.

The Brazilian, 28, is thought to be available for around £16.5m this summer, as the Blues plan a raid on the Vicente Calderon, targeting both Filipe and highly-rated striker Diego Costa.

Written by Steve Milne

“It has been a s**t season’, admits Chelsea star

By

Alex Batt

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May 2, 2014

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Chelsea defender David Luiz has admitted that if the club go trophyless this season, it will have been a ‘s**t’ campaign under Jose Mourinho.

The Blues were eliminated from the Champions League at the Semi-Final stage on Wednesday night after a 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on aggregate, and due to being knocked out of both domestic cups, their only real chance is the Premier League title, which is still way out of their hands.

Despite their impressive 2-0 win at Anfield last weekend, the title is in Manchester City’s hands, and if they fail to pick up maximum points, it will then be in Liverpool’s hands, so Mourinho and co. are needing two clubs to slip up if they are to win the title.

Speaking in a recent interview, Luiz admitted that if they fail to win anything, the whole season would have been a failure.

“You can say it is a s**t season if you don’t have trophies in a season at a big club. That is true.

“We are a big club and we want to win trophies. We keep fighting in the league. We cannot win automatically. It will be difficult.

“We have many fantastic players and everyone wants to win trophies. It is normal when you sit at home and watch television to see Chelsea fighting for trophies.

“We need to be a man, and it is not always possible to win. The season we won it (the Champions League) was a s**t season until the end and then we won two titles at the end.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

CHELSEA AGREE COSTA DEAL

By

Ben Reardon

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May 2, 2014

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Chelsea have agreed to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, in a £32 million fee.

Costa scored in Atletico’s 3-1 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, to knock the Blues out of the Champions League.

And Mourinho has finally wrapped up his man, after agreeing to meet his buyout clause at the Spanish club.

Spanish media are stating that the deal was even done last week, before the first leg in Madrid.

The Brazilian born striker, who plays for Spain at international level, has been superb for his club side, scoring 27 goals in La Liga this season, with Atletico two wins away from the title.

And he has already agreed terms, and looks set to earn around £200,000 a week in West London.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Chelsea duo set for Summer departure

By

Alex Batt

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May 2, 2014

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Chelsea are in danger of losing midfield-ace Eden Hazard after his recent comments about their lack of tactics, and they could also be ready to sell defender David Luiz, in order to raise funds for a complete squad overhaul under Jose Mourinho.

The Belgium international was very vocal after they lost 3-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Semi-Final, and with those recent comments come more speculation about him possibly moving back to France in order to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The mega-rich French side are willing to pay up to £40million for the 23-year-old and have been interested in signing him for months now.

After the 3-1 defeat, Hazard was clearly frustrated by Mourinho’s tactics, and he even admitted that the club do not aim to play football anymore, as they started six defenders against the Spanish side on Wednesday night.

As for Luiz, he has been wanted by FC Barcelona since last Summer, and a potential £25million deal could be in place for this Summer after the Catalan club saw their transfer embargo overturned.

Mourinho isn’t keen on selling Hazard, but if reports are to be believed, he will listen to offers for the Brazilian centre-back and then use that money in order to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

Luiz and Hazard aren’t the only players set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer as the club prepare to sell; Romelu Lukaku, Demba Ba, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Thibaut Courtois.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mark Lawrenson predictions for weekend

By

Alex Batt

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May 2, 2014

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Premier League predictions this weekend by Mark Lawrenson

BBC Pundit believes Liverpool will drop points on Monday. With another weekend of Premier League football around the corner, BBC Pundit and former-Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has made his predictions for yet another vital weekend of action.

Below you can see his Premier League Match Predictions for the weekend

West Ham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

“West Ham have already beaten Spurs twice at White Hart Lane this season in the league and Capital One Cup and I have a feeling they will pick up another point on home turf on Saturday.”

Aston Villa 2-0 Hull City

“That was down to Tigers boss Steve Bruce, who reacted to what Fulham were doing and got his reward. For me there is no danger of them going down, even if they lose at Villa Park.”

Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

“Sunderland are on a really good run but I think Manchester United will beat the Black Cats, and not just because they are the better team.”

Newcastle United 2-1 Cardiff City

“I do fancy Pardew to end his wait for a win this weekend, however.”

Stoke City 2-1 Fulham

“Potters boss Mark Hughes is already unpopular with some Cottagers fans after the way he left the club in 2011 and I don’t see that changing much after the weekend.”

Swansea City 1-1 Southampton

“Monk has done quite well of late, though, with back-to-back wins for the first time, and I can see him picking up another point here.”

Everton 0-2 Manchester City

“Because City need three points to stay on course for the title, I think they will win it.”

Arsenal 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

“West Brom had a fantastic win over West Ham last week but I do not see them getting anything at the Emirates Stadium because Arsenal are starting to play really well again.”

Chelsea 2-0 Norwich City

“Norwich look doomed to relegation and I cannot see anything but a routine home win for the Blues. I am not sure how Norwich could cause them any problems.”

Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool

“Eagles boss Tony Pulis tried to take City on. I am guessing he will not commit as many men forward on Monday, which does not really help Liverpool, and is one of the reasons I see this ending up a draw – with one caveat.”

What are your thoughts on these predictions?

Will Arsenal cement top-four? Will Manchester City take control of the Premier League title-race?

Comment below!

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Table of Contents

Tony Pulis wins Manager of the Month

By

Alex Batt

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May 2, 2014

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Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has been nominated as April’s Manager of the Month for the Premier League, and Sunderland striker Connor Wickham has won the Player of the Month gong.

The former-Stoke City boss helped Palace win four out of their five games in April, which has seen them rise from a relegation scrap, to a comfortable mid-table finish, with the best win coming away at Goodison Park two weeks ago.

In fact, Palace’s only loss in April was against title-challengers Manchester City, where they went down 2-0.

As for Wickham, he has had a superb month for The Black Cats, and he has given Gus Poyet’s team a fantastic chance of surviving in the top-flight, just weeks after the manager claimed they needed a mircale.

The 21-year-old forward netted on five occasions for Sunderland, including goals in their draw at the Etihad Stadium, and their win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

He then scored an important brace in a crucial match with Cardiff City last weekend.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Former Manchester United Player says the Club disrespected him during his spell at Old Trafford

By

SteveMilne

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May 1, 2014

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Juventus’s Paul Pogba claims he was made to train alone during the contract dispute that preceded his move to Turin.

The 21-year-old French midfielder left United in July 2012 after failing to agree a contract extension.

“They left me out because they said I wanted to leave. That is disrespect,” Pogba told BBC World Football Focus.

“Maybe they didn’t think if they were making a mistake.”

Pogba himself was accused of a lack of respect when he left United, with then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson telling MUTV he was “quite happy” to see the player leave.

“I don’t think he showed us any respect at all,” Ferguson added.

Pogba made just seven substitute appearances for United and insists his move was motivated by a desire for more playing time rather than money.

“Manchester United is a big club but you have to think about yourself,” Pogba added.

“You have to play. The coach told me there would be space to play, but I wasn’t playing.

“I was training alone for one week. They told me to go in the gym. I said ‘I am not an athlete, I am a footballer.'”

Juventus won Serie A in Pogba’s first season with the club and are on the brink of successfully defending the title.

Pogba has been a key part of their success, scoring 12 goals in 60 league appearances.

His good form has prompted talk of a move back to Manchester, with both United and City rumoured destinations, as well as a £40m switch to French champions Paris St-Germain.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said in October that his club would find a big-money offer for Pogba hard to resist.

Written by Steve Milne

Schwarzer thinks Courtois will get a new deal

By

Naylgee

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May 1, 2014

0

Mark Schwarzer believes Chelsea wil offer Courtois a new deal to keep the highly rated goalkeeper.

The belgian has spent 3 seasons on loan in Madrid and produced an impossible save as Athletico beat Chelsea 3-1 on aggreggate to progress to the champion league final. He has forged a reputation of being one of the finest shot stoppers in Europe and Schwarzer believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

“He did very well and it was no surprise that Chelsea signed him and want to keep him at the club. I wouldn’t be surprised if they give him a new deal,” Schwarzer was quoted as saying by Spanish paper Marca.

“He is very special and it is no surprise that Chelsea signed him a couple of years ago. There has been a lot spoken about him and he has been outstanding. He was outstanding [against Chelsea] and he has a huge, huge career ahead of him.

“He’s had a fantastic season, as has Atletico. They’re top of La Liga and vying to win the championship and now the Champions League final too.”

Schwarzer however admits the blues have a though desicion to make – Courtois or Cech as their nimber 1?

“It’s a very tough decision and I’m glad I’m not the one that has to make it.

“I don’t have a clue what they will decide on. They are both world-class keepers. I wouldn’t even say they are at different ends of their careers because Pete still has a long way to go in his. He can improve at 31.”

Nayl Gilani

sillyseason

Liverpool interested in Magpie Winger

By

dausa99

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May 1, 2014

0

Hatem Ben Arfa has been the latest player to be linked with The Reds as they look to bolster their squad over the summer to help cope with the Champions League football come next season.

The 26 year-old has been under Liverpool’s radar for a while but it looks like The Reds are ready to pounce on the Newcastle Winger. Hatem has had very few first team outings this season for Newcastle but has shown signs of brilliance at times during previous seasons at Newcastle and at former side Marseille.

However, the french winger has been expelled from Newcastle first team training sessions after an on going row with Magpie boss Alan Pardew that has dragged on since the last summer transfer window. The row has wrecked relationship with the Manager and Player.

Liverpool FC will be looking to sign him up for a bargin 6 million pound deal as Pardew will want to offload the troublesome French winger as soon as the transfer window opens in summer.

By Ahsan Majid

@Cookies_SAAAN_

Man United and Man City do battle for Fabregas

By

CharlGLFC

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May 1, 2014

0

Man City and Man United will go head-to-head this summer to try and sign Cesc Fabregas, according to reports. The Barcelona man is believed to be available at the end of the season despite playing a key role for the club this term.

The Catalan side’s below-par performances in La Liga and in the Champions League mean that they are ready to overhaul their squad this summer, with Fabregas believed to be one of the players they are willing to let go.

The Red Devils chased the midfielder last year but a deal never happened and they are still keen on him. City are looking to strengthen their midfield and with the expected departure of Gareth Barry, who has been on loan at Everton this season, they will want a replacement.

Arsenal may also try to tempt their former player back to the Emirates, if it becomes clear that he is willing to leave Barca. This means that iFabregas could end up back in the Premier League for the 2014/15 season, if one of these teams claims his signature.

By Charlie Gregory

Follow me on Twitter

@CharlieGLFC

Van Gaal wants money for Kroos, Reus and Hummels this summer

By

Phil Wellbrook

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May 1, 2014

0

Current Holland manager Louis van Gaal hopes to complete his deal with Manchester United within the next week as the World Cup nears and he will once again return his mind to helping his side triumph in Brazil.

Guus Hiddink is said to be the next Holland manager after the departure of van Gaal and his goalkeepeing coach, Frank Hoek has promised to tell Hiddink whether he will stay with the national side or move to England with van Gaal.

Another major issue for van Gaal is ensuring that United have a suitable budget to spend in the summer transfer window, as they continue to target Bundesliga stars Toni Kroos, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, who van Gaal belives will all help the Red Devils next season.

Senior sources with the Old Trafford side refuse to reveal the identity of Moyes’ successor, despite van Gaal being the most likely candidate.

They argue it would be wise to be patient and wait for a world class manager such as Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid to become avalibale.

As for the three German targets, their combined cost would be in the region of £100m – even before United can begin to look at Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana.

The trio are certainly a hefty price to pay but the deal may be softened should Shinji Kagawa decide to return to Borussia Dortmund as part of the deal.

One way or the other, Louis van Gaal would like negotiations to be wrapped up as soon as possible so he can begin his plans on revitalising a United side desperate for inspiration.

By Phil Wellbrook

Chelsea left heartbroken

By

Naylgee

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May 1, 2014

0

Gary Cahill claims Chelsea are “heartbroken” after they were knocked out of the champions league by Athletico Madird.

Chlease lost 3-1 to the La Liga leaders, who displayed a near flawless display. The means that will be a Madrid derby in Lisbon and Cahill admitted that the squad are crestfallen. Like in Moscow in 2008, John Terry was in tears after the match and Cahill told Sky Sports:

“We’re heartbroken. One game to the final and we couldn’t quite manage it – we’re devastated.

“We started off really well but they got back into the game. We tried to create, the effort was there, but we just fell short. They’re a good side. They caused us a few problems and their ‘keeper produced a fantastic game.

“We have to be over it by the weekend. At the moment it’s raw and it will take some getting over but we’ll see what happens in the next few days.”

The blues will switch their attention to the premier title this weekend, where they host Norwich City and are only 2 points behind league leaders Liverpool

Nayl Gilani

sillyseason

Barcelona to beat Arsenal to £29million Athletic Bilbao star?

By

Ben Kelly

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May 1, 2014

0

Barcelona are willing to meet Aymeric Laporte’s £29million release clause in order to beat Arsenal and Bayern Munich to the Athletic Bilbao defender’s signature.

It was rumoured earlier this month that Guardiola was monitering Laporte at Bayern, who is arguably one of the best young central defenders in Europe. Barcelona are frantically searching for a replacement for long serving legend Carlos Puyol, who will call time on his career at the end of the season.

The Nou Camp side are now able to buy players again after their transfer ban was lifted, and reports in Spain are claiming they are ready to spend big to sign the 19 year old this summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has also been tracking the defender, but Barcelona look set to land him this summer.

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

SillySeason.com

Barcelona find a replacement for Carles Puyol in Daniel Agger

Jose Mourinho has three striker targets

The Blues close to completing deal for Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis

“It has been a s**t season’, admits Chelsea star

CHELSEA AGREE COSTA DEAL

Chelsea duo set for Summer departure

Mark Lawrenson predictions for weekend

Premier League predictions this weekend by Mark Lawrenson

Below you can see his Premier League Match Predictions for the weekend

West Ham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Aston Villa 2-0 Hull City

Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

Newcastle United 2-1 Cardiff City

Stoke City 2-1 Fulham

Swansea City 1-1 Southampton

Everton 0-2 Manchester City

Arsenal 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Chelsea 2-0 Norwich City

Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool

Tony Pulis wins Manager of the Month

Former Manchester United Player says the Club disrespected him during his spell at Old Trafford

Juventus’s Paul Pogba claims he was made to train alone during the contract dispute that preceded his move to Turin.

Schwarzer thinks Courtois will get a new deal

Liverpool interested in Magpie Winger

Man United and Man City do battle for Fabregas

Van Gaal wants money for Kroos, Reus and Hummels this summer

Chelsea left heartbroken

Barcelona to beat Arsenal to £29million Athletic Bilbao star?

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