Romeu unsure over Chelsea future

Chelsea defender John Terry will have to take a massive pay-cut if he is to carry on playing his football at Stamford Bridge.

The English international is playing on a 12-month contract and with his current deal set to expire, he is set to hold talks with the club over a new one-year deal.

However, if Terry wants to remain a Blues player, he will have to take a whopping pay-cut as Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich are not prepared to carry on paying him £150k-a-week.

If the 33-year-old is to remain at Stamford Bridge, he would have to accept an offer of around £75k-a-week, half of what he currently earns.

Terry has been at the club since he was 14, but taking this pay-cut could see him leave the club this Summer, with Turkish side Galatasaray interested.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Szczesny v Fabianski

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Apr 18, 2014

Lukasz Fabianski said he hopes to keep his place for the final and will be disappointed if he does not. That is understandable, given he was Arsenal’s hero in Saturday’s semi-final against Wigan.

He saved spot-kicks from Gary Caldwell and Jack Collison in the penalty shootout as Arsenal booked their big day against Hull City. But he was immediately dropped for Tuesday night’s victory over West Ham as Arsene Wenger went back to his No1 Wojciech Szczesny for the battle to finish fourth.

Szczesny, said all the right things after the West Ham match but, make no mistake, he wants nothing more than to be between the sticks to help Arsenal end a nine-year drought and beat Hull at Wembley.

“I’m an Arsenal fan and I just want us to get the trophy,” he said. “It’s not about me playing. Lukas has been doing really, really well and he was our shootout hero at Wembley, so I was happy for him. “For us it’s important to get a trophy and hopefully we can appease everyone at the club.

“Lukas has done really well and deserves a lot of credit. I would love to play, obviously, but it’s the manager’s decision.”

Fabianski has played in every round of the cup, which has brought victories over huge rivals Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton. He also played in the Champions League ties against Bayern Munich because of Szczesny’s suspension, but his total appearances for the season is only nine.

Fabianski’s contract is up at the end of the season and he is desperate to be a No1. Whether that is with Arsenal is looking less likely and Southampton are just one club monitoring the situation.

His penalty heroics show he is not fazed by the big occasion but Wenger’s decision to reinstall Szczesny showed clearly the manager’s thoughts.

Wenger said: “Lukasz had nothing to do on Saturday, but what he had to do he did well, that was basically the penalties. Apart from that he had nothing do to. Wojciech is a bit taller and has not been bad when he has played. But I have complete confidence in Lukasz.”

It is yet to been seen who will be the starting keeper in the Final but both players are hoping to be the number one pick.

Written by Steve Milne

Chelsea and Manchester United eyeing Serie A superstar worth €40m

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Apr 18, 2014

Hamsik has been at the Serie A side since 2007, and has played over 230 games for the club, but he has struggled for form since returning from injury this season, with local media going so far as to say he is not happy under new boss Rafa Benitez.

Now, Corriere Dello Sport have claimed that the previously ‘untouchable’ midfielder could leave the club in the summer, with a reported price tag of €40m placed on the 26-year-old.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been put on red alert as to the potential availability of the Slovak, according to the Daily Express, with both sides looking to strengthen this summer.

With four years remaining on his contract, Napoli remain in a position of power regarding their reportedly unsettled captain, and it remains to be seen if either Premier League club would be willing to spend heavily in order to prise him away from the Serie A side.

Written by Steve Milne

West Ham to revive move for City’s Lescott

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Apr 17, 2014

West Ham are once more trying to sign Man City defender Joleon Lescott. The England man will be available on a free this summer and Sam Allardyce wants him at Upton Park.

City look likely not to offer him a new deal and he decided himself to leave on a free in search of first-team football. Now West Ham will try and resurrect a deal to sign him that failed last January as Pellegrini decided he didn’t want Lescott to leave at the time.

Lescott is prepared to accept less than his current wage of £90,000 a week which could make him affordable for West Ham as a free transfer. Besiktas however also remain keen on signing the player and are prepared to offer him MORE money, about £100,000 a week, to go to Turkey.

The 31-year old has claimed he will weigh up his options before deciding where to go and he believes he can still perform at the top level of football.

By Charlie Gregory

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@CharlieGLFC

Pochettino believes Shaw will stay at the club

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Apr 17, 2014

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is convinced that Luke Shaw will still be at the club next season, but he has admitted the Saints board will have the final say on the defender’s future. Both Man United and Chelsea have been linked with moves for Shaw and they are both willing to make big offers for him.

The owner’s of Southampton will decide the players future but Pochettino believes they will try and hold on to the England international. The Saints boss said:

“At the end of the day Luke Shaw is a player that belongs to Southampton, and it will be the club, Southampton, that makes the decision as to what happens with his future. Of course there will be interest for him, but so far, right now he’s a player at Southampton and it looks as though it will continue that way.

“There are a lot of players who are under interest at Southampton, but they are all very happy at the football club and most of them are under long-term contracts. They understand the situation of what it means to be a professional player in the Premier League. There’s nothing really we have to speak about on that front.

“If there is any decision to be made, it is for the owners, not for me.”

by Charlie Gregory

@CharlieGLFC

Ochoa open to England move

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Apr 17, 2014

Liverpool have received a boost ahead of the summer transfer window as target Guillermo Ochoa revealed he would be interested in a move to the Premier League. The Ajaccio keeper is a target for the Reds and they are keen to snap him up when his contract expires in summer.

Interest is also coming in from Mexico and Ochoa said he is keeping an open mind about a move elsewhere. He said:

“I am evaluating several offers from different countries. I have been in France for three years and I like the way in which the league has evolved, but I would also want to try elsewhere.

“At the moment I have no agreements with any team and I am willing to listen to all the proposals to make the best decision possible. My agent is dealing with everything and I do not exclude a future in Italy or England.”

With Reina set to leave the club in summer, Ochoa appears to be the top replacement for the Spaniard.

By Charlie Gregory

@CharlieGLFC

Arsenal close to Jung deal

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Apr 17, 2014

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt defender Sebastian Jung after his agent admitted a summer move to the Gunners is on the cards. Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for a new right-back, with Bacary Sagna looking likely to be on his way out of the Emirates.

Arsenal have previously been linked with moves for Lukasz Pisczek and Daryl Janmaat but Jung appears to be the main target. According to reports in Germany, the Gunners have already offered £7m for the player.

Now, a move seems even more likely with Jung’s agent claiming:

“In England we know Arsenal are very strongly on his trail for the summer. They have had scouts watching him in the Bundesliga. There was interest in the past from Inter, Roma and Milan, but no recent contact.”

The final comment, that no other teams are currently chasing him, means the path is clear for Arsenal to swoop for the defender at the end of the season.

By Charlie Gregory

@CharlieGLFC

Atletico eye Reina as Courtois replacement

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Apr 17, 2014

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is being lined up by Atletico Madrid to replace Thibaut Courtois when he returns to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have already claimed they want Courtois back next season, leaving Atletico needing a replacement.

Reina has spent the current season on loan at Napoli. The Italian club have first option on signing him permanently, but that deal expires on May 1st. However, the Spanish keeper himself wants to return to his home country for family reasons and his agent has already held talks with Atletico over a move.

The keepers contract at Liverpool has two years left on it but there is a clause which would let him leave for about £4.1m this summer. Barcelona were leading the race to sign the player, but their possible transfer ban has scuppered their chances.

The current offer from Atletico to Reina is a three-year deal. The only problem is the wages, as he would have to take a pay-cut to join the Spanish outfit.

By Charlie Gregory

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@CharlieGLFC

Suarez urging Liverpool fans to keep calm

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Apr 17, 2014

Luis Suarez has told Liverpool fans to stay calm as the Premier League club attempts to overcome the pressure of the title run-in and clinch their first championship in 24 years.

The Uruguayan striker, whose 29 league goals have underpinned Liverpool’s challenge, admitted he cannot bring himself to follow the climax to the season through the media.

“It’s normal for the supporters to get excited and be discussing our chances,” Suarez told the club’s website on Thursday. “When I’m out shopping or out with my family I bump into fans who mention it to me. I’ve told them to stay calm and not to worry. We’ll be trying our best.

“For the players, it’s probably best if we don’t get involved in that kind of talk. Personally, I think that if I don’t watch TV, listen to the radio or read about us on the internet it’s better. I know what the situation is.

“Winning the title would be very special but we can’t think about that yet.”

Suarez paid tribute to Brendan Rodgers, who will be favourite to take the manager of the year title if Liverpool – currently two points clear of second-placed Chelsea – can win their remaining four matches, starting at Norwich City on Sunday.

“It’s very important to see the manager relaxed,” Suarez said. “Brendan gives all of us confidence because he’s good at his job. He believes in all of the squad and when you have that belief from your boss then it’s easier to perform at your best.”

Suarez’s strike partner, Daniel Sturridge, is available for the trip to Carrow Road but is far from certain to make the starting line-up. The England international limped out of Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Manchester City last weekend with a suspected hamstring injury, and the club confirmed on Wednesday that a scan had revealed a “small strain”.

Written by Steve Milne

Barcelona flop Neymar attempts to bite Fabio Coentrao.

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Ben Reardon

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Apr 17, 2014

Barcelona striker Neymar continued his troubled season last night by attempting to bite Real Madrid’s Portuguese fullback Fabio Coentrao in yet another fiesty El Clasico fixture.

Madrid won the Final 2-1 in Valencia thanks to a superb individual winner from Gareth Bale, however, the game was tarnished with both sides play acting once again.

It is a common occurance for these fixtures to become rather heated, however, Neymar decided to attempt to bite Coentrao when the two squared up.

The Brazilian has found life tough in Barcelona, with many supporters beamused following his large transfer fee from Brazilian side Santos.

In-fact, the move to Spain was somewhat a stepping stone for Neymar to show Europe his samba, silky skills before the World Cup Finals in his home country of Brazil.

Neymar has put in a number of below par performances at the Nou Camp, and there are still questions being rased about the legitimacy of his btransfer from Santos.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Gareth Bale, “Copa Del Rey win is a dream come true”

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Ben Reardon

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Apr 17, 2014

Gareth Bale has stated that winning the Spanish Copa Del Rey is a “dream come true”, after Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 on Wednesday evening.

Bale scored the winner in Valencia to hand Real their first trophy of the season, with the win being the clubs 19th Kings Cup triumph.

The Welsh winger collected the ball in his own half, before shrugging off Marc Batra, and sprinting down the touchline and into the box, where he coolly slotted under Pinto with five minutes remaining.

And the winger stated his delight after the Cup win.

“It’s a dream come true, not just because I scored but because of the work of the whole team,” Bale said in an interview the Spanish press.

“It was really special. We’ve won the first of the three available titles and we have to keep fighting for everything. But now we have to be thinking about the next game and nothing else”.

“This win is for all the fans and we hope that it will be the first of many to come. Thank you all for your support during the season. We have worked hard as a team”.

Bale is a shadow of the player that he seemed just a few months ago, after some superb performances in recent weeks, following a few niggling injuries.

“I had to sprint, Bartra pushed me and tried to block my path but wasn’t able to,” he added.

“I had to go around him. It was great to score the goal but even better to win the match and pick up a title for Real Madrid.

“The atmosphere was fantastic. It has been a perfect night. I’m delighted to have won my first title with Madrid. I think we could go on to win even more this season.”

The Welshman has now notched 20 goals in all competitions, 13 in La Liga.

“We have to enjoy this,” he said. “The team was great, they knew how to dig in and deserved to win because they created more chances. I’m very happy. It is the first trophy of the season but we will keep on fighting for the other two.

“The manager also deserves congratulations because he picked a good team. We have to enjoy today. It was a massive effort to get to the final and beating Barcelona makes it even more special.”

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Chelsea to offer Diego Costa £250,000-a-week salary

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Eoghan18

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Apr 17, 2014

Chelsea have made no secret of their interest in Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa and now seem clear favourites to sign the Brazil born Spanish international.

To add fuel to the fire, Diego Simeone has admitted this week that they would not stand in the way of the player leaving this summer if that was what he truly wanted.

Chelsea will play Costa’s Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League next week and reports in Spain this week have claimed that Jose Mourinho has given his blessing for an opening bid of £35million and it is now believed that Chelsea have put together personal terms for Costa.

The deal to take Costa to Chelsea could involve Fernando Torres moving in the opposite direction to sweeten the deal.

Chelsea to offer Diego Costa £250,000-a-week salary 1

And the Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has recently admitted that Fernando Torres has kept in touch with him and that the Chelsea striker would be welcomed back to his boyhood club with open arms.

Everything about the deal looks set to go through with Chelsea clearly interested, Atletico Madrid willing to let the player leave, and also being open to a potential cash plus player deal.

Written By Eoghan Smith

Inter chief confirms Torres and Edin Dzeko are their shopping list

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Apr 17, 2014

Inter Milan president Erick Thohir has confirmed the Nerazzurri are looking to bring in a top striker this summer, with Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and Chelsea’s Fernando Torres as their main targets.

Dzeko is under contract with the Premier League side until June 2015 and the Bosnian striker has attracted the interest of top clubs in Europe having scored 11 league goals for City.

“We will sign a striker in the summer and he will be of European standard,” Thohir said as reported in Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We have a lot of candidates in our list.

“We have to sign a striker and reports point to Dzeko, (Real Madrid forward Alvaro) Morata and Torres, and it would be great if one of them was to join us.”

Torres has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the next few months with Chelsea reportedly set to acquire Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa this summer.

The 30-year-old Torres, who joined the London outfit on a £50million transfer deal from Liverpool in 2011, has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea.

Torres has scored just four goals in 16 league appearances.

Morata, meanwhile, has become a regular member of Madrid’s first team under club coach Carlo Ancelotti and has found the back of the net six times in 18 Primera Division appearances.

Inter have the fifth strongest attack in Serie A with 55 goals scored in 33 games.

Written by Steve Milne

Everton tells Premier League rivals to Forget about it!

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Apr 17, 2014