Aaron Ramsey given the all-clear ahead of Wembley tie

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Apr 10, 2014

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o looks set to leave the club this Summer after it was revealed that he is holding talks with Turkish club Besiktas.

The Cameroon international only arrived at Stamford Bridge this year, but he has failed to make a serious impact with the club and hasn’t impressed manager Jose Mourinho, who has questioned the striker’s real age due to his performances.

The comments made by Mourinho have frustrated Eto’o and it’s believed that is why he wants to leave the club, and according to reports, officials from Besiktas have flown to London in order to hold talks with the striker’s representitives.

It is believed that the 33-year-old is being offered a two-year deal to join the Turkish club, and the potential thought of a long-term deal could interest the veteran.

Eto’o has also been linked with former clubs Inter Milan and Mallorca.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Romelu Lukaku refuses to discuss future

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Apr 10, 2014

On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has refused to discuss where his future lies and constant talk about whether or not he will be leaving Stamford Bridge this Summer.

According to reports, Jose Mourinho is keen to offload the 20-year-old in order to raise funds so that he can sign Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa, but after the Belgium has had two very successful campaigns in the Premier League whilst out on loan, the Portuguese-man may change his mind after the World Cup.

Lukaku was a hit with West Bromwich Albion last season and has also been deadly in front of goal for Everton this year, scoring 16 goals in 29 appearances, but it seems that not even that is enough for Mourinho to keep the youngster.

In a recent interview, Lukaku was asked about his own future, but he was adamant that he is only focused on the season and then the World Cup with Belgium.

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead for now.

“I’m still two years under contract at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“This is a team that is growing and for me, I just want to help Everton instead of thinking about myself and the next step.

“There are so many things on the horizon – like big games against Man United and City, then the World Cup – so I have to give it a place in my head but not focus on it.

“For now, it’s just helping Everton finish fourth and then we’ll see.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal monitoring Tottenham and Liverpool target Rodriguez

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SteveMilne

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Apr 10, 2014

The 24-year-old ruptured knee ligaments against Manchester City this past weekend and now looks set to be on the sidelines for up to six months.

However, according to reports, Rodriguez’s injury hasn’t put Arsene Wenger off and the Arsenal chief will monitor his progress in the coming months.

Sources close to Highbury say Arsenal had made an enquiry for the forward, who has also been tracked by Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham in recent time.

Before his injury, the Saints star had put himself in World Cup contention for England having struck 17 goals in this campaign.

Now though, the forward will be concentrating on his rehabilitation and will be desperate to prove his fitness by the start of next season.

It remains to be seen as to whether the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool put any potential offer for the England man on hold.

Written by Steve Miln

Three Liverpool players up for monthly accolades

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Apr 10, 2014

The nominations have been revealed for March’s Player of the Month and Manager of the Month, and the competition is dominated by Liverpool with Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez all up for contention.

Rodgers’ side was unbeaten in the last month and guided his men to five wins, including an impressive 3-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and that run has put themselves in a very strong position for this year’s title, which would be the club’s first.

Along with Rodgers, Roberto Martinez from Everton has been nominated, as has Mark Hughes from Stoke City and Manuel Pellegrini from Manchester City.

It looks set to be a Merseyside battle for the Manager gong after Martinez also guided his side to five wins from five as he looks to push Arsenal out of the top-four for the first time under Arsene Wenger.

Pellegrini and Hughes also guided their teams unbeaten throughout March as well.

As for the Player of the Month award, Liverpool’s Suarez and Gerrard will be the main runners after their superb performances throughout the month, but they will have to beat Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.

Suarez scored an impressive six goals in March, while Rodriguez hit five, Gerrard hit four and Lukaku struck three times.

Who do you think deserves to win the gongs for March?

Comment below!

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

We’ll be back, declares Moyes

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Apr 10, 2014

After suffering a 3-1 defeat in Germany, Manchester United were eliminated from this season’s Champions League, and due to their poor standings in the Premier League, they will not be in next season’s competition either, but according to boss David Moyes, their absence will not be a long-term thing.

The Scot has had a miserable first campaign at Old Trafford with the only positives really coming in this year’s European competition, but reaching the semi-finals was one step too far for Moyes and his men as they fell to last year’s champions Bayern Munich.

Now United must focus on performing well until the end of the season in the league, however, they know that they have nothing left to fight for due to their poor campaign, but Moyes believes things will get better soon and they will be back in the Champions League in the near-future.

“We have not got Champions League football, that’s the way it looks, but I believe that it is not far away, and hopefully it will be one year away.

“We have got to rebuild and our focus is to get a team that can get back into this competition. It is a great competition – we have really enjoyed it – and there is no shame in going out to Bayern Munich.”

Moyes was then questioned whether the lack of Champions League football would damage their chances in the transfer market, but he doesn’t believe that is the case.

“The club have never had any problems, on anything we have talked about” added Moyes. “The club are looking to spend the right money on the right players that are available. It has nothing to do with Champions League football.

“Any players that we have sort of quietly discussed with, I think they are more than happy to join Manchester United.

“The ones who quietly, someone might have had a word in their ear, have all been keen to come as it is a short thing and not a long thing and they are all very keen to join such a great club.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Jose Mourinho fined

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SteveMilne

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Apr 10, 2014

Mourinho walked on to the Villa Park pitch to speak to referee Chris Foy after Chelsea’s Ramires was dismissed.

He denied an improper conduct charge but it was proven at a personal hearing with an independent regulatory commission on Wednesday.

“I don’t know why I was sent off,” Mourinho said after the match.

“I asked, but the referee refused to speak to me.”

Mourinho was critical of Foy after the game at Villa Park as Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League was reduced to four points.

Ramires was shown a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Villa’s Karim El Ahmadi, an incident that sparked a touchline fracas.

Mourinho claimed he was trying to speak to Foy because Ramires was pushed by Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who had been substituted.

Written by Steve Milne

Thorgan Hazard to push for Chelsea place

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Apr 9, 2014

Thorgan Hazard says he is ready to make the step up to the Chelsea first-team next season. The Belgium midfielder, who is the younger brother of Eden Hazard, has been loaned to Zulte-Waregem for the past two seasons but believes he is ready to play for Chelsea next term and has ruled out another loan move.

Hazard has managed to grab 13 goals and 19 assists so far and he has been in fine form. He has now made it his aim to push for a starting place at Stamford Bridge, despite the high number of other creative players. He is yet to make an appearance for the Blues. Hazard said:

“At the end of the season, I’ll return to Chelsea. Then we will discuss our options. But next season I would like to play in the Premier League or in the Bundesliga. Chelsea will decide, but I won’t stay in Belgium.”

By Charlie Gregory

@CharlieGLFC

Wilmots wants Hazard to move to Paris.

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Ben Reardon

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Apr 9, 2014

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has urged Eden Hazard to leave Chelsea, in favour of a move to Paris.

Wilmots manages Hazard in a star studded Belgium side, and is set to form his squad around the superb Chelsea wing wizard.

Hazard, who has been a target of P.S.G in recent weeks, may find a move to Paris hard to turn down.

The winger has been superb since signing from Lille this year, scoring 14 Premier League goals.

‘It’s an opportunity to be taken into serious consideration if he wants to be part of the category of players who make the difference,’ said Wilmots to French TV.

‘It’s time to raise his level. Hazard and Ibrahimovic are two different players – but highly complementary.’

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Samuel Eto’o targeted by Inter

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Apr 9, 2014

Samuel Eto’o is wanted back by his former club Inter Milan. The striker’s current deal at Chelsea expires in the summer and boss Jose Mourinho is already planning a huge shake-up of his current strike-force.

Eto’o has scored 11 goals since joining the Blues on a free from Anzhi, but they don’t intend on keeping him. Mourinho too was caught mocking the age of Eto’o and now the Cameroon international looks set to leave the club and rejoin his former team.

Contact between Inter and the forward’s agent, Claudio Vigorelli, has already been made over a second spell in Milan.

By Charlie Gregory

@CharlieGLFC

Ashley Williams could be interested in a move to Napoli

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Eoghan18

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Apr 9, 2014

The defender’s representatives have suggested that he could be interested in a move to Napoli if the chance arises following recent speculation that Napoli manager Rafa Benitez is considering making an offer for the Welshman.

Peter Smith, who works for the company who represent Williams, has spoken of how the 29-year-old could be willing to talk to Rafa Benitez if he is presented with the opportunity.

“There has been talk of meetings with the club or with Rafa Benitez, but there’s no truth in that at the moment.” he said.

“Clearly we are talking about a great club with an international level manager, so we are ready to talk to Napoli if a call were to come.

“However, until the possibility becomes concrete, there’s no point talking about it.”

Williams’ current contract at Swansea expires at the end of next season and Garry Monk, Swansea’s manager, has made it clear to the board to move swiftly to offer their captain a new contract.

Written by Eoghan Smith

Arsenal make offer to Rubin Kazan’s Azmoun

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Phil Wellbrook

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Apr 9, 2014

Sardar Azmoun from Rubin Kazan in Russia has told a televsion station in Iran that he had an offer from Arsenal and will consider his future.

This news will come as no surprise as the teenage forward has already been approached by Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan after catching their eye with 3 goals from 10 appearances in the Russian league.

However the youngster insists that there has been no decision made about his future as of late but all options will be considered.

Azmoun is flattered by the interest from these European giants as he is yet to make a senior appearance for home country, Iran. He has revealed though that discussions about a possible move will commence once the summer transfer window has opened.

The teenager told showNavad: “I have offers from three major clubs: Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus.

“I also had an offer from Barcelona, but due to their transfer ban the club is out of the picture at the moment.

“The talks with both Milan and Arsenal are getting very serious. Both clubs have spoken to Kazan.

“But for me, it’s important to keep focus on Kazan. We have seven games left, I will decide after these games.

“I’m very proud to have Arsenal looking at me but, as I said, right now I’m only focusing on the Russian league.”

By Phil Wellbrook

Robert Lewandowski held meeting with Real Madrid

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Apr 9, 2014

Robert Lewandowski admits to having had a brief meeting with Real Madrid while contemplating his next move. Once it became clear he would not sign a new deal at Borussia Dortmund, a rush to secure his signature began.

Real Madrid was one club who tried to sign him and Lewandowski has revealed he had a meeting with Real president Florentino Perez before deciding to join Bayern Munich this summer instead. He was reluctant to be drawn into conversation about what might have been, but did say:

“The only thing I can say is that Florentino spoke with me. It was a very brief conversation, it’s the only thing I can say about the meeting with the president of Real Madrid.”

By Charlie Gregory

@CharlieGLFC

David Silva playing through pain barrier

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Apr 9, 2014

Manchester City midfielder David Silva is currently playing through the pain barrier as he struggles with an ankle injury that means he cannot train all week. City boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed the midfielder is carrying a knock, but is confident he will be fit enough to face Liverpool in their crunch clash on Sunday.

However, it has left Pellegrini sweating over whether he will be fit enough for the other remaining games. Pellegrini said to the Manchester Evening News:

“He’s playing very well and it’s with double merit because he’s playing with his ankle that he has to stop two or three days during the week. It is very important at the end of the season to have high individual performances and he is one of our players who is in a very good moment.

“He played the last two games without a problem and now we have a whole week before we play against Liverpool. So I don’t think he will have any problems.”

By Charlie Gregory

Follow me on Twitter

@CharlieGLFC

Andrea Pirlo closes in on new deal

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Apr 9, 2014