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Arsenal have no excuses anymore, says Mourinho

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has seemingly took yet another dig at rival Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side by saying that if they don’t win a trophy this since, they won’t have any excuses.

The Gunner are still fighting in three competitions, the Premier League title race, the FA Cup and the Champions League, but two poor results in the space of a few days, have raised doubts upon the North London club once again.

After the goalless draw with Manchester United on Wednesday night, Wenger blamed the results on nerves, but Mourinho has commented saying that the team Wenger has at his disposal are not young players anymore and if they fail to win something this season, they have no excuses.

In the past, Wenger has chosen a youthful looking side and a lot of people have doubted their mentality to win trophies, as their drought continues to nearly a decade, and Mourinho believes it’s time for their maturing team to deliver.

 ‘Arsenal have spent many, many years working together. Many, many years making these players grow up and achieve this maturity level,’ he said.

‘These guys, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs, they are not kids any more. They were kids but in this moment they are mature players.

‘The manager with this group of players, four, five or six years working with these players and then adding fantastic players like Mezut Ozil, Santi Cazorla or Per Mertesacker to the team, these last pieces of experiences. I think they are very good team.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Ilkay Gundogan’s father reveals midfielder is ready to leave

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Premier League side Manchester United have been alerted by the news that Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is ready to leave the club, according to his father.

The German international has been closely monitored by United and also Spanish giants Real Madrid, and despite being injured for the majority of the season due to a back injury, it is believed that both clubs remain interested in the German.

In fact, the 23-year-old hasn’t played a competitive game in nearly six months, but that hasn’t put off United or Madrid and the news coming from the player’s father has given them a huge boost in their pursuit for his signature in the Summer.

Gundogan’s father, who is also his agent, was speaking to a German magazine at the time, and although he revealed that his client’s main focus is returning to full fitness, he also admitted that his future is far from a certain, and a move away in the Summer could be on the cards.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mourinho believes Liverpool are the title favourites

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Jose Mourinho believes that Liverpool have a huge advantage in their pursuit of the Premier League title, in the shape of no Champions League football.

There are only 12 matches remaining in the Premier League with Liverpool only 4 points of the leaders, Chelsea, after their last gasp 3-2 win vs Fulham. With Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all having big Champions League matches in the coming days, Mourinho believes that it benefits Liverpool because the Champions League, with all it’s glory, is a huge distraction when it comes to the title race.

“The league is amazing for everyone, there are obviously teams with more potential than others as Liverpool have a big advantage as they do not play in the Champions League. Playing in this (the Champions League) is going to take concentration and energy from the teams involved in it so I think it will be good fun.” he told Sky Sports

He then went on to say, ” All teams need points for their objectives, some for relegation, some for Champions League. So the fight for points will be harder.”

Like Mourinho, many pundits have backed Liverpool to push for the title in the final third of the season and the win again Fulham has given hope to Liverpool fans around the world.

Could this finally be Liverpool’s years?

Mourinho believes Liverpool are the title favourites 1

 

Written By Eoghan Smith

Chelsea trial for Swedish starlet

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The Orebro SK winger has been invited to west London to spend the week training with the Blues youth team at the end of the month.

At 14, Masic is still in the very early stages of his development, but Jose Mourinho is keen to take a closer look at the teenager, after receiving glowing scouting reports from Stamford Bridge representatives, who were alerted to his potential at a tournament at his hometown club last summer.

Described as a quick attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Masic will join up with Chelsea’s U15 side from February 24, where he will have an opportunity to impress Premier League coaches.

“It feels great and I’m looking forward to going there and training,” he said. “It will be a good experience.”

Under Roman Abramovich’s ownership, Chelsea have a history of spending big on already proven world-class talent, but Mourinho is determined to start nurturing and developing exciting young players himself, during his second stint with the club

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Steven Gerrard’s ‘Uncle Bobby’ among UK’s most-wanted

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Robert Gerrard, the footballer’s cousin but known as ‘Uncle Bobby’, is suspected of having links to a drugs cartel.

Attending a Football match to watch his famous relative play the criminal put himself on public show even though he had been on the run for several years from police probing a £1.5million plot to import 300kg of cannabis to the UK from Amsterdam.

A warrant had been issued for the arrest of the man Stevie G called “Uncle” after he fled from justice in 1999.But now the 50-year-old is on the run again.

He is suspected of being involved in a plot to try to import up to £60mmillion of cocaine into Britain.

There is no suggestion Steven and “Uncle Bobby” are seeing each other now.

Top crime busters want to question Bobby about a sophisticated ­international drug ring said to involve violent ­criminals and massive sums of cash.

Last night sources close to Steven, 33, said he had no idea of his wayward relative’s activities

One source said: “Steven knew his Uncle Bobby had been in trouble with the police but didn’t know it was as serious as it apparently is.

Robert Gerrard’s original 10-year flight from justice came after he was caught with a gang who stashed cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine in Merseyside and the Channel Islands.

He was charged with conspiracy to supply drugs during December 1998.

Four other men, three from ­Liverpool and one from Glasgow, were also charged and in 2001 they were jailed for a total of 28 years.

But meanwhile Gerrard had gone on the run after failing to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court in March 1999. It is believed he spent a decade hiding out in southern Spain and Holland.

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Suarez: Evra row was ‘false’

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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has claimed that his racist row with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra was ‘false’ and that he was ‘accused without proof’. He was fined £40,000 and banned for 8 matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra during a match in October 2011. 

In an interview with Uruguayan radio, Suarez said he still believe’s he has done no wrong. 

“Let me tell you, I have made 2 mistakes in my career,” said Suarez, “my first was while I was playing for Ajax, a bit an opponent. My second was when I bit Ivanovic for Liverpool. The case with Evra was just false. I was accused without proof. But that’s in the past.”

“I was sad at that moment, but I’m happy today. I have grown up. I’m beginning to think about things before I do them. Now people in England can’t talk about me because I’m not doing anything wrong”

In the aftermath of the incident the Liverpool warmed up in t-shirts to support the striker, and Suarez refused to shake hands with Evra at the next meeting between the two sides.

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles and updates: @benkelly_10 https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

Chelsea open talks to sign Man United target

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Chelsea have already opened talks with Real Madrid over a move for the Germany international, who had been heavily linked with Manchester United before his injury.

He’s currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury, but Chelsea reportedly lead a list of suitors in the race to sign him before the World Cup.

Initial discussions between Chelsea and Real Madrid have taken place although nothing firm has been agreed.

United boss David Moyes attempted to sign Khedira in the summer transfer window, but ultimately settled for Marouane Fellaini after failed pursuits of Ander Herrera, Cesc Fabregas and Khedira.

Moyes may have now moved on from Khedira, with the latest reports suggesting his Germany international teammate Toni Kroos is United’s top target.

Khedira is unlikely to feature at the World Cup in Brazil as he continues his recuperations from an ACL tear.

But Chelsea remain keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge for the start of next season.

It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid are open to selling the central midfielder – although the €38m capture of Asier Illarramendi last summer may hint at Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term thinking.

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Ronaldo claims record of his own

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Real Madrid made it into the Copa Del Ray final last night after managing to get past rivals Atletico Madrid 3-0 on aggregate. However the spotlight was maybe focused slightly onto star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who set a record that even Lionel Messi can’t claim. 

After scoring in the 7th minute of the game last night, Ronaldo can now say that he’s scored in every minute of the 90 minute game. He has been prolific in more times than others however, scoring 22 goals in the 90th minute and 12 goals in the 45th. However he has only netted once in the 1st, 7th, 15th, 17th, 31st, 40th, 43rd, 53rd and 78th minute. To equal Ronaldo’s record, Messi must score, 1st, 2nd, 10th, 14th, 15th, 46th and 69th minute of the game. 

Meanwhile, the two Spanish giants will meet again in what could part be a marathon of ‘el classico’s towards the end of the season. They play each other in the league on March 23rd, and with the cup final falling on March 19th and the possibility of them drawing each other in the Champions League, the tie could be one of many entertaining games. Barcelona have won the Copa Del Ray more than any other side with 26 triumphs, while Mardrid have reached more finals (36) but have only won 18.

The lastest final meeting favours Madrid however, who under Mourinho in the 2010-11 beat Barcelona 1-0 at the Mestalla – Valencia’s stadium, which is more than likely to be this years venue.

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for links to more update and articles: @benkelly_1 

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

 

Mata hoping Dubai break will boost Man United’s season

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The goalless draw with Arsenal on Monday night has left United 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.

With no FA Cup action this weekend following the shock third round defeat to Swansea, David Moyes has taken his side on a short break to Dubai.

And Mata reckons it could give United the boost they need to get their bid to secure Champions League football back on track.

“We are going to rest a bit, train as a group and prepare ourselves for the rest of the season,” Mata said.

“Once we come back from this mini-break hopefully we will win many matches.”

Mata has struggled to find his best form since signing from Chelsea in a record deal in January.

Moyes’ decision to use the Spaniard in a wide role has been criticised by the likes of Gordon Hill, with the United boss urged to play the 25-year-old in a more central role.

But the player himself insists he is comfortable operating anywhere across the midfield.

“Throughout my career I have played on the left, on the right and just behind the striker,” Mata said.

“I don’t mind playing anywhere the manager tells me.”

It is easy to understand why Mata is content to be shifted around the United team.

After spending most of the first half of the season on the bench at Chelsea, Mata is just happy to be on the pitch.

And having found a place to live in Manchester, Mata finally seems to have finally found contentment in the north west after a difficult six-month period which has put the player’s chances of playing in the World Cup in jeopardy.

“I am happy at the club, very happy,” Mata said.

“I am enjoying my football, I am getting minutes on the pitch, I am in a very, very big club and I hope we finish the season well.

“David De Gea has helped me settle, the same with Chicharito, Valencia, and Rafael, they all speak Spanish but everyone there has helped me.

“People like Giggs have been here for many years and there’s Rooney and Van Persie, they have all treated me phenomenally well.”

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Liverpool are title ‘dark horses’

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The Merseyside club moved to within four points of league-leaders Chelsea courtesy of a last-gasp victory over Fulham on Wednesday, with Gerrard grabbing the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho recently described his side as the “little horse” in this season’s title race and Gerrard has picked up on the equine theme to describe his side’s current status.

“We’re in the mix,” admitted Gerrard. “It’s still early days, there’s a lot of football to be played and we’re not going to get carried away. But we are in good form. We feel as if we’re dark horses.

“We just carry on playing and trying to win as many games as we can. We have the advantage, in a funny way, of no European football, because we have just got the league and FA Cup to focus on.”

At Craven Cottage on Wednesday, Liverpool twice came from behind to win 3-2, adding to an impressive run in 2014 that has seen them take 16 points from seven matches.

“We showed we’ve got talent all over the pitch; at home, with the atmosphere behind us, you don’t have to motivate yourself – you just go out and perform, and more often than not you play well,” Gerrard told the club’s official website, www.liverpoolfc.com.

“But coming away on a Wednesday night, windy, on a difficult pitch, away to Fulham is a big test for the team.

“We’ve passed it but we still have to learn from our mistakes and defend better on the road if we’re to finish in the top four places.”

Liverpool’s next game is an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Arsenal, a side who are challenging for the title themselves but who were beaten 5-1 by Brendan Rodgers’ side last weekend.

Gerrard is very aware of the threat posed by the Gunners, especially following the game at Anfield and their frustrating 0-0 home draw against Manchester United.

“Top sides, when they get beat 5-1, they are hurt,” he said. “They have just battled to a 0-0 draw against Manchester United so they have showed they have defended quite well in the game.

“We’re expecting a tight game at the Emirates and I think the 5-1 game will have no bearing on this game coming. We’re expecting a really tough game.

“It’s a break from the league and we’ll go there and give it everything we’ve got because we want a good cup run.”

Written by Steve Milne

Flanagan delighted at Cafu comparisons.

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Liverpool supporters have praised John Flanagan for his recent fine performances, by nick naming the youngster the “Red Cafu”. 

The Brazilian Cafu, who won the World Cup in 2002 with his country was argubly the best full back of his generation, in a star studded Brazilian squad, playing in their pomp, with the likes of Ronaldinho, the original Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos in that team at that time. 

But the Liverpudlian was star struck when the former Brazilian great, now aged 43, took to Twitter who sais he would take a real interest in young Flanagan’s promising career so far. 

Cafu Tweeted. 

I have fan tweets who say RedCafu is Flanagan at Liverpool. I must watch more Premier league to see both !

Flanagan was obviously delighted at the comments from Cafu, and stated…

“There’s been a few comments going around the training ground, about that,” said Flanagan. “But it’s just brilliant having him [Cafu] commenting”. 

“To see a tweet from Cafu, someone I’ve looked up to, a brilliant right-back all of his life for Brazil, AC Milan and others – for him to comment on me is amazing really”. 

“You think: Is it real and did he really tweet that? It’s a great boost for me. Some fans call me stuff, some fans call me other stuff! But for him to notice me and say he’s going to watch me is just brilliant.

“He’s a legend in the game, so hopefully I can keep improving and maybe one day reach the top like he did.” 

Flanagan has a wise head on young shoulders, and has been in a rich vein of form all season long, after breaking into the Liverpool first team, he scored his first goal for the club in a 5-0 win against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, the result which proved to be the end for then Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas, who was sacked that Monday. 

His form at Liverpool may even give him an outside chance of a World Cup place. 

No pressure then… 

By Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

Draxler can go for £37million.

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Schalke coach Jens Keller said: “Because of his clause, he can leave when a club puts the money on the table… it is not in my or our hands”

Schalke have today admitted that the reported £37m buyout clause in Arsenal target Julian Draxler’s contract is a reality and will be active this summer.

Arsenal boss Wenger has considered signing the 20 year old German playmaker in January and last Summer.

And Schalke boss Jens Keller today admitted that the Bundesliga club are already preparing for life after Draxler. “I am delighted that we have him on board for the second half of the season but, because of his clause, he can leave when a club puts the money on the table” said Keller.

“That’s why i can’t plan with him, because it is just not in my or our hands. When you have to replace a player like Julian, you had better be prepared” he added.

Talking to Sport Bild Keller said: “Its clear that all the talk about his 45.5 million euro release clause and the interest from top european clubs leaves its mark on such a young lad.”

“The hype around him last summer was huge. He must learn to cope with that, and also that failing to perform at less than 100 percent is not good enough for him”

-@CaldaTSP

Chelsea boss prepared to sacrifice cup tie.

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Jose Mourinho is apparently ready to risk an FA Cup embarrassment at The Etihad on Saturday as he targets the Premier League title.

Terry, Ramires, Hazard, Oscar, Eto’o, Matic and Cahill look set to miss the last 16 match up against Premier League rivals Man City. The reason being that the cup is only the #3 priority behind the League title and Champions league for Mourinho’s men.

After losing CB Gary Cahill to a calf injury for Chelsea’s last trip to the Etihad, he is considering giving Cahill and defensive partner John Terry extra time off to ensure they are ready for the home clash against Everton on February 27th as well as the Champions League away game to Turkish giants Galatasaray 4 days later.

Terry who had prior to last weekends game against Newcastle, played every minute of the season so far, was a noticeable absentee on tuesday night as Chelsea dropped two points by drawing 1-1 with West Brom.

The Chelsea skipper has been out due to an injury which manager Mourinho described as a “double muscle injury” which was sustained during training on Friday.

Mourinho also intends to give starts to Ashley Cole, John Obi Mikel, Andre Schurrle, back to fitness Fernando Torres and new signing Mohamed Salah, in order to ensure they are match fit for the last part of the season.

That means Mourinho will likely rest Ramires, Hazard, Oscar and Samuel Eto’o while £21,000,000 January signing Nemanja Matic appeared injured as he limped off the field at The Hawthorns on Tuesday.

Mourinho knows the FA Cup is very much in third place in the club’s priority list. Mourinho suggested that his players lacked the “personality” that is normally shown by Terry as they threw away a 1-0 lead against West Brom.

“There was real frustration that we couldn’t get three points. It was tough” Said CB Gary Cahill. “If you’re the home team and behind (like West Brom were), you’ve got nothing to lose going into the last 20 minutes. Anything can happen when you push players up and they got the point.”

“We had control for long periods and if we’d scored a second goal, it was over. We just needed that second”

-@CaldaTSP

Tom Cleverley challenges Manchester United to go on a winning-streak

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Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has laid down the challenge for the champions to put together a string of wins following their 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool’s 3-2 win against Fulham means that the champions now trail the fourth-placed Reds by 11 points in the race for the final Champions League spot.

Cleverley felt that the Emirates stalemate was a fair result, but admitted that the Red Devils need to pick up the wins if they are to have any chance of over-hauling their rivals.

Speaking to MUTV, the 24-year-old said: “We need to win every game from now on and Liverpool getting a last-minute winner is disappointing for us. Our result isn’t the worst in the world but we need to start winning games fast.

“I think it was a pretty fair result. We feel like we could have won the game, but their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves. It could have swung either way but in the end it’s a fair result.”

Robin van Persie missed a great chance early on for the visitors and he was denied with superb stop by Wojciech Szczesny towards the end, but Cleverley refused to lay the blame at the Dutchman’s door.

“Nobody’s blaming Robin for missing chances because he’s scored so many goals for us this year,” he added. “On another day they might have gone in. If either of [his chances] had gone in it would have changed the dynamic of the game as we could have hit them on the counter.”

United are without a win in their last three games and have only tasted victory twice this year.

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Inter owner plans summer overhaul.

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The new owener of Italian Serie A side Inter Milan is planning a huge summer spending spree, and has highlighted three names on his shipping list, including two playrs currently in the Premier League. 

Erik Thohir took over as chairman of the club a few months ago, after buying the Serie A sidein a wealthy take-over, and has already planned his summer shopping, as he looks to make Inter a force again. 

Thohir wants to overhaul his squad, and is looking to capture Erik Lamela, Nemanja Vidic, and Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. 

The Indonesian businessman will try and tempt Nemaja Vidic, who will leave Manchester United in the summer, to Milan, as a final last hurrah for the ageing Serbian, who had become a cult figure at Old Trafford. 

Vidic has been linked with a move to Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco in France, but now Inter have weighed in to try and sign the Serb. 

Inter are already on record as saying they will be one of the teams who will compete for Vidic’s signing in the summer, with the clubs sporting director Piero Ausilio saying:

“He is one of the players we are tracking. He has an interesting profile for Inter, as he has charisma and international experience.”

The owner also hopes to add Tottenham winger Erik Lamela to his squad, with the Argentine playmaker struggling to make an impact at White Hart Lane, ever since signing for the club from AS Roma, for a fee of £30 million. 
So much so, Lamela was linked with a move back to Roma, or Inter in January, but Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood stopped the move. 
Real Madrid’s Spanish centre forward Alvaro Morata has also been linked with a move away from the Benabeu after a lack of regular playing time under Carlo Ancelotti. 
The player was also linked with a move to Arsenal in January, but turned down a possible move to stay in Spain. 
By Ben Reardon 
@BenReardon1