Real Madrid ready to rival Man United for Vidal

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Feb 14, 2014

Boss Jose Mourinho is in danger of being without key central defenders John Terry and Gary Cahill for Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Manchester City.

Mourinho had hoped Terry would be fit for Tuesday’s Premier League game at West Brom after sitting out Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge with a double muscle injury.

But the 33-year-old was again missing, with his absence felt as the Baggies staged a late second-half rally to grab a 1-1 draw following Branislav Ivanovic’s opener in first-half injury-time.

Mourinho will be hoping the additional game off will have allowed Terry sufficient time to recover ahead of the fifth-round tie with City.

Terry’s presence is crucial as Cahill limped away from the Hawthorns with a damaged calf, sustained shortly prior to Victor Anichebe heading home an 87th-minute equaliser, meaning he is now a major doubt for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Cahill said: “Once I got the knock, I was struggling from then on.

“It happened when a West Brom player went for a header and I was on the floor, and he landed just inside my knee/calf. It’s sore and we’ll see what it’s like later.”

The late goal and the injury completed an unhappy end to the game for Cahill as Chelsea missed the chance to open up a four-point cushion at the top of the table.

Albion, however, performed admirably as they played the pressing game that new head coach Pepe Mel has been demanding of his players.

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Chelsea striker sends out cryptic message

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Feb 14, 2014

Alan Pardew did what he does best last week and stirred things up for a football club other than his own. When asked if he’d considered a move for his former striker Demba Ba, Pardew used the opportunity to explain why he thought the player wouldn’t be happy at Stamford Bridge.

“I should think Demba’s frustrated too, knowing him. He’s a player who wants to play.

“I always liked that about Demba. Demba used to take knocks and not have his next game but the next game he was ready to play. I think he’ll be frustrated that he’s not getting a lot of football there. But he was a great player for us.”

Pardew’s comments will have been designed to let the striker know that the man who got the best out of him is aware he’ll be frustrated right now. The transfer was always a strange one and hasn’t been explained through performances or Ba’s usefulness to the Chelsea team.

He’s made 3 starts so far this season and most of his substitute appearances have been so short they’ve given him little time to get into games. So, when he posted a cryptic message across his social media profiles (seen above) on Wednesday night it raised eyebrows.

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Arsene Wenger is special at failing, says Mourinho

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Feb 14, 2014

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a specialist at failing as the North London club try to end their nine-year trophy drought.

The Blues boss was responding to the comments Wenger made in his press conference when he said that the Premier League title is Chelsea’s to lose.

Mourinho’s men are currently top of the table and that is why the Arsenal boss said it was theirs to lose, but Mourinho has seemingly took offence to the comment and has hit back at the Frenchman by saying he’s a specialist at losing.

Wenger hasn’t won a trophy at Arsenal since their FA Cup triumph of 2005 and Mourinho believes that is a special failure.

‘Wenger is a specialist in failure,’ said Mourinho at his Friday press conference.

‘If he is right it is because I don’t fail many times. Eight years without a trophy is failure.

‘If that was me I would not come back to London. I’m not fearing anything in football.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Remy rape case dropped.

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CaldaTSP

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Feb 14, 2014

The 27-year-old French striker, currently on loan to Newcastle United from Queens Park Rangers, was arrested last year along with two other men after a women claimed she had been attacked in Fulham, west London.

The three men were told on Thursday that there was to be no further action taken over the allegations.

At the time of his arrest, the striker denied the allegations.

The police officers investigating the claim did not name the QPR star but said:

“Officers from Sapphire (sex crime unit) investigated an allegation of rape on May 6 in the Fulham area.”

“The allegation was passed on to the Metropolitan Police Service by Kent Police on 8 May after the 34-year-old female victim reported it to them the previous day.”

“The victim alleged she was raped by three men.”

“On the morning of Wednesday 15 May, three men aged 26, 23 and 22, were arrested at an address in Fulham on suspicion of rape.”

“They were taken into custody at a west London police station and all three men were bailed pending further inquiries.”

“On February 13, and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the three men were informed that no further action would be taken against them.”

– Written by Cal Staines – @CaldaTSP

Fabregas flattered by interest.

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CaldaTSP

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Feb 14, 2014

The 26-year-old Spanish playmaker was the subject of two bids from the defending Premier League champions last season but chose to remain at the Nou Camp.

“I do follow the Premier League a lot and it’s always flattering when a club like Manchester United talks very well about you and you can see they want you” Fabregas told Football Focus, “But i’m going through an amazing moment now.”

The Barcelona midfielder formerly played in the Premier League with Arsenal. He has won 2 European Championships and 1 World Cup with his national side Spain, he has been a regular this season for Barcelona who current lead La Liga on goal difference.

“I’m playing every week and I feel very important to the team” he said. “I’m very happy right now.”

“This season I have felt more like myself, with more freedom and more secure with the way I like to play. It’s not easy when you know you have to convince many fans how good you are and how good you can be for the team” said the jubilant Fabregas. “The manager (Tito Vilanova) has trusted me and given me what I needed. I’m probably going through my best spell here.”

The Spaniard also claims to regularly watch the premier league on television and says he has seen enough of some of England’s young prospects to suggest that England could have a bright future.

“I have seen youngsters like Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck play and they have got talent,” said Fabregas “That’s the thing England have been missing over the years – talent. They have got a great group of boys with amazing talent and they have to take advantage of that.”

Fabregas’ Spanish compatriot Juan Mata is now linking up with English prospects Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverly at Manchester United after his £37.1m move from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

“I was suprised to see Juan move there becauuse I think he has been Chelsea’s best player over the last two years,” Fabregas added. “He’s produced some amazing performances as they won the Champions League, Europe League and FA Cup and he scored in the final of the European Championship with Spain.”

– Written by Cal Staines – @CaldaTSP

Wenger content with squad depth.

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Ben Reardon

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Feb 14, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has confidence, and can rely on each and every member of his playing squad.

Wenger is currently mulling over which sides to pick for first the F.A Cup game at home to Liverpool on Sunday, before Wednesday’s match against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

It has been a tough week for the Gunners boss, as Arsenal endured a hammering away at Liverpool, losing the game 5-1, before drawing 0-0 at home to Manchester United on Wednesday Evening.

Speaking to the official Arsenal website, Wenger stated….

“I will play a team [against Liverpool] with a good opportunity, a good chance to qualify,” he said. “Will I rest one player, or two or three, I don’t know yet. Certainly we will have just have one focus, which is to win the game.

He went onto say.

“We have rotated quite well, if you look at the number of players we have used. I have the same level of confidence in every player.

“For example, I rate Jenkinson but Sagna has a bit more experience so when we go in a game with more pressure I give the advantage sometimes to the experienced [player].

“But I have the same level of confidence in every player in my squad. I have a short squad but a very level squad.”

Long serving midfielder Mathieu Flamini will return to the squad for Sunday’s Cup game, something Wenger is rather happy about.

“We have rotated quite well, if you look at the number of players we have used. I have the same level of confidence in every player.

“For example, I rate Jenkinson but Sagna has a bit more experience so when we go in a game with more pressure I give the advantage sometimes to the experienced [player].

“But I have the same level of confidence in every player in my squad. I have a short squad but a very level squad.”

However Santi Cazorla will miss the fixture after contracting a virus.

The game is televised live on BT Sport 1

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Arsene Wenger talks title race

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Feb 14, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been talking to the club’s official website about this season’s title race.

The Gunners boss faced the media ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool on Sunday, but it was the title race that took main attention as reporters wanted to know Wenger’s stance on the cmpetition, especially after their two poor results against The Reds and Manchester United.

Wenger was questioned about how close the race is and whether or not more teams are in it rather than just Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“It is very open, only Chelsea can lose it because they are in front and all the other teams can win it,” He said.

“Yes (Spurs and Liverpool are in it), I always said that many teams are in it and it will be very tight until the end.”

Wenger was then asked about why Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers keep dismissing their club’s chances, and the Frenchman puts that down to fear of failure.

“It’s fear to fail.” he added.

“If you’re not in the race you cannot lose it, if you declare yourself not in the race you cannot lose it, it’s as simple as that.

“I think just that our job is to be ambitious and to try to win, and if we do not win to take full responsibility for that. It’s as simple as that and that’s how I see it.

“I say that yes we are in it [the title race], yes we will have a go for it, we will absolutely give everything to go for it and if we don’t do it I will take responsibility for it, but I just see it like that.”

Finally, Wenger was asked about Mourinho’s stance on Liverpool having an advantage because they are not playing in any European competition.

“If you win and you have no big injuries, it’s better you play competitions. On a physical front, it’s a huge advantage for Liverpool, but if you give them the choice – ‘would you like to play in the Champions League?’ – they have not played for seven years in the Champions League so they would say yes.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mourinho: Cole needs to go to the World Cup.

By

Ben Reardon

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Feb 14, 2014

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has backed Ashley Cole for a place at the World Cup Finals in Brazil.

England manager Hodgson has suggested that Cole’s place could be under threat due to a lack of game time at Chelsea.

Cole has recently dropped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, but Mourinho believes Cole deserves to be on the plane to Rio, come June.

“It’s Roy’s decision,” the Chelsea manager told Sky Sports News.

“There are many national team managers, (who) select their players independent of what they do for their clubs – players who don’t play at their clubs but have the complete trust of their national team managers.

“I think Ashley Cole did very well for England in the qualification, he’s one of the boys who gave an important contribution for England to be in the World Cup.

“Normally, I don’t see any reason for him not to be selected for the World Cup.

Leighton Baines has also been in contention for a place, aswell as Luke Shaw, with both fullback’s impressing on a regular basis for Everton and Southampton respectively.

Baines has been in some superb form for the Toffees this season, participating in 19 games, and scoring three goals.

Mourinho also backed Hodgson to call upon Chelsea captain John Terry, hinting his experience will benefit England.

“I’d never intervene. He’s in charge and has everything in his hand. He has made that decision.

“For me as a Chelsea manager I’m happy players play with their national teams – but at the same time I’m happy an important player like him is fully focused on his work at Chelsea.”

The Chelsea boss also stated that he expects Liverpool to have the advantage in the title race, in the in-depth interview with Geoff Shreeves.

“I’d never intervene. He’s in charge and has everything in his hand. He has made that decision.

“For me as a Chelsea manager I’m happy players play with their national teams – but at the same time I’m happy an important player like him is fully focused on his work at Chelsea.”

All mind games then… ??

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham could still sign striker Robert Muric

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Feb 14, 2014

It is understood that the Dutch heavyweights are the favourites to land the sought-after teenager before he becomes a free agent in the summer.

But Premier League trio Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly keeping tabs on the forward and are likely to pounce when the transfer window reopens should Ajax fail to bring him in.

Muric rejected the chance to sign a new deal in Croatia, but will remain a Dinamo player for the remainder of the 2013/14 campaign.

The Croatia Under-17 international is reported to have given his word that he would join the Eredivisie outfit, but the club have admitted that they are yet to secure the player’s services.

Technical director Marc Overmars said: “Muric is wanted by many clubs – everybody wants him.

“He really is a great talent and will be a free agent in the summer. But he is not yet ours.”

Written by Steve Milne @stevenmilnelive

Arsene Wenger delighted to have Liverpool next

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Feb 14, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted if he could hand-pick an opponent to face next, it would have been Liverpool.

The Gunners boss had to watch on on Saturday as his side got battered 5-1 by Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, and speaking to the club’s official website, he has admitted that he is delighted to be able to face the side again in order to put things right.

Wenger’s men eased past Liverpool 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium earlier on in the season, but the two goalscorers of that day, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, will both miss the FA Cup game due to injury.

After watching his side lose 5-1, Wenger admitted that nerves have got the better of his players, but he is looking forward to going up against The Reds once again.

“I would say it is the first team we want to play,” he said. “When you can put things right, you want an opportunity to do that and we have an opportunity.

“We have got it out of our systems because our main frailty at Liverpool was that we conceded goal after goal in 20 minutes. On Wednesday night we came back to our usual defensive stability.

“But these guys are winners. When they lose in that way, believe me, they are hurt.”

“You can say what you want, when you just conceded five goals you do not go into the next game and act like nothing happened,” he said.

“But I feel that we got the mental response I expected from the team, they were hugely committed. With a bit more confidence we would have been a bit more composed on the ball in some situations in the game that could have had an influence on the result in the end.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal will be without Santi Cazorla for Sunday’s FA Cup clash

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Feb 14, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be without Spanish ace Santi Cazorla this weekend due to illness.

The Gunners host Liverpool in the FA Cup Fifth Round and no doubtedly they will be looking for revenge on the club that battered them 5-1 just a week ago, but it looks like Wenger is ready to rest some of his usual stars in order to focus on the Premier League and the Champions League.

Arsenal take on Bayern Munich just three days after hosting Liverpool, so it isn’t known how strong the side will line-up on Sunday, but Wenger has confirmed already that Cazorla will miss out due to an illness.

Despite missing the Spaniard, Wenger will have Mathieu Flamini back from suspension, which will come as a huge relief to the Frenchman and also the fans as Flamini has become crucial to the side this season.

‘We have no Ramsey and Cazorla, so (Mathieu) Flamini is very welcome back.’ Wenger said.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

REVEALED! How Chelsea managed to win the race for Eden Hazard

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Feb 14, 2014

Former-Lille manager Rudi Garcia has revealed what actually took place when Chelsea tried to sign Belgium star Eden Hazard, and he has admitted that Roman Abramovich got through to the star by using Ivorian duo Didier Drogba and Gervinho.

It was back in 2011 and Hazard was wanted by several European giants, but it was eventually revealed that he had chosen to join Chelsea, and the reason behind this was because The Blues owner told him he would triple his wages, no matter what he was currently on at Lille.

Abramovich was desperate to land the Belgium superstar so he thought tactically and used Drogba, who was at Chelsea at the time, and Gervinho, who was then at Lille.

Garcia, who is now coach at AS Roma, has recently written a book and he revealed that Drogba phoned up Gervinho and asked if he was with Eden.

Gervinho said he was and then the phones were passed to both Abramovich and Hazard, and that is when the Russian persuaded the midfielder with the prospect of tripling his wages.

The attacking-midfielder has been in superb form so far this season for The Blues and the club’s owner believes he was right to offer him such massive money at the time.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mark Lawrenson predictions for weekend

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Feb 14, 2014

BBC pundit believes Liverpool will beat Arsenal at Emirates in the cup

With the Premier League taking a weekend off, it is the FA Cup’s turn to take centre stage, and with a chance of getting into the Quarter Finals, everyone will be doing their best to earn their progression through to the final eight.

Here are the predictions Mark Lawrenson has made for this weekend’s ties.

Sunderland 0-2 Southampton

“Saints do not have many injuries to contend with and they are back playing well again too. A good FA Cup run could cap a fine season for them.”

Cardiff City 2-1 Wigan Athletic

“Another win in the FA Cup would lift the place a little bit and it should be a good game because Wigan are the holders and they will go for it.”

Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Charlton Athletic

“Wednesday will be favourites and I think they will be up for it. If they get a big team in the quarter-finals then their fans will make sure it is a big occasion whether they are at home or away.”

Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea (Chelsea to win replay)

“A draw is absolutely the last result both men will want, but I have a feeling they might get a replay to contend with as well.”

Everton 2-1 Swansea City

“The Toffees do not look the same team going forward without the injured Romelu Lukaku up front, while Swansea look more of a goal threat now Wilfried Bony has kicked on, but I still think Everton will find a way to win this tie, whatever it takes.”

Sheffield United 0-2 Nottingham Forest

“Forest will stick at it like they did against North End and I just cannot see United upsetting them.”

Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool

“Wenger will probably make wholesale changes and Liverpool are in the sort of mood to make the most of it.”

Brighton 2-0 Hull City

“Yes, it would be great for them to have a cup run but they are doing pretty well in the Premier League in their first season back in the top flight and their priority has to be staying out of trouble. I can totally understand that.”

What are your thoughts on these predictions? Comment your opinions below!

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Chelsea have been offered Diego Costa in a sensational swap deal involving Thibaut Courtois.

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Feb 14, 2014