Sports update

[Edoman]

Ozil is a Fenerbahce fanatic - agent hopeful Arsenal midfielder will complete move



12 January 2021,







Mesut Ozil is a Fenerbahce fanatic and could join the Turkish giants from Arsenal this month, according to agent Erkut Sogut.


The 32-year-old has not played for Arsenal since last March after being frozen out by first-team manager Mikel Arteta.


Ozil is into the final six months of his Emirates Stadium contract and revealed on Monday a move to either Turkey or the United States appeals to him.


Agent Sogut is hopeful his client will soon find a new club, with discussions already under way with clubs over a possible deal in the January window.
"Ozil is not an ordinary Fenerbahce supporter. He's a fanatic. He would only come to Turkey to play for Fenerbahce. I hope it will happen," Sogut told beIN Sports Turkey.


"This transfer needs a process. It would be wrong to say certain things before something happens, but I hope it will happen."


Sogut added: "It'll be a great moment for Mesut to come to Fenerbahce, as a big fan. But at the moment, I can't say what the chances are. We have to see both sides of the picture.


"Before the papers are signed, nothing is definite. Even if we come to a verbal agreement before contracts are signed, nobody can say this deal is done."

Major League Soccer side DC United have also been credited with an interest in Ozil, who has spent the past seven and a half years with Arsenal.
Only Kevin De Bruyne (74), David Silva (63) and Christian Eriksen (62) have provided more Premier League assists than Ozil's 54 since the start of 2013-14.

Arteta hinted last week there is no way back for the German at Arsenal, but Sogut suggested he may remain in north London until his contract expires.


Sogut said: "If this is a good move, let's hope it happens; if not, we don't want it. Let's wait for the process and people now understand what Mesut wants to do from his tweets."


Ozil has not played a minute of football this season after being left out of Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads, yet Sogut does not see that being a problem.


He said: "There have been no mishaps, he trains with the first team and a lack of match time is a problem that can be solved quickly. He'll become a 90-minute player in a short period of time."

[Edoman]

Neymar to return as PSG seek eighth straight Trophee des Champions



12 January 2021, 



Neymar will make his return for Paris Saint-Germain when they take on rivals Marseille in the Trophee des Champions.


PSG will look to win the trophy for a remarkable eighth consecutive season as they line up against Marseille in Lens on Wednesday.


New head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Neymar will play some part in the contest after missing the last five matches with an ankle injury.


"Neymar is available - he will be with the group," Pochettino said about the Brazil forward, who has been out for a month since the Ligue 1 defeat to Lyon.


"We will decide on Wednesday if he will start."
There have been concerns about burnout for Kylian Mbappe, who again played 90 minutes in the 3-0 Ligue 1 win over Brest on Saturday.


But Pochettino is optimistic about the World Cup winner's fitness ahead of a match with high stakes, where the coach feels pride is more important than the silverware on offer.


"Kylian is in perfect condition," Pochettino said when asked if Mbappe could start for a third time in eight days.


"We are evaluating the different options for our line-up on Wednesday. We will see which team is the best to win this match. We need to perform at the best level to get the win against Marseille.
"My main motivation is to win this game. We are playing against a great rival in OM. Pride is important, much more than titles. We will do everything to win this match.


"If we win, we know it will bring a trophy. But the most important thing is pride."
Asked about his own experiences of Le Classique as a PSG player, Pochettino added: "I remember these meetings perfectly.

"All the games were very special. For the players, the fans, the club, football is a sport of emotions.
"We realise with the health situation how much we miss the fans. The importance of this match, I had already felt it in my time."


Five players were sent off in stoppage time when these two sides met in Ligue 1 in September, following a brawl, but Pochettino sees that having no bearing on this week's game.


"The first match [against Marseille this season] is one I was not involved in. I can't talk much about it. I saw pictures. The situation is over," Pochettino said.


PSG will be without Colin Dagba, the latest player at the club to test positive for coronavirus.
Dagba has started both PSG games under Pochettino, but the defender will not play no part against Andre Villas-Boas' side as he is self-isolating.


Fellow defender Thilo Kehrer and Rafinha have also tested positive for the virus since PSG returned to training this month.

[Edoman]

Man Utd star Pogba says Premier League leaders ready for 'big game' against Liverpool



13 January 2021, 

Manchester United star Paul Pogba said the Red Devils are ready for their top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool after leapfrogging the defending champions atop the Premier League.


United top the Premier League table at this stage of the season for the first time since Alex Ferguson's final season in charge in 2012-13 following Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Burnley.


Pogba was the hero – his volley 19 minutes from the end sending United three points clear of rivals Liverpool ahead of Sunday's blockbuster showdown at Anfield.

"It will be a beautiful game for everyone," Pogba told BBC Sport, with five of his past seven Premier League goals coming away from home.


"It's a big game coming up so let's get ready for it."
United controlled proceedings away to Burnley and saw Harry Maguire's first-half goal ruled out for a foul.


But Pogba stepped up in the second half at Turf Moor, converting Marcus Rashford's cross.
Rashford has been directly involved in 11 goals in his past 14 Premier League appearances (six goals and five assists) after teeing up Pogba.


United, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their past 15 away fixtures in the Premier League since losing 2-0 to Liverpool in January last year.


"We knew if we won tonight we would be top of the league when we play Liverpool," said Pogba, who had game highs in touches (106), completed passes (71) and clearances (five).


"We have to keep calm, now it is the big moment. We will see what is going to happen."

[Edoman]

Atletico Madrid to confirm Dembele arrival, says Simeone



13 January 2021


Diego Simeone said LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid are poised to confirm the signing of Lyon forward Moussa Dembele.


Atletico and Lyon have been in "very advanced" negotiations regarding a deal that will see Dembele move to the Wanda Metropolitano on loan with an option to buy.


Atleti will reportedly be able to secure Dembele for a €35million fee should the former France Under-21 international impress on loan before the end of the season.


Dembele has scored just once in 16 Ligue 1 games for Lyon this season, having hit 24 in 46 across all competitions in 2019-20.


Simeone was asked about Dembele following Tuesday's 2-0 LaLiga victory over Sevilla in the Spanish capital.


"It is very advanced," Atletico head coach Simeone said post-match. "We are going to confirm it."
Atletico extended their lead atop LaLiga to four points thanks to goals from Angel Correa and Saul Niguez against visiting Sevilla. 

Correa broke the deadlock in the 17th minute before Atletico team-mate Saul put the result beyond doubt with 14 minutes remaining.
Of Correa's goals for Atletico, 19 out of 39 across all competitions have been the opening goal of a match, per Opta.


Atletico, meanwhile, are one of the two teams with the most clean sheets in the top five European leagues this season (11 in 16 fixtures) – level with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.


On Saul, who has only started seven of 13 LaLiga games this term, Simeone said: "Like everything in life, the first one who has to want to get out of the difficulty is oneself and Saul loves it.


"He knew he was not well and has always worked. Since he was 18 years old, he has had to live things very good and now he has to live another and Saul is helping himself and is already getting out of the situation he was in."


Simeone was named the best coach of the decade by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) this week.


"I am not aware of that," said Simeone, who guided Atletico to LaLiga glory in 2014 and Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016.


"We focus on improving the team, we work daily, we have made an important change in the game. That is healthy and gives us great joy for the number of players who have joined us and that allows us to be.


"With the energy of the first day I got on the plane with the mentality of taking the team to the top of Europe."

[Edoman]

Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone named Coach of the Decade ahead of Zidane, Guardiola, Klopp and Mourinho despite winning just one league title









Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone has been named Coach of the Decade despite winning just one league title. 
 
The Argentine saw off competition from the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho to be declared Coach of the Decade by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), which unveiled the 20 best head coaches in club football.
 
Simeone (152 points) pipped Pep Guardiola (144 points) to the award, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp third on 105 points.
 
In a statement, the IFFHS noted: 'Simeone realised a great performance with his club Atletico Madrid in this decade: 1 LaLiga title, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Super Copa Espana, 2 UEFA Europa League titles, 2 UEFA Super Cup titles and 2 times Runner-Up in UEFA Champions League Finals.
 
'His regularity and his power made the difference to win the Award of the Decade 2011-2020.'
 
 

 
Atletico currently have a four-point lead at the top, with 41 points from 16 games played, and have only lost once so far this campaign. Real Madrid sits in second on 37 points, with two games in hand. 
 
 

[Edoman]

Grant Being Considered For Return By Roman Abramovich 

Chelsea's owner believes Grant could provide valuable assistance to Frank Lampard.

The Blues' 3-1 defeat to Man City was their latest during a downturn in performances in the Premier League, Lampard and Grant reached the Champions League final together in 2008,

The Russian billionaire believes Grant's experience could provide invaluable support to manager Lampard and his staff.

Chelsea have won only one of their last six Premier League matches and have dropped to ninth in the table.

Grant believes his strengths lie as a team manager rather than behind the scenes, so potentially the 65-year-old's return to Stamford Bridge could be on a short-term basis.

"About the current situation, I can say only this. You need to be strong when things are not going well, when things are going well everyone is a genius and knows what to do," Grant said in an Instagram post.

"But in the situation like this when things aren't going well you need to be strong, look for solutions and show a lot about your character.

"What I can say to Frank and the others at the club is be patient, and more than this do whatever is necessary to do, that's for sure. Two things: never lose it even when things are going well, don't lose your fighting spirit at the highest level.

"And second, don't lose what you have here [points at head] - you need to think right and look for solutions. If you do that, then everything will be OK because the quality is there and there is a potential like there was [at Chelsea] in my time."

In 2018, the former Portsmouth and West Ham boss had a spell as manager of Indian Super League team NorthEast United.

Prior to that, Grant managed Ghana, leading them to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, losing to Ivory Coast on penalties.

Grant guided Chelsea to the Champions League final in 2008 and Lampard scored 20 goals during 40 appearances in all competitions for the Blues during that season.

Source: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12185941/avram-grant-former-chelsea-manager-being-considered-for-return-by-roman-abramovich

[Edoman]

Mourinho blames 'individual mistakes' for Fulham draw



14 January 2021, 




Jose Mourinho cited "individual mistakes" as the reason for Tottenham's tendency to drop points from winning positions.


Spurs looked set to be heading to third place in the Premier League thanks to Harry Kane's header against Fulham, but Mourinho's team were pegged back by Ivan Cavaleiro's brilliant 74th-minute effort.
After winning their opening three games of 2021 in all competitions by an aggregate score of 10-0, it was a reminder to Tottenham of their fragility when defending leads.


Tottenham have now dropped 10 points from winning positions in league games this season, and Mourinho blamed individual errors, while also rueing some glaring opportunities which were missed, with Son Heung-min twice failing to beat Alphonse Areola from close range prior to Kane's opener, before the South Korea forward hit the post in the second half.


"Three or four big chances in the first half to have a different result, the biggest chance of the second half would have killed the game and then again we concede a goal that is completely avoidable," a frustrated Mourinho told Amazon Prime Sport.
"We could have killed the game and again we lose a man in the box. That happens the majority of time in set-pieces, this time it was in open play.


"Of course it is costing points, especially away we are winning and then we don't show that ambition to kill the game and many times it happens that in the last part of the game we concede.


"There are things that are individual, that are down to individual qualities and individual mistakes. Basically I cannot say much more than that.
"It's good that we play [soon]. It's not good that after that game on Sunday we have 10 days. At this moment though we just have to accept that."


Tottenham are at least unbeaten in their past eight London derbies in the Premier League (W3 D5), since a defeat to Mourinho's former club Chelsea last February.


Spurs managed just five attempts in the second half, compared to eight from Fulham, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sees vast room for improvement.
"Very disappointing. I think we have to do better, in a couple of aspects of the game, it's difficult to speak right now because of the emotions," the midfielder told Amazon Prime Sport.


"More bravery, more focus in terms of organising the team and being solid as a team.


"It doesn't mean you have to stand in your own box and defend, it means that the team is compact, closes the lines. Executing the chances, I had a chance and had to score. Many details that we have to do better."


Fulham, meanwhile, have drawn five consecutive Premier League games, their longest such run since January 2007 (six games).


Scott Parker was angered by the Premier League rearranging this fixture in the wake of Aston Villa's coronavirus outbreak, but was delighted with the performance his team put in.


"Very impressed, I thought it was outstanding, everything about us," Parker said.


"Nobody knows what we've been through in the last couple of weeks, players in the squad who have had one day of training, to prepare and play like we did is what I'm pleased the most with.
"I'm proud of the team because of how we played in the circumstances but I'm even more proud of them because they showed some real quality."

[Edoman]

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Marseille: Icardi and Neymar deliver Pochettino's first managerial trophy



13 January 2021, 





Mauricio Pochettino secured the first trophy of his managerial career as Paris Saint-Germain edged past Marseille 2-1 in the Trophee des Champions on Wednesday.



In just his third game in charge of the French giants, former Tottenham boss Pochettino watched his side claim the trophy for the eighth consecutive year without ever having to get out of second gear.


Mauro Icardi got them on their way, sliding in from close range after 39 minutes before Neymar, making his first appearance in a month after an ankle injury, added a second from the penalty spot five minutes from time.


Dimitri Payet pulled one back for Marseille in the 89th minute, but PSG held on to claim a deserved win.

[Edoman]

Modric hints at good news in Real Madrid contract talks



13 January 2021, 



Luka Modric says talks with Real Madrid over a new contract are "going in a good direction".
The Croatia star's deal expires at the end of the season but it was reported by Marca last month that an agreement was in place for a year-long extension.


The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, now 35, has enjoyed a superb campaign for Madrid following early doubts over whether the return of Martin Odegaard could limit his involvement.


Of Madrid midfielders this season, nobody has scored more goals than Modric (four, level with Casemiro), while only Lucas Vazquez and Toni Kroos have created more goalscoring chances (30).


Modric has also played the most successful passes ending in the final third (451) of any Madrid midfielder this term, highlighting his attacking impact under Zinedine Zidane while Odegaard has struggled for minutes and Eden Hazard for fitness.
Ahead of the Supercopa de Espana clash with Athletic Bilbao, Modric suggested he has plenty of football left - and that it could be played in the Spanish capital.


"I can't say much. I'm speaking with the club and everything is going in a good direction," he said of his contract talks.


"I haven't changed anything in particular. I'm working a lot outside of training, I have the same desire to compete, the years are no problem at all."
The future of Sergio Ramos is similarly unclear and Modric was not prepared to offer any indication of the captain's plans.


"I can't position myself at anyone's side," he said. "Sergio is my friend and I want the best for him, for him to be happy.


"It's between him and the club. I can't get involved."
Modric was happy to offer some advice to Odegaard, though, the 22-year-old having played only nine times this season after returning following a fine loan spell with Real Sociedad.


"Last time I spoke to him, I told him I liked him as a player and a person, to keep fighting for his place in this team, that when he plays to make difference to show he deserves to be here," Modric said.
"To work and fight for your place is my advice for him."

[Edoman]

Lukaku urges Inter to learn after Coppa Italia win



13 January 2021

Romelu Lukaku hopes Inter are learning as they continue to struggle to perform consistently over 90 minutes despite sitting second in Serie A and reaching the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Lukaku headed an extra-time winner to see off Fiorentina 2-1 in the Coppa on Wednesday, his 119th-minute goal settling a tie in which Inter had led at half-time through Arturo Vidal's penalty.


A dominant first 45 minutes had seen the Nerazzurri attempt eight shots to Fiorentina's one, while having 56.6 per cent of the possession.


But Christian Kouame equalised after 57 minutes, prior to Lukaku's introduction as a substitute, as the Viola outshot their visitors nine to six in the second period.


For Inter, it was a second successive match in which they lost the initiative, even if Lukaku's goal this time meant they advanced to face Milan in the last eight.


At Roma on Sunday, despite trailing at half-time, quickfire goals from Milan Skriniar and Achraf Hakimi had Antonio Conte's men in front before they conceded a late leveller.


Ahead of the Roma game, Conte had bemoaned Inter's inability to make fast starts, having led at the interval just four times in Serie A this term.


But Lukaku is now concerned by his team's displays from half-time onwards, a period in which they have scored an impressive 30 goals and conceded just 12 in the league.


"I don't know why it happens," Lukaku told Rai Sport. "We already said it after the draw against Roma that it shouldn't happen, but it happened, even if we still won this time.


"We are young, we must learn from these things, but we want to improve."


Having booked the meeting with Milan, a fixture he was reluctant to immediately discuss, Lukaku acknowledged there were still positives.
"We are happy to have won a difficult match against a great coach [Fiorentina's Cesare Prandelli]," he said. "We are happy and we want to continue like this."


Turning focus back to Serie A, Inter face champions Juventus next on Sunday, with the Derby d'Italia rivals determined to win to keep the pressure on leaders Milan.


"I expect a tactical match between two teams who are doing good things," Lukaku added. "Juventus are a big team. We want to prepare well for this match."

[Edoman]

Fiorentina 1-2 Inter (aet): Lukaku leaves it late for last-16 winner



13 January 2021, 


Substitute Romelu Lukaku rescued Inter with a 119th-minute winner to knock Fiorentina out of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 win for the second season running.


Lukaku started from the bench ahead of Sunday's Derby d'Italia against Juventus but was called for in the second half after Christian Kouame had cancelled out Arturo Vidal's penalty opener.


There was no immediate impact as the Nerazzurri sought to get their season back on track, having taken just a point from their prior two Serie A matches.


Yet Lukaku made his mark deep into extra time at the Artemio Franchi, powering a header past Pietro Terracciano to book Inter's place in the quarter-finals.


This was a tame affair until a frantic finish to the first half when Christian Eriksen's shot was spilled by Terracciano, who felled Alexis Sanchez as the follow-up squirmed beyond the goalkeeper and against the post.


A spot-kick was awarded only after referee Davide Massa consulted the pitchside monitor, but Vidal took full advantage.


Massa was swiftly called to the screen again to correct a second errant call, this time initially giving a foul against Milan Skriniar for a well-timed tackle on Kouame inside the area.


There was no reprieve for Inter when Kouame controlled a poor clearance and lashed into the top-right corner three minutes before the hour, however.


Lautaro Martinez had remarkably blasted wide prior to that strike and Sanchez was the next visiting star to pass up a big opportunity as he failed to turn in Ivan Perisic's cross.


Routine saves at either end took the match to extra time, where another Perisic centre deflected onto the crossbar and Sanchez was again wasteful in nodding straight at Terracciano.


Fiorentina looked to have reached a shoot-out when Terracciano blocked from Lukaku, but the striker decisively made amends with a second header to settle the tie.

[Edoman]

Tennis star, Andy Murray 'tests positive for coronavirus' just weeks ahead of Australian Open







Tennis star, Andy Murray has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the Australian Open next month.
 
The 33-year-old Brit had been preparing for the year's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. He was due to travel to Australia on one of the 18 charter flights laid on by tournament organisers but is still isolating at home, according to Mail Online.
 
Murray, who is said to be in good health, is hoping to be able to arrive in Australia at a later date and still participate in the tournament which begins on February 8.
 
The news comes after a minor outbreak at Roehampton’s National Tennis Centre last week - where Murray has done some of his recent training.
 
An LTA spokesperson confirmed: “An individual using the NTC has returned a positive Covid-19 test result.
 
“We have established processes in place for this eventuality and have traced those who have been in contact with the individual, interviewed them and asked them to self-isolate for 10 days.
 
“Public Health England have been notified and we are ensuring processes are being followed, including additional deep cleaning, to ensure that the NTC remains a Covid-secure venue.”
 
Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray is a five-time finalist at the Melbourne event.
 
 

[Edoman]

Chelsea's longest-serving player, Lucas Piazon joins Braga after 10-years and just one Premier League appearance for the blues








Chelsea's longest-serving player, Lucas Piazon has finally left the club after 10 years and just one Premier League appearance.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder, 26, on Thursday signed a four-year contract with the Portuguese side Braga until 2025.
 
Piazon arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2011 and made just three senior appearances for the Blues, and all in 2012. He had seven loan spells at Malaga, Vitesse Arnhem, Eintracht Frankfurt, Reading, Fulham, Chievo, and Rio Ave during his time with Chelsea.
 


Piazon will now settle in Portugal, having signed a permanent deal with Braga that runs until at least 2025.

'Lucas Piazon is the new signing for SC Braga,' the Portuguese outfit announced on their official website.
'The attacking midfielder played in Liga NOS this season with Rio Ave and has signed for the club until 2025.

'The 26-year-old has played in most major European leagues. Lucas Piazon is SC Braga's seventh signing this season.'

[Edoman]

Atletico Madrid unveils Moussa Dembele following his loan switch from Lyon; hand him Diego Costa's old No 19 shirt (photos)













French striker, Moussa Dembele has been officially unveiled as an Atletico Madrid player after completing a shock six-month loan move from Lyon to the LaLiga club on Wednesday.

 

The 24-year-old was unveiled at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday afternoon, January 14 and handed the No 19 shirt, which was previously worn by Spanish striker, Diego Costa. 

 



 

Dembele was signed as a direct replacement for Costa, whose contract was terminated in December, with a reported £29.6million option to buy in the summer.

 

The striker scored 21 goals and made six assists during his first campaign and followed that up with 24 goals and seven assists in 46 games last season.

 



 

“With Dembele’s arrival, we add a young yet experienced footballer who’s strong both physically and as a finisher,” Atletico said in a statement.

 

“His height also makes him a threat in the air and his speed allows him to run past the opposition’s defenders.”

 

[Edoman]

Drogba Separates From His Wife, Lalla Diakate, After 10 Years Of Marriage

Drogba Separates From Wife After 10-Year Marriage

Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire legend Didier Drogba has revealed his ten-year marriage with his Malian wife Lalla Diakate is over … after appearing in an intimate video in bed with a mystery woman.

Drogba, 42, met Diakate in the late 1990s in Paris and they married in 2011.

He has previously maintained a discreet private life as he tried to shield his loved ones from the limelight.

But he has been forced into making a statement confirming his relationship with Diakate was over after saucy images of him and an unknown woman set tongues wagging.

The photos and clips soon went viral on social media.

And they showed the bare-chested Blues idol in bed with a nearly-naked young woman.

In the film, which a representative claimed had been hacked, she playfully sinks her teeth into Drogba’s shoulder as he screams in pain.

He then speaks to her in French about being bitten, and appears to say: “She’s positive! She’ll infect me by biting me!”

That sparked headlines in his native West African homeland.

And it prompted him to break his silence and admit he and Mali-born Lalla have gone their separate ways.

Drogba wrote on Instagram: “I’m not in the habit of discussing my private life.

“But, because of speculation in the media today, I can confirm that sadly, after 20 years together, Lalla and I took the difficult decision to separate last year.

“We remain very close, and our main priorities have been to protect our children and our family’s private life.

“May God bless you.”

Drogba enjoyed two spells at Chelsea, first arriving at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho in 2004 and embarking on an epic eight-year spell in the capital.

He returned in 2014 for a year-long stint and helped to take his tally to 104 goals in 254 top-flight matches for the club.

Drogba also won a host honours at Stamford Bridge, including four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League in 2012.

https://www.completesports.com/drogba-separates-from-wife-after-10-year-marriage/

[Edoman]

Odion Ighalo talks up potential move to the US and admits he would like to sign for David Beckham's Inter Miami once Manchester United loan deal ends







Manchester United loanee, Odion Ighalo has opened up about the possibility of moving to the US once his Old Trafford spell concludes, and says he is very much open to the prospect of joining David Beckham's Inter Miami in the MLS.
 
The 31-year-old Nigerian striker will see his loan at Manchester United expire at the end of this month and return to his parent club Shanghai Shenhua in China. 
 
However, Odion Ighalo is hoping to switch to Major League Soccer in the US as he doesn't have any long-term plans to remain in China.
 
Ighalo told ESPN: 'I have been watching MLS and the league is doing well and I would like to play in the MLS.
 
'I have to wait for offers and if the opportunity arises, I will take it because the league is doing well and it is a good life and I would love it.
 
'Lots of players go there. Even Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus is there, also Giovanni dos Santos. Why not? I would like to go there if an opportunity arises. 
 
'Being an experienced player, going there, doing well. It is an opportunity if it comes for me. The David Beckham club [Inter Miami] is growing, so if an opportunity arises why not?' he added.

[Edoman]

Spanish Super Cup: What Zidane said about Hazard as Real Madrid crash out

 
on
 January 15, 2021




Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has pleaded for more patience with Eden Hazard, after he struggled to make an impact in their 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Thursday.


Two first-half goals from Raul Garcia was enough to give the Basque side victory, despite Karim Benzema’s strike in the 73rd minute.


Hazard managed just one shot on target, before he was taken off early in the second half and replaced by Vinicius Junior.

The Belgium captain has struggled with injury since his move to Madrid and has scored just twice in 10 appearances in all competitions this term.


But Zidane says the 30-year-old needs time to get back to his best.


“You have to be patient, what you need is to score a goal. You have to be patient. The team has tried. You have to turn the page and keep working. We can’t go crazy now,” he told reporters after the game.

“I don’t think people are tired of him. You have to be patient with him. He wants to get this out. Today it wasn’t just Eden. We started the game badly, but he did well in the second half.”

[Edoman]

Lampard reveals Chelsea stars will practise celebrations after ban on hugs



14 January 2021, 


Frank Lampard has revealed Chelsea will test out new goal celebrations in training after hugs, handshakes and high fives were reportedly banned by Premier League chiefs.


The Blues boss is supportive of new measures, which are designed to restrict contact and reduce the risk of COVID-19 contagion within football.


Premier League officials have been holding talks with managers and head coaches, plus a number of players, ahead of the weekend fixtures to emphasise the importance of following the protocols.


Lampard is concerned the new rules could lead to bookings or, in the case of second bookings, to red cards if players are penalised for celebrating.


The situation means players at Chelsea's Cobham headquarters will be looking at different ways of enjoying goals ahead of their clash with west London rivals Fulham on Saturday.


Asked if such experiments on the training pitch would be sensible, Lampard said in a news conference: "Yes, I agree.


"We practise social distancing as much as we can in the training ground. On the pitch it can be difficult at times because you have to train and get close to each other.


"In training, I suppose the instinct or the moment shouldn't grab you as much as it would do in games when you're scoring in the Premier League.
"It's something I'll pass on to the players."


Lampard said he was unaware of any moves by Chelsea to bring former head coach Avram Grant back to the club.


That has been reported as an option the club are considering, to bolster Lampard's coaching team after four defeats in six games in the Premier League.


"I don't know anything about it," Lampard said.

[Edoman]

Chelsea patience with Werner will pay off, vows Lampard



14 January 2021, 


Timo Werner will become a Chelsea star but it could still "take time" before the goal-starved striker lights up the Premier League, according to Frank Lampard.


Blues boss Lampard has seen Werner fail to score in any of his last nine league games, which means he is mired in his longest drought in top-flight football since 2016 when he went 11 successive matches without finding the net.


On Saturday, Chelsea make the short trip to Fulham, and a Werner goal in the west London derby would come as a major relief to the German forward, his coach and Chelsea fans who may be questioning the investment in the former RB Leipzig man.


Werner struck 28 goals in 34 Bundesliga games last season, finishing second only to Robert Lewandowski (34 goals) in the scoring stakes.
Lampard hopes the time he has spent with Werner on the training pitch over the previous fortnight will pay off, with Chelsea having not had a Premier League game since their January 3 clash with Manchester City.


"I think his performances have been pretty good and I think they're going to get better," Lampard said in a news conference.


"I think it's going slightly unspoken about the fact that a lot players that come into this league are given time to come in and out of the team and feel their way. There are players who have come into the Liverpool team over recent years and have been given time to feel how the team plays.


"Clearly with Timo we didn't have that opportunity because of some injuries in certain positions and because we bought Timo and others to make an impact in our first team straight away.


"People have to be patient with the idea that we'll maximise Timo's talent in this team. That's a two-way street of Timo's work and our work as a group, and it will happen, but of course it can take time."
Werner, 24, has spent a large part of his Chelsea career in a wide role, which may not be the optimum way of using his strengths even if it was a position he often played for Leipzig.


Lampard is considering ways to tease the best out of the £47million man, aware he can fill various roles, and a goal in the FA Cup drubbing of minnows Morecambe last week was welcome.


"With Timo through the middle, it’s clearly an area of the pitch that he likes to start from," said Lampard.


"At Leipzig and with Germany, he's played centrally, he's played on the left, he's played as a lone striker, he's played as one of two strikers, so I see there's definitely room for manoeuvre in how you use Timo."


Werner has scored four Premier League goals in 17 appearances, also hitting the woodwork a league-high five times in his 40 shots.
Of all players with 40 or more shots, only Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (three goals from 54 shots) has scored fewer times this season.


Chelsea will be tackling a Fulham side who have drawn their last five Premier League games, matching the number of draws they had played out in their previous 45 matches in the top flight.


The Cottagers have won just one of 28 previous Premier League clashes with Chelsea, however, when Chris Coleman's side won 1-0 at home against Jose Mourinho's men in March 2006 – with Lampard in the beaten team that day.


Chelsea lost last time out in the Premier League, going down 3-1 to Pep Guardiola's City, and it was all the way back in 1993 when they last suffered defeats in consecutive league games at the beginning of a year.


Those losses came against City, coincidentally, and Nottingham Forest.


Lampard believes Fulham boss Scott Parker is doing "fantastically well" and said they "played very well" in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Tottenham.
"They're very well organised and have threats throughout their team," said Lampard.

[Edoman]

[b]Derby County Appoints Wayne Rooney As Permanent Manage[/b]

Derby County confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as the club’s new manager.

The 35-year-old takes up the position on a two-and-half-year deal which will run until the summer of 2023.

Rooney stepped up to lead Derby’s coaching team towards the end of November after former manager Phillip Cocu parted company with the club earlier that month.

He was supported by fellow coaches Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker, who will retain their positions on Rooney’s staff moving forward

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