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PREMIER LEAGUE

Sarri Wants to Stay at Chelsea

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has responded to links with Juventus by expressing his desire to stay at Stamford Bridge.The Italian lifted his first trophy with the Blues in a 4-1 demolition of Arsenal in Wednesday's Europa League final.It has not all been plain sailing for Sarri in his first season in English football, which has included plenty of barracking from the stands and rumours of his dismissal at the end of the current campaign.But Sarri insists that he is keen to continue in the Premier League, pointing out that his Chelsea deal still has plenty of time left on it."I still have two years of contract," he remarked to RMC following the final whistle in Azerbaijan."After that we'll see, what we can improve and if the conditions are there to continue. I want to stay yes, because the...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Hazard Brace Blows Arsenal Away; Chelsea Win Europa League

Eden Hazard's brace helped Maurizio Sarri claim his first major trophy as Chelsea crushed Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final in Baku on Wednesday.In perhaps his final appearance before a mooted move to Real Madrid, star man Hazard struck two second half goals to confirm Chelsea's second triumph in six seasons in this competition.Olivier Giroud sparked the landslide against his former employers in the 49th minute before Pedro put a second past retiring Gunners goalkeeper Petr Cech.Alex Iwobi pulled one back in between Hazard's double but Arsenal faded horribly after half-time and, having finished fifth in the Premier League, are now consigned to another season outside the Champions League.
BUNDESLIGA

Sane Deal Financially 'Difficult', Accepts Bayern President

A deal to bring Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich from Manchester City is looking increasingly difficult from a financial perspective, according to the Bundesliga champions' president Uli Hoeness.Bayern are embarking on a rebuild over the coming months as they look set to move on several ageing players, with Rafinha, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery already departed.As such, Bayern are being heavily linked with a number of younger wingers and Sane has emerged as a primary target, with the club doing little to hide their desire to sign him.The Germany international joined City from Schalke in 2016 and, after a promising first season, he exploded in 2017-18, scoring 10 Premier League goals and setting up another 15 as he was named the Professional Footballers' Association's Young Player of the Year....
TRANSFERS

Tottenham Bids £53m for Giovani Lo Celso

Tottenham have made a bid of about 60m euros (£53m) for Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.But Lo Celso has a 100m euro (£88m) release clause and it is understood Betis want to sell him for a fee closer to that amount.Spurs will face competition for the 23-year-old Argentine with other Premier League clubs interested.The Londoners have not signed a player since January 2018 when they paid Paris St-Germain £23m for winger Lucas Moura.Tottenham's record signing is Davinson Sanchez - they spent £42m on Ajax's Colombia centre-back in August 2017.Lo Celso initially joined Betis on a season-long loan in August 2018 from PSG but the La Liga club triggered their option to buy the player in April for 22m euros.He scored 16 goals and registered six assists in 45 games for Betis last season and h...
SERIE A

Gazidis Wants Maldini as Milan Technical Director

Paolo MaldiniAC Milan chief executive Ivan Gazidis wants to appoint Paolo Maldini as technical director following Leonardo's departure.Leonardo stepped down as sporting director on Tuesday, the same day head coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned from the Serie A club.Gattuso himself had confirmed his departure earlier on Tuesday, saying he is walking away despite having two years remaining on his contract, while Leonardo had only been in his job for one season.Milan are set for a busy off-season after missing out on Champions League qualification by just one point and CEO Gazidis is eyeing a new role for club great Maldini, who is the team's sporting strategy and development director.Gazidis, who offered thanks to both Leonardo and Gattuso as the two left the club , hopes to "bring Milan back to ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Sarri Feels Hazard Gets Bored During Training

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has admitted that Eden Hazard is so good that he can become bored by training sessions.Hazard is set to complete another stellar campaign on Wednesday, with Chelsea facing off against Arsenal in the Europa League final in Baku.The Belgian has scored 19 goals in all competitions, further underlining his status as his club's star performer.Sarri, who is hoping Hazard will stay but has said he will respect whatever decision he makes, has again hailed the 28-year-old as one of the world's best."He's one of the most important players in Europe, in the world, at the moment," Sarri said at a news conference on Tuesday."I think he can improve. He has to try to become the best in Europe because, for characteristics, he can become the best player in Europe, in the worl...
NEWS

Neymar Limps Out of Brazil Training

Neymar limped out of Brazil training on Tuesday, with the 27-year-old appearing to have suffered an injury to his left knee.While attempting a shot Neymar came off favouring his knee and, after trying to continue training, he eventually was forced to limp off the field alongside team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Neymar has already begun treatment for the injury and will remain under evaluation.The injury will be a major concern for the Selecao as they get ready to host the Copa America, with their opening match set to take place against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14.Before then Brazil will face Qatar on June 5 and Honduras four days later in a pair of friendlies, before taking on the Bolivians, Venezuela and Peru in Copa America group pla...
NEWS

Marseille Unveil Andres Villas-Boas as New Manager

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has returned to management at Marseille on a two-year contract.The Portuguese has spent 18 months away from the dugout.His last role came in China with Shanghai SIPG, but he walked away from that post in November 2017.Marseille owner Frank McCourt told the club’s official website of Villas-Boas’ arrival: “We are delighted to hire a coach whose success is recognised at the highest level in Europe and worldwide.“Andre Villas-Boas' philosophy and approach to the game aligns with what we want for OM and will help revitalise our project after a disappointing campaign.“Our expectations are still great and we are making the changes necessary to achieve our goals.”
LALIGA

Sergio Ramos Wants to Move to China

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has asked to leave on a free transfer, says club president Florentino Perez.The Spain centre-back is contracted until summer 2021 but wants to take his career to the Chinese Super League.Perez says he was told by Ramos, 33, and his agent they had received a "very good offer" from an unnamed club but that they could not pay a fee."I told Ramos that it was impossible for Real Madrid to let their captain go for free," he said.Perez added: "They came to see me at the office and they told me that they had a very good offer from China but that the rules there do not allow them to pay the transfer."
TRANSFERS

Atletico Madrid Complete Transfer of Felipe from Porto

Portuguese club Porto have confirmed the sale of Brazilian defender Felipe to Atletico Madrid.The 30-year-old centre-back will join Atletico in a €20million deal.Felipe made 93 Primeira Liga appearances in three years – is set to replace outgoing captain Diego Godin.A league winner with Porto in 2017-18, Felipe confirmed his exit from Estadio do Dragao earlier on Monday.
NEWS

Xavi Named Head Coach of Qatari club Al Sadd

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi has been appointed head coach of Qatari club Al Sadd SC, the team for which he hass made more than 100 appearances as a player.Xavi would replace Jesualdo Ferreira as manager at the start of next season.Xavi, a World Cup winner in 2010, won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies at Barcelona.On his coaching style, Xavi said, "My philosophy as a coach reflects the style we developed for many years under the influence of Johan Cruyff and La Masia, and that has its greatest exponent in the way of playing football in Barcelona."I love seeing teams take the initiative on the field, attack football and return to the essence of what we all love from our childhood days - possession football, " he added.
NEWS

Dani Alves to Replace Neymar as Brazil Captain

Neymar will not captain Brazil during next month's Copa America, with Dani Alves handed the armband for the showpiece South American tournament on home soil.In a statement released on Monday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said: "The decision was communicated to Neymar by Tite on Saturday."The announcement comes after a turbulent end to the season for Neymar at Ligue 1 champions PSG, where coach Thomas Tuchel has ruled out the former Barcelona star becoming captain.Neymar is set to serve a three-match ban for striking an opposition supporter after last month's Coupe de France defeat against Rennes.The Brazilan star scored scored 23 goals in all competitions this season after recovering from a foot injury with 15 goals coming in Ligue 1 play.
PREMIER LEAGUE

Neville: "Man Utd Have Always Lost Out On Big Players"

Manchester United legend Gary Neville says it is nothing new for the club to miss out on major talent in the transfer market and he is “not in a rush” to see them winning the game’s biggest trophies again.“I think United can still attract top-end players because we’ve seen good players come to the club over the last six or seven years,” said Neville. “This club will never move away from being a sensational football club, it will have difficult moments and it’s having a difficult time now.“The money in the game now means you’re always in competition. The club has lost players when it’s been successful to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. It lost Robben to Chelsea in the mid-2000s, we lost Nasri to City, don’t always think that when Sir Alex Ferguson was here it didn’t happen.“T...
BUNDESLIGA

Union Berlin Secure 1st Ever Bundesliga Promotion

FC Union Berlin became the 5th team from Berlin to play in the Bundesliga. No other city has had more than 2. The others are:▪️Hertha BSC  ▪️Tennis Borussia Berlin  ▪️SV Blau Weiss Berlin  ▪️Tasmania 1900 BerlinMatch: Union Berlin 0-0 Stuttgart (agg. 2-2)Following a dramatic relegation playoff fixture against Stuttgart, Union Berlin sealed their first ever Bundesliga promotion.Union held firm at home to deny Stuttgart and progress by virtue of 2 away goals they scored in the first leg.Just nine minutes into the second leg, Dennis Aogo put Stuttgart ahead with a superb freekick. However, VAR ruled it out as Nico Gonzalez was standing in an offside position and was in the line of sight of the keeper. Nigerian striker Suleiman Abdullahi hit the post twi...
UCL

Kane: I'm Fit to Play Today

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has handed the club a huge boost by declaring himself fit to play against Liverpool in Saturday’s Champions League final, some just five days out from the fixture.The England skipper injured his ankle against Manchester City on April 9, and has played no part in any of the club's nine matches since.The 25-year-old watched from the stands as his side overturned a three-goal deficit against Ajax in spectacular fashion in the semi-finals.And in a timely boost to the North Londoners, the England ace now appears ready to make a welcome return in time for Saturday's clash at the Wanda Metropolitano.Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kane said: "I could play if the Champions League final was today.""I trained Friday, and I trained Saturday. I'll train this week and I fe...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa Promoted to the Premier League

Aston Villa have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Derby 2-1 in the Championship play-off final on Monday.Villa held off a late fight back from Frank Lampard's team at Wembley to book their return to the English top-flight after three years in the Championship.Anwar El Ghazi opened the scoring late in the first half when he met Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross to beat Kelle Roos and John McGinn headed into an open goal on the hour mark after an error from the Derby goalkeeper.Jack Marriott pulled one back for the Rams in the 81st minute in a tense finish to the game, as Jayden Bogle and Mason Mount also came close to finding the net. Towards the end of the seven minutes of injury time, Harry Wilson proved lively down the wing for Derby, but saw one cross cleared by the Villa defenc...
LALIGA

Chelsea's striker Alvaro Morata want to extend Atletico stay

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata says he wants to spend the rest of his career at Atletico Madrid.Morata, 26, joined Atletico in January on an 18-month loan deal, scoring six goals in 17 games for the Spanish side.He was Chelsea's record signing when he joined for £60m from Real Madrid on a five-year contract in July 2017, and scored 24 goals in 72 games."I am very clear that I want to stay here," the former Atletico youth player told Spanish sports newspaper Marca."Leaving here has not crossed my mind. I want it to be resolved as soon as possible. I'm happy here. I want to be here for all the years I have left as a professional."If it was solely down to me, I would have signed my contract with Atletico."It's what I want, but there are contract matters. I did everything possible to come here ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City Chairman Believes Rivals are Jealous

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has branded La Liga chief Javier Tebas and other critics "jealous", and insists his side will not be banned from the Champions League or receive a transfer ban as long as investigations into its conduct are "judged on facts".City won an unprecedented domestic treble this season but in recent weeks their sporting achievements have had to share the spotlight with allegations of widespread rule breaking and even the policy of the Abu Dhabi government and royal family, given Al Mubarak and Blues owner Sheikh Mansour have strong links to both.“He (Tebas) talks about how we distorted the market? There is a hypocrisy in this statement that is ironic,” the City chairman said. “Number one, let’s look at the Spanish league, the time of breaking records on...
NEWS

Tuchel Can't Promise Mbappe and Neymar Stay

Paris Saint-Germain will fight to keep Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at the club during this summer's transfer window, but Thomas Tuchel isn't making any promises.The coach will be remaining at the Parc des Princes after signing a new contract, but doesn't want to speculate on the futures of his players."There is a lot of speculation which means we have a lot of quality and talent," he said at the Monaco Grand Prix, when interviewed by Sky Sports."My wish as a manager and as a coach is clear, as I want all my players to stay at PSG and stay with our project."The work is not finished, it has just started."My wish is clear, but I can't promise it as that would be naïve and I don't want to be naïve in this business."
PREMIER LEAGUE

Report: Chelsea star Kante a major doubt for Europa League final

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Arsenal in Baku after sustaining a knee injury in training over the weekend, according to British media reports.The France international missed Chelsea’s previous two games with a hamstring injury but returned to training last week and manager Maurizio Sarri was confident he would be fit for the club’s season-ending showpiece in the Azerbaijan capital.Both the Times and Guardian newspapers reported that Kante had twisted his knee during a training session on Saturday and was not likely to recover in time for the final.The 28-year-old’s absence is a blow for Sarri, who is already without the services of defender Antonio Rudiger, midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi due to injuries....
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