Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted Brazil international defender David Luiz will not be leaving Stamford Bridge, for any price, this summer, understands.
Luiz, 26, has been the subject of reported interest from FC Barcelona in recent times, with the Spanish champions still searching for a long-term replacement for aging centre-back Carles Puyol.
The Brazil international, who joined Chelsea from Portuguese Primeira Liga side S.L. Benfica for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €25 million in January 2011, is extremely versatile and can deputise as a defensive midfielder and as a left-back.
At the moment, the Blues first-team squad consists of five centre-backs, including Luiz, Branislav Ivanović, captain John Terry, Gary…
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Once again turning our attention to the Belarusian Premier League this weekend, two of the top-flight strugglers will open Friday s fixtures when Smolevichy-STI welcome Energetyk-BGU to the Ozyorny Stadium.
Starting with the hosts, hit with a 3-1 defeat at home against Dinamo Minsk last weekend, it is no surprise that Smolevichy-STI are seen to be one of the leading contenders to be hit with an immediate drop back down this season. Stil looking to pick up their first Premier League victory since opening the new campaign, Head Coach Aleksandr Brazevich has seen his side land just three points out of a possible 18. Still sat in the drop zone, there is no doubt that fans around the Ozyorny Stadium will be desperate for their side to m…
James Rodriguez claims the door is not closed on his Real Madrid career despite being presented as a Bayern Munich player on Wednesday.
The Colombia international has agreed a two-year loan move to the Allianz Arena, where he will hope to recapture top form after finding himself on the fringes of the Madrid first team.
The 26-year-old earned a big-money transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2014 following his impressive performances at the World Cup in Brazil.
He played under Carlo Ancelotti during his first campaign in the Spanish capital and must now impress the Italian coach again to force his way into the Bundesliga champions starting XI.
We have some great players and I have to fight for a starting position, he told a news conference.
I ca…
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has insisted there will be no confusion over his working relationship with director of football Joe Kinnear.
Kinnear was controversially appointed to the role in June by chairman Mike Ashley, with his arrival leading to suggestions that Pardew could be facing the sack.
But, while the English boss has admitted to previously harbouring concerns over Kinnear s remit, he insists the pair can work well together.
I think initially people thought Joe was definitely babysitting for me here, for things not to go well and Joe to become manager, he told The Times.
I think that s what people s first perception was. And I have to say it was a perception I was a bit concerned about, too.
I needed to speak to Mike and Joe about that and say, …
Dries Mertens believes star-studded Belgium are among the favourites to win the World Cup as Roberto Martinez s men prepare to get underway in Russia.
Boasting the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Mertens, Belgium will open their Group G campaign against debutants Panama in Sochi on Monday.
This is seen as the last chance for Belgium s golden generation to taste success, having reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014 and the same stage at Euro 2016.
Reigning world champions Germany, Brazil, Spain and France are favourites to take out the showpiece tournament, but Napoli forward Mertens said Belgium s experience has them in good stead to challenge.
The whole team wants to do better after the Euros. There is a lot of desire, Me…
Oliver Bierhoff described Germany s management team as part of the problem as he admitted his shared responsibility with head coach Joachim Low to address the national team s shortcomings.
In the aftermath of Germany being knocked out in the first round of a World Cup for the first time for 80 years, Low re-stated his commitment to remaining in charge and general manager Bierhoff backed the 58-year-old as the man to turn their fortunes around.
To do that, Bierhoff says the duo must begin their analysis of a hugely disappointing campaign in Russia with themselves.
We are also part of the problem, we have to first start with us, Bierhoff told Welt.de.
We have the responsibility, must accept criticism, we are convinced that we can do it.
I sti…
Teenager Elliot Anderson has signed a new long-term contract at Newcastle United after breaking into the first team under Eddie Howe.
The 19-year-old – who has represented both England and Scotland at youth level – made his Premier League debut in January 2021 as a substitute against Arsenal.
The second half of last season then saw Anderson go on loan to Bristol Rovers, helping them secure promotion to League One as he contributed seven goals and six assists in 21 league appearances.
This term, Anderson has been used as an impact substitute by Howe, and his absence through injury was felt in Newcastle s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday.
Speaking after committing his future to the Magpies, Anderson said: I m really happy. I love playing for N…
West Ham United are interested in signing Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the Hammers have been scouting the Chile international striker this season, and that the Premier League club could make a move for him when the transfer window opens in January.
Brereton Diaz is out of contract at Blackburn at the end of the season. The striker has reportedly told Rovers that he is not going to put pen to paper on a new deal, so the Championship club are now facing the prospect of losing the 23-year-old on a free next summer. Rovers could now be willing to sell Brereton Diaz for £10 million in the January transfer window.
The striker has scored nine goals and provided one assist in 20 Championship …
Pep Guardiola admits he does not know if Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish will be fit for next weekend’s FA Cup final.
Manchester City’s attacking duo, and defender Ruben Dias, missed the1-0 final-day defeat at Brentford through injury.
The champions, who face Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday as they bid to complete the second leg of an historic Treble, were consigned to defeat by Ethan Pinnock’s late goal.
With De Bruyne and Grealish missing completely and Erling Haaland left on the bench, it was a scratch City side and those established stars who did play, like Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, had little impact.
But Guardiola said: “Congratulations to Brentford for the victory. It’s difficult to faze them, how quick they play, how aggress…