Friday, 14 June 2019

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri to become Juventus manager

Chelsea have agreed a compensation package with Juventus for their Italian manger Maurizio Sarri to join the Seria A champions. Both clubs have been in negotiations to find a deal, and an agreement was finally reached on Thursday night for the 60 year old to move back to Italy, just under a year after his move to England.

A compensation pay of £5m is reported to have been agreed by both clubs, for the former Napoli manager to join the old lady.

Maurizio Sarri had a difficult time as Chelsea manager, he was at several times just days from the sack during his spell in the Premier League after suffering some damaging defeats during the season. He also courted criticism from the club's fans who never quite warm themselves to his tactics. But, he leaves Stamford Bridge after winning his first trophy as a manager, following the 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League Final. He also led Chelsea to third place in the league, and a place in next season's Champions League.

The transfer ban imposed by FIFA on Chelsea have complicated the club's summer plans. Talisman Eden Hazard has joined Real Madrid, and pending a succesful outcome from the club's appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sports, it's transfer plans for the summer remains on hold.

Already, reports have linked former Chelsea midfielder and Derby County manager, Frank Lampard as the favourite for the job. He led the Championship club to the playoffs final in his first season as a manager. 

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Eden Hazard: West Ham fans wrong about Real Madrid chants


Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard scored a brace against West Ham as the Maurizio Sarri side earned the maximum points they needed to move back into the top four.

Whereas Chelsea earned the bragging rights on the night on the field of play, it was the chants of  "he's off to Madrid" from West Ham fans that elicited post match questions to the Belgian captain, 

However, he sought to play down the chants from the West Ham fans, whose chants were aimed at their host. Claiming his focus is firmly on helping Chelsea to finish in the top four and to win the Europa League.

Speaking after the match, 

They're wrong," Hazard told the match host broadcaster.

"Now I'm just focused on Chelsea until the end of season. I want to finish in the top four and do well in the Europa League, and then we'll see."

The 28 year old has just one year left on his contract, and he has continually been linked with a move to Real Madrid. And he has so far not shown any indication of extending his stay at Stamford Bridge beyond 2020, which opens the door for a potential sale in the summer.

Sunday, 27 January 2019

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odio hands in transfer request

Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odio has handed in a transfer request as he seeks to push through a move out of Stamford Bridge in the midst of strong interest from Bayern Munich who are the subject of £40m bid.

The Bavarians have publicly indicated their interest in the 18 year old Chelsea academy graduate.

The Chelsea hierarchy are keen to keep hold of him, and have reportedly offered a contract worth in the region of £80,000 a week, but a lack of a guaranteed playing time has become a sticking point.

He has made 14 appearances, five of which were starts this season.

With the signing of 20 year old winger Christian Pulisic for £58m from Borussia Dortmund, a player that features in a similar position, his path to first team football would further be blocked when the United States international joins in the club next season.

With 18 months left in his contract, Chelsea are in a much weaker position in any negotiation.




Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata passes Atletico medical

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is set to sign an 18 months loan deal with Atletico Madrid after he passed his medical.

The 26 year old told Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri a month ago that he wanted to leave. He has failed to settle at Stamford Bridge and has struggled for form, scoring just 16 league goals in 47 Premier League appearances.

Speaking about his move in Spain, the former Real Madrid and Juventus striker hinted that he was already looking ahead to life outside London.

"The past is the past, and it cannot be changed, and I'm very proud of it,"  

"I am looking forward to everything being completed so I can start training with my team-mates. 

"I began my career at Atletico and the people who know where I come from and know my history know what this means for me."

The Spanish international was signed from Real Madrid for £60m in 2017. After hitting the ground running with a flurry of goals in his first three months in England, he suffered a dip in form after a hamstring injury and has subsequently suffered from a crisis of confidence.

Following the signing of Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus last week, it was widely expected that he would leave West London to Madrid.



Friday, 25 January 2019

Arsenal v Man Utd teams: Ozil on the bench, Alexis starts

Arsenal are in action tonight against Man Utd in the 4th round of the FA Cup at the Emirates.

The main team news is that Mesut Ozil is on the bench. Cech returns in goal and Alex Iwobi starts for Arsenal. While, there are starts for Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku for Man United.

Full teams;

Arsenal: 

Cech, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Torreira, Iwobi, Ramsey, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Substitutes: Leno, Mustafi, Monreal, Lichtsteiner, Elneny, Guendouzi, Ozil

Manchester United: 

Romero, Young, Lindelof, Bailly, Shaw, Herrera, Matci, Pogba, Lindgard, Lukaku, Alexis


Substitutes: Grant, Dalot, Jones, Fred, Mata, Martial, Rashford


Thursday, 24 January 2019

Thierry Henry dismissed as Monaco manager

Thierry Henry has been dismissed from his job as Monaco manager after just three months of being in charge. 

The 41 year old had just two wins from 12 league matches, leaving the club deep in relegation trouble. They were eliminated from the French Cup by Ligue 2 side Metz this week.

In all, he managed five wins from 20 matches. And his time at the club were littered with rows with senior players.

Former manager Leonardo Jardim is the favourite to replace him.

Thierry Henry formed his reputation as a lethal forward during his eight year spell at Arsenal where he became the club's leading goalscorer.

He had worked as a pundit and lately as assistant manager to Belgium national team.


Victor Moses joins Fenerbahce from Chelsea

Former Nigeria international and Chelsea winger Victor Moses passed his medical in Istanbul ahead of a proposed loan move to Turkish giant Fenerbahce who are currently languishing in the relegation zone.

Victor Moses has been a virtual outcast under Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri. Featuring just five times, with just one start which was in the EFL Cup.

This is his seventh year at Stamford Bridge, but the fourth time he would be going out on loan after previous loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham.

Since his move from Wigan to Chelsea in 2012, he has featured 128 times for the blues scoring 18 goals.

The 28 year old called time on his international career after the World Cup in Russia to concentrate on his club football. 

Instead, it has been a nightmare first half of the season at club level. Apart for some fleeting appearances, he has been left out completely from the squad all season.