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Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
Jose Mourinho contacts Real Madrid over availability of Alvaro Morata
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Jose Mourinho has contacted Real Madrid officials about the availability of striker Alvaro Morata, according to reports.
The Red Devils have already begun planning for life without this season’s top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And the Portuguese coach hopes that his relationship with Bernabeu officials can lead to him landing the Spanish international this summer, say Don Balon.
Messi is not selfish – Chelsea boss Conte disagrees with Fabregas over Hazard advice
The Belgian is likely to return to the Blues' starting line-up at Southampton on Tuesday after playing a starring role off the bench in the FA Cup
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has countered claims from Cesc Fabregas that Eden Hazard must add a selfish streak to his game in order to match the levels of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
Belgium star Hazard has returned to his sparkling best form this season, contributing 14 goals and five assists to Chelsea's charge towards a fifth Premier League title in 12 years.
Speaking after Hazard scored and assisted in Saturday's 4-2 FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham, Fabregas claimed that only Messi was performing better than Hazard, but added: "I've told him many, many times he needs to be selfish sometimes and have that killer instinct to score more goals."
When the quote was put to Conte, however, the Italian suggested that he would rather lose games if it meant Hazard stopped pulling his weight for the wider effort.
"No, absolutely no; I don't think that a player like Messi is a selfish player," said Conte.
"The first target for every great champion is to play for the team and to put your talent in the team, because the best players don't exist without the team. For me it's sad when I listen to this, that one player must be more selfish to reach the top level.
"It's sad because it's not my idea of football. I will never understand this, never.
"In my team I don't want a selfish player, I would prefer to lose the game than have a selfish player.
"I don't want this and I can't accept this and I don't want it in my club.
Diego Costa joined the Belgian in being spared from the start against Spurs, but Conte expects to have the pair back at Southampton on Tuesday after praising their reaction to being dropped.
"For sure, every single player wants to play every game, I know this," he added ahead of a match that sees Chelsea return to Premier League action with a four-point lead over Spurs.
"But also there is a manager in every team that must make the best decision in this situation to find the right balance and also to give the chance to other players that show great commitment, great work-rate and great desire to play.
"But their reaction was good, for me the reaction was normal.
"I have another day to decide our best 11, but I think that they [Costa and Hazard] are in good condition and in good form and for sure I hope to see a good performance from my players."
BAYERN AFTER ALEXIS & WALKER
Bayern Munich are ready to make a move for Alexis Sanchez and Kyle Walker, according to German media.
The Chilean's contract expires at the end of next season and continues to be linked to a move away. Seeking a player to play alongside striker Robert Lewandowski - or perhaps replace him, Bayern see Alexis as the ideal signing, according to Kicker, and could pay around €30 million.
Meanwhile, Bild report that the German side are also looking into Tottenham Hotspur right-back Walker.
Former Man Utd star Beckham receives PFA Merit award
The England legend was honoured at Sunday's ceremony after a glittering career that saw him win numerous trophies as well as captaining his country
David Beckham was honoured at the PFA ceremony on Sunday as he received the Merit award for services to football.
Manchester United and England legend Beckham won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League trophy during a hugely successful period with the Red Devils.
The former Real Madrid star also earned 115 caps for his country, with his last cap for the Three Lions coming in 2009.
Speaking after receiving the award, Beckham said: "The PFA's such an important part of the game, to be awarded this is special.
"I was lucky to have the career I had, to have played with the teams I played for, with the managers I've had, and obviously the team-mates I've had, it's been a special career for me - 22 years.
"I played in different countries, and obviously represented my country for the amount of times I did. I feel very blessed."
Beckham also praised Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, who was awarded the PFA Player of the Year gong.
He added: "What I love about him... he plays the game in such a humble way. I was at Stamford Bridge a few weeks back when United played Chelsea.
"He works hard, he can pass the ball, he can tackle, he can score goals like he did that night.
"When he was running into players, whether it be an accident or not an accident, he reacts in the right way, and that says a lot about him as a personality.
"He's a special talent, and to be the man mountain that he is, and the size he is, says a lot about him."
'One day I will leave' - Wenger unsure of Arsenal future despite semi-final win over Man City
Despite booking a place in the FA Cup final with a 2-1 win over City, the Gunners boss remains unsure of his future
Arsene Wenger once again refused to give assurances about his future despite Arsenal booking a place in the final of the FA Cup by coming from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley.
Sergio Aguero gave Pep Guardiola's men the lead on Sunday but Nacho Monreal brilliantly levelled for Arsenal before Alexis Sanchez came up with the winner in extra time.
Wenger has lifted the trophy in two of the last three years but with the Frenchman's contract set to expire at the end of the season, his future has been the subject of intense speculation.
Asked at his post-match press conference if Arsenal's Wembley display gave him optimism for next season, Wenger replied: "I don't understand your question.
"The club is in a very strong shape. We have a very strong overall situation and a very strong team. We have shown that today. One day I will leave anyway, what's most important is that I'm sure Arsenal will always be a great club that everybody admires.
"Honestly I feel when you see today how big this club is I feel just happy when our fans go home tonight and are happy. When I don't win the games I feel sad because I don't feel that I gave people what they want.
"We have gone through a very difficult period and we faced some adversity that made the situation more difficult, from inside as well. We have shown a united response, not a divided response."
Wenger again used a back three to face City having successfully trialled the system in a victory at Middlesbrough on Monday and the Arsenal manager felt the switch contributed to his side's increased confidence.
"I like your question because it shows what our job is," Wenger replied when questioned about Arsenal's defensive shape. "No matter what you do, even if you get it right, people say why didn't you do it earlier?
"The opposite is right as well. If you get your starting line-up wrong and change it at half-time people say 'you see, he's a tactical magician because he changed it at half-time'. But they forgot he got it wrong at the start. You can always judge in both ways.
"What I did was just give a bit more security to a team who had conceded in three goals in three away games. At some stage you need to focus on something different for the players to create some confidence.
"During the season I've made some tough decisions. We've gone through a difficult period. It's my job to get it right."
