Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has no intentions of leaving the club and wants to see out the final three years of his contract. The Chelsea defender has pledged his future to the club and says he has no plans of leaving Stamford Bridge. Since arriving the Premier League four years ago, the 26-year-old has become a core member of Chelsea's first team, making 37 appearances across all competitions this season. The right footed defender has spent most times playing at left-back rather than his natural position on the opposite flank, but the Spainard is more than happy to fulfil any role within Guus Hiddink's side. Azpilicueta who has three years remaining on his contract spoke of his commitment to Chelsea during an interview having been asked about a … [Read more...]
Arsene Wenger seeks proactive response in London derby clash
Tottenham and Arsenal are hoping to bounce back from painful defeats in a pivotal derby clash at White Hart Lane on Saturday. Arsene Wenger has made a clarion call to his team to bounce back when they play bitter rivals Tottenham on Saturday. Both sides suffered disastrous defeats on Wednesday, with Spurs losing 1-0 at West Ham and Arsenal failing to beat Swansea City at home in a game they lost 1-2. Those results left second-placed Tottenham three points adrift of leaders Leicester City, while Arsenal are now six behind top spot after a third consecutive defeat in all competitions. The Gaffer believes their loss to Swansea was unfortunate, but hopes to see a positive response against their bitter rivals, who they have beaten once in seven league outings … [Read more...]
Pellegrini hopeful after humiliation at Anfield
Manuel Pellegrini admitted Manchester City could afford no more performances like the one they delivered at Anfield if they are to remain in the title race. Anfield demolition meant City are now 10 points behind the Premier League leaders, Leicester, and are only in the Champions League positions on goal difference. Pellegrini said: “We cannot keep playing the way we did today because we did not shoot once at the Liverpool goal and this is now the third straight game we have lost in the league.” City boss argued that his team were still feeling the fatigued after Sunday’s victory over Liverpool in the Capital One Cup final, saying that his counterpart, Jurgen Klopp, had been able to make more changes. “Liverpool recovered better than us,” he said. “They had … [Read more...]
LVG remains focused as Man Utd look to seal top four finish
Louis van Gaal is continuing to take it slowly but surely despite the good run of form that has seen his side edge towards the top four. Doubts about the manager's future was positive last week, with wins against Shrewsbury, FC Midtjylland and Arsenal complemented by teenager Marcus Rashford's remarkable emergence. It looked as if the negativity would return, though, as Watford looked set to upset the home faithful yesterday, only for Juan Mata's late free-kick to secure a fourth successive win in all competitions The strike was pure classic as it was important given he secured a 1-0 win that moved injury-plagued United level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand as well as a better goal difference. "We have to go step by … [Read more...]
Arsenal title hopes hits the rocks as injury woes continues
Arsenal’s evening capitulated in a flurry of frightened hacks, misplaced passes, lack of passion and general falling over. A mediocre Swansea side with a rookie left-back took them to the cleaners. Lukas Fabianski made some decent saves, Arsenal hit the woodwork twice, but let’s call a spade a spade: they bottled this. And they may well have bottled the title as well. Campbell gave Gunners the lead in the first half but Swansea were quick to reply with a well taken goal and took the lead when Ashley Williams met Sigurdsson set piece. Meanwhile, Arsenal will make the trip to Tottenham on Saturday without their goalkeeper Petr Cech and their best defender Laurent Koscielny, both of whom are injured and will play no part. Cech appeared to pull up in the … [Read more...]
Miralem Pjanic to Chelsea after £31m buyout clause is revealed
Roma midfielder Pjanic is wanted by Antonio Conte, the man expected to takeover from interim manager Guus Hiddink at Chelsea in the summer. Chelsea have opened talks with the representatives of Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic over the possibility of springing a move that would trigger a £31m release clause in his contract, according to reports in Italy. Chelsea director and lead negotiator, Marina Granovskaia, has already made contact with Pjanic’s advisers ahead of a possible summer move for the 25-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina playmaker. It’s added that the Blues have begun the initial stages of trying to lure Pjanic to Stamford Bridge after his name was handed to officials at the club by incoming manager Antonio Conte, with the current Italy head coach … [Read more...]
Exciting revenge as Liverpool dent a huge blow to City’s title challenge
Liverpool avenged their Capital One Cup final defeat with an emphatic 3-0 victory to put a huge hole in Manchester City’s title aspirations. A replay of their Wembley encounter three days ago produced a completely different game and result, with goals inside the first hour from Adam Lallana, James Milner and Roberto Firmino earning the home side a comfortable win. It inflicted City’s third successive Premier League defeat, a run they had not experienced for seven years — and more significantly left them trailing leaders Leicester by 10 points, with a match in hand. Worrying for Manuel Pellegrini as he enters his final three months in charge, it left fourth-placed City looking over their shoulder with Manchester United and West Ham now breathing down their … [Read more...]