News daily: February 2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Maurizio sarri reveals how long kepa will be out of the team

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has insisted Kepa Arrizabalaga remains his number one goalkeeper, after dropping the Spaniard for Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday.

Sarri drafted Willy Caballero into his starting XI, after Kepa refused to be substituted in the closing stages of their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

The Italian explained he was trying to send a message to his squad by dropping Kepa.

However, asked whether Kepa was still his number one, the Italian told a news conference: “Of course.

“I think it was the right decision [to drop him]. Kepa made a big mistake. He paid [a fine] with the club and then he paid [with his position] with the team.

“Now I think we have to stop. Kepa will be from tomorrow with us.

“I don’t know in the next match if he will be on the pitch or not. But in the next one or two, of course.

“We cannot kill him. When you are young you can make mistakes.

“[But] you need to understand very well after every mistake. For me the question is closed.”

Mesut Ozil sends message to Arsenal fans with classy gesture during Bournemouth win

Mesut Ozil may not have played much for Arsenal this season, but he made sure to show the club’s fans he’s still committed with a little tap of the badge during today’s win over Bournemouth.

The German playmaker was brought back in today by manager Unai Emery and certainly shone in a one-sided victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Still, Arsenal fans will also have loved this little moment off the ball as he paid tribute to the crowd with a clap and a tap of the club crest on his shirt.

Whatever Emery is trying to do with Ozil, it’s clear he’s still hugely popular with Arsenal’s fans…

Maurizio Sarri's one team decision to face Spurs will delight Chelsea supporters

Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur tonight at Stamford Bridge and Maurizio Sarri is set to make one selection decision that Blues fans will love.

For some time now, a lot of Chelsea supporters have been hoping to see more of Emerson Palmieri over Marcos Alonso and it appears that they are going to get their way for the foreseeable future.

Alonso has started 25 of the 26 Premier League games so far this season, with Emerson only starting the Bournemouth defeat last month. However, the Italy international started at left-back in the Carabao Cup final, while Alonso wasn't even on the bench for the game.

"I didn't want a left-back on the bench. But it's the same situation with Emerson usually," Sarri said.

However, by Sarri's comments today it appears that Emerson is going to be keeping his place in the league as well for some time.

Arsenal have identified River Plate midfielder Juan Quintero as a summer transfer target, with Mesut Ozil edging closer to the exit door.

According to Don Balon, Gunners boss Unai Emery is hoping to replace Ozil when the transfer window reopens in May, with his future at the Emirates Stadium now in major doubt after a difficult 2018-19 campaign which has seen him fall way down the pecking order at the club.

Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez had been Arsenal’s main target, but it looks increasingly likely that the Colombian will return to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after his loan spell at Bayern Munich, rather than seek a move elsewhere.

Don Balon reports that the next man on Arsenal’s list is another Colombian star, Juan Quintero, who plays in South America with River Plate and could be available for as little as €22 million later in the year.

Lionel Messi puts Manchester United on BRINK of major transfer after huge intervention

Lionel Messi may have just done Manchester United a big favour in the transfer market as both the Red Devils and Barcelona are linked with Nicolas Pepe.

The Lille winger has been one of the players of the season in Europe, reaching double figures for goals and assists already at the age of just 23.

Pepe is now being strongly linked with a number of top clubs, with Man Utd thought to be one of the leading contenders for his signature, according to reports yesterday.

The Ivory Coast international is known to favour a move to the Premier League, and it’s now also being claimed by Don Balon that Messi has moved to make it clear he doesn’t want him at Barca.

The Argentine is said to be unconvinced by Pepe’s playing style and suitability to Ernesto Valverde’s side, who already have quality attackers like Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho anyway.

This puts United in a great position to seal one of the most exciting signings of the summer, with Pepe an ideal replacement for flop signing Alexis Sanchez at Old Trafford.

Reports in France have stated MUFC are already in talks over signing Pepe, so this Messi move means it’s now surely only a matter of time before this deal can be completed.

Sarri speaks on Kepa refusing to come off, reveals what he will do

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has spoken about a bizarre incident that happened during their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

The Blues lost 4-3 to the Premier League champions, after 120 minutes of goalless football.

However, late in the second half of extra time, goalkeeper Kepa Arizzabalaga went down injured and Sarri called on Willy Caballero to replace him.

Arizzabalaga refused to come off, insisting he was okay.

The incident delayed play for a while, before referee Jon Moss confronted Sarri and continued the game.

“It was a big misunderstanding. I thought he had cramp. I didn’t want a GK in the penalty shoot-out in that condition. The GK wanted only to let me know he was OK. Kepa was right, in the wrong way, in his behaviour.

“I was really angry. I want to talk to him because he needs to understand we can get in trouble especially with you [the media]. I will explain the situation, without any other problem,” Sarri told the media afterwards.

TCL Communication's newest innovations are making their global debut at Mobile World Congress 2019 with the showcase of the company's flexible display product portfolio in addition to announcing its all-new DragonHinge technology. With the support of the company's patented DragonHinge™ technology, TCL Communication is able to showcase for the first time a preview of the company's complete lineup of flexible panel mobile devices.

Using custom flexible AMOLED displays from TCL sister company, CSOT, these foldable mobile devices are supported by TCL Communication's proprietary DragonHinge™ technology which creates a mechanical housing for these devices, allowing them to fold and bend in support of a variety of use cases. This provides effortless and seamless movement, enabling the development of further flexible device designs which will make more advanced user experiences possible.

"Together with the support of our sister company, CSOT, we're showing that TCL can be an innovator and leader in the mobile device market of the future," said Peter Lee, General Manager, Global Sales and Marketing at TCL Communication. "When we look at the potential of our flexible device portfolio, we're obviously very excited about what we'll be bringing to market down the road. However, we're not in a race to be the first because we feel it is more responsible to take a patient, thoughtful approach to not only solve hardware challenges, but also work with our partners on software solutions to ensure we deliver a meaningful user experience."

"When we look at the practical application of flexible display and foldable mobile devices, there are really three challenges that need to be overcome: the flexible AMOLED display itself, a durable mechanical housing, and of course the software that can seamlessly adapt to these new form factors," said Shane Lee, General Manager, Global Product Center at TCL Communication. "Through TCL's vertical integration with CSOT, we have conquered many of the challenges that come with flexible displays; and now with the announcement of DragonHinge™, we're able to show the world how we'll overcome the mechanical housing challenges that must be solved in order to support these new foldable form factors. We now have a hardware solution to build from, freeing us up to tackle the unique software experiences this new technology enables, and how it all ties in to the larger connected ecosystem as we prepare to launch our first foldable device next year."

Former Premier League champions, Chelsea have finally revealed the manager that will replace current boss, Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

Sarri, who joined Chelsea last summer, has been under intense pressure at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s recent poor performance.

The Telegraph reports that the Blues has identified England assistant ‘manager’, Steve Holland as the coach that will eventually take over from Sarri until the end of the season if he is sacked.

The report claimed that Chelsea board are ready to will send an ‘SOS’ to Holland to try and salvage the remainder of their season.

Holland worked as part of the coaching team under Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, during his time at Chelsea.

Chelsea will tackle Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Whether existing surveillance technologies are advanced enough to create a “smart border” remains an open question, even though a spending bill recently presented to President Donald Trump allocates $100 million for its construction. The smart border is an updated version of an old idea: a virtual fence of cameras and sensors along the line between the United States and Mexico. As soon as the suggestion gained traction, activists quickly, and rightly, pointed out that the idea violates the civil liberties of people near the border by essentially keeping them under constant surveillance. But another question is important, too: is this technology even advanced enough to work, or is it all just vaporware?

REALLY GOOD AT DETECTING LOST COWS AND JACKRABBITS AND EVEN IN SOME CASES TUMBLEWEED

It’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer, given that Customs and Border Protection itself doesn’t have good metrics for what “works” or not. A March 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office concluded that CBP has not adequately developed metrics to determine whether the data it collects from surveillance is helpful. (At the time, CBP agreed with the GAO conclusion and said it planned to develop metrics by January 2019, but so far has not released them.) “I’ve been told that the technologies are not effective, but it’s a little bit like gossip,” says Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a political scientist at George Mason University who studies border security. “There’s no official way to assess the effectiveness of the technology. There’s no transparency.”

Though CBP itself doesn’t have a clear system for measuring effectiveness, other sources suggest that the promised surveillance tech was mostly vaporware back in 2006, when then-President George W. Bush ordered the construction of a smart border called Security Border Initiative Network (SBINet). SBINet was supposed to consist of cameras, radar towers, ground sensors, and drones along 2,000 miles of the southern border. (All this data would be monitored at a command center.) Five years and $1 billion later, the never-completed project was killed due to high costs, bad management, and ineffectiveness.

Arsenal star set for permanent exit this summer, decision taken on signing

David Ospina is reportedly set to complete a permanent move to Napoli this summer, having spent this season on loan with the Serie A giants from Arsenal.

After the signing of Bernd Leno last summer, the 30-year-old appeared to be pushed down the pecking order at the Emirates with Petr Cech also ahead of him.

In turn, he opted to join Napoli on a season-long loan deal, where he has made 18 appearances so far this season, conceding 17 goals and keeping seven clean sheets.

Despite the fact that youngster Alex Meret has provided stiff competition since returning from injury and is undoubtedly seen as the long-term option between the posts, it’s suggested that Ospina could be set for a permanent move to Naples.In turn, he opted to join Napoli on a season-long loan deal, where he has made 18 appearances so far this season, conceding 17 goals and keeping seven clean sheets.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has dismissed claims he has been approached by Roma.

Reports yesterday suggested Roma have made contact with Sarri and his representatives over a move to bring him back to Serie A to replace current Giallorossi boss Eusebio Di Francesco.

Sarri told BT Sport, when quizzed on the reported meeting, after Chelsea’s Europa League victory over Malmo: “No, I have a contract with Chelsea for the next two seasons so it is impossible to have another contract.

“I read in an Italian newspaper something about a meeting with Franco Baldini but I think for the moment Franco is in South Africa so it is very difficult.”

Italian newspaper, La Repubblica had reported that this week that Baldini, a personal adviser to Roma owner, James Pallotta, met with Sarri in London.

Notwithstanding, Sarri has been under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge following a record Premier League defeat to Manchester City and FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United.

Chelsea have been banned by FIFA from signing players for the next two transfer windows.

As noted by Sky Sports, the Blues have been found guilty of breaching rules over youth signings, and have also received a £460,000 fine, with FIFA releasing a statement of their own.

Given the struggles that Maurizio Sarri has encountered so far this season, that will undoubtedly complicate matters for the Italian tactician and the club moving forward in terms of strengthening the squad and bringing in players to suit his style of play.

Further, with question marks over his future, any replacement will seemingly now be unable to stamp his mark on the squad in the more immediate future.

As noted by BBC Sport, Chelsea did get some business done early for the summer though, with Christian Pulisic arriving in a £58m deal at the end of the season from Borussia Dortmund, and so perhaps that was sensible planning from the Blues in anticipation of this ruling.

It remains to be seen whether or not they opt to launch an appeal, but ultimately this will be a major setback for the club as they now have to put any recruitment plans on hold for the next two transfer windows.

Unai Emery set to offload striker in summer transfer -

Arsenal manager, Unai Emery is set to cash in on the star man this summer, in order to reinvest in other areas of the squad, Football London reports.

Lacazette, who joined the Gunners from Lyon in 2017 for a fee of around £52million, has netted 12 goals in 33 appearances this season.

However, Unai Emery is working on a tight budget at the Emirates and is keen to offload Mesut Ozil, in a bid to free up space on the club’s wage bill.

Emery favours Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a central role and although he admires Lacazette, it is understood the Frenchman is expendable and could be sold this summer if the right offer arrives.

At 27, Arsenal could likely command an increase on the fee they paid for Lacazette two years ago and use the funds to reinvest in more urgent areas of the squad.

Paul Merson has advised Chelsea to appoint Derby County coach, Frank Lampard instead of former Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane, as replacement for manager, Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

Merson believes Lampard, a Chelsea legend, would be a better choice to replace Sarri than Zidane.

“I think with Zidane, how long would that last? Another year or one and a half years at the most?

“Lampard was a legend at Chelsea. If you are going to have a five-year plan then I would say get Frank, but if you are not going to do that – and Chelsea are renowned for changing every year and a half or two years – then it’s going to end in tears,” Merson told Sky Sports.

Chelsea will clash with Malmo in the Europa League second-leg tie at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Sarri’s men head to the game following a 2-1 victory over Malmo in the first-leg encounter played last week.

Manchester United make breakthrough on one star’s contract, but there’s bad news too…

Manchester United have reportedly made a breakthrough on a new contract for Marcus Rashford after his fine form this season.

The England international has been one of the most improved players at the club since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as manager in December.

And it now seems Rashford’s performances are close to earning him a big new deal until 2025, according to the Daily Mirror.

It’s not all good news for the Red Devils, however, with the Mirror also reporting that there’s seemingly not been any progress made on a new contract for goalkeeper David de Gea.

The Spanish shot-stopper is a hugely important part of this Man Utd team and would be a huge loss, but the Mirror claim he’s not ready to commit his future to MUFC just now.

While United fans will be delighted if they can tie Rashford down, it’s a big worry that they’ve still not got anywhere with De Gea after so long.

The 28-year-old will have just one year left on his contract after this season and one imagines elite clubs will be queuing up for him soon if things don’t change.

Sarri speaks on getting sacked after FA Cup defeat to Man Utd, slams Chelsea fans

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has insisted he is not worried about getting sacked, following their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday night.

Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba both scored in the first half, as the Red Devils dumped the holders out.

And frustrated Chelsea fans chanted “F*** Sarri-ball” and even sang “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at the Italian.

Substitutions were jeered and the side were booed off at both the break and full-time.

“I am worried about the results – not about the fans.

“I can understand, because the result wasn’t really good. We are out of the FA Cup, so I can understand. But I am worried about the results.

“I could not hear what they were singing very well, but sometimes yes. I have never had that sung at me before, but there is always a first time,” Sarri told Sky Sports after the game.

Sarri’s job appears to be hanging by a thread, after being hammered by Manchester City and comfortably beaten by United.

But asked whether he is worried about being fired, the former Napoli boss said: “No. I was really very worried when I was in League Two in Italy. Not now.

Zinedine Zidane reveals the obstacle he would face if he takes charge at Chelsea -

According to Express Sport, French football expert Julien Laurens believes that Zidane is unsure about taking over at Chelsea because the football icon doesn’t speak a single word of English.

Laurens stressed the point that given Zidane is the type of manager that prides himself on his man-management abilities – that this could pose some problems for the 46-year-old if he was to come to England.

According to The Sun, Chelsea would like Zidane to be their next manager should Maurizio Sarri be sacked. The Chelsea hierarchy believe that the Frenchman can take the Blues back to the very top of world football.

Mesut Ozil refusing to leave Arsenal despite being shown the door by Unai Emery

It certainly doesn’t feel like either of Mesut Ozil or Unai Emery will bow down to the other’s demands, Arsenal need to resolve the rift between the pair immediately.

According to The Sun, Ozil isn’t prepared to back down and leave Arsenal after being shown the exit door by Unai Emery. It’s understood that Emery wants the World Cup winner to leave at the end of the season – resulting in a massive chunk of the wage bill being freed up.

The retired Germany international signed a new contract with the Gunners last January, the bumper deal made the 30-year-old Arsenal’s highest-paid player. According to BBC Sport, Ozil’s deal until the summer of 2021 will net him a whopping £350,000 a week.

Tensions are rising within the north London club’s fanbase and the Arsenal faithful have called for the playmaker to be given a fair chance in the team in recent weeks.

Ozil hasn’t featured for the Gunners since their 2-1 win over Cardiff that came two weeks ago.

Even considering Ozil’s reduced role within the team – the star’s poor performances cannot be forgotten. Ozil has failed to register a goal contribution in over two months.

The superstar’s last contribution came against Azerbaijan minnows Qarabag in the Europa League – hardly something that he’ll be shouting from the rooftops anytime soon.

‘Way to waste remaining years of Messi’s prime’ – Barcelona fans fume after crucial announcement

Barcelona have confirmed that coach Ernesto Valverde has agreed a one-year extension on his contract, with an option for another year.

As confirmed in the club’s statement, the agreement is already in place with the signing of the contract set for Friday as Valverde looks forward to at least an additional year in charge to that on his previous deal.

Having led the Catalan giants to a domestic double last season coupled with the fact that they remain in the hunt for a treble this year, it seems like a sensible move from the Spanish giants as Valverde has enjoyed a successful tenure thus far.

However, based on the comments below, it seems as though the news hasn’t gone down well with the majority of supporters, who aren’t impressed with the fact that he has now signed an extension.

While some pointed to the fact that it will likely have a negative impact on Lionel Messi’s last few years in his prime, others attacked Valverde due to his style of football, which arguably isn’t exactly a perfect fit for the traditions and culture built at the Nou Camp under previous coaches.

On top of that, he was widely criticised last season for his lack of rotation, which many blamed for their Champions League exit to Roma, and so it remains to be seen whether or not he learns his lessons from that disappointment this time round.

Nevertheless, from the board’s perspective, he’s arguably delivering for them in terms of their objectives for success, albeit it could be questioned if it was a sensible idea to give him a new contract before the season is over.

Solskjaer gives update on Martial, Lingard injuries ahead of Chelsea clash

Manchester United interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on his team’s duo of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard after they both limped off during their 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe gave the French champions a win at the Old Trafford on Tuesday night and the game could have serious implications beyond Man United’s European hopes.

First, Lingard limped off the field just before halftime, holding his hamstring as he was replaced by Alexis Sanchez.

Then as the teams emerged for the second half, Martial was nowhere to be seen. Juan Mata came on in his place.

Solskjaer is now left to sweat over the fitness of the pair as he prepares for Monday night’s FA Cup fifth round clash with Chelsea.

Both Martial and Lingard had recorded three goals and two assists since the Solskjaer arrived Old Trafford just before Christmas.

The Manchester Coach told reporters yesterday: “Lingard and Anthony give us something. They have muscle injuries.

“Let’s hope they’re not too serious. So we’ll just have to wait a couple of days (to assess their fitness).”

EPL: Chelsea board in talks to replace Maurizio Sarri with Real Madrid legend

Chelsea board has held talks over appointing former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, as a replacement for Maurizio Sarri, the UK Sun reports.

Zidane has been out of work, since stepping down from his role with Real, after winning a third straight Champions League crown last May.

Sarri is now the bookmaker’s favourite, to be the next Premier League manager to be fired, with Zidane joint-favourite to replace him along with Gianfranco Zola.

Chelsea’s emphatic 6-0 defeat at City saw them slump to sixth place, putting the Italian under renewed pressure.

Discussions have taken place among top brass at Stamford Bridge, about when they should make their move for Zidane.

They also feel Zidane would be an inspired choice, as Eden Hazard is a big admirer of the Frenchman and might consider snubbing a move to Spain in the summer if he is appointed.

EPL:Chelsea legend speaks on replacing Sarri as Chelsea manager

Former Chelsea midfielder, Frank Lampard, has played down speculation linking him to become Maurizio Sarri’s replacement at the club.

The Blues suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, which has led to uncertainty over Sarri’s future at Stamford Bridge.

While Sarri remains in the dugout for now, Chelsea have a history of quick dismissals, having employed 11 different managers over the last 10 years.

Lampard is now being touted as a potential replacement for the 60-year-old, after an impressive start to life as manager of Derby County in the Championship.

When asked if he was excited about being the bookmakers favourite to replace Sarri, Lampard told Sky Sports: “Bookmakers are not always right for starters. I will never get excited about that.

“It is certainly a club I respect and a manager that I respect so it wouldn’t make me smile or anything different because my job is here.

“I obviously follow Chelsea, have huge respect for them, and I hope to see them, put some form together and turn those results around.”

Possible short-term fix revealed as Maurizio Sarri Chelsea future is in doubt

After their heavy defeat to Man City on Sunday, question marks have been raised over Maurizio Sarri’s future at Chelsea.

The 6-0 loss at the Etihad leaves Chelsea in sixth place in the Premier League table, as they’ve fallen a point adrift of a resurgent Man Utd, while Arsenal leapfrogged them at the weekend too.

Given qualification for the Champions League would undoubtedly have been the minimum expectation for Sarri, it remains to be seen if he can get his side back on track and getting positive results as well as playing his preferred style of football.

As noted by the Telegraph, there are doubts over the Italian tactician’s future at Stamford Bridge, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Blues hierarchy opt to make a change during the season or give him time to turn things around ahead of the summer.

Should it be the former option, Sportmediaset claim that assistant coach and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola could step in on an interim basis and take charge until the end of the season.

The 52-year-old hasn’t had the most glittering of coaching careers thus far, as he failed to entirely convince in spells with the likes of West Ham, Watford, Cagliari and Birmingham City.

Nevertheless, he knows the club inside and out having represented the Blues as a player and coach, while he will understand the culture and demands from the supporters.

Similarly to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impact at Man Utd since December, it could prove to be a sensible short-term fix, but ultimately it’s surely too early to scrap the work done by Sarri given the former Napoli boss has essentially tried to transform the way Chelsea play in comparison to his predecessors.

As bitterly cold weather descended on the D.C. area, Carly Holencik and Kendall Malinchock, two students at American University, jumped into action Wednesday afternoon.

They recognized that cold weather conditions affect everyone - including homeless people on the street.

Bundled up, the two hit the streets of northwest Washington to hand out hand-warmers to people who needed them, including to a man at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue NW and River Road NW in Tenleytown.

"We know how cold we are out here and I can't imagine staying out here for a very long time," Holencik said.

Manchester United set to make announcement as they take decision on Solskjaer’s future

Manchester United have decided to name Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club’s full-time manager, the UK Sun reports

It is understood that the decision has been made at board level, but may not be announced until the end of the season.

Co-chairman Avram Glazer spoke with Solskjaer after United’s 3-0 win over Fulham, and is said to be convinced alongside fellow co-chairman Joel Glazer.

Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, had been United’s main target for the job, with Ed Woodward trying to lure him away from North London for next season.

And it appears United will still maintain that the search for a new manager is ongoing, despite new reports to the contrary.

But since being named interim manager following Jose Mourinho’s sack, Solskjaer has won 10 of his 11 games in charge and is yet to lose.

This run of form has seen United rise to fourth place in the Premier League, one point ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has said he would be happy, if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich calls him, following their 6-0 thrashing in the hands of Manchester City on Sunday.

City scored four times in the opening 25 minutes at the Etihad Stadium and twice in the second half, to inflict the Blues’ worst defeat since 1991.

The result saw Chelsea drop to sixth in the Premier League and raised fresh questions about Sarri’s job security.

But the former Napoli boss was bullish about the prospect of an Abramovich phone call, in a post-match interview with Sky Italia.

“If the president calls I’d even be happy, seeing as I never hear from him.

“But I don’t know what to expect; people keep asking me what I think about the situation, but I think that’s a question which needs to be put to the club,” Sarri said.

ARSENAL boss Unai Emery has admitted it will be difficult to overhaul Manchester United in the race for the Premier League top four.

Arsenal beat Huddersfield 2-1 on Saturday, though sit a point behind the Red Devils.

Manchester United beat Fulham 3-0 to move into the top four for the first time since the opening weekend of the season.

Chelsea can leap back ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side if they get at least a point against Manchester City on Sunday.

United are on a remarkable run of form, winning ten of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal earned their first away win since November with victory at Huddersfield.

But Emery acknowledges that it won’t be easy to break into the top four.

“Day 26? We are at the moment one point off Manchester United,” Emery said.

“If we ask is it easy or difficult, it's difficult.

Welcome to my blog where I'll keep you up to date with all the latest news from Stamford Bridge.

The Blues bounced back from their recent poor form on the road with a 5-0 hammering of Huddersfield last weekend, with Gonzalo Higuain getting his first two Chelsea goals.

Off the pitch, Cesc Fabregas completed his move to Monaco in January but the Blues failed to replace him despite Maurizio Sarri admitting that he wanted another signing.

Below are some of the latest rumours from the Bridge.

Roma prepare raft of new contracts

Roma are preparing to offer new contracts to Cengiz Under and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are both rumoured to be of interest to Premier League sides.

Under has long been linked with Spurs and Arsenal among others, while Zaniolo was recently reported to be under Chelsea’s consideration.

Rakitic wants to leave Barca

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ivan Rakitic wants to leave Barcelona.

The midfielder is reportedly unhappy with the signing of Frenkie de Jong and the possible arrival of Adrien Rabiot.

Chelsea and Inter Milan are among the frontrunners for Rakitic’s signature should he decide to leave in the summer.

Fabregas drops Hazard Hint

Cesc Fabregas says he hopes former Chelsea teammates Eden Hazard signs a new deal in west London, but admits the Belgian wants a move to Real Madrid.

Fabregas told Radio Marca:

"Let’s see what he decides to do. He has a year and a half left and he is happy at Chelsea and so is his family. But in the end they are very personal decisions. He likes Madrid and he has always said it. Hopefully he will renew with Chelsea, but if he does not he will finish in Madrid

Solskjaer drops key player for Man United’s trip to Fulham, but makes shock change in final squad

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not included Victor Lindelof in his squad to face Fulham on Saturday.

The Red Devils travel to Craven Cottage this weekend in a crucial Premier League clash which could see them move up to fourth in the Premier League with a victory.

United have enjoyed a nine-match unbeaten streak under Solskjaer to re-emerge as contenders for the final Champions League spot and they will be expected to make light work of Claudio Ranieri’s struggling Cottagers.

However, according to Metro Sport, Solskjaer has dropped Victor Lindelof for the match, despite the fact he has been a key player for United during their winning spell.

The Swede was not seen on the team bus making its way to London on Friday and it has been suggested that he has been rested ahead of the team’s crucial first leg Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint Germain next week.

Meanwhile, the surprise inclusion in the 20-man squad is academy starlet Tahith Chong, who could be in line to make his first Premier League appearance of the 2018-19 campaign.

The 19-year-old has become a fan favourite for his performances at youth level and he has been tipped for a bright future at the highest level, but he still has some way to go before featuring in the senior team on a regular basis.

Solskjaer has been a firm advocate of squad rotation during his short spell at the helm and this week it looks like Lindelof has fallen victim to that policy, while Fred and Andreas Pereira have also been left behind – as per Metro Sport.

Lindelof has been arguably the most improved player at Old Trafford this term and supporters will hope to see him line up against PSG next Tuesday fully fit and fresh after an extra few days off.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Monday, February 25, 2019

Sunday, February 24, 2019

REALLY GOOD AT DETECTING LOST COWS AND JACKRABBITS AND EVEN IN SOME CASES TUMBLEWEED

Friday, February 22, 2019

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Friday, February 15, 2019

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Monday, February 11, 2019

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Roma prepare raft of new contracts

Rakitic wants to leave Barca

Fabregas drops Hazard Hint

Friday, February 8, 2019