Conte reveals his tactical plans for Ross Barkley

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed his tactical plans for new signing Ross Barkley after the midfielder completes a £15m move to Stamford Bridge during the weekend.
Barkley has been out for a lengthy period due to a hamstring injury and he is yet to feature this season but the tactician is confident Barkley will be fit to play for the Premier League Champions soon.
Conte is set to charge Barkley with midfield duties or push him into a more attacking role.
Conte said: ‘Ross Barkley is a really good player. First of all we have the necessity to bring him in the best physical condition. ‘I think he can play in midfield, if we play with three midfielders, or number 10 if we play 3-4-3. Ross Barkley is also a creative player.
PHOTO: Chelsea new boy Barkley train for the first time
‘I think he has the quality to score more goals. My priority before is to convince the player to work for the team. ‘If you are able to work for the team, the team then exalts your characteristics. We are talking about a talented player and we are happy to have him in our squad.’
Conte also gave an update on Barkley’s fitness, ‘My hope is to have this player very quickly. On Saturday he started to have a training session with the fitness coach. ‘It’s important for me to see him, to understand his physical condition, to improve his physical condition, to work with us, into our ideas. ‘From Monday I’ll see him and then we’ll start to prepare a programme, a plan to have him very good.’
Chelsea will be up against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Stamford Bridge.

Read More »

La Liga ! Messi, Suarez Score told Barcelona what to do to Levante To Stay Top Of League

Lionel Messi marked his 400th Barcelona appearance with a goal as the La Liga leaders maintained their nine-point advantage with victory over Levante.
Messi opened the scoring at the Nou Camp, chipping the ball to Jordi Alba and volleying home the return.
His 365th La Liga goal equalled Gerd Muller’s record for goals in a single one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Luis Suarez produced a superb strike before half-time and Paulinho tapped in a third in second-half stoppage time.
Suarez stepped over Messi’s low ball across the six-yard box, affording Paulinho a simple finish for his seventh league goal of the season.
Suarez took his own tally to 11 and could have added more but for a fine Oier save in the second period.
Aside from a Marc-Andre ter Stergen save to keep out Shaquell Moore in a one-on-one opportunity, Barca eased to victory, extending their run to 26 matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Messi’s goal – his 16th in La Liga this season – means he needs to score just once more to surpass the record Muller set while playing for Bundesliga side Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979.
The three points cancelled out second-placed Atletico Madrid’s win over Getafe on Saturday to restore a nine-point advantage.
The success also arrived in a good-news week for the club as they finally landed long-term transfer target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, with the Brazilian set to be confirmed as a Barca player imminently.
It is not yet clear how Coutinho will fit into Barca’s line-up, with some predicting he will be a long-term replacement for 33-year-old midfielder Andres Iniesta, who made his 650th club appearance.
Coutinho was not at the game, with reports in Spain suggesting he will complete a medical at Barcelona on Monday with a presentation to follow soon after.

Read More »

Official: Barcelona Announce Signing Of Liverpool Star, Buyout Clause N169.2 Billion which messi is not happy with because of some reasons

Through a statement on their official website, La Liga powerhouse Barcelona have announced that they have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho.
Subject to a traditional medical and the midfielder agreeing personal terms, he will append his signature to a five-and-a-half year contract with Barcelona.
The 25-year-old will have a buyout clause of 400 million euros (equivalent of N169.2 billion) inserted into his contract.
Philippe Coutinho began his professional career at Inter Milan, where he was once rated in the same category as Nigeria international Joel Obi.
While on the books of Nerazzurri, he had loan spells at Vasco da Gama and Espanyol before moving to Liverpool in January 2013.
Including performance related incentives, Coutinho will cost Barcelona 160 million euros.

Read More »

Lionel Messi said he dont need Premier League Superstar to be sign again

If Lionel Messi has his way, Philippe Coutinho won't be the only Premier League superstar swapping England for Barcelona.
Coutinho remains heavily linked with a move to the La Liga leaders, with a deal reportedly in place.
Barcelona continue to track the Liverpool star after failing to snap him up in the summer window. They tabled several monstrous bids, though all their offers were rebuffed.
But the Catalans are confident in securing his services.
And he may not be the only Premier League player heading to the iconic Camp Nou.
Barcelona bound? Images: PA
Messi wants Barcelona to sign Spurs' Dele Alli according to fresh reports from Spanish outlet
Diario Gol.
It's not the first time Barcelona have been connected with Alli. He continues to dominate the transfer rumour mills, with Real Madrid also reportedly keeping tabs on his progress.

Read More »

Eden Hazard to Real Madrid: Florentino Perez will NOT sanction Chelsea transfer

CHELSEA are unlikely to lose Eden Hazard to Real Madrid as club president Florentino Perez remains unconvinced of his talents. By Luke Gardener / Published 31st December 2017. Chelsea star Eden Hazard will NOT be moving to Real Madrid GETTY. Chelsea …
Chelsea news: Why Antonio Conte would sell Real Madrid target Eden Hazard – BBC Sport man Express.co.uk
Conte Pleased Witn Chelsea Win Over Stoke, Focuses On Arsenal Clash Complete Sports Nigeria
Chelsea to resume Eden Hazard contract talks as they target Ross Barkley in January Telegraph.co.uk
The Independent –
Іnsіdеr Cаr Nеws –
Sports Illustrated – Goal.com
all 79 news articles »

Read More »

Eden Hazard's father has revealed why his son decided to reject new Chelsea contract

Thierry Hazard, father of Eden, has made some startling comments about his son's future just says ahead of the January transfer window.
The Chelsea winger, who joined from Lille in 2012, has been in excellent form this season and is considered by many to be one of the finest players in the Premier League.
Hazard, 26, has regularly spoken of his desire to play for Real Madrid and has also been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks.
Currently in the midst of a very busy Christmas period, Italian coach Antonio Conte urged his players to ignore the rumours about their future
"A difficult period is starting," he said regarding speculation surrounding the future of Hazard and David Luiz.
"Especially for every player, for every coach. In this period there are a lot of rumours. Some rumours are true, some are wrong.
"There are a lot of rumours now. We must be ready to face these rumours. We must go game-by-game also because we have to play every three days. It’s not right that these rumours disturb us."
HAZARD'S FATHER GIVES HUGE UPDATE ON SON'S FUTURE
Thierry Hazard has spoken to Belgian media ahead of Chelsea's upcoming games against Stoke City and Arsenal.
The Belgian winger has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge but is not interested in signing an extension, according to his father.
"Eden has refused a contract extension because he sees himself playing at Real Madrid," said Hazard's father, as per Belgian media outlet Le Soir .
"If the opportunity ari

Read More »

Antonio Conte reveals the date when David Luiz and Charly Musonda will return for Chelsea

Antonio Conte has revealed that David Luiz and Charly Musonda should have recovered from their respective injuries in time for the FA Cup clash with Norwich City.
The Brazilian has yet to feature for the Blues since the 4-0 win at Qarabag in the Champions League back in November due to a knee injury, while the winger is still absent with a groin injury.
Although the manager would have liked the pair to be available over the busy festive period, Conte has stated that they won't be ready for the upcoming games against Stoke City and Arsenal.
Apart from Luiz and Musonda, the Italian has the same players from the 2-0 win over Brighton at his disposal for tomorrow's game against the Potters at Stamford Bridge.
Conte, speaking to the media, said: "The same players from the last game are available.
"Musonda and Luiz are improving a lot and their recovery is very close. I don't know about the next game.
"But for sure against Norwich, Luiz and Musonda will be available."
With the Blues coming up against the Gunners after facing lowly Stoke, Conte has insisted that he will not rest his players ahead of the match at the Emirates.
"I think that tomorrow we have a difficult game against Stoke," added Conte.

"As you remember last season in the same period we suffered a lot to beat them at home. I remember the game really well.
"We must pay great attention. I think we have to go game by game.
"It's normal when you play every three days, I have to make rotations and gives rests to players that are playing every game.
"At the same time, all my players deserve credit and I trust all my players."

Read More »