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    Mourinho 'not unhappy' at Madrid

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    Jose Mourinho has said the local junior club president who this week "revealed" that he was leaving Real Madrid is too fond of the media spotlight, and stressed that he will not decide his future until this season ends.

    Canillas president Manuel Alvarez caused a media storm on Wednesday when he told Spanish radio that Mourinho would definitely not be at the Bernabeu next season.

    That sparked speculation that the Portuguese had already agreed to take charge of either Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain.Mourinho told reporters at Friday's press briefing that Canillas, where the Real coach's son plays, had a place in his heart, but said Alvarez had spoken out of turn.

    "Canillas is almost like a second home for me and for my son," he said. "But it has a problem - a president who loves the media. He is a fantastic person in the way he treats me and my son, but he has this little problem. The problem is not mine."

    Mourinho stuck to the position he laid out after the recent Champions League quarter-final second leg at Galatasaray, when he said he would sit down for a "friendly chat" about his future with Madrid president Florentino Perez when the season was over.

    "I cannot say yet if I will be here next season," he said. "My relationship with the president and Jose Angel [Sanchez, Madrid's general director], with everyone at the club, is very good."That means we can sit down and analyse things calmly, to decide what is the best for Madrid, for me, for the president. Usually, there are problems between clubs and coaches, but in this case there are none."

    And he rejected the suggestion that he was discontented, saying: "I am not unhappy at Real Madrid.

    "I could like something more or less, but that happens everywhere. There is no such thing as the perfect club, or the perfect coach. The fundamental thing is to try and end the season well. We are two games from the [Champions League] final at Wembley."Then, when the pressure of the games has passed, we will sit down and arrive at a conclusion."

    Mourinho, who was making his first press appearance since Madrid were drawn to face Borussia Dortmund in this season's Champions League semi-finals, suggested that the German side's boss Jurgen Klopp was another who talked too much to the press.

    "Since the draw was made, he has spoken every day," the Portuguese said. "I have been silent. On Tuesday, we will talk about that game. We have spent these two weeks preparing for it."Those preparations have been complicated by issues at right-back, with Michael Essien receiving medical attention back at his parent club Chelsea this week, and Alvaro Arbeloa suspended for the first leg in Dortmund.

    Sergio Ramos, who looks to set to start that game on the flank, will be rested for Saturday's La Liga game at home to Real Betis, Mourinho said.Midfielders Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira will also not be in the squad for Saturday's game, while Iker Casillas will again be on the bench.

    Kaka is fit again and could come in, while Jose Callejon is tipped to start on the wing, given that Madrid have given up on the league title, with Barcelona 13 points clear and seven games remaining."This is the first time that I have been so detached from the national championship," Mourinho said.

    "If you asked a million madridistas if they preferred to beat Betis or Borussia, they would all say Borussia. I want win both games, but the situation allows us to give some players a rest."November's 1-0 defeat at Betis was one of the blows which saw Madrid slip behind Barca in the table. Mourinho said Pepe Mel's side, who are seventh and look well set for a Europa League spot, had impressed him this season.

    "Betis have a good team and a good coach," he said. "It is a difficult game for us. I am happy that things are going well for them."
     

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    Blues edge closer to Schurrle deal

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    Chelsea are edging closer to the signing of Germany international Andre Schurrle after Bayer Leverkusen officials travelled to London for negotiations.

    Reports in the German media in recent days have claimed Schurrle has agreed personal terms with the Blues, who had failed in an attempt to sign the 22-year-old last summer.

    The Leverkusen midfielder is expected to sign a five-year contract in a deal that will reportedly cost Chelsea around €20 million, with Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne joining the Bundesliga club on loan as part of the deal.“Yes, I was in London to negotiate,” Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller told Bild. “There is nothing more to add. Nothing is decided yet.”

    Afterwards, Voller travelled to Brussels along with club official Michael Reschke to meet with De Bruyne’s agents. Should De Bruyne, who is currently on loan at Werder Bremen, fail to agree to a move to Leverkusen, Schurrle may cost Chelsea €22 million plus bonuses, according to kicker.

    On Friday, Leverkusen’s communication director, Meinolf Sprink, stressed that, while the talks had occurred, there was no agreement in place.
    "I can confirm the talks in London and the continuation of the journey to Brussels,” Sprink said, “but right now our CEO, Wolfgang Holzhauser, is not in a position to make a decision. Moreover, the board of directors has not been involved yet.”

    In 60 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen, Schurrle has scored 16 goals. The former Mainz player has won 22 caps for Germany, scoring seven goals. His contract at Leverkusen ends in 2016.
     

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    Mourinho's confidence has helped me improve' - Varane

    The young Frenchman has taken the time to thank his Portuguese boss for believing in him, as well as looking ahead to his side's clash with Borussia Dortmund.

    Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has thanked his coach Jose Mourinho for his giving him the confidence to force his way into the first team this season.At just 19 years old, the former Lens player has established himself in Mourinho's first team in his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu and he puts much of his progress down to the guidance of the former Chelsea and Inter boss.

    "I have to thank him - my coach - for the confidence he has given to me and his help in improving me as a player," he told AS. "I have worked hard to get to where I am. I have since learned a lot from my teammates.

    The Frenchman also looked ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Signal Iduna Park with Borussia Dortmund and has warned his teammates that Jurgen Klopp’s side must not be underestimated."Dortmund are a team that can change from defense to attack rapidly - they love to attack like that. That is their style of play. They are a great team and they have not made it to the semifinals by luck alone.”

    The winner of Dortmund and Madrid’s European bout will face either Bayern Munich or Barcelona at Wembley on May 25.
     

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    Carvajal: I would love to go back to Real Madrid

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    The Blancos youth product joined Bayer Leverkusen last year but remains keen on a Bernabeu return and sees his former side as the favorite over Dortmund in the Champions League Bayer Leverkusen defender Daniel Carvajal has admitted he would jump at the chance to return to Real Madrid.

    The 21-year-old learned his trade at the Spanish giants' youth academy but, despite racking up a number of appearances for the B team, decided to move to the Bundesliga last summer after failing to break into Jose Mourinho's squad.

    Carvajal has been nominated for best right back in the Bundesliga this season thanks to his impressive performances this season and, though he says he is enjoying German football, a Santiago Bernabeu return remains his dream.

    "Yes, I would like to return one day [to Real Madrid]. They have an option to buy me back me, too," he told Marca. "I am trying to work the best I can here, to improve day-by-day and if one day they decide to exercise the option to bring me back then I would accept it straight away."

    The Blancos face German giant Borussia Dortmund next Wednesday night at Signal Iduna Park and Carvajal believes that Cristiano Ronaldo will help his former side reach the Champions League final over the two legs.

    "When Dortmund are forced to chase after the ball for a long time, they suffer," he told Marca. "In the Bernabeu they could start the game set up to play on the counterattack but without the ball they suffer.

    "The other point of difference is that they do not have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo. He could be very important in determining the winner of this tie.

    "Borussia do not have a player like him. Madrid have Cristiano, Barca have Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich have Franck Ribery but Borussia do not have anyone who can be as decisive. So Madrid will enter the tie as slight favourites."

    Carvajal has made 31 appearances for Leverkusen this season since his transfer from the Spanish capital club in the summer of 2012.
     

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    Benitez only focused on Chelsea ahead of Liverpool return

    The 53-year-old spent six years at the Anfield outfit, winning the Champions League, but insists he will put former allegiances aside when the two teams meet on Sunday Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez insists he will remain focused when he faces Liverpool, though admits he is hoping for a positive reception on his return to Merseyside.

    The former Liverpool manager takes his side to Anfield for what will be his first return to the club since his departure three years ago as he searches for points to secure a top-four finish in the league.

    Whilst he hopes for a positive reaction from the Liverpool fans, he is determined to remain focused on achieving his targets with his current club and not let the reunion distract him.

    "I have a lot of friends and memories from my time at Liverpool but I'll try to concentrate on the game," Benitez told reporters. "You need to use your common sense. I am committed to Chelsea and to achieving our targets.

    "Obviously, I was at Liverpool for six years and we won a lot of trophies, so I hope the fans appreciate that. However, they will also understand that I am their opponent on Sunday and they will support their own team."

    Benitez claimed Champions League and FA Cup victories in back-to-back seasons during his six-year stay at Anfield in run-ins which included victories over Jose Mourinho’s then Chelsea.

    The rivalry between the two clubs developed as a result, and Benitez, who saw his appointment at Chelsea met with fierce hostility, hopes the passion will produce a good game.

    "It's good if the rivalry between the two clubs remains on the pitch because it means both are successful,” said Benitez.

    "It will be a tough game. Liverpool create a lot of chances and we will need to be strong in defense. We need to carry on winning because that will keep us in the driving seat to finish third."
     

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    Galliani: I would re-sign Thiago Silva over Ibrahimovic

    The AC Milan chief says he would like to see les Parisiens' center back in Italy instead of the Swede because a watertight defense can bring home the Scudetto
    AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has suggested that he would much rather re-sign Thiago Silva than Zlatan Ibrahimovic and dismissed a return to San Siro for the Swede.

    The striker has had an excellent first season at the Parc des Princes, scoring 26 goals in Ligue 1 with PSG sitting comfortably at the top of the table with the final few weeks of the season approaching, however, reports have persisted that he is unhappy in France.

    Juventus, for which Ibrahimovic used to play, has been mooted as a potential buyer in the summer but Galliani moved to swiftly rule out the Rossoneri in any potential race for his signature.

    "A return for Ibrahimovic does not seem possible as his salary demands are too high," the 68-year-old told reporters at a press conference. "He is a professional. We were sad to sell him but he earns the kind of money that are not compatible with our finances.

    "Would I re-sign him or Thiago Silva? The team who concedes fewer goals wins the Scudetto..."

    The Italian giant made a profit of 32 million euros on the defender after it bought him from Fluminense for 10 million euros before selling him the French capital for 42 million euros.

    Milan sits in the third and final Champions League qualification spot with a four-point advantage over Fiorentina in fourth.

    It takes on Serie A leader Juventus in Turin on April 21.
     

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    We have made progress under Rodgers, says Jose Enrique

    The Anfield outfit failed to win any silverware this year but the left back believes the side has improved, while also indicating his happiness with the current brand of football Liverpool left back Jose Enrique believes the lack of a trophy this season does not take away from the encouraging progression made under Brendan Rodgers during his first season in charge.

    Enrique won the League Cup with Liverpool in his first season at the club under then boss Kenny Dalglish but the club haven’t experienced further victories during this campaign.

    However the 27-year-old has defended the lack of silverware this season and insists the club has progressed, even if its results do not show it, and will continue to improve in the future.

    "In terms of football and for the future, I think so," Enrique told reporters. "As the manager said from the start, it's difficult because he came to the club with another type of football that we're not really used to in England.

    "It's difficult to get used to this system for players that have never played that type of football. Of course, last year we played two finals and won one of them.

    "You can see how difficult it is to win a trophy. We won one last year and nothing this year, but in terms of the future we have made progress."

    The former Newcastle United defender has fought to reclaim his favored left back position, ousting Glen Johnson, and insists he will strive to stay there as he continues to enjoy the new style of football implemented by Rodgers.

    "I will try to stay there [at left back]. I don't like to speak about myself but, for me, Glen is one of the best right-backs in the world," Enrique continued. "He [Brendan Rodgers] wants the full-backs to try to be another attacking player. It's really good; I really enjoy this type of football.

    "It's good because it's not just about defending and then attacking sometimes, he wants us to go all the time as another attacking player."
     

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    'I am very happy at Swansea' - Vorm denies exit rumors

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    The Dutch goalkeeper insists he is happy to remain at the Liberty Stadium amid speculation he could move to Liverpool, and he is looking forward to competing in the Europa League.

    Swansea City goalkeeper Michel Vorm has insisted he is happy at the Liberty Stadium following speculation of a summer departure.

    Vorm has been an important figure in Michael Laudrup’s side this season, though Gerhard Tremmel was preferred in the Capital One Cup, and he has constantly been linked with moves away from the club. The 29-year-old appeared to be open to a reunion with former Swans boss and current Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers during a recent interview, but now claims the quotes were taken out of context.

    "The comments that came out of the interview from the Dutch press have been lost in translation,” Vorm told the club’s official website. "They asked me about Brendan and I said I enjoyed working under him. Of course I did, he was the man that brought me here and we had a successful season.

    "But I did not say I wanted to go to Liverpool or anywhere else - I am very happy here at Swansea. Not once have I told my agent or the chairman Huw Jenkins that I want to leave here."

    Vorm has been linked with a host of moves away including transfers to Manchester United and Barcelona – a move to the Spanish giant only heightened by his family visit to the Catalan city last weekend. He put an end to speculation linking him with a move to Camp Nou, though.

    "The Barcelona story was a shock to me," Vorm said. "It's quite funny when I think about it, because I had a couple of days free so I wanted to fly somewhere close and sunny, so my family went to Barcelona.

    Vorm also insisted that he was looking forward to taking part in Swansea’s adventure in Europe next season after the club qualified for the Europa League by virtue of winning the Capital One Cup.

    "This season has been incredible for us. We are doing so well in the league and, of course, we won the Capital One Cup which means we are playing in Europe next season," Vorm said. "Everyone is looking forward to being a part of that adventure - myself included - but first of all we must ensure that we finish this season strongly."
     

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    I am not unhappy at Real Madrid, says Mourinho

    The Blancos boss says there is no such thing as the perfect club but has put talks over his future on hold until the end of the season.Jose Mourinho has insisted that he is not unhappy at Real Madrid amid ongoing rumors that he is set to leave the club at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

    The Portuguese coach admitted that his relationship with Madrid is not perfect, but remains determined to finish the season on a high before making a decision about his future.

    "I'm not unhappy at Real Madrid. We need to make the decision that´s best for everyone. I may like some things and dislike others but this happens everywhere. There's no such thing as the perfect club or the perfect manager," Mourinho said at a press conference.

    "We need to focus on finishing the season as well as possible, on achieving goals that are still very far away. We are two matches away from the Champions League, not long ago we were 13. When we take all this pressure off the time will be right to sit down and get to conclusions."

    The former Inter boss then went on to discuss Canillas president Manuel Alvarez's claims that Mourinho has told him he will leave Madrid this summer.

    "If I talk about Canillas I talk about a second home for me and my son," Mourinho said. "It´s a great club, but there's one problem. The president really likes press and attention. He is a terrific person and he treats me and my son really well, but he's got this little issue.

    "He really likes press, but that's not my concern. I can confirm that I told him I will not be able to give the coaching conference. Next year I can't say I will be giving the conference. I really don't think I will.

    Mourinho has a contract with Los Blancos until 2016 after extending his original four-year deal to six last summer.
     

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    Ashley Young ruled out for the season

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    The winger damaged his ankle in the 2-1 home defeat to rivals City, and Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the 27-year-old will play no further part in their title pursuit.
    Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Ashley Young will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

    The winger has been in and out of the team this season with injuries, only featuring in 19 of their 33 Premier League encounters, with his last appearance coming in the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City - in which he was withdrawn in stoppage time.

    Young travelled to support the team against West Ham on crutches in midweek, with Ferguson now confirming the winger will play no further part in United's bid for a 20th Premier League title.

    "Ashley is out for the season," the boss told MUTV. "It's unfortunate and it's a bad blow. We thought it'd be maybe two or three weeks but now he's been down to the specialist and that's why you saw him at the game on Wednesday."

    He added, "We took him down to a specialist in London and the prognosis was not very good at all. We're going to lose him for the rest of the season."
     

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    Iniesta: I don't care about Mourinho

    The midfielder says he is not bothered if the Portuguese leaves the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season Barcelona's Andres Iniesta has said that he couldn't care less if Jose Mourinho moves on from Real Madrid

    The Blaugrana midfielder is fully focused on affairs at Camp Nou and is not distracted by the media speculation surrounding the former Chesea and Porto coach.

    The Spaniard made the remark regarding the future of the Portuguese at the recording of a new commercial for ice cream maker Kalise, before switching his attention the the Champions League.

    "It does not matter to me what Mourinho does," the midfielder told reporters.

    Both sides are still in contention for the European crown and the Spain international is dreaming of playing in another final, possibly against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    "What I want is to be in the final, once we are there we will fight to win. We will fight for it until the death. Fans of Real Madrid would think they could lose it."

    The Blaugrana face Bayern Munich in the last four of the competition, while Real Madrid will have to overcome Borussia Dortmund if they are to make it to the final at Wembley.
     

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    Messi on the verge of Barcelona return

    The club says it will wait to see if its star player is fit to return to Liga action before the Champions League semifinal clash with Bayern Munich next week.
    Lionel Messi could be in contention for Barcelona's clash with Levante on Saturday, according to assistant coach Jordi Roura.

    The Argentine star suffered an injured hamstring in the first leg of the Catalans' Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on April 2. The forward then made a cameo appearance in the return leg of that tie at Camp Nou, but was clearly far from full fitness. Roura has revealed the forward is closing in on a return to first-team action, though.

    "We all know how Messi is," Roura told reporters at a press conference. "He always wants to be out there and participate. He has been working with total intensity to recover. We will see how he is tomorrow morning after training and decide then with Tito."
     
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