..::Football III::..

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Six Chelsea stars named in PFA Team of the Year

Chelsea have dominated the PFA Team of the Year, with six Blues players named in the line-up, including Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic.

John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill complete the list of Chelsea stars although there is no place in the team for Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal have just one representative with Alexis Sanchez making the team while Liverpool are represented by Philippe Coutinho.

Manchester United's David De Gea is the team's goalkeeper while Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Southampton's Ryan Bertrand complete the line-up.

 

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Chelsea's Eden Hazard named PFA Player of the Year

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has been named the PFA Player of the Year, beating stiff competition from Manchester United's David De Gea and Tottenham's Harry Kane.

Hazard has played a pivotal role in Chelsea's march to the Premier League title this season, scoring 13 goals and laying on eight assists.

While some of his team-mates have fallen out of form in 2015 - suficiently so, in the case of Cesc Fabregas, to fall out of the PFA Team of the Year - Hazard has maintained the high level of form which he showed in the first half of the campaign.

Last weekend he scored the decisive goal against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, which finally killed off Louis van Gaal's faint hopes of winning the title, which came a week after laying on a late, important winner for Fabregas at Queens Park Rangers.

His eye-catching skills and important goals have given him the edge over his Premier League colleagues, including De Gea and Kane.

The United goalkeeper has been crucial to his team's progression this season, particularly in the early months when he made a number of spectacular saves to help bail out a creaky defence as Van Gaal experimented with the team he inherited from David Moyes.

Tottenham striker Kane provided the most impressive competition for Hazard. The 21-year-old has scored 30 goals - 20 in the Premier League - in a stunning breakthrough season at White Hart Lane.

The Englishman has been a central member of Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs project and he earned his first international call-up earlier this season as a result.

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who has been hampered by injuries and suspensions in 2015, were also nominated for the award.
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Tottenham striker Harry Kane named PFA Young Player of the Year

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been named the PFA Young Player of the Year, seeing off the challenge of Chelsea's Eden Hazard, who has won the main award.

Kane has scored 20 Premier League goals in a stunning breakthrough season at White Hart Lane and beating Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho, who came second and third.

Having struggled to feature in the early months of the campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, Kane scored his first league goal at the start of November and has in fact reached his tally of 20 in just 25 matches.

The 21-year-old has scored 30 in all competitions for his club, and another one on his England debut just 79 seconds after coming off the bench against Lithuania at the end of March.

Last weekend he became the first Tottenham player since Gary Lineker in 1991-92 to score 30 goals in all competitions, and became the fourth Spurs man, alongside Teddy Sheringham, Gareth Bale and Jurgen Klinsmann, to hit 20 in a single Premier League season.

He also became the third man in history to score 20 league goals at the age of 21 or under, joining Chris Sutton and Robbie Fowler.

Those feats saw him installed as the early favourite to be named the best youngster in the division by his peers, and he has successfully overcome challenges from Hazard, Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, who were all also nominated for the senior award.

Another Liverpool forward, Raheem Sterling, and Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois made up the six-man shortlist.
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Congratulations for PFA Team of the Year & Congratulations for Eden Hazard & Harry Kane

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La Liga 2015.04.27 Fixture

La Liga 2015.04.27 Fixture

Valencia Vs Granada​

 

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Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea: Mourinho's men edge closer to title with Emirates stalemate

 

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Wenger: It is impossible for Chelsea to lose title now

 

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Six Chelsea stars named in PFA Team of the Year

Coutinho

 

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Valencia 4-0 Granada: Santo's men seize fourth spot

Valencia regained fourth spot in La Liga with a straightforward 4-0 victory over relegation-threatened Granada on Monday.

Defeat to Barcelona last time out had opened the door for Sevilla in the race for the final Champions League spot and the Andalusians capitalised by beating Rayo Vallecano 2-0 on Sunday.

However, an unchallenged Javi Fuego nodded Dani Parejo's 36th-minute corner home before the Valencia captain doubled the advantage from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval.

Things went from bad to worse for Granada in the second half as left-back Emanuel Insua was stretchered from the field, seemingly injuring himself as he attempted a long-range pass.

Sofiane Feghouli and Alvaro Negredo compounded Granada's misery in the closing stages, capping a dominant display with a goal apiece.The result leaves Valencia two points clear of Sevilla in fourth place with five games remaining, while defeat for Abel Resino's men leaves them six points adrift of safety.

 

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Henry is wrong, Giroud can win Arsenal titles - Coquelin

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has hit back at Thierry Henry after the former striker said the Gunners need “a top, top-quality striker in order to win this league again”.

The Frenchman was speaking after Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea at the Emirates which ended Arsenal’s eight-game winning streak and left them 10 points behind the Blues in third.

Henry insisted that Arsene Wenger needed to sign four new players if they are to clinch a first Premier League title since 2004 but Coquelin says Olivier Giroud is good enough for the Gunners.

"Thierry Henry is wrong. Giroud shows his potential every week,” he told RMC. “He showed that he has the level to be the Arsenal striker, and we can win titles with him.

"We are disappointed with the result against Chelsea because we were on a good run.“Now the target is to focus on the end of the championship, win all the remaining matches to get this second place, and of course win the FA Cup final.”

Coquelin has played a key role for Arsenal since returning from a loan spell with Charlton in December and the 23-year-old says he is glad to have taken the chance to prove his worth.

"I had no doubt about my qualities, but when you don't have the chance to show what we can do, doubt can settle in,” he explained.

“But I had my chance, and it went well. In every big club, there is competition.You must answer to that when you have the chance to play, that's what I do and I hope it will continue."

 

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Luis Enrique has improved Barcelona - Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic says Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has improved the club in a number of areas and won the complete backing of the squad.

The former Barca B, Roma and Celta Vigo boss was appointed Gerardo Martino's replacement last summer but was criticised as his side struggled to adapt to his style of football.

Luis Enrique has moved away from the Catalans' Tiki-Taka philosophy and implemented a more direct style and Rakitic believes the change has made them a better side."We have improved a lot with him in certain places," he said in an interview with Adidas. "We trust him 100 per cent."

Under the 44-year-old, Barca have overtaken Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and lead their rivals by two points with five games of the campaign remaining.

Athletic Bilbao await in the final of the Copa del Rey, while the club have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Croatia midfielder was also asked about the future of captain Xavi, who appears set to bring an end to his time at the club and move to Qatar at the end of the season.

"We all appreciate Xavi. He is a great person on and off the field and we would all like it if he was with us for longer."

 

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Messi is god-like - Beckenbauer

Bayern Munich and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has labelled Barcelona star Lionel Messi "god-like" and believes the Catalans hopes of success this season rest on his shoulders.

The 27-year-old has recovered from a disappointing end to 2014 to inspire his side to a fine run of form domestically and in Europe to leave the club challenging for silverware on three fronts.

Barca lead La Liga by two points ahead of Real Madrid and face Bayern in the semi-finals of the Champions League, while Athletic Bilbao await in the Copa del Rey final.

Beckenbauer will, of course, hope Messi has a dip in form as his side take on Luis Enrique's men over two legs, but admitted he is a big admirer of the Argentina international.He told Sky 90: "He is a divine player, he is god-like. The hopes of Barcelona are reliant on Messi."

The European tie will see Bavarians coach Pep Guardiola face Barca for the first time since leaving the club in 2012 and Beckenbauer believes his knowledge of the club could be key.

"Guardiola knows the ins and outs of Barcelona. He knows the smallest of details that could put Bayern on their way."

Bayern face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday and the 69-year-old says anything other than a perfect performance could see his former team shocked by BVB.

"I think Bayern must put on a flawless performance, otherwise they will go out. The minute you think negatively of Dortmund they will catch you out."

 

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Zamparini: PSG must pay €50m for 'new Messi' Dybala

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini says that he will not accept anything less than €40 million for in-demand striker Paulo Dybala, but added that he would charge Paris Saint-Germain €50m for a player he believes to be"the new Lionel Messi".

The Rosanero supremo has already confirmed that he will cash in on his most prized asset this summer, with Juventus, Inter, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United among those interested in the 21-year-old Argentine, who has netted 13 goals in 31 Serie A appearances so far this season.

PSG are also hoping to sign Dybala but Zamparini says he would demand more money from the Ligue 1 champions because the player is unsure about joining Laurent Blanc's star-studded line-up."I'm in contact with the player's agent and with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi," the Italian told Telefoot. "For PSG, he would be a good investment for the future.

"For me, he is the new Messi. Today, how much would you pay for Barcelona's Argentine? €200m? €300m? And even at that price, would he be sold?
"Messi is worth an entire team and Dybala is this kind of player.

"I want €40m for him but I asked Nasser for €50m. The boy's agent's have already travelled to Paris to talk to the club but Dybala has some doubts because there are already great players there."

 

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Blanc: PSG must ignore title rivals Lyon

Laurent Blanc says Paris Saint-Germain must concern themselves only with their own form and ignore what Lyon are doing as the Ligue 1 title race draws towards a nail-biting finale.

Tied on points with PSG, Lyon currently top the table on goal difference but the capital club can pull three clear by winning their game in hand, against Metz at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.Blanc fully expects the championship battle to be decided on the final day but he wants his troops to solely concentrate on their five remaining fixtures.

"Lyon have their path, and we have ours," he told reporters on Monday. "We will see in the end who has had the better season. "There is never any difference to find between us. The title will be decided on small details.

"So, we want to focus on our opponents - and not only Lyon. We have to concentrate primarily on our path."

Regarding the crunch clash with Metz, Blanc revealed that he has received mixed news on the injury front."Serge Aurier is out but Thiago Silva [thigh] will be with us. He was close to playing against Lille [at the weekend] but I wanted to preserve him.

"He will train with us tonight and then play tomorrow."As for [Salvatore] Sirigu, we will see this afternoon, but I think his fitness seems too unstable to play tomorrow. We will know after training.

"Lucas, meanwhile, is still suffering with his injury, so he’s not at his best level.
"Physically, after two months out, it’s difficult. He feels a discomfort in the thigh.
"I would like to use him but I must be reasonable, patient, even if we desire the same thing.

"I'm rational, he’s a joker, so I will wait and he will wait before deciding if he is fit to start."

 

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Fabregas: Arsenal return brought back so many memories

Cesc Fabregas admitted his return to Arsenal brought back "many memories" as Chelsea earned a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Spaniard was booed by a section of the home support during the game but left the field to applause when he was substituted in the second half.

The result moved Chelsea to within touching distance of their first Premier League title since 2010 and Fabregas took to Twitter to air his feelings on Monday morning.

Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, believes his side matched Chelsea and feels the Gunners' poor start to the season put paid to their ambitions of winning the Premier League.

"I believe, in the first half, we produced a fantastic display," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "We couldn't finish the game after our build-up because we lacked something in the final pass, in the final decision.

"Overall the team were at their top level again and we are a bit frustrated because we always score here. Not to score means you go home and think, 'What happened?'

"Do we put that down to the quality of Chelsea's defending? Do we put that down to the fact that we lacked a bit of sharpness in the final third? Maybe both.

"You could see that [there is] not a lot [between the teams]. We missed the first part of the season - after six games, we had one win and Chelsea were already five or six points in front. That played a big part in the run-in."

 

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'Tippy-tappy football doesn't always win titles,' says Chelsea captain Terry

John Terry is adamant that "tippy-tappy football" would not have put Chelsea on the verge of winning the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho's side were jeered as "boring, boring Chelsea" by Arsenal fans during their 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a result that leaves the West Londoners two wins from guaranteeing the title.

However, Terry has defended their style of play, insisting that his team were "the best side by far" in the first phase of the season before consolidating their position.

"We are definitely not boring and, if we do go on to win it, nobody's going to remember the performances when perhaps it's not been that exciting," the centre-back declared to reporters. "We've dug deep and other teams haven't and that is why they are so far behind us.

"Possession is great - we could see that from the Manchester United game last week. Possession and tippy-tappy football's great but, if you are not winning games, you're not going to win the league.

"Let's not forget the first half of the season, up until Christmas, when we were the best side by far. The football we played with [Cesc] Fabregas and his assists, [Andre Schurrle's] goal at Burnley and others after that. The play was different class.

"Things then went against us and the manager, being him, came up with the way to get us through games. That's where he's at his best. Let's not forget we were the best side up until Christmas for sure and we have actually beaten the teams who have made things difficult for us.

"Now we are one step from where we want to be. [Next opponents] Leicester are flying - you can see they have got a bit of wind in their sails as well - so it is going to be a really tough game on Wednesday but it is in our hands, not anybody else's.

"We are grinding out results. We have got the quality in the squad so hopefully we can get over the line because we are very close."

Mourinho claimed after the draw that Terry had put in his best-ever performance to shut out Arsenal but the defender was more reserved.

"I'm not too sure," Terry replied when asked if it was his best game. "I got on the end of a lot of crosses and cleared a few.

"You can feel when things are going well and, definitely, during the game I felt it was but to hear that from the likes of the manager, who stands there and assesses you day-in, day-out, is really nice.

"But I just have to keep on and keep going because it can go the other way.

"Arsenal are a really good side, especially going forward, so we needed to be on it defensively, which we have been collectively.

"I just thought, even in midfield, tracking back late on you could see they were a little shattered a little bit but everyone dug deep."

 

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Guardiola: Bayern won't suffer Champions League slump this season

Pep Guardiola insists that Bayern Munich will not suffer another Champions League slump after wrapping up the Bundesliga title at the weekend.

The Bavarians were crowned champions of Germany with a record seven games to spare last season, a feat which appeared to leave them wonderfully placed to
successfully defend their European crown.

However, Bayern suffered a bizarre dip in form after clinching their domestic title at the tail end of March, making hard work of a poor Manchester United side in the Champions League quarter-finals before then being sensationally routed 5-0 on aggregate by eventual winners Real Madrid in the semis.

Guardiola considers the beating his side took at the hands of the Blancos the low point of his coaching career to date and he is adamant that history will not repeat itself this term, with Bayern now bracing themselves for a monumental last-four showdown with another Liga powerhouse, Barcelona."We won't struggle this year," he told reporters on Monday. "We have big opponents coming and we have big continuity.

"This year is completely different to last year. Last year I was only focused on the Champions League."

Indeed, Guardiola says that he is treating every single game Bayern have left with the utmost respect, starting with Tuesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final against Borussia Dortmund."I know how strong they are," the Catalan stated. "It will be very, very, very difficult. "They always play with high aggression and this is a quality of Jurgen Klopp's teams.

"In Dortmund (earlier this month, when Bayern won 1-0) they were better than us.
"We struggled, but we won because Lewy (Robert Lewandowski) and Thomas (Muller) were superb. But the game was always tight."

Guardiola's future remains a topic of discussion at every press conference but the former Barcelona boss, who only has one year left on his Bayern deal, says that he is more concerned with getting all of his players fit again than his next career move.
"I am very happy with my time in Munich," he added. "I am surprised by and thankful for these players. "I just hope that next year I will have more fit and less injured players.

"Javi Martinez was injured for nine months but his enthusiasm is huge and he can now help us by playing some minutes.

"Bernat is feeling better. He had some problems, but I hope that he will play against Dortmund. "We need Arjen (Robben) back but he was injured for five weeks, so we cannot rush him.

"But if Arjen is convinced in his head, his legs will not be a problem."

 

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Liverpool must sign a goalscorer, admits Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits that his side's goal tally in 2014-15 is a major cause for concern, one that will be addressed with recruitment in the off-season.

Inspired by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge last term, the Reds netted 101 Premier League goals - 52 alone coming from their fearsome strike duo.

However, with Suarez now at Barcelona and Sturridge enduring an injury-ravaged season, Liverpool have netted just 47 times in their 33 league outings this term and, ahead of Tuesday's trip to Hull City, Rodgers accepts that the stats do not lie.

"If you look at the numbers, at the same point last year, we had 90 goals. You're nearly talking about a 100 per cent difference," he told reporters.

"Defensively, we've been strong, despite what people write and say, we had a 14th clean sheet [in Saturday's 0-0 draw at West Brom].

"We're [in the] top five defensively in the league but obviously the critical area, as it was when I first came, was goalscoring and it's something we need to improve.

"It's certainly an area we need to address come the summer. We have a top-class striker here in Daniel but he also needs help."

Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini are the other out-and-out centre forwards available to Rodgers, while Divock Origi is set to arrive from Lille - where he is currently on loan - in the close-season.

 

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Liverpool must sign a goalscorer, admits Rodgers

Origi wa genna gattha nam iwarai neh.​

 

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'Ibrahimovic is a stupid, big-headed, flat-track bully' - Bertrand-Demanes

Former France international Jean-Paul Bertrand-Demanes says Paris Saint-Germain should get rid of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, arguing that the striker is nothing more than a "stupid, "big-headed", "flat-track bully" who needs "a good slap".

PSG had not been champions of France since 1994 when Ibrahimovic joined the capital club from AC Milan in the summer of 2012 for an estimated fee of €20 million.The Sweden international has since fired the Parc des Princes outfit to back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, while they are currently on course to record a domestic treble.

However, Bertrand-Demanes says that Ibrahimovic is actually holding PSG back, claiming that while the 33-year-old is capable of running riot in Ligue 1, he does not deliver in the Champions League, with Laurent Blanc's men having been swept aside by Barcelona in the quarter-finals earlier this month.

The ex-Nantes goalkeeper also says that Ibrahimovic does not have the requisite intelligence to play alongside a striker, as underlined by the fact that PSG forward Edinson Cavani often has to play wide to accomodate his team-mate through the
middle.

"I don't like Ibrahimovic," Bertrand-Demanes told L'Equipe. "He is so big-headed. The problem is people make him think he's intelligent, but he's as thick as two short planks.

"He's not a caricature but not far off; he's a flat-track bully. You can be big-headed when you're [Luis] Suarez or [Lionel] Messi and score goals against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

"I'm sorry but, if you only score a hat-trick against Nancy... If PSG want to progress they need to get rid of him. He is a problem for PSG."You can't ask him to accept playing up-front alongside someone because he's too stupid."

Bertrand-Demanes then took aim at France international Florian Thauvin, lashing out at the attacking midfielder for the way in which he forced through a move from Lille to Marseille last summer by effectively going on strike.

"[Ibrahimovic] is like Thauvin," he added. "They both need a good slap."
"When you see what Thauvin did to Lille to go to OM, you understand.
"These people have chick peas for brains and treat others like idiots."