..::Football III::..

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Buffon: I'd be p***** off if I were Casillas

Gianluigi Buffon claims he would be "p***** off" if subjected to the same situation as Real Madrid No.1 Iker Casillas has been over the past two years.

The veteran Spain international lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper in La Liga to Diego Lopez but found himself reinstated following the departure of Lopez to AC Milan in the summer.

However, there have been calls from Real Madrid fans and much of the media for summer signing Keylor Navas - who was excellent for Levante in 2013-14 and for Costa Rica at the World Cup - to take Casillas' place between the sticks.

Barcelona have also rotated their goalkeepers this season, with Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen utilised at different times, but Buffon does not believe such a policy is effective.

"Everyone is different, but I think Casillas' situation would have been p***** me off," the Juventus veteran told AS. "I do not know if I agree with the swapping around of Diego Lopez and Casillas. I would have felt penalised, if that was me.

"When I'm fit I prefer to play every game, because I still feel strong. Of course, if the results give the coach a reason to change things up then that's normal. However, a team of Real Madrid's calibre can play 60 games a year, it can be a problem if you're resting too often.

"I was very surprised with Casillas' situation. A goalkeeper is not infallible - he can make mistakes just like he can pull off amazing saves. When it comes to playing for teams like Madrid or Juventus, the criticism becomes even more fierce. It can destabilise you and cause you to lose your security as No.1."

Buffon also admitted that he harboured dreams of playing for the Santiago Bernabeu side as a youngster, along with a host of other European giants.

"It's true that when you're a kid you dream of playing for all the big teams," he added. "The best known, the most traditional, where you'd earn the most.

"Therefore I dreamed of playing for Juve, AC Milan, Inter, Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool."

 

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PSG fans stabbed in Barcelona, police confirm

Paris Saint-Germain fans were stabbed in two separate incidents in Barcelona on Wednesday, Catalan police have confirmed.

The Ligue 1 champions were beaten 3-1 at Camp Nou as Barca sealed top spot in Group F at the expense of their opponents, who qualified for the last 16 as runners-up.

On Thursday, Catalan police announced that some PSG supporters had been attacked close to the stadium and had been admitted to hospital.

A statement released by the police confirmed that the first incident occurred at around 23:00 local time on Carrer de Felipe de Paz, close to Camp Nou.According to the release, "a French citizen" was stabbed "by two individuals dressed in dark and with a balaclava".

A short time later, a group of three supporters were attacked, one of whom had to be transported to hospital after being stabbed."The police are working to clarify the exact circumstances of the incident and arrest those responsible," the statement concluded.

The incidents come hot on the heels of Spanish authorities looking to clamp down on football-related violence after a Deportivo La Coruna fan was killed ahead of their fixture at Atletico Madrid last month.

However, one of those assaulted in the vicinity of the stadium said the attackers were not wearing colours of Barca or gave any indication that they supported them, suggesting the attack had no motives coming from football.

 

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Klopp confirms Weidenfeller no longer Dortmund No.1

Jurgen Klopp has revealed Roman Weidenfeller will remain Borussia Dortmund's second choice goalkeeper for the remainder of 2014, with Mitchell Langerak taking over as the new No.1.

The 26-year-old Australian goalkeeper has been with Dortmund for four years but has featured only fleetingly in that time due to Weidenfeller's constant presence between the sticks, but the club's plummet to the bottom of the Bundesliga led to Langerak being brought into the XI.

The Signal Iduna Park coach denied recent reports that Weidenfeller was no longer his No.1, but he has now acknowledged that - until 2015 at least - Langerak has ousted the experienced shot-stopper after he started consecutive games for Klopp's men.

"I had a good talk with Roman yesterday and told him about my decision," the coach told reporters on Thursday. "In the new year we will start from the beginning again, but Mitch will play the next three games."

The likes of Ciro Immobile, Shinji Kagawa and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been underperforming in recent games but Klopp is confident that their form is not of critical concern as they look to recover some of the Bundesliga ground they have lost in the past two months.

"We had many problems in the last weeks but our strikers were never the main problem," he added. "If Ciro misses his second or third chance, he's still looking for the fourth and stays calm. He's developing well.

"Shinji didn't play so well in midweek but that doesn't mean that he can't play well again on Saturday. He still has great abilities.

"Everyone who watches us knows how important Mkhitaryan is for us. No one doubts he will score again eventually."

Dortmund are back in action on Saturday with a visit to Hertha Berlin, who are level on points with them but beneath them on goal difference.

 

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Martinez: Europa League can help Everton develop

Roberto Martinez was upbeat despite watching his young Everton side lose 1-0 to Krasnodar in their final Europa League group match.

The Spaniard, who made 10 changes to his starting XI after qualifying as Group H winners with a game to spare, is confident the Europa League can enhance his youngsters' development after handing out four debuts.

“We had to work so hard last season. For us to finish fifth and challenge for the fourth position was a lot of work and is a real achievement to play in the Europa League, so we don’t see it as a negative,” he said.

“I think it’s a phenomenal competition, especially now when you see the eight teams coming from the Champions League.

“What we did this summer was make sure we had enough players to face more than the domestic competitions, and from that point on I feel the competition for places is very strong and that’s why I wanted to find out about the youngsters today.

“I’ve got a clear idea now what players can help the first team and the ones that need a bit more development.

“We’re delighted to be in Europe. We have phenomenal memories of travelling to Krasnodar, and going to Lille and going to Wolfsburg. The performances have been of a high standard and we can only progress and get better being in this competition. I hope we can as long as we can be involved in this competition.”

Martinez was also boosted by the return to action of striker Arouna Kone and midfielder Bryan Oviedo, both of whom are recovering from long-term injuries, and he feels they are now ready to come back into first-team consideration.

“I was very impressed [with Kone], I must admit,” he said. "He looked sharp, he looked lively. It’s not just the fact that he managed to play 90 minutes, I thought he looked really powerful and really sharp.

“He got in great positions, his hold up play was very strong, and he and Bryan Oviedo are two major pieces of big news because it’s over a year now we missed them.

“I think he [Kone] is ready now. After the match today, maybe not for 90 minutes, but he’s showed he’s ready to have an impact in the first team. The way I saw it today, I do consider Bryan and Arouna ready to step into first team action.”

Everton welcome QPR to Goodison on Monday evening for a crucial Premier League match.

 

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Hart to sign €152,000 a week Man City deal

Joe Hart is hoping to end his career at Manchester City as he closes in on a new five-year contract.

As reported by Goal earlier on Thursday, the goalkeeper and team-mate James Milner are poised to sign new long-term deals, with the England No.1's wages being upped to €152,000 a week.

The summer arrival of Willy Caballero threw Hart's future at the Etihad Stadium in doubt but he has since re-established himself as Manuel Pellegrini's first-choice keeper and is now concentrating on the future.

"As far as I am aware [the new contract] is pretty much sorted," the 27-year-old told reporters. "I want to be here as long as I can.

"I love this place and I love everything about Manchester City," he said. "I have been here for a long time. I feel like it is my club now.

"I am very happy at this club and hopefully in the near future I will be signing that contract."

Hart joined City from Shrewsbury for £600,000 in 2006, going on to establish himself at international level before winning two Premier League titles with the club.

His current deal at the club expires in June 2016.

 

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The legendary Italian coach has hailed his compatriot's work at the Santiago Bernabeu and believes that his team could change the face of football

Former AC Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi believes that Carlo Ancelotti is the perfect coach for Real Madrid.

The Italian took over at the Santiago Bernabeu from Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2013 and led the club to their 10th Champions League title in his first season in Spain.

They are currently on a 19-match winning run and Sacchi believes that the current crop of Madrid stars could have as profound an impact on the game as the Barcelona, Milan and Ajax teams of the past.

"Carlo is a fantastic man, a good person. He is very intelligent. He could be a doctor in psychology.

"He is the perfect coach for Real Madrid, he is capable of taking them to a different level. They could yet get even better, but Carlo won't let it go to his head.

"Three teams in history have reinvented football: Ajax, Milan and Barcelona. I hope that Real Madrid will be the fourth.

"When you start thinking that everything is easy, that's when you lose. He has an ability to manage football and people that nobody else does.

"There are many great coaches, but they don't stand out like Carlo does. Madrid are improving a lot, as they did last season, even though they changed several players.

"Now that he has settled, Kroos is playing magnificently. It took some time to achieve; it's like an orchestra that needs a pianist and is given a violinist."

 

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Lyon 3-0 Caen: Lacazette at the double

Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Lyon moved to within two points of the Ligue 1 summit with a 3-0 win over lowly Caen.

The French top-flight's leading scorer took his tally to 15 with a goal in either half as Lyon made it three wins on the bounce, while sending Caen to the foot of the table on goal difference.

His seventh-minute penalty handed the hosts an excellent start at the Stade de Gerland on Friday against a Caen side who have not won in the league since October.Things got worse for the visitors 12 minutes into the second half when Lacazette pounced at a corner to fire home, with Yassine Benzia completing the scoring.

Caen handed the advantage to Lyon early on when Jean-Jacques Pierre fouled Nabil Fekir in the box and Lacazette kept his cool from the spot.

Having spurned chances to double their advantage in the first half, Lyon got to work quickly after the break.Fekir's corner was flicked to the back post by Samuel Umtiti and Lacazette was on hand to control and smash in from a tight angle.

Benzia added the gloss with a pinpoint first-time finish in the 62nd minute and there was still time for Remy Vercoutre to save Fekir's late penalty.

 

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Almeria 1-4 Real Madrid: Isco, Bale and Ronaldo make it 20 straight wins

Real Madrid extended their winning streak to 20 games in all competitions with a 4-1 away to Almeria in La Liga, but they didn't have it all their own way on Friday night.

Iker Casillas produced an excellent stop to keep out Verza's second-half spot-kick at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as the hosts passed up the chance to make it 2-2.

That miss was made to look even more costly when Cristiano Ronaldo's amazing season continued with a late brace to give the final scoreline a flattering gloss for Real.

Verza had earlier shown his finishing prowess when his stunning long-range strike in the 39th minute cancelled out Isco's well-taken opener.The European champions were ahead by the break, though, as Gareth Bale headed home Toni Kroos' cross.

Ronaldo's goals then proved enough for Real to extend the longest winning streak by a Spanish team and the Liga leaders will travel to Morocco to contest the Club World Cup with a five-point gap over rivals Barcelona, who play Getafe on Saturday.

By contrast, Almeria are still searching for a first league win since September and they will hope that Juan Ignacio Martinez - who now takes over as head coach - can reverse their fortunes.

After initially struggling to assert themselves, Real grew into the game and in the 13th minute Kroos' excellently controlled volley cannoned off the crossbar via a deflection.

Ronaldo showed the first glimpse of his talent soon after with a marauding run down the left and his cross forced Almeria goalkeeper Ruben to come out quickly to smother Karim Benzema's shot.Real were largely frustrated in the attacking third by a stern Almeria defence, but the hosts' resistance was broken in the 34th minute.

Benzema's cross from the right picked out Isco at the back post and the Spain international dummied to shoot before cutting inside Michel and curling his effort past the despairing Ruben.

The visitors were caught off guard just five minutes later, though, as Almeria levelled from Verza's expert 30-yard volley that nestled in the bottom right-hand corner.However, Almeria were not level long as slack defending allowed Bale to head home Kroos' excellent centre four minutes before the break.

The Welshman should have done better when he burst clear in the 55th minute, only to hold the ball too long and overhit his side-foot pass to the wide open Ronaldo.

Ronaldo then saw a drilled shot from the edge of the box saved low by Ruben, before Almeria were handed a lifeline in the 62nd minute.Referee Alfonso Alvarez harshly adjudged that Marcelo had fouled Edgar Mendez in the penalty area, but the underdogs could not capitalise as Casillas produced a fine save low to his left from Verza's effort.

Ronaldo, who had endured a frustrating evening to that point, rubbed salt in the wound nine minutes from time when he played a one-two with Benzema and slid the ball into the unguarded goal.

The Portuguese then bagged his 25th league goal of the season in the 89th minute when he drilled home Dani Carvajal's cross from close range.

 

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I'm staying at Lazio - Klose

Miroslav Klose has rejected rumours he could leave Lazio and fully intends on seeing out the rest of his contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

The retired Germany striker has made 12 appearances for the club this season but many of those have come from the substitutes bench.

As a result, there have been reports the 36-year-old could be ready to call time on his three-and-a-half year stay with the Biancocelesti, though he insists there is no truth in the speculation.

"I’m playing at Lazio and I’m very proud of that,” Klose told Deutche Welle.

“I’m happy at Lazio. I want to stay here, this year and next year. If I look around, what’s better?”

Klose's current deal expires in June but he has the option to extend his contract by a further 12 months and Lazio sporting director Igli Tare says there is no chance he will leave.

"I can say for certain he will not leave. He's a great player who has written his name in the history of German football and beyond."

 

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Dortmund have to beat Hertha - Ramos

Borussia Dortmund striker Adrian Ramos says it is imperative the club beat Hertha Berlin on Saturday and begin their rise up the Bundesliga table.

BVB have endured the worst possible first half of the season, which has seen them win just four of the 14 games they have contested in the league.

Ramos's former club lie in wait this weekend, a team he departed for Signal Iduna Park last summer, and are likewise scrapping at the wrong end of the table just one place below BVB in the league table.

Victory for either side will be a major boost to their ailing seasons and the striker stressed just how important the game could prove to be ahead of the winter break.

"I am really looking forward to seeing my old colleagues again this weekend," he told reporters. I had a great time at Hertha and I owe the club a lot.

"Both teams will give everything they have got. Both teams, particularly us, thought we would have more than 14 points at this stage of the campaign.

"Each point is vital and it's so important that we win this weekend. We want to build upon the point against Hoffenheim and winning our Champions League group.

The Colombia international, who has scored just two goals in 12 appearances for Dortmund, then compared Jurgen Klopp with Hertha boss Jos Luhukay.

"Jos Luhukay gave me so much in my four years at Hertha and I am very grateful to him. He is a great coach with many qualities.

"As is Jürgen Klopp. Both are very meticulous in their work, plan everything through to the last detail and can motivate a team to the fingertips."

 

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Madrid got lucky - Casillas

Iker Casillas admitted Real Madrid "got lucky" after extending their winning streak to 20 games in all competitions with a 4-1 win at Almeria.

Isco's curling effort made it 1-0 before an equaliser from Verza on 39 minutes, only for Gareth Bale to head Madrid into the lead before half-time.

Almeria then had the chance to level for a second time, but Casillas kept out Verza's penalty, and Madrid took full advantage with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice late on to seal the win.

"At 1-2 if we’d conceded a goal the game would’ve been different, but we reacted after that. I don’t know whether in general it was our most uncomfortable game so far. Maybe.

"But today we said at half-time that we weren’t at our best; maybe we were a wee bit fortunate. During games like this you just have to push on.

"The penalty save was in a key moment and the game would probably have been different. We reacted and at the end not only Cristiano but our defenders responded as well."

Victory means Madrid are now five points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who face Getafe in La Liga on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will now head to Morocco to contest the Club World Cup, where they will face the winners of the quarter-final between Cruz Azul and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Casillas added: "It's time to think about the Club World Cup, which is key for us. We're going to try to end this fantastic year with another success."

 

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Scholes impressed by Manchester City academy

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has hailed the developments in youth football made by the club's rivals Manchester City.

The Premier League champions opened the City Football Academy earlier this week amid much publicity, with the complex designed to improve the club's reputation in producing homegrown players.

With captain Vincent Kompany suggesting it would help build a "legacy and culture" at the club, Scholes says that, as a United fan, he is "worried" by the rival club's developments.

"When I was a kid, it was the case among the lads I played football with that if Manchester United wanted to sign you then joining Manchester City was not even a consideration," he wrote in his column for The Independent.

"United did not have to persuade or offer inducements. We would have walked there ourselves. Thirty years on, and the picture in Manchester is very different and, as a United fan, it worries me.

"Trying to look at it from a neutral perspective I have to say that what City have achieved is impressive and their impact on the youth scene in Manchester began long before the opening of their City Football Academy this week

"Things change and you can take nothing for granted. In the modern era, United, with their history of being the greatest talent producer, have to watch that they do not become second choice in their own city."

 

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Neymar out of Barcelona clash with Getafe

Neymar has been ruled out of Barcelona's clash with Getafe on Saturday due to an ankle problem.

The Brazilian attacker has been withdrawn as a precaution after complaining of pain in his left ankle during training on Friday.

The 22-year-old scored for his side in midweek as they beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 to ensure they progress into the knock-out rounds of the Champions League as group winners.

However, the club have revealed thatcoach Luis Enrique is taking no chances with the player who has scored 11 league goals so far this term.

Luis Enrique announced a list of 18 players who will travel to Madrid for the weekend's clash, with Dani Alves, who missed the meeting with the Ligue 1 champions, back in the team.

 

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'Ronaldo & Messi should share Ballon d'Or'

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi should share this year's Ballon d'Or, according to Manchester United legend Denis Law.

While Law – the only Scot to be crowned European Footballer of the Year back in 1964 – has praised Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for his exploits in making the three-man shortlist for the game's most prestigious individual award, the 74-year-old cannot look past either Ronaldo or Messi collecting it on January 12.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo was victorious in 2013 and 2008, with Barcelona talisman Messi selected four years in a row in between.

However, Law does not feel there is a clear-cut winner this time around, prompting the idea of the first time that the trophy has been shared.

"They're extraordinary; two of the best we've ever seen," Law told Fifa's official website. "I don't envy the people voting, trying to separate those two.

"It's completely different to my era as we didn't have two players dominating in the way these guys have. And in a way, it might be nice to see someone else win it.

"Neuer is a great keeper and a world champion, after all. But it's not like he's up against two ordinary players.

"It would actually be nice if there could be a joint-winner because it's so hard to split Messi and Ronaldo this year. They're both fantastic, exciting players to watch and play and score goals at such a consistent level.

"When you think of Messi, the size he is and the tackles he has to face every game, I'm full of admiration for him.

"But then Ronaldo is outstanding too, and has that physical presence too. Whichever of them wins will deserve it, and whichever of them loses can consider themselves very unfortunate."

 

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Di Maria to miss Liverpool clash with hamstring injury

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has ruled Angel Di Maria out of the clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Di Maria has not featured for United since limping off in the 14th minute of last month's 3-0 victory over Hull City at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury and is not yet ready to return.

Van Gaal will also be without centre-back Chris Smalling, who will be missing for a further two weeks with a groin problem that forced him off 18 minutes into Monday's 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's.

But, overall, the United manager is optimistic that the injury crisis that has plagued his start to life at Old Trafford is finally beginning to ease.

"We have only four players injured so that is better than ever," he told MUTV. "We have Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind."

Shaw suffered ankle ligament damage during United's 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last month, while Blind has been ruled out until 2015 with a knee problem.

Phil Jones, however, is available again after recovering from a shin problem that has sidelined him since late October, while Rafael has overcome a groin problem and could feature against Liverpool.

 

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Sterling is happy at Liverpool, insists Rodgers

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident Raheem Sterling is happy at the club despite the England international having not signed a new contract.
Sterling is yet to commit his long term future to Liverpool amid concerns over Rodgers' job security at Anfield.

But while Rodgers admits Sterling's future is still yet to be resolved, he insists the 20-year-old is not agitating for a move away from Merseyside.

"It's up to the club and his representatives to sort out the deal but there's no unhappiness," the Liverpool boss told reporters.

Sterling has three years left on his current contract at Anfield and has broadly agreed terms on an extension that would see his wages more than double.

"The club has spoken to my representatives and hopefully something can be done really soon," the 20-year-old told reporters last month.

“Hopefully I can achieve the goals I want to achieve here at Liverpool in years to come. I am happy to be here for as long as possible. I am just happy to play football at this football club for many years to come.”

 

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Mourinho: Torres isn't coming back to Chelsea

AC Milan striker Fernando Torres will not be returning to Chelsea from his loan early, insists Jose Mourinho.

The striker joined the Serie A side on a two-season deal during the summer but reports have emerged recently that manager Filippo Inzaghi could terminate the move due to the Spaniard's poor form.

Torres scored on his full debut for Milan in September but is yet to add to that tally in eight games, including six starts, since.

Chelsea signed Loic Remy as Torres' replacement, with Mourinho keen for three strikers in his first team, and insists he has no space to accommodate the 30-year-old in his Premier League or Champions League squads.

When asked if the Spaniard could come back to Stamford Bridge in the New Year, the Chelsea boss told reporters: "No. He's on loan for two seasons at Milan. He’s our player but he’s on loan. We have no space.

"We have no space for players in our list, either in the Champions League or the Premier League. That’s an impossible 'picture'.

"But I have to say that nobody from Milan has made contact with us thinking about that possibility, so probably nothing is true. More than possibly, he’s happy at Milan and Milan are happy to have him."

Mohamed Salah's future has also been the subject of speculation after making just two league starts this season but, ahead of the January transfer window, Mourinho insists the midfielder is "going nowhere".

He added: "Salah is our player, a player we like and trust, a player from our squad who is going nowhere. He doesn’t go, for sure. Maybe he moves house. Maybe he moves house, but not club."

 

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Guardiola: Bayern must keep improving

Pep Guardiola has urged his Bayern Munich team to keep improving and open up a bigger gap between them and their Bundesliga rivals before the winter break.

The German champions are seven points clear of second placed Wolfsburg after 14 games and remain unbeaten in the league.

Guardiola feels his side have played well domestically and in the Champions League this term but insists they must keep progressing.

"We have done well so far in the Champions League and been great in the Bundesliga," he told reporters ahead of the weekend's clash with Augsburg.

"It's okay but we can still improve - we didn't play well in Berlin for example - but our points total is okay.

"Between now and Christmas, we want to try to get some more points and open up more of a gap between us and our rivals."

"Augsburg will play aggressively and with courage. They have no pressure and have nothing to lose against us."

Robert Lewandowski has failed to find the net for Bayern in each of the last three games, but the Spanish coach is not worried about his form.

"I am very pleased with Robert Lewandowski. He gets three clear chances per game and does very well. I know his best position is up front but he can also play on the wing."

 

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Chelsea suffer Courtois injury blow

Thibaut Courtois is out of Chelsea's clash with Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after picking up a muscle injury.

The Belgian joins the suspended Cesc Fabregas on the sidelines for the visit of the Tigers, with the Blues aiming to bounce back from a defeat to Newcastle in their last league outing.

"Courtois had a little problem in training, a muscular problem, and he's not available for tomorrow," Jose Mourinho told reporters on Friday.

"Cesc has been amazing for us but he's suspended for tomorrow so we don't think about him. We trust the other players."

Petr Cech, who started in the Champions League against Sporting on Wednesday, will therefore keep his place in goal at the weekend.

Mourinho added: "Petr Cech had our confidence even when Courtois was playing. We know what we have, he has absolutely nothing to prove.

"We are a completely different team to the one which played Hull at home last season," the Portuguese remarked of Saturday's opponents. "We are a better team, so are Hull.

"We are playing very well in almost every game, there hasn't been one bad performance. We cannot do any more than we are doing."

A consistent first XI has been cited as one of the reasons behind Chelsea's strong start to the season but Mourinho accepts that he will have to rotate somewhat during the busy festive fixture list.

"I don't think any one player will play all six matches [between now and January 1]," he explained. "Maybe some will play five."

 

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'Neuer is most complete goalkeeper in history'

Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer is the most complete goalkeeper of all-time, according to his former Germany youth coach, Horst Hrubesch.

Although widely considered amongst the very best shot-stoppers in modern football, Neuer's performances in 2014 have prompted comparisons with a number of legendary figures from the past, including Lev Yashin.

Germany's World Cup win and Bayern's continued dominance in the Bundesliga have put the 29-year-old in the three-way fight for the Fifa Ballon d'Or with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid goalscoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hrubesch has been part of the national team's youth set-up for 14 years and he lavished praise on Joachim Low's No.1, suggesting that his former pupil should now be considered the best goalkeeper to have ever played the game.

"If I had a vote, I would definitely go for Manuel," the 63-year-old told Goal. "I'm delighted to see him in the running for the Ballon d'Or.

"Ronaldo and Messi have a small advantage as they are outfield players. They have more opportunities to use their individual class to decide games. As the goalkeeper for top teams like Germany and Bayern, Manuel gets far fewer chances.

"The way he plays, though, Manuel can sometimes be considered as an outfield player. With his kind of goalkeeping he has set new standards. He's not only world class at saving, but he's extremely important for the structure of the defence.

"Therefore, it would be fair to say that he is probably the most complete goalkeeper of all-time with his footballing qualities. He definitely deserves this award."

Neuer will find out if he has won the Ballon d'Or - voted for by national team captains and coaches, and selected journalists - a special ceremony in Switzerland on January 15.