Depay is '99.9%' certain to move to the Premier League - Arnesen

Memphis Depay is "99.9 per cent" certain to join a Premier League club from PSV, according to former Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen.

The Netherlands international has been in stellar form for the Eredivisie champions this season, netting 21 goals in 28 league appearances for Phillip Cocu's side.

Those performances have attracted the attention of a number of clubs around Europe, with Depay the subject of strong interest from both Liverpool and Manchester United.

Arnesen, also a former PSV sporting director, says that he has no idea which club Depay will join but believes the forward would shine in England.

"For me, it's 99.9 per cent [that Depay will move to the Premier League]," he told Perform at the Sporting Directors' Summit at the Etihad Stadium.

"Yes, he will [be a success]. I've seen him many times this season and he is going from strength to strength, even though he's only 21-years-old.

"It's difficult to stop him. It will, of course, take time because it's totally different than in Eredivisie. The level is so much higher here, playing much more games, so he needs to be protected.

"Don't expect too much in the beginning but he's definitely the big talent and he'll be good in the Premier League.

"I don't know where he wants to go. I've seen a lot of players coming into the Premier League from Holland who didn't achieve because the level is so high in the Premier League but Depay can do very well."

Bayern do not need Robben to beat Barcelona - Friedrich

Former Germany international Arne Friedrich believes Bayern Munich do not need Arjen Robben to beat Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Netherlands international is out for the rest of the season with a torn calf suffered during Bayern's defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal semi-final on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Robert Lewandowski is also in doubt for the first leg against Barcelona on May 6 after suffering a broken nose and jaw in the same game.

Despite that, however, Friedrich - capped 82 times by Germany - believes Bayern will advance.

"Robben is hurt and I think he's a very important player. He would have helped Bayern certainly," he told reporters.

"But I also think Bayern will get through. German teams have always managed to eliminate individualists.

"Bayern have so much quality and the team is very unified. Therefore, I believe that Bayern will reach the final."

Bayern and Barcelona last met in the Champions League in 2012-13, when the Bundesliga giants recorded a 7-0 aggregate win before going on to win the competition.

Varane fires Barcelona warning

Raphael Varane has warned Barcelona that Real Madrid will be ready to take advantage of any  slip-ups in the race for the Liga title.

Carlo Ancelotti's men beat Almeria 3-0 on Wednesday evening to narrow the gap with the Catalans to two points and Varane says his side are still hoping for a late twist.

"We'll continue giving it everything until the end of the season and will try to win all our remaining games in order to put pressure on Barcelona," Varane told the official Madrid website.

"We are going to battle until the end. We are focusing on our upcoming games, we'll see what happens afterwards."

Sergio Ramos and Pepe were Madrid's first choice centre-backs at the start of the season, but Varane has recovered to feature regularly since the turn of the year.

The France international has impressed after at last being given a run of games in the side and admits his confidence is sky-high as a result.

"I've been playing more regularly in 2015 because of injuries but also because of technical decisions. I always try to give it my all for the team and I'm really happy.

"I'm part of the coach's plans and if I'm able to help the team, then all the better. I try to repay the coach for the confidence he has shown in me.

"I'm in great form and hope to maintain this level until the end of the season."

Roberto Firmino: Brazil must always win

Roberto Firmino can now feel like a part of the most famous national team in the world. With just four caps to his name, the Alagoas-born forward has already convinced Dunga that he can play an important role in the regeneration of Brazil.

In his few minutes with the shirt of the five-time World Cup winners, the Hoffenheim man has won over fans who were not so aware of him in impressive fashion. Against Austria, last November, he scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win for Dunga’s team. Firmino was on target once more with the winner March’s friendly meeting with Chile - the final outing before the squad for the Copa America is announced on May 5.

But despite also playing a prominent role against France, Firmino remains cautious. He has always learned to work towards success - from his time in the youth squad at Figueirense to his rise at Hoffenheim, the team he has played for since 2010. This conservative yet determined mentality came across in his interview with the official website of the Copa America.

Firmino insisted that he does not feel his place at the tournament in Chile is assured and that, while Dunga prepares to select the 23 names he will use for the competition, he remains concentrated on his own game. Not even rumours of interest from major European clubs seem will sway his focus between now and the summer.

You have gone from something of an unknown quantity to a popular member of the Selecao. You must feel your early work in the squad has been positive for you?

Indeed, the start of my time in the Selecao was good. Everyone received me well and this helped a lot. I am not someone who enjoys being followed and harassed, I prefer to stay at home with my family than to go out.

In just four games for Brazil you have scored two goals. Are you hoping this will help cement your space in the squad quickly?

I have always worked very hard in my career. Always working towards a good moment. And when you plan, the rewards appear.

Do you feel like you’re already in the group to be selected for the Copa America?

No. When it comes to the Brazilian team nothing is guaranteed. You need to always play well. I will only feel part of the Copa America squad when my name is on the list and it is published by the technical committee.

You have been a star in the Bundesliga for some time, but only earned recognition from a large part of the Brazil support after the recent friendlies. What do you think about that?

Everyone has their time. I always had my career directed well by ROGON, and through this work I knew I was being directed to something bigger.

Aston Villa to demand €42m for Liverpool target Christian Benteke

 

Aston Villa will demand €42 million for Liverpool target Christian Benteke this summer.

Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer of Benteke and the Liverpool manager is desperate to improve his struggling strikeforce when the transfer window opens.

Benteke's agent claimed earlier this week that there is "no interest" in the Belgium striker but Villa are bracing themselves for summer bids.

Villans boss Tim Sherwood will urge the club to resist any offers for the 24-year-old, who has played a vital role in the club's Premier League revival and progress to the FA Cup final.

Manchester United and Tottenham have also been linked with Benteke but Liverpool are particularly keen to sign a striker with a proven record in the Premier League, with Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic also on the club's radar.

The Reds' four strikers - Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini - have scored just eight Premier League goals between them this season.

Benteke has netted nine times in eight matches since Sherwood's appointment, having only hit three all season under previous manager Paul Lambert.

And Villa will look to price their star forward out of a summer move with a €42m asking price for the former Genk man, who cost €10m when he moved to the Midlands in 2012.

Benteke has two years left on his current €62,000-a-week contract and his representative, Eris Kismet, said this week that he client is focused solely on Villa until the end of the season.

"At the moment, there is no interest," Kismet told Sky Sports. "Every player and staff member is concentrated on avoiding relegation, anything else is just a distraction.

"I know everyone wants the same thing because I watch the games and I think Aston Villa are playing the best football in England right now."

Ancelotti: I'd be happy even if Ronaldo didn't score again

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says he would be happy with Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts this season even if he failed to score again in 2014-15.

The Portugal star has a staggering 50 goals in 47 appearances so far this term but has failed to score in his last three matches.

Against Almeria on Wednesday, the Santiago Bernabeu announcer credited Mauro dos Santos's own goal as a Ronaldo finish, prompting the 30-year-old to wave a finger to indicate he was not the scorer despite his battle against Lionel Messi to win the Pichichi prize hotting up.

Ancelotti, however, says Ronaldo's contribution to the campaign has already been strong enough to mean he does not need to score again to earn his coach's thanks.

"If Cristano doesn't score from today until the end of the season I would still be happy. He has already scored 50 goals this season," he told a press conference after the match.

Madrid's 3-0 win over Almeria has moved them back to within two points of Barcelona and Ancelotti is refusing to give up the title race - despite his already impressive trophy cabinet.

"We are convinced that we can win the four remaining games in La Liga. We are not worried about Barcelona's results," he said.

"My cupboard is already full, but I have ambition for this club, the players, the fans."

Ancelotti opted to hand the likes of Asier Illarramendi, Jese Rodriguez and Keylor Navas a starting berth on Wednesday but says he will not rest players in their next game against Sevilla despite the looming Champions League final with Juventus.

"Illarramendi played very well in Vigo last Sunday. He has total confidence from his coach," the Italian added.

"Sevilla? I will play the best XI. It is a very important match for us. We will work to win."

Finally, the former AC Milan boss stressed that Martin Odegaard need not be rushed into first-team action after the teenager was an unused substitute against Sergi's side.

"Odegaard is still very young and he has all the time left to still make his debut," he added.

Pogba could face Real Madrid - Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri  has revealed Paul Pogba could return for the first leg of Juventus'  Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

The midfielder has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the club's quarter-final tie.

He was initially expected to be out of action for up to two months but is ahead of schedule with his recovery, meaning he may play a part against the Champions League holders.

Allegri said: "Pogba? He’ll have another test on Thursday but I think all will be OK, meaning he should join up with the team next week."

Juventus responded to Sunday's shock derby defeat to Torino by coming from behind to see off Vincenzo Montella's faltering Fiorentina side in Serie A on Wednesday.

A Gonzalo Rodriguez penalty put the Viola in front, but Fernando Llorente equalised three minutes later and Carlos Tevez fired the runaway leaders ahead on the stroke of half-time.

The striker struck again in the second period after Rodriguez missed another spot-kick to ensure that Josip Ilicic's late free-kick was too little, too late for the Florence outfit.

Juve lead second-placed Lazio by 14 points with five games remaining, meaning a draw would be enough to clinch the Scudetto this weekend.

"We'll look to claim the point we need in Genoa and then focus on the Champions League and Coppa Italia [final against Lazio on June 7]," the former Milan boss added.

"I'm happy with how the game went and the team's performance. These lads are having an extraordinary term."

Mourinho: Every team wants to be like Chelsea

Jose Mourinho believes every team wants to be like Chelsea after they moved to within three points of the Premier League title.

Second-half goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires saw the Blues come from behind to beat relegation-threatened Leicester City on Wednesday night.

A win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will seal a first league title since 2010 and Mourinho once again brushed off the recent accusations that his team are boring.

"I think it’s phenomenal what [the players] are doing, top of the league since day one, it’s not easy," he told Sky Sports.

"To play against a team that is having a fantastic run, winning 12 points out of 12, playing at home, [with] big enthusiasm, self-confidence, to be losing at half-time, come in the second half and to do it the way my boys did it, I think it’s fantastic.

"I know what I feel in relation to the work in the last two years, and with the work these boys are doing since pre-season day one, so I don’t need other people to recognise what we are.

"I know exactly what we are and I think, in a very pragmatic way, we are what every team would like to be."

Chelsea have led the Premier League standings since the end of August and Mourinho called on the home supporters to push his team over the line as they look to clinch the league crown on Sunday.

He added: "I think it was a very good performance, a very good victory, and now I think Stamford Bridge instead of celebrating, Stamford Bridge has to be ready to push the team next Sunday.

"We need to win and we need Stamford Bridge not to be celebrating the title, because we do not have the title, we need Stamford Bridge to push us strong to the three points we still need."