Wilshere: It Would Hurt If Arsenal Sold Me

Jack Wilshere says he would hurt if Arsenal sold him but admits he is yet to discuss with future with Arsene Wenger.

The midfielder recently made his return after yet another injury setback, which has restricted the 23-year-old to just 13 Premier League appearances this season.

In his absence, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey have continued to impress while Mesut Ozil has rediscovered his best form and Francis Coquelin has established him in the first team.

Wilshere expects to be at Arsenal come the start of next season and says he would find it hard to play for another club, but accepts he has a tough task on his hand with Arsenal's competition for places.

"I would be hurt if they sold me," he told the Daily Mail. "I want Arsenal to want me. If they didn't want me, it would hurt. It would be strange playing for another club. I went to Bolton on loan and that was strange.

"I feel like I'm ready to play now and that's not going to change. I want to play more minutes before the end of the season and then I'll have to wait until next season and see what the boss's plans are for me.

"I want to play first-team football. I want to play in the Premier League, the Champions League and I want to continue playing for England.

"If I'm going to do that, I have to play for my club and put in good performances for my club because there are other English midfielders who are doing that in the Premier League.

"You can't stop the speculation or do anything about it. I have not spoken to the boss about it at all. He has not mentioned it to me. I've not mentioned anything to him.

"At the moment, I need to get back in the team. The speculation about my future started when I was injured. You just want to get back out there and get back to what you love doing and concentrate on that."

Rooney's A Top Captain Who Brings Me Pride - Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney's work as Manchester United captain this season, saying he is proud of the striker.

Rooney was announced as skipper following the Dutchman's appointment as manager last summer after a number of players were trialled wearing the armband during pre-season.

Van Gaal hailed Rooney's work rate behind the scenes and his versatility on the pitch after making more appearances in a deeper midfield role rather than as a focal attacking point.

"Wayne is a very good captain. I am very proud. I haven't had any disappointments this year with him," he told reporters.

"He is very good in the dressing room. He is always an example of the training pitch and when we play in matches, he always fights until the end.

"Wayne has also played a lot of positions for me without ever complaining. I like multi-functional players and the team needs more players like him.

"I think that I made a very good decision with Wayne because have fought right until the end in all of our matches. The team spirit has been great."

United end their season on Sunday with a trip to a Hull City side in desperate need for a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation and Van Gaal insists he is in no mood to hand out favours.

He added: "It is very sad when something bad happens because you don't want to happen to another manager and I know what Steve Bruce means here.

"But we need to be ruthless. We have to respect the other clubs of the Premier League. We shall do out utmost best, but our away record is not so good."

Barca Hoist Crown, Valencia In UCL

Valencia sealed their place in next season's Champions League as Eibar and Almeria were relegated on a dramatic final day of the La Liga season.

Deportivo La Coruna came back from 2-0 down away at champions Barcelona to spoil a homage to Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou and stay up with a 2-2 draw along with Granada who held Atletico Madrid 0-0 at home.

That point was enough to ensure Atletico go straight into next season's Champions League group stages in third, while Valencia twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Almeria and secure fourth.

Eibar's remarkable first season in the top flight didn't have fairy tale ending as they were relegated despite just a second win in 20 matches 3-0 at home to Cordoba due to their inferior head-to-head record with Deportivo and Granada.

Athletic Bilbao also secured European football for next season in the Europa League thanks to a 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal.

Title Party's 'Over' For Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said he won't be indulging in any more celebrations when the English champions complete their Premier League season at home to Sunderland on Sunday.

The Blues will be presented with the trophy after the match at Stamford Bridge and will parade it, together with the League Cup, through west London on Monday.

Sunday's match is also something of a celebration for Sunderland, who preserved their top-flight status with a goalless midweek draw against Arsenal that ensured the north-east side could not be relegated.

"The motivation is to be the champions for us, and for them it's not to be relegated," Mourinho said.

"We are already celebrating our title. They are already celebrating these last fantastic weeks they have had with good results.

"We are over – probably them too – with celebrations.

"Now there is a last match. Obviously we want to win. I also believe they want to win. That's normal."

Mourinho, in his second spell as Chelsea manager, said it was becoming ever harder to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, let alone win the title.

"The most important thing I learnt was last season, when I realised that after being away from England for a few years – five, three in Madrid, two at Inter – was to realise it's more dangerous to be a contender," he explained.

"It's more dangerous to be a title-contender manager because you start the season and you don't know what is waiting for you," the Portuguese boss added.

"You can be champions, you can qualify for the Champions League, you can even be out of Champions League, out of the top four, because at this moment in England there's five, six teams from the top who are really strong."

Ancelotti To Take Sabbatical If Sacked

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he will take a year out if he is dismissed by the Spanish giants in the coming days after failing to win a major trophy this season.

Widespread reports in the Spanish press have claimed that the Italian is set to be replaced by Napoli boss Rafael Benitez just a year after delivering Madrid's 10th European Cup.

"My future is clear in my head," Ancelotti said after Madrid rounded off their season with a 7-3 destruction of Getafe.

"I will continue here at Real Madrid or I will stop for a year."

And the former Milan, Chelsea and PSG boss expects a decision on his future to be taken early next week.

"I think we are going to meet next week to clarify the future of the club," he added.

"This is football, especially at a club like Real Madrid it is normal to be questioned after part of the season didn't go well.

"It is part of my job. Last season we won the 10th european Cup and this year is a different story. I won't forget what we did last year or what happened this year. You have to consider everything.

"We have to evaluate calmly what happened this season and try to improve for next season.

"I want to stay. If the club says I can't continue I won't be happy but these things have happened many times in football, it is not the first time. It happened to me at Juventus, Chelsea, at PSG I asked to leave.

"I don't think it will be the last time because I have desire to coach. It could be that I get sacked another time.

"I continue to have confidence in my ability because I like to coach."

Menez: I'm Happy At AC Milan

Jeremy Menez has no desire to leave AC Milan, despite rumours linking him with a move away from the struggling Serie A side, and is hoping that his fine club form will earn him a France recall.

Liverpool have emerged a possible suitor for the 28-year-old winger, who has scored 16 goals in 33 league matches this term, after being regularly utilised by Rossoneri coach Filippo Inzaghi in a more central attacking position.

However, the French forward insists that he remains fully committed to a club with whom he signed a three-year contract upon joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

"I am happy here at Milan," Menez told the club's official television channel. "The relationship with my team-mates is brilliant, we have a great group, it's just a shame about the results.

"On a personal level, I think that I've had a good season, but of course I could have done better and I hope that I can do more next season.

"You can always improve in a lot of areas, I feel very happy here, even if I've heard things that I do not like, but that's a part of football.

"I will try to give even more come next season."

Menez, who was left out of the France squad for last year’s World Cup, hasn’t represented his country since October 2013.

However, the former Roma man has been one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing season for Milan, who currently sit 11th in Serie A with just two rounds of the season remaining, and admitted that forcing his way back into the France set-up has been one of the key factors in his resurgence.

“I came here to also get back into the national team," Menez added. "I try my best for Milan above all, but also for the national team.

“The European Championship is taking place next year and I want to be there.”

'Van Gaal Snubbed Real Madrid To Join Barcelona'

A former assistant of Louis Van Gaal claims that the Dutch coach snubbed Real Madrid in order to take the Barcelona job.

The current Manchester United boss moved to Camp Nou in 1997, a year after leading a young Ajax side the Champions League title.

However, Gerard van der Lem, who had been Van Gaal’s right-hand man during his time in Amsterdam, has revealed that his former boss could have easily ended up at the Santiago Bernabeu instead.

"Real Madrid and Barcelona both wanted Van Gaal in 1997," he told De Telegraaf.

"He asked me: 'What do you want?' I said that I preferred Barcelona... Madrid is right in the middle of Spain and is always incredibly hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.

"Barcelona has a more pleasant climate, seemed like a nicer city and I enjoy the sea.

"Louis then told me that he would open talks with Barcelona."

Van Gaal succeeded Bobby Robson as Barcelona boss, with the Catalans deciding to return to their Dutch roots in an attempt to rekindle the glory days of Johan Cruyff’s 'Dream Team'.

The 63-year-old claimed two league titles during his first three-year stay in Spain before returning for an ill-fated second spell in 2002, after two years with the Dutch national team.

Casillas: Real Madrid Should Sign David De Gea

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has welcomed the club's interest in David De Gea, insisting that the Santiago Bernabeu side should sign the Manchester United star.

Casillas has suffered heavy criticism in recent seasons following a number high-profile mistakes and there is mounting speculation that the Liga outfit are ready to axe their captain this summer.

But despite suggestions that De Gea’s potential arrival could signal the end of his spell in the Spanish capital, Casillas still feels that Madrid should move for the 24-year-old shot-stopper, who has thus far refused to sign a new contract at United.

Indeed, when asked by reporters if he would like to see De Gea arrive from Old Trafford, the Blancos skipper stated: “Of course I would."

However, when asked if he would be at the Bernabeu himself next season, a defiant Casillas added: “Yes, I will be [at Real Madrid next season].”

This week, Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal denied suggestions De Gea was set to return to Spain. However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reported to have lost patience with Casillas, who endured a torrid time for his country during last year’s World Cup, making two major errors in his side’s 5-1 loss to Netherlands in the group stage in Brazil.

Casillas was dropped by former Madrid coach Jose Mourinho in 2013 but won back his place in the starting line-up under Carlo Ancelotti this season.

Casillas, who joined the club's academy 25 years ago, has claimed three Champions League titles and five Liga crowns since making his professional debut in 1999.

‘Second Place Isn't Failure for City’

Manuel Pellegrini claims Manchester City's second place finish in the Premier League does not represent a failure for the deposed champions.

City are guaranteed to end as runners-up behind champions Chelsea whatever their result in their last game of the season at home to Southampton on Sunday.

While City's lofty position would be gratefully accepted by many of their top-flight competitors, Pellegrini's expensively-assembled side have won few plaudits this season after tamely surrendering the title and crashing out of the Champions League in the last 16.

Yet City manager Pellegrini struck a defiant note when asked to assess his team's campaign.

And with Uefa president Michel Platini reportedly on the brink of relaxing Financial Fair Play regulations, the Chilean believes the new developments will help ensure City challenge at the top of the English game for years to come.

"I think all the rules about FFP must be clear and Platini saying he will make changes is because they have got some things wrong in the past," Pellegrini said.

"I think a club like ours, when you don't have any debt, I don't see why you have restrictions.

"But it is a thing I am glad they are reviewing because I said before I never understood what are the rules of FFP.

"Of course, with restrictions, you are giving an advantage to other teams. It is not the most important reason we failed this season because, as I said before, we lost a lot of points to teams not as strong as our squad.

"But against Chelsea or Man United or Arsenal or Tottenham or Liverpool, if you have restrictions the other group doesn't have, then of course it's an advantage.

"This year we will all be in the same condition and we will see which is the team that works more to have a strong squad."

JOB SECURITY

Despite rumours about his job security, Pellegrini is still talking like a manager who fully expects to be in the job when the next season kicks off and, as he has done repeatedly in recent weeks, the City chief says the season has not been the disaster some critics claim.

"If we cannot win the title, it is better to finish second to finish than third or fourth," he said.

"It was not our target at the beginning of the season. We tried to keep the title but it was not possible. Chelsea was a better team than our team this year so I think to be second is not bad.

"It is difficult to review the whole season in one moment. I think it was a special season. It was not a good season because we did not win any titles but it was not a disaster."

Southampton, who will kick off in seventh spot, are hoping to clinch a place in next season's Europa League, which they will do if they win and one of Liverpool or Tottenham does not.

But remaining in seventh will also be enough, provided Arsenal, who have already qualified for the Champions League, beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

Whatever happens, Saints boss Ronald Koeman is assured of having overseen the joint fourth-highest finish in the club's history.

Captain Jose Fonte admitted he was actually disappointed Saints will finish outside the top four however.

"I know this is the Premier League and it's the hardest league in the world and anything can happen," he said.

"But I really believe that at least four wins we could have got instead of four defeats that we had, and that would have put us you know where - in the Champions League."

Carver Aims To Lift Newcastle

John Carver will use the painful memories of Newcastle's most recent relegation from the Premier League as motivation for his players as they approach what he has described as the club's biggest game for six years.

Carver's side go in search of a first victory in 11 games against West Ham on Sunday as they bid to secure their top flight safety after a season of turmoil on and off the pitch at St James' Park.

Anything less than a win against a team managed by their former boss Sam Allardyce will leave Newcastle, who sit just two points above the relegation zone, in danger of going down on what is likely to prove to be a dramatic final day of the campaign.

If Newcastle lose or draw and third bottom Hull beat Manchester United at the KC Stadium then they will be relegated as they have an inferior goal difference to the Tigers.

But several members of the current Newcastle squad - Fabricio Coloccini, Tim Krul, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor - were at the club when Newcastle were relegated under caretaker manager Alan Shearer, following a final day defeat at Aston Villa in 2009, and Carver has been motivating his players this week by recalling that painful experience.

"I don't think I'll be getting any of those individual players to talk specifically to the rest of the squad about that day, but as a group we have discussed their experiences in team meetings," Carver said.

"Those players they know what it feels like. I talked about their experiences and how they had to deal with what came next, because it wasn't nice.

"I considered showing the squad something to reinforce what it's like to be in the Premier League compared to what it's like to be in the next division down.

"This is what it's like to go to Old Trafford, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge compared to this is what it's like to go to the lesser clubs with a smaller changing room and all of that.

"I thought about showing them the fans after the Aston Villa game, but I decided against it because I think if you can't motivate yourself for a game as big as this, when you've got so much to play for, then no matter what I show you, it's not going to make any difference."

DISMAL RUN

Carver has won just two of his 19 games in charge since making the step up when Alan Pardew left to join Crystal Palace at the start of the year with Newcastle in 10th place.

The 50-year-old has come in for strong criticism from supporters for overseeing such a dismal run, his unpopularity matched by that of the club's billionaire owner, Mike Ashley, after taking one point from the last possible 30.

Fans plan a sit-in protest after Sunday's game, regardless of the outcome, and Carver added: "The fans have a right to do what they want."

Realistically, West Ham can finish no lower than 12th but that is a disappointment given that the Hammers were in the Champions League qualification mix at Christmas.

Allardyce's contract expires at the end of the season and it is expected that co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold will inform him on Monday that it will not be renewed.

"It will be all sorted on Monday, one way or the other," said Allardyce, who revealed he will be on holiday with his grandchildren by then.

"I'm not personally having a meeting but my agent will be available to speak to the owners."

Allardyce was sacked by Ashley in 2008 after just eight months in charge but insisted revenge was not on his mind.

"It's not about Newcastle for me," he said. "Some have suggested I'm all up for winning to send them down, but I'm up for winning for West Ham because that's where I work."