Balogun Promoted To The Bundesliga

Nigeria international Leon Balogun ended a memorable season with Darmstadt as they earned promotion to the Bundesliga.

Balogun joined his teammates and their fans in the wild celebrations following the final whistle and could be seen waving the Nigerian flag.

An elated Balogun told supersport.com that he "was grateful to God for the achievement", and proudly waved the Nigerian flag as the team made their lap of honour around the pitch."

Darmstadt finished second ahead of Karlsruhe when they defeated St Pauli 1-0 to complete a remarkable double promotion having been promoted this time last year from the third division.

Balogun joined Darmstadt at the start of the season after Fortuna Dusseldorf refused to renew his contract following an injury incurred when he made his debut for Nigeria in Atlantic against Mexico in March 2014.

The defender had told supersport.com before the game that "we know the pressure ahead of this game and also know St Pauli need to win to avoid relegation but we will keep our focus and get the desired result.

"We would have done this already last week but we lost, otherwise we would have been promoted along with Ingolstadt but we are happy to achieve this."

Mourinho Eyes 'Fresh Blood' To Motivate Chelsea

Despite winning the Premier League title after occupying top spot for a record 274 days, the manager is wary of letting his squad rest on their laurels next season

Jose Mourinho says he will strengthen his Chelsea side to put pressure on his title-winning players next season.

The Blues rounded off the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland before lifting the trophy for a fourth time, having occupied top spot in the Premier League for a record 274 days.

With Didier Drogba confirming his departure ahead of the game and the likes of Petr Cech possibily leaving, Mourinho knows there is space available to his squad to improve the compeition for a first-team place.

"I know that our rivals are not going to accept this title and they are going to fight and there are three or four teams that will be aiming for us," he told reporters. "We have to be better - me, the players and our squad.

"Maybe they need some fresh blood to keep them under pressure. They know me they know that they are not going to keep their positions on the basis of this year."

Mourinho also hit back at claims during the season that Chelsea were not entertaining to watch, labelling his side a "complete" team, before admitting his return to Stamford Bridge two years ago was a risk.

He added: "I think we have everything. Can anybody say we don't play fantastic football? No. Well, they can, but it's not true.

"We have art in our game but we also have fantastic spirit, organisation and pragmatism. We are a complete team and that is why we are champions.

"It was a bit of a risk to come here for a second time but with a new team a new generation we are champions again, and as a Chelsea supporter I feel it a double way."

Van Gaal: I Know Who I'll Buy And Sell

Louis van Gaal says he already knows which players he must buy and sell in a potentially busy summer at Manchester United.

The Red Devils, who had already sealed a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, concluded the 2014-15 campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Hull City on Sunday.

United have already signed rising Netherlands star Memphis Depay from PSV and are expected to be active once again in the transfer market this summer as they look to mount a genuine title challenge next term.

And Van Gaal says he has already formulated plans to bolster his options for next season - as well as trim some of the dead wood from his squad.

"I have calls with every player I think I have to talk to, but the transfer period is a process," he told reporters at the KC Stadium. "I know which players have to go and which players have to come but you never know if they go or if they come because it is dependent on a lot of aspects."

Radamel Falcao was ruled out of the draw with Hull after picking up a knock in training this week but Van Gaal refused to be drawn on the Colombian's future beyond this term.

"Today we have to concentrate on this match and analysis of this match and not about decisions that we have made," he said. "You shall hear it at the proper time when Manchester United has to say something."

Hull failed to find a way past stand-in goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Sunday - despite Marouane Fellaini's red card for a shocking lunge on Paul McShane in the second half - and were relegated as a result of the draw.

And Van Gaal admits he is sad to see Steve Bruce's men drop into the Championship, while he branded Fellaini's challenge as "stupid".

"Very sad that a club like Hull City is relegated," he said. "I think everybody had seen it already before, this match was after all not so important but for us to play against a team that is fighting to the end, that is difficult.

"We are fighting for a dream, thery are fighting for a rescue, and that you see. They were a little bit unlucky and also [Victor] Valdes has saved us with remarkable saves. A clean sheet, a lot of clean sheets we have achieved this season.

"Fellaini doesn't want to do that. For him, it is unbelievably stupid. Next season he starts on the tribune and also in preparation you start more or less as a substitute, so it is not so good for him personally.

"But I don't know if that is a red card. I cannot see that from the bench but when I see it takes seven minutes, I believe, the player was not capable of standing up, it was a worst tackle.

"I'm ready [for the holidays], I go immediately. Last summer I didn't have any holidays, I go straight from Manchester, I am happy the holidays are starting for me."

Van Gaal added that Angel Di Maria will undergo tests on a hamstring problem which forced him off in the first half, though he believes the problem to be a minor one.

Mourinho Hails Departing Legend Drogba

Jose Mourinho believes Didier Drogba's influence will continue to be felt at Chelsea even though the Ivory Coast forward has called time on his second spell with the Premier League champions.

Drogba announced his intention to leave Stamford Bridge before the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday that ensured Mourinho's side ended their title-winning campaign in fitting style before being presented with the trophy after the final whistle.

The 37-year-old is keen to play on for one more year, but will have to look elsewhere for more regular first team action.

Drogba was named captain but played only 28 minutes before being chaired from the pitch by his teammates as he was replaced by Diego Costa.

And Blues boss Mourinho insists the veteran's legacy will continue to be felt because of his impact on the development of the club's younger players.

"The substitution was decided because he had a problem with his knee and, in normal conditions, he could not play for long. We left him on for half an hour," Mourinho said.

"The captaincy was John Terry's desire, to give him the armband. The players to bring him off the pitch? I think that was decided between them because they like him a lot.

"I'm really happy because he was part of the other team, but he belongs also to this new Chelsea.

"For these players to know him, train with him, live with him, play with him, share with him is fantastic.

"He was very, very good for these young people: Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar. They learnt from a good example. His was a fantastic contribution this season."

YOUNG LEGEND

Petr Cech also started on what could be his last appearance for the club.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, 33, is keen to move in search of more regular first team football and has been strongly linked with Arsenal, but Mourinho has not given up hope of keeping Cech.

"I keep saying the same. He's a legend of this club, but he's a legend at 33. Thirty-three for a goalkeeper is a very young legend," Mourinho said.

"One of our strengths this season was to have the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. When Thibaut Courtois was injured, Petr made decisive saves in matches for us.

"I'm not sure if Petr was not here in these seven matches if we could be champions, so his contribution was decisive.

"But we also have to be fair, and not emotional with our analysis, and say that Thibaut is an amazing goalkeeper who had a fantastic season for us. He's a big champion."

Members of Chelsea's 2005 title-winning team were reunited before kick off and Mourinho said: "For me, to have here today the champions of 2004-05 and the champions of 2014-15 is an amazing feeling because I feel as if I belong to both.

"I belong to two generations. To be back for the end of my team was hard. To see Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba leave is very hard.

"But my job is Chelsea's future and Chelsea's future is this team that we've been working with in the last few years.

"It would be a dream to be here in 2025 and be with the champions of 2005, 2015 and 2025."

Sunderland arrived at Stamford Bridge having already secured their Premier League status and boss Dick Advocaat, who masterminded their escape after arriving on a short-term deal in March, insisted he would make a decision on his own future soon.

"Wait and see. It's not up to me, because they offered me already two or three years. But I have to be honest to myself and to everybody what I will do for the future," Advocaat said.

"It will be as quick as possible, because the club must know.

"Let's wait till next week and then I'll make the decision."

Drogba Announces Last Chelsea Game

Chelsea veteran Didier Drogba has announced that the Premier League game at home to Sunderland later on Sunday will be the final appearance of his second spell at the club.

The 37-year-old striker returned to Chelsea last year, having previously spent eight years at the club between 2004 and 2012, winning 12 trophies and scoring the decisive penalty against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final.

The former Ivory Coast captain has contributed to Chelsea's successes in the league and League Cup this season, but having only played a bit-part role, he has decided to leave Stamford Bridge for a second time.

"I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football, I feel I need to go to another club," Drogba told the club website.

"All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role."

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2004 and played a key role in the team that won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

He won the league for a third time in 2010 and also contributed to FA Cup triumphs in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012, scoring in all four finals. He also tasted glory in the League Cup in 2005 and 2007.

His finest hour came in the 2011-12 Champions League final in Munich, when he headed in an 88th-minute equaliser to take the game to extra time and then settled a penalty shootout to give Chelsea their first European Cup.

He subsequently spent time at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, before returning to Chelsea to rejoin forces with manager Jose Mourinho, who had first brought him to the club in 2004.

He retired from international duty in August last year, having scored a national-record 65 goals in 104 appearances for the Ivory Coast.

Chelsea said in a statement: "Everyone at Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Didier for his fantastic service and he is always welcome back to Stamford Bridge.

"We are sure all our fans would like to join us in wishing him well for the future and thanking him for giving us so many wonderful memories."

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review - Saturday, May 23

With the summer window now just around the corner, here are top transfer-related stories in Saturday's newspapers...

Man City have emerged as favourites to sign Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling, and are plotting a £45million swoop for the winger this summer. (Daily Mail)

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has urged supporters NOT to take out their frustrations on Sterling over his contract stand-off. (The Times)

Former Man United captain Gary Neville, meanwhile, has accused Liverpool of being stuck in the past and believes it is no surprise that Sterling wants to move away from Anfield. (Daily Telegraph)

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 26, rejected a possible move to Manchester United because they took too long to declare their interest. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal sent a scout last weekend to watch Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, 23, and midfielder Nabil Fekir, 21, who are valued at a combined £60m. (Daily Star)

Southampton want £25m for midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who has been targeted by Arsenal and Tottenham, while the Saints are in talks with Atletico Madrid to make 26-year-old defender Toby Alderweireld's loan move permanent. (Daily Telegraph)

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who has one year left on his contract. has had crunch talks with his agent while his Old Trafford future hangs in the balance. (The Sun)

West Brom boss Tony Pulis wants Saido Berahino to sign a new contract at the Hawthorns, telling the 21-year-old to put his career ahead of money. (Birmingham Mail)

Tottenham will decide next week whether striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 31, has a future at the club. (The Sun)