Wenger: Why Spend €55m When We Already Have Coquelin?

Francis Coquelin proves that Arsenal can find top quality players without having to spend huge sums of money, according to Arsene Wenger.

Since being recalled from his loan at Chartlon, the 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Gunners, making 21 Premier League appearances and impressively filling the void at the base of the midfield.

Coquelin's remarkable breakthrough has quietened the calls for Wenger to add a more tenacious edge to his midfield this summer just as he is looking to turn a talented squad into genuine title contenders.

Southampton have put a €35 million asking price on talismanic midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, but Wenger insists the success of Coquelin is evidence that large transfer deals are not the only way to improve a team.

"I think nobody would dispute that his performances have been convincing and that he is ready for a fight even if somebody comes in," the Gunners boss said of Coquelin.

"Even if somebody comes in, he will stay here. I extended his contract, that means I believe in him.

"It hasn’t changed my mind about transfers a lot, but what is for sure is that he has shown he has the capacity to play for us and play a big part in the success of the team.

"The world has changed. The appreciation today of the quality of a player is just down with the money you spend. If we had bought Coquelin at Christmas for £40 million (€55m), everyone would say 'what a signing'.

"I am sorry he didn’t cost any money, but he is still a good player."

Wenger is also adamant that the domestic core of his squad remains as important as ever, despite not fielding a single Englishman in his starting XI for six successive Premier League games.

"They have been injured," he added. "Walcott has been out for a year. Wilshere has been out since November. Kieran Gibbs is now coming back. It's true, they had little setbacks.

"I know our future is only bright if I can keep a cohesion, and a core of players who have been educated here and can play year-in year-out together.

"That is the difficulty in the modern job, you know the cohesion is a very important part of the success of the team, but you are always under pressure to get players in. We live in a new world, people always want new."

Madrid Have No Limits, Says Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says his side will return with renewed vigour after a disappointing end to the season.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will finish La Liga in second place, after being eliminated from the Champions League semi-finals and the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

However, Perez insists that the club will not give up in their pursuit of dominance, both in Spain and Europe.

"This week is the celebration of the first anniversary of La Decima," the Blancos supremo said at the launch of a new club app.

"Madrid do not give up, neither do Madrid fans. And we will try to achieve La Undecima.

"Real Madrid have no boundaries. Real Madrid is a feeling and an emotion. We all share the victories and the glories.

"We are united by these feelings and principles. The team must be among the best in the world."

Madrid end their 2014-15 campaign with a derby clash against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Barca Stalwart Xavi Heading To Qatar

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez will leave the Catalan club he has served since boyhood for Qatari side Al Sadd at the end of this season, his father said on Tuesday.

"The moment has come for Xavi to say goodbye," the 35-year-old midfielder's father Joaquin Hernandez told radio Cope.

He said the contract with Al Sadd would allow Xavi, presently the team captain, to train as a coach as well as playing.

"He is lucky to have received a really impressive offer that allows him to continue playing football, train as a future coach and also rest a little."

Xavi is Barcelona's most decorated player of all time and one of the heroes of Spain's Euro and World Cup-winning squads.

In March he met with managers of Al Sadd, which announced on social media that he had signed with the club but the Qatari side then said the deal had not yet been sealed.

Xavi will personally announce the move during a press conference on Thursday, Spanish media reported.

His contract with the Spanish league champions runs until next year but the club had already made it clear that it would not stand in the way of his departure.

"Xavi has earned the right to decide his future," Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said in March when asked about the reports that the iconic playmaker had agreed to a move to Qatar.

The player will be following in the footsteps of Real Madrid legend Raul who played 39 games for Al Sadd, one of Qatar's top clubs, between 2012 and 2014, before joining the New York Cosmos in October 2014.

Barcelona sealed the league title on Sunday with a 1-0 win away over 2014 champions Atletico Madrid.

Xavi was filmed weeping with joy after that win. It is his eighth title in the league and his 23rd overall with Barcelona, making him the player with most medals in the club's history.

He still has the chance to end his last season at Barcelona with a treble, as his side will play in the finals of the Spanish cup and Champions League.

'Instrumental to the club'

Xavi joined Barcelona in 1991 at the age of 11. He has played more than 760 matches for the side – more than any other player.

The transfer will bring the curtain down on a 17-year first-team playing career with Barcelona, during which time Xavi has so far won three Champions League titles and two Fifa Club World Cups in addition to the eight La Liga championships.

He was also an integral part of Spain's World Cup-winning side in 2010 and their two European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012.

Beyond mere figures, he will also be remembered as being a central figure of Barcelona's revolutionary 'tiki-taka' style of football, which relies on possession and passing, and helped the Catalan side to become arguably the dominant team in Europe in the first decade of the century.

His departure follows that of other club heavyweights in recent years such as defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Xavi almost left Barcelona at the end of last season after the Catalan side failed to win any silverware but was reportedly convinced by coach Luis Enrique to stay on.

He has spent much of this season relegated to the bench although Enrique has relied on him during decisive matches.

"I don't think there will be another player like him. He is an unique, inimitable player who has been instrumental to the club and the national team," Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said at a publicity event.

Xavi's signing is one of the biggest coups for Qatari domestic football in a country set to host the 2022 World Cup.

Al Sadd competed in the Club World Cup in 2011, finishing third after being knocked out by Barcelona in the semifinals.

Reports suggest that Xavi will sign a three-year contract, with his role to combine coaching as well.

Sinclair Makes Villa Move Permanent

Aston Villa have signed Manchester City midfielder Scott Sinclair on a four-year contract after a successful loan spell, the Premier league club said on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old former Chelsea and Swansea City player, who has been at Villa Park since January, has committed his long-term future to the FA Cup finalists, who are now free of relegation worries and can focus on facing Arsenal at Wembley.

"I am so happy. We've had a fantastic end to the current season – and now I am already looking forward to the new season starting," Sinclair, who has scored three goals since joining Villa, told the club website (www.avfc.co.uk):

"It's also great for me and the family to be settled now," he added. "For every footballer, it's important to have that stability. I believe that will help me perform better and push on for this great club in the coming years.

"It's so much different than when you're on loan and going here, there and everywhere.

"I have already loved every minute of playing for this club. To be a permanent Villa player now is a fantastic feeling."

Wenger Keen To Avoid 'Accidents'

Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal side to avoid any accidents and make sure they finish the Premier League season in style.

The Gunners have two home games left, against relegation-threatened Sunderland on Wednesday and then against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and need two points to be absolutely assured of finishing no lower than third.

Two wins could even allow them to finish as runners-up to Chelsea, their best finish for 10 years.

But for a surprise 1-0 home defeat by Swansea City last week they would already be assured of a top-three spot, and Wenger, whose side have an FA Cup final to look forward to, wants no repeat performance against Sunderland.

"We have put so much effort in that it would be stupid not to finish the job well," Wenger told a news conference.

"For me the Swansea game was an accident.

"Sunderland need a point to be safe so I expect them to be well organised defensively, sound at the back, and to try to use all the counter-attacks they can, all the set-pieces they have, to score goals.

"We have to put a high rhythm into this game and play with a high level of energy to win the game."

Wenger said catching Manchester City was a remote possibility.

"We have a possibility to take the six points, but it will not be enough if Man City win their last game against Southampton," he said.

"The fact is likely, so how many chances we have, I don't know, but the only chance we have is to win our games."

Wenger steadfastly refused to be drawn on speculation surrounding the future of Liverpool's Raheem Sterling who is reported to be seeking a move away from Anfield.

"Look, I do not bid for anybody at the moment, but in the summer, we will bid for people, yes. But at the moment, we are not in transfer mode at all," he said.

"We have a big squad at the moment and ... we do not need a number of players.

"What I want is to finish well the season, and after I will make my decisions."

'Sterling Should Be Embarrassed'

   

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has come under a withering attack from two of the club's former stalwarts over his apparent reluctance to sign a reported £100 000 per week contract.

The 20-year-old England international's future at Liverpool is clouded in uncertainty with British media reports on Tuesday suggesting Sterling is poised to request a transfer.

Manchester City are one of the club's being linked with a move for Sterling who, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been offered an "incredible" new contract.

With Liverpool insisting Sterling is not for sale, the saga is bound to rumble on into the summer and Jamie Carragher, now a television pundit, said he should be embarrassed to walk into training this week and suggested a change of agent.

"I'd be embarrassed to walk into training tomorrow and show my face to everyone; even the lady on the reception," former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports.

"Raheem Sterling is a great kid. He's not some flash young kid. He's not loud, he's not in people's faces. He loves his football.

"He needs to change his agent. That's the one thing he needs to change.

"For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool Football Club, there's nothing worse.

"Raheem Sterling will obviously move on at some stage. Brendan Rodgers has said he won't be leaving this summer but it looks like he's trying to force the club's hand."

Carragher said Sterling still had to prove he was worth the kind of salary enjoyed by the Premier League's biggest names.

"If you want trophies and big money they won't be given to you, you have to earn them," Carragher said.

"What did Liverpool win this year? Nothing."

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes, who Sterling has been compared to, echoed Carragher's comments.

"Raheem has not achieved anything, he has not won anything," Barnes told the BBC.

"Does anyone believe that if he goes to Manchester City he will be the first name on the team sheet or are they just signing him because they need English players?"

"Raheem has great potential, but Liverpool gave him an opportunity and he should stay for a couple of years."

Sterling Should Keep His Mouth Shut & Change His agent - Carragher

Raheem Sterling has been urged to change his agent and “keep his mouth shut” by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Sterling, who has already turned down the chance to sign a new deal worth over €130,000 a week, will tell Brendan Rodgers that he wants to quit Liverpool this summer.

Carragher believes the attacker is destined to reach greater heights than Liverpool, but insists he should not be trying to "take on" Liverpool.

"Raheem Sterling is a great kid. He’s not some flash young kid. He’s not loud, he’s not in people’s faces. He loves his football,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

"He needs to change his agent. That’s the one thing he needs to change. For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool football club, it angers me to the pit of my stomach.

"Raheem Sterling will obviously move on at some stage. Brendan Rodgers has said he won’t be leaving this summer but it looks like me that he’s trying to force the clubs hand."

Carragher also criticised Sterling’s performances in key games this season and feels the 20-year-old should feel “embarrassed” by fresh speculation surrounding his future at Anfield.

“Last season at Liverpool he was fantastic. Liverpool had a chance at a trophy this season,” said Carragher.

"If you want trophies and big money they won't be given to you, you have to earn them. What did Liverpool win this year? Nothing.

"You’ve got to play well in big games. The semi-final against Aston Villa was the worst game I've seen in a semi-final or final.

"You want to win trophies - the semi-final is the biggest game in the season for Liverpool and Raheem Sterling did nothing.

"If you want to win trophies you have to perform at the highest level. If you want to win trophies you have to deliver in the big games and he hasn't done that yet.

"Keep your mouth shut and get on with playing football. He’ll move on in years to come. Just keep your mouth shut.

"I'd be embarrassed to walk into training tomorrow and show my face to everyone; even the lady on the reception."

Super Eagles Need A Permanent Home Ground - Gbenga Okunowo

Ex-Nigeria and Barcelona player Gbenga Okunowo has expressed discontent with the choice of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna for Super Eagles’ 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.

The Nigeria Football Federation last week agreed that the 30,000 capacity venue that hosted some matches during the 2009 Fifa U17 World Cup will stage the first Afcon qualifier for the Eagles against the Sao for a ticket to Gabon 2017.

According to Okunowo capped eight times by Nigeria, the country should have a permanent ground where they can demystify their opposition.

Until last year, the Super Eagles played their home matches at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar before they were uprooted to the new ultra-modern Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo after the Abuja National Stadium had been abandoned due to its state of disrepair.

The team will now use the Kaduna stadium for its first qualifier next month.

“From my own view, [regular changing of stadia] is not okay and I don’t understand what the technical crew of the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation put into consideration before arriving at that choice,” Okunowo told Goal.

“[Coach Stephen] Keshi should be the one to choose where he wants his men to play – well I’m not too sure if he was the one who chose [the Ahmadu Bello Stadium] or was carried along.

“Moving from one ground to the other is not good for us. At this stage, we need to have a national stadium where the Super Eagles will be playing all their home matches,” he added.

“The NFF and the technical crew must look into this and decide where the national team will be playing all their home games. We need to have a permanent home ground and that is how it is supposed to be.

“I won’t be able to pick any pitch for the Super Eagles be it National Stadium, Lagos or the Abuja National Stadium, all we need to do is pick a very good venue that will be suitable for our players to win matches. Mind you, it should be a natural [pitch] and not an artificial turf,” he concluded.

The Super Eagles will file out against Chad on June 13 as they begin their Afcon 2017 quest.

TRANSFER SHOCK! Raheem Sterling Tells Liverpool He Wants To Leave

Raheem Sterling will inform Liverpool this week that he wants to leave the club this summer.

The 20-year-old, who has two years left on his current deal, has rejected an offer of around £100,000-a-week to stay at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers told talkSPORT on Friday he was confident the flyer would remain at the Merseyside club and talks would continue at the end of the season.

But talkSPORT understands the youngster has told the Liverpool hierarchy he will not sign a new deal.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and La Liga giants Real Madrid have all been linked with Sterling.

Chelsea Slump At West Brom

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre circumstances as the below-par Premier Leachampions, playing with 10 men for over an hour, slumped 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
Saido Berahino struck twice for Albion but the main talking point at the Hawthorns was the first-half red card shown to Spaniard Fabregas for unsportsmanlike conduct by referee Mike Jones.

The official was in the process of booking Chelsea striker Diego Costa after he tussled with Gareth McAuley when Fabregas, standing some 20 metres away, chipped the ball towards a crowd of players and it hit West Brom's Chris Brunt on the head, prompting Jones to walk over and brandish a red card.

"What Fabregas did didn't hurt anyone, he shouldn't do it but I don't think that the red card was fair," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told the BBC.

The Portuguese said his side, who won the title earlier this month with three games to spare, had lost "concentration, intensity and motivation" with nothing to play for.

In typical Mourinho fashion, however, he blamed Manchester City, United and Arsenal for failing to mount a sustained challenge.

Chelsea are eight points clear of City going into their final match of the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday.

"Am I guilty? Yes, but I think the top contenders for the title are also guilty, because they didn't give us a big fight. You can't expect us to get on the bus crying because we lost 3-0, we are champions."

Chelsea's third league defeat of the season – the first two coming at Newcastle and Spurs – was kickstarted by West Brom top scorer Berahino's fine curling strike from outside the penalty area after nine minutes.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois prevented Chelsea going into halftime further behind but West Brom won a penalty 29 seconds into second half after Berahino was brought down by John Terry.

Berahino converted to take his league tally to 14 for the season and Chris Brunt lashed in a third goal on the hour for West Brom who are guaranteed to finish no lower than 13th place.

Loic Remy struck the post for Chelsea in the second half but the champions endured a miserable night in the Midlands.