Chelsea look set to face a battle with Arsenal in their attempts to sign Bologna duo Amadou Diawara and Godfred Donsah after both Premier League clubs watched the pair against Inter Milan on Saturday.

According to MailOnline’s Simon Jones, Chelsea have been following Donsah for more than a year, and the Blues sent representatives to the weekend’s game to check on him and Diawara—Bologna lost 2-1 to Inter.

The report added that along with Arsenal, Bayern Munich could also be competitors for Diawara‘s signature, while Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City had people at the San Siro as well.

Both Diawara, 18, and Donsah, 19, have truly emerged at Bolgona this season, the former making 27 Serie A appearances in the current campaign, the latter 17, per WhoScored.com.

The pair have shown remarkable maturity in the central midfield areas playing for a top-10 Serie A club.

Diawara has even been compared favourably to Chelsea’s former central midfield stalwart, Claude Makelele, per Squawka’s Blair Newman.

The Blues need to add further strength in the centre of midfield in the summer as Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic have shown alarmingly inconsistent form this season, per the Daily Mail‘s Dominic King:

The duo were arguably two of Chelsea’s best players last season when they won the Premier League, but they now clearly need added support and competition.

Adding Diawara and Donsah at Chelsea would not only bring the necessary strength to the midfield, but they also would inject some youthful verve into the struggling side.

A new permanent manager is set to take over in the summer and a squad overhaul is likely to be needed—not least up front with Diego Costa potentially set to depart, per Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones:

Per James Riach in the Guardian, it is becoming more and more likely Italy boss Antonio Conte will take the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

He will undoubtedly be well aware of both Diawara and Donsah because of his continued links with Serie A and could well give Chelsea the edge if it comes down to a battle to sign them.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1U2u3VQ
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

On Easter weekend, the film Eddie The Eagle, starring Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken, will be released in British cinemas.

The film tells the story of Michael Edwards, who was better known as “Eddie the Eagle” during the late 1980s when he became the first Briton to compete as a ski jumper at the winter Olympics.

This was always a tale made for Hollywood—almost identical to the Jamaican bobsleigh team who inspired the film Cool Runnings at the same Olympics in 1988—of the bullish and plucky underdog, who defied convention and the odds to pursue an unlikely dream.

Spoiler alert: Edwards came dead last and there was no happy ending, but he was still embraced as the ultimate heroic failure.

If Edwards’ ultimately unsuccessful story can make it to the big screen, the story of Leicester City’s 2015-16 season should be coming soon to your local Odeon or multiplex.

The Leicester story shares many of the same elements of the Olympian, but with the crucial difference that they are headed for glory.

What Leicester have already achieved this season continues to defy belief; this only happens in fiction or kids’ cartoons, not real life.

In March 2015, Leicester—in their first season back in the Premier League after a 10-year absence—were bottom of the table and destined to be relegated. 

Now the Foxes are 20 places higher staring down at everyone else from the summit, two points clear of Tottenham in second place with a game in hand and on course to win their first-ever title.

Such a rapid and completely unexpected transformation would be without precedent in the 128-year history of top-flight English football.  

It would probably outstrip Nottingham Forest’s achievement of winning the title and European Cup in the two seasons following their promotion to the First Division in 1977, which was the subject of their own recent film I Believe in Miracles.

This has been another miracle, achieved in a far more difficult era, and Leicester’s success should be celebrated when the title looked to have become the preserve of Russian and Middle Eastern billionaires.

It had appeared that you could only buy the Premier League now, but the east Midlands club are on the brink of proving you can still earn it.

After hauling themselves clear of the relegation zone last year with a run of seven wins from their final nine games, Leicester tapped into that belief and momentum to continue winning this season, but of course, they have done it under a different manager.

When Claudio Ranieri replaced the unfortunate Nigel Pearson in the summer, English football embarrassed itself with its collective smirk and dismissive attitude towards him, while the bookmakers immediately made him one of the favourites to be sacked first.

Here was the return of the Tinkerman, previously sneered at by his graceless successor at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho as a “loser,” and mocked in England for his near misses, while his successes were ignored.

Ranieiri cannot boast of many medals or trophies won, but he has an admirably consistent record of taking some of Europe’s leading clubs close to the summit of their leagues, including AS Monaco, Juventus, Inter Milan, Valencia and AS Roma.

It was an inspired appointment, for he has performed the same feat at Leicester, and there could still be the bonus of the title.

Ranieri returned to English football and quickly banished his Tinkerman reputation as he could see he was taking over a winning team—only a rampant ego would rip it up and start all over again.

Crucially, he also kept Pearson’s backroom staff of Craig Shakespeare, Steve Walsh and Mike Stowell.

Ranieri told Corriere della Sera, via the Daily Telegraph:

When I spoke with the players I realised that they were afraid of the Italian tactics. They did not look convinced, and neither was I.

I have great admiration for those who build new tactical systems, but I always thought the most important thing a good coach must do is to build the team around the characteristics of his players.

So I told the players that I trusted them and would speak very little of tactics. It was important to me that they all ran hard, just as seen I’d running towards the end of last season.

The Italian was astute enough to acknowledge the good work already in place and simply sought to enhance what was there, adding the talents of Christian Fuchs, N’Golo Kante and Shinji Okazaki to what was clearly an impressive foundation.

This continuity allowed Leicester to start the season strongly, and carry on winning, breeding confidence and taking them on a run even they could never have imagined.

Playing a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 formation, Ranieiri’s approach has been based on exploiting the stamina and running ability of his side and the raw pace of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez up front.

His side play a pressing game, set a high tempo—with Kante always primed to win the ball back—and seek to break quickly.

Despite their success, as recently as last month, Leicester had the worst statistics for passing accuracy, per BBC Sport, and the second-worst figures for possession and passes per game in the entire Premier League.

They do not want to keep the ball, but rather do something with it—and attack as quickly as possible—which has allowed them to be so prolific in front of goal.

Ranieri has employed a simple approach of trying to win, and as he told the Times after Leicester had beaten Norwich City last month: “We took the risk, the manager is hired for this reason: take a risk.”

This has allowed Vardy and Mahrez to play with freedom, and stage a personal contest for the Player of the Year awards, as between them they have racked up 34 goals and 15 assists in the league.

Will this be enough to carry them to the title? Leicester have not fluked it—they have been the best team this season—and if they go on as they have started, they will soon be champions.

But could they get vertigo and suddenly be gripped by a blind panic? It happened to a better Liverpool side in 2014 after all, but you sense if this was to happen to Ranieri’s side it would have already—especially after that late defeat to Arsenal—but they have instead surged on with wins over Norwich and Watford, and extended their lead.

A glance at Leicester’s remaining fixtures should inspire further confidence—five of their remaining nine opponents are currently in the bottom half of the table, and no one is higher than sixth.

Five of their nine games are also away, but Leicester have amassed the most points of any team on their travels so far this season, and their four home games against Newcastle United, Swansea City, Southampton and Everton all look eminently winnable.

Nine days ago, as Leicester headed towards a victory that placed them five points clear at the top of the table, their fans felt confident enough to indulge in a rendition of “We shall not be moved.”

If Leicester can play with the same intensity, belief and ruthlessness they have shown in the first 29 games they will not be moved, and the prize will not only be this season’s Premier League trophy, but the greatest story ever told in the history of English football.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1Wk34Cz
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Liverpool are said to be preparing a sensational summer swoop for Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye, as Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo reports.

The Frenchman has been one of Palace’s standout performers this term, but the club’s dip in form since the turn of the year and consequent slump down the Premier League table has seemingly left him frustrated and seeking a way out.

Liverpool have looked a little short in the middle of the park at times this season, and a man of Cabaye’s class and experience could certainly give them another dimension.

In fact, the 30-year-old also has something of a lethal touch in front of goal, and as OptaJoe tweeted on Friday, he’s the Eagles’ top scorer:

Cabaye is contracted at Selhurst Park until the end of the 2017/18 season, which means it could take a pretty penny to prise him away from south London.

The Brentwood Gazette reported Liverpool are weighing up making a £15 million offer for the France midfielder, although they’ll have competition for his signature.

West Ham United are trying to hijack the Reds’ attempts to bring Cabaye to Anfield, with guaranteed first-team football and remaining in London the Hammers’ two biggest draws.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Fenerbahce left-back Caner Erkin, per James Gray of the Daily Express.

Erkin had reportedly agreed terms to join Inter Milan, but his agent, Batur Altiparmak told Turkish-Football.com (via Gray) nothing has been signed: “There have been enquiries from 5-6 teams but I have not mentioned names of any clubs and no agreements have been reached either. There have been enquiries but no formal offers have been made and no deal has been struck.”

The defender is rated around the £4.5 million mark, and the Reds could put their offer on the table for Fenerbahce’s powers that be to mull over.

Champions League football will still be a possibility for Liverpool if they get past Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, and that would give them far more pulling power in the transfer window.

Plus, as Inter Milan look set for another spell in the Europa League, it could be the perfect way to lure Erkin.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1Uo4flm
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Arsenal will reportedly launch a summer assault for Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who is set to make his loan switch from Dinamo Zagreb permanent in the coming months.

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Lee Thomas-Mason of Metro), the Gunners have been tracking the energetic Croatian for some time and will step up their efforts to lure him to north London when the transfer window opens again.

Brozovic is primarily a box-to-box style player, but he can be deployed anywhere across the midfield. In fact, he’s something of a Jack-of-all-trades for Inter, and he’s been very useful to manager Roberto Mancini so far this term.

Here’s a reminder of what the Croatian can bring to the table:

Brozovic has scored three goals and created two more in the 2015/16 Serie A campaign, per WhoScored.com. His most lethal displays have come from the left flank.

So, it’s hardly surprising that Mancini thinks the 23-year-old could grow to be one of the best in the business. Talking back in January, the Italian lauded Brozovic’s potential before insisting that Inter have no desire to be rid of him—via FourFourTwo:

“If Brozovic were to continue like this he would become one of the best. We don’t want to sell him, even if faced with a great offer. He must work, but he has incredible quality.”

Thomas-Mason wrote that Arsenal have already had an £11.5 million bid knocked back for Brozovic’s services, and instead they would have to stump up over £20 million to get him in red.

The Gunners are hardly famed for their willingness to splash the cash, and that much could play into Chelsea’s hands, as they’re also reportedly keeping tabs on the midfielder.

However, Arsene Wenger will be digging very deep in his pockets if this next rumour is true, as Spanish outlet OK Diario reported that the French manager has made contact with Juventus regarding a £50 million swoop for striker Alvaro Morata—via Mark Brus of Metro.

Gunners fans have been crying out for a world-class front man despite Olivier Giroud’s impressive return this season. Celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan recently commented that a player like Luis Suarez would finish a lot more chances than Giroud:

Morata’s tally in 2015/16 is hardly something to write home about, though, with just six goals in all competitions, according to WhoScored.com.

Still, the 23-year-old has proved on many occasions that he can be prolific in and around the box, and his tender years make him an even more attractive purchase.

The Gunners are still very much in the Premier League title race, but they face a tricky-looking trip to Goodison Park against Everton on March 19—a stadium that has been far from a happy hunting ground in recent seasons.

That game comes off the back of a meeting with Barcelona at the Camp Nou, which is likely to end Arsenal’s hopes of Champions League success for another campaign.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1XkzoFI
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Former Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has been appointed manager of Newcastle United, replacing Steve McClaren.

The club announced the appointment on Friday via its official website, where Benitez released the following statement:

I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, with the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League. It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the Club and the fans.

All of us must push together in the same direction and with the same target in mind. This is the reason why I’m going to ask for your total support to successfully complete this task. Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can’t be happier.

C’mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!

Benitez has managed around Europe having also had spells with Napoli, Valencia and Inter Milan, and he has extensive experience of the Premier League after spending six years in charge of Liverpool and a brief spell as interim manager of Chelsea.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie said he’ll instantly meet his new squad:

The 55-year-old has an impressive haul of silverware, having won La Liga twice and the UEFA Cup with Los Che, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool, the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea and the Coppa Italia with Napoli, along with a number of minor trophies.

Managing director Lee Charnley expressed his delight at the capture:

I am very pleased to welcome Rafa Benitez to the club. In Rafa we have, without doubt, secured the services of one of Europe’s top managers. He has managed some of the most successful teams at the very highest level of the game and we are proud to now have him as our manager.

Our sole focus now is to give our full support to Rafa, his coaching team and the players in order to secure our status in the Premier League.

I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker andSteve Black for their service to the Club.

Benitez comes into a difficult situation at St James’ Park with the Magpies fighting relegation after yet another disappointing season.

He is not the expert motivator clubs facing the drop usually turn to in their hour of need, but his skills as a coach and a tactician may still prove vital in helping Newcastle survive.

Nevertheless, former Manchester United goalkeeper and Champions League winner Peter Schmeichel doesn’t think Benitez was the right choice for the role:

Though he has little experience managing a team in their predicament, he was able to come in and steady the ship at Chelsea in the wake of Roberto Di Matteo’s departure, despite widespread opposition to his appointment from the Blues supporters, ultimately finishing the season in third place and with a major trophy.

One of his first jobs at the club will be to shore up the Magpies’ porous defence.

Benitez wasn’t given long at Real Madrid, but one of the first improvements he made was to organise and solidify their back line. Under his tutelage, Los Blancos shipped only four goals prior to November—though, of course, it’s important to remember he had the likes of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to work with.

He will need to work fast, but if he can stop his side leaking goals left, right and centre, they might be able to grind out some vital wins to beat the drop.

Off the field, his appointment could signal a change in the club’s recruitment policy as decisions are currently made by owner Mike Ashley on the recommendations of chief scout Graham Carr and Charnley, according to Luke Edwards in the Telegraph.

It’s likely Benitez will want to bring his own players in this summer, though any transfer activity will depend on the more pressing matter of Newcastle’s final position in the Premier League.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1pkrVfr
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

It was inevitable, and on Friday it became official: Newcastle United parted ways with manager Steve McClaren.

Pressure had been mounting after three successive league defeats, and on Friday, the Magpies sat second from bottom in the Premier League table.

The 54-year-old had won just six of his 28 league games in charge this season.

Many Newcastle fans were sympathetic, suggesting the club’s failures weren’t necessarily down to the manager:

And others pointed out he’s not the only one guilty of underperformance.

Of course, many took the opportunity to revisit some his previous highlights.

And attention soon turned to identifying the next man to take up the hot seat at St James’ Park, with former Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez expected to take charge, per Louise Taylor of the Guardian, a prospect that excited most on Tyneside.

Though his fall from grace would have been spectacular.

The Spaniard was warned the task ahead of him wouldn’t be easy:

The (albeit tongue-in-cheek) hashtag “RafaOut” wasn’t trending:

Newcastle’s next match is against league-leading Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Monday.

[Twitter]

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1QMmboD
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Inter Milan midfielder and Arsenal transfer target Marcelo Brozovic has reportedly opened talks with the Nerazzurri regarding a contract extension, while the Gunners are also tracking Legia Warsaw youngster Ondrej Duda.

According to Sky Sports Italia (h/t Daily Express‘ James Gray), Brozovic’s loan deal with Inter is set to expire at the end of the season, but the club has an option to make the move for the Dinamo Zagreb loanee permanent.

The Italians were always expected to trigger the option, but some rumours suggested they were open to the idea of immediately selling the Croatia international for a nice profit. It now seems the club wants to keep the 23-year-old in the Italian fashion capital, however.

Brozovic has emerged as a key figure in Inter’s midfield this season, showing his versatile skill set and tremendous talent. He played a huge role in the 3-0 win over Juventus in the Coppa Italia, which was nearly good enough to advance to the final, per Lega Serie A:

While he does his best work as a central midfielder, he has played in a more advanced role and even out wide as well this season. He’s usually given every opportunity to pull out wide and fire crosses into the box, and Inter give him the green light to shoot from distance as well.

That has resulted in some spectacular strikes this season, as you can see in the video below:

Croatia has produced a fair share of talented midfielders the last few years―think of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic―and it’s a testament to Brozovic’s skill that he’s still a regular starter for the national team.

Arsenal seem set to part ways with a number of veterans in central midfield, as Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky all appear headed for the exit door. Brozovic would have made for a fine replacement, although he always seemed more likely to stay with Inter.

Tuttosport (h/t talkSPORT) previously claimed £15 million would be enough to convince the Nerazzurri to sell, but Brozovic’s value has only increased since then, and it will likely take a lot more to sign the Croatian this summer.

Duda would be another, less expensive option, and one which could produce better results in the long run. According to Portuguese newspaper Record (h/t Metro.co.uk’s Tom Olver), Arsenal are among a host of teams scouting the 21-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Stoke City, Southampton, Newcastle United and West Ham United are all linked with the Slovakia international, as well as Portuguese side Sporting Braga.

Here’s a look at what he brings to the table:

Duda has been compared to Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria for his remarkable pace and killer instinct in front of goal, and he’s been steadily honing his craft since making his debut for Legia in 2014.

The youngster seems perfectly happy in Poland for now, but given his obvious potential, he’s bound to outgrow the league at some point in the near future. Arsenal have an excellent relationship with Legia―they previously signed star midfielder Krystian Bielik without too many problems―which would give them an advantage in negotiations.

Other clubs may be able to offer Duda more immediate playing time, however, which may push the attacking midfielder toward the Portuguese league or one of the smaller Premier League clubs.

Follow @ReverschPass

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1nxyWYg
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J