Tag Archives: Barcelona

Conte On Top-Four Finish

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted that his team will struggle to finish in the top-four after their defeat at Manchester United. He said that the league is more competitive than ever and that his team will have a hard time qualifying for the Champions League.

Chelsea is now fifth in the table and two points behind the fourth team Tottenham Hotspurs. He said that at the moment the objective of Chelsea is to finish in the top four and that it is important that the players remain focus until the end of the season. He said that the Premier League is a competitive one and that it is not easy to finish in the top four. He said that they had a unique opportunity to get three points against a direct contender for the Champions League place and that unfortunately they were defeated.

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Posted on May 16, 2018 by by

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Marcos Alonso Takes Positives From Barcelona Defeat To Spur Top-Four Charge

Spanish defender Marcos Alonso believes Chelsea have taken a lot of positives from their Champions League experience against Barcelona. The Blues played with intensity over the course of the double-legged round of 16 tie but they were a tad unfortunate to have lost by a 4-1 scoreline, after hitting the woodwork on three occasions.

Speaking after the game, Alonso highlighted that the Blues will take the exit on a positive note, and feels the club can make the top-four of the Premier League, should they maintain the same intensity for the rest of the season, he said: “I think there have been a lot of positives in both games against Barcelona and I think we have to show this desire in the next games.

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Posted on May 9, 2018 by by

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Oscar Likely to Waste His Best Years in China, Says Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte has taken a parting shot at midfielder Oscar, who has secured a move to Chinese football, by saying that the midfielder has lost a fantastic opportunity to play in the Premier League.


Regarded as the best league in the world, the Premier League is one of the home pitch for some of the greatest players in the world like Paul Pogba and Eden Hazard. However, Oscar has chosen to follow the riches on offer, as he has moved to an unknown league where he will be earning £ 20 million per year. Oscar has become the best paid player in the world following this move.

Chelsea will be receiving £ 60 million, which can be invested on new players like James Rodriguez even in the January transfer window, for the player who was signed for just £ 25 million for years ago. Even though they have made an extremely healthy profit on the player, it seems that manager Antonio Conte is sad to lose a player just entering into the prime of his career. Continue reading →

Posted on January 21, 2017 by by

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Diego Costa to Remain in Chelsea

The rumours linking Diego Costa with a move away from Chelsea do not seem to be going away even after the appointment of Antonio Conte.


The striker has been linked with an imminent return to Atletico Madrid, where he became a legend in the last few years. Costa was a major factor in helping Chelsea lift the league title in the 2014-15 season, but he had a very poor season the last time around. His poor form was especially pronounced in the first half of the season when José Mourinho was the manager. Incredibly, Costa’s form including dramatically after Mourinho was sacked and Guus Hiddink was appointed.

The patchy form for the Spaniard in the last two seasons may have been one of the reasons, while language issues have also been spoken about. Costa has scored 36 goals in the last two campaigns, which is a good return for someone who cost only £ 30 million. At 27 years of age, the striker still has plenty to offer for the club if he manages to strike good form. After having been an extended holiday due to Euro 2016, Costa was seen only towards the latter end of the Chelsea’s pre-season. It remains highly doubtful if he would start the game against West Ham on Monday night.
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Posted on September 5, 2016 by by

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Chelsea 1st League Match is Most Discussed

Even though Chelsea’s 1rst leg Champions League match against PSG was played over one week ago, it’s still one of the main topic’s of discussion of fans, managers and analysts of the sport. It was clear that the French side deserved to secure the victory but had to settle with a final score of 1-1.

There was an incident that occurred even before the match had started which is reaching headlines all over the world even in places where football is not usually a subject of debate and talk. A video which display a group of Chelsea fans blocking the pathway for a black man has been making it’s way everywhere of websites all over the world and now the victim of this incident has spoken up and stated that he blames Chelsea FC for this event that happened in an underground train on the Paris Metro.

SouleymaneSylla was the victim of this incident and he was recently interviewed by BBC as he took the chance to express his thoughts about what occurred to him.  Sylla said: “I felt truly wounded to the bottom of my heart that I really couldn’t believe it. Of course it’s Chelsea’s responsibility. It’s their supporters.”We’re in 2015 aren’t we and we’re in France. We’re in a civilized country and when you are in a civilized country, there are certain things you can’t do. Continue reading →

Posted on February 25, 2015 by by

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Chelsea through to Champions League last eight

Chelsea eased into the Champions League quarter finals after beating Galatasaray 2-0 in the second leg of their last sixteen tie at Stamford Bridge yesterday evening.

With the sides having drawn 1-1 in Istanbul three weeks ago, it was the Premier League leaders who made the breakthrough through Samuel Eto’o after just four minutes.

Gary Cahill doubled the hosts’ advantage three minutes before the break, thumping in after John Terry’s initial effort was saved by Fernando Musilera.

Didier Drogba, who was given a rousing reception by the home supporters on his first return to Stamford Bridge since leaving the club at the end of the 2011/12 campaign, had a chance to pull one back for Roberto Mancini’s side late on which he failed to convert.

The Blues will discover who they will face in the last eight of the competition on Friday, twenty-four hours before they return to domestic action with their top of the table clash with Arsenal.

Manager Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports that “it doesn’t matter who” the club are drawn against in the quarter finals.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and holders Bayern Munich are already in the hat for the draw along with the Blues, and they will be joined by either Manchester United or Olympiakos and Zenit St Petersburg or Borussia Dortmund, with the final round of last sixteen ties taking place this evening.

Posted on March 19, 2014 by by

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Barcelona confident of securing Luiz deal

Spanish giants Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Chelsea’s David Luiz, according to the Metro.

The La Liga champions have been linked with a move for the Brazil international for some time, and are now hopeful of completing a deal at the end of the season as they look for a replacement for outgoing centre-back Carlos Puyol.

The Spain international admitted that he is set to leave the Nou Camp in the summer during an emotional press conference yesterday, having spent his whole career with the club.

Luiz has made just thirteen league appearances since Jose Mourinho returned to the club, and the Blues boss is likely to sell if Barca meet his £25m valuation.

The former Benfica man is set to win his 34th international cap against South Africa in Johannesburg this evening, alongside Chelsea teammates Oscar, Ramires and Willian.

Elsewhere, Petr Cech has been named Czech Republic’s player of the year for 2013, the Daily Star understands.

The Blues’ number one, who has now won the award for the past six years, beat Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky and Frieburg’s Vladmir Darida into second and third place respectively, with all three in line to face Norway this evening.

Posted on March 5, 2014 by by

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Luiz and Mikel available for Galatasaray clash

Chelsea will have David Luiz and Jon Obi Mikel available for this evenings Champions League last 16 first leg tie against Galatasaray.

Both players missed Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 win over Everton, but have made the trip to the Turkish capital ahead of the game.

Oscar has also made the squad despite being substituted at the weekend with an ankle injury, while Mohammed Salah and Nemanja Matic are both cup-tied having already featured in the competition with Basel and Benfica respectively.

Didier Drogba is expected to lead the line for Roberto Mancini’s men, giving him the chance to come up against the Blues for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

He did score in a 3-2 win against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in the second leg of last season’s quarter finals, though Galatasaray lost the tie 5-3 on aggregate.

With the Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all having lost the first leg of their last sixteen ties against Barcelona, Olympiakos and Barcelona respectively, the Blues are in the best position to guarantee English representation in this season’s last eight for the first time since two years ago, when they went on to lift the trophy in Munich.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by by

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Cole snub set to continue

Jose Mourinho has stated that he is happy with Cesar Azpilicueta’s performances at left back for Chelsea and continued to cast doubt of the future of Ashley Cole, the Daily Star understands.

The England international was again left out the Blues line-up at the weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City.

He has made just four appearances so far in this calendar year, with two coming in both the Premier League and the FA Cup.

His lack of game time has also led to doubts over his position at international level; something which Mourinho has said cannot be in his thoughts.

Elsewhere, the Metro understands that the Chelsea manager has stated that Barcelona are at the weakest they have been for ‘many, many years’ ahead of their clash with Manchester City this evening.

City, who are considered to be the Blues’ main challengers for the title in the Premier League this season, will have the opportunity to show they can compete with Europe’s best as they take on the La Liga champions, and while Mourinho says that the Catalan club are favourites to win the tie, he believes they are not the force they once were.

Posted on February 18, 2014 by by

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Mourinho key in move – Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o has revealed that Jose Mourinho was the decisive factor in his summer move to Stamford Bridge, the Mirror understands.

The 32 year old joined Chelsea on a one year deal back in August, and took a massive pay cut to be reunited with the man he won the treble under at Inter Milan.

The Cameroon international has made twenty-three appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals including a hat-trick in last month’s 3-1 home win over Manchester United.

Meanwhile, the Metro understand that the Blues have ramped up their interest in Sheffield United’s Harry Maguire, after senior scouts watched him help his side to victory over Premier League Fulham in their FA Cup fourth round replay at Craven Cottage yesterday evening.

The club have been monitoring the defenders progress for some time, and could well make a move for his services in the summer.

The 20 year old has been dubbed ‘the new John Terry’ following a string of eye catching performances for the League One side.

Finally, Barcelona midfielder Xavi has ruled out a move to the Premier League at the end of his career, according to Sky Sports.

The 34 year old, who recently made his 700th first team appearance for the Catalan club, has been linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the past, but has insisted that he will never walk away from the club.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by by

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