Tag Archives: Genk

Xabi Alonso snubs Premier League return by signing new contract in Madrid

Xabi Alonso has ended speculation that he could be set to reunite with Jose Mourinho by penning a new deal at Real Madrid, according to the Independent.

The 32 year old was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, but has now extended his contract with the La Liga giants to 2016.

The Spain international, who announced the news on Twitter by posting a picture of him and Real president Florentino Perez holding a shirt with ‘Alonso 2016’ on the back, is currently in his fifth season in the Spanish capital, having previously spent five years in the Premier League with Liverpool.

Staying in Madrid, Thibaut Courtois is keen to resolve his future quickly, ESPN understands.

The Belgium goalkeeper, currently in his third season on loan from Chelsea at Atletico Madrid, is keen to know where he will be playing his football next season.

The 21 year old former Genk man has excelled in his time in Spain, winning the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, while this season they are currently joint on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona and qualified from their Champions League group in first place.

Posted on January 9, 2014 by by

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Mikel and Oscar seal Blues progress

Second half goals from Jon Obi Mikel and Oscar secured a 2-0 win for Chelsea in their FA Cup third round clash with Derby County at the iPro Stadium yesterday afternoon.

The Rams, who were statistically a match for their opponents in all areas bar the goals, kept the Blues at bay for the first half, before Mikel scored only his fourth Chelsea goal on his three hundredth appearance twenty minutes into the second half.

Oscar scored his eighth goal of the season just five minutes later to seal the victory, while eighteen year old Lewis Baker was introduced three minutes from time to make his professional debut.

Jose Mourinho’s men will now face Stoke City at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round of the competition later this month.

Meanwhile the Metro have reported that Kevin De Bruyne’s agent has been pictured at a Wolfsburg training session amid reports that the Belgium international is set to join the Bundesliga club.

The 22 year old has long been linked with a return to Germany having spent a successful season-long stint there with Werder Bermen before returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The former Genk man has made just nine appearances under Jose Mourinho in all competitions.

Posted on January 6, 2014 by by

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Courtois keen on Barca switch

Reports in Spain are suggesting that Thibaut Courtois is keen to join Barcelona next summer, the Metro understands.

The Belgium international is currently enjoying a third season on loan with Atletico Madird, having been sent to the Spanish capital shortly after arriving at Stamford Bridge from Genk in 2011.

Barcelona are on the lookout for a new number one, with Victor Valdes set to quit the Nou Camp when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Liverpool’s Pepe Reina has been stronlgly linked with a return to the club where he started his career once his loan spell with Napoli is over, though Courtois, at his age, would arguably be a sounder investment.

During his time in La Liga, the 21 year old has become one of the most sought after goalkeepers in European football.

He has turned out for Atleti 110 times in just over two years, and has lifted the Copa Del Rey, Europa League and Super Cup in that period.

His contract with Chelsea runs until 2016, though reports suggest that he is keen to push through a move to the Catalan club, with Petr Cech seemingly the clubs first choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.

Posted on October 9, 2013 by by

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Barcelona keen on Cech

Barcelona are considering a bid for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech as they look for a replacement for the outgoing Victor Valdes, according to the Daily Star.

Spain international Valdes is set to quit the Nou Camp when his contract expires at the end of this season, leaving new manager Gerardo Martino in need of a new number one.

Pepe Reina, who is currently at Napoli on loan from Liverpool, has been strongly linked with a move back to the Catalan club, while another name in the frame is Thibaut Courtois.

The Belgium international joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011, but has not played for the Blues as moved to Atletico Madrid on loan shortly after signing, and has been in the Spanish capital ever since.

However, now Cech, who has racked up well over four hundred appearances in nine years with the club, has been lined up by the Spanish champions, who have already enquired about the Czech Republic international’s availability.

It is understood that the 31 year old would be keen on taking on a new challenge, though manager Jose Mourinho will be keen to keep hold of the man who he still rates as one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

Posted on September 11, 2013 by by

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