Hazard stars as Chelsea return to winning ways

A sublime performance from Eden Hazard solved Chelsea’s recent scoring problems in their first victory this year conjuring two goals in a 4-0 win away to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (L) runs past Brighton’s English midfielder Dale Stephens during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 20, 2018. / AFP PHOTO

Two goals in the opening six minutes at the Amex Stadium — Hazard’s opener followed by a Willian strike –- put the Blues in control, with Hazard adding the London side’s third goal in the 77th minute before Victor Moses wrapped up the win two minutes from time.

Barcelona deny Griezmann deal

Barcelona have issued a statement in response to reports linking them to Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.

Reports in Spain claimed the Catalans had struck a secret deal to sign France international Griezmann, 26, in summer.

However, in something of an unprecedented move, Barcelona swiftly issued a statement via their website, denying any such deal has been agreed.

It reads: “The FC Barcelona categorically denies the reports in the last hours in different media referring to Atletico Madrid Antoine Griezmann and alleged links to our club.

“FC Barcelona expresses its displeasure at these events and reiterates all its respect towards the institution of Atlético de Madrid.”
Griezmann, who has a release clause of £889million in his contract, has been strongly linked to both Barcelona and Manchester United.

It had been claimed that Barcelona’s new £142million signing Philippe Coutinho being assigned the number 14 shirt was a sign that Griezmann was set to join him at the Nou Camp because it left the number 7 shirt free.

Griezmann ‘to join Barcelona after World Cup’

Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann have reached an agreement for the France striker to switch from Atletico Madrid to the Catalan giants at the end of the season, Spanish daily Sport reported on Saturday.

“The Atletico Madrid forward has agreed to join Barcelona and will be under (coach) Ernesto Valverde’s orders next season,” Sport said.
The Catalan daily also points out that while Griezmann currently has a buyout clause of 200 million euros ($240 million), that figure drops by half on July 1.

Barcelona have been scrambling to add high-quality players to their squad since Paris Saint Germain lured Brazilian star Neymar to France in a world record signing in August.

Philippe Coutinho joined from Liverpool this month in 180-million-euro ($220 million) deal.
The newspaper says it believes Griezmann’s transfer would take place after this summer’s World Cup in Russia, where he will have a key role for France, who are among the favourites.

Another Catalan daily, Mundo Deportivo, reported in December that the player’s family had lunch with the Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to smooth the way for the transfer.

Brazilian born Spain strker Diego Costa joined Atletico from Chelsea in September, and has proved to be the club’s star performer since his debut two weeks ago.

Barcelona, whose star performers Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are all in their thirties, signed Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dormund for 105 million euros last summer, but the French 20-year-old has only just returned from a hamstring injury.

Arsenal table £50m for Aubameyang

Arsenal have bid £50m for Borussia Dortmund’s striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports in Germany.

Kicker magazine reported that The Gunners have made their opening offer for the Gabon international, also stating that the German side are holding out for a sum closer to £60m for the 28 year old.

Aubameyang has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances for Dortmund this season, and scored 141 goals since joining in 2013.

Dortmund CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “I can confirm that there has been a first request from Arsenal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. We are not commenting on the sums that have been called from England since noon.”

Aubameyang trained for an hour on Saturday morning after he was left out of Borussia Dortmund’s game against Hertha BSC on Friday but has made it clear he wishes to join Arsenal.

However, in another twist Arsene Wenger speaking yesterday said:

“Aubameyang no, nothing is happening,” he told the BBC after the win over Crystal Palace.

“He can be left out of the Dortmund team for different reasons, certainly not for transfer reasons at the moment.

“January has been difficult for us, destabilising. We have had big players concerned with moving away which causes uncertainty.”

Zidane: I’ll love to have Neymar

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane stated his admiration for Paris St Germain forward Neymar  amid continuing reports in the Spanish media over a future bid to take the Brazilian to the Bernabeu.

Asked about Neymar at a news conference ahead of Real’s Liga home game with Deportivo La Coruna today, Zidane said: “I don’t talk about players that aren’t mine, but having said that, and this is very important, he’s a player that everyone on planet football loves because he is a great player.”

PSG, who face Real in the last 16 of the Champions League, plucked Neymar from Barcelona last August for a world record 222 million euros ($271.28 million)although despite his impressive displays on the pitch he has cut an unhappy figure at times.

Real tried to sign Neymar when he was at Santos but were pipped to his signature by Barca and last month the club’s president Florentino Perez made a thinly veiled appeal to the Brazilian to join the 12-times European champions.

“Being in Madrid would make it easier to win the Ballon d‘Or,” Perez said in an interview on Spanish radio.

“Madrid is a club that gives a big player everything they need to do so. Everyone knows I wanted to sign him.”

Real have lost two and drawn one of their last three league games and fallen 19 points behind runaway leaders Barcelona.

Today’s game against Deportivo, who are in the relegation zone, offers the floundering European and Liga champions a chance of temporary relief from their crisis.

Zidane said his ‘BBC’ strike force of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were fit to play, though he did not reveal if he would field the trio, who have not started a game together since facing Barcelona in April last year.”

Man. United to unveil Sanchez Tuesday newsheadlines.co

Manchester United could unveil Alexis Sanchez on Tuesday after a dramatic late-night breakthrough in his transfer saga on Friday according to Spanish Guillem Balague.

It appears Arsenal forced United’s hand by picking him but he then dropped out after a dramatic late twist.

Henrik Mkhitaryan is also set to join Arsenal after saying his goodbyes after training on Friday and was left out of the United squad.
It is understood Arsenal and United are ready to do two separate deals to resolve the Sanchez and Mkhitaryan transfer saga.

The clubs have been locked in negotiations for days as a straight swap has proved increasingly difficult to agree because of different valuations and contracts.
Speaking after Manchester United beat Burnley 1-0 yesterday, Jose Mourinho provided an update.

“If you ask me if I think he is coming, I think so, but I have no confirmation.

“Expect soon or never. So close, so close, so close, if it doesn’t happen it is not going to happen. I know my people doing absolutely everything they can. I think they will be successful.”