SPORTS MANIA

CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi are the leading contenders for this year’s Globe Soccer awards. Both Ronaldo and Messi have dominated prize ceremonies in recent years having shared the Ballon d’Or between them since 2008. And they head the list of players in 2017 up for Globe Soccer’s Best Player of the Year award. They are joined by Paulo Dybala, Gianluigi Buffon, Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Kylian Mbappe. It will be the eighth edition of the Globe Soccer awards and Ronaldo has been named the player of the year on three occasions while Messi has won it once. As well as the players being celebrated for their accomplishments in 2017, the ceremony will also give out accolades to the best coach, best club, best agent and more. Zinedine Zidane leads the list of contenders to win coach of the year along with Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, and Massimiliano Allegri, Real Madrid are up for the award of best club after their La Liga and Champions League double while Monaco, wh...

The Blues return to Stamford Bridge after a decent run of away results and welcome a side that's stuck in the relegation zone Chelsea are trying to keep pace with a seemingly unstoppable Manchester City side and they will be expected to get all three points on Wednesday as they welcome Swansea City to Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte's side are now 11 points behind the league leaders despite an impressive 1-1 draw at Anfield as Pep Guardiola's side won again at the weekend, this time at Huddersfield Town. CHELSEA INJURIES Michy Batshuayi remains unlikely to play after suffering an ankle injury while with the Belgium national team. Charly Musonda and Kenedy have been out with minor injuries sustained in training. Victor Moses has recovered from his hamstring injury and made the bench against Liverpool on Saturday. He was an unused substitute, but he could start against Swansea on Wednesday. Chelsea are thought to have no new injury complaints after the side's m...

It was another zero-sum weekend for Manchester United as they edged past Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday only to watch on as Manchester City regained an eight-point hold at the Premier League summit with a 2-1 success at Huddersfield Town 24 hours later. As a result, Tuesday's trip to Watford is just the latest game which feels like a must-win occasion for Jose Mourinho's side. United 6/1 to win 1-0 United's poor form between the October and November international breaks has given their Manchester rivals a significant advantage at the top, but the returns of the likes of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini have at least stabilised the Reds in recent weeks.   But, with a trip to Arsenal to come on Saturday, this feels like a key week coming up for United and Mourinho will feel that nothing less than three points at Vicarage Road can prop up their fading hopes of winning the Premier League title. MAN UTD INJURIES Eric Baill...

JOSE MOURINHO has demanded more backing in the transfer market and is targeting four left-footed stars ahead of next summer. Manchester United have coughed up plenty of money since Mourinho’s arrival at Old Trafford but have still been outspent by fierce rivals Manchester City. City splashed out £80m more than United last summer and it is paying dividends with Pep Guardiola’s side bossing the title race so far this season. The Manchester Evening News report that Mourinho wants a greater injection of cash at the end of the season to make his side more competitive. And the Special One is reportedly looking to bring a better balance to his side by signing a number of left-footers. United are looking into swoops for Tottenham left-back Danny Rose, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale. All have been linked with moves to Old Trafford for some time and are looking increasingly likely to leave their respective clubs...

​Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly no closer to agreeing a contract extension with the Blues. The Belgian shot stopper's contract expires in 2019, and the ongoing saga surrounding his future has attracted other clubs.  Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are both said to be interested in Courtois and may want to take advantage on the current situation he has with Chelsea.  The  ​Daily Mai l are reporting that Chelsea are already lining up potential replacements for Courtois, should the club fail to commit the goalkeeper to a contract extension at the club. Chelsea are reportedly renewing their interest in England international and Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland. The Blues monitored a young Butland while he was at Birmingham City in 2013, but no guarantee of first team football put Butland off the move to London and instead signed for Stoke for £3.5m. Still only 24, Butland is considered one of the best young goalkeepers in E...

Despite Neymar's insistence that he's happy at Paris Saint-Germain and not looking for a return to Barcelona, it looks like the rumours of unrest are here to stay. It's been four months since the Brazilian moved to Paris in a world-record deal and already there are suggestions he wants out. Neymar's feud with Edinson Cavani over who takes penalties, coupled with a supposed fall out with manager Unai Emery, has resulted in doubts over his long-term future. Emery also claims there isn't a problem and said in a recent press conference that it's only natural for Neymar to still be adapting to life at PSG. "It is the same for all players when they are adapting to a new city, a new club, new teammates and that sort of thing," he told reporters. "It is a process and it is like that with all of the new guys. "Conversations with all of the players, Neymar included, are to discuss all of those sorts of things -- he is doing better and bett...

LIONEL MESSI has admitted he doesn’t like being benched at Barcelona, but understands why it can prove beneficial in the long-run. Messi had played every minute of the season in both La Liga and the Champions League prior to Wednesday’s match against Juventus. The Argentina international was dropped for the game with Saturday’s crucial league match against Valencia in mind. Barcelona currently sit four points ahead of Valencia in the Spanish top flight with Simone Zaza and Rodrigo firing them up the table. Messi has only been substituted into games on five occasions in the last three seasons with his involvement crucial to Barcelona’s success. But the 30-year-old admits he will have to listen to his body more as he reaches the latter stages of his career to prolong his playing days. “Every time I‘m on the bench, there’s a lot of commotion because I usually play, I don’t like sitting out, I like to participate and help from the inside,” Messi said. “But I understand it...

That is the claim from Spanish publication Don Balon who say Ronaldo has put his foot down. Ronaldo is said to have learned of Madrid’s interest in the Inter striker and gone straight to the top. The Portuguese was unhappy firstly that Karim Benzema would be replaced and secondly that one of Messi’s protege’s would be brought in. And he has flatly refused to let Madrid make the signing. It comes as Florentino Perez looks to overhaul the struggling forward line. Ronaldo and Benzema have just two goals between them in La Liga this season, with Gareth Bale adding two more himself. Real are third in La Liga, 10 points behind Barcelona, after 12 games. And, despite wining back-to-back Champions League titles, Zinedine Zidane is under pressure. Madrid are targeting a new striker and are looking at their options. Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe on their shortlist, while Icardi was also mooted. But that has now been put to bed afte...

The Belgium international midfielder joined Chelsea in 2012 and has been constantly linked with leaving for Madrid. Hazard has already registered his admiration for Zinedine Zidane and Madrid. He has six goals and five assists from 15 appearances in all competitions. “I am always very fine at this club. I still have two years of contract [left]. When I feel the desire to leave, I’ll leave. But, for now, I’m a Blue,” he told Canal+. “We know the admiration that I have for Real, but I’m at Chelsea. Every year, things were said about me but I stayed. “In Lille, I was announced in Paris, but I stayed. And in Chelsea, people always said that I’m leaving, but I’m still here.”

Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, has explained that he left Lionel Messi on the bench against Juventus to give him a breather, as Barcelona booked their place in the Champions League knockout rounds on Wednesday. Messi came on in the second half as Barca were held to a 0-0 draw in Turin. The decision to name the Argentina captain as a substitute had come as a surprise in the build-up to kickoff, as he had previously started each of Barca’s 16 La Liga and Champions League games this season. However, Valverde revealed that his plan was to rest the player ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Valencia. “Messi’s fine. It was a difficult decision. He feels a great deal of responsibility within the club and the team. “But he has played a lot of games and eventually he had to have a to rest. We thought it would be a tight game and then it would open up. The idea was he could come on in the second half, with the game more open. That was the decision,” Valverde stated...

​Antonio Conte praised both his players and Chelsea's supporters on the  club's official website   after Chelsea thrashed Qarabag 4-0 in Baku to book their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. A double from Willian and penalties from Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas gave Chelsea an easy victory and the Italian was full of admirations for the travelling fans and his players in the post match conference. Speaking of the great away atmosphere, Conte said: "I t’s also right to thank our fans because they had a long travel to follow their team. It means they have a big heart and they deserve great satisfaction." Discussing his team's dominant display, he said: " I like to speak about the team, not about a single player. I have to count on all my squad.  For Willian  to score two goals is great for him, his confidence and for the team. We have to continue in this way." Chelsea face a huge game with Liverpool on Saturday in the P...

 Manchester United’s perfect record in the Champions League group stage this season came to an end at St. Jakob-Park as Michael Lang’s late goal secured a 1-0 victory for the Swiss champions. Mourinho’s men still look on course to finish top of the group, with a home game against CSKA Moscow coming next. The Portuguese spoke with BT Sports after the game, “We lost because in the first half we should be 5-0 up but we could not score one goal after being so dominant. “It looked for many periods in the first half that it was impossible not to win. I think the majority of the second half the feeling of everyone was okay, it will be 0-0, but they got the late goal. “The first half was a perfect half without the goals. It was difficult to repeat in the second half, we knew the opponent would try a different reaction. “Did Pogba coming off have an impact on the team? I think it did have an impact, we were not such a good team after Paul came off but it had to be with the levels...

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says he cannot win with his team selection after being questioned about Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence. Mkhitaryan, 28, was left out of the squad that defeated Newcastle 4-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday and the Armenian cut a lonely figure at training this week. The Sun have reported that Mourinho has “major reservations” over the Armenia midfielder, who has made 13 Premier League and Champions League starts this season, scoring twice. Mkhitaryan became Mourinho’s third signing at United when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund for €42million in July 2016, but he has failed to fulfil his potential so far at United. Still he has had plenty of game time this season and Mourinho said at his press conference yesterday that the only reason he dropped Mkhitaryan was to play Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford together. The United boss has been under pressure to start the pair together and has admitted it would be “difficult” for the two attackin...

Luiz has missed the last two Chelsea games, not even making the bench against Manchester United, amid reports the defender and Conte have had a serious falling out. Conte was believed to have dropped Luiz after the centre-back openly questioned his tactics and fears are growing there is another Diego Costa-like situation brewing at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea manager has repeatedly denied a rift with Luiz and insisted again Andreas Christensen has earned his spot in the team. ‘I have always answered that it was a tactical decision,’ said Conte. ‘Every game I have to try to make the best decision for the team, and if I’m taking this decision it means Christensen is deserving to play. ‘In the past it happened the same at the start [of the season] with Eden. ‘Before he was completely fit he was on the bench, and then [we went] slowly, slowly to find the right form. ‘I think Christensen is playing very well but we have to play a lot of games, and we have to play every thre...

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, will offload at least eight players in a massive clearout, after a disastrous start to the current La Liga season. Zidane has come under fire, as they trail rivals Barcelona by 10 points. The Frenchman has now reportedly informed club president, Florentino Perez, of the players which are not part of his plans at the Bernabeu, according to Diaro Gol. Gareth Bale is among the players that will be put on the market, with Manchester United ready to pounce. Lucas Vazquez and Dani Ceballos could head out the door in January on loan deals until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Bale, Luka Modric, Marcos Llorente, Kiko Casilla, Achraf and Vallejo will all be made available for transfer next summer.

Lionel Messi has reportedly advised Barcelona to move for Chelsea favourite Eden Hazard amid claims Real Madrid are no longer keen on the Belgian. The former Lille man has long been linked with a move to the Bernabeu, but it’s suggested Real Madrid are ready to switch their attention to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian enjoyed a prolific start to life at Anfield. And Messi hopes Real Madrid’s reported decision to abandon their interest in Hazard will open the door to Barcelona, who still have money to spend from Neymar’s world-record sale to PSG in the summer. According to Don Balon, Messi has told the club that Chelsea star Hazard would perfectly compliment their strikeforce and would be better suited to playing alongside himself and Luis Suarez than Philippe Coutinho, in a slightly deeper role, would. Chelsea would be fight tooth and nail to keep Hazard at Stamford Bridge, but the player is reported to be keen to test himself in La Liga after his time in London...

MARCO ASENSIO has told Real Madrid to meet his demands or he will make a move to Chelsea, according to shock reports in Spain. The 21-year-old is concerned by his lack of playing time at the Bernabeu under manager Zinedine Zidane. And Spanish outlet Don Balon claim Asensio has stood up to Real president Florentino Perez and told him he will move to Chelsea if he isn’t given more opportunities to shine. The forward had a magnificent start to the season, netting twice in the Spanish Super Cup win over Barcelona. But since then he has found his chances limited and has had to make do with a place on the bench more often than not. What makes the decision to not use Asensio even more surprising is how much Real have struggled in recent weeks. The La Liga holders trail Barcelona by 10 points after 12 matches. And with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both struggling for form Asensio would seem like the most likely man to offer something different. Chelsea are looking to ...

​Belgium and Chelsea star Eden Hazard has returned to form with three goals in his last three Premier League games for the Blues.  His brace against West Bromwich Albion helped Chelsea see off the Baggies in a resounding 4-0 victory on Saturday.  However, Chelsea fans have had to wait to see their star man Hazard back to his best this season, after the attacking midfielder fractured his ankle in June while on international duty with Belgium. Hazard missed Chelsea's pre-season and opening three Premier League fixtures and only completed 90 minutes in the Premier League for the first time this season in October. ​​However, thanks to his long spell on the sidelines, Hazard says that his body feels better than ever and fully recovered.  " I am in good form. Since I came back from the injury I have been feeling good," said Hazard, via  ​Standard Sport .  "When you miss football for two months, you just want to be back on the pitch...

The pair fell out when Cavani missed a spot-kick earlier in the season Edinson Cavani has revealed Neymar will be on penalty duty at Paris Saint-Germain. The star duo were embroiled in a furious row in September when PSG were awarded a spot-kick against Lyon. Cavani eventually stepped up - but missed - and the tension between him and the Brazilian escalated. The row reportedly split the dressing room before Neymar eventually apologised. And Cavani has now said: "Neymar will take the next penalty." The Uruguayan admitted, however, that the forwards' relationship is strictly business. He added: "Neymar is successful and knows how to face pressure. "We don't need to be friends.We will help each other on the pitch." PSG host Celtic on Wednesday as they return to Champions League action.

Rose transfer plot Jose Mourinho is planning to raid Tottenham for Danny Rose in the January transfer window. That’s according to the Mirror, who claim Rose is frustrated at being left out of the Tottenham squad that faced Arsenal in the north London derby. Rose gave an explosive interview in the summer in which he stated his desire to one day return to the north of England, criticised Spurs’ transfer policy and their wage structure. And it is now being reported United are willing to pay £40million to bring Rose to Old Trafford. Alternatively, Mourinho is ready to offer Luke Shaw as a makeweight to sweeten the deal. Ibrahimovic issues title threat Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s characteristic bravado was underlined not only in a 13-minute cameo on the pitch but in his post-match demeanour too. He claims that United, with all their big players back, can reel-in runaway neighbours Manchester City and ensure a two-horse rather than one-horse race for the Premier League title. ...

Chelsea are reportedly ready to join Tottenham in the race for the in-form  premier league attacker Richarlison. The Brazilian has been outstanding as the Hornets have made an impressive start to the new Premier League season. Richarlison moved to Vicarage Road from Fluminense in the summer for a fee in the region of £13million and has taken to England’s top flight in thrilling fashion. The 20-year-old has scored four goals in 12 appearances for Watford so far and that has made several of the Premier League’s biggest hitters to sit up and take notice. According to The Sun on Sunday,  Chelsea chief Antonio Conte has joined the list of Richarlison’s admirers, although it would that Spurs are still at the front of the queue for the player’s signature. Tottenham are said to be lining up Richarlison as a potential replacement for Dele Alli, who has been continually linked with a move away from the north London giants, while Chelsea could swap one Brazilian for an...

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a £136million double raid on La Liga for two top players Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann. Both players have been long-term targets for Jose Mourinho and United are not said to be put off by Bale’s continuous injury issues. Bale is currently sidelined with a thigh injury and has missed an astonishing 40% of Real’s games since joining them from Tottenham in 2013. United, however, are said to be just waiting for the nod from Bale’s advisers before making a move for the Welshman, according to the report in the Sun on Sunday. The best United news direct to your facebook timeline: Like our dedicated Manchester Utd Facebook page. The one potential stumbling block for the Old Trafford club could be that Spurs have first refusal on bringing Bale back to north London. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were linked with a £60m swoop for Bale last week as they eye a big-money marquee signing to open their new stadium next summer. As for Griezman...

The coach has said that the Argentine isn't worried about his future and suggests that fans take the same laidback approach Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says fans should not worry about Lionel Messi's contract renewal. The 30-year-old agreed a new deal in July but the La Liga leaders are still to announce the signing of the document. The delay in the process has led to increased speculation over Messi's future, with the Argentina star available to hold talks with clubs in January over a possible free transfer next year, assuming the contract remains unsigned. However, Valverde has offered some advice to any supporters who are concerned about the prospect of Messi leaving Camp Nou. "I'd tell them not to worry, and to watch Messi play and realise that he isn't worried. It's a pleasure to watch him,"

Man Utd welcomed Paul Pogba back in to the starting line up for the game against Newcastle after two months out injured. Paul Pogba has admitted it 'hurt' to watch the team while he was out injured but he's delighted to be back. The Frenchman put in an impressive man of the match performance on his return to the Manchester United XI after two months out injured. Pogba hadn't played for United since he went off injured in September against Basel in the Champions League and he was back with a bang. He showed off some silky skill to set up Anthony Martial's first half goal before scoring United's third in the second half. Asked by BT Sport if he was pleased with the performance that saw United win 4-1, he replied: "Of course, we won we got the three points that’s the most important thing. "Zlatan came back, I came back and Marcos came back, we are happy.” But it hasn't been a happy two months for Pogba who spent time recovering in M...

Manchester United are reportedly set to make a shock move for Chelsea defender David Luiz. Jose Mourinho knows Luiz well from the their time together at Stamford Bridge and according to the Daily Express the United manager is keen on a reunion. The Brazilian is said to be frustrated with current Chelsea chief Antonio Conte, who dropped him from the squad to face United two weeks' ago. And Mourinho could 'step in' with an offer to move to Old Trafford. United have already done business with Chelsea this season, buying Nemanja Matic in what has proved to be one of the best deals of the summer. However, Luiz was sold by Mourinho to PSG in 2014, and is now back with the Chelsea squad ahead of the weekend's fixtures. United also strengthened at centre back in the summer with the acquisition of Victor Lindelof from Benfica. Elsewhere, Mourinho has pulled the plug on any move for Cristiano Ronaldo according to Spanish outlet Diario Gol. There were reports th...

Everything you need to know ahead of the derby at the Wanda Metropolitano today. Real Madrid are away to Atletico in La Liga today and Los Blancos will be eager to avoid losing further ground on leaders Barcelona in the title race. The Catalans are in action in Madrid earlier in the day at Leganes, before Real take on Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano. Zinedine Zidane's side are already eight points adrift of their Clasico rivals in third place, having lost at home to Betis and away to Girona, as well as failing to beat both Levante and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.             REAL MADRID INJURIES Gareth Bale is still out with a hamstring problem and will play no part against Atletico. Keylor Navas is back in training, but not yet ready to return, while Mateo Kovacic also needs more time to recover from his injury. Better news sees Dani Carvajal available again after a heart problem, while Luka Modric is also in contention despite be...