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Mourinho critical of Negredo conduct

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has criticised Alvaro Negredo’s conduct in Chelsea’s win at Manchester City and believes that he should be disciplined by officials.

Mourinho was asked about West Ham’s quest to have Andy Carroll’s three-match ban for his altercation with Swansea defender Chico Flores overturned.
The Chelsea boss made it clear he was not speaking about Carroll’s case, but highlighted an incident in Monday’s win at the Etihad Stadium which provoked his ire, when City striker Negredo was competing for an aerial ball with Nemanja Matic, who had already been booked.
“I was not happy because he was trying to get Matic sent off,” Mourinho said.
“He knew Matic had a yellow card. Matic jumped just in front of me in a very clean way, and the other guy immediately (holds his face).
“He was trying (for a) second yellow card.
“(Referee) Mike Dean was there, the fourth official was there and the linesman was there, and they decided between them no yellow card.
“But if (there was) no yellow card for Matic, then for me yellow card for the other guy.
“He deserves the punishment if he’s trying to get the guy sent off.
“I’m not speaking about Andy Carroll. I’m speaking generally. You have to attack the guys who try to get people sent off.”
Mourinho, who accused Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen of simulation following an altercation with Fernando Torres earlier this season, is uncomfortable that the Hammers took the case outside of the Football Association’s disciplinary process.
Mourinho added: “I understand a club that loses an important player for three matches, if they think it’s not fair, I understand they’re not happy.
“I understand they try something to have their player, because they’re playing for their survival. Every game is important for them.
“(But) I don’t like the court.”
Mourinho’s managerial opponent on Saturday has been in disciplinary trouble this season and recently apologised for insulting Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew and Mourinho are friends and the Chelsea boss welcomes his counterpart’s emotional approach.
“Alan lives the game with emotion,” Mourinho said.
“He can have a big celebration if his team score or win in the last minute.
“He’s that kind of emotional guy. And I have no problem with that.”
It was suggested to Mourinho that Pardew’s actions suggest he is feeling the strain of working at a chaotic Newcastle.
“I think it’s better to work in a crazy big club than in a small club,” Mourinho said.
Chelsea could move into first place in the standings with victory, if Arsenal and Manchester City, who play at Liverpool and Norwich, respectively, fail to win.
Mourinho has continued to downplay Chelsea’s title chances and described his side as a “little horse” behind two big horses in the title race.
The claim was questioned on Friday regarding John Terry, who has led Chelsea to silverware on numerous occasions but last season was on the periphery of the first time.
“Last year (he) wasn’t going to the races; races with 25 horses and he was not there,” Mourinho said.
“I agree (that) this season he looks a fabulous horse.”
This season it is Ashley Cole who finds himself struggling for match time, with Spain right-back Cesar Azpilicueta Mourinho’s preferred left-back.
Like Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard, Cole is out of contract at the end of this season.
Asked if he thinks Cole will be happy to stay, Mourinho said: “I like the player, I trust the player, I want him to stay.
“The club is happy with that, so we don’t have a problem.
“(Whether he stays is) another part of the story that doesn’t depend on us.”

According to Foxsports

Moyes confident of filling void left by Vidic

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David Moyes is content to let his current crop of central defenders fill the gap created by Nemanja Vidic’s decision to quit Manchester United.

Vidic has confirmed his intention to seek a fresh challenge when his contract expires in the summer.
With Rio Ferdinand virtually certain to be leaving Old Trafford as well, it means Moyes must plan for life without the two men who have been the cornerstone of the Red Devils’ defence for almost a decade.
Numerous big names are bound to be linked with a summer transfer.
However, in Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, Moyes already has players with a combined total of 384 United appearances to call upon, in addition to 49 international caps and six league titles.
And while some may question whether the trio have what it takes to fill such vast shoes, Moyes will give them the chance.
“People who know football will tell you centre-half is probably the toughest position,” said Moyes.
“I even think it is harder to play centre-half than goalkeeper now.
“The movement and quality of the centre forwards means it is very difficult to play a young centre-half.
“We are trying to nurture one along and bring them into the team.
“Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans are already here. We will give them an opportunity to show what they are capable of.”
In addition to a new anchor at the heart of his defence, Vidic’s statement means Moyes is also on the lookout for a new captain.
Although there are alternatives in the form of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, the obvious choice – if he signs the contract extension United are discussing with him – would be Wayne Rooney.
Moyes is certain to give the matter some considerable thought given the importance of a role that has been held with some distinction by the likes of Bryan Robson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Roy Keane and – from the Busby Babes era – Roger Byrne.
“Captain of this club is a really big job,” said Moyes.
“It holds a massive responsibility. You have to be respected by your players and realise what the club stands for.
“Even without Vida we have always had that with Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney.”
Although it has cruelly been suggested Vidic is deserting a sinking ship, Moyes revealed it was a mutual decision to sever ties after over eight years’ service.
Though Vidic has not been the same player since rupturing cruciate ligaments in the Champions League defeat to Basle in December 2011, he has continued to lead United from the front, skippering the club to their last two Premier League titles.
“When I arrived at the club and saw Vida up close I thought ‘wow’,” said the United boss.
“He is a fantastic defender and a great warrior.
“They use the word quite loosely nowadays but if you think in terms of what that means, people like John Terry and Nemanja would come into that category.
“For years he has been a top central defender. He still is. He still plays a big part here but we felt it was the right thing to be open with it.
“His contract was coming to an end. We felt it was the right thing for him and we decided it was the right time to do it for the club.
“He will remain captain and continue to do it to the end of the season. Hopefully he will finish this part of his career here at Manchester United.”
With Evans not recovered from the calf injury he sustained in last Saturday’s defeat at Stoke, Vidic will return from a three-match suspension in Sunday’s Premier League encounter with an ailing Fulham outfit who are managed by Sir Alex Ferguson’s former United assistant Rene Meulensteen.
Marouane Fellaini will not be available though.
The Belgian has recovered from wrist surgery but suffered a minor groin strain in training earlier this week that will rule him out of both Sunday’s game and the midweek trip to Arsenal.
Meanwhile, the UK media understands United will embark on some warm-weather training immediately after the Emirates Stadium trip.
With a blank weekend following their early exit from the FA Cup, Moyes has opted to get away from England as part of United’s preparation for the Champions League encounter with Olympiacos in Athens on February 25.
Meulensteen returns to Old Trafford on Sunday with his Fulham side languishing at the foot of the Premier League table and, having worked closely with Vidic for a number of seasons, he recognises more than most what the player brought to the club.
“He has been been very important,” Meulensteen said of the Red Devils’ skipper.
“He has been rock solid. He is a fantastic defender, a world-class defender and a real success for Manchester United and has played a big part in the success they have had over many, many years.”

According to Foxsports

Ronaldo ban appeal rejected by Spanish FA

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Real Madrid’s challenge against Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-match ban has been rejected by the appeal committee of the Spanish football federation.

Ronaldo was sent off in Real’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao for his reaction to a push from Carlos Gurpegi and a confrontation with Ander Iturraspe in the 75th minute of the Primera Division match.
According to reports in Spain, Real will now take the issue to the Spanish Sports Disciplinary Committee in a bid to get the midfielder’s suspension reduced.
If Ronaldo’s case is rejected again, he will miss Saturday’s league clash against Villarreal and the following two games against Getafe and Elche.

According to Foxsports

Vidic set for summer United exit

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Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.

The Serbia defender’s contract expires in the summer and, while manager David Moyes has spoken about the positive influence Vidic still has at United and indicated he wanted him to stay, it is not thought he was offered an extension and he has now decided to move on.
“I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season,” said Vidic, in a statement released by United.
“I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years.
“I’m not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this club for so many years.
“I’ve got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family.”
Vidic is free to talk with clubs outside England under the Bosman regulations, with Inter Milan believed to be one of the front-runners to acquire his services.
Reaction to the 32-year-old’s impending exit from United fans will be interesting.
The player has been one of the most popular members of the Red Devils’ squad since he arrived from Spartak Moscow for £7million – a transfer bizarrely announced on Christmas Day in 2005.
He has played a central role in virtually all United’s significant triumphs since then – Vidic did recently reveal he handed his first winners’ medal from the 2006 Carling Cup to Giuseppe Rossi as the Italian had played in all the previous matches up to the final.
Last May, Vidic skippered United to their historic 20th championship – his fifth and the last under Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, the tough defender made only 19 league appearances as he battled to overcome a serious knee injury, suffered in a Champions League defeat to Basle in December 2011 that required two major operations, ruling Vidic out for extended periods on both occasions.
It was argued by some that Vidic has never been the same player since, although for experience alone he would still be an invaluable presence, especially as long-time defensive partner Rio Ferdinand seems certain to be leaving as well in the summer.
“It’s the last year of my contract and I have had eight wonderful years here,” Vidic said.
“My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career.
“I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow, memories that will live with me and the fans forever.”
That Champions League triumph over Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in 2008 remains the high point of Vidic’s entire career, given he subsequently featured in the final defeats to Barcelona in both 2009 and 2011, by which time the former Red Star Belgrade man had been elevated to captain.
Vidic’s overall contribution is underlined by his presence in the PFA Premier League team of the season on four occasions and the FIFPro World XI twice.
There are bound to be some who feel the defender, who is available for Sunday’s Old Trafford encounter with Fulham after serving a three-match suspension following his dismissal in the Premier League defeat at Chelsea last month, is jumping off a sinking sink.
With United stuck in seventh spot in the Premier League and Moyes facing a major rebuilding job amid questions – from some outside the club – about his suitability as Ferguson’s successor, it did seem Vidic’s trophy-winning days in England were at an end.
Barring an unlikely Champions League victory in May, that has now been confirmed, although Vidic will go down as one of the great United central defenders.
“I am now going to focus all my efforts on playing for Manchester United and do the best I can for the team until the end of the season,” he said.
“I hope this stops any further speculation about my future.”

According to Foxsports

Ter Stegen ready for Barcelona, insists Heynckes

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The former Bayern Munich coach has little doubt that the talented goalkeeper will succeed at the Catalans if he were to make the move this summer.

Jupp Heynckes believes Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has what it takes to replace Victor Valdes at Barcelona.

Valdes is set to leave the Catalans at the end of the season and they recently confirmed that Ter Stegen is one of the candidates to take his place.

The Germany international, 21, has already told Monchengladbach that he will not extend his current deal and Heynckes feels Ter Stegen is ready to make the step to the Camp Nou side this summer.

“Ter Stegen is ready to take Valdes’ place at Barcelona,” Heynckes was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

“He is still young, but he is already very mature.”

Ter Stegen is a product of the Monchengladbach youth academy and has developed into a key player at the Bundesliga side since making his official first-team debut in April 2011.

The young shot-stopper has kept six clean sheets in 19 league appearancees this term.

According to Goal