Rafael Benitez has said that Chelsea are hopeful of winning the Club World Cup in Japan this week, with the Chelsea boss describing the is as a “massive tournament.” Chelsea play Mexican side Monterrey on Thursday, with the final against Corinthians or Al Ahly on Sunday if they progress. Benitez won the tournament with Inter Milan in 2010.
Petr Cech says the club is happy with the tag of favourites, saying that will have to live up to that billing on the pitch:
“We were already straight into the semi-finals, like Corinthians, so we have to be seen as the favourites, I can live with that fact. It's not a problem for us. We came to do our best and try to win the competition, and we can assume the position of favourites and will try to prove this on the pitch.”
Fernando Torres has also talked up the tournament, saying the attention it gets from the Brazilian fans shows how important it is. Torres heads to Japan on the back of two consecutive braces for Chelsea, with hope from Blues fans that he might be getting back to his best.
Another striker Chelsea are reportedly hoping to sign is Radamel Falcao, who scored five goals in Atletico’s 6-0 win at the weekend. Chelsea reportedly sent an assistant to Madrid over the weekend to discuss a move, but they may face competition from Real Madrid, with sources in Spain saying that Real are confident they can convince Falcao to leave their city rivals.
Liverpool are on course to meet Brendan Rodgers' request for early January signings following talks over an £18m outlay on Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince.
The Liverpool manager has operated with only one fit striker – Luis Suárez – for most of his debut season at Anfield, due to injury to Fabio Borini and a calamitous end to the last transfer window. The club are anxious to address their summer failings at the earliest opportunity and have made further progress on Rodgers' chief targets after negotiations with Chelsea and Blackpool.
Sturridge, who is expected to cost £12m and is keen on a move to Merseyside, could have joined Liverpool on transfer deadline day but Rodgers was reluctant to pursue a permanent deal – he favoured an initial loan move. His hopes of signing Arsenal's Theo Walcott in January have been frustrated by Arsène Wenger's determination to keep the England international at Arsenal until the end of his contract next summer.
Santos coach Muricy Ramalho has urged his star player Neymar to opt for Barcelona when he leaves Brazil, but only after the World Cup in 2014. Barcelona are current favourites to sign the player, with rumours they have already paid part of the transfer fee, but Chelsea came incredibly close to signing Neymar in 2011 and are reportedly still interested in a transfer.
Kevin de Bruyne is already looking forward to challenging for a place in the side when he returns to Chelsea in the summer. However, the 21 year old midfielder, who has been impressing whilst on loan at Werder Bremen, is aware of the fierce competition for places at Chelsea.
Dont forget to follow us on twitter @soccer4life133 for all the soccer update from across the globe.
No comments:
Post a Comment