Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has warned his team-mates against complacency as they look to win their first La Liga title since 2008.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit can move eight points clear at the top of the Spanish top-flight table with a win over Villarreal at El Madrigal on Wednesday.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has indicated that the Liga title is Madrid s to lose, given the distance between the two clubs, but Kaka is refusing to get carried away.
We have an advantage (over Barca) which means a lot and does not mean that much at the same time, he told AS.
We know that Barca are very strong and that they have great players, so we will have to be very alert until we have mathematically won the title.
Kaka added that his signing for Real bac…
Chelsea released a lengthy statement on Saturday issuing a profuse apology to former player Gary Johnson, after claims he was sexually abused as a child in the 1970s by a former Blues chief scout.
It came as an 18th police force confirmed they were investigating historical abuse claims in British football.
Here is Chelsea s statement in full:
Everyone at Chelsea Football Club has been profoundly shocked by news of historical child sex abuse across British football and our heart goes out to all the victims.
We pay tribute to the enormous courage of the people who have spoken out about the horrific abuse which they endured, including former Chelsea player Gary Johnson. We recognise that to do so, after carrying the burden of those events for …
Manchester United have completed the signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta on a five-year deal.
The 20-year-old, who scored 27 goals in 87 appearances for the Serie A side and has netted six times in six appearances for Denmark, has an option for a further year which would take his Old Trafford stay to 2029.
Hojlund told the club website: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player.
Rasmus Hojlund is a RED!
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
“I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me.
“It is still early in my …
Out-of-favour Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov would be open to joining Serie A giants AC Milan, according to the Bulgarian s agent, .
Since finishing the 2010-11 season as the joint top goal scorer in the English Premier League with 20 goals, Berbatov has found games hard to come by at Old Trafford.
Manchester United s record signing, who joined the Red Devils from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £30.75 million in September 2008, started just five league matches last term.
Despite the lack of playing time, Berbatov still managed to net seven goals in 12 league appearances.
He may leave Manchester United at any time. His most likely destination is Italy, he s always loved Italian football, Berbatov s agent Emil Dantchev told calc…
Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong has poured cold water on speculation linking him with a summer exit from Etihad Stadium.
The experienced midfielder has lost his place in the starting line-up following the arrival of Yaya Toure and was, therefore, expected to search for a new club this summer.
German giants Bayern Munich were one of the clubs thought to be interested in his services, but it looks as though De Jong will be staying at City after all.
The Dutch international has been offered a new deal at Etihad Stadium and he admits he is not thinking about leaving the club.
I don t want to talk about that at the moment, it s not in my mind however, I m playing football and I m happy here, De Jong .
I m happy when I m on the pitch and when I m play…
Celta s key man Nolito / Image via marca.com
Manuel Agudo Duran, simply known as Nolito is a late bloomer.
Impressively consistent performed in Spanish La Liga at the moment, this 29-year-old has come a long way from his boyhood club Sanluenqueno and Barcelona where he arrived at nearly 22 years of age.
Not to be regarded as your typical La Masia product, Nolito is a proof that hard work does pay off.
Unnoticed jewel
The Catalan club had no patience to wait for Nolito.
Unnoticed in an endless streak of attacking players in their ranks and after only two league games for Barcelona, the Spanish forward was transferred to Benfica in 2011. Two years, 35 matches for the Portuguese club later, and a loan spell at Granada sandwiched in between,…
Watford coach Walter Mazzarri has vowed to treat new signing M Baye Niang like his son after his previous struggles at AC Milan.
Niang joined Milan in 2012 after flourishing as a teenager at French side Caen and initially impressed in Italy, his dribbling abilities and pace marking him out as a talented prospect.
But inconsistency and off-field matters hampered his progress at the club, while loan moves to Montpellier and Genoa were not resounding successes.
Mazzarri is determined to give Niang who scored in Saturday s 2-1 win over Burnley every chance of living up to his potential at Watford, though, with the club having the option to make his temporary switch permanent at the end of the season.
I treat him as if he were my son, Mazzarri told re…
Willian says Frank Lampard has ability to succeed at Chelsea and would be very welcome back at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard is the considered a firm favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri after the Italian left to become head coach at Serie A champions Juventus after a single season at Stamford Bridge.
Derby County have granted the 41-year-old ex-England midfielder permission to speak to his former club about the role, although Rams owner Mel Morris has not given up hope of retaining his services.
Sarri reportedly struggled to corral Chelsea s dressing room, notably falling out with Kepa Arrizabalaga during the EFL Cup final, but experienced winger Willian insists legend Lampard would not lack support.
He deserves so much respect and backing for what he has alr…
Thousands of Manchester United fans stayed behind to protest against the Glazers’ ownership after the comeback win against Nottingham Forest.
It has been 18 years since the Americans’ controversial leveraged takeover of the club and nine months since they announced a strategic review.
The sale of United was one option being considered but the interminable potential takeover process rumbles on, despite offers from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Now is a window of opportunityNow is a time to be countedNow is a time to make a difference
Today after the final whistle
STAY IN YOUR SEATS PROTEST
History, Dignity, Integrity
They stole it all
For you For us For each other
The 1958
— The 1958 (@The__19…
Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri has heaped praise on Pescara s Christian Bucchi ahead of the two teams Serie A meeting on Saturday.
The upcoming opponents are enjoying vastly different fortunes with Napoli seven points clear in second and their hosts rooted to the bottom of the table.
Pescara are facing relegation to Italy s second tier after just one season but Mazzarri believes the job done by former Napoli striker Bucchi since replacing Cristiano Bergodi has been exceptional and is wary of complacency creeping into his team.
Pescara played so well against Roma, he said. Pescara are playing very well since (Christian) Bucchi s arrival unfortunately he arrived late.
It was clear he would have become a good coach, even when he was with us, he s an inte…