Schurrle expects Hazard to stay at Chelsea

The Belgian winger has been linked with a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain but his team-mate expects the 23-year-old to still be at Stamford Bridge next season

Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle believes Eden Hazard will remain at Stamford Bridge despite receiving public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho.

Hazard heads to the World Cup with Belgium on the back of a fine season at club level, yet his future has been the subject of speculation.

After the Stamford Bridge club exited the Champions League to Atletico Madrid at the semi-final stage, the 23-year-old appeared to question the tactics of manager Mourinho, who subsequently suggested Hazard was "not the kind of player ready to sacrifice himself 100 per cent for the team".

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move for Hazard, with coach Laurent Blanc openly airing his admiration for the forward.

Yet Schurrle, who has just completed his first season at Stamford Bridge, expects to play alongside Hazard again next term.

"The manager and the club know that Eden Hazard is a very talented and good player. I think we should not overestimate these things," said Schurrle in a press conference held at Germany's training camp ahead of the World Cup.

"Of course statements were published, but I believe Eden is very happy to be with Chelsea and Mourinho is happy to have him. Next season everything will be all right again."

Asked for his thoughts on Mourinho, the German replied: "I admire his attitude and his way of thinking. It's all about winning. He wants to win every game.

"He regards every title and every victory as a matter of course, no matter who's the opponent.

"I admire his will. I've never experienced something like this before. His greed for success is impressive."

Brazil have the world's best defence - Carlos Alberto Parreira

The 71-year-old believes the Selecao boast the finest backline at the World Cup but insists his side must earn their tag as favourites for glory this summer

Brazil technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira believes the World Cup hosts boast the strongest defence in the tournament as they prepare for next month's opening encounter.

With David Luiz poised to complete a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for just under €50 million, and with captain Thiago Silva having joined the French champions from Milan for €42m in 2012, the Selecao possess the most expensive central-defensive pairing in the competition this summer.

And with Real Madrid's Champions League final goalscorer Marcelo set to link up with the squad shortly, Carlos Alberto is confident that the defensive strength of Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will shine through.

"He [Marcelo] will get here by lunchtime tomorrow, that is something decided by the player himself," he told reporters on Monday.

"We trust these players. Just take a look at the team: we have the best and most expensive central defence in the world, Maxwell is here, great players, great strikers."

The 1994 World Cup-winning coach accepts Brazil are favourites this summer but insists the players must earn the right to be considered the strongest side and has warned of the extensive scouting assessments of their opponents this summer.

"We are not obliged to win, but we are favourites," he said. "At the 2002 World Cup, 90 per cent of the people would bet on Argentina or France, who didn’t make it past the group stage. This [favourites tag] isn't a game-changer. You have to get on the pitch and show you're worthy of it.

"We won't be surprised. We have two scouts, and people helping us to know about the other teams. Every team has been studied, not only our group opponents, but a total of 16 teams. You don't have to worry, we won't be surprised in that sense."

Brazil have not hosted international football's greatest tournament since their shock defeat to Uruguay in 1950 and Carlos Alberto insists the current team is determined to make amends for the infamousMaracanazo.

"It's different than anything we've participated in before," he said of this summer's showpiece. "Now we're at home, and we have to try and rescue that identity here. 

"We already lost one and don't want to lose another. Definitely, the Selecao will get a lot of love from the fans, they will be our 12th player, as important as they were during the Confederations Cup [in 2013]."

Meanwhile, Scolari's assistant Flavio Murtosa is confident Neymar will be fully fit for the opening clash with Croatia and says the squad is prepared for their assault on the trophy.

"The medical department will determine the state of every player," he said. "Neymar will have full conditions to train with the rest of the team, I believe. The fact that he already played 30 minutes against Atletico Madrid shows that he's recovered already.

"This group knows it's a difficult cup, but they have conditions to win it, and we'll work for that to happen."

Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham in talks with Southampton boss

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is in advanced talks with Tottenham to become their new manager.

Spurs have been looking for a new manager since sacking Tim Sherwood earlier this month.

Pochettino, 42, took over at Southampton in January 2013, when he replaced Nigel Adkins, and led them to eighth place in the Premier League.

His future at St Mary's had been in question, following the departure of chairman Nicola Cortese in January.

Spurs had previously been linked with a move for Ajax head coach Frank de Boer but Pochettino now appears to be the club's first choice.

The Argentine revealed earlier this month that he was set to discuss his future at the end of the season, which started speculation he was to leave St Mary's. 

He has one year remaining on his Southampton contract but wanted answers from the new board over the direction of the club before committing his future.

"It's up to the board to discuss with me the new project that will be in place for next season," Pochettino told BBC South Today on 9 May.

"It's not up to me to decide when those talks will happen."

 

CHELSEA RUIN WENGER'S LANDMARK 1000 GAME AS ARSENAL BOSS

Oops!! after a six -nil thrashing, Arsene Wenger can now swallow his pride and embrace the title "specialist in failure" as alluded by Jose Mourinho in the recent weeks. Rampant Chelsea were out to prove a point and what a good way to do it than beat a rival team in a London with such an incredible scoreline!

welcome to the most thorough blog site. Get all updates about the bundesliga, Epl, La liga and all football around the world. lets interact and grow this sport together. in the meanwhile , Didiwe Drogba will be back at stamford bridge tonight to play against his former chelsea which he helped win the UEFA champions league in 2012, whom do you think will carry the day? Evryone is waiting to see between Jose Felix Mourinho and Drogba Didier, who will have the last laugh.