Real Madrid star begs Ozil not to join Barcelona from Arsenal

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is claimed to have pleaded with Mesut Ozil not to join Spanish giants Barcelona from Arsenal.

The Catalan giants are claimed to be keen on signing the German international, having been put off by first-choice target Philippe Coutinho’s Liverpool price-tag.

Ozil is out of contract come the end of the campaign and will be allowed to discuss terms over a potential free transfer from January, and Barcelona seem to be one of few options he remains keen on.

Manchester United are also strongly linked with his potential capture next summer, which would see him team up with manager Jose Mourinho once again, having worked under the Portuguese in the Bernabeu previously.

Former team-mate Sergio Ramos has urged his former colleague to snub the advances of Barca, with the Spaniard claimed to have called his counterpart in order to put him off betraying his former club Real Madrid.

Interestingly Ramos is believed to have stuck up for the midfielder in the dressing room when coming under scrutiny by Jose Mourinho, and the latter is who he could well be pushing for him to join.

Ozil has refused to rule out the possibility of extending his stay with our club, but many are refusing to be drawn into such a possibility as his departure remains the most likely outcome.

Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere are also in similar spots with their contracts also running out this summer, but the Chilean appears more certain to leave, while the England international has insisted that he wishes to sign a new deal with the club.

Would Ozil be put off a move to Barcelona due to his previous allegiance to Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid?

Read More:http://www.justarsenal.com/real-madrid-star-begs-ozil-not-to-join-barcelona-from-arsenal/83175

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen tops Sky Sports La Liga Power Rankings

Barcelona 'keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has topped the Sky Sports La Liga Power Rankings ahead of Valencia stopper Neto.

The German international made seven saves and kept his eighth clean sheet in the league during a 3-0 win at Leganes on Saturday to help Barca maintain their four-point lead atop La Liga.Valencia held their runners-up spot after beating Espanyol 1-0, with 'keeper Neto making four saves to keep his sixth league clean sheet this term and midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia (No 4, up 33 places) netting the winner.

Neto and Ter Stegen will come head to head at the Mestalla Stadium live on Sky Sports Football from 7.40pm on Sunday, with Valencia looking to move within one point of Ernesto Valverde's side.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11137016/barcelona-goalkeeper-marc-andre-ter-stegen-tops-sky-sports-la-liga-power-rankings

Antoine Griezmann insists he does not regret Atletico Madrid stay

Antoine Griezmann insists he does not regret staying at Atletico Madrid, and says he has had no discussions about leaving the club in January.

The Frenchman has been constantly linked with a move away from Diego Simeone's side, who are 10 points off La Liga leaders Barcelona and are on the brink of exiting the Champions League at the group stages.

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague said in his weekly column that Atletico are preparing for Griezmann's summer exit, with Barcelona and Manchester United heavily linked, but the 26-year-old has said he hasn't regretted staying at Atletico for this season.

He told French TV channel Telefoot: "I do not regret having stayed at Atletico. It was my choice, I am happy with my choice, even though I have gone seven games without scoring. I will score again soon."

Asked if he had discussed a potential January exit with anyone at Atletico, Griezmann added: "No. In addition, Diego Costa and Vitolo will come, so we'll try to keep the team high enough. These two reinforcements will do us good. An exit agreement? I did not speak about that with the president."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11838/11136467/antoine-griezmann-insists-he-does-not-regret-atletico-madrid-stay

Win a trip to see El Clasico by guessing Guillem Balague's all-time Real Madrid XI!

Fancy going to El Clasico in 2018? For the chance to win, try to guess Guillem Balague's all-time Real Madrid top XI.

From Puskas to Ronaldo, Real Madrid - Europe's most decorated club - has been the home of some of the world's greatest players, but who are the greatest eleven?

If you can match the selection of Sky Sports' Spanish football expert you'll be entered into the prize draw for the chance to see Real Madrid take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp in May - a showdown that could be a crucial title decider!

The winner will receive the following prize:

• Return flights to Barcelona including transfers
• 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Barcelona
• 2 tickets to Real Madrid v Barcelona on May 6, 2018

The closing date is 23:59 on December 31, 2017.

Full terms and conditions can be found on www.skysports.com/top11

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/20876/11135288/win-a-trip-to-see-el-clasico-by-guessing-guillem-balagues-all-time-real-madrid-xi

Alvaro Morata the elephant in the room at Real Madrid, says Terry Gibson

Alvaro Morata is the "elephant in the room" and solution to Real Madrid's continual struggles in front of goal this season, according to Sky Sports' La Liga expert Terry Gibson.

Zinedine Zidane's side drew a blank in the Madrid derby against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night to slip 10 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Morata's goal and assist for Chelsea in the 4-0 win over West Brom means that he has been involved in 12 goals in his first 11 Premier League games - a record by any Chelsea player in the competition's history.

"Morata is the elephant in the room for Real Madrid," Gibson said on the La Liga Weekly podcast. "He's five years younger than (Karim) Benzema, was in better form last season and should've got more games.

"(Cristiano) Ronaldo is 32, so they'll have to be in the market soon for another centre forward. There's a lack of movement from the front pair, and most of Ronaldo's goals in the last couple of season have been one-touch finishes.

"At the moment it doesn't seem to be suiting him with his back to goal. All the goals he scored, he was the final piece of the jigsaw, supplied service by a fantastic pass.

"His finishing is very direct and reliant on power as the last part of the puzzle. I just wonder now if he's not entirely comfortable with his back to goal, and whether it might be an idea to put him back onto the left and change the system slightly.

Sevilla head coach Eduardo Berizzo diagnosed with cancer

Eduardo Berizzo has been diagnosed with cancer, and reportedly told his Sevilla players at half-time of their remarkable 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Tuesday.

The Reds looked to be heading for a comfortable win in their Champions League Group C clash as two goals from Roberto Firmino and one from Sadio Mane put them 3-0 ahead.

However, Sevilla battled back in the second half and claimed a 3-3 draw, with Guido Pizarro scoring an injury-time equaliser.

Sevilla players ran to celebrate with Berizzo after the goal, and it has been reported in the Spanish media that the head coach told his players at half-time that he has prostate cancer.

Berizzo, 48, made no statement on his health when speaking after the win, however, Sevilla confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.

The club said in a statement: "The medical services of Sevilla FC report that the coach of the first team, Eduardo Berizzo, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"Future examinations will decide what steps to follow regarding the treatment. Sevilla FC wants to show their maximum support to their coach at this time and wishes him a speedy recovery."

Several Sevilla players had hailed Berizzo's powers of motivation to orchestrate their second-half fightback.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11834/11138405/sevilla-head-coach-eduardo-berizzo-diagnosed-with-cancer

Sky Sports La Liga Power Rankings' best XI this season

Which players would make the best La Liga XI so far this season? We've used the Sky Sports Power Rankings to work it out...

Barcelona have won 11 of their 12 league fixtures this season, only dropping points during a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in October.

However, reigning domestic and European champions Real Madrid are languishing 10 points adrift in third spot, and it's Valencia piling pressure on Barca in the runners-up spot.

But would any of Real's under-performing Galacticos make the best La Liga XI so far this season? We used the stats-based Sky Sports Power Rankingsto find out...

DEFENCE
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Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen topped the Power Rankings this week and claims his place between the sticks with eight clean sheets and 34 saves - conceding only four goals.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11827/11138529/sky-sports-la-liga-power-rankings-best-xi-this-season

European Paper Talk: Gareth Bale facing summer axe by Real Madrid

The transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy planning and contacting the players they hope to sign.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.

SPAIN

Gareth Bale is one of eight Real Madrid players who could be axed next summer. The reigning Spanish and European champions have endured a difficult start to the campaign, and the Welshman's injury struggles mean he could be let go in a squad refresh along with Lucas Vazquez, Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente, Kiko Casilla, Achraf Hakimi, Jesus Vallejo and Luka Modric. (Diario Gol)

Chelsea transfer target Marco Asensio has spoken out about his lack of a regular starting berth at Real Madrid, saying his situation is unlike Alvaro Morata's prior to the striker's summer departure for Chelsea.

"When [Morata] returned to Madrid…game time for him was important," he said. "I am only starting out my career, I'm a 21-year-old and cannot expect to be playing every match." (Marca)

Ivan Rakitic hopeful Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona

Ivan Rakitic is optimistic Lionel Messi will remain at Barcelona beyond next summer despite speculation over his future rumbling on.

The Argentina forward agreed a new deal until 2021 with the Nou Camp club in July but did not sign paperwork at first.

La Liga's president Javier Tebas claimed earlier this month a contract has now been signed, although questions remain over whether that is the case.

Rakitic, speaking at a news conference ahead of Barcelona's Champions League meeting with Juventus, said he wants to keep playing alongside Messi for the next few years.

He said: "Leo's part of the club's badge. I am confident he will stay. He is not just a very important player, he is more than that, looking at his career, how much he means for Barca.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11138508/ivan-rakitic-hopeful-lionel-messi-will-stay-at-barcelona

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European Paper Talk: Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli top Real Madrid wishlist

The transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy planning and contacting the players they hope to sign.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.

Spain

Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli are at the head of a five-man Real Madrid wishlist, with president Florentino Perez determined to make a significant splash in the summer transfer window.

The Spurs pair have caught the eye for Mauricio Pochettino's side, with Alli instrumental in downing Madrid when the sides met in the Champions League at Wembley recently.

Kane has recently said he would like to spend his whole career at Spurs, though, while there is no suggestion that Alli is angling for a move away. (Diario Gol)

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone believes his side can still qualify for the Champions League last 16. Los Rojiblancos beat Roma 2-0 on Wednesday night to keep their hopes alive and now need to overcome Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and hope that Qarabag can take a point off Roma when they travel to the Stadio Olimpico.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11139732/european-paper-talk-tottenham-duo-harry-kane-and-dele-alli-top-real-madrid-wishlist