Talks are already underway – Antonio Conte and Chelsea could complete deal to lose key man to Real Madrid

According to Spanish source Diario Gol, Chelsea star Eden Hazard is stalling signing a new contract with the Blues in order to push through a move to Real Madrid.

The Belgian injured his ankle last season which dented his chances of joining Los Blancos.  Diario Gol has claimed that Madrid are still keen to sign Hazard and that talks between the Stamford Bridge outfit and Real are already underway.

The 27-year-old is at the peak of his career and despite the fact that Chelsea are underwhelming in their defence of the Premier League title and could struggle to qualify for the Champions League, it is easy to see why Hazard is tempted to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Hazard was back in action on Sunday as Chelsea slumped to a 1-0 defeat against runaway League leaders Manchester City. The result left the Blues in fifth place on the League standings and five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham who occupy the last Champions League qualification spot.

Despite the fact that the scoreline reflects a close game, Chelsea were totally dominated on the day and Pep Guardiola’s men fully deserved the three points. Blues boss Antonio Conte was widely criticized for his managerial tactics during the game and did not have an attacking plan. He opted to start without a recognized forward despite having Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata to call upon and opted to use Hazard as a false nine.

The source has also added that Karim Benzema is aware that he will be sold at the end of the season. The Frenchman has been below par this season and he is likely to end up leaving as part of the squad revolution which Madrid are likely to undergo.

Barcelona confirm Andres Iniesta injury concern 10 days before Chelsea clash

Andres Iniesta has handed Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde a major injury concern ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Chesea after suffering a hamstring injury during the 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday [4 March].

The Blaugrana captain enjoyed an impressive start to the game at the Nou Camp but had to be replaced by Andre Gomes just minutes after Lionel Messi gave his side the lead with a marvellous free-kick.

Barcelona managed to hold that advantage until the end of the match to take a big step towards the La Liga title and increase their advantage over second-place Atletico to eight points with 11 fixtures remaining.

But the victory came at a heavy price for the La Liga leaders, with a scan confirming that Valverde could be without Iniesta over the coming games due to his latest hamstring blow.

"Andrés Iniesta has suffered a hamstring injury in his right leg that forced him off in the first half of Barça's 1-0 win over Atlético at Camp Nou," Barcelona confirmed through an official statement.

"The Barça midfielder first felt the problem after 20 minutes and despite continuing out on the field, he was finally replaced by André Gomes on 34 minutes. Medical tests carried out at the end of the game have confirmed the injury and his recovery will determine when he returns to action."

Barcelona have the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Andre Gomes, Paulinho and Denis Suarez available to fill the void but Valverde admitted that losing Iniesta for the coming games would be a major blow for his side.

"Without Iniesta we lose a unique player, irreplaceable. It's difficult to find a substitute because there is no-one like him in the world. Let's hope the injury is nothing serious," Valverde said in a press conference following the win over Atletico.

Barcelona failed to set an exact time frame on Iniesta's recovery, but initial reports from Catalunya Radio claim that the 33-year-old midfielder could eventually be sidelined for between three and four weeks.

If this report proves to be accurate, Iniesta would certainly miss the decisive second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea on Wednesday 14 March, with Barcelona looking to capitalise on that initial 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Iniesta could also miss coming games against Espanyol, Malaga and Athletic Club Bilbao and take advantage of the following international break to step up his recovery and be ready to to help Barcelona during the run-in.

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/barcelona-confirm-andres-iniesta-injury-concern-10-days-before-chelsea-clash-1665178

"PSG need strong referee against Madrid"

Paris Saint-Germain need a ‘strong’ referee in the second leg of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid, according to their sporting director.

Antero Henrique was critical of Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi from the first leg at the Bernabeu, and also took a swipe at Deniz Aytekin – who officiated their 6-1 loss at Barcelona last season.

“The first leg was influenced by more than just the 22 players on the pitch,” Henrique told an interview with L’Equipe, as cited by Marca.

“We do not look for excuses but everybody felt the same way and in my opinion there was a lack of respect shown for Paris and for France.

“It was the same last season and we must ask ourselves why this is happening, and why referees with no experience are in charge of our games.

“We must have someone who is strong and is of an exceptional level to make sure the right decisions are met.”

See the latest La Liga predictions and betting tips with Eurotips.co.uk

Read more: https://www.football-espana.net/70305/psg-need-strong-referee-against-madrid

Barcelona news: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez support Valverde's Ousmane Dembele snub

LIONEL MESSI and Luis Suarez are both supportive of the reason Ousmane Dembele was an unused substitute in Barcelona's win over Atletico Madrid, according to reports.

The French winger did not come off the bench as Barca claimed a huge 1-0 win that puts them eight points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

Instead, misfit Andre Gomes came on to play 54 minutes on the left side of midfield after Andres Iniesta's injury - despite the role appearing a natural fit for Dembele.

And Spanish outlet Diario Goal say that the summer signing was bemused by manager Ernesto Valverde's decision to leave him on the sidelines, to the point that he did not join in the post-match celebrations with his team-mates at Camp Nou.

They report that the reason behind the former Borussia Dortmund forward's absence is down to Valverde's frustrations over his poor work-rate.

Valverde has introduced a 4-4-2 formation this season with Barca's wide men expected to fulfil defensive duties as well offer offensive threat in his system.

But the manager feels that 20-year-old Dembele is not doing enough to help out the team, and that is an opinion said to be shared by kingpins Messi and Suarez.

The South American pair are both well aware of Valverde's demands and believe that all of Barca's starting eleven must press and run regardless of their positions.

Diario Gol even suggest that Messi and Suarez believe Dembele has not yet adapted to his new role and that he still has the attitude he had when playing for German club Dortmund, where he had more freedom.

Messi is the only player who is forgiven for forsaking defensive responsibilities under Valverde and the duo believe that unless Dembele changes his game, he faces many months sat on the bench.

The £135.5 million addition, who scored 10 goals and added 21 assists in all competitions for Dortmund last season, has only made 10 appearances for Barca so far and has yet to score for his new club.

A thigh tendon rupture in September sidelined him for nearly four months before he suffered another muscle problem soon after his return in January. 

Since regaining full fitness, Dembele has started just once, come off the bench twice and remained an unused sub in wins against Atletico and Eibar.

Dembele was Barca's club-record addition before Philippe Coutinho's £142 million January arrival.

But while Coutinho has reportedly earned the respect of full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba for carrying out the defensive work expected of him, Diario Gol say Coutinho's presence is not a factor in Dembele's lack of recent minutes.

Barcelona face Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night after drawing 1-1 in London a fortnight ago.

And Dembele will hope to be involved with former Liverpool man Coutinho cup-tied and Iniesta having gone off injured against Atletico on Sunday.

Barcelona news: Lionel Messi STUNS team-mates with Ernesto Valverde agreement

LIONEL MESSI has reportedly stunned his Barcelona team-mates by announcing that he will take a step back from their La Liga campaign.

Messi bagged the only goal of the game as Barcelona beat title rivals Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp yesterday to move eight points clear at the top of the table.

They look a sure-fire bet to win the league and, according to Spanish publication Diario Gol, the Argentina superstar will only feature in important games on all fronts until the end of the season.

Barcelona face Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie next week and will hope to go all the way in the competition.

The Blaugrana also face Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final next month.

Messi wants to secure the treble with Barcelona but is already focusing on this summer’s World Cup.

It is the only major trophy missing from his haul and he is determined to guide Argentina to glory in Russia.

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/927219/Barcelona-News-Lionel-Messi-Team-Mates-Ernesto-Valverde-Atletico-Madrid-Rumours-Gossip

Barcelona news: Lionel Messi reveals SECRET about Neymar and Real Madrid

LIONEL MESSI has reportedly told his Barcelona team-mates that Neymar WILL join Real Madrid next season on one condition.

Neymar left Barcelona last summer for a world record fee worth £198million to join Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

But there have been constant speculation suggesting the 25-year-old is unhappy with life in PSG.

Real president Florentino Perez is said to be strongly interested in bringing him back to Spain in a move that would rock La Liga.

Neymar was forced to tears on international duty earlier in the season to deny rumours about time at PSG.

However, Spanish outlet Mi Otra Liga claim Neymar has held conversations with Messi about what his next move will be.

And the Argentina international has relayed the message to his Barcelona team-mates.

Neymar reportedly told his friend he intends to join Los Blancos at the end of the season if PSG don’t make the Champions League final.

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/910950/Barcelona-news-Lionel-Messi-Neymar-transfer-Real-Madrid-PSG-gossip-rumours

Neymar to Real Madrid: PSG president offers HUGE transfer update

That’s according to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

The Brazilian arrived in Ligue 1 from Barcelona last summer for a world-record fee of £198m.

But despite an impressive first half-season in Paris, in which he’s already bagged 26 goals, the 25-year-old reportedly wants to leave the club.

Neymar is believed to be unhappy following fallouts with manager Unai Emery and strike partner Edinson Cavani.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has made it clear he wants to bring the forward to the Bernabeu and is willing to sacrifice star striker Cristiano Ronaldo to do so.

Reports this week suggested that Al-Khelaifi had promised Neymar he could go this summer if he helped the French club to Champions League glory.

But the Qatari has dismissed suggestions that his talisman is going to leave the club.

"When I listen [to the rumours], I smile because it is not true," he told L'Équipe.

"We have Neymar, he is very happy here, he is happy to score. We signed five years here. It's been four months. I do not think he wants to leave.

Read More: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/677529/Neymar-transfer-update-Real-Madrid-PSG-Champions-League-Florentino-Perez?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-star-football+%28Daily+Star+%3A%3A+Football+Feed%29