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Mauricio Pochettino would work on a farm rather than be a manager at Barcelona, but has refused to rule himself out of the running for Real Madrid Job

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino played his part in piling on the pressure on Zinedine Zidane, albeit inadvertently. The Real Madrid manager suffered a barrage of criticism after his team crashed out of the Copa Del Rey. Zidane did not play a full strength team against the minnows Leganes, who shocked the world and beat Real 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. The result meant that Madrid were dumped out of the cup on away goals rule.

The Tottenham manager refused to rule out a move to the European Champions. Admitting uncertainty over his future, he said, “You never know in football. That is the problem. It is a very unstable situation.”

Pochettino went on to state that his commitment to a club is absolute. The former Espanyol manager was adamant that there is no chance he would manage Arsenal or Barcelona. He has deep ties with Barca’s cross-town rivals, who he played for 8 years and managed for a further three and a half years. “I am never going to be a manager at Barcelona or Arsenal because I am so identified with Tottenham and Espanyol. That is my decision — I prefer to work on my farm in Argentina than in some places.”

Pochettino also hit back at Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman took a swipe aimed at Pochettino and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. He said that other clubs were receiving more credit despite Arsenal winning 3 of the last 4 FA Cups. Pochettino replied, “Going back to Liverpool and Tottenham… this is what he [Arsene Wenger] has to understand — how difficult it is for a manager or a coach here, with these clubs (where) you don’t have full control.”

“That is the difference to him. He has full control over everything. He decides whatever he wants to do. That is why you appreciate when Liverpool or Spurs play well. They are completely different for the manager.” Earlier, Pochettino pointed out how his job security is not absolute like that of Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Tottenham will play League-Two side Newport in the FA Cup during the weekend. Pochettino would be keen to avoid a case of giant-killing, something that his potential future employers suffered a couple of days back.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are interested in signing Rodriguez, who can operate both as an attacking midfielder and as a winger.

James Rodriguez

The 26-year-old Colombian international joined German club Bayern Munich from Spanish outfit Real Madrid on a two-year loan deal in the summer of 2017. The former FC Porto star, though, has suggested that he is happy at the Bundesliga club at the moment, and only he will decide his future.

Rodriguez told El Chiringuito, as translated by Goal.com: “For now, I’m only thinking about Bayern. No one knows what’ll happen in the future. My present is at Bayern, and it depends exclusively on me if I’m going to leave or stay.”

Rodriguez would be a much needed signing for Liverpool, who could do with someone of his quality following the recent departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in the January transfer window.

The Colombia international attacker has scored three goals and provided four assists in 10 Bundesliga starts for Bayern so far this season.

Bayern are going strong in the Bundesliga at the moment and are also one of the favorite to win the Champions League this season. Rodriguez joined Madrid from AS Monaco in the summer of 2014 for a transfer fee reported by The Guardian to be worth £63 million.

It was reported earlier in the campaign that Chelsea are very much interested in bringing Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci to Stamford Bridge.

Conte has informed Chelsea owner Abramovich that he wants Leonardo Bonucci and Paul Pogba.

Conte is a huge fan of the Italian and it seems that the Italian manager is very keen on bringing the defender to the club. However, with Juventus tracking the developments pertinent to Oscar, it has been reported that the Blues are ready to offer Oscar to the Italian club in exchange for Bonucci.

The Italian has been a key member of Allegri's squad and played an important role in the retaining of the Serie A this season. On the other hand, the progress of Oscar with Chelsea has hindered to a great extent. The Brazilian International has been poor this season and Conte believes the sale of Oscar would not affect the team.

However, the arrival of Bonucci would certainly prove to be a telling blow to club legend John Terry's future at the club. Terry has not been offered a new contract and Chelsea is currently waiting for the approval of Conte for the same.

The arrival of Bonucci would certainly mean that there would be no more future for Terry at his childhood club.

The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham is certainly known to everyone in England. The North London derby is one of the most fiercely contested battles in the Premier league.

Arsenal boss Wenger claims current Tottenham dominance won't last

Hence, it was not a surprise when Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stated that he does not believe Tottenham would be able to replicate the dominance they showed this season for long. Arsenal are very likely to finish below Tottenham in this Premier league season with the Gunners at third place, one place below Tottenham.

The Frenchman, however, stated that the season is not yet over and Arsenal would like to finish second behind Leicester. He also added that even if Tottenham indeed finish above Arsenal, it is an one-off case, an incident which has happened only once in around 20 years.

Wenger has been under tremendous pressure this season for not delivering the Premier league title. The fact that Tottenham will most probably finish above them has infuriated the fans even more, although it has been reported that the Arsenal manager will not be leaving the club at the end of the season.

It has been reported that incoming Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is interested in bringing West Ham left back Aaron Cresswell to the Etihad this summer.

City are hoping to land West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell (26) as a homegrown replacement for Gael Clichy.

Cresswell has been impressive for the Hammers this season and has played a key role in West Ham's surge to the top half of the table this season. Bilic has used the English defender as an attacking outlet from the left, a quality that Guardiola would like in his full backs.

The Spanish manager realizes the need for an upheaval in his future club on the basis of their performances this season. Although the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League this season, the way they limped out of the competition and their dire form in the league has led Guardiola to the conclusion that the team needs some quality additions.

The performance of Kolarov and Clichy in the game against Southampton and Real Madrid was worrisome and Guardiola believes the signing of Cresswell can increase the competition in the full back department.

It was very much inevitable that Tottenham were about to offer their main striker Harry Kane a new deal after enjoying such a great season.

Harry Kane is set to agree a new contract with Tottenham worth £100,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player in their history

Although the England International only signed a new contract of five years worth £50,000 per week last February, it has been reported that the club has taken the step of offering the striker a new deal worth £100,000 per week.

The rise of the England International in the last two years has been sensational and the club believes that it is important that they keep hold of one of their prized assets this summer. Kane has been linked with various Premier league clubs including the likes of Manchester United.

Hence, the Tottenham management have taken the bold step of crossing their £80,000 per week wages and offer their star forward a new deal. Kane has scored 46 Premier league goals in his 70 Premier league appearances for Spurs and is very much in contention to lead the line for England in the Euros.

The reaction of Kane to this decision from the management has not yet been taken but it seems only a matter of time before Kane signs the dotted line.

It seems Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is not happy with the goalkeeping coach of the club Christophe Lollichon.

Thibaut Courtois 'in row' with Chelsea coach to raise further doubts over future

Courtois is not comfortable with Lollichon and has stated their working relationship as one of the factors for his unimpressive performances this season. Courtois has not been able to carry on his fine form from last season into this due to suspensions and injuries.

The fact that Lollichon stayed with the club even after club legend Petr Cech, with whom the coach has a good working relationship, left for Arsenal would favor him in this battle. The club has also stated that Lollichon would not be pushed out of the club.

This would certainly be interesting to see where it heads and according to various reports, Courtois has already informed incoming manager Conte about the current situation. Conte has asked the club to remove Lollichon but Chelsea remain adamant that the future of the coach is very much at Stamford Bridge.

Colombian hitman Radamel Falcao has been left out of the preliminary Columbia squad consisting of 40 players for the upcoming Copa America Centenario tournament.

Radamel Falcao has been omitted from the Colombia squad for next month's Copa America.

Monaco loanee Falcao has struggled for game time this season with his club Chelsea and has also not featured for his country since last October. The former Porto forward has struggled with injuries this season and has hardly been missed for both club and country.

Hence, Jose Pekerman has taken the decision to leave Columbia's joint top goal scorer out of the tournament. Carlos Bacca and Adrian Ramos have been expected to lead the line for Columbia in the absence of Falcao.

Falcao, once considered as one of the best strikers in the world, has been out of form for around the last two years, largely because of his struggles with injuries. Currently, due to his unimpressive performances, his club and country future look very bleak.

His parent club Monaco, who signed him for big money, are looking to off load the former Atletico forward in order to get rid of his extravagant wages.

It was reported earlier that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was poised to become the next Manchester United manager in the next season.

Manchester United have asked Jose Mourinho to replace Van Gaal as manager, in the summer of 2017.

However, according to some sources, it has been stated that United executive vice-chairman Woodward has asked the Portuguese manager to wait for another year in order to bag the United job.

One of the major reasons for this decision is the fact that Woodward is reluctant to sack current United manager Louis Van Gaal who still has a year left on the contract he signed in 2014. It has been stated that is because Woodward feels that it would mean that he made a mistake in appointing the Dutchman in the first place.

With Mourinho very much interested in coming back to management in this summer itself, it seems that the former Real Madrid has refused the offer put forth by Woodward and is not ready to wait for another year having come this close.

Mourinho has also been linked with a move to PSG in the past few weeks and it can be a possibility that the Portuguese manager may choose to move to France given the current developments.

The future of Riyad Mahrez is very much in the balance according to his agent.

Agent admits there's a '50/50' chance Riyad Mahrez could leave Leicester

The Algerian International has been in exceptional form for the Foxes this season scoring 17 times and having 10 assists. The former Le Havre midfielder has been linked with various top European club including the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal.

The Algerian International won the PFA Player of the Year award just a few days ago and his agent believes that his future at the King Power is uncertain.

The form of Mahrez has certainly not been unnoticed by several major clubs, a fact which has been emphasized by his agent as well. Mahrez was linked with a move away from the club in the January Transfer window but chose to stay at Leicester.

The decision proved to be a wise one given the fact that Leicester created history by claiming their first English Premier League title. The winger is currently satisfied with life at Leicester but has not ruled a move away from the club this summer.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has stated that the best managers he played under are Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger.

Cesc Fábregas noted José Mourinho and Arsene Wenger as his favorite coaches

Fabregas played under Wenger at Arsenal since he was 16 before leaving the club in 2011. The former Barcelona midfielder stated that Wenger was more important because he gave him the opportunity to show what he can do at the tender age of 16.

On the other hand, Fabregas praised Mourinho because he believed the former Chelsea manager gave him the belief he was lacking when he signed for the Blues in 2014. The Spanish midfielder endured a lukewarm final season in his three year spell at the Nou Camp before returning back to the Premier league.

Fabregas was disappointed with the way he could not win the Premier league title with Arsenal. Hence, the fact that he won the Premier league in his first season back to England under Mourinho in 2015 made him grateful to the Portuguese manager even more.

The former Arsenal midfielder also played under the likes of Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova and Tata Martino at Barcelona.

The fact that Arsenal need a commanding midfielder is old news and has been talked about for various seasons.

Arsenal remain keen on FC Porto midfielder Danilo

It has been reported that Arsene Wenger is certainly looking to bolster that department and is interested in signing Porto's Danilo Pereira. Apparently, some scouts were assigned to see the midfielder in action in their recent game against Sporting.

Sporting's William Carvalho has also been on the Arsenal radar for various seasons but it has been reported that Arsenal are more keen to sign the 24 year old Danilo.

One of the major reasons for Wenger to bolster his midfield department is due to the imminent departure of his veteran midfielders which includes the likes of Rosicky, Flamini and Arteta. They are currently out of contract of next season and will most probably leave the club at the end of the season.

Arsene Wenger was criticized for not improving his midfield department and it was cited as one of the major reasons why they lost the title to Leicester City this season.

According to some reports, German club Augsburg are currently tracking the developments of Chelsea loanee Marko Marin.

Marko Marin's agent is negotiating with Augsburg.

However, according to his agent, there have been no developments with respect to the future of the 26 year old for next season. Marin joined the Blues in 2012 and has been a perpetual loanee ever since. The German midfielder was a squad member of the team that won the Europa league in 2013 but was never able to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.

He is currently plying his trade on loan in Turkey at Trabzonspor wherein the Turkish club have stated to Marin that he does not feature in their future plans. Once touted as the next big thing in Germany, Marin earlier endured loan spells at Sevilla, Fiorentina and Anderlecht after coming to Chelsea.

Marin has been linked to a return to his home country next season but agent Fali Ramadani has stated that there has been no contact from the German club.

The match between Tottenham and Chelsea was always going to be a feisty affair.

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri called to say thank you, says Guus Hiddink

One team was fighting for the title, their first since 1961. The other team were the current Premier league champions and were not interested in surrendering their title to a major London rival. Above all, this was a major London derby with the result mattering to the fans more than at least Chelsea's league position.

Hence, it was not a surprise to see the way Chelsea came back in the second half. The intensity and the passion shown by the Blues was one which was never seen in any of their games in this season. The way the crowd pushed them at times made one feel like it was Chelsea who were fighting for the title.

Finally, Chelsea did hammer the final nail in Tottenham's coffin. Again it was Hazard's goal that decided the Premier league champions and Ranieri was quick to thank the Chelsea manager for the effort put in.

It was more of Chelsea not allowing Tottenham to win but there was also an element, where they wanted this fairy tale to happen and their former manager to be successful. Ranieri would not care one bit what made Chelsea do this, but he definitely acknowledged the effort put by his former club.

Hiddink stated that Ranieri was emotional and said thanks about five times in their conversation through the phone. This is not something that a football fan often witnesses, let alone the manager of the team that won it.

It is a fact that would take a lot of time to register in one's mind. With odds of 5000/1 to win the Premier league title at the start of the season and most of the so called experts predicting them to fail under their new manager, it has hardly surprising to see the disbelief at the fact that Leicester City are the new Premier league champions.

Leicester City win Premier League title after Tottenham draw at Chelsea

It is ironical to state that former Premier league champions Chelsea played their heart out in order to salvage a draw against Tottenham to make Leicester the new champions. It was a tribute to their former manager, who was ridiculed in his last spell as a manager in the Premier league.

From being sacked as Greece manager to winning the Premier league title with relegation contenders in the space of few months, Ranieri has completed one of the most remarkable achievements in sporting history.

Ranieri certainly brought about certain changes to his management style, which was crucial to Leicester winning the title. The Italian was known as the Tinkerman during his spell at Chelsea, due to the various changes he made to the starting line up on a regular basis.

Leicester City won the Premier League 🏆

Congratulations 😎👌🔥🏆 #LCFC pic.twitter.com/Y0Qoq6qfxt

— SportsRooter.com (@SportsRooter) May 2, 2016

However, this season, he has made only around 27 changes to the starting line up and has kept a very steady eleven throughout the campaign. Former Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker, who played under the Italian when at Chelsea, also pointed out this important fact.

This is an event where David has certainly beaten Goliath, where the bridesmaid has finally become the bride. It may happen that Leicester may falter next season. But even the most ardent Leicester fans would not care about next season. This is a time for them to embrace this event, to get inspired by it and revel in it until it has sunk in completely.

It has been reported that Swansea City are keen to sign their former midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool.

Swansea want a Joe Allen-Brendan Rodgers reunion at the Liberty this summer

The Swans were interested in bringing the Welsh midfielder to the Liberty stadium in the January Transfer window but the move failed to materialize. However, the Welsh club is still very much interested in bringing back the Liverpool midfielder, amidst rumors that former manager Brendan Rodgers may take over the reigns next season.

Joe Allen has been a bit part player for the Reds this season under Klopp. He currently has one year left on his contract, starting from this June, and there have been no talks with respect to the extension of his deal.

Hence, Swansea would look to swoop in and make the move for their former midfielder. The Swans have struggled this season but have been able to crawl their way back to safety under new manager Guidolin. However, it has been reported that Brendan Rodgers is the favorite to replace the Italian next season.

The fact that Ross Barkley is one of the most exciting young talents is something everyone is aware of and the fact that young player is not ready to extend his deal is worrying for his current club.

It has been reported that Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is not unhappy with the fact that his side have to play Southampton on Sunday, with their Champions league game due on Wednesday.

Pellegrini blasts ‘unbelievable’ Premier League over Southampton fixture

Pellegrini is frustrated at the fact that his semi-final opponents Real Madrid, who play on Saturday, would enjoy an extra day of rest. Earlier in the campaign, Pellegrini faced a similar problem when they were scheduled to play a FA Cup game against Chelsea before the pre quarterfinals against Dynamo Kiev.

On that occasion, the Chilean fielded an under strength side, a squad mostly with youth academy players. However, in this case, the manager cannot take a risk with Champions league qualification at stake. United are five points behind them with a game in hand in the league table. Any slip up would certainly give the Red Devils the opportunity to catch City.

Pellegrini believes that his team deserves to get the same amount of rest as his opponents. However, it has been reported that it is due to the television coverage issues that City is forced to play the game on Sunday.