'Eriksen is ready for the big time' - Olsen

 

The Denmark boss says the Ajax youngster is set for a move to a European giant amid speculation linking him with a switch to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund this summer

Ajax attacker Christian Eriksen is ready for a move to a bigger club, according to Denmark coach Morten Olsen.

Speculation has intensified in recent weeks over where the 21-year-old will be plying his trade next season, with some believing he is being lined up by Borussia Dortmund in a bid to replace Bayern Munich-bound Mario Gotze.

Olsen, who coaches the starlet at international level, says Eriksen has come of age and is well-equipped to handle a move to one of Europe's finest clubs.
"This is the right time for him to go," Olsen told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet. "There are many players who moved to a top club too early, but Christian is really ready.
"He played great against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, PSV and Feyenoord this season, so maybe that's where Dortmund's interest stems from."

In addition to BVB coach Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is also rumoured to be a fond admirer of the Denmark international - whose Ajax deal expires next summer - but last month the Dutch champions denied reports of a deal being struck by the Reds to bring the youngster to Anfield.

Heynckes denies Real Madrid agreement

 

The departing Bayern Munich boss has dismissed claims from Anatoliy Tymoshchuk that a deal is "99 per cent" agreed but hinted he may reveal his future plans on Saturday

Jupp Heynckes has denied claims from Bayern Munich midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk that he has agreed a deal to take over at Real Madrid.

Tymoshchuk said on Thursday that the 68-year-old was "99 per cent" certain to replace Jose Mourinho at Santiago Bernabeu once he leaves his post at the Allianz Arena at the end of the season.

However, Heynckes has now moved to deny that any agreement is in place but hinted that he could make an announcement about his future as early as June 1.

"I do not know where Anatoliy got this from," he told a press conference ahead of Bayern's DFB Pokal final against Stuttgart on Saturday. "Of course we joke around and everything about those rumours, but I do not know why he thinks that it is a done deal.

"If I am going to be in a good mood I will talk about it tomorrow [Saturday]. If not I will make an announcement in the first week of June."

Heynckes' future has long been the subject of speculation ever since Pep Guardiola was announced as the man to replace him at the newly-crowned European champions in the winter.

Both Heynckes and Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti have been tipped to take over from Mourinho at Real Madrid at the end of the current campaign, as the Portuguese coach nears a return to the Premier League with Chelsea.

Poli to join AC Milan in €6.5m deal

 

The 23-year-old Sampdoria and Italy midfielder is expected to join the Rossoneri imminently, having previously played for rivals Inter on loan last season

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli is set to join AC Milan in a €6.5m deal this summer.

The 23-year-old, who spent last season on loan at rivals Inter, is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Rossoneri after meeting with representative Giovanni Branchini at Milan's headquarters in Via Turati during the week.

Goal understands that Sampdoria will receive the transfer fee in several installments, allowing Milan to place a reservation on a deal for Pedro Obiang, who is expected to follow Poli to the club in the next 12 months.

Poli's arrival could signal a huge overhaul in midfield, with the likes of Massimo Ambrosini, Mathieu Flamini, Antonio Nocerino and Bakate Traore all facing uncertain futures this summer.

Juventus showed a strong interest in the 23-year-old in January, and although they have been grappling with Milan for his signature for a number of months, he looks to have made the decision to join Massimiliano Allegri's side over the Serie A champions.

Inter, meanwhile, had the opportunity to sign the player in 2012, but were disinclined to make his loan deal permanent.
Poli, who began his career with Treviso in 2006 before moving to Sampdoria a year later, has won two senior caps for Italy after making his debut in a friendly against England last summer.

Pelegini to be appointed

The Premier League runners-up are "very close" to announcing their new manager, according to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and will be active in the summer transfer window

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak expects to appoint the club's new manager within the next two weeks.

Goal understands Manuel Pellegrini will succeed Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium after the 59-year-old claimed earlier this week that he already has a verbal agreement with the club, and City hope to have their man in place imminently.

"We’re pretty much done," Al Mubarak told the club's official website.

"We’re very close. I expect to make an appointment probably in the next two weeks."

The new manager can expect a healthy transfer kitty, with the City chief assuring fans that the club will be looking to strengthen the squad during the summer.

"Absolutely [we will buy players]," Al Mubarak continued.

"This is going to be a very important year for us. We’ve made some important management decisions. We will have a new manager on board in about two weeks.

"That manager, day one, has a responsibility to prepare a team for next season. A team that will be able to compete, to win every competition we’re involved in.

"There’s no doubt the team has to be constantly improved and this year is the same. This year we need to improve the team. The manager will have to make these decisions and I can assure you we will support him."

Pellegrini takes charge of his final game as Malaga boss on Saturday as the club take on Barcelona at Camp Nou, and the Chilean confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he will announce his decision regarding his future on Monday.

“On my future I will speak next week. On the Monday I will announce where,” Pellegrini told reporters on Friday.

“Tomorrow I finish my contract with Malaga and from Monday I will talk about my future.

“What do I take from Malaga? It has been very special, I didn’t come here just for a holiday, I came with the ambition to stay for many years.

“I have not been able to continue. Today my desire to run a sporting project that is important and ambitious has taken me away from Malaga.”

Palermo deny Napoli interest in Ilicic

 

The highly rated 25-year-old is thought to be on the radar of Rafa Benitez's side, but president Maurizio Zamparini insists there are currently foreing suitors only for the player

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini says that there has been no approach from Napoli for star player Josip Ilicic, following speculation surrounding the playmaker's future.
The highly-rated Slovenian midfielder has been linked with a move to the Partenopei this summer, but 71-year-old Zamparini has revealed the player is more likely to join an overseas club at present than join last season's Serie A runners-up.
“[Napoli President Aurelio] De Laurentiis spoke to me about Ilicic three months ago,” Zamparini told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“But since then I have not heard anything more. I don't think Napoli have an interest in Ilicic at this point.
“At the moment there are two foreign clubs in for the player.”
Ilicic has made 125 appearances for Palermo since joining in 2010, scoring 25 goals, and has previously been attracted the interest of the likes of Chelsea and AC Milan.

At international level, the 25-year-old has made 22 appearances for Slovenia since making his debut in 2010.

Falcao is throwing his career away by signing for Monaco

 

Radamel Falcao is arguably the third-best forward in the world, coveted by Europe's biggest clubs and at 27-years-old set to embark on the prime of his career. Yet he has now just joined the champions of Ligue 2. How could any true football fan be anything but bewildered by that last statement?

Of course, the former Atletico Madrid ace does not owe us neutrals anything. He has got where he is today all on his own; through a combination of exceptional talent and hard work. He deserves his success. He deserves his wealth (as much as any top footballer can truly ‘deserve’ the ridiculous riches bestowed upon him by the modern game).

FALCAO'S RECORD IN EUROPE
PORTO
GAMES PLAYED GOALS SCORED GOALS TO GAME RATIO	87 72 0.82
ATLETICO MADRID
GAMES PLAYED GOALS SCORED GOALS TO GAME RATIO	87 69 0.79

As Tottenham’s refreshingly honest Benoit Assou-Ekotto likes to point out, injury can curtail a career at any moment, so the onus is on a rational-thinking professional to make as much money as possible while he can.

However, Falcao has already been handsomely rewarded for his ability to place a ball in the back of a net with great regularity, having been the subject of two multi-million euro transfer deals during an eight-year professional career that has taken him from Argentina to Spain via Portugal.

His next move was always guaranteed to be his most lucrative. Indeed, Chelsea were willing to meet the Colombian's reported €60 million buy-out clause in order to take him to Stamford Bridge on what would have been a very handsome wage.

Regardless of how the game views the Blues, and the way in which they have acquired their domestic and European success, one would have at least been able to accept Falcao at face value if upon signing for the Premier League outfit, he had claimed that he had joined Chelsea in order to realise his ambition of winning the Champions League. Given the Londoners lifted the trophy last year, we might very well have believed him when he said it wasn’t about the money.

However, how else are we expected to react to the news that he is instead to move to Monaco than by presuming that Falcao is motivated solely by financial gain? Surely he won’t have the audacity to claim that he has been lured to Monte Carlo by anything other than a near tax-exempt status that will enable him to earn a net salary of €14m-per-year? Surely he won't insult our intelligence by suggesting that he is driven by anything other than avarice? Surely he won’t speak of 'new challenges' and ‘exciting projects’, as Samuel Eto’o did when he accepted a world-record wage to join Anzhi Makhachkala two years ago?

At least in Eto’o's case, he could hide behind the fact that he had won all there was to win in the club game. The Cameroonian arrived in Russia a three-time Champions League winner; Falcao is merely the 'King of the Europa League'.

THE VIEW FROM SPAIN

Falcao signed up with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes in 2011 and that led many to believe he would be moving to Madrid. And he did - but to Atletico and not Real. The two teams have a non-aggression pact, a gentleman's agreement which means they cannot sign each other's players. That stopped Sergio Aguero from crossing the city divide and likely halted Falcao from moving to the white side of the capital divide, too - at least for now. Mendes, whose Gestifute agency is rumoured to have put up half of the €40 million fee paid by Atletico to Porto in 2011, boasts a healthy relationship with Real as Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho (now Monaco) and Angel Di Maria are all on his books. And it is being speculated in Spain that the Portuguese has inserted a clause into Falcao's Monaco contract which will allow him to move to los Blancos. As a teenager, the Colombia striker revealed his dream to play for Real, a desire reiterated by his father last year. In the meantime, he will earn around €14 million tax free per year on the French Riviera. For a fourth season in a row, however, he will have no Champions League football. - Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Expert

Yet by moving to Monaco that moniker could be as good as it gets for Falcao in terms of his legacy. Indeed, even if les Rouge et Blanc do win their battle with the French Football Association (FFA) over an extremely advantageous tax system that will allow them to attract other money-motivated characters to Monte Carlo, it will be at least another year before Monaco are in the Champions League.

Even then, as we have seen with Paris Saint-Germain, it is likely that it will take the Dmitry Rybolovlev-owned outfit a couple of years to establish themselves among Europe’s elite. By that stage, Falcao will be pushing 30 and what should have been the best years of his career will have passed, wasted while plying his trade away from a top club and outside of a truly top league.

In a sporting sense, that would be tragic. This is a player who almost single-handedly destroyed Chelsea in this season’s Super Cup final with a hat-trick of the highest order. Four months later, he lit up Camp Nou with a goal of such class that even the home fans could not help but applaud in admiration.

It was a perfectly understandable reaction from the Barcelona faithful. It has been obvious to anyone with a modicum of interest in the game that this is a player of rare talent. He belongs at the very highest level. He deserves to be playing Champions League football every year and seemed eminently capable of transforming Atletico into a major European force.

Falcao has been blessed with a precious gift and it would genuinely be a crying shame if he does not realise his full potential.

As the saying goes, the saddest thing in life is wasted talent. Falcao and his army of agents and financial benefactors have made his choice. It is the wrong one. And it will shape how we remember him forever.

Grenier: I've made a decision on my future

 

The 22-year-old, who is being tracked by the Gunners, revealed he has already made a decision on his future but refused to confirm where he will be playing next season

Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier insists he has already made a decision over his future amid interest from Arsenal.

Earlier in May, Arsene Wenger confirmed to Telefoot that he was monitoring the 22-year-old, likening the playmaker to former Gunners player Samir Nasri.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas warned Arsenal they would need to pay €36 million in order to sign the Grenier this summer, but the in-demand midfielder has now confirmed he has made a decision on his next destination.

"Have I made a decision? Yes. More or less. I keep it for myself as I care for my discussions I have had with the president and the coach," Grenier told Le Progres.

"I just want to say that I've never had demands. Moreover, either with the club or with my advisors, figures were never mentioned. My choice is a sporting one."

Grenier, who has recently been called up to the France national team for les Blues' upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Brazil in the absence of Nasri, insists he is unfazed by speculation surrounding his future and will not be perturbed by competitions for places at the Emirates Stadium.

"A fight between Arsenal and Lyon for me? Maybe. The competition at Arsenal? There is already that here [at Lyon]," Grenier continued.

"It is the same in all the major clubs and it is not a hindrance in my decision making. I'm still a young player. But I always set goals and do everything to surpass myself. Whether it is at Lyon or elsewhere.

"For now, I'm still a Lyon player and I may stay next season. I do not know myself what will happen. The only thing I expect is really at a sporting level, and my desire is to progress."

Vilanova: Barcelona looking for Puyol successor

The Blaugrana coach also spoke about the recent acquisition of Neymar, Eric Abidal's imminent exit from Camp Nou and defended his decision to stay despite health issues

Tito Vilanova has revealed that Barcelona are looking to sign a centre-back successor to club captain Carles Puyol this summer.

The Spain international, who has been a Blaugrana player his entire professional career, is 35 years old and has been ravaged by injury this season, triggering calls for Vilanova to plug the gap in his side's defence.

The coach has revealed that a centre-back will be one of Barca's targets in the upcoming transfer window but insisted he wants Puyol to recover from his injury and remain at Camp Nou regardless of his age.

"We'll be looking for a player in that position - in the middle of defence," he told reporters on Friday. "We hope Puyol recovers but we'll still be looking for a new player in that position. He's said he wants to play until he's 40 and I hope he does!"

Two players who have been linked with a move away from the club are David Villa and Thiago, but Vilanova has stressed that no decision has been made about the pair.

"We haven't talked about whether Villa's going to leave the club," he added. "As for his performance over the last three years, he's been very good. It's been a pity about the serious injury he had [in December 2011]. He has a good relationship with the fans, he scored a goal in the Champions League final.

"I don't know anything about Thiago wanting to leave. Thiago has a future here at Barcelona. We want him to stay but it depends on him. There's a lot of competition in midfield. It's up to the player if he wants to continue but it's not only us having confidence in him, but him having confidence in himself."

The first player who has been confirmed as leaving is defender Eric Abidal - Vilanova admitted that the club's decision was hard, but hopes he can find success away from the Liga champions.

"I feel bad that Eric Abidal won't stay on, but it's a decision the club has taken," he said. "We won't find another player like Abidal. The decision was very difficult. I hope he finds a good club and proves us wrong."

Barca made their first signing of the summer in the past week by signing up Santos starlet Neymar, beating Real Madrid to his signature, and Vilanova had plenty of praise for his new forward.

"Well I think Neymar's a player who can play in many positions, not only on the left," he said, when asked where he would play the 21-year-old.

"He's a really top player, he combines well with other players. He's good defensively and tactically he's going to help us as well. Every club in Europe wanted to get him but we're convinced that he's a player who can score goals for us."

Vilanova swatted aside rumours that he will quit and brushed off comments from Barca legend Johan Cruyff that he should step down to concentrate on recovering from cancer.

"I can't make it any clearer, I can't say it any louder - I'm staying at Barcelona," he insisted. "People talk about things - Mr Cruyff talked about my health and the club. When he makes these kind of declarations then people listen."

Barca face Malaga on Saturday in what will be their final game of a successful Liga season, though star attacker Lionel Messi - who was called up to Argentina's squad for their matches in June - remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and will not feature according to the coach.

Vilanova said: "No, Messi won't be playing tomorrow. He doesn't have the green light from the doctors.

"If he can play for Argentina then he will get to play, but obviously we don't want to take any risks with him. We don't want him to get injured again."

Robinho holding talks over Santos return

 

The president of the Brazilian club has revealed they are weighing up the financial demands of AC Milan and the former Manchester City man

Santos president Odilio Rodrigues has confirmed the club are holding talks with AC Milan and Robinho over a potential summer swoop.

The attacker has fallen down the pecking order at San Siro and was believed to be close to a move back to Brazil in January, though his wage demands reportedly put suitors off bidding.

However, it looks like Santos are willing to bring the winger, 29, back to the club he played for before joining Real Madrid, but Rodrigues has admitted the financial demands will need to be considered before talks are taken any further.

"We are talking to Milan about Robinho," he admitted to Radio Bandeirantes. "We are evaluating the requests from both Milan and the player. He is always welcome here, but we have to understand whether the operation is possible.

"Aside from the dream and the desire, there is the reality. We cannot go crazy, so have to keep our feet on the ground. We are talking to Milan, but we’re still at the beginning and want to continue."

Robinho has a contract with the Rossoneri until June 2014 having joined from Manchester City for €15 million in 2010.

Prior to that, the Brazil international - who has not made an appearance for the Selecao since 2011 - had a short spell at the club where he made his name before leaving for the Santiago Bernabeu in 2005.

Santos recently sold Neymar to Barcelona for a fee believed to be around €28m.

Sturridge out of Brazil friendly, confirms England boss Hodgson

 

The striker was stretchered from the field early on his first international start and faces several weeks of rehabilitation

England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge will not face Brazil on Sunday, and fears he could face "a few weeks" out after possibly damaging his ankle ligaments.

The striker, making his first start for the Three Lions, was withdrawn after 33 minutes against Republic of Ireland after appearing to roll over on his ankle before being stretchered from the field.

"He's not going to [play] Brazil, unfortunately," Hodgson told ITV.

"It's ligament damage, we think. We are not 100 per cent sure. I fear it will keep him out for a few weeks. The surgeon is with him now and he will be contacting Liverpool [shortly]."

Sturridge went into the game in fine form for Liverpool, scoring six goals in his previous five outings, and Hodgson lamented the injury hampering the striker's impressive start at Wembley.

"He had a brilliant start to the game and we were really sad to lose him," Hodgson continued. "I think we missed him as Jermain Defoe hasn't played for a while and is also suffering from a slight injury problem.

Jermain Defoe replaced the Liverpool man on the night, but will face competition from Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck for a starting berth to face the five-time world champions.

Liverpool target Luis Muriel as Suarez replacement

the signing of Celta Vigo star Iago Aspas, with Anfield officials keen to bolster their attacking options this summer

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Liverpool are considering a move for Udinese striker Luis Muriel as a replacement for Luis Suarez if their star man leaves Anfield this summer.

VIEW FROM ITALY

Renato Maisani | Goal Italy Luis Muriel had a difficult start to the season: arriving in Udine overweight, after just two matches he injured his thigh and was out for more than two months. However, after scoring his first goal in December, he went on to bag 10 more in the new year, proving decisive - alongside Antonio Di Natale - to a magnificent end to the season for Udinese. He looks like a player ready for the next step in his career.

Suarez has encouraged a €47 million transfer to Real Madrid by admitting he would find it hard to turn down the Spanish giants as he seeks Champions League football next season.

The Uruguayan has also privately refused to commit himself to Liverpool despite two meetings with the club in recent weeks and the Reds are believed to be ready to sell the 26-year-old to an overseas club.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers would be allowed to re-invest the transfer fee in full - on top of his €23m summer budget - and is lining up potential replacements for a player who scored 30 goals in all competitions last term.

Liverpool are closing in on a €7 deal for Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas but their move for the 25-year-old is unrelated to Suarez’s future as Rodgers looks to bolster his attacking options.

Aspas, who has bagged 12 goals for the relegation-threatened Liga outfit, had also attracted interest from Valencia and Swansea ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, Reds officials moved for the Spaniard after being alerted to Celta’s reduced asking price for the striker, with around €2.3m being knocked off their original valuation of €9.3m as a result of the club’s precarious league position.

Meanwhile Muriel has been identified as a potential target to replace Suarez following his impressive displays for Udinese, where he scored 11 league goals in 22 Serie A appearances during a season disrupted by injury.

The Colombian, 22, would cost in excess of €17.5m but Liverpool believe he has the potential to increase in value, while his style of play and eye for goal are similar to Suarez.

Muriel would be interested in a move to Anfield despite saying last week that he does not feel ready for a big-money move away for Udinese.

"I want to grow and improve as a player,” Muriel told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want to stay in Udine for another couple of years. I have learnt so much here from boss Francesco Guidolin who helped me during my moments of difficulty."

'Colombian Ronaldo' on Liverpool radar

 

Udinese striker Luis Muriel has been targeted by Liverpool as a possible replacement for Luis Suarez, who is attracting interest from Real Madrid

PROFILE
By Mark Doyle
Blistering pace, wonderful dribbling skills, lethal finishing, injury issues and weight problems  - it’s easy to understand why Liverpool target Luis Muriel is known as “the Colombian Ronaldo”.

The Udinese attacker has been burdened with the tag ever since he first came to prominence in his homeland with Deportivo Cali four years ago. Muriel’s natural talent was obvious from the moment he made his professional debut as an 18-year-old and, after just 11 appearances for the Verdiblancos (during which he scored nine goals), he was on his way to Udinese in the summer of 2010.

The Zebrette immediately loaned Muriel to Granada, but he failed to make an impression during his short stint in the Segunda Division. However, the youngster would prove his worth the following year during a tremendously productive loan spell at Lecce, at the end of which he was named Serie A Young Player of the season alongside Stephan El Shaarawy, Muriel’s achievement made all the more noteworthy by the fact that he had been plying his trade in a side that dropped into the relegation zone in week five never to re-emerge.

In that context, seven goals in 29 league appearances was a highly respectable tally for a forward with no previous Serie A experience, as underlined by the reported interest of Juventus, Inter, AC Milan and Roma in signing the striker. Muriel enjoyed the attention of Italy’s elite, publicly expressing his admiration of Milan, the club he had supported as a boy, before then claiming that both the Rossoneri and Inter had made “official offers” for his services.

LUIS MURIEL'S CAREER STATS
	TEAM	YEAR	APPS	GLS
	Deportivo Cali	2009-10	11	9
	Granada	2010-11	7	0
	Lecce	2011-12	29	7
	Udinese	2012-13	22	11

However, Udinese were not about to offload Muriel before he had played a single game at the Friuli and dismissed all offers for the Colombian. Whether that was why the player turned up for pre-season horribly out of shape is open to debate. What remained clear was that Francesco Guidolin was not impressed by the condition he found Muriel in last July.

"If he wants to talk with me, he should lose five pounds," the enraged Zebrette boss told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He not speak with me until he has a physique of an athlete; he must work hard."

Thankfully, Muriel heeded his coach’s warning and was in peak condition in time for the start of the new season. However, then injury intervened, and the striker missed three-and-a-half months with a hairline fracture of his left femur.

Muriel returned seemingly fitter and stronger than ever, though, scoring three goals in his first three starts following his return to action in December and would go on to play a key role in Udinese clinching a Europa League place. Muriel’s strike in the Zebrette’s 5-2 final-day demolition of Inter was his 11th goal in 22 appearances – the best numbers of his career to date.

It is worth noting, though, that only 15 of those appearances were starts, with a number of niggling injuries having hampered Muriel during the second half of the season. Still, his talent and potential are both beyond dispute and, encouragingly, he seems to have matured as a person over the course of the past 12 months.

When his future at the Friuli began to be discussed again in the media towards the tail end of last season, Muriel was at pains to point out just how indebted he feels both Guidolin and strike partner Antonio Di Natale for their guidance and support - on and off the field.
“I have learnt so much here from the boss, who helped me during my moments of difficulty," he told Gazzetta. “The partnership [with Di Natale] has gone so well, too, and 'Toto' has taught me a lot."

And there’s the rub: Muriel still has much to learn. Admittedly, the comparisons with Ronaldo are strikingly obvious. It is not just the bulky build and powerful upper-body strength, Muriel has the same incredible turn of pace and shifts the ball onto his heavily favoured right foot in an eerily similar manner to ‘Il Fenomeno’, as evidenced by the first of his two goals in Colombia’s 4-1 victory over France at the 2011 Fifa Under-20 World Cup. However, unlike Ronaldo, he is not, at 22, the finished article. He has been capped just once by his country, after all.

What he is, though, is a forward of enormous potential. He freely admits that he has to work on his movement and pay greater attention to his defensive duties, but he is undoubtedly capable of adapting to the rigours of the English game on account of his phyisque, impressive hold-up play, incredibly quick feet and fantastic technique.

As Di Natale stated recently, “In a few years Luis will become a great champion.” Signing Muriel now would therefore be a very shrewd move on Liverpool’s part because, just like Ronaldo, when he is in shape, he can be out of this world.
Follow Mark Doyle on 

Atsu keen on Premier League move

The 21-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract, has rejected a fresh deal at the Dragao with the intention of engineering a move to England this summer

Christian Atsu has moved closer to a proposed move to the Premier League after rejecting a new deal at Porto.

The Ghana midfielder has been involved in a contract dispute with the Portuguese club for months and has now refused to sign a new deal after the Dragao club insisted on a €30 million [£24m] release clause.

The 21-year-old has continually been linked with a move to the Premier League, admitting it is his dream to play in England.

"I spoke to the club [Porto] before I came away on international duty and informed them that I won't be signing a new deal," Atsu told Sky Sports.

"The club have made their feelings clear to me after I refused to sign a new deal and I hope we can reach a resolution soon.

"It has always been my dream to play in England and it is flattering to be linked with some big Premier League clubs.

"At the moment I am focused on Ghana's World Cup games, but I see my future in England and I hope I will have more news after these games."

The winger is part of the Ghana side that has been selected for the 2014 World Cup qualifying games against Sudan and Lesotho in June.

From bankruptcy to Rafa Benitez: Napoli have pulled off a coup

How does one define success?

For some clubs qualifying for the Champions League every season is as good as achieving success, never mind then the fact that for the past nine seasons they have been trophy less despite being invincible at one point not long ago.

On the other hand, some win league titles year in, year out but still perform under par in Europe which in effect should be the barometer for measuring success for the big clubs but its success nevertheless.

It’s really subjective and depends on how one defines it based on the objectives and other yardsticks of monitoring progress season after season.

But if anyone’s looking for the almost perfect example, look no further than Napoli who just managed to lure one of the most controversial yet decorated managers in world football.

Bankruptcy in 2004, re-instatement to Serie C1 in 2005, promotion to Serie A in 2007, participation in the Uefa Cup in 2009 and the Champions League in 2011, winning the Coppa Italia in 2012, finishing runners-up to Juventus in 2013 and luring Rafael Benitez to manage them for the next two years starting next season – that is some success story.

Yes, Borussia Dortmund have captured the imagination of football fanatics worldwide with their incredible achievements both domestically and internationally over the past three seasons having sailed past a similar storm over the same period of time as the Italian club but it’s one thing to challenge a single superpower in the Bundesliga and completely another to shove aside a handful of rich clubs to pave your way up and sit right there amongst the upper echelons of some of the biggest clubs in Italy.

While Dortmund have rightfully earned their praise for challenging the likes of Bayern Munich back home and Real Madrid aboard, Napoli have done amazingly well to step aside the likes of Milan, Inter and Roma to challenge Juventus for the title over the course of last season until their inexperience and fragility meant they had to settle for second, albeit with a direct pass to the biggest cup competition in club football.

No longer the 'Interim One' | Rafa Benitez's experience is exactly what Napoli need next season

With the signing of Rafa Benitez, however it can be highlighted that they are well equipped to mount a realistic challenge for the league title next season, probably even go far in Europe like Dortmund did this time around. Do not let the constant criticism by the Chelsea fans blind you because the Europe League winner has nevertheless been a winner over the past decade first with Valencia and later with Liverpool.

He is one of the most experienced tacticians in football today and that is exactly what Napoli need to take the project forward – a manager with the know-how of competing at the top. Winning two La Liga titles with Valencia despite the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona is no small task at a time when the Spanish league was far more competitive than it is now and Benitez did just that before signing for Liverpool following a Uefa Cup triumph the Spanish cup back in the 2003-04 season. An almost improbable Champions League winner’s medal with Liverpool in Istanbul back in 2005 kick-started the most successful era of the last decade at Anfield and although he failed to win the Premier League, credits to him for helping them stay up there as one of the best performers in Europe alongside the likes of Milan and Chelsea who were the most consistent during that period.

Despite Chelsea and Manchester United’s domination at home, Liverpool during his time were amongst the best English teams abroad with one Champions League trophy, one runners-up medal, one semi-final appearance and a quarterfinal in his five and a half seasons with them.

If he was ever undone by the media and critics it was down to his own doing taking unwanted jibes at rival clubs, their fans and managers. The success at Istanbul probably always stayed in his head and may have even led to his downfall as he used that victory to defend himself everytime he was pegged down for failures during his time with Liverpool.

Back in Italy, a forgettable campaign with treble winners Inter Milan never helped enhance an already faltering reputation as he was released from the club after a mutual agreement over disagreements regarding the club’s transfer policies and the failure to get players he wanted. Even there, he used the Club World Cup – a trophy disregarded by most as amongst the easiest to win - lifted by Inter under him to distort any suggestions that at the end of the day he had failed. But two years without employment is a long time to reflect on what went wrong and to evolve and improvise to change things and his time as the ‘interim manger’ of Chelsea suggests just that.

Constantly booed by the home fans, Rafa did really well to help them finish a respectable third after a disastrous end to the Champions League campaign and the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo. Winning the unwanted Europe League vindicated him, secretly pacifying some sections of the fans if not all and re-instating some pride to a club that became the first defending champions in history to bow out of the Champions League in the group stages itself only months ago.

For Napoli however, his acquisition is a major coup. Often criticized for not snapping up the opportunity of closing down the gap with Juventus on more occasions than one under Walter Mazzari, Rafa’s experience will certainly fill that void at the Sao Paolo. Not to forget his exploits in Europe will definitely help them go further in the Champions League than they did under Mazzari in the 2011-12 season where they shot themselves in the foot in the second round throwing away a 3-1 lead from the first leg to a distraught Chelsea side that would eventually go on to win the trophy.

What’s important to note, however is the fact that with his arrival, the three-man defense and wing backs so synonymous with the Blues may be done with as he prefers the 4-2-3-1 over anything else with much emphasis on a solid defense as opposed to the attacking football that the fans have gotten used to at Naples. Rafa’s teams usually start slow, conserving energy and striking the opposition when they run out of steam and Napoli needs to adapt to that.

Another aspect of his tenure at clubs, particularly at Liverpool, is his tendency to overspend on the transfer market. It's noteworthy to ponder that during his time at Anfield, Liverpool ended up spending more than Chelsea (mostly on mediocre players) and it will be interesting to see if a financially sound transfer packet has been promised to the Spanish tactician at Napoli to help him build a team that challenges not only for the domestic title but emulates Dortmund’s feat in Europe this season.

Aurelio De Laurentiis | The enigmatic film producer has done an increbile job as club President

But first on his agenda should be resolving the scenario surrounding Edinson Cavani and his rumoured transfer elsewhere. The striker has already stated that he may consider staying in Italy but hasn’t ruled out a move to Spain or England either. It can be viewed both ways.

If he decides to stay, Napoli have a forward capable of destroying any defense in the continent single handedly and Benitez could start planning the season accordingly revolving the side around him. However, if someone does activate his over 70 million buyout clause the money could be used to improve a paper thin squad both in terms of quantity and quality given Benitez’s tendency to rotate more often than not.

What happens from here on, we will find out once the season starts in August but Aurelio De Laurentiis deserves nothing but praise for the incredible work he has done as club president since taking over a club dismantled with bankruptcy some nine years ago. The revenue has increased manifolds over the past few seasons and it is all down to the film producer who despite his several attention-seeking jibes with the media has truly brought this club on the footballing map and his latest acquisition is a testimony to that.

It has barely been days since Napoli signed Benitez and already they are being linked to names like Javier Mascherano of Barcelona and Ramires and David Luiz of Chelsea.

Who would have thought this was even possible until last week? Perhaps, ‘welcome to the big league’ is all we can say at the moment to Napoli.

Italy 4-0 San Marino: Pirlo pearler the highlight of facile win for Azzurri

Italy warmed up for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic with a predictably facile 4-0 win over San Marino at the Renato Dall'Ara on Friday night.

Andrea Poli broke the deadlock - and his international duck - with a smart finish before Alberto Gilardino struck his first goal for the Azzurri since 2010 shortly before the interval.

Andrea Pirlo added a stunning free kick in early stages of the second half and set up Italy's fourth with another set-piece that led to Alberto Aquilani converting from close range with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Pirlo had been the best player on the pitch all evening, playing a key role in Italy dominating possession and territory right from the first whistle.

However, Aldo Junior Simoncini was in inspired form early on, denying Giacomo Bonaventura from close range, after the Atalanta man had latched onto a knockdown from Luca Antonelli, before pulling off an even better stop to thwart Alberto Aquilani, who must have thought that he had scored after connecting with a Pirlo cross just six yards out.

The Azzurri had the ball in the net moments later, but Christian Maggio was stood in an offside position when he stroked home from two yards out, seconds after Simoncini had pulled off another great stop, this time from Alessandro Diamanti.

Italy had another goal disallowed at the midway point of the first half, with Alberto Gilardino having failed to sufficiently check his run before turning in a low cross from Bologna team-mate Diamanti.

Gilardino did nearly everything right in the 25th minute, demonstrating fine technique in volleying Maggio's right-wing cross goalwards, but Simoncini saved once again, before gathering the loose ball at the second attempt.

It was clear that a goal was coming, though, and it belatedly arrived 27 minutes in when Poli pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area, lifting it over a trailing leg before coolly firing through the legs of Simoncini.

Cesare Prandelli's men doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, Gilardino finally getting the goal he was so desperately craving when he was on hand to follow up, after Aquilani had drawn another wonderful reaction save out of Simoncini.

Italy unsurprisingly rung the changes in the second half, but it did little to upset their rhythm and they went three up courtesy of the most pinpoint 30-yard free kick from Pirlo five minutes after the break.

Mario Balotelli, who had taken over up front from hometown hero Gilardino, nearly repeated the trick on 65 minutes, but his low strike around the San Marino wall came back off the post.

However, Italy would get a fourth on 79 minutes when Aquilani deservedly got his name on the scoresheet by tapping home from barely a yard out, after San Marino's substitute goalkeeper Federico Valentini had failed to hold another Pirlo set piece.

Balotelli very nearly added a fifth but he fired wide after a powerful surge from deep before then heading an Ignazio Abate cross against the bar.

As it was, Italy had to settle for just the four goals in a routine win that sets them up nicely for next weekend's trip to Prague.

Manchester City chairman Al Mubarak makes Champions League promise: We'll compete next year

 

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has stated that the club will improve their Champions League performances next season.

Under Roberto Mancini, City failed to progress past the group stages of Europe’s primary competition - finishing fourth behind finalists Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Ajax this season.

But Al Mubarak insisted that he would oversee vast improvement in Europe as City prepare to replace Mancini as manager with Manuel Pellegrini - who confirmed that he has a verbal agreement with the Etihad outfit.

Al Mubarak told the club’s official website: “We’ve won the Premier League before, we know what it takes to win it. We can win it and will win it again. We’ve won the FA Cup before, we know what it takes to win it.

“We haven’t been as successful in Europe. The Champions League, two years in a row, I think that’s an area that no doubt will require a lot of improvement.

“But I assure you, with the squad we have, with the organisation we have and with the manager that’s going to come in and with the new players that will complement the squad, we will have a strong team that is going to compete in the Champions League next year.”

Al Mubarak also gave his assessment of a trying season in which City failed to retain their Premier League title as Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United stormed to their 20th crown.

“I have mixed feelings about the season,” he added. “There has been some great ups and there’s been some downs.

“We’ve had a very difficult season to say the least. Looking back, at the end of the day, coming second in the Premier League, it’s not great but it’s an achievement.

“Coming second in the FA Cup, again, not great but it’s good. The Champions League is an area that I’m definitely very disappointed in our performances there.

“We are a club that has been designed to win championships. That’s what we’re all here to do. We are here to win, to play beautiful football and to play entertaining football.”

'Klose deserves Germany record' - Gerd Muller

 

The iconic former West Germany striker insists that he hopes the Lazio frontman surpasses his goalscoring tally

Legendary striker Gerd Muller believes that Germany forward Miroslav Klose deserves to break his international goalscoring record.

The Lazio attacker, 34, is one goal shy of equalling the tally of 68 set by the Bayern Munich icon, which has stood for 39 years.

Ahead of Germany's friendly with USA - who are coached by another former Germany striker, Jurgen Klinsmann - this weekend, Muller praised Klose's character and insisted that his compatriot has earned the accolade.

"It has long since just been a matter of time before he breaks my record, I am pleased for him," the 67-year-old known as der Bomber told SID.

"Miro is a great striker and a great guy, who I met a few times when he played for Bayern Munich. He's deserved it."

Joachim Low's men head into the friendly with Klinsmann's side on the back of a 4-2 win over Ecuador, in which Lukas Podolski scored after just nine seconds.

Klose joined up with the Mannschaft squad after the Biancocelesti's Coppa Italia win on Sunday and is expected to feature in the USA clash.

Skrtel agent plays down Liverpool exit amid Napoli interest

 
The 28-year-old’s agent has described a muted move to the serie A side as “very difficult” as speculation continues to link the defender with a reunion with Rafa Benitez

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been distanced from a switch to Serie A outfit Napoli after his agent played down the likelihood of a transfer away from Anfield.

The Slovakian was named Liverpool’s player of the season in the 2011/12 campaign and was rewarded with a new four-year-deal, but has found his playing time limited under Brendan Rodgers.

Skrtel is one of several Liverpool players linked with a move to Napoli following ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez’s appointment, but Skrtel's agent Karol Csonto has dismissed rumours.

"It's not possible; I consider it a very difficult deal,” Csonto told Calciomercatio.it.

"I like Napoli and I have great respect for this club, but Martin still has a three-year contract with Liverpool and the most likely outcome is that he remains there."

Following the appointment of Benitez at the Stadio San Paolo, Csonto said: “They spent three years together, establishing a good relationship with him, but I repeat now that this suggestion is impossible.”

Lewandowski's future will soon be decided, says Klopp

 

The successful coach has insisted that Bayern have yet to table a bid for the striker and added that there will soon be clarity over the Pole's future

Jurgen Klopp has stressed that Borussia Dortmund have not yet received an official offer from Bayern Munich for Robert Lewandowski, but expects the Poland international's future to be resolved shortly.

One of the 24-year-old's agents, Cezary Kucharski, claimed that Lewandowski will leave BVB for Bayern in the summer transfer window after his other representative, Maik Barthel, previously stated that the striker has already agreed terms with another side.

Nevertheless, Klopp has stressed that a transfer to Bayern is by no means a done deal yet.

"We have not received an official offer from Bayern Munich as of yet, so I still expect Robert to play for Dortmund next season," Klopp was quoted as saying by Bild.

"We will make sure that all the speculation about his future ends in the next few days.

"I will not be angry with him regardless of what happens. I am looking at this professionally. We will see what happens. Everything's possible.

"The funny thing is that everybody acts as if it is already a done deal. Jupp Heynckes said so, his agents say so, yet we have not received an offer... What is that all about really? Regardless of the outcome, this is not exactly a nice thing."

Lewandowski's contract with Dortmund runs until June 2014, but the prolific attacker is desperate to leave the club this summer.

Aside form Bayern, he has also been linked with clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, but the Bundesliga champions are in pole position to sign the attacker.

Higuain switch to Juventus '70%' likely, says Bronzetti

The agent believes the Real Madrid attacker is not far away from completing a move to the Serie A champions

Juventus are close to completing the signing of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, according to Fifa agent Ernesto Bronzetti, who believes there is a "70 per cent" chance the move will materialise.

Earlier this month Goal reported the Italian giants had taken a significant step in their pursuit of Higuain by agreeing terms in principle with the 25-year-old. 

And Bronzetti says both clubs have now reached advanced stages of the negotiation process and he expects a deal to be struck in the coming weeks.

"Percentages for Higuain to Juventus? Let's say 50-60, maybe even 70%. He has expressed a desire to leave so we will see what happens," the agent told Sky Sport Italia.

"We spoke with [Juventus' CEO Guiseppe] Marotta and [coach Antonio] Conte when they came to Madrid so now we wait and see.

"In early June we will see if the situation has been resolved."

Monaco interested in Hulk, claims agent

The newly-promoted Ligue 1 side have turned their attentions towards luring the Brazil international away from Russia, claims the player's representative

Big spending Monaco have shown "real interest" in signing Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk, according to the player's agent.

The 26-year-old has endured a turbulent first spell in Russian football following his move from Porto in September.

And Hulk, who had a transfer request rejected in January because of Uefa regulations forbidding a player appearing for three different clubs in the same season, is said to be attracted to the project currently being developed at the Principality this summer.

According to the player's agent, Teodora Fonseca, the interest is mutual. "I know people at Monaco. They have not contacted me, but there has been speculation and the interest is real," he told Le 10 Sport.

Should a move materialise, Hulk would be reunited with former Porto team-mate Radamel Falcao who is expected to complete his big money move to Claudio Ranieri's men in the coming days.

Earlier in the week, Monaco wrapped up the signings of Porto duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho for a combined fee of €70 million.

Falcao set to complete Monaco deal

 

The Colombia international has inked a four-year deal with the Ligue 2 champions and will be announced as the club's marquee signing shortly

Radamel Falcao is on the verge of completing his transfer from Atletico Madrid to Monaco, with the French side expected to officially confirm the move shortly.

The 27-year-old has long been the subject of intense speculation with club such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City all keen to lure him away from the Vicente Calderon this summer.

However, he will continue his career at Monaco instead after signing a four-year deal worth €10 million a year with the Stade Louis II side on Tuesday, with the fee for his services unconfirmed.

Falcao already completed his medical earlier this week and all that is missing as of Wednesday morning is official confirmation from the ambitious Ligue 2 champions.

Sources close to the player have revealed that the parties involved in the deal had been in talks for several months, with Atletico agreeing to let go of their star striker once they had secured qualification for next year's Champions League.

The Colombia international becomes Monaco's fourth high-profile signing of the summer transfer window after the previous capture of Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez from Porto for a combined fee of €70 million, and Ricardo Carvalho from Real Madrid on a Bosman move on Tuesday.

Cavani happy to stay at Napoli, says agent

 

The prolific attacker recently said that he dreams of playing for Real Madrid, but he would be happy to stay at his current club, too

Edinson Cavani's agent Claudio Anellucci has stressed that the Uruguay international is happy to stay at Napoli if a transfer to a bigger club does not materialise this summer.

The prolific attacker revealed earlier this week that he dreamed of playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona when he was a child, but his representative has made it clear that this does not necessarily mean that the Uruguayan wants to leave the San Paolo.

"Nobody said that Edinson wants to leave Napoli," Anellucci told Il Mattino.

"Edi is happy here. He loves the city, the club and the Napoli fans.

"He only has a certain dream to play for the team of his heart, which he has had ever since his childhood. What's wrong with it to say that out loud..."

Cavani has a contract with Napoli until the summer of 2017, but has a limited fee release clause of €63 million.

The striker has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, while Manchester City are also keen to sign the 26-year-old.

Sao Paulo not interested in selling Ganso to PSG

 

The talented attacking midfielder has long been linked with a move to Europe but his current club are not interested in selling one of their main men

Sao Paulo’s director of football has poured cold water over suggestions that Ganso is on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil international, who has long been linked with a move to Europe, is believed to have caught the eye of the Ligue 1 champions, but Adalberto Batista says the club have no interest in doing business.
“We have very good relations with Paris Saint-Germain, a good relationship with Leonardo but Sao Paulo are not interested in letting Ganso go,” he told Radio ESPN.
However, Batista did admit that circumstances could change if the club receive an offer that they cannot refuse for the 23-year-old.
“Of course that is what we said about Luís Fabiano and other players apply here too, I can't say that if there is a big offer we will say no,” he added.
“But that's it, the offer needs to be one we can't refuse. But honestly, I don't think Ganso wants to leave now he is recovering his best form."
Ganso joined the Soberano in 2012 after starting his career and establishing himself at Santos, where he made 162 appearances and scored 34 goals in the process.

Pellegrini: I have a verbal agreement with Manchester City

 After weeks of speculation, the Chilean has confirmed that discussion have taken place with the Premier League club to succeed the sacked Roberto Mancini for next season

Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed he has reached a verbal agreement to become the next Manchester City manager.

The Chilean has long been touted as the replacement to Roberto Mancini, who was sacked earlier in May, and recently announced that he would be leaving the Liga side at the end of the season.

Pellegrini guided Malaga to fourth in La Liga and a quarter-final berth of the Champions League this season, and now seems only a matter of time before he takes charge at the Eithad Stadium.

"I have a verbal agreement with them and I hope it is carried out," he told television channel Canal Sur.

The 59-year-old insisted that he has not signed a contract with City yet, but revealed that discussion have been ongoing ahead of the expected arrival - a move which Goal.com revealed could persuade Carlos Tevez to make a U-turn and decide to stay at the club.

"As of today, I [have not] a signed contract," he added.

"It is true that Manchester City have shown a lot of interest that I become their coach and I have had conversations with them. Until things have been signed, you cannot say everything is completely done."

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com, Pellegrini is set to bring Malaga star Isco with him to City as the likes of Edinson Cavani and Ferdandinho top the club's list of summer transfer targets.

Cavani eyes 'dream' Real Madrid or Barcelona move

 

The Uruguay international has spoken about his Liga ambitions but his current employers will pull out all the stops to keep their prized asset

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has admitted a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona would be a "dream".

The Uruguay international netted 38 goals in 43 appearances for the Partenopei this season as the club finished second in Serie A and booked their place in next season's Champions League.

It is thought that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is preparing to offer his prized asset a new and improved contract, believed to be as much as €7 million per year, despite the fact his current deal does not expire until 2017.

"As a child, I dreamed of playing at this club [Real Madrid] or Barcelona, but for now I am proud to be in Naples. On my future I cannot say anything, because I still do not know anything," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I am proud to be in Naples, it is one of the most important clubs in Italy."

Cavani has been strongly linked with Madrid in recent months as well a potential move to Premier League sides Manchester City and Chelsea.

The 26-year-old has scored 104 times in 138 appearances for Napoli and is currently just one strike behind  Diego Maradona, the club’s all-time leading goal s

Bale's qualities would fit at Real Madrid, says Figo

The midfielder's agent has claimed an offer from the Spanish club would be considered following the 23-year-old's talismanic campaign at Tottenham

Former Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo believes Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale has the qualities to shine at the Spanish club.

The 23-year-old scored 21 Premier League goals last term as Spurs narrowly missed out on a Champions League place, and the midfielder is expected to sign a new contract worth €151,000 at White Hart Lane this summer.

"Everybody talks about it. He has impressive qualities. [We] would have to see how they work in La Liga coming from England, but I think they fit well to Madrid," Figo said at a charity event.

Bale's agent admitted earlier this week that it would be an "honour" if Madrid registered their interest and claimed the Spurs ace would consider the club's offer.

"If Florentino Perez is interested in Gareth Bale it would be an honour and we would listen, but his contract is with Tottenham," he told Futboleros on Marca TV.

"We are not free to speak with anybody at the moment, that's where we are. I don't know if there has been any offer, what I know is that the player has three years left on his contract."

Champions League Team of the Season: Robben, Ronaldo & Messi in star-studded XI

Following Bayern Munich's final triumph, Goal looks back at a memorable campaign, picking out the 11 players who made the difference and kept us firmly on the edge of our seats

Another enthralling season of Champions League action has ended after Bayern Munich's dramatic 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.

Bayern's triumph in the all-German final caps a remarkable continental campaign, where we saw favourites Barcelona and Real Madrid crash out in the semi-finals and no Premier League sides make it past the first knockout round.

Our team, selected in a 4-2-3-1 formation, has a few key parameters. Players must have played on the side of the pitch they are listed in positionally for their clubs over the course of the tournament, while the 11 players were selected from the list of top performers for each position on our player ratings index. Only players who reached the quarter-finals or further were considered.

Here is Goal's Champions League Team of the Season:

GOALKEEPER

WILLY CABALLERO

MALAGA

Debutants Malaga were the tournament's surprise package this season, blitzing their way into the quarter-finals before they were controversially defeated by Dortmund having had one foot in the last four.

Key to their performances was Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero. The shot stopper's displays in both legs against Jurgen Klopp's side were inspirational and the reason they came so close to progression.

DEFENCE

PHILIPP LAHM	LEONARDO BONUCCI	THIAGO SILVA	GIORGIO CHIELLINI
BAYERN MUNICH	JUVENTUS	PSG	JUVENTUS

Philipp Lahm was the man who lifted the trophy for Bayern Munich after another season where he proved himself to be right up there with the game's most consistent full-backs. Outstanding in both legs against Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Italian champions Juventus conceded only eight goals from 10 games in the tournament and key to those performances was Leonardo Bonucci as Antonio Conte's men progressed to the quarter-finals before falling to the eventual winners. Edged out Dante for selection after the Brazilian's poor showing in the final.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain impressed in the tournament under coach Carlo Ancelotti, reaching the last eight where they only suffered a narrow away-goals defeat to Barcelona. Thiago Silva again underlined his credentials as one of the world's best centre-backs with a string of solid displays, including against the Catalans.

Alongside Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini ensured Juventus' defence was a formidable obstacle for Champions League attackers this season. Chiellini slots in at left-back given that he played on the left-hand side of the Turin side's back-three.

MIDFIELD

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER	ARTURO VIDAL
BAYERN MUNICH	JUVENTUS

ARJEN ROBBEN	MARIO GOTZE	CRISTIANO RONALDO
BAYERN MUNICH	BORUSSIA DORTMUND	REAL MADRID

Bastian Schweinsteiger played alongside Javi Martinez at the base of Bayern's midfield to provide the cornerstone of the German club's success this season. The duo were vital in orchestrating the progress over Juventus and Barcelona, before combining again in the final to help them to victory.

Arturo Vidal's all-action performances in midfield have made him indispensable to Antonio Conte if Juventus are to build a squad that can go further than the last eight next time around. He played a crucial role in dumping out holders Chelsea in the group stages, scoring against the Blues home and away.

Big-game failure had become synonymous with Arjen Robben until Saturday's final at Wembley. Indecision in the first half failed to knock the Dutchman out of his stride as he set up Bayern's opener and then scored the priceless late winner to defeat Dortmund and cap what has been an excellent individual tournament.

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Mario Gotze. After announcing he would be joining his current club's rivals Bayern, he suffered an injury in the semi-finals which saw him ruled out of the final. But that should not overshadow the huge role he played throughout Dortmund's run to Wembley, with his creative performance in the 4-1 win over Real Madrid still firmly etched in the public's consciousness.

It was another prolific campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe, with his Champions League goals tally now sitting at a round 50 for his career. Scored in both legs of an emotional victory over Manchester United in the last 16 and ended the competition with 12 goals and the Golden Boot award.

ATTACK

LIONEL MESSI

BARCELONA

Lionel Messi may not have added another Champions League winners' medal to his collection this season, but he was highly effective again in Europe's elite club competition. Was inspirational in getting his side past PSG in the last eight and his fitness worries proved costly against Bayern in the last four. Finished up with eight goals to take his overall tournament tally to 59 as he closes in on Raul at the top of the all-time top goalscorers' list.