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Mesut Ozil Rumoured to refuse Drug Test After Tottenham Match

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil "flew into a rage" after being nominated to take a drugs test in the tunnel as the Gunners fell to defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

John Cross of the Mirror reported the Germany international was incensed, with his future at the club in doubt after difficult contract negotiations.

According to Cross, the player initially refused to take the test but complied after being threatened with a fine. Ozil is said to have kicked and damaged a door in "frustration" during the incident at White Hart Lane.

Cross added the player believes he has been asked to complete a post-match test too many times this season.

Ozil has stalled on a new deal to commit his future to the north London club, leaving his Gunners career in doubt, per Cross. The club have reportedly offered the attacker £280,000 a week to remain at the Emirates Stadium.

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Frank Lampard Has His Say On The Premier League's Best Player

Frank Lampard was the guest on Sky Sports' 'Goals On Sunday' show today alongside Chris Kamara and Ben Shepherd.

The retired midfielder helped analyse Saturday's action and also gave his thoughts on a number of football topics during his appearance on the show.

In addition to that, Chelsea's record goalscorer participated in a Q&A whereby fans could submit questions to the ex England midfielder.

One of the questions that popped up was whether Eden Hazard was the best player he has ever played with.

Watch Lampard's response in the following clip:

Frank Lampard when asked if Eden Hazard is the best he's played with...
Thanks to @CriminalCosta for your tweet!https://t.co/MoEDJ0TKzA

- Sky Sports GOS (@GoalsOnSunday) April 9, 2017

The former Manchester City man continued with his praise of Hazard when talking about the best player in the Premier League.

Instead of opting for the likes of Alexis Sanchez or Sergio Aguero, Lampard again singled out his former teammate.

He said:

"Best player in the league for me at the moment.

"I've seen a new maturity from him this year. Not just on the pitch, off the pitch.

"He's doing more interviews, speaking English, those things are important.

"When you become the level he's at, he's captained Belgium a couple of times.

"There were times last year when he was so confident in his ability he would beat players twice. Now there is a directness to his play."

Hazard struggled in Jose Mourinho's final season in charge of Chelsea but has been given a new lease of life under Antonio Conte.

The former Lille man has scored 14 goals this season, including three goals in his last two games.

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Attack is the best defence for City at Monaco, says Pep Guardiola

Manchester City's Spanish coach Pep Guardiola looks on during a press conference in Monaco on March 14, 2017, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Monaco.

Manchester City’s best form of defence will be to attack in Monaco on Wednesday (March 15) as they seek to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, manager Pep Guardiola said.

City edged an astonishing last 16, first leg 5-3 at the Etihad Stadium, having trailed 2-1 and 3-2, and will approach the second leg in a similarly attacking fashion.

“The best way (to defend) is score goals, attack as much as possible,” Guardiola told reporters in Monaco on Tuesday (March 13).

“When one team scores that many goals and you think about just defending, you kill yourself. The idea is to attack.”

Monaco have been a formidable attacking unit this season, scoring 84 goals in 29 Ligue 1 games, and carved City open in the first leg before capitulating late on.

Monaco’s Colombia striker Radamel Falcao scored twice in Manchester but there are doubts about his fitness ahead of the return after he suffered a hip injury at the weekend.

Whether he plays will not effect Guardiola’s thinking though. “Monaco win a lot of games because they attack well and when that happens football is amazing,” he said.

After several disappointments, City made their first major impact in the Champions League last season, reaching the semi-finals under Guardiola’s predecessor Manuel Pellegrini.

With Guardiola’s track record in the competition, however, the Premier League club want to take the next step.
City defender Bacary Sagna knows he will be in for a busy night on the French Riviera.

“To be honest, as a defender it is never pleasing to concede goals. I was upset after the first leg because we conceded three goals. I cannot be pleased,” the former Arsenal player said.

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Angry PSG fans threaten players & their families after shock 6-5 loss to Barca in the champions league

Fans of French club, PSG, have threatened players and their family members upon their return to Paris after the club's shocking 6-5 aggregate loss and total capitulation on Wednesday night at the hands of Barcelona following a 4-0 first leg home win.

According to the club, the players were insulted and their cars vandalized as fans created an 'extremely hostile and aggressive climate' as they waited to confront the French team at Bourget Airport with one person hit by a car during the incident.

PSG have now released a statement saying they strongly condemn the acts of the fans, and that a police investigation into the incident has begun.

The statement read: ' On Wednesday night, upon their return from Barcelona, the Paris St Germain players were confronted and threatened by several individuals at Bourget Airport, despite the club and authorities reinforcing security.

'These individuals verbally insulted the players before vandalising their cars. Several vehicles were damaged.

In this extremely hostile and aggressive climate, all vehicles were escorted to ensure the safe passage of the players, their families and club staff members. One individual was struck by a car trying to escape the crowd that was physically threatening the players and their families.

'A police investigation is under way to establish exactly what happened.

'The club, and all those present, have informed the investigators of their readiness to help the investigation, to get to the bottom of this regrettable incident.

'The club strongly condemns the actions and behaviour of the individuals in question.'

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JUST IN: BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER XABI ALONSO ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has announced he will retire from professional football at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old confirmed the news, which had been rumoured for the last two months, on social media on Thursday morning.

Alonso came through the ranks at Real Sociedad before joining Liverpool in 2004, where his first season culminated in the miraculous Istanbul comeback against AC Milan that secured a Champions League trophy.

One of the greats is saying goodbye. @XabiAlonso will retire from professional football at the end of the season. Danke, Xabi! 👏 #MiaSanMia
pic.twitter.com/HrbdaUvC4e
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 9, 2017

He also won an FA Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and a Community Shield with the Reds and was at Anfield until 2009, when he moved on to Real Madrid, More silverware, including a second Champions League and a La Liga title, came while he was at the Bernabeu.

A move to Bayern followed in 2014 and Alonso helped the club claim Bundesliga titles in his first two seasons - they are also seven points clear this season and reached the Champions League quarter-finals by completing a 10-2 win over Arsenal on Tuesday.

He also won a World Cup and two European Championships while playing for Spain, for whom he won 114 caps and scored 16 goals.

Alonso said: "It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I believe it's the right time.
"I always thought it would be better to quit sooner rather than later. I still feel good, but I believe this is the right moment.

"I wanted to end my career still at the highest level, and Bayern is the highest level. I'm incredibly proud and happy to play for FC Bayern and to be a part of this family."

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I am a lion, says United star Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, compared himself to an animal amid his prolific form at Manchester United.

Never one to shy away from self-descriptions, Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he is a lion as he continues to defy his age and critics in the Premier League.

Legend, king, god, Indiana Jones - those are just some of the ways Ibrahimovic has described himself throughout his illustrious football career.

The 35-year-old star has now added an animal to that list after scoring twice to lead United to glory in the EFL Cup final against Southampton on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic opened the scoring with a free-kick at Wembley and won the match three minutes from time as he took his tally to 26 goals in all competitions since joining United on a free transfer from French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

And while he is not getting any younger, Ibrahimovic has no plans to slow down.

"What I bring, I bring a package. I bring my experience from the other clubs I've been in, I bring what I have achieved, I bring the person that I am," Ibrahimovic said.

Raiola refuses to confirm Ibra stay
"I'm an animal. I feel like a lion. The lion is born a lion. It means I'm a lion!

"I feel in good shape. I train hard. People who know me from the locker room know that I train very hard.

"I have an objective every season I go into. And to reach that objective I need to train hard and I need to suffer when I train that is how I achieve what I achieve.

"I'm from the old school where they work hard and get what they get from doing the hard work not like the new school where it is easy to get what you want."

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RANIERI-LESS LEICESTER SPARK BACK INTO LIFE

RANIERI'S LIGHT IS OUT BUT LEICESTER SPARK INTO LIFE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

The Italian manager was relieved of his duties last week, but his former charges put in a performance against Liverpool to remember.

There was a light-display in the 65th minute around the stands of the King Power Stadium in tribute to sacked manager Claudio Ranieri; the man who came from Italy to coach Leicester City to their first and only Premier League title.

Leicester shrug off Liverpool

This game against Liverpool was Leicester’s first match since the Thai owners not so much swung the axe as put the old sheepdog out of his misery.

There have been precious few moments this season when Leicester’s football matched their output from the last campaign but tonight was one. It is indeed a shame for Ranieri that he had to be sacrificed before his team produced it.

What Ranieri, interim first-team coach Craig Shakespeare and the players did last season was not rocket science. It was simple football – well executed – and it served them well.

"He told us what he wanted us to do, which was very simple and basic and we’ve done that," said defender Danny Simpson to Sky Sports . "Let’s hope we can carry that on for him."

Ranieri – it has been suggested – overcomplicated the formula this season in an effort to make Leicester less predictable but that left his players bemused and dissatisfied with what they were being asked to do.

Shakespeare took the team back to basics here and got a result – and a performance – worthy of being in last season’s canon.

The level of disdain that has been levelled at Leicester’s champion players in the past few days is undeserved. No matter how likeable Ranieri, it was not him out there making saves and blocks or providing dribbles and goals.

A group of ordinary players played above themselves for a full campaign; to ascribe the credit for their success solely to Ranieri is wrongheaded.

"I’d be lying if I said it’s not hurt the lads," Simpson said. "Of course it has. We can come out and say this and say that but it’s football that does the talking. I think everyone tonight was fantastic but we have to kick on now."

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Jose Mourinho wants Neymar at Manchester United

Reports in Spain have it that Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho is in regular contact with Barcelona's Neymar in a bid to bring the star forward to England. According to Spanish newspaper SPORT, Mourinho has been trying to sell Neymar on the move by explaining how the transfer would benefit the attacker's career and allow him to develop as a player.

The newspaper reports that the Man United coach is worried at his team's over reliance on Zlatan Ibrahimovic for goals and wants Neymar to take some of the responsibility off the big Swede's shoulders. Ibrahimovic has 16 in the league this season but the next highest-scorer in United's squad is Juan Mata - with six Premier League strikes. It remains to be seen if Barcelona will let go of one of their biggest assets.

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CAF: Kenya has nine months to protect her Chan 2018 hosting rights

It is still possible for Kenya to host Chan 2018 tournament according to Caf first Vice-President Suketu Patel.

Caf officials finished their preliminary inspection job in the country’s four stadia on Thursday and the vice-president was giving a general remark on the task, whose end-result will determine whether Kenya hosts the continental competition or not.

Speaking on Friday at a joint event with Football Kenya Federation and the government, Patel expressed some confidence in the country’s preparations explaining that a report, aimed at ensuring that the country meets the threshold, will be availed to the Local Organizing committee in 10 days.

"Kenya had won the hosting rights and is only required to put her house in order between now and November. Our inspection team have noted the weaknesses and strengths of the country in terms of preparations and will avail a recommendation report to help you achieve your main objective, which is to host the competition."

Ulinzi Stars to play NSL side in friendly
His statement comes a day after it emerged that the delegation was not pleased with the conditions of Nyayo National stadium, Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium and Meru’s Kinoru Stadium.

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POGBA NO MACHINE LIKE MESSI OR RONALDO, SAYS MATA

The Red Devils midfielder feels people are expecting too much from the Frenchman following his big-money move from Juventus.

Juan Mata has defended Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba and says he cannot be expected to match the achievements of fellow superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pogba returned to Old Trafford for a world-record transfer fee of €105 million after four seasons at Juventus, and has sometimes struggled to live up to the high expectations at United.

Mourinho's classy tribute to Ranieri
Mata feels the criticism is not a result of Pogba underperforming, but a consequence of unrealistic demands.

"I imagine it is not easy," Mata told the BBC .

"When the big transfer comes and the expectations are high, sometimes people lose perception of reality.

"We are not machines. Messi and Ronaldo are the only two [that can score every game]. There is no more."

Pogba will be looking to lift his first major trophy with United when they take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.

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Wayne Rooney urged to snub China transfer by Ronaldinho

Wayne Rooney has been urged to snub a move to the Chinese Super League by former Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

On Thursday, Rooney released a statement confirming that he had offers to leave Manchester United, but insisted that he will remain at Old Trafford until the end of the season.

And the Brazil icon insists it is too early in the 31-year-old’s career to consider a transfer to the Far East.

‘It is not meant as any disrespect, but I do not want to see Wayne Rooney play in China just yet,’ Ronaldinho told Fox Latin America.

‘If his time at Manchester United is up, then it is up, but he will still be an important player for many of the top clubs in England, Italy, Spain, Germany, or France.

‘Over the last 10 years he is one of the players I have respected most, he has exceptional ability and I want to see him play in a league that will still test him.’

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I am not leaving Manchester united, say Wayne Rooney

British media reports said Rooney’s agent, Paul Stretford, had been in China speaking to interested clubs but the United and England captain insisted he was remaining at Old Trafford.

“Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United,” the 31-year-old Rooney said in a statement released to Britain’s Press Association.

“I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.

“It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it,” added Rooney, whose current United contract runs until mid-2018, with the club holding the option to extend it by a further year.

Speculation over the experienced forward’s future has intensified in recent weeks with Rooney often sidelined by United manager Jose Mourinho.

Chinese clubs said to be interested in Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer, included Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian.

British media had reported that he could earn up to $1 million a week, making him the world’s best paid player, but Rooney’s statement has at least ended the debate over his future ahead of the closure of the CSL transfer window next Tuesday.

Rooney missed Wednesday’s Europa League last-32 second leg in Saint-Etienne through injury, but dominated conversation in France.

Mourinho said that Rooney’s future was in his own hands in comments at his pre-match press conference that only fuelled the speculation.

“You’ll have to ask him,” Mourinho said. “You have to ask him. “Of course I can’t guarantee (he will be here). I can’t guarantee that I’m here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season?”

However, the Portuguese boss — previously in charge of United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea — added: “What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club.

“That’s the only thing I can guarantee.
“I would never push — or try to push — a legend of this club to another destiny.

“So you have to ask him if he sees himself staying in the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving. It is not a question for me because I am happy to have him.”

Rooney has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy since joining as an 18-year-old for £27 million ($34 million, 32 million euros) from Everton in 2004.

Now the immediate football issue for Rooney will be whether he’s fit enough to play in Sunday’s League Cup final against Southampton at Wembley.

Questions over Rooney’s long-term future are bound to remain, however, and it is still possible that he could, at some stage, follow the likes of former United team-mate Carlos Tevez, ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar and striker Odion Ighalo, previously with Watford, in making a big-money move to the Far East.

England’s all-time top scorer, Rooney has won 119 caps and is closing in on goalkeeping great Peter Shilton’s national record of 125 appearances.

Rooney has, however, already announced plans to retire from international football after next year’s World Cup in Russia.

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'Four more years'- Arsene Wenger hints at staying at Arsenal despite fans disgust and anger

Arsenal suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Bayern Munich last week upping the pressure from fans of the club, for manager, Arsene Wenger to retire after over 20 years at the club.

But Wenger despite growing calls from top sports analysts and stakeholders to retire, says he doesn't feel like retiring as he is only 67 and Man U manager, Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the age of 71, a statement that'll surely rile Arsenal fans.

"Ferguson has some other interests in life and he was older [when he retired] than I am today," Wenger told reporters.
"He was four years older. He retired at 71 and I’m 67."

When asked if he planned to coach Arsenal for four more years to match his old rival, he replied:

"Maybe more, maybe less, I don’t know. Everybody is different. I do not want to take anything away from Ferguson, he was an absolutely unbelievable manager, but he had enough. He had enough. And I’m not at that stage."

"No, it’s not a threat, not at all," he added. "My preference is always to manage Arsenal and I have shown that."I am adult enough to analyse the situation (poor results)," he said.

Arsene Wenger started coaching Arsenal in 1996, but the last decade has seen Arsenal being branded a top four club, with major honors such as the premier league and champions league eluding them, and despite the millions being made by the club from player sales, ticketing and champions league revenue, fans still have to make do with trophies like the F.A cup once in a while.

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Arsenal team news: David Ospina WILL start Champions League clash v Bayern Munich, Arsene Wenger confirms

The Gunners face a tough challenge as they come up against the reigning Bundesliga champions in Germany for the first leg of their round-of-16 tie.

Wenger's side have been dumped out at this stage of the competition in the previous six seasons, including twice by Bayern, but will be hoping to make use of the small advantage of playing the first leg away from home.

That is reward for topping their group, in which Ospina played all six games as Arsenal remained undefeated against Paris St Germain, Basle and Ludogorets.

And Wenger has kept faith in the Colombia international, opting to field him against Bayern rather than revert back to usual first-choice stopper Petr Cech, as he did at this stage last season against Barcelona.

"I have nothing to hide there, it will be Ospina because of the quality of his performances," he replied when asked which goalkeeper would start the game.

"We are in the last 16 and finished top of the group. If you analyse his performances in every single game we are where we are because of his great performances."

Wenger also suggested Mesut Ozil would start on Wednesday after he said the German World Cup winner was lacking confidence in recent games.

Ozil has not scored since December 10 and has been a peripheral figure for many of Arsenal's last fixtures, including the two recent defeats to Watford and Chelsea.

"I will pick the team tomorrow morning," he said when asked if Ozil would play.
"I have no doubt that we play in Germany and Ozil is highly focused to have a good performance tomorrow.

"Ozil has been playing for us for many years now and he knows perfectly our team and he knows how we want to play in every match. So it is an important match."

Wenger welcomes Granit Xhaka back into his squad after the midfielder sat out the last four domestic games through suspension, while Per Mertesacker also makes a Champions League squad for the first time this season.

Lucas Perez was left in England due to a slight hamstring problem, with Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla the other injured players.

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Sergio Aguero to join former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini at AC Milan

According to reports in Italy, the San Siro club want to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Argentine ace by planning a summer swoop.

City striker Aguero has been dropped to the bench by manager Pep Guardiola twice in a row in favour of January arrival Gabriel Jesus.

The 19-year-old Brazilian, who joined the Blues from Palmeiras for £27m, has enjoyed a dazzling start to life in England with three goals and one assist in four appearances.

Guardiola's decision to drop the City hero has led to suggestions Aguero could be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium, should somebody stump up the required £80m fee.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have both been linked but, according to the Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan are also on the list.

The Serie A giants are set to be taken over by a Chinese consortium who will reportedly have money to spend – and also want to appoint Mancini as manager.

It has also been reported that top of Mancini's hit list will be Aguero, who he signed for City from Atletico Madrid back in July 2011.

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A walk inside Manchester City defender John Stones stunning £3.4million Cheshire mansion

England star Stones, a £47.5million summer signing from Everton, bought the house shortly before Christmas.

John Stones, the Manchester City centre-back, has snapped up a stunning £3.4million mansion in Cheshire.

The property boasts six bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool as well as a stunning garden which overlooks a lake.

Stones, a £47.5million summer signing from Everton, bought the house shortly before Christmas.

The England defender's new home also contains a gym, a sauna and a games room, complete with a pool table and air hockey. More photos after the cut...

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CONFIRMED: Arsene Wenger charged with misconduct by Football Association for actions shown during Arsenal's win over Burnley

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been hit with a misconduct charge from the Football Association following two altercations with fourth official Anthony Taylor during Sunday's win over
Burnley.

The Frenchman was sent from his technical area by referee Jon Moss for contesting the award of a stoppage-time penalty to the Clarets, having allegedly aimed verbal abuse at Taylor.

Wenger then attempted to watch the remainder of the game from inside the tunnel and was shown by television cameras pushing Taylor when being told he had to retreat.

Arsenal would go on to win the game 2-1 as Alexis Sanchez converted an even-later penalty after Andre Gray's spot-kick had cancelled out Shkodran Mustafi's opener.

Wenger apologised for his behaviour after the game but the FA confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that he has since been charged.

"Arsene Wenger has been charged for misconduct following Arsenal's game against Burnley on Sunday (22 January 2017)," a statement on the FA website read.

"It is alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official.

"It is further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct.

"He has until 6pm on 26 January 2017 to respond to the charge."

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See what Antonio Conte thinks of Diego Costa

"I can put my hands in the fire," Conte said. "It means that you trust 100 per cent the situation."

Costa missed last weekend's win at Leicester with a back injury amid reports of a bust-up with Conte and his backroom staff.

The 28-year-old has also been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League, but is in contention to return in Sunday's home game against Hull.

Conte added: "The player wants to stay at Chelsea. He's very happy to play with us. This idea (to move) is far from his mind.

"He missed only one game, the last game. Now he's ready to come back with us.

"I'm sure about his commitment, his behaviours, his will to fight with this team, to try together to fight to the end to try to win the title."

Chelsea have a seven-point lead entering this weekend's fixtures, with Costa's 14 goals in 19 Premier League games integral to the revival.

Costa was among the players jeered by the Chelsea support in the aftermath of Jose Mourinho's sacking 13 months ago.

Conte does not want a repeat. The Italian says Costa's loyalty should not be questioned, maintaining the one-game absence was enforced.

"I don't think this situation can happen. It's not right," Conte said.
"Last week, he had this injury, this pain in his back.

"Every time Diego played for Chelsea, he always put all of himself into it for this club, for this shirt.

"For this reason, I'm sure on Sunday that, if Diego starts the game, he'll put all himself into it for this club, the shirt and the fans, and help us to win the game."

Costa had been linked with a mega-money move to Tianjin Quanjian. The CSL club's billionaire owner Shu Yuhui recently met his agent Jorge Mendes.

Conte insisted he had no issue with "friend" Mendes, who had shown "respect" to Chelsea.

Costa has also been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid and a switch to Barcelona.

Conte was asked if Chelsea should try to tie Costa down to an extended contract to end speculation over his future. The Spain striker is halfway through the five-year deal he signed on joining from Atletico in July 2014.

"I think now it's better to be focused, to be concentrated on the present, not on the future," he added.

"Now it's important to have these four months in a very strong way. Then we'll see."

Conte refused to directly address questions over the reported training ground argument and would not confirm if he met with Costa individually this week.

And the Italian was adamant Costa trained on his own on Sunday and Monday - while his team-mates had time off - only to be in the right physical condition to rejoin first-team training on Tuesday.

Costa's selection for what would be his 100th Chelsea appearance is not guaranteed. However, his only two absences in the Premier League this season were when he was unavailable - suspended against Bournemouth and injured last week.

Eden Hazard played the central role in a front three with Pedro and Willian against Leicester, and Chelsea won 3-0, just as they did against the Cherries on Boxing Day.

"I sleep some hours less to make the best decision," Conte added.
"I have to pick three players and if someone stays out it's not for punishment or for other stories."

The former Italy and Juventus boss does not have automatic selections and says he will be culpable if Costa plays and is distracted by the events of the last week.

"I don't like this word, this adjective, 'untouchable'," Conte said.
"I prefer all my players show me every single day that they deserve to play on Sunday.
"If Diego is not concentrated and if he starts, the fault is mine.
"(But) in this week I didn't see the player wasn't focused, wasn't concentrating."

Conte, who has John Terry available following a ban, did confirm Chelsea are considering an offer from Bournemouth for second-choice goalkeeper
Asmir Begovic, currently back-up to Thibaut Courtois.

Conte said: "The club and I are evaluating this offer."

From the web

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What Lionel Messi has said about Cristiano Ronaldo has shocked the football world

'I view Cristiano Ronaldo as a great player' - Lionel Messi says.

5 Time Ballon D'or winner, Lionel Messi, has heaped praise on his rival, four time Ballon D'or Winner and one time FIFA 'Best' winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, saying Ronaldo has achieved many things and he has mutual respect for the Real Madrid man, dispelling the myth that the pair are huge rivals who resent one another.

Messi, who missed out on FIFA's 'The Best' Awards gala last Monday, citing match preparation duties, also took out time to praise England's all time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney, saying he has always respected the Manchester United captain, who is just one goal shy of breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's all time goal scoring record for Manchester United.

Speaking to Coach Mag, Messi said:

“There is a mutual respect. I view him as a great player who has achieved great things because that is exactly what he is. My motivation, though, has always come from wanting to do well for Barcelona and Argentina, and the fans.”

“Over the years we have faced many British teams in Europe and come up against many good players, but I have always had a big respect for Wayne Rooney. He has played at the highest level for many years and is one of the special players of the generation.”

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