Plauseorminus

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is not fearing the prospect of being without David Luiz against Premier League leaders Manchester City, such is his faith in young centre-back Andreas Christensen. Brazilian defender Luiz was shown a red card in Chelsea’s goalless draw against Arsenal earlier this month, resulting in a three-game ban the last of which will be served on Saturday. Although it will be a blow to lose Luiz, Conte believes his understudy, Christensen, has already proven he is capable of stepping into the Chelsea back-line. ‘As you know very well, David is a very important player for us,’ said the Italian coach ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with City. ‘For sure he is a big loss for us, but I think that Andreas is playing very well and showing that he is a really good player. ‘He’s a young player with big maturity and really good experience to play with us. I’m happy for his performance.’ As well as being shown a red card against Arsenal, Luiz also gave away a

Sergio Aguero admits he is ‘hurt badly’ after being involved in a car crash in Amsterdam ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday. The Argentina international was a passenger in a taxi en route to Amsterdam airport after attending a concert by Colombian singer Maluma on Thursday evening. The key weakness Antonio Conte can exploit to stop the Man City juggernaut again The striker, who has suffered a fractured rib from the incident, was taken to a hospital in Netherlands but is due to return to Manchester on Friday afternoon. ‘The taxi driver did not see the curve and skid,’ Aguero told Radio Metro de Argentina. ‘And when he skidded, we hit him with the pole. ‘I broke my rib, now I’m resting. It hurts me badly. ‘I’ll be discharged in a little while.’ On Friday, Pep Guardiola confirmed Aguero will miss City’s fixture against Chelsea and is unsure when the striker will be available to play. ‘No, he cannot play tomorrow [against Chelsea], for the internati

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has bracketed Paul Pogba's injury as "long term" - comparing it to those Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are recovering from. The severity of the hamstring issue that caused the 24-year-old to limp off early in the club's Champions League return against Basel has been shrouded in mystery. Mourinho has repeatedly claimed not to know how bad Pogba's injury is as the club continued to assess him in-house, as well as seeking specialist advice. The Manchester United manager is still unwilling to put a timescale on the injury, but 17 days on from the France international's setback Mourinho has revealed it is a long-term issue. "He's injured, he cannot play on Saturday and it's not an injury that I can have the hope like I have with Antonio Valencia or Phil Jones," Mourinho said of Pogba. "I have the hope to see them in training and to have a positive answer, so long-term injuries I

Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke will be out for at least six weeks due to ligament damage, Roy Hodgson has confirmed. Wilfried Zaha is not ready to return to face Manchester United on Saturday following a knee injury, while on-loan Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will also miss the game due to a thigh strain. "He's [Benteke] got ligament damage which will keep him out for a minimum of six weeks," Hodgson said on Friday. "We don't think he'll be able to train for six weeks." Benteke's injury leaves Palace without any experienced first-team strikers, with Connor Wickham still in rehabilitation following his knee injury and Freddie Ladapo, 24, yet to make a Premier League appearance for Palace. Free agent Carlton Cole has been reported as a possible solution to Palace's injury crisis up front, but the former Chelsea and West Ham striker is not on Hodgson's radar, with the Eagles manager admitting the club have few o

Dele Alli has been banned for one England match for making an offensive gesture during this month's World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia. The Tottenham midfielder will be unavailable for next week's qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley, after FIFA settled on a one-match ban and a £3,850 fine. Alli was caught on camera making a middle-finger gesture which he later claimed was directed at team-mate Kyle Walker rather than the referee. That explanation was apparently accepted by FIFA, with a spokesman saying: "The Disciplinary Committee was not convinced that the player directed the gesture at the referee. The statement added: "Regardless of whether it was allegedly directed at a team-mate, it did consider such gesture to be offensive and unsporting and therefore it amounted to a violation of art. 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code." Source - Skysports

Manchester City have confirmed striker Sergio Aguero was involved in a car crash in the Netherlands. Unverified claims on Friday morning said the 29-year-old fractured a rib after the taxi in which he was travelling in Amsterdam struck a pillar. Dutch police told Sky Sports News that two people were injured and taken to hospital, but would not confirm their names. However, Manchester City have since confirmed Aguero was one of the people involved. A club statement read: "Sergio Aguero will be assessed by club doctors today [Friday] after being involved in a road accident on Thursday. "The City forward was in Holland on his day off and has sustained injuries. "He will return to Manchester this morning and his status will be checked ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Chelsea." Aguero had earlier posted a picture of himself with Colombian singer Maluma on his Instagram account. He was understood to have been attending Maluma'

Inter Milan chairman Erick Thohir has confirmed that the club are ‘definitely looking at’ the possibility of signing Arsenal star Mesut Ozil.  Reports suggest Arsenal are sounding out potential suitors for Ozil – and are keen on a swap deal involving Joao Mario but Inter do not want to lose the Portugal midfielder. However, Inter’s minority owner,  Thohir, has made it clear that a deal for Ozil is being considered, with the German out of contract at the Emirates next summer. ‘He [Ozil] is definitely one of those players we are looking at but the last January signings of [Lukas] Podolski and [Xherdan] Shaqiri proves winter signings can be fail to live up to expectations,’ Thohir said. ‘We have many new players already, we have tried to build the best possible team with the resources we had.’ Alexis Sanchez, who missed out on a £60million deadline day move to Manchester City, is also out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. Credit - Metro

The club's hierarchy held a meeting to discuss Ancelotti's future on Thursday afternoon and have announced that the 58-year-old has now left the Bavarians. A statement on the club's website said: "Following an internal analysis in Munich on Thursday 28 September 2017, FC Bayern München have announced the club is to part company with head coach Carlo Ancelotti with immediate effect. Sky Italy reporter Alessandro Alciato, who collaborated with Ancelotti on his autobiography, said to Sky in Italy: "He was considering leaving the club after what happened last night and was discussing this hypothesis with his staff when the news of the sacking arrived. "Clearly the locker room was divided. The big names of the club were not happy that they were not always playing and in Munich this was not accepted also by the fans. "If an important player doesn't train or play well he is out, but some players like [Thomas] Muller, [Arjen] Robben, [Franck]

Bayern Munich have sacked Carlo Ancelotti as coach on Thursday [28 September] after the German team's heaviest Champions League group-stage defeat. Wednesday's 3-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain led club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to warn of "consequences" after what he called a "very bitter defeat." Bayern said Willy Sagnol, a former Bayern defender who was Ancelotti's assistant, will take over the team on an interim basis. Ancelotti, who won the Bundesliga in his first season in charge after taking over from Pep Guardiola, endured a shaky start to his second season. Bayern lost to Hoffenheim in the third round of the league and let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg last Friday. Bayern are three points behind league leaders Borussia Dortmund after six rounds. The former Chelsea and AC Milan boss had been in charge at the Allianz Arena for nearly 15 months after taking over as Pep Guardiola's successor in July 2016

Neymar has rubbished reports of a falling out with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate, Edinson Cavani. The Brazilian was believed to have soured his relationship with the striker when he demanded he should be PSG’s penalty taker. The attacking pair were seen arguing during a victory over Lyon about who should take a penalty. Neymar lost that argument after he had pushed Cavani off a free-kick earlier in the game. Fans were watching Neymar and Cavani closely on Wednesday night as they tried to spot any lingering anomisity between them in the Bayern Munich game. There were a few incidents that attracted attention including when Cavani wrapped an arm around Neymar after the attacker missed a sitter. Despite the talk, Neymar insisted there was no issue between him and Uruguayan. ‘They invent lots of stories, they talk too much,’ he said after the game. ‘They say things they do not know, try to get into our locker room and end up talking too much, things that do not exist. ‘But anyway

Alvaro Morata made history with his second-half goal for Chelsea in the side’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.  Antonio Conte’s men took a massive leap towards the knockout stages of the competition as Morata found the net with his head in the 59th minute before Michy Batshuayi’s last-gasp winner for the Blues in injury time.  Morata, who joined from Atleti’s arch-rivals Real Madrid in July, was relentlessly jeered at the Wanda Metropolitano but Chelsea’s summer signing got the last laugh on Wednesday evening. The Spaniard became the first opposition player ever to score at the ground after Atleti moved out of the Calderon ahead of the 2017/18 campaign – and Batshuayi soon became the second. After the goal, Morata said: ‘Because of my past it’s always a good feeling [to score against Atletico Madrid]. ‘To make the first goal in a new stadium – I’m very happy.’ Asked if the goal meant more because it was against Atletico Madrid, Morata r

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte hailed Eden Hazard after his side’s 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Antoine Griezmann put the La Liga giants ahead but Alvaro Morata levelled proceedings before Michy Batshuayi’s dramatic winner in injury time. Hazard, 26, was making just his second start of the season but the Belgian was a constant threat for the Blues and set-up Morata for Chelsea’s equaliser. The winger showed few signs of his lack of game time so far this season and Conte was quick to praise Hazard for his sparkling performance. ‘We must be very happy because Eden’s performance was amazing,’ said Conte. ‘It was the first big game for him [this season] after a bad injury and his answer was fantastic. ‘It was positive and he made a great link with Alvaro.’

Antonio Conte has hinted both Eden Hazard and David Luiz are fit to start for Chelsea in their Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. Hazard underwent ankle surgery during the summer transfer window and has made three appearances off the bench in the Premier League so far this season against Leicester City,Arsenal and Stoke City. Last Wednesday, the Belgium international made his first start of the campaign in the 5-1 thrashing of Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. Conte now suggests he is ready to start the forward again in what is set to be Chelsea's toughest examination of the Champions League group stage away to Diego Simeone's side. "Last season he showed in every game his great talent. He is a top player," Conte told a press conference on Tuesday. "This competition is very important for him and the team as it brings you to another level. He has all the possibilities to do this for us. "He is totally fit

Chelsea star Eden Hazard admits he is an awe of the passing and vision of his team-mate Cesc Fabregas, during an interview in which he discussed how he’d build his perfect footballer. The Belgium international is regarded as one of the top attacking players in the world on his day, but conceded he’d be on a much higher level if he could pass a ball like Fabregas.  The Blues midfielder has long been one of the best creative players in the game and continues to pull the strings for Antonio Conte’s side in a manner that few others can. Hazard told France Football he’d also like to have the free-kicks of Christian Eriksen, the heading ability of Christian Benteke and the leadership of former Chelsea captain John Terry.  But it was arguably Fabregas about whom he spoke in the most glowing terms. ‘ I have had the chance to play with Fabregas and I can say that he has the best game vision in the world,’ Hazard said. ‘He does not run fast, technically he does not make gestures…

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has revealed that Gareth Bale sustained a minor calf problem during the club's Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on 26 September. Bale scored a sumptuous volley in the 18th minute to send Real on their way to a 3-1 victory over Dortmund at Westfalenstadion, but the Welshman limped off with five minutes remaining on the clock and was replaced by Lucas Vasquez. Zidane insisted that the problem that forced Bale off was nothing serious and said he hoped the goal would prove to be a turning point for the former Tottenham forward. The 28-year-old has only found the net twice in La Liga this season and has been persistently jeered during home games by some sections of the Santiago Bernabeu support. "I hope that there are more turning points like tonight's, but Gareth is now on really good form," Zidane told Real's official website. "His calf has swelled up but it's nothing major. "He hasn't h

Diego Costa has written an open letter on social media thanking Chelsea following the completion of his move to Atletico Madrid. Costa's return to the club where he spent four years before joining Chelsea back in 2014 was confirmed on Tuesday night, with the striker available to play for Atletico from January 1 when their transfer ban is lifted. The Brazil-born striker expressed his love for Chelsea's supporters in his farewell message but there was no mention of Blues boss Antonio Conte or the Italian's coaching staff in Costa's social media post. Costa wrote on his Facebook page: "Some cycles begin while others end. My cycle at Chelsea began three years ago - three remarkable years in all aspects - and I will never forget it. "Two championship titles, a Community Shield, 120 matches, 59 goals and 24 assists later this cycle has ended. Not the way I would have wanted - far from it - but the best way possible. "The wonderful fans of suc

Alvaro Morata has warned Chelsea’s Premier League rivals that he will only get better after making a blistering start to life in English football. The Spaniard has banged in six goals in his first six matches in the league, including a fabulous hat-trick against Stoke on Saturday. Plenty had been made of whether he was capable of replacing the departing Diego Costa – who was told he was surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte at the start of the summer – and after being perhaps harshly criticised for his display against Arsenal, he hit back at his critics in style against Stoke just a week later. His high quality treble sees him top the Premier League scoring charts along with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku but Morata insists there’s plenty more to come. ‘I am happy with my start in the Premier League but I can do better,’ he said. ‘I had two chances at the end of the game against Stoke [but didn’t take them]. ‘I also

Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas hopes Lionel Messi will sign a new deal at Barcelona after claiming that there is "no better home" for his close pal than the Nou Camp. Barcelona announced on 5 July that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner had agreed a new contract to commit his long-term future to the La Liga giants. However, the 30-year-old forward is yet to sign the contract amid suggestions that his relationship with the club's board is strained. Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has tried to play down concerns from the fans in recent weeks, saying that the club are just waiting for the right time for Messi to sign the new deal which will include a €300m (£263.5m) release clause to ward off potential suitors. Fabregas is unaware about the state of the negotiations but has urged his former Barcelona teammate to put pen to paper on the new contract. "I do not know, I hope so," the Chelsea star said to Marca when asked whether Messi will ev

The Manchester United boss is in Russia for Wednesday's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow and was asked about Manchester United injury update, Mourinho confirmed that Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba are all out of action. Pogba is out with a hamstring problem and the Portuguese boss said no further update on his condition was available. Mourinho was asked how much his team would miss Fellaini on Wednesday night, with the Belgian not having recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in a tackle by Shane Long in the victory over the Saints. "He was lucky [not to be out longer]," Mourinho said. "It could have been a much worse situation. "I expect him not to be out for a long time and after Crystal Palace there is an international break, with no pressure on Belgium, so hopefully he will be back for us. "The solutions are not many. We are trying not to focus on individual battles in specific areas on the pitch.

Jose Mourinho has expressed his relief at avoiding a suspension following his sending-off at Southampton. The Manchester United boss is in Russia for Wednesday's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow and was asked about the FA's decision not to take further action for being sent to the stands near the end ofSaturday's 1-0 win at St Mary's. "If I am not punished, it is because there were no reasons for the sending-off," Mourinho said. "I am happy that was recognised and that I can be doing my work normally against Crystal Palace. That is enough for me." The referee involved on the south coast at the weekend actually received some praise from the United boss. "Craig Pawson is one of the big talents in England," Mourinho added. "He had an amazing game. He was so calm and in control. After I watch it on TV, no camera on Craig and he made that decision." Mourinho confirmed that Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carric

Cesc Fabregas has paid tribute to Diego Costa ahead of his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, saying the striker "deserves to be on the field". Sky sources understand Atleti will pay more than £50m to sign Costa, who must pass a medical and agree personal terms before the move can be confirmed. The Spain forward, who refused to train at Chelsea this summer in a bid to force through a transfer, is set to rejoin his former club in January when Atleti's transfer ban expires. "It's a shame for him more than anyone," Fabregas told Marca. "Diego knew that signing for Atletico meant he could not play for a few months. "It has been a difficult situation for him, for Chelsea. He deserves to be on the field." Costa and Fabregas both signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2014 and helped the club win two Premier League titles and a League Cup. "Diego is always [a friend] and never a rival," Fabregas added. "In recent

Arsene Wenger explained why Mesut Ozil started on the bench for Arsenal‘s 2-0 victory over West Brom at the Emirates. The 28-year-old missed the Gunners’ clashes with Koln, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers in the lead-up to the Baggies encounter but replaced Alexis Sanchez in 83rd minute after Alexandre Lacazette’s brace on Monday night. Ozil’s last start came in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth on September 9 and Wenger revealed there were still concerns over the German’s fitness. Asked about Ozil’s absence from his starting XI on Monday evening, Wenger told the BBC: ‘He just came back from a knee problem. ‘And he hasn’t practiced a lot in the last two weeks. ‘I didn’t know really how much he has lost on the fitness front.’ The north London club travel to Bate Borisov in midweek and Ozil will hope to feature in Arsenal’s second Europa League match of the season. Source - Metro

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku’s respective starts for Chelsea and Manchester United are being fuelled by past disappointments. The duo were both involved in big-money transfers this summer and have hit the ground running for their new clubs with six goals each in the Premier League so far. Both arrived in slightly different circumstances, with Morata joining Chelsea after a year largely spent on the bench for Real Madrid, while Lukaku moved to United after starring for Everton and seeking a step up to a bigger club. Wright believes that each back-story has contributed to them relishing their new roles this season, as they are finally being given the kind of position as leading man that they’ve been craving. ‘Both know they are loved, know they are the main man, and know they are in the right place at last,’ Wright wrote in The Sun. ‘Morata came from Real Madrid having never really had a chance to establish himself at the Bernabeu.

Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans has revealed he turned down a move to Arsenal in the summer over concerns that he would not get enough first-team opportunities. Tielemans, 20, was linked with moves to several top clubs across Europe, including Arsenal,Manchester City and Manchester United, after a stand out season at Anderlecht. The Belgium international opted to join Monaco in a £21m ($28m) transfer, with his contract running to June 2022. Tielemans cited competition for places in Arsenal's midfield as a major factor in why he turned down the chance of a move to the Emirates Stadium. "I knew not much was going to change with Arsenal's squad," he was quoted as saying by the Sun. "Their management wanted to keep the same group of players together in order to finish high in the Premier League. "I had to be honest with myself and take a look at the midfielders Arsenal have got. They are top-class players. "I knew that I would not g

Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu have been included in Barcelona's 20-man travelling squad to face Sporting Clube de Portugal on Wednesday night (27 September) after the two summer signings were rested during Saturday's 3-0 victory at Girona. Ernesto Valverde has also promoted goalkeeper Adria Ortola from the second team but Paco Alcacer, Thomas Vermaelen and Arda Turan have been left out alongside long-term injury duo Rafinha Alcantara and Ousmane Dembele. Semedo and Deulofeu have played important roles for Valverde since completing their respective moves from Benfica and Everton during the summer transfer window. The Barcelona boss decided to give then a much-needed rest against Girona ahead of a busy week which will see the Catalans visiting Sporting in the Champions League before a La Liga encounter with UD Las Palmas next Sunday. However, both Semedo and Deulofeu are back and will be fresh to face Sporting and could recover their places in Valverde'

Liverpool are understood to be ready to negotiate the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona either during the coming January transfer window or in the summer. Spanish publication Sport claims the Merseysiders have softened their stance after Coutinho's agents recently met in Boston with representatives of Fenway Sports Group to make it clear that the Brazilian ace still wants a move to the Nou Camp. Coutinho, 25, only signed a new deal, reportedly worth around £150,000-a-week, in January to become the highest-paid player at Liverpool. However, the Brazilian tried to force a move to Barcelona during the summer after being identified as a top priority for Ernesto Valverde's side. The Spanish giants launched multiple offers to complete the move, but eventually opted against matching the €200m (£176m) demands made by Liverpool. Last week Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu suggested that the club would not make a new attempt to sign him in January.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has expressed his intention to return to Italy in the future after revealing that he is not planning to "stay abroad for too long". The former Italy coach was rewarded with a new two-year contract in the summer having led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season in charge. Conte, who won three successive Serie A titles during his time at Juventus,insisted in August that he was totally committed to Chelsea despite persistent rumours of a return to his homeland. But, on Monday, Conte told Radio Anch'io Sport: "I miss Italy, there is no doubt. "It is not in my mind to stay abroad for a long time. Italy is my country. I will return, I don't know when but that is the aim." When asked further about his future and other countries that he may enjoy working in, including China and Germany, Conte said: "China? No, absolutely not. Bundesliga? It's always difficult to predict the future. Let&#

Antonio Conte has all the talents of Diego Costa in Alvaro Morata with none of the headaches, according to Jamie Redknapp. Costa caused a stir at Chelsea when he revealed Conte had sent him a text this summer saying he was not part of his future plans. The Chelsea striker then refused to return to pre-season and has now secured a return to Atletico Madrid. Conte replaced Costa with Real Madrid’s Morata and the Spaniard has started brilliantly, scoring his first hat-trick for the Blues on Saturday. And Redknapp has been surprised by Morata’s quality and believes Conte took a massive risk this summer signing him. ‘I thought that Chelsea replacing Diego Costa with Morata would be one of the biggest gambles of the season,’ Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail. ‘Morata may not have the same subtle touches as Kane in his game but he is confounding all his doubters. ‘Having already shown his remarkable heading ability, against Stoke he demonstrated blistering pace and clinical finishing. ‘I rea

Antonio Conte has thanked Diego Costa for his contribution to Chelsea's history in his three years at Stamford Bridge. Costa's 52 Premier League goals helped secure two titles in three years before a summer text message from Conte called time on his Chelsea career. A fee has now been agreed for the Spain striker to return to Atletico Madrid in the winter transfer window, and Costa this week insisted he bears no grudge over his treatment. The pair's sole season together was punctuated by a training-ground row at the start of the year but ended with the title, and speaking ahead of Saturday's game against Stoke, Conte said: "I don't forget that we won together. "I repeat - for sure we want to thank him for his effort last season, not only last season but in the period he played for Chelsea." The Blues boss ignored repeated invitations to expand on his feelings towards Costa, insisting "the past is not important" and preferri

Barcelona are said to be ready to hand Sergi Roberto a new deal to increase his current €40m (£35.3m, $47.8m) release clause following summer speculation linking the Spaniard with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. Catalan publication Sport says that the La Liga giants are also ready to begin negotiations with Gerard Pique and Gerard Deulofeu in a bid to avoid another Neymar saga, after the Brazilian ace left the Nou Camp to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer after his €222m buy-out clause was triggered. The Catalans expect Lionel Messi to put pen to paper on a new deal in the near future after they announce in June an agreement was in place for the Argentina international to stay at the club until 2021. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has reiterated that Messi's retention is only a formality with the club also in negotiations with 33-year-old Andres Iniesta. Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano,Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Ivan Raki

Liverpool have been handed a major injury boost after Emre Can was passed fit to train with the first-team ahead of the Reds' Premier League clash against Leicester City on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp had labelled the midfielder a doubt during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, but the Germany international was pictured training with the rest of the senior squad at the club's Melwood training base. "Joel Matip and Emre Can also have little bits from the last game so we have to see if they can be back in training today or tomorrow but that is not sure so we have to wait," Klopp said. Can has started all but one league game this season, including playing a starring role when Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield in their third game of the campaign. But that was the Reds' last win after which they have drawn against Sevilla and Burnley in the Champions League and Premier League, respectively and been beaten byManchester City and Leicester City.

Real Madrid star Toni Kroos is set join Marcelo in the treatment room when Los Blancos visit Alaves on Saturday (23 September) after suffering a rib injury. The news is a fresh concern for Zinedine Zidane as Karim Benzema, Theo Hernandez, Jesus Vallejo and Mateo Kovacic are also ruled out for the visit to Mendizorroza due to various injuries. Kroos, 27, missed the last weekend's 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad due to a fitness problem. The Germany international returned to Zidane's starting line-up for Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis and was able to complete the full 90 minutes. However, it looks like Kroos suffered a recurrence of the problem in that game after Real Madrid revealed on Friday morning that the midfielder skipped the final training session before Los Blancos' trip to Vitoria. Zidane himself later confirmed the blow in a press conference, adding that he expects the midfielder to recover in time for the crucial Champions League trip t

Tiemoue Bakayoko is ‘all good’ following his car crash on the way home from Chelsea training, says team-mate Michy Batshuayi. Bakayoko, who joined the Blues over the summer, came off the road five minutes from Chelsea’s training complex in Surrey. Images of his £150,000 Mercedes G63 AMG SUV in bushes and with a smashed windscreen have emerged. A statement from Surrey Police confirmed the incident. It read: ‘Surrey Police attended Blundel Lane in Oxshot around 4.40pm following a one vehicle collision. ‘The driver did not suffer any injuries. There were delays for drivers while the vehicle awaited recovery.’ Batshuayi has since confirmed that Bakayoko is okay after the incident on Thursday. In response to a question about the health of the summer signing, Batshuayi said his team-mate was ‘all good’. The incident comes after recent comments from Bakayoko’s brother Namory that the Chelsea midfielder was struggling to get to grips with driving in England. ‘Tiemoue

Diego Costa says he holds no animosity towards Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as he prepares to complete his return to Atletico Madrid. Chelsea announced on Thursday that they had agreed to sell the Spain international back to Atletico for a fee understood to be over £50m, subject to personal terms and a medical. Last season, Conte and Costa were involved in a heated bust-up on the training ground and in the summer, the Chelsea manager informed the striker via text message that he would not be part of the club’s plans this term. Costa was deemed surplus to requirements by Conte in the summer, despite scoring 20 goals in 35 appearances last season as Chelsea cruised to the Premier League title. The 28-year-old refused to return to Chelsea's Cobham training base in August having failed to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge and instead remained in Brazil in the hope that Atletico could strike a deal with the Blues. When asked in Sao Paulo if he was upset at the way