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The agent of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted he has held talks with Real Madrid but failed to meet an agreement yet.

The 32-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge has been in doubt for some months now after the Czech Republic international lost his place to Thibaut Courtois – who returned to the west London side in the summer following a three-year loan spell at Atletico de Madrid.

Los Blancos have been rumoured to be interested in signing Cech, although they would prefer a younger keeper as they look for a long-term successor to Iker Casillas at the Santiago Bernabeu. Keylor Navas is already on the books, and a move for Manchester United’s David de Gea looks more likely.

The need for a younger keeper appears to have put the breaks on any move to the Spanish capital for now for Cech, but Viktor Kolar admitted “there were conversations about signing for Real Madrid.”

“Real Madrid don’t need goalkeepers at the moment, that’s why he’s not leaving Chelsea,” he added in the interview.

The agent went on to reveal Liverpool could also be a possible destination for his client, with Brendan Rogers looking for a replacement for Simon Mignolet. Any transfer, however, wouldn’t happen until the summer.

“Liverpool needs reinforcements in his position and they know there that Petr will be available for next season,” he said.

 

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Jose Mourinho signing for Chelsea

Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has said Gareth Bale is wrong to claim La Liga is the best league in the world.

The Welshman made the comments in a recent interview, saying the Spanish league was ahead of the Premier League in terms of entertainment.

But hitting back at that statement, Mourinho, who managed Los Blancos for three seasons before returning to Chelsea in 2013, said Bale only made those claims because he is currently playing in La liga.

In his time at the club, the so-called Special One won just one La Liga trophy, conceded the title to fierce rivals Barcelona on both other occasions.

“[Bale said that] because he’s there,” he told BT Sport. “You have to accept what Gareth says, but I was also there.”

“I won La Liga, I lost La Liga, but I [also] won La Liga, and I know clearly the differences between La Liga and the Premier League,” he commented.

And he added: “To go to matches knowing that you are going to win for sure is not the best thing. In Spain everybody knows that two teams are top of the world. A third team like Atletico is doing wonderfully well and they won last year, which is not normal.”

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Former Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos has said he would choose Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or ahead of Barcelona star Leo Messi.

The pair are once again up for the prestigious award in January, alongside Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who helped his club to the domestic double last season before lifting the World Cup in Brazil.

Speaking to AS TV about the award, Roberto Carlos said all three had been outstanding in 2014, but Ronaldo deserved the award for his incredible goalscoring streak and for taking his game to new levels.

“I am a big Messi fan but Cristiano Ronaldo has impressed me more. He is going through a great patch, everything that he touches turns to gold, he is a real leader,” he commented.

Having played 585 times for Los Blancos, many might accuse the Brazilian of being biased in his choice. But he was quick to point out that his previous involvement at the club had nothing to do with it.

“It has got nothing to do with it. Messi is incredible and what he has done is marvellous but if I had to choose the best player from this season, I would have to go for Cristiano Ronaldo,” he stated.

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Sergio Ramos

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is trying to convince Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos to move to London, according to reports by Spanish sports pundit Manolete.

The Andalusian has recently completed one of his best performances with Los Blancos, scoring the winner in the Club Wolrd Cup final and being named best player of the tournament.

He was also a key player in the conquest of ‘La Decima’, scoring the last-minute goal that sent the final to extra-time.

However, Spanish press have recently reported that negotiations between Ramos and Real Madrid to sign a contract extension are stuck.

Ramos was quoted by former Atletico Madrid manager Arrigo Sacchi claiming the club is not offering him all the money he wants.

Thus, Wenger has seen a chance to bring the World’s best centre-back to the Emirates Stadium, and he has reportedly called Rene Ramos, the player’s agent and brother, trying to gauge his interest in a possible move to the Premier League.

Ramos has always claimed he wants to continue playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the pressure from the fans will surely force Florentino to offer the defender the salary he demands. Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that Wenger words will persuade him to sign for Arsenal.

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Luka Modric

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has said Carlo Ancelotti could be the club’s answer to legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot retired in the summer of 2013 from his role after 26 glorious years at Old Trafford in which he won 13 domestic titles, five FA Cups, four league cups and two Champions League trophies.

Such longevity is almost unheard of in the modern game, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger being only other long-serving boss at any big club across Europe – having spent 18 years with the Gunners to date.

But in an interview with Sportske Novosti, injured midfielder Modric said Ancelotti could go on to be the new Ferguson. The Italian has won four trophies since taking charge of the club in 2013 – the Champions League, Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.

“His calmness helped many people.He could be the coach at Real Madrid for years, just like Ferguson at Manchester United,” he stated.

Looking forward to the year ahead, Modric stated the players are all determined to win the Champions League again. Although he admitted it would be tough to repeat.

“I believe that Real Madrid can be the first to win the Champions League two years in a row. The main competitors are Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid,” he commented.

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All the team at Realmadridnews.com would like you wish you a very Merry Christmas.

We hope you enjoy the festivities, the presents and everything else that today brings.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more news and rumours about the greatest team in the world. Hala Madrid!

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said the club will always remember legendary striker Alfredo di Stafano, who passed away earlier this year.

In his Christmas message to Madridistas, Perez looked back on what has happened at the club in the past 12 months. And while the undoubted high was winning the Champions League in May – the club’s 10th European Cup – he said the year had its lows too, not least the passing of the great man.

“The last game Alfredo Di Stéfano watched was the match of the year: winning our tenth European Cup. For ‘Madridistas’ this was an enormous satisfaction and something they had all been hungering after for years. To see how this was celebrated throughout the world just goes to show how much it really meant,” he said.
And he added: “Di Stéfano changed the course of history for Real Madrid and will live on forever in the memory of the fans. He showed us the way. And he will continue to do so.”

Perez also commented that while the players and staff are delighted to have achieved what they have this year – the Champions League, Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and Club World Cup – there is no room for complacency and they are already looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“Here at Real Madrid there’s no time for complacency and everyone is already talking about ‘La Undécima’, which is what we are working towards.”

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Sami Khedira has hinted his future lies at Real Madrid and he is ready to fight for his place in the team.

The German World Cup winner has had a frustrating first half to the campaign, featuring just four times for Los Blancos due to a combination of injury and falling behind Toni Kroos and Asier Illarramendi in the pecking order.

Khedira has just six months left on his current deal at the 10-time Champions League winners, and has long been linked with a move away from the club. From January 1, he is able to discuss with clubs abroad about a potential free transfer at the end of the campaign.  A number of top clubs across Europe have been linked with the 27-year-old, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan.

But in quotes published by FourFourTwo, the midfielder said he thrives on competition and is ready to fight for his place in the team in the Spanish capital.

“I am back at a good physical level and for that reason, I’m confident that soon I will get more of a chance to play,” he said.

And he added: “There are other players in my position but that competition is healthy. I’m a fan of fierce competition.”

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Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos has said the club is respected everywhere around the world after the year they’ve had.

Los Blancos won the Club World Cup last week, their fourth trophy of 2014 having already won the Champions League, the European Super Cup and Copa del Rey.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Ramos said such success has seen Los Blancos secure their place at the top of world football and be considered the best – in all four corners of the globe.

“The team has recovered the spot that it had lost. That respect that everyone had for Real Madrid is there at every ground. La Décima was a unique moment. It’s a source of pride to have gone down in Madrid’s history with a goal that came when there was very little time left. Bringing that source of joy to madridistas is one of the best moments in my life. If we continue in this vein, the team is a contender to have a great year,” he said.

With the Spanish season now in its mid-winter break, the defender admitted he is looking to having a couple of weeks off to spend with friends and family.

“At Christmas we’ve now got a war of the little ones between my brother’s and mine, who are starting to run about. It’s a key time in the calendar to spend with family and friends. It’s good to switch off and take a breather in my home region. 2014 has been a fantastic year. Not only because of the trophies, but the way they were won. Ancelotti has got every player playing to a high level,” he commented.

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Real Madrid and Espanyol are in discussions over a possible loan deal for Jese Rodriguez that would see the young forward sign for the Catalan side for the rest of the campaign.

According to Tiempo de Espanyol on Cadena Cope radio, the La Liga side want the striker to boost their attacking options as the look to rise up the league table.

Jese, who is back in the Canary Islands during the winter break, recently made his comeback to the first team squad following a serious knee injury sustained in the Champions League last season. The 21-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament injury against Schalke in March and spend the next eight months recovering and building up the strength in his knee.

The injury was a huge blow for the striker, who had moved ahead of Alvaro Morata at the club as the preferred back up to Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. There was also much talk in the media that Jese would get a call up for the Spain squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

Having recovered from his injury, the striker now needs minutes under his belt to build up his confidence and match fitness. A six-month loan, with no option to buy, would allow him to do that before competing for a place in the side next season.

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