Everton boss Martinez open to future Barcelona move

Roberto Martinez insists he would certainly consider the possibility of taking up the prestigious managerial role at Barcelona.

The 40-year old Balaguer-born tactician has been linked with a future shift to the Camp Nou with his Catalan roots poised to one day bring him home to the north east of Spain.

Martinez is highly respected in England for the work he has done with Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and now Everton since stepping into the management caper in 2007.

He has helped bring a possession-hungry Spanish game plan to British football and now has the Toffees, on the verge of a Champions League berth, playing a style that is hard for opponents to combat.

Reports in Martinez’s homeland suggest that Barcelona have the former Latics and Swans midfielder in their sights for the future which has prompted a positive reaction from the humble Spaniard.

However, Martinez insists that he is not looking too far down the track after only arriving at Goodison Park from Wigan, where he won last season’s FA Cup, in the summer.

“I’m very boring, never make long-term plans,” said Martinez, speaking with Catalunya Radio as quoted by El Mundo Deportivo.

“We’ll take it (the Barcelona link) with joy.

“We must be prepared for the day, to work to the fullest and to give everything. Whatever it is, and what we will take with joy and passion forever.”

Martinez currently has Everton sitting fifth on the Premier League table, just a point behind Arsenal, with just three league fixtures remaining in the 2013/14 season.

 

Callum Robinson proud of Villa breakthrough

Aston Villa striker Callum Robinson was proud to make his Premier League debut in their stalemate with Southampton.

The 19-year-old forward admits his first taste of the big time has left him craving more.

He was quick to thank the Villa supporters for helping settle his debut nerves.

“It was good to get on the pitch after being on the bench five or six times,” said Robinson to Villa’s website. “The fans gave me a good reception when I came on and it meant a lot to me.

“Having being at the club since eight-years-old, it felt good. I want more of it now.

“It has given me more confidence. The gaffer gave me confidence when he had words in my ear just before I went on then when the fans reacted like that it was big for me.

“It helped me settle into the game. I was a little bit nervous but it helped me.”

 

Ronaldo full of praise for Real Madrid pal Modric

Cristiano Ronaldo has heaped praise on Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.

Ronaldo was asked about the Croatia midfielder by Sportske Novosti.

“I’ve known him for a long time, from the Premier League. He’s playing the best football of his career this season. It isn’t just that he plays amazing football. It’s that he does so consistently, and that isn’t easy in Spain or at this club. Luka plays great football and the team can see that. He’s a key member of the squad. I’ve got to know him well here and he’s a modest, humble guy. We get on really well,”

 

Villa winger Albrighton proud of his Southampton performance

Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton enjoyed their 0-0 draw with Southampton.

Albrighton was recalled to the starting XI and responded by producing a man-of-the-match performance.

And the 24-year-old relished his battle out wide with highly-rated full-back Luke Shaw.

“Luke Shaw is unbelievable,” he told Villa’s website. “He is a great prospect for the future. He has got everything. He has a wand of a left foot, he is quick, strong, he goes forward and he has got a great future ahead of him.

“When the manager named the team I was over the moon and really looking forward to it. I’m just glad that we’ve gone and got that point.”

 

Juventus to use €70M Pogba sale to go on bumper spending spree

Juventus are ready to cash in on Paul Pogba this summer to fund their own spending spree.

Sportmediaset says Juve are willing to accept €70 million from PSG to sell the France midfielder.

With the coffers full, Juve will go on a bumper spending campaign with Atalanta midfielder Daniele Baselli and Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho top of the agenda.

Manchester United winger Nani, Lazio fullback Sead Lulic and PSG midfielder Jeremy Menez are also being discussed at Juventus Stadium.

 

Gosling denies Newcastle players planning their summer hols

Dan Gosling insists Newcastle United players aren’t planning for their summer holidays.

Gosling says the suddenly realistic prospect of missing out on that top-half finish which has always been their aim is motivating the players.

He told the Evening Chronicle: “It drives us on massively. “As a club we set our goal at the start of the season and a top-ten finish was the minimum.

“We were pushing for Europe two months ago and we thought we could maybe claim sixth or seventh, but we’ve been on a bad run and we’ve dropped off.

“The top ten is still the target so we have a lot to play for in the last three games. It’s difficult but all the teams around us need to win too and there will be more ups and downs before the end of the season.”

 

Inter Milan legend Materazzi: Mourinho simply the best

Inter Milan legend Marco Materazzi has paid tribute to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Materazzi won the Treble playing for Mou at Inter.

“It was a fantastic season from every point of view,” Materazzi said to Thehardtackle.com.

“I didn’t play much but Mourinho made the whole group feel involved and made everyone feel important.

“I still managed to take a lot of satisfaction from that season.

“Mourinho is simply the best. I stopped playing regularly at Inter under him, but he made me feel more important that anyone else ever had.

“He is a genuine person and that is a rare thing in football.”

 

Neville: Man Utd must release Moyes statement

Manchester United legend Gary Neville says the club needs to clarify David Moyes’ future.

Reports are rife that Moyes is facing the sack.

“I fear for him. I haven’t spoken to anyone at the club today. Usually they don’t comment on anything, but they’re going to have to clarify this position quickly,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“They might have to break rank and do what they don’t normally do and make a statement pretty quickly.”

He added: “I genuinely believe when you give a man a six-year contract that he deserves the opportunity and time and professionally the respect.

“Football is a world of madness. The average manager gets sacked every 12 months and I’ve always felt Manchester United should be different, hold themselves up as a club that basically stands against what’s happening in the game.”

 

Inter Milan defender Juan Jesus angry over lack of Bologna apology

Inter Milan defender Juan Jesus is upset with the lack of apology from Bologna over his recent knee injury.

Juan will miss the remainder of the season due to the setback.

“It’s already been three weeks,” he said. “Thanks to God I am feeling better every day that passes.

“But I’m not happy that I haven’t even received an apology from the player who injured me. Neither have I heard from the club for whom he plays.

“But that’s what football is like. I can’t expect that people will be like I am.

“I thank all my teammates and the fans for supporting me during this period. I will come back stronger than before.”

 

Liverpool legend Fowler: Sterling best young player in the game

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler rates Raheem Sterling the best young player in the game.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers made the claim on the weekend.

“He is just getting better and better,” Fowler told talkSPORT.

“He is so good at the minute. I remember speaking to Steven Gerard about it a while ago and he said he was excellent in training and it would be a matter of time before he starts producing the goods on the pitch.

“Brendan has come out and said he is probably the best teenager in Europe at the moment and I would agree because there is no one standing out as much as him at the minute.”