Tuchel tells Jorginho to ignore Ballon d’Or snub London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel said on Tuesday Chelsea midfielder Jorginho does not need Ballon d’Or recognition to prove he is among the world’s best after the Italian finished third in the prestigious player of the year award. Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a seventh time on Monday, with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski second in the voting and Jorginho third. Jorginho helped Chelsea win the Champions League last season before emerging as a key figure in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph. And, while the 29-year-old was unable to cap a memorable year with the Ballon d’Or, the Blues boss is more interested in helping his players achieve collective success rather than personal plaudits. “I have huge doubts about individual awards in this game because the game is very complex, it’s related to a lot of luck and it’s a team effort,” Tuchel told reporters. “Not one single player can win a match of football, it’s not possible. “If individual players shine, it’s always due to the team effort and that’s why it (club of the year) is a nice award.” Asked whether he had expected Lewandowski to win the Ballon d’Or after two superb seasons in a row, Tuchel said: “I take my rights to not have an opinion on this one. “We had ourselves a player (Jorginho) who won all major trophies and was hugely involved, so it would not have been a surprise if he had lifted the trophy. “It was a choice and it’s an election and when it’s elected you have to take it and if you like it or not you accept it and life goes on pretty easy.” Chelsea were voted the club of the year in the Paris awards ceremony and Tuchel added: “It shows the ambition of the club and this is what drives us, this is what makes us happy, and what motivates us. “When you have a lot of nominees and get a prize like yesterday, it’s the proof that we showed what the club is all about and how the club is built.” After winning the Champions League in his first season, Tuchel has the Premier League title in his sights, with his side one point clear at the top ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Watford. Tuchel, who is already without injured trio Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, will await late fitness tests on Jorginho, Reece James and Timo Werner following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United. “For tomorrow, we have some players in doubt, maybe we need a bit more time, a bit more examination to re-evaluate the status,” he said. “It’s Reece James, Jorginho and Timo Werner. They all trained today with us and there will be some last-minute decisions about this.”

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel said on Tuesday Chelsea midfielder Jorginho does not need Ballon d’Or recognition to prove he is among the world’s best after the Italian finished third in the prestigious player of the year award.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a seventh time on Monday, with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski second in the voting and Jorginho third.

Jorginho helped Chelsea win the Champions League last season before emerging as a key figure in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph.

And, while the 29-year-old was unable to cap a memorable year with the Ballon d’Or, the Blues boss is more interested in helping his players achieve collective success rather than personal plaudits.

“I have huge doubts about individual awards in this game because the game is very complex, it’s related to a lot of luck and it’s a team effort,” Tuchel told reporters.

“Not one single player can win a match of football, it’s not possible.

“If individual players shine, it’s always due to the team effort and that’s why it (club of the year) is a nice award.”

Asked whether he had expected Lewandowski to win the Ballon d’Or after two superb seasons in a row, Tuchel said: “I take my rights to not have an opinion on this one.

“We had ourselves a player (Jorginho) who won all major trophies and was hugely involved, so it would not have been a surprise if he had lifted the trophy.

“It was a choice and it’s an election and when it’s elected you have to take it and if you like it or not you accept it and life goes on pretty easy.”

Chelsea were voted the club of the year in the Paris awards ceremony and Tuchel added: “It shows the ambition of the club and this is what drives us, this is what makes us happy, and what motivates us.

“When you have a lot of nominees and get a prize like yesterday, it’s the proof that we showed what the club is all about and how the club is built.”

After winning the Champions League in his first season, Tuchel has the Premier League title in his sights, with his side one point clear at the top ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Watford.

Tuchel, who is already without injured trio Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, will await late fitness tests on Jorginho, Reece James and Timo Werner following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

“For tomorrow, we have some players in doubt, maybe we need a bit more time, a bit more examination to re-evaluate the status,” he said.

“It’s Reece James, Jorginho and Timo Werner. They all trained today with us and there will be some last-minute decisions about this.”

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3I7B2sL

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New York eye Timbers upset in MLS Cup final Portland (AFP) – New York City boss Ronny Deila says his team are ready to rip up the form book once more when they take on the Portland Timbers in Oregon on Saturday looking to claim the club’s first Major League Soccer crown. After an Eastern Conference playoff run which included away victories over the top-seeded New England Revolution and second-seeded Philadelphia Union, Deila is plotting another upset on the road against a Timbers team targeting a second MLS Cup title. “What we have done so far has been just amazing,” said Deila. “But the biggest one is coming on Saturday and we’ll do everything to win there.” The 46-year-old Norwegian coach, who guided Celtic to back-to-back Scottish titles in 2015 and 2016, says City’s giant-killing playoff run is sign of his team’s increasing maturity. “We haven’t dealt with the pressure before, and now we’re starting to do that,” said Deila. “I think the learning for the whole club to win football games and how to deal with that and how to win them when the pressure is up, that’s something you have to learn over time.” Victory over Portland on Saturday would mark a major milestone for City, who joined MLS in 2015 as the league’s 20th expansion team amid much fanfare. Part of the global City Football Group headed by English champions Manchester City, the early years of the New York franchise were loaded with expectations, which for the most part remained unfulfilled. Star names such as Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa helped the club gain a foothold in the league, but were ultimately unable to deliver any silverware. In recent seasons however the club’s recruitment strategy has pivoted towards younger, up-and-coming talent — either homegrown or from overseas — enabling Deila to build a hungry squad now just 90 minutes away from a first MLS championship. – Playoff heartbreak – Defensive midfielder James Sands, a 21-year-old product of City’s academy, embodies the club’s new spirit. “I’ve seen this team have such a tough go of it in playoffs,” Sands said after last week’s victory over the Union in Philadelphia which sealed the Eastern Conference crown. “I remember previous years in the playoffs losing to Columbus, losing to Toronto, losing to Orlando – all such heartbreaking games. “To finally get over that hurdle means a lot and it means a lot for everybody, but especially the guys who have been on the team a couple years and have gone through it.” City goalkeeper Sean Johnson says a win on Saturday would mark the culmination of what he describes as “an unbelievable commitment to success.” “It’s taken a little bit but the guys have been committed to making sure that we achieve something,” Johnson said. City face a Timbers side steeped in history which dates back to their earliest incarnation as a member of the North American Soccer League between 1975 and 1982. Since their rebirth as a Major League Soccer expansion team in 2011, the club has won one MLS Cup, in 2015, and reached the final three years ago, where they finished runners-up to Atlanta United. Under head coach Giovanni Savarese, the Timbers have reached the playoffs four years running. This season’s playoff run included an upset win over Colorado in the Western Conference semi-finals, before Real Salt Lake were vanquished at home last weekend. “To be able to host MLS Cup, it is a dream come to reality,” Savarese said. “This team works so hard, the players, the staff, everyone, on a difficult season,” the Venezuelan added. “The guys were able to turn things around and we host this game here. It was something that we wanted to have and it became a reality.”

Portland (AFP) – New York City boss Ronny Deila says his team are ready to rip up the form book once more when they take on the Portland Timbers in Oregon on Saturday looking to claim the club’s first Major League Soccer crown. After an Eastern Conference playoff run which included away victories over the top-seeded New England Revolution and second-seeded Philadelphia Union, Deila is plotting another upset on the road against a Timbers team targeting a second MLS Cup title. “What we have done so far has been just amazing,” said Deila. “But the biggest one is coming on Saturday and we’ll do everything to win there.” The 46-year-old Norwegian coach, who guided Celtic to back-to-back Scottish titles in 2015 and 2016, says City’s giant-killing playoff run is sign of his team’s increasing maturity. “We haven’t dealt with the pressure before, and now we’re starting to do that,” said Deila. “I think the learning for the whole club to win football games and how to deal with that and how

Calvert-Lewin set for scoring spree, says Everton assistant boss London (AFP) – Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson said he was confident that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would start “battering” in the goals again after the England forward ended his drought. Calvert-Lewin scored the first goal in Everton’s 3-0 win against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie. His 15th goal of the season was his first since early December, although he had missed the previous two matches due to a hamstring injury. “We are delighted for Dominic,” said Ferguson, himself a former Everton forward. “We know he can score goals, he has scored goals for over a season now. “He is a top player, we are delighted he is back and fit and well, and I am sure he will go from strength to strength and he’ll keep battering them in.” Calvert-Lewin’s goal helped Everton reach the fifth round for the first time since 2016. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, chasing their first silverware since winning the 1995 FA Cup, are also riding high in the Premier League, in sixth spot, and host third-placed Leicester on Wednesday. “I’ve missed it,” Calvert-Lewin told BT Sport. “I’ve worked hard to get back to full fitness quickly, had a good week training and it’s good to be back. To get the goal early settles you back in, and it feels good to be back in the goals.” Calvert-Lewin said even though Everton were well-placed in the league, the FA Cup could present their best chance of winning a trophy this season. “It’s another chance to bring silverware to this club, which we’ve been working hard (for),” he said. “We want to bring it back and it’s a great opportunity for us to go all the way.”

London (AFP) – Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson said he was confident that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would start “battering” in the goals again after the England forward ended his drought. Calvert-Lewin scored the first goal in Everton’s 3-0 win against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie. His 15th goal of the season was his first since early December, although he had missed the previous two matches due to a hamstring injury. “We are delighted for Dominic,” said Ferguson, himself a former Everton forward. “We know he can score goals, he has scored goals for over a season now. “He is a top player, we are delighted he is back and fit and well, and I am sure he will go from strength to strength and he’ll keep battering them in.” Calvert-Lewin’s goal helped Everton reach the fifth round for the first time since 2016. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, chasing their first silverware since winning the 1995 FA Cup, are also riding high in the Premier Le

Leicester reaping benefits of Rodgers reign as Liverpool suffer familiar fall London (AFP) – Nearly two years on from the appointment of Brendan Rodgers, Leicester are again threatening to break the glass ceiling of the Premier League’s traditional “top six” to reach the riches and prestige of the Champions League next season. The third-placed Foxes lead defending champions Liverpool by three points ahead of Saturday’s crucial meeting between the sides at the King Power. Rodgers can sympathise from personal experience with Jurgen Klopp’s struggles to halt a rapid slide in standards at Liverpool. The Northern Irishman was sacked in October 2015, just over a year after he came within three games of ending the Reds’ long wait for a league title. Klopp succeeded where Rodgers failed, romping to the title last season. However, the German has suffered a similar fall due to the loss of a talismanic presence on the field. Despite the presence of Steven Gerrard as captain, it was Luis Suarez who was the inspiration of Liverpool’s title challenge in 2013/14. Once the Uruguayan departed for Barcelona, they plunged to sixth the following season. “You can always think we could have been better or done things differently but it was just how it evolved. We had set an expectation that we could challenge but then we lost a world-class player and even though we were very much all about the team, Luis was very much part of that,” Rodgers told The Guardian ahead of his return to Anfield for the first time with Leicester last season. Liverpool have experienced a similar fate this season since Virgil van Dijk suffered cruciate ligament damage in October. The Dutchman’s absence has been compounded by season-ending injuries for fellow centre-backs Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. Klopp’s men have won just three of their last 11 games to exit the FA Cup and fall 10 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, who also have a game in hand. Sitting between the two clubs that have dominated English football for the past four seasons are a Leicester side moulded by Rodgers into consistent challengers for the Champions League places. – Restored reputation – Rodgers, 48, arrived in the Midlands having restored his reputation in two-and-a-half years with Celtic. The seven domestic trophies he won in Scotland were decried by some given the Hoops’ financial advantage over the competition, but Celtic’s struggles this season show it is not as easy to wipe the board as he made it look. The Celtic support were stung by the timing of his departure, just months before they would secure an eighth consecutive league title. But Rodgers could see the potential talent in a Leicester squad that had gone backwards under Claude Puel. A crop of young players such as James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Wilfred Ndidi have been developed alongside veteran Premier League winners Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and Jonny Evans. Often criticised for his role in Liverpool’s transfer committee during his time at Anfield, Leicester’s savvy transfer recruitment has continued in Rodgers’s time in charge with the signings of James Justin, Caglar Soyuncu, Youri Tielemans and Wesley Fofana. Instant signs of improvement were obvious as Leicester rose from 11th to ninth in Rodgers first few months in charge and nearly helped deliver Liverpool’s league title a year earlier as they were holding City at bay in the penultimate game of the 2018/19 season until Vincent Kompany’s thunderbolt 20 minutes from time at the Etihad. A fifth-placed finish last season ultimately felt like a disappointment after a run of three wins in their final 14 league games blew the chance of Champions League football. Now they are determined not to make the same mistake again, but must deal with fixture congestion on top of their financial disadvantage to hold off Liverpool and a rejuvenated Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel. The return of the Europa League next week will put extra strain on Rodgers’s squad and they have also progressed into the FA Cup quarter-finals. One feat that has so far been beyond the Leicester boss on his return to the Premier League is victory over his former club. Liverpool have won all three meetings between the sides in the past two seasons. But this time the Foxes have little to fear given the faltering form of Klopp’s men.

London (AFP) – Nearly two years on from the appointment of Brendan Rodgers, Leicester are again threatening to break the glass ceiling of the Premier League’s traditional “top six” to reach the riches and prestige of the Champions League next season. The third-placed Foxes lead defending champions Liverpool by three points ahead of Saturday’s crucial meeting between the sides at the King Power. Rodgers can sympathise from personal experience with Jurgen Klopp’s struggles to halt a rapid slide in standards at Liverpool. The Northern Irishman was sacked in October 2015, just over a year after he came within three games of ending the Reds’ long wait for a league title. Klopp succeeded where Rodgers failed, romping to the title last season. However, the German has suffered a similar fall due to the loss of a talismanic presence on the field. Despite the presence of Steven Gerrard as captain, it was Luis Suarez who was the inspiration of Liverpool’s title challenge in 2013/14. Once th

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