Fabregas: 'Spectacular' Ozil will bring out the best in Arsenal

The Barcelona midfielder has lauded his one-time La Liga rival, saying he can elevate the ability of his new Gunners team-mates and hinted at a return to the Emirates Stadium
Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has praised the club's capture of Mesut Ozil and believes the Germany international can take the Gunners to another level.

Arsene Wenger already had a wealth of playmakers to choose from, with many suggesting Arsenal did not really need Ozil, but Fabregas has quashed those notions and is convinced the 25-year-old will galvanise the north London outfit.


“If you have the chance to sign Mesut Ozil then you can’t let it pass you by,” the Barcelona man told The Daily Mail.

“He wanted to play for Arsenal. Wenger won him over and when you have the chance with a player like that it doesn’t matter if you already have seven or eight who are similar, you have to take it.

“Ozil is the man who makes the difference in the final third. He will find so much space in the Premier League and he’s a player who with space kills you. His final pass is brilliant. And he will score more goals in England than he did in Spain. He is a spectacular signing.

“Ozil will bring the best out in [Aaron] Ramsey and [Jack] Wilshere. They understand football the same way.

“The only player who maybe is a bit different is Theo Walcott but you also need that type of player because it’s true that at the end of pass, pass, pass you need a Pedro — someone who will get behind the opposition. Someone who gives depth and hits space.”

Fabregas was linked with a move back to the Emirates Stadium during the summer, though remained at Camp Nou, but says he would welcome a return in a coaching capacity.

“I’m sure they would give me the option to help out there,” the Spaniard added.

“Sol Campbell is there at the moment. Dennis Bergkamp also went there two or three times a week to train when he was doing his coaching badges. It’s a great club in that sense.
”

Barcelona have learned from last year, Alexis

The Chilean attacker says the Blaugrana will be suitably prepared for what awaits them at San Siro on Tuesday following their humbling defeat last season

Alexis Sanchez says Barcelona will be a different team to the one that AC Milan tactically outclassed in San Siro last season when the sides meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Barca were humbled 2-0 in Milan in the first leg of the last 16 encounter back in February as Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng goals ensured a comfortable victory.

The return leg saw the Catalans overturn Milan's aggregate lead with an emphatic 4-0 win at Camp Nou, but the memories of the San Siro defeat will spur the Blaugrana on to make sure there is not a repeat result in the Group H match, according to Alexis.

"We learned from last year's experience [2-0 loss against AC Milan in the San Siro]," he told reporters ahead of the game.

"Milan have always shown great heart, it is important to play 90 minutes with great concentration. I always give my 100 per cent."

The Chile international has been criticised from some quarters as they believe he has not reached his full potential since his €26 million move from Udinese.

However, the 24-year-old, who has scored 30 goals in 97 appearances for Barcelona, says detractors spur him on to do even better.

He added: "In Barca there are so many good players. I am ready to play but I do not feel like a starter. 

"The criticism gave me more strength. Playing with Neymar gives me happiness and confidence."

Replacing Messi will be tough, says Martino

The 50-year-old recognises the significance the Argentine can have, but is confident in his team have the ability to cope without him against Celtic

Gerardo Martino has insisted he understands how big a loss Lionel Messi can be, but insists it is something Barcelona can overcome.

Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Neymar are considered viable options to replace the injured forward as the Catalans prepare for a chance at revenge against Celtic, who beat them in the group stage last season, on Tuesday.

Camp Nou coach Martino pointed out that Barcelona have played without Messi before and have plenty of players capable of stepping in to fill the void.

"For any team in the world it would be difficult to replace Messi," he told reporters. "Even for us, though we’ve got a great squad with outstanding players.

"We need to play well, even with him missing. I’m not sure it’s a test to play without him, though we’ve done it before."

Martino discussed his options for replacing Messi up front, but insists he will wait until closer to kick-off to make a decision.

"[Fabregas] is great at linking up with the three behind and he sets his team-mates up really well. With Leo we cause the opposition problems in the last 25 metres.

"Neymar also can’t be ruled out, just as Alexis can’t be. We’ve got various options and we’ll see which one is the best. 

"It’s not always going to be that when Messi is out Fabregas replaces him."

Even though Martino was not coach when the Blaugrana suffered a 2-1 loss at Celtic Park last season, he admits Tuesday is a good opportunity to get revenge.

"Everyone is taking it for granted that the game will be like the one last year. We need to be more accurate and faster in our build-up play. It would be good for us to control the ball.

"I don’t think the players want revenge, rather just the chance to put things right. Barca are expected to play well. We’re constantly under microscopic scrutiny. 

"There’s a lot to think about, but we need to focus on what’s ahead, not think about what happened last year."

Tello signs Barcelona extension

The winger has penned his second contract inside
the last 12 months, with two years being added to
his current deal



Cristian Tello has signed a two-year contract extension with Barcelona, taking his existing deal at Camp Nou to 2018.
The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal
earlier this year but the Blaugrana have rewarded
the winger again in a bid to increase his buy-out
clause, which now stands at €25 million.
Tello is a product of the club's famed La Masia youth system and made 29 appearances for the
club last season and made his first outing of the
new campaign in the 7-0 romp over Levante.
And he admitted his aim is to now become a firm
fixture in coach Gerardo Martino's plans over the
course of the next five years. He told the club's official website: "I’m very happy
to have renewed. It’s a dream to be able to stay for
so many more years at this club. “I hope things remain as good as they are and that
I can get to play. I’ll be taking all the chances the
boss gives me and trying to do my best.” Tello faces renewed competition for a first team
spot at Camp Nou, with the club adding €54
million signing Neymar to their attacking ranks this
summer.

Pedro flattered by PSG link

The Spain international says it is a privilege to
be linked to other clubs, but reiterated his
desire to continue winning silverware with the
Catalans



Barcelona forward Pedro has admitted he is honoured to have been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, amid reported interest from the Ligue 1 champions. Reports have suggested les Parisiens had
tabled an offer of €40 million for the Spain
international, who has a contract at Camp Nou
until June 2016. Blaugrana president Sandro Rosell has since
denied those rumours, however, but Pedro
revealed he is flattered by the speculation,
while committing his future to Barcelona. The 26-year-old told Marca: "I'm only thinking
of triumphing at Barcelona, but it is an honour
that other clubs look at you." The Spain international has netted 70 times in
214 appearances for the Catalans in his five-
year stint since making his debut for the first
team.

Neymar set for first start as Barcelona save Messi for Atletico clash

The Catalans' €57 million summer signing has begun life at Camp Nou on the bench, but is likely to feature from the outset at Malaga as the Argentine recovers from a bruised thigh
Neymar is set for his first competitive start with Barcelona on Sunday as Lionel Messi misses the trip toMalaga to recover from the bruised thigh he picked up in the Spanish Supercopa against Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

The Catalans' €57 million summer signing from Santos lost seven kilos following surgery to remove his tonsils after Brazil's Confederations Cup win in June and has been gradually stepping up his training and match fitness ever since.

Neymar began on the bench as Barca battered Levante 7-0 last weekend and opened his goalscoring account for the Catalan club as he headed the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Atletico on Thursday after replacing Pedro at the Vicente Calderon, but the 21-year-old is set for a more prominent role on Sunday.

"We will not put any pressure on Neymar," coach Gerard Martino said last week. "We want to integrate him into the team little by little."

And the Barca boss refused to reveal whether the Brazilian would start against Malaga as he addressed the media on Saturday. "Just because Messi is out, that doesn't mean Neymar will play - that he will be the one pulling the strings..." the Argentine explained. "We have lots of players [who can do that]: [Andes] Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc [Fabregas], Pedro..."

Nevertheless, Neymar is desperate to feature from the outset after his cameo appearances against Levante and Atletico, and Martino is unlikely to leave the club's new star on the bench for a third game in a row.

Instead, the Brazilian is primed for a starting spot against Malaga and is likely to be replaced late in the game if he is too tired to complete the full 90 minutes.

Messi, meanwhile, has been left out of the squad for the game in Andalucia to recover in time for the Supercopa second leg at home to Atleti on Thursday night, when Barca will look to claim their first silverware of the season.

"Leo is evolving well," Martino said on Saturday. "Leaving him out [for the Malaga game] is just a precaution."

Yaya Toure: Barcelona were the club of my heart

The Manchester City midfielder tells of the affection he had towards his former club and the difficulty of leaving, though stresses he remains happy at the Etihad Stadium

Yaya Toure says Barcelona were the club of his heart, admitting he never thought he would leave the Catalan giants for Manchester City.

The Cote d'Ivoire midfielder has become an integral part of City's side since arriving from Camp Nou for €30 million in July 2010, scoring 29 goals in 135 games for the club.

However in an interview with Sport, the 30-year-old revealed he had intended to see out his career with the Catalans and only a lack of first-team opportunities convinced him to leave.

"Barca were the club of my heart," the two-time African Player of the Year said.

"I had planned to retire there, to stay for many years. I've a lot of love for many people: [Andres] Iniesta, [Victor] Valdes, Xavi, [Sergio] Busquets... we were like a little family. [Gerard] Pique and [Carles] Puyol, too.

"I was 27 when I left, with enormous competition for places. I wanted to play more and not be on the bench. Leaving was the most difficult decision of my life, I loved that club and the fans. But now I am happy, at City I'm part of something very nice."

Toure has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield since moving to England and was amongst the scorers as City opened the season with a 4-0 win over Newcastle United last week.

Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas not leaving this summer, says Gerardo Martino

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has insisted he is not concerned about losing Cesc Fabregas to Manchester United.

Three days ago the Catalan club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said he thought David Moyes' side's pursuit of the midfielder was over, after they had two bids turned down.

Martino has previously admitted it is also up to Fabregas to decide on his future, but he has now played down the chances of a move and made it clear that he will stay.

Fabregas started in Barcelona's 7-1 win over Thailand on Wednesday and after the game Martino stressed that he was not worried about the player, concerning himself more with the fitness of club captain Carles Puyol, who is still recovering from a knee operation.

"Fabregas is still our player and he will be with us for this season," Martino is quoted as telling AS.

"Right now I'm more worried about whether Puyol will recover."

The declining physical state of the 35-year-old Catalan defender has made buying a centre-back one of Barcelona's priorities this summer, and it is understood that a bid has been made for Chelsea's David Luiz.

However, Martino refused to shed any light on a possible move for the Brazilian.

"I'm in Thailand, I know nothing about any negotiations," he said.

Thailand 1-7 Barcelona: Pedro nets hat-trick in pre-season stroll

Goal Thailand

Neymar scored his first Barcelona goal as the Liga champions ran out 7-1 winners over Thailand at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday.

The Brazilian's maiden strike set the Spanish champions on their way before a double from Lionel Messi, a Pedro hat-trick and an Alexis Sanchez strike gave Gerardo Martino's side a resounding victory. 

Barcelona make official bid for David Luiz

Sky sources claim that Barcelona have sent in an official bid for Chelsea’s defender, David Luiz.

The La Liga champions have been linked with the Brazilian all summer and they have finally made their interest concrete on Wednesday.

The Blues manager Jose Mourinho, speaking after his team’s 2-0 victory over AC Milan, insisted that Luiz was not for sale.

“David has come back with us fantastically and we have to use his quality,” he said.

“He has big self-confidence and self-esteem, especially when he comes up from the back with the ball.”

The former Benfica player signed a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge last September.