Football news

Lille’s sought-after Belgian winger Eden Hazard has dampened speculation that he could be on his way out of the French champions in declarations to the Voix du Nord newspaper yesterday.

“For the moment I remain a Lille player. I have spoken with the coach and I know what I have at Lille. I also know that there is still an awful lot I can achieve with the club,” the 20-year-old was quoted as saying.

“There is a great atmosphere in the squad and I am surrounded by really good players.”

Hazard was speaking in the wake of Lille’s opening pre-season friendly, a 1-1 draw with Bordeaux in the resort of Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque Country.

De Rossi on Chelsea’s radar

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is reportedly eyeing a move for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi this summer.

The midfielder’s future at his hometown club is by no means secure, as his contract expires in June 2012.

So far there have been problems in negotiating a renewal, so the Giallorossi might have to sell in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea and their new manager Villas-Boas are lining up a bid to take advantage of the situation. De Rossi would be the ideal replacement for Michael Essien, who has picked up a serious injury that will keep him out for at least six months.

Beckham scores in Galaxy win

David Beckham scored direct from a corner as Los Angeles Galaxy moved five points clear at the head of the Western Conference with a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire.

The England midfielder laid on a 58th-minute opener for Landon Donovan and then, after Cristian Nazarith had equalised, won the game when his delivery evaded everyone and went in.

LA are five points clear of FC Dallas who lost 2-0 at Real Salt Lake, with Andy Williams and Edgar Espindola getting the goals.

QPR interested in Bullard

Hull have confirmed that Premier League newcomers QPR have shown an interest in signing Jimmy Bullard.

Bullard has been tipped to leave the KC Stadium this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich.

City’s head of football operations Adam Pearson acknowledged QPR have been in touch.

“The situation with Jimmy is that he’s gone on the pre-season trip to Slovenia as part of the first-team squad and I genuinely can’t see that changing,” Pearson said.

“We’ve had a bit of interest from QPR, as has been widely reported, but that hasn’t come to anything.”

Scholes angry with selfish stars

Paul Scholes has taken a swipe at the “selfish” players he believes are at the root of England’s failures as a national team.

The 36-year-old, who hung up his boots last month, retired from the international scene in 2004 and claims he did so because he was “fed up” of lining up alongside players who were using the England team in a bid to get themselves noticed by other clubs.

“I just got fed up,” he said. “When you are going to a team, you want to be part of a team and play well, but there are individuals who are after personal glory.

“I always felt when I first started with England that players – especially players at clubs like your Aston Villas – try to use England as a way to get to a top club.

“I think they are very selfish people.”

We have to sell N’Zogbia − Wigan

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed the club “have to sell” winger Charles N’Zogbia, despite manager Roberto Martinez insisting he would keep hold of his star names ahead of the new Premier League season.

N’Zogbia, 25, has been linked with a move away from the DW Stadium with the likes of Aston Villa and Liverpool potential suitors.

“We have to sell Charles N’Zogbia because he’s on the last year of his contract,” Whelan told talkSPORT.

“We can’t keep him if a big club comes for him and he does deserve a big club because he’s that kind of quality player.”

Fiorentina eye Brazilian starlets

Fiorentina are looking abroad for young talent with bids for Corinthians starlet Paulinho and Sevilla’s Oscar Herrera.

The Italian club’s director of sport, Pantaleo Corvino, is scouring the world in search of emerging players.

Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport reported that a bid has already been made for 22-year-old Corinthians midfielder Paulinho and the club is waiting for a response.

At the same time, a deal has reportedly been agreed with Sevilla youth product Herrera, who is still only 16 years.

Herrera is regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in Spanish football.