Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident Raheem Sterling will sign a contract extension at Anfield despite talks being put on hold until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old England international, whose deal expires in 2017, has developed into one of Liverpool’s most influential players and has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season.
“I am relaxed about the Raheem situation. He has a couple of years to go,” Rodgers said.
“It is quite obvious that Liverpool is the best option for him. He has just turned 20 and he has already made 114 appearances.
“We have a track record of developing talents and there will be more of those players like Raheem who will get that opportunity.”
CSKA fans urge team to lose
CSKA Sofia may be level on points at the top of the Bulgarian league but some fans have urged the team to lose their next game and send bitter city rivals Levski into the relegation group.
CSKA, chasing a 32nd league title, are second with 44 points from 21 matches, behind champions Ludogorets on goal difference.
However, if CSKA lose at sixth-placed Botev today that would mean Levski − who are seventh, two points behind Botev − would play in the bottom six for the remainder of the season.
“I met with some of our hardcore fans and they’re trying to convince me that if we’re smart we should send Levski into the bottom six by all means,” CSKA chairman Alexander Tomov said.
Vote of confidence for Stevens
Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens has been given a vote of confidence in the wake of his side’s 4-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night.
That defeat means the Swabians have picked up just four from a possible 27 points in their last nine matches.
Stevens is still going to be on the bench when Eintracht Frankfurt visit the Mercedes-Benz Arena next Saturday, though.
“We’ve not taken part in any of the discussions about our coach in recent weeks but have instead always given him our backing, and that is what we will also do,” said club director of sport Robin Dutt.
Alcaraz admits underdog status
Levante manager Lucas Alcaraz has played down any talk of his side causing an upset at the Bernabeu today.
Despite Real Madrid’s poor run of form, which has seen the fans turn on some of the players and the management, Alcaraz knows that on their day they are more than capable of beating his side.
Alcaraz explained it would need an excellent team effort.
He said: “The players have to play as a team, being able to have order when we have the ball and not suffer losses. The potential of Madrid is always high.”
Pochettino backs Rose for England
Mauricio Pochettino has backed Danny Rose to emerge as England’s new first-choice left-back after speculation the Tottenham defender could turn out for Jamaica.
Rose, 24, has yet to win a full senior cap for England despite making 29 appearances for the U-21s and is believed to be one of several Premier League players who are being targeted by Jamaica ahead of June’s Copa America.
But, with Leighton Baines injured and both Luke Shaw and Kieran Gibbs having mixed seasons, Rose could find a way back into the Roy Hodgson’s thinking when the squad is announced.
“I haven’t spoken to him about that,” Pochettino said when asked if he thought Rose may take the chance to represent Jamaica, having qualified for selection through his grandfather.
“So far he has been the best left-back this season. His performances have been great. But they are not my decisions, it’s always Roy Hodgson’s decision.”
Mourinho hits back at Souness
Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea critic Graeme Souness is “clearly a frustrated man”.
The Blues boss took the opportunity to respond to those who lambasted Chelsea in the aftermath of Wednesday’s Champions League exit to Paris SG.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Sou-ness was among the fiercest critics in his role as a Sky Sports pundit.
A gesticulating Mourinho said: “The difference between me and Souness is this... Souness as a player, up there. Jose Mourinho as a player, down there. Jose Mourinho as a manager, up here. Souness as a manager, down there.
“With another difference: I was not a frustrated man because I was not a top player. He is clearly a frustrated man.”
Wenger keen on Walcott extension
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants Theo Walcott to stay at Arsenal for the long term.
Negotiations have started, albeit moving slowly, over the prospect of a new contract extension, with the England forward’s current £90,000-a-week deal not set to expire until the summer of 2016.
“The first contacts have been established with the embassy. We will see how that progresses politically,” Wenger said.
“Walcott was difficult to convince (in 2013) and that is why it took us much time.
“I always wanted to keep him and I still want to keep him now.”