Romelu Lukaku wants to return to Chelsea next season to play in the Champions League but says his future depends on what manager Jose Mourinho thinks about his ability, the striker said in an interview published yesterday.
The Belgian international striker is on loan at Everton this season but says it is high time he played in continental competition.
“I’m turning 21, I’ve been a professional for five years already. It is time,” he said in yesterday’s edition of the Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws.
“It is high time that I play in the Champions League. It is the next step I need in my development.
“Full stop.”
Mourinho stokes up Man. City feud
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has stoked up his war of words with Manuel Pellegrini by questioning the Manchester City manager’s sums.
“What I’d like to say is that the other day Pellegrini made some comments about the money we have spent,” Mourinho said.
“I don’’t think an engineer needs a calculator to work out we sold Juan Mata for £37 million last month and Kevin De Bruyne for £18 million.
“That’s £55 million, more or less. We bought Nemanja Matic for £21 million and Mohamed Salah for £11 million. That’s £55 million minus £32 million so Chelsea in this transfer window are at £23 million plus.”
Veteran Stranzl gets new deal
Borussia Moenchengladbach have extended the contract of defender Martin Stranzl by a year.
The 33-year-old originally planned to hang up his boots last summer but was convinced to play on for another season.
“Martin has been in our starting XI for 20 out of 21 competitive matches for us this season,” said the club’s director of sport Max Eberl.
“He’s an important lead figure in our team and we’re delighted that we will have him with us next year too.”
Robinho ruled out of Atletico clash
Milan striker Robinho will miss next week’s Champions League last-16 meeting with Atletico Madrid at San Siro through injury.
The Brazilian player hurt his thigh during Saturday’s 3-1 Serie A defeat at Napoli and was replaced by Kaka at half-time.
Atletico Madrid will be without midfielder Tiago Mendes who was stretchered off during Saturday’s Primera Liga game against Almeria after a late challenge from compatriot Helder Barbosa.
Tests on the Portuguese international revealed a frac-tured wrist and a sprained ligament in his right knee, Atletico confirmed.
Prandelli unsure over Italy future
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has not yet decided if he wants to remain in charge of the national team beyond this summer’s World Cup.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already expressed hope that the 56-year-old will continue but Prandelli has yet to make up his mind.
“I’m torn,” Prandelli said in an interview with Turin-based sports newspaper Tuttosport.
“I miss the daily work on the pitch that you get when coaching a club although I am perfectly happy with this role.
“I will reflect and we shall see. I will go to Brazil having already made a decision.”
Italy have been drawn with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D in this summer’s top tournament.
Wenger backs FA committee process
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the Football Asso-ciation’s retrospective disci-plinary powers remain a potent deterrent for players – even if everyone will not always agree with the outcome.
The FA decided to take no action against Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure for an apparent kick at Norwich’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel during the closing stages of Saturday’s draw.
“It is a decision we have to accept,” said Wenger.
“This decision is questioned, and people who make these decisions can answer these questions, I do not know why they made the decision.
“One positive thing is that this committee exists and that the players know that they can be punished even after the game, so that is very positive.”
Eboue turned down Italian clubs
Galatasaray defender Emma-nuel Eboue has turned down the chance to play in the Serie A after revealing three Italian clubs wanted to sign him in 2011.
The 30-year-old Ivorian full-back left Arsenal for the Turkish side three years ago.
“When I left Arsenal in 2011 many teams were after me,” Eboue told TRT Spor.
“Fiorentina, Roma and Juventus were all interested in signing me, but I chose to join Galatasaray.
“I’m delighted with my choice back then because I’ve been received so well here.”