Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has identified Jorginho as the problem of Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea.

Sarri has been criticised for the decision to remove N’Golo Kante from the heart of Chelsea’s midfield and replace him with Jorginho, who arrived in a £57 million deal from Napoli last summer.

According to Scholes, the Italian international’s lack of mobility is becoming a huge problem in Chelsea’s midfield after their 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, reports the Metro.

Jorginho has been criticised for his lack of attacking output this season with just two goals and no assists in 48 appearances so far, but Sarri has remained adamant that the midfielder is a crucial part of the playing style he is trying to implement at Chelsea.

Scholes, however, believes Jorginho has been exposed during Chelsea’s away matches against the top six and believes the 27-year-old’s lack of pace is a problem for Sarri.

‘I don’t think Chelsea are that far away, I enjoy watching Chelsea, I just think there are a couple of issues they need to sort out,’ Scholes told TSN.

‘Right at the start of the season I thought there was always going to be an issue with Kante and Jorginho.

‘Especially in the away games, you’ve seen the away games against the big teams, he doesn’t have the legs to get around the pitch.

‘At Chelsea he’s fine, it’s tight, it’s close, he doesn’t get exposed. ‘I think in away games he gets exposed.’

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has defended his intention to keep Juventus loanee Gonzalo Higuain at the club.

Chelsea have options to prolong Higuain’s loan and buy him outright, but his lack of goalscoring form and the club’s transfer ban had left his future at Stamford Bridge in doubt.

According to Football Italia, Sarri replied when asked if the striker was staying: “In theory, yes.

“It’s difficult to adapt to the Premier League. I think in the next season he will be able to score a lot.

“For a striker it is difficult to get used to the Premier League. I remember Suarez at Liverpool in [his] first season only scored three goals, then 16, then 24.”

So does the 60-year-old know what will happen with the former Milan and Napoli hitman at this stage?

“I don’t know. I’m not in charge of the market, so I cannot answer these questions.”

Higuain has netted four times in 14 appearances for the Blues since arriving in January.

Ivan Rakitic sent a clear message to the Barcelona board after they lifted the La Liga title – that he wants to stay at the club.

The Croatian is determined to stay at the club despite the impending arrival of Frenkie De Jong

Diario Sport had reported early in the month that Barcelona have no plans to renew the contract of Ivan Rakitic and are open to offers for the midfielder.

His current deal at the club runs through until the summer of 2021 although Barca signed midfielders Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo last summer and Frenkie De Jong will arrive Nou Camp from Ajax this summer.

“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” the Croatian said.

“I hope the club, the president, the coach and the fans see this the same way I do.

“I hope they tell me that I’ll stay here for another three years.

“I’d like to be able to point to the three more years on my contract and to say I’ll be here three more years.

“Anything can happen in football, but I am very calm about it all.”

His agent Arturo Canales is reported to have said that the midfielder would not be leaving the club this summer although the Spanish media have cast doubt upon such claims.

There are reports that Borussia Dortmund have insisted that winger Jadon Sancho will not leave the club this summer amid links to Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Zinedine Zidane is reportedly keen to buy the sensational youngster as part of the new players to rebuild his fledging side as confirmed by Bild.

“We do not expect anything and we do not want anything, because he is on our plans. He will play for Borussia Dortmund next season. Nobody needs to get in touch,” said Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc, as cited by ESPN FC.

The 19-year-old and the England international has been a revelation for the German club since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2017 for a €9m fee and has netted 12 goals this campaign.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has openly criticised Gareth Bale over his role in the defeat of Los Blancos by Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Bale and Zidane failed to see eye to eye over playing style during the Frenchman’s first spell at Santiago Bernabeu.

After a shock 1-0 loss to Rayo, in which the Welshman had little impact, Zidane said he “did not know if he’s focused on Madrid”.

But the winger’s agent insists his client is keen to spend the rest of his career at Real Madrid despite Zidane resolve to reportedly sell him to Manchester United.

Bale’s Real Madrid future will, however, be decided at the end of the season.

Photo Credit: realmadrid.com

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has defended David De Gea over criticism of fluffing his lines in the Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chelsea equalised just before half-time, with Marcos Alonso pouncing when goalkeeper De Gea spilled Antonio Rudiger’s long-range effort.

But Juan Mata would not want to listen to the critics of the Spain international, pointing, rather, to his past heroics for the Red Devils in the past.

“David is unquestionable for me,” Mata, the Reds’ goalscorer against Chelsea, told Sky Sports after the game.

“His levels have been fantastic for this club. He has been the best player over the last years. The amount of points that he has saved us is incredible.

“We all have good and bad moments throughout our careers, but, for me, the important thing is how we react and he’s determined to react positively, to do what he does best, which is being the best.

“I have 100 per cent confidence in him – we all have. Today he is not happy, we are not happy, but tomorrow morning he will come back to training with the best attitude as always.

“I honestly believe he is one of the best in the world.

“I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but you are a goalkeeper and when you make a mistake it is probably a goal and that’s very difficult for them.

“But he has a strong mentality and he will save many goals in the next games and, again, he has been the best for us. He has my full confidence, and the team’s and the manager’s, and the confidence of everyone who loves Manchester United.

On the Top-four race? “It’s very difficult. “We are depending on other teams. We have to try and win the last two games and let’s see what happens.

“Obviously, today we needed three points because it is Chelsea. They play very good football and are fighting with us for the top four. It was a bit disappointing, the result. We need to move on and try and finish the season the best we can.

“We wanted to win and we needed to win, so we are disappointed. I thought we had a good first half: we scored, we created chances.

“We’ve done incredibly well over the last months to get there. We will try until the end, but today we needed a win because Chelsea are fighting with us.“

Photo Credit: premierleague.com

Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard has vowed to lead Chelsea into the Champions League for next season – despite the uncertainty over his future.

Hazard, who has one year left on his contract, is wanted by Real Madrid and expected to leave Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu this summer.

But the forward said he will do all he can to ensure Chelsea secure a top-four finish – even though he is unlikely to be playing for them next season, reports the Mirror.

“Chelsea has to play in the Champions League every year,” said Hazard.

“It’s one of biggest clubs in the world, and for myself also I want to play in the Champions League – and we will.”

A point at Old Trafford kept Chelsea fourth, two points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal and three clear of United, currently sixth.

The Blues know victories over Watford and Leicester in their final two Premier League games will be enough to clinch fourth and a place in the Champions League.

“It was a good day but it could be better,” said Hazard. “We came here thinking about winning the game.

“A draw is not a bad result. We now have two games and we will try and be in the top four.”

Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has indicated his desire to leave Nou Camp this summer.

The Dutch international has not featured in a La Liga game for Ernesto Valvede’s side this season, and now appears to have had a change of heart after stating earlier this season that he would stay for 2019-20.

“At the end of the season I will go on holiday and then hopefully I will have a new club where I can play, he told Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport

“I want to be playing football again.”

Where the 30-year old chooses to go next is not yet clear, with a return to his native country a strong possibility.

The former Ajax was also asked about current stars at the Champions League semi finalists, and he gave his full backing for Barcelona to make a double switch for Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt, reports Footbal Espana.

“The deal for De Jong is already done, but I am not ssure about the ssituation with De Ligt.

“But if he has the chance to go to Barcelona, I would take it.”

Photo Credit: fcbarcelona.com