Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira heaps praise on Chelsea target

Chelsea are reportedly in talks to sign France U21 centre back Malang Sarr after being released by Nice following the expiration of his contract.

The Frenchman could be a potential free-agent option at centre-back for Chelsea this summer.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with Sky Sports claiming that the Blues are in talks to sign Sarr, though, according to football.london, with the caveat that he will be loaned out for the season.

And there is reason to be excited about Sarr’s prospects. Nice manager Patrick Vieira, who worked with Sarr extensively, hailed the youngster’s leadership qualities last year.

“He has the personality of a leader,” Vieira told Sport365 in 2019. “He answers simply and clearly.

“My role, with my staff, is to continue to make it progress, and to exchange with him so that he knows what the very high level is.

“We’ve seen it in the last few games, today Malang is better than [he] has been.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @ogcnice_eng

Cristiano Ronaldo responds to Lionel Messi plan to leave Barcelona

Lionel Messi is reportedly ‘furious’ with Barcelona chiefs as he considers his future – but Ronaldo insists he will not be going anywhere.

Messi has been angered by details of his private chat with new manager Ronald Koeman being leaked, according to Argentinian newspaper Clarin.

But former Barcelona and Brazil striker Ronaldo insists Messi’s departure would not help anyone as he backed him to stick around.

“It’s very unlikely that he’ll be able to leave Barcelona at the moment, especially when there’s a crisis of results,” Ronaldo said at a webinar hosted by Santander.

“Messi is a reference for the team and, if I were Barcelona, I wouldn’t let him leave in any situation.

“He has a great and strong relationship with the club and I don’t think he’ll stop being in love with the team.”

Koeman insists he still wants to work with Messi after his chat but admitted to being unsure if he wants to leave.

Half-Time Report (UCL Final): PSG 0-0 Bayern Munich

It’s been an absorbing first half of Champions League Final, no goals as yet, but plenty of chances for both teams goals yet in Lisbon.

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar had good opportunites to open the scoring, Lewandowski has hit the post.

Bayern began with their familiar high press and robbed PSG of possession a couple of times, but have grown somewhat cautious following some good opportunities for the French side.

Lewandowski hitting the post was the closest either side have come, leaving all to play for in the second half.

Kylian Mbappe capitalized on a Bayern slip-up at the back and played a quick one-two with Angel Di Maria but hit it straight at Manuel Neueur.

Coman looked bright in the first half and when he’s one-on-one inside the box against Kehrer, there’s only one winner.

The winger went down under an apparent shove from his marker, but after consulting VAR, referee Daniele Orsato waved play on.

It was desperately close for PSG.

Photo Credit: Twitter @ ChampionsLeague