Carlos Tusquets has revealed why Barcelona should have sold Lionel Messi during the summer transfer window.

Messi, the cub’s all-time leading goalscorer, wanted to exercise a clause in his contract which he said allowed him to leave for free.

But the Argentine reluctantly decided to stay after now-former president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted the 33-year-old’s €700m release clause had to be met in order for him to depart.

The club’s interim president told RAC1 radio station: “Economically speaking, I would’ve sold Messi in the summer window.

“Both in terms of what you save on the wage bill as well as the money you make, it would’ve been desirable. But this is something the coaching staff have to consent to and that’s not my place.

“La Liga are setting salary limits at the moment and this would’ve helped on that front.”

Cesc Fabregas has paid tribute to Olivier Giroud after his four-goal haul for Chelsea against Sevilla.

The Frenchman, 34, walked off with the matchball after scoring a perfect hat-trick and a penalty in the 4-0 win in Spain last night.

And one man full of place for the forward is ex-Chelsea and Arsenal teammate Fabregas.

The now-Monaco midfielder described Giroud as a ‘real pro’ following the Frenchman’s patience at being left on the bench for most of the campaign.

And Fabregas also hailed Giroud as the perfect model for kids looking to reach the highest levels of the game.

He tweeted: “Olivier Giroud what a real pro you are mate. All young players should have you as a role model. Well done once again.

“And people still wonder why you always end up playing! Hard work, passion, dedication and real character to always turn things around.”

@OlivierGiroud what a real pro you are mate. All young players should have you as a rol model. Well done once again. And people still wonder why you always end up playing!! Hard work, passion, dedication and real character to always turn things around. 👏🏻

— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) December 2, 2020

Chelsea are reportedly willing to listen to offers for defenders Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori.

ESPN claim Blues head coach Frank Lampard is keen to reduce the number of centre-backs at the club.

Yet the report adds that is it unsure whether Chelsea would allow both players to leave – with Rudiger close to a permanent exit in the summer.

Tomori meanwhile is said to be only available for loan with Lampard recognisesing the need for regular minutes to aid his development.

Reports in England claim that Chelsea legend John Terry wants to bring Ashley Cole with him if he gets the Derby County job.

Wayne Rooney has been placed in temporary charge of the struggling Championship club with a new takeover consortium set to get control of the Rams.

Former Chelsea captain Terry, currently assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa, is one of the front-runners to become Philip Cocu’s permanent replacement.

JT has made no secret of his desire to get into management and has been backed to succeed by his old team-mate and ex-Derby boss Frank Lampard should he land the job.

And the Daily Mirror claims Terry wants to make Cole, who finished his career with the Rams, part of his backroom team.

The report also states MK Dons assistant boss Luke Williams could also be on his radar as part of his staff.

The 39-year-old Cole played nine leagues matches for Derby before hanging up his boots in 2019.

He is now an academy coach at Chelsea and a TV pundit.

Gennaro Gattuso names Napoli squad list for AZ Alkmaar and says Victor Osimhen is ‘angry’ for his injury.

Amir Rrahmani and Elseid Hysaj are the only players absent from Napoli’s squad list to face AZ Alkmaar alongside the Nigerian striker who picked up a shoulder injury while on international duty last month.

The defenders had tested positive for COVID but have now recovered and are expected to return to action next weekend when the Azzurri face Crotone at the Ezio Scida.

“I hate to wait, but I also hate to see the guy [Osimhen] not smiling, angry. He’s living it badly,” Gattuso told Sky Sport on Wednesday.

“We must be good to make him feel at ease.”

Tiemoue Bakayoko returns to the team after serving a one-match ban in Napoli’s last Serie A game against Roma.

Napoli squad list for AZ Alkmaar:

Goalkeepers: Meret, Ospina, Contini

Defenders: Di Lorenzo, Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Maksimovic, Manolas, Mario Rui

Midfielders: Demme, Elmas, Lobotka, Fabian Ruiz, Zielinski, Bakayoko

Attackers: Lozano, Mertens, Petagna, Politano, Insigne

Chelsea demolished Sevilla in Spain with an inspired four-goal performance from Olivier Giroud helping the west London club to a resounding 4-0 in Champions League Group E.

The game began quickly, with Chelsea holding the upper hand and finding a breakthrough inside the first ten minutes.

Kai Havertz picked the ball up near the centre-circle, turned smartly, and broke forward at pace before feeding Giroud. Chelsea’s French marksman took the pass well before shifting on to his left foot and finishing coolly.

Giroud was at it again less than ten minutes after the restart. This time it was Mateo Kovacic who finished off another intelligent move to thread a ball through to the Frenchman, who took a touch, steadied himself, and lifted a delicate ball over the Sevilla goalkeeper.

Giroud completed his perfect hat-trick just as the game began to head into the final quarter of an hour. N’Golo Kante broke down the right before squaring for the Frenchman, who had made a run across goal to direct a glancing header goalward.

Less than ten minutes later, Giroud added a fourth. The Frenchman was fouled in the box before stepping up to take the resulting penalty, sending his well-struck effort high and right past the goalkeeper.

Both sides have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition and battled it out for top spot and a more favourable draw.

Photo Credit: Twitter/ChelseaFC