Garde to stay if Villa go down

Aston Villa are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of safety after 19 matches.

Remi Garde plans to stay on as manager, even if Aston Villa are relegated from the Premier League this season.

The outcome from 2015-16 appears bleak for Villa, who are rooted to the bottom of the table after 19 matches, 11 points adrift of safety, despite the arrival of Garde.

Garde replaced Tim Sherwood on a three-and-a-half year deal in November but the Frenchman has overseen eight winless matches as the threat of relegation from England's top flight for the first time since 1987 looms large.

However, the former Lyon boss does not intend to walk away if Villa are sent down to the Championship.

"I have got a very good feeling in my mind. In every football club there are some difficulties and problems," Garde said ahead of Saturday's trip to second-bottom Sunderland.

"Of course I thought we would have won earlier, but I knew when you come to a club that has played 11 and lost nine you don't expect to find everything going well. If they are, you do not get the call to come in.

"I knew it would be difficult but now I am full of confidence for what we can achieve in this club."

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Martinez: I wouldn't swap Lukaku for Kane

Roberto Martinez has pleynty of admiration for Harry Kane's talents, but believes he has the better forward option in Romelu Lukaku.

Both Everton's Romelu Lukaku and Tottenham's Harry Kane will be trying to score the winning goals for their sides when they clash at Goodison Park on Sunday, but Roberto Martinez knows who he would rather have on his side.

Everton manager Martinez believes the raw power Lukaku offers makes him a dangerous proposition for any team.

The Belgium international tops the Premier League goalscoring charts alongside Jamie Vardy with 15 goals in 19 matches.

"I wouldn't swap Rom for anyone," he said.

"If you look at the attacking force that we have this campaign, it's very, very impressive.

"He became very consistent since Jan 1 last year.

"Maybe other players have dips, real highs and lows. But in January, he hit a perfect level. It's not that he’s just in a good moment. He's been in a good moment for the last 12 months."

On current form there is little to choose between Kane and Lukaku, both 22.

Lukaku just edges Kane for goals scored this season, with 18 goals in 23 games in all competitions, while the Tottenham striker has scored 13 in 24, but Martinez admitted Kane will require close attention.

"Harry Kane has got real power and pace," Martinez said.

"It makes him a very mobile striker. Normally, you don't get both together. You get the mobility or goal scoring ability.

"Rom and Harry can both drop into certain places on the pitch and they've got the ability to move the ball and get at defenders. But they both share a clinical goal scoring touch.

"Normally, you either get a striker with a lot of mobility to assist others and open spaces, or one who is first and foremost a goal scorer. To get both in one type of player is quite rare."

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Hiddink: Stop focussing on Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas is not to blame for Chelsea's predicament this season according to interim manager Guus Hiddink.

Guus Hiddink has leapt to the defence of midfielder Cesc Fabregas, whom he believes is not to blame for Chelsea's slump this season.

Fabregas has been singled out for much of the criticism directed at the embattled Premier League champions, in a season which has seen the London club lose nine of 19 league games and win just five, resulting in the dismissal of manager Jose Mourinho last month.

But while Hiddink said Fabregas is not to blame for Chelsea's predicament, the interim manager admitted the Spain international faces a battle to retain his spot in the team.

"I think we are focusing too much on Cesc in this regard," Hiddink said.

"The whole team weren't doing well until December. It's not just one player.

"When you look at the goals conceded, that's not just our defence that is not good enough. It's the whole team’s performance.

"I don't want to focus on just one player who might need a bit more strength or ­whatever to get back into shape."

One thing that counts in Fabregas' favour is his ability to play in deeper or more advanced midfield roles, although with Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel playing well as holding midfielders, the former Barcelona and Arsenal star may be required further up the field.

"He can play both. It depends also on the strength of the opponent. It's not just one fixed team," Hiddink said.

"There are games where we want a different balance. It's not about a goalie and 10 outfield players. We want 14 or 15 ­potentially good players who, when they're needed, can go into the line-up.

"One time it might be Mikel. The next it might be Cesc or others. It depends on the opponents, too."

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Alderweireld one of the best in England, says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochetttino feels three of his more defensive-minded players deserve huge credit for their form this season.

Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino believes Toby Alderweireld has proven himself as one of the Premier League's best defenders since joining the club.

The 26-year-old has started all of Spurs' league games this season after arriving from Atletico Madrid in July having spent the previous campaign on loan at Southampton.

Pochettino has been delighted with Alderweireld's performances, which have helped to give Tottenham the best defensive record in the division, with only 15 goals conceded in 19 games.

The former Southampton boss also recognised the impact made by Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier to Spurs' efforts.

"It is obvious that Alderweireld, after 19 games, is one of the best defenders in the Premier League," Pochettino told reporters.

"It is easy to analyse him now, he adapts and has very good performances with maturity and experience. He is a great man and we are very happy with him.

"They [Alderweireld and Vertonghen] are good partners. For me it is important how we work as a team to try and defend our wall and our 'keeper. 

"It is important to have a good balance and it is true that Toby has made a very good impact on the team."

Pochettino feels England international Dier has thrived as a holding midfielder and has no immediate plans to move him, even though the manager is not yet certain what position on the pitch will become the 21-year-old's permanent home.

"I am very pleased with Dier because he started to play in a position which is his real position," continued Pochettino.

"He has improved a lot, this is true. When I started to play in him as a holding midfielder we saw the quality that he can bring in that position.

"If we analyse the past of his career, he got into the national team playing as a holding midfielder. 

"Maybe in the future his best position will be as a holding midfielder or centre-back or full-back. He is very young and now he is very comfortable in the position he plays."

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Pellegrini hopeful Kompany will overcome calf woe

Manuel Pellegrini thinks there is a chance Vincent Kompany will be able to fully overcome his injury woes.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists he still has hope that captain Vincent Kompany will be able to make a full recovery in order to play completely free of his recurring calf problem.

The defender's latest comeback as a second-half substitute from the injury against Sunderland saw him last only nine minutes before having to be replaced himself on December 26.

Kompany, 29, has only been able to start eight of City's 19 Premier League matches this season, sparking fears he will have to manage the calf issue for the rest of his career.

But while Pellegrini is still not certain as to the extent of the long-term damage, he still feels there is a chance that his centre-back can fully heal.

"We hope not," he said when asked whether the injury could affect the rest of Kompany's career. 

"We hope that this must be a moment of his career. I think that he is a very professional player.  

"A lot of players at some moments of their career have a bad season for different injuries. I hope this is the part of the season for Kompany and the second part he will be fit. 

"If not, of course, I repeat we must try to do everything we can do to try to know why.

"He and the club and are going to do all we can to try to help him but it is difficult for me to answer these questions because I repeat again, I am not a doctor."

City sit third in the Premier League at the halfway point of the season and have an away match against Watford on Saturday.

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Life at Man Utd like a holiday compared to Juventus - Pogba

Paul Pogba made a dig at Manchester United as he described how hard the first-team squad works at Juventus.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has described life at Manchester United as being "like a holiday" compared to the work he has to put in with his current club.

The France international, 22, opted to leave Old Trafford to join Juve in 2012 and has gone on to win three Serie A titles as well as reaching last season's Champions League final.

Pogba has repeatedly stated he has no regrets about making the move to Italy and suggested the work ethic at Juventus was far more impressive than that at United, who were managed by Alex Ferguson during his time in England.

"People need to know that nothing at Juve is easy," he said to La Stampa. 

"There is a different culture of work compared to elsewhere. I was at Manchester - it seemed like being on holiday.

"Here we work so much. All these titles, we did not steal them. It was by working right to the end."

Pogba has been tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner, but he thinks there is another emerging world star at Juve in the form of forward Paulo Dybala.

The Argentina international, 22, signed from Palermo in June and Pogba feels he could go on to emulate the accomplishments of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.

"He can get there," said Pogba when asked about comparisons between Dybala and Messi.

"Do you know what I call him? Square R2, the button that you have to push on a PlayStation to do a shot on the turn - he always gets goals like that.

"Has he surprised me? No, because I always said he was a phenomenon. To do what he has done, playing for Juve, is something phenomenal."

Juventus return to Serie A action after the mid-season break when they host Hellas Verona on Wednesday.

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Life at Man Utd like a holiday compared to Juventus - Pogba

Paul Pogba made a dig at Manchester United as he described how hard the first-team squad works at Juventus.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has described life at Manchester United as being "like a holiday" compared to the work he has to put in with his current club.

The France international, 22, opted to leave Old Trafford to join Juve in 2012 and has gone on to win three Serie A titles as well as reaching last season's Champions League final.

Pogba has repeatedly stated he has no regrets about making the move to Italy and suggested the work ethic at Juventus was far more impressive than that at United, who were managed by Alex Ferguson during his time in England.

"People need to know that nothing at Juve is easy," he said to La Stampa. 

"There is a different culture of work compared to elsewhere. I was at Manchester - it seemed like being on holiday.

"Here we work so much. All these titles, we did not steal them. It was by working right to the end."

Pogba has been tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner, but he thinks there is another emerging world star at Juve in the form of forward Paulo Dybala.

The Argentina international, 22, signed from Palermo in June and Pogba feels he could go on to emulate the accomplishments of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.

"He can get there," said Pogba when asked about comparisons between Dybala and Messi.

"Do you know what I call him? Square R2, the button that you have to push on a PlayStation to do a shot on the turn - he always gets goals like that.

"Has he surprised me? No, because I always said he was a phenomenon. To do what he has done, playing for Juve, is something phenomenal."

Juventus return to Serie A action after the mid-season break when they host Hellas Verona on Wednesday.

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Life at Man Utd like a holiday compared to Juventus - Pogba

Paul Pogba made a dig at Manchester United as he described how hard the first-team squad works at Juventus.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has described life at Manchester United as being "like a holiday" compared to the work he has to put in with his current club.

The France international, 22, opted to leave Old Trafford to join Juve in 2012 and has gone on to win three Serie A titles as well as reaching last season's Champions League final.

Pogba has repeatedly stated he has no regrets about making the move to Italy and suggested the work ethic at Juventus was far more impressive than that at United, who were managed by Alex Ferguson during his time in England.

"People need to know that nothing at Juve is easy," he said to La Stampa. 

"There is a different culture of work compared to elsewhere. I was at Manchester - it seemed like being on holiday.

"Here we work so much. All these titles, we did not steal them. It was by working right to the end."

Pogba has been tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner, but he thinks there is another emerging world star at Juve in the form of forward Paulo Dybala.

The Argentina international, 22, signed from Palermo in June and Pogba feels he could go on to emulate the accomplishments of Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.

"He can get there," said Pogba when asked about comparisons between Dybala and Messi.

"Do you know what I call him? Square R2, the button that you have to push on a PlayStation to do a shot on the turn - he always gets goals like that.

"Has he surprised me? No, because I always said he was a phenomenon. To do what he has done, playing for Juve, is something phenomenal."

Juventus return to Serie A action after the mid-season break when they host Hellas Verona on Wednesday.

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Rooney 'only man capable' of leading England line, insists Gerrard

Steven Gerrard is not convinced any England player is up to the task of replacing Wayne Rooney in attack.

Former England captain Steven Gerrard has launched a staunch defence of current skipper Wayne Rooney, insisting there is no player more capable of leading the country's attack at Euro 2016.

The Manchester United striker, 30, became the nation's all-time record goalscorer during a qualifying campaign that saw Roy Hodgson's men win all 10 of their matches.

However, his form at club level has been poor this season, scoring only two goals in 15 Premier League appearances for United under Louis van Gaal.

Rooney's struggles, coupled with impressive form of Tottenham forward Harry Kane and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, has led to calls he should be replaced at international level, but Gerrard, 35, does not agree.

He told the Daily Mail: "Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane are doing well but, in a big game, who is England's best chance of scoring?

"Does anyone think it is not Wayne Rooney? If there is a penalty in the last 10 minutes to progress out of a group or into a quarter-final, who would you want to take it?

"Who does everyone in the dressing room at Manchester United and England look to for inspiration? Who are they all hiding behind, pressure-wise, when it is not going well?

"I am not saying nobody should criticise him, but let's analyse it properly. He has not lost ability and he is probably the only person capable or proven to get the goals you need to progress in a tournament.

"Wayne Rooney does more than just score goals. He has an impact on the whole team and squad."

Gerrard acknowledges that Rooney's performances have been below his best this season, but he feels it is too easy just to call for him to be dropped.

The former Liverpool man continued: "He has said he is not in the best form of his life but people need to support him and help him get into better form for England and United.  

"The easiest thing to do is point fingers and say 'get him out'. I have been there when you are under a bit of pressure and everyone is having a go. No one wants to turn that round more than you do but you need help."

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Pogba taking lessons from Iniesta

Juventus playmaker Paul Pogba has been watching Barcelona counterpart Andres Iniesta as he tries to improve his game.

Paul Pogba is taking inspiration from Andres Iniesta as he learns to live with more responsibility at Juventus.

Juve sold experienced trio Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal over the close-season, increasing the spotlight on France international Pogba.

Pogba, and Juve, have regained top form in recent weeks after a slow start to their defence of the Scudetto and Pogba revealed he has been taking lessons from Barcelona star Iniesta.

He told La Stampa newspaper: "Obviously without Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez it is a different Juventus. There's more responsibility on the other players and we have to focus more on working as a unit. The same is true for me.

"Before I had Pirlo by my side and one of our opponents was always marking him. Now they put the same marker on me.

"I have to find the right moment to make the pass. I must learn and for that I watch Iniesta."

Juve's early-season struggles have blossomed into a seven-match winning run in Serie A which has taken Massimiliano Allegri's men up to fourth, three points behind leaders Inter.

"The last few months have been different to previous years, when we were always top of the table. Things have changed," Pogba added.

"You can't say we are any better or worse than last season, but the other teams have certainly strengthened. Having said that, we are not afraid of anyone."

Pogba was handed the iconic Juventus number 10 jersey following Tevez's departure – a shirt worn previously by the likes of Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero – despite not being an orthodox playmaking midfielder.

"I am not a classic number 10 for my position on the field," he said.

"I consider myself a midfielder and it is an honour to wear the number of so many Ballon d'Or winners.

"In the history of Juve it is a very important shirt and I want to honour it. When I look at the jersey, I do not see the number or even my name, I only see Juve: with the desire to give 100 per cent. And win."

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Benitez has earned Valencia respect - Neville

Rafael Benitez is set for a warm reception from Valencia fans on Sunday and Gary Neville says the Real Madrid boss fully deserves it.

Gary Neville says Rafael Benitez deserves the admiration of Valencia fans ahead of Real Madrid's trip to Mestalla.

Benitez is set for a hero's welcome from the home fans on Sunday, with the ex-Napoli boss having won two league titles and the UEFA Cup during his time with the club between 2001 and 2004.

The 55-year-old remains under intense pressure at Madrid, however, with some reports stating he will be sacked should Valencia take all three points, but Neville insists he has earned a good reception at his old club.

"I think Rafa deserves the gratitude he'll get for what he's done for this club. It's always right for a previous player or manager to get that respect," said the former Manchester United captain.

"[The pressure] is none of my business. When you manage a top club it's part and parcel of what you have to deal with. He knows the game inside out, he's experienced.

"It's right the fans show gratitude to the work he did here but you forget about that when the match starts."

The 2000 Champions League final showdown and Valencia's title triumphs in 2002 and 2004 have helped to fuel a burgeoning rivalry between the two sides in recent seasons.

Neville himself is looking for his first win as Valencia boss but, while he acknowledges that supporters will be fired up for the encounter, he has called on his players to use their heads in order to secure three points.

"I'm aware of the rivalry. This is football, it's the most important aspect," he said. "These rivalries make you fall in love with the game. The fans want passion, spirit, fight, they want to see the opposition destroyed.

"But on the football side of things you think about it without emotion. We have to concentrate, be professional, do our job. 

"The players have to let the fans get involved with the emotion."

Neville is also relishing the prospect of masterminding a way to stop former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I played with him at United. I have great memories of him. But now it's different, I'm the coach of the opposition and I have to see how we stop him," he added.

"I've talked a lot about him in the last four or five years. We have to minimise the virtues of Madrid and maximise our own."

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Carragher: Ozil needs medals to match Bergkamp

Jamie Carragher has dismissed comparisons between Mesut Ozil and Dennis Bergkamp, arguing the former needs medals to build his case.

Mesut Ozil might be winning comparisons to Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp on current form, but former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the Germany international lacks one thing - a Premier League medal.

Writing in his weekly Daily Mail column, Carragher said Ozil's numbers were impressive, but without medals to show for them it would be hard to justify comparisons with Bergkamp.

The Dutchman spent 11 years playing for Arsenal, scoring 120 goals in 423 games, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with the London giants, compared to Ozil's two FA Cups and one Community Shield.

"As we head into 2016, [Ozil] is the main reason Arsenal are leading the way and to have 16 assists already is astonishing. Nobody in Premier League history has got near that total at this stage," Carragher wrote.

"It has led some people to say that Ozil is now at the level of Dennis Bergkamp. Others have suggested he is surpassing Bergkamp because, even at his best, the Dutchman never produced that many assists over the course of one season.

"As it stands, though, it is nonsense to use statistics to try to compare Ozil and Bergkamp. The reason is this: Bergkamp is immortalised in bronze outside the Emirates Stadium because, aside from all the medals he won, he helped bring fantasy football to north London."

"His style had substance."

Carragher said if Ozil could keep up his form and help Arsenal win a first Premier League title since 2004, legendary status would be justified.

"If Ozil continues to sparkle when it matters in the next 19 fixtures — there is a feeling in Germany that he doesn't always produce in big matches — and inspires Wenger's squad to their first Premier League title since 2004, it would make him a legend in the eyes of Arsenal fans," Carragher continued.

"Until then, the Bergkamp comparisons must wait. Ozil must take Arsenal to the title if he wants to get there."

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Thiago Silva hits back at Brazil critics

Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva believes the Brazilian national team still has enough quality to confound the naysayers.

Thiago Silva has slammed critics of Brazil's national team for talking "a lot of nonsense".

The standing of world football's most iconic international side among their adoring public was heavily damaged by 2014's 7-1 World Cup semi-final thrashing on home soil against eventual winners Germany.

An upturn in form after Dunga replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari as head coach has since been undermined by a quarter-final exit at the 2015 Copa America and a patchy start to qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

Nevertheless, Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Silva still feels there is plenty of quality in the Brazil squad and called on critics from his homeland to acknowledge the success of players such as himself and Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa at the pinnacle of European club football.

"I think former players talk a lot of nonsense," he told Omnisport. "Look, they passed by here and know it's not an easy situation. But you need more than just quality because the football has evolved.

"It [criticism] didn't stop in time, as some people said [it would], and sometimes it is unpleasant to watch on TV and see an old fellow saying bad things about colleagues who are still playing.

"It makes us really sad, but for me Brazilian football isn't lagging behind. Of course we have to evolve a bit, especially our style of play being more creative, because I think we lost this.

"I think we lost a bit of confidence, but Brazilian football is always well regarded, especially here in Europe.

"I think in Brazil we have this very strong self-criticism, and here in Europe people talk very well, especially of the players who play here - such as Douglas Costa, who arrived at Bayern Munich and is having an extraordinary season.

"This shows the quality we have and maybe we do not see with good eyes, but we have great players that can theoretically make the Selecao even stronger."

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