Sunday, April 29, 2012

'German Messi' Marko Marin

On Saturday, Chelsea confirmed the the signing of Marko Marin from Werder Bremen for a reported fee of €7 million to €8m.

The Germany international earned himself the nickname 'the German Messi' following a string of fine performances early in his career, but his progress seems to have stagnated as he has failed to make much of an impact in Bremen in the last couple of years.

Nevertheless, this didn't stop Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich from snapping up the 23-year-old. Perhaps the Russian believes he has signed the real Messi ...

Thanks for the memories...

Pep Guardiola ended speculation over his Barcelona future on Friday by confirming his departure from Camp Nou at the end of the season.

During his four-year spell in charge, the Blaugrana were ruthless, sweeping team after team aside en route to three consecutive Primera Division titles and two Champions League triumphs, among a host of other trophies.

With his place in the club's history assured, however, Guardiola decided it was time for a break...

Michel reacts to Bayern v Chelsea showdown

There was a sense of shock when Chelsea and Bayern Munich, against the odds, both progressed to the Champions League final at the expense of their more fancied opponents. Barcelona and Real Madrid were unsurprisingly red-hot favourites to stage a Clasico decider, with some even going as far as to say that the blockbuster clash was already in the bag.

Uefa president Michel Platini had admitted in early March that a meeting between Barca and Real would make a great final, but after Chelsea's resilient defending forced the Catalans out and Bayern sunk Los Blancos in a penalty shoot-out, the Frenchman will have to redecorate the Champions League trophy ahead of the May 19 final at the Allianz Arena.