PREMIER LEAGUE - ENGLAND

Roman Abramovich tells Chelsea players: you must turn things around

Owner delivered short speech at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground 
• José Mourinho returned to Cobham to collect the last of his things

Roman Abramovich told Chelsea’s first-team players they needed to take responsibility for redeeming their dismal season, as the club prepared to welcome Guus Hiddink as the caretaker successor to the sacked José Mourinho.

Abramovich visited the training ground in Cobham on Friday and the owner delivered a short speech to the squad, in which he also said it had been a difficult decision to dismiss Mourinho. In the end, though, Abramovich felt he had no choice, given the disintegration in the team’s form. They go into Saturday’s home game against Sunderland only one point above the relegation places.

It has also emerged that Eva Carneiro, the former Chelsea team doctor, will continue her personal legal action against Mourinho for victimisation and discrimination even though he has left the club. Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and she has a separate but connected case against Mourinho. The constructive dismissal claim includes the possibility of Carneiro being reinstated if Mourinho left the club but no moves have yet been made to explore that. Chelsea have filed a defence in preparation for an initial hearing at a tribunal in Croydon on 6 January.

Hiddink, who enjoyed a successful caretaker spell at Chelsea in 2009 followingLuiz Felipe Scolari’s dismissal, flew into London on Friday morning to finalise his return to the club. He is expected to be in the stands for the Sunderland game, rather than being in charge of the team.

That will be left to Steve Holland, the assistant coach, and Eddie Newton, who is overseeing the development of the club’s loan players. They took Friday’s training session.

Mourinho was also at Cobham on Friday, having popped back to collect the last of his things and say a few more goodbyes. It is unclear whether he encountered Abramovich, who was not there on Thursday to sack him in person. Abramovich delegated the task to the chairman, Bruce Buck, and the director, Eugene Tenenbaum.

Mourinho’s dismissal was again the major talking point of the day, with managers across the country saying he would be a loss to the Premier League. He also heard some of his former players pay tribute to him, most effusively the captain, John Terry.

Terry posted a photograph on Instagram of himself and Mourinho with their arms around each other, and wrote: “Thank you doesn’t seem enough. Sad sad day. Gonna miss you Boss. The Very Best I have EVER worked with, unbelievable memories together. #boss #friend #specialone #bestever.”

The defender César Azpilicueta said: “Today is a sad day. I would publicly like to thank José Mourinho for his contribution to this club and for everything he has taught me over the years. I want to wish him all the best for the future. With him we have achieved very important titles and memories for the fans that will remain in the history of Chelsea forever. He will always be remembered. Thank you mister.”

The midfielder Cesc Fàbregas said: “Thank you for all you have done for me. I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future.”

Arsenal want Brozovic, Wenger prepping offer

Arsenal are preparing an offer for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, according to Corriere dello Sport

The Croatian midfielder is currently on loan at Inter Milan and is impressing under the guidance of former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini.

Brozovic is known for his versatility in midfield but is often deployed in a deep-lying role, although the 23-year-old can play in a box-to-box role.

With the Gunners thin in midfield after long-term injuries to the likes of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla, while the return of Mikel Arteta is currently unknown, a move for Brozovic could prove viable.

Despite Arsenal’s interest, Inter currently reserve the first option to buy the Zagreb star, having signed a one-and-a-half-year contract in January of this year and could prove to take the option, as per the report.

The report from Italy also claims that any deal for Brozovic will cost in the region of £12-14m. Furthermore, it’s added that Inter Milan are the favourites to capture his signature.

The 23-year-old has been in stunning form for Inter this season, scoring three goals in his last five games for the club and proving a fans favourite and is believed to have an admirer in Arsene Wenger, as per the report.

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Gerrard: It “killed” me when I first watched Liverpool as a fan

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said that it “killed” him when he first watched the club as a fan, as per the London Evening Standard. 

Gerrard brought the curtain down on a tremendous Anfield career at the end of last season when he left the club to join LA Galaxy.

The 35-year-old first joined Liverpool as a youth player in 1987 and admitted that it was very difficult for him to watch the club following his departure.

Gerrard said: “I will be honest enough to admit that it killed me when I watched Liverpool for the first time as a fan.

“I hated it at first. I had a weird feeling in my stomach. But now I am used to it and I am happy.”

Gerrard will always be revered at Liverpool for all he achieved while at the club.

The midfielder spent time training with his former side recently as he seeks to maintain his fitness during the MLS off-season.

Gerrard, who won 52% of his duels in his first season in the MLS, made more than 500 league appearances during his time at Liverpool.

Gerrard may not be the driving force he was during his peak at Liverpool, but he is still capable of finding his teammates with regularity, as demonstrated by the fact that he had an average pass accuracy of 85% in the MLS last season.

The former England captain may have failed to win the Premier League title with Liverpool, but he did enjoy success in other competitions, most notably playing a major part in the dramatic Champions League Final in 2005.