Benitez set for hell from fans

After publicly criticizing the fans over their attitude, Rafael Benitez is set to walk out into the fiery pit of angry supporters when Chelsea take the field against West Brom this weekend. According to the Mirror, Benitez will be the target of angry fans after his scathing remarks against the club’s owners and supporters.

Sir Alex keen to continue after retirement

He may not have decided on his retirement date yet but Sir Alex Ferguson is already planning life after the D-day. The Sun understands that the Manchester United is keen to move higher up the hierarchy chain when he retires and has plans of becoming a director at Manchester United. The Scot also revealed that he will not have any say in the appointment of his successor and the decision will be taken by the club. The Sun quotes Sir Alex saying, “There’s no getting rid of me. I will probably become a director. They’ll ask me. But I think it’ll be a club decision not mine.”

Benitez confirms summer exit

Rafael Benitez has hit out at the fans for tarnishing the club’s image and confirmed that he will step down at the end of the season. Benitez’s future has been the subject of much talk and a host of names have been linked with his job at Chelsea. However, the Metro quotes the Spaniard saying after the Blues’ win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, “These Chelsea fans have an agenda. These Chelsea fans are damaging the image of the club. They are wasting time with their banners and songs. They don’t need to worry about me. I leave at end of the season.”

Wenger ready to break wage structure to attract players

Arsenal have functioned under a strict wage structure but the club is set to relax its tight norms to attract world-class players to the club. The Telegraph reports that the Gunners are willing to offer high wages in order to sign talents like Stefan Jovetic and Mario Gotze as the pair are reportedly high on Arsene Wenger’s summer transfer list.

Everton’s star midfielder Marouane Fellaini has attracted interest from several of Europe’s top clubs including European champions Chelsea, according to the Daily Mail. The tabloid reports that the Toffees may have to sell their most valuable player to help their financial situation despite Everton manager David Moyes’ interest in keeping the Belgian.

Fellaini, 25, has excelled this season for the Merseyside club, scoring an impressive 10 goals in 22 Premier League appearances for them and after having performed admirably against the big clubs in England, it seems like he is wanted clubs with greater pedigree.

Battle heats up for Amorebieta

Venezuelan center-back Fernando Amorebieta will be a free agent this summer when his contract with Athletic Bilbao expires, and Sky Sports reports that Arsenal will face severe competition from Italian giants Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan for the 27-year old's signature. Arsenal are believed to have failed with a £4 million bid for the center-back on deadline day.

Chelsea to go Left-back Shopping

Chelsea's love for left-backs is likely to be renewed this summer with the Daily Mail reporting that the Blues are certain to make a move for highly rated Southampton youngster Luke Shaw, and in addition to enticing the Saints with £10 million, they are prepared to loan the 17-year old back to Southampton for the rest of the season to ensure his development as Ashley Cole sees out his one year contract extension.

Van Persie to be fit in time for Madrid

Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a timely boost as the Daily Mail understands that Robin van Persie will be available for the Champions League game against Real Madrid. The striker was forced off before half-time against QPR on Saturday with a bizarre injury and the worst was feared for the Dutchman. However, the player will only miss 2-3 days of training and will be available for the home leg of the tie against Real Madrid on March 5.

Arsenal target Zambia star Sunzu

Zambia defender Stoppila Sunzu has had a trial with Reading but the relegation strugglers have dropped out of the race despite the player resolving his contract issues with current club TP Mazembe. And the Metro reports that Gunners are looking to step up their interest in the centre-back and will be comfortable forking out the £4 million asking price for the player.

A very professional Manchester City outfit eased the pressure on Manager Roberto Mancini by thoroughly outclassing a lacklustre Chelsea side 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium to close the gap to Manchester United back down to 12 points in the race for the Premier League title. City were easily the better side, but could have gone behind had Frank Lampard not been denied from the spot by Joe Hart, who produced an excellent save after having been harshly penalized for negligible contact on Demba Ba. Yaya Toure put City in front in the 63rd minute with a short range curler after some excellent individual skill inside the box, before Carlos Tevez came off the bench and made the game safe with an unstoppable pile driver from 20 yards.

The battle for second place in the Barclays Premier League shifted to the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City welcomed Rafa Benitez' Chelsea. Both teams made some interesting team selections with Demba Ba leading the line for the Blues with Fernando Torres dropping to the bench, where he found a seat next to Chelsea skipper John Terry, who was probably fuming inside. Manchester City meanwhile welcomed Kolo Toure and Jack Rodwell into their starting eleven, two players no one would have really predicted to line-up from the start in such a huge game.

Chelsea and Man City on Mou alert

Jose Mourinho is a trophy hunter and the Portuguese has failed to stay at a club for more than 3 years. This is Mourinho’s 3^rd season with Real Madrid and looks like his time in the Spanish capital is up. The Express understands that PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti has made an informal agreement to take over at Real next season. With Mourinho admitting his desire to return to England, Manchester City and Chelsea are on high-alert over the availability of the ‘Special One’ as they search for replacements for their respective under-fire managers.

Sagna part of Wenger's summer yard-sale!

Bacary Sagna has been the first-choice right-back at Arsenal but the French international is headed out of the Emirates in the summer. Reports in the Guardian suggest that Arsene Wenger has planned changes in his squad for next season and Sagna is likely to exit as the club have offered him only a 12-month extension to current deal which expires in 2014.