Football News – Thomas Vermaelen

Martinez confident Eden Hazard will return stronger with Madrid

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is confident that Eden Hazard will return stronger following the ankle injury sustained in February. The Belgium international made the high-profile move to Real Madrid from Chelsea last summer but he has since endured a difficult campaign where he has missed 36 games through injuries.

As a result, he has bagged a meagre tally of one goal from 10 league appearances but Martinez is sure that the attacker will make a positive impact on his comeback, he told: “I know he is recovering well. He is not far from running again and there are no complications. Everything went well with the operation, but you also hope that everything goes well in the four to five weeks afterwards without complications, and there were none. We know he will return stronger. We were also fortunate, of course, to have his surgery take place just before the coronavirus outbreak. Otherwise he would not be able to travel or be treated outside of Madrid. I have a positive feeling that Eden will be back soon.”
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Alderweireld admits Mourinho convinced him to sign new Tottenham deal

Belgium international Toby Alderweireld has revealed that manager Jose Mourinho played a key role in convincing him to sign a new contract with Tottenham Hotspur. The versatile defender was initially expected to leave the north London side on a free transfer in the summer but he is now contracted to the club until the summer of 2023.

Speaking to The Mail, Alderweireld hailed the man-management skills of Mourinho and said that he was convinced with the approach from the Portuguese tactician. He added that he has always remained committed to Spurs and the same was the case when Mauricio Pochettino was at the helm earlier in the season.
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Martinez says De Bruyne is committed to City despite European ban

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez has said that Manchester City’s European competition ban may not urge Kevin de Bruyne to head through the exit door. The midfielder has been a key player in the Citizens’ trophy success over the past few years but there has been the speculation that he may consider a departure, should the club fail to compete in next season’s Champions League.

Speaking on BeIN Sports, Martinez acknowledged that the reigning Premier League champions are facing a tough situation at the moment and they may not feature in the Champions League for the next few years unless they win their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He added that a two-year absence from the competition could have big implications at the club but believes De Bruyne won’t push for an exit.

Zidane confirms Eden Hazard won’t return for Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Eden Hazard won’t recover from an ankle problem in time for the Spanish Super Cup next week. The Belgium international picked up the setback during the Champions League group stage clash against Paris Saint-Germain in November and he has since missed seven games for the club in all competitions including the El Clasico against Barcelona.

Los Blancos recently returned to winning ways in La Liga with a 3-0 thumping of Getafe on the road and prior to that game, Zidane cleared that Hazard won’t be travelling to Jeddah for the new version of the Spanish Super Cup, he told: “He’s 100 per cent out of the Super Cup. He’s not travelling and at the moment he’s in a normal process of recovery. I hope that just after the Super Cup, bit by bit, we could see him with us again.”

ORIGI HAS NO PROBLEM WITH FRINGE ROLE

DivockOrigi’s move to Liverpool was seen as a risk by many few years ago. At the risk of ending up like David Ngog who made 68 appearances for the Reds but couldn’t even register double digits despite playing in a role that was literally carved to register double digits, many felt Origi should have chosen a smaller team to start his England career.

True to what people feared, the Belgian has found life at Anfield to be bitter-sweet given that even his best performances are never enough to displace Jurgen Klopp’s first choice.

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez insists Eden Hazard is not fat

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has hailed Eden Hazard as a world-class player and stated that he takes good care of himself. The former Chelsea man has been deemed to have put on weight since joining Real Madrid over the summer but Martinez feels there is nothing of that sort and the attacker is approaching the prime of his career.

Speaking in a press conference, he said: “I’m happy to see Eden with the group. He’s smiling. He’s a world-class player, who is unique, talented. He is also very professional and, although he has already won trophies [in his career], he is reaching the highest point of his career. He takes great care of himself and, in my eyes, he’s not fat.”

Former Chelsea star sends warning to Eden Hazard after Real Madrid move

Former Chelsea star Glenn Hoddle has said that Real Madrid are not playing collectively and Eden Hazard may have joined the club at the wrong time. The Belgium international made the move to Los Blancos after years of speculation this summer but he has yet to make a meaningful impression for the Spanish giants.

Hazard recently earned his maiden start for Los Blancos during the Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain but he struggled to make an impact as the club succumbed to a 3-0 loss. Speaking after the game, Hoddle said that Zinedine Zidane’s side seem to lack the desire to play as a team and fears Hazard may have joined the Madrid giants at the wrong time.

De Jong speaks on Van de Beek’s prospects of joining Real Madrid

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has said that Donny van de Beek is a great player and he would be really happy for him, should he make the move to Real Madrid. Ajax have witnessed a mini exodus this summer with the departure of the likes of De Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Lasse Schone, and they now appear on the verge of parting ways with van de Beek.

Speaking to ESPN FC, De Jong told that he would prefer van de Beek to remain with the Dutch champions but he cannot influence the player’s decision. He added that the midfielder appears at an advanced stage to join Los Blancos and deserves the chance of playing for one of the world’s elite footballing clubs, he said: “I would prefer him to stay at Ajax because I wouldn’t have him as an opponent and Ajax would stay strong. But, no, of course, when it’s all settled, and if he moves to Madrid, I am really happy for him. I think he deserves it. He’s a great player. Then I will go see him in Spain!”

Andres Iniesta doubts whether Barcelona need to sign Neymar this summer

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has said that Antoine Griezmann and Neymar are two of the best individual players in the world but does not believe they can play together at the Camp Nou. The Blaugrana have strengthened their attack with the arrival of Griezmann this month but there have been reports suggesting that they may also be interested in re-signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.

Speaking to DAZN, Iniesta hailed the qualities of Griezmann and Neymar but admitted that he is unsure how they could play together at the Camp Nou next season, he said: “They are two of the best in the world individually, and they would be amazing signings, but it’s another question if the two are necessary, or how the team would gel, or what Barça really want.”

Elsewhere, Iniesta was asked about Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid and he happened to speak positively about the Belgium international, who is expected to orchestrate Los Blancos’ attack next season, he continued: “He’s a player who makes a difference. He’s extremely complete: right, left, dribbling, speed, he’s strong… he has brutal quality to be an important player for Real Madrid, and I always liked him.”

The Blaugrana are expected to depend on Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi once more next season and alongside them, Griezmann could feature in a front three. In this case, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele among others may have to settle for a bench role and it does not make any sense to move for Neymar at the present point of time.

Still, a few departures could sort the concern and Coutinho and Malcom have been earmarked as potential candidates, who could leave the club. Malcom has been tipped to make the move to Zenit St Petersburg this summer. On the other hand, Coutinho has been linked with numerous elite European clubs but no offers have been made to land his signature to date.

De Jong speaks on Van de Beek’s prospects of joining Real Madrid

Earlier last month, Ajax manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that Donny van de Beek had been tempted by the challenge presented from Los Blancos and the midfielder has since acknowledged that he has begun discussions with the Madrid giants. Still, the move has yet to be made official and the next few days should provide the idea whether a transfer agreement can be reached.

Meanwhile, Ajax performed above their expectations last season as they won a domestic double as well as reach the semi-final stage of the Champions League. A repeat of the same seems unlikely with the departure of key players but they have recruited a few young talents to reinforce the squad for the current season.