Midfielder Eden Hazard tried to play down speculation that he is about to move away from Stamford Bridge by describing how settled he feels with his Chelsea “family”.
The Belgium international scored 17 goals and provided five assists to help Chelsea win the Premier League title and reach the FA Cup final last season.
Media reports have linked the playmaker, who joined Chelsea in 2012, with a big money move to Spanish champions Real Madrid but Hazard said he feels at home at Stamford Bridge.
“I like this club because it’s a family,” Hazard told the club’s website.
“I have a lot of friends and we all talk to each other. I’ve been here five years now and I’m so happy. I’m at one of the best clubs in the world, so I’m very happy to play for such a big club as this.”
Hazard’s exploits led to him being named Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the third time in five years at the club, as they lost just five league matches to seal the title and Hazard is hoping for more success next season.
“Hopefully next year it is the same, we win the league and then I win Player of the Year,” Hazard said.
“Obviously winning the league is what we want most, and this award is just a bonus.”
Chelsea host Burnley in their first match of the 2017-18 league campaign and travel to Wembley to face last year’s runners-up Tottenham Hotspur, a week later.
Lyon ready to fight for Traore
Lyon are expecting competition from various clubs as they hold “advanced talks” to sign midfielder Bertrand Traore from Premier League champions Chelsea, the Ligue 1 team’s president Jean-Michel Aulas said.
The 21-year-old, who made 12 appearances for Chelsea in the 2015-16 season, was loaned out to Ajax Amsterdam last season, where he scored 13 goals to help them reach the Europa League final and finish second in the Dutch league.
“We want to bring Bertrand Traore to the club,” Aulas told reporters at a press conference to unveil the club’s newly signed defender Fernando Marcal.
“There are advanced talks there, but many clubs are interested.
“We absolutely want to do the deal.”
The Burkina Faso international signed a new three-year contract at Chelsea in 2016.
Derby sign Liverpool’s Wisdom
Derby County have signed defender Andre Wisdom from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee, pending a medical examination, the Championship club announced.
Wisdom, a graduate of Liverpool’s youth squad, made his senior debut in 2012 and has since been loaned out to English sides Derby, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich city and Austrian champions FC Salzburg.
“Derby County can confirm that the club has agreed an undisclosed fee with Liverpool for defender Andre Wisdom,” the club announced on their website.
“The 24-year-old, who is capable of playing at right-back as well as in central defence, has also agreed personal terms with the Rams.”
Hayes joins Celtic from Aberdeen
Celtic have signed Jonny Hayes on a three-year contract from Aberdeen.
Hayes, who opened the scoring against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final last month before ending up on the losing side, has been a key player for the Dons since joining them from Inverness in 2012.
Ryan Christie will join Aberdeen from Celtic on a season-long loan.
“I’m delighted,” Hayes told celticfc.net.
“It’s been in the pipeline for a little while now but I’m pleased to finally get here. I was eager to get it over the line for the last few weeks.”
Bertrand pledges support to victims
Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand has pledged to offer his services to the Grenfell Tower relief effort by helping to find new homes for survivors.
Bertrand, 27, who featured for England in this week’s friendly defeat to France in Paris, revealed on Twitter that he wants to help out those affected by the fire disaster by doing more than just donating.
Fifty-eight people are missing and presumed dead and Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy, the officer in charge of the investigation, has warned the death toll could rise further.
Bertrand said: “I went to Grenfell Tower [on Friday]. I want to help, not just donate. I can’t think of all the answers but I can do what I feel is needed.
“Starting with rehousing the victims, and making sure they don’t leave the W11 post code. And remain on the emergency housing list.
“Monday I will be around @RugbyPortobello putting this plan into action. From 10:30am until progress has been made.”
Keizer in at Ajax
Ajax have appointed Marcel Keizer as their new manager to replace Peter Bosz, who left the Amsterdam club after one season to join Borussia Dortmund.
The club announced on Saturday that Keizer, who trained Ajax’s second team last season, is being promoted and will sign a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Director Edwin van der Sar says it was not a difficult decision because Keizer “knows the players, the organization and supports the club philosophy”.
Keizer says he wants to continue with the attacking style of play from last season that saw Ajax reach the final of the Europa League, where they lost 2-0 to Manchester United.
One of Keizer’s first jobs will be to find a new captain following Davy Klaassen’s departure to Everton.
Alaves appoint new manager
Alaves have named Argentine Luis Zubeldia as their new manager after his fellow countryman Mauricio Pellegrino stepped down, the Spanish club announced.
In a statement, Alaves said the 36-year-old was joining from Colombia’s Independiente Medellin and was “one of the most prominent coaches in South American football”.
Alaves lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final last month. Soon after, Pellegrino said he would not stay on.
He led Alaves to an impressive ninth-placed finish in their first season back in the Spanish top flight for a decade.
Zubeldia played in Argentina and captained Lanus before retiring aged just 23 due to a serious knee injury.
Four years later, he was named coach of the club from the Buenos Aires suburbs, becoming the youngest manager to start out in Argentina’s top flight in the process.
He has also managed in Ecuador and Mexico.
* Agencies
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
