Chelsea's Juan Mata looking to seize his opportunity at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea summer signing Juan Mata believes that his move to Chelsea will help him fulfil his potential of becoming one of the world's best players. The 23-year-old Spanish international admits that his move from Valencia was encouraged by fellow countryman Fernando Torres, however his primary motivation was to get the best out of his gifted talent at a club striving for English and European success. "My aim is to give as much as I can to the game," Mata passionately stated, according to a report inThe Sun. "There are a lot of big, talented players here. As well as Torres, there are at least 20 more. "I'm just one more player willing to give as much as I can when the coach puts me out there on the field." The tricky winger began his career with Spanish giant Real Madrid at the age of 15, before moving to Valencia in 2007 where he began to make a name for himself, developing a strong understanding with David Villa which saw Los Che finish third in consecutive seasons. Mata has represented his country from under 16 level, scoring 23 goals in 43 apperances at underage level before cracking a star-studded Spanish side where he has appeared 13 times for 4 goals.

Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas 'tweets' his frustration at the media after false Arsenal exit rumours

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has 'tweeted' his frustration at newspapers who have reported the ex-Arsenal captain as saying his move away from North London was due to the club's inability to win trophies. Fabregas exclaimed through social media platform Twitter on Thursday night: "[sic] Id never speak 1 bad work abt AFC, here there's once more prove that so many people put in newspaper wtv they want and its not professional." "I want Arsenal to be succesfull as much as every signle fan. Thats not why I left, it was never in my mind. AFC made me who I am today. "And nobody will ever change that. I never gave any interview away since my press conference at my presentation and there I just said... "The truth and what came out of my heart, Great words abt this great football club cause that just what they deserve: succes and trophies. "People can h8 me 4 leaving or remember that I gave my all for the club. But me talking 1 bad word or saying smthng against AFC will not seen." Fabregas' outburst is in wake of the media criticising the Spaniard for leaving the Gunners because he saw no potential success at the club, which evidently has been quashed by Fabregas himself through his personal twitter profile.

Wayne Rooney looking to 'ride' Manchester United to victory against Chelsea

Manchester United scoring machine Wayne Rooney has warned title contenders Chelsea that he is never too far away from producing the piece of brilliance that saw his side defeat Manchester City at Old Trafford last season. The 25-year-old, gleaming with confidence after his superb start to the season, has reportedly been seen trying to emulate his memorable 'bicycle kick' that sailed into the top corner of Joe Hart's net in February this year. Rooney's wonder strike was both spontaneous and instinctive, an effort which Mexican legend Hugo Sanchez would be proud of. "When the ball was in the air, I was in quite a bit of space and I knew I wasn't going to score with a header from there so I just went for it," Rooney said, according to a report in The Sun. "As soon as I hit it, I was trying to spin my head round to see it go in but really I knew it was going in anyway." The talisman played his first 90 minutes without troubling the scorers in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday night, however he returns to the Theatre of Dreams this Sunday afternoon to play a Chelsea, a side he has a good recent scoring record against.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fires at daughter of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has thrown the first blow in one of the sport's greatest rivalries after he became irate at the questions asked by daughter of Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish following his side's 1-1 draw at Benfica on Wednesday night.   Ferguson became aggravated when Kelly, reporting for ITV, began to ask who would be in goal against Chelsea on Sunday. The United manager went on the defensive after Kelly asked if the solid display by Danish keeper Anders Lindegaard had forced the under-pressure David De Gea out of the number one position. "David will play on Sunday. That was the understanding we had before the game and it doesn't change. Anyway it proves we have two terrific keepers." Ferguson snapped, according to a report in The Sun. "I don't know why you ask these questions, you're just looking for stupid little things." The Danish 'keeper was super impressive for the English champions in their first Champions League fixture for 2011/12, his battle for the number one position with De Gea a prime example of the healthy competition which has delivered the Red Devils ultimate success over the last two decades.

Balotelli will have to wait - Roberto Mancini

The impressive depth and talent in which Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini has acquired in his front third means that Mario Balotelli 'will have to wait' for his chances at Etihad Stadium this season.

The 21-year-old has only featured once this season as a substitute whilst teammates Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero score goals at will.
The erratic forward will have to wait his chance as he sits out his sides first ever Champions League fixture against Napoli in Manchester on Wednesday night.

''I count myself very lucky to rely on four strikers, especially in a situation where the team needs to play every three days. I can have a good turnover of the strikers,'' said Mancini, according to a report on ESPN Soccernet.

''For now Mario will have to adapt to the situation, he will not be playing for the next few matches.''

Balotelli ranks as a fourth choice backup behind Dzeko and Aguero, with forgotten man Carlos Tevez itching for the opportunity to prove his worth at a club he was on the brink of leaving this past summer.

Sir Alex Ferguson compares star striker Wayne Rooney to the great Pele

Manchester United mastermind Sir Alex Ferguson believes that star marksman Wayne Rooney has similar traits to former Brazilian and all-time great, Pele.

The comparison was made in the lead up to Wednesday night's opening Champions League fixture, where the 69-year-old's Benfica counterpart Jorge Jesus said United's key man had an element of South American flair in his game.

"I disagree there, I think Wayne's a typical British player," Ferguson said, according to the Daily Mirror.

Ferguson spoke about the added extras to Rooney's game which has seen him likened to the Brazlian great.

"The similarities are that the boy has great courage, he wants to play all the time and he has incredible stamina. These are added extras to the talent he has.
"Wayne has shown great maturity in his game, that's what happens when you reach your mid-20s.

"You get more authority in game, your timing becomes better and your understanding becomes better."
Sir Alex believes that  Rooney is in the form to replicate his performance that saw him score over 30 goals two season ago, and with the instinctive scoring nature of 'Chicharito', the pairing could easily surpass the half-century milestone.

"If he [Rooney] gets to that target again I will be absolutely delighted because with Javier's ability to score we could have two goalscorers well above 25,"

We will end trophy drought - Mikel Arteta

Arsenal newcomer Mikel Arteta believes that his sides failure to secure silverware in recent years will be no burden to the success the North Londoners set to achieve this season.

Fresh from his first ever Champions League start, the 29-year-old insists he is ready to play a key part in Arsenal's tilt to its first silverware since 2005.

Arsenal were minutes away from securing three points in their opening Champions League group match last night, however, Borussia Dortmund substitute Ivan Perisic's wonder strike two minutes from time ensured the pressure valve remained tightly screwed.

Arteta's positivity remains a key to Arsenal's resurgence, the Spaniard adamant that the squad will gel and start producing results soon.

"We need to settle as quickly as possible and I try to help the team in the areas I am able to. We have five or six new players coming in and they are going to be an important part of the team." Arteta said, according to the Evening Standard.

The ex-Evertonian is excited at the prospect of winning titles, something that was incomprehensible at his old club.

"The challenge here is to win trophies and at Everton I didn't have the chance to do that. Hopefully, we are going to have it here."

Arsenal return from Germany to tackle Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday - Kick off at 12:45 BST.

Tottenham receive an injury boost ahead of Liverpool clash

Tottenham will be boosted by the return of key playmaker Rafael Van der Vaart this weekend after the Dutchman had initially been ruled out for six weeks.

Van der Vaart has been working around the clock to get himself fit for his sides tough test against Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Sunday, however the 28-year-old received a sting in his morale following his unnoticed exclusion out of Tottenham's Europa League squad.

"I still think it's a peculiar situation. Spurs could at least have consulted me," Van der Vaart said, according to a report in the Evening Standard.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp played down the issue, recognising the importance of having his key playmaker fit and firing for his side's 2011/12 campaign after an injury-ravaged debut season.

"I spoke to the secretary Darren Eales and the first diagnosis on Rafa's hamstring was that he would be out for six weeks - at least," Redknapp told Sky Sports.

"We thought we would leave him out and if we get through the qualifying group, he can come back for the next stage - that was the reasoning behind it."

Van der Vaart had a dream start to his new club after moving across from Real Madrid where he was starved of opportunities. He scored 13 goals in 30 appearances last season, and with better injury management, the talented left-footer could well double his output.

Tottenham will look to back up last week's first season win in the lunch time kick off on Sunday against a Liverpool side looking to bounce back after a defeat at Stoke City last start.

Andre Villas-Boas helped turn my career around - Jose Bosingwa

After his much-hyped arrival in a £16.3m transfer from FC Porto in 2008, Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa has failed to deliver his full potential for the West London club, coupling injury with form slumps in a torrid three years.

However, the arrival of Portuguese mastermind Andre Villas-Boas has rejuvenated the 29-year-old, his start to the season indicating so. He received the nod at the right of defence in the opening game of the season, with his first scoreboard influence coming against West Bromwich Albion in an assist to Florent Malouda's winner, then producing a wonder strike in his side's 3-1 dispatching of Norwich City on August 27.

The full-back's turn in form is thanks to his new manager and countryman Villas-Boas, who has shown the faith required to turn around Bosingwa's fortunes.

"The manager is important because he believes in me. If I don't train well he won't pick me to play but he has been very good for me because he trusts in me and is picking me," Bosingwa told Standard Sport.

Bosingwa's hard-luck was mainly due to a career-threatening knee injury, which played on his mind for an extended period after his return.

"Mentally it was hard. I went to the training ground every day and saw my friends training to play and I couldn't do what I loved with them, which is to play football."

The fleet-footed Bosingwa aims to hold the right-back position this season, with make-shift right-backs Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferreira having to fill the void for a large portion of 2010/11.

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger confident of success

Bayern Munich and German international Bastian Schweinsteiger firmly believes that he can be part of an extremely successful 2011/12 campaign for both club and country.

The 27-year-old believes his club is good enough to win the Champions League title, whilst his country Germany have developed a side that combines youth and flair to challenge trophy holders Spain for the Euro 2012 title.

Adding to his incentive of lifting the coveted Champions League title is the chance to win it in his own stadium, Schweinsteiger well aware of the possible dream achievement.

"Knowing the final is in our own stadium is not a burden for us,'' Schweinsteiger told Bild.

 "In my opinion, we are stronger than in the last two years, and that is why I say that we are one of the five or six favourites to win the Champions League.''

Bayern's attacking prowess is well noted, however its hopes of progression deep into the world's most prestigious club tournament will rely on how sturdy the defence can remain.

The Bavarians kick off their European campaign away to Villarreal on Wednesday after being drawn in the 'group of death', which contains English sleeping giant Manchester City and improved Italian side Napoli.

In addition, the powerful midfielder has not dismissed the potential success at local level where they have started off in scintillating fashion, the latest result a 7-0 romping of Freiburg last weekend.

Liverpool turn to Uruguay domestic club Nacional to source future talent

The immediate impact of Nacional youth starlet, now Liverpool superstar Luis Suarez has resulted in the club attempting to form a sister relationship with the South American side in the hope to secure the next Uruguayan sensation.

The most recent signing of Sebastian Coates from the Uruguayan club is already an indication of the relationship bond, which Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli hopes the Merseysider's can agree upon to aid transfers between the clubs in the near future.

Uruguay's leap to number five in the FIFA rankings has attracted interest in its domestic competition with Liverpool showing keen interest in the last 12 months, firstly securing the signature of Suarez, and most recently Coates.

“During the Copa America they had 14 players out of the 23 who had at some point played at Nacional or were developed by Nacional. That is a fantastic record for their academy," Comolli told Goal.com.

“So it is very interesting for us. We already have a strong link with South America through Lucas, Maxi [Rodriguez] and Luis."

The undefeated Liverpool travel away this Saturday  to the Britannia Stadium to take on a new looking Stoke City where both Uruguayan's could potentially lineup alongside eachother.

Kick off is at 15:00 BST.