MX23RW : Wednesday, December 2 11:38:47| >> :120:11557:11557:

News Extra: Chilwell recalls rejecting Liverpool, Arsenal No.1 battle, "Amazing" Jorginho

The latest news from across the footballing world, including Ben Chilwell's explanation of why he turned down Liverpool, Emiliano Martinez's vow to challenge for the Arsenal No.1 spot and Cesar Azpilicueta's praise for Jorginho.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news from across the footballing world, including Ben Chilwell's explanation of why he turned down Liverpool, Emiliano Martinez's vow to challenge for the Arsenal No.1 spot and Cesar Azpilicueta's praise for Jorginho. Scroll down for more!


Chilwell has no regrets over rejecting Liverpool

Ben Chilwell in action for Leicester City on September 14, 2019© Reuters

Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell has insisted that he does not regret turning down the chance to move to Liverpool as a teenager. The 22-year-old was courted by then-Reds boss - and current Leicester manager - Brendan Rodgers but ultimately decided that remaining with the Foxes would be the best move for his development.

"I was 17 at the time. My agent was the one dealing with it all, talking to Liverpool and Leicester about the situation," Chilwell recalled to Sky Sports News. "At the time, I was trying to break into the U21 team at Leicester so I was just focused on getting into that and progressing into the first team here.

"Definitely no regrets. When I look at how the last four or five years have gone, starting eight games now for the England team is something I'm very happy with. Leicester was the right place for me to be at the time and the older players have helped me a lot. The staff have kept me grounded. Definitely no regrets."


Boro want Bristol Rovers striker?

Jonson Clarke-Harris in action for Coventry City in March 2018© Reuters

Middlesbrough have become the latest club to show interest in Bristol Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, according to the Bristol Post. The League One side remain hopeful of tying the 25-year-old down to a new deal - one that would make him their best-paid player - amid interest from the likes of Boro, Hull City, Preston North End and Reading.


Martinez vows to challenge Leno

Emiliano Martinez in action for Arsenal on September 19, 2019© Reuters

Arsenal's deputy stopper Emiliano Martinez has vowed to challenge Bernd Leno for the number one shirt at the club following his impressive displays in the Europa League. The Argentine moved up the ranks at the Emirates this summer following Petr Cech's retirement and has been deployed by boss Unai Emery in Europe, while Leno remains between the sticks in the Premier League.

"I believe in the work and love the club," Martinez told reporters this week. "At the moment it's a really good decision [to stay]. I'm working really hard, feeling humble. and that's what I'm working for. To play for Arsenal you have to challenge everyone. Matt [Macey] challenges me and I challenge Bernd. I don't know if people aren't taking the Europa League seriously, it's a great competition... We always take it really seriously.

"Since I signed for this club my goal was always to be a No.1. I've been here for 10 years, I came as a young boy and now I'm a grown man. Some loans were good, some were bad. That's the dream, I won't stop until I'm the No.1 for Argentina. Do I feel I'm the best? Of course. If you want to be the No.1 you have to."


Rodgers explains Carragher coaching decision

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers pictured on September 14, 2019© Reuters

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has explained his decision to overlook Jamie Carragher for a coaching role during his time in charge at Anfield. Rodgers sounded out Carragher - then a key member of the first team - about joining his backroom staff when he first took over at Anfield in 2012.

"Sorry for ruining your coaching career!" Rodgers told Carragher in an interview for The Telegraph. "I remember thinking how much I was looking forward to working with you and Stevie [Gerrard] and it would be a good idea to have you on the coaching staff. Then when we met I got the feeling that you were still focused on playing for another season. It would have been difficult to do both. So apologies if I stopped you being a big manager now."


Juventus announce increase in debt

General view outside San Siro in 2015

Juventus have announced an increase in net debt from €310m (£276m) to €464m (£413m) in the space of just one season. The latest financial results could give renewed hope to Tottenham Hotspur's chances of signing Paulo Dybala in the January transfer window.


Claudio Marchisio announces retirement

Claudio Marchisio in action for Juventus© Reuters

Juve legend Claudio Marchisio has confirmed the end of his playing career at the age of 33. The Italian spent the majority of his career with the Turin side, making almost 400 appearances and winning seven league titles before departing San Siro for Zenit St Petersburg in 2018. Marchisio had been a free agent since being released by the Russian side over the summer.


Son admits wanting to leave Spurs

Son Heung-min pictured on September 28, 2019© Reuters

Spurs forward Son Heung-min has admitted that he contemplated leaving the club towards the end of his debut season in 2015-16 but was convinced to stay by manager Mauricio Pochettino.

"I wanted to go back to Germany because I felt very comfortable there," Son revealed in an interview with Goal. "But the coach has always encouraged me. He was the right coach for me in this situation. I said I'd like to leave the club, but he really wanted me to do well at Tottenham. He gave me new self-confidence. The talks went so well that at some point I pushed aside my thoughts of change."


Azpilicueta praises "amazing" Jorginho

Jorginho in action for Chelsea on October 2, 2019© Reuters

Cesar Azpilicueta has hailed Chelsea teammate Jorginho's improvement in his second season at Stamford Bridge. The Italian midfielder failed to live up to expectations after being brought in by then-Blues boss Maurizio Sarri last term but now appears to be flourishing under Frank Lampard.

"Jorginho has impressed me a lot since he arrived here with us," Azpilicueta told reporters this week. "Obviously he was doing what the manager (Sarri) at the time wanted from him, which was to play short and to control the game in a different way, to touch a lot of the ball maybe without being dangerous by putting balls behind the defence.

"I think this season he has adapted to the [new] manager. He prefers to play a bit longer, to switch the play with longer balls to get more commitment in the final passes to get more chances for the strikers. Apart from that, his work rate has been amazing. The way he reads the game, he wants to press, he recovers a lot of balls. He is a very important player for us through the season."

ID:373911:cQx

Click here for more stories about Ben Chilwell

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Virgil van Dijk in action during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Newcastle United on September 14, 2019
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Van Dijk, Mahrez, Jorginho
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Champions League
Championship
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Copa Libertadores
Copa Sudamericana
MLS Playoffs
NFL
1am
Ravens
@
Steelers
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs106312191221
2Liverpool106312217521
3Chelsea1054122101219
4Leicester CityLeicester106041914518
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham105231711617
6Southampton105231916317
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves105231111017
8Everton105141917216
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd95131616016
10Aston Villa95042013715
11Manchester CityMan City94321511415
12Leeds UnitedLeeds104241517-214
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104241215-314
14Arsenal104151012-213
15Crystal Palace104151215-313
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton102441416-210
17Fulham102171119-87
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom10136718-116
19Burnley9126417-135
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd10019416-121

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!