In our new feature, stories of the day, harry Robinson takes a look at the biggest stories of January 17th 2014
robin van persie rumours untrue - Moyes
Manchester United manager David Moyes has criticised reports from various papers across Europe 'making up' stories that Robin van Persie is unhappy at Manchester United.
The Dutchman signed from Arsenal in August 2012 for £24 million and since he won the league with his fellow United team mates in his first season, United have fallen quite a way down in the league. Sir Alex Ferguson retired after almost 27 years in charge at United at the end of the season and since David Moyes has come in, Arsenal have signed Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, and are consistently winning, putting them at the top of the table.
"It couldn't be further from the truth," Moyes said.
"I keep saying it is untrue but for some reason people don't want to write it or hear it,"
"But it is the fact. Most people know that I talk pretty straight. If there was something wrong I would be the first one to come out and say it."
"I have a really good relationship with Robin, as I do with all the players. But when you are not winning, people look for reasons, and probably think I am not getting on with Robin."
The Champions are 11 points van Persie's former club, Arsenal, and the 30 year old hasn't played since coming on as a substitute against Shaktar Donestk on December 10th, sitting on the sidelines through injury.
The Dutchman signed from Arsenal in August 2012 for £24 million and since he won the league with his fellow United team mates in his first season, United have fallen quite a way down in the league. Sir Alex Ferguson retired after almost 27 years in charge at United at the end of the season and since David Moyes has come in, Arsenal have signed Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, and are consistently winning, putting them at the top of the table.
"It couldn't be further from the truth," Moyes said.
"I keep saying it is untrue but for some reason people don't want to write it or hear it,"
"But it is the fact. Most people know that I talk pretty straight. If there was something wrong I would be the first one to come out and say it."
"I have a really good relationship with Robin, as I do with all the players. But when you are not winning, people look for reasons, and probably think I am not getting on with Robin."
The Champions are 11 points van Persie's former club, Arsenal, and the 30 year old hasn't played since coming on as a substitute against Shaktar Donestk on December 10th, sitting on the sidelines through injury.
'No one will be sold this month' Southampton Chairman, Katharina Liebherr
Southampton owner, and new chairman, Katharina Liebherr is adamant that no single player will be leaving Southampton this January transfer window.
"The club has no plans to sell any of the squad during the January transfer window," said owner Liebherr.
"The manager and the team have my full support."
Since Nicola Cortese resigned earlier this week, rumours have been flying about regarding some of Southampton's main stars, including Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert.
Manager, Mauricio Pocchetino also had his say on the matter:
"It's hard to predict what is going to be the effect on the players," Pochettino admitted.
"It's clear that it may affect the players as they all have varying degrees of relationship with Nicola Cortese, and of course his leaving may affect us in some way."
"The club has no plans to sell any of the squad during the January transfer window," said owner Liebherr.
"The manager and the team have my full support."
Since Nicola Cortese resigned earlier this week, rumours have been flying about regarding some of Southampton's main stars, including Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert.
Manager, Mauricio Pocchetino also had his say on the matter:
"It's hard to predict what is going to be the effect on the players," Pochettino admitted.
"It's clear that it may affect the players as they all have varying degrees of relationship with Nicola Cortese, and of course his leaving may affect us in some way."
'We are not desperate for the league title' - Mourinho
Chelsea are not desperate to win this seasons Premier League according to manager, Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese returned to Chelsea after 6 years away from the club. He guided them to 2 Premier League titles in his first spell as manager and he's admitted he and the club aren't desperate for it this season, they would rather build a team for the future.
"We are not desperate to win the title, we want to build a team for the future," said Mourinho, 50.
"We are making a transition between the Chelsea of the last decade and Chelsea of the next decade," added Mourinho, a two-time Premier League winner during his previous spell as Chelsea boss.
"We want stability and not to lose our winning DNA, so we are doing both things at the same time, but we will try to fight for the title until the end.
"I think Arsenal have done the same profile of work as we are doing now for the last eight years - they have built a team."
Mourinho's side lie 3rd in the table, behind Arsenal and Manchester City, and go into this weekends clash with Manchester United, nine points ahead of the Champions. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will miss this game according to David Moyes. Chelsea also go in off the back of 4 wins in a row, Eden Hazard coming into his own in those games.
All the stats go in Chelsea's favour currently, with the blues having kept three clean sheets in a row for the first time since January 2012.
Wayne Rooney was strongly linked with Chelsea from United in the summer, but David Moyes says he holds no grudges against Mourinho for it.
"We were never going to sell Wayne Rooney, so my relationship with Jose has been fine," said Moyes, 50.
"He is one of the best modern-day managers and might go on to be one of the greatest."
Nemanja Matic finalised his deal for Mourinho's side a few days ago, Matic was strongly linked with Manchester United as well as the London club, but Mourinho said he had no reason to feel bad for Moyes.
"I have no reason to have sympathy for Moyes," added Mourinho, who confirmed new signing Nemanja Matic will not start against United.
"I don't think there is a reason for him to be trouble.
"The club gave him fantastic trust, it's a club with a fantastic culture who believe in the manager. He will at least have the time of his contract to build a team and reach success for many years."
The Portuguese returned to Chelsea after 6 years away from the club. He guided them to 2 Premier League titles in his first spell as manager and he's admitted he and the club aren't desperate for it this season, they would rather build a team for the future.
"We are not desperate to win the title, we want to build a team for the future," said Mourinho, 50.
"We are making a transition between the Chelsea of the last decade and Chelsea of the next decade," added Mourinho, a two-time Premier League winner during his previous spell as Chelsea boss.
"We want stability and not to lose our winning DNA, so we are doing both things at the same time, but we will try to fight for the title until the end.
"I think Arsenal have done the same profile of work as we are doing now for the last eight years - they have built a team."
Mourinho's side lie 3rd in the table, behind Arsenal and Manchester City, and go into this weekends clash with Manchester United, nine points ahead of the Champions. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will miss this game according to David Moyes. Chelsea also go in off the back of 4 wins in a row, Eden Hazard coming into his own in those games.
All the stats go in Chelsea's favour currently, with the blues having kept three clean sheets in a row for the first time since January 2012.
Wayne Rooney was strongly linked with Chelsea from United in the summer, but David Moyes says he holds no grudges against Mourinho for it.
"We were never going to sell Wayne Rooney, so my relationship with Jose has been fine," said Moyes, 50.
"He is one of the best modern-day managers and might go on to be one of the greatest."
Nemanja Matic finalised his deal for Mourinho's side a few days ago, Matic was strongly linked with Manchester United as well as the London club, but Mourinho said he had no reason to feel bad for Moyes.
"I have no reason to have sympathy for Moyes," added Mourinho, who confirmed new signing Nemanja Matic will not start against United.
"I don't think there is a reason for him to be trouble.
"The club gave him fantastic trust, it's a club with a fantastic culture who believe in the manager. He will at least have the time of his contract to build a team and reach success for many years."
Written by Harry Robinson - @MrHarryRobinson