KROSS:- I’WILL KEEP MY PLACE IF POGBA ARRIVES AT MADRID

Toni Kroos does not believe he will have any problems keeping his place at Real Madrid even if Paul Pogba arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite being linked with a move away from the club, Kroos signed a contract extension with Madrid until 2023 on Monday.

After finishing 19 points adrift of Barcelona in LaLiga and failing to win another trophy following their FIFA Club World Cup triumph in December, Zinedine Zidane is expected to overhaul the Madrid squad.

Manchester United midfielder Pogba has long since been viewed as a likely target for Madrid and has made no secret of his admiration for Los Blancos.

Madrid are also expected to make a push to sign Eden Hazard, while Kylian Mbappe's comments that he wants more responsibility either at Paris Saint-Germain or "elsewhere" have fuelled talk of a move for the World Cup winner.

Asked about what impact Pogba's potential arrival could have on his place in the Madrid engine room, Kroos told a media conference: "That doesn't change anything for me.

"I've fought for my place, played well, I don't think I'll have any problems to play.

"I don't know who's going to go, I don't know who's going to come. I've spoken to the manager, I know what his idea is. I'm going to be important, I can't say anything else.

"I don't know how many changes there are going to be. I've never had any doubts about my future. I want to be here always, and I've always said that."

On the subject of the speculation surrounding Mbappe, Kroos said: "I like Mbappe as a player but that question's not for me really. I can't buy him, I've got a good contract but I can't buy him. That's a question for the club."

Kroos has previously expressed a desire to end his career at Madrid and that seemingly remains his ambition, the Germany midfielder confident he can still produce his best for the length of his new contract.

"Many times, after the game against Ajax for example, I admitted that I wasn't at my level, I've got no problem to say that," said Kroos.

"I really want to improve how I played but before I played four years consistently well, this year I played worse than the four years before that's true. I'm still the same player, 29 years of age, and I still have three or four years at the top level I'm sure.

"The idea is to practically finish my career here, at age 38 I don't think I'll still be playing. The idea is this will be my last long contract here."

ZIDANE EXPLAINS WHY HE LEFT REAL MADRID

Spanish club, Real Madrid have unveiled Zinedine Zidane for the second time after he agreed to become the new coach of the club again.

The French football legend who left the club after winning the Champions League last year signed a deal that will keep him with the club until summer of 2022.

Speaking in his first press conference since signing the new deal, Zidane revealed his reason for leaving the club and why he decided to return to the club.

He said: ‘When I went it was the right time to leave. I have had various offers since then but I wanted to stay here in Madrid. My first reaction when the president called me was to come back. Here I am.’

Asked about why he left last summer he stuck to the same reasoning he used when he walked away nine months ago saying: ‘I left the club because I thought the squad needed a change after winning everything. 

‘I’m back because the president called me. I am happy to be back but it’s a big responsibility because a lot of people love this club.

‘We won the Champions League last season but we lost the league early and the cup too and I was at the controls when those things happened.

‘I know what I did wrong last season and I’m going to do my best to make sure the team does better this time.

‘We have to change things but right now we have time to talk and plan. We have 11 games left. Things are going badly in the league but I was the coach last season and it was the same (in the league).’

Privately Zidane was unhappy about plans to sell Cristiano Ronaldo last summer. 

Asked about the Juventus striker he said: ‘Everyone knows what Cristiano is. He is one of the greatest and part of the history of this club but we have 11 games left to focus on.’

Asked if he felt returning was a risk he tapped his chest and said: ‘I’m not thinking about that. My heart says that I have rested and the president calls me and I wanted to come and that’s it. The desire I have is what has brought me here.’

Speaking about players who would be staying and would be going at the end of the season, he said: ‘The players here have won so much. I’m not going to get involved in what has happened between them this season. 

‘I’ve seen all the games. The players are the first to know that it has been a tough year. You cant always win sometimes you have to lose to get back to where you were before.’

He admitted that not everyone had had kind words for him since he walked away from the club last year. He said: ‘Some people said ‘gracias’ but also some bad things too.’

He added: ‘I wouldn’t be here if I thought something negative could happen or there was a risk. I’m a positive person and I’ve managed to rest well these last few months. 

‘The Real Madrid president called me and I wanted to return. Maybe four months ago it wouldn’t have worked out, I wouldn’t have come, who knows?

‘But this is the right timing and a great opportunity. I’m really looking forward to this challenge.’

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez who presented the French coach to reporters at the Bernabeu, also added:

‘We are going through a complex and difficult time. We have not had the desired results this season. 

‘I want to recognise the professionalism of Santiago Solari in difficult times and we want him to stay at this club if that is what he desires, but we want to start now working towards a new golden era.

‘Dear Zizou, we want everyone to know that the best coach in the world is coming back to Real Madrid.’

Perez was in jocular mood after managing to persuade Zidane to as he put it ‘come home’. Asked about signing Kylian Mbappe he joked: ‘Zidane is French he can maybe do something’. 

And asked if he preferred Mbappe or Neymar he said: ‘I would say both’. 

POCHETTINO WELCOMES REAL MADRID SPECULATIONS

Mauricio Pochettino would welcome a return to LaLiga and the Tottenham manager says speculation he could take charge of Real Madrid shows he is doing a good job.

Pochettino has long been linked with Madrid, although he signed a new long-term contract to commit his future to Premier League side Spurs last year.

Santiago Solari is reportedly set to be sacked after Los Blancos lost back-to-back Clasico matches at home to Barcelona, then suffered a shock Champions League exit at the hands of Ajax.

Jose Mourinho is rumoured to be a strong contender to return to the Santiago Bernabeu, but Pochettino has similarly been mentioned as a potential candidate.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's rampant form under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lessened the appetite for Pochettino to take on Mourinho's previous role at Old Trafford

And the former Espanyol coach has indicated he is unconcerned by speculation he could leave Tottenham to join Madrid.

"I take it as something positive," Pochettino said to RTVE. "It means someone has noticed that we are doing something right.

"My relationship with Spain will always be great and I would love to return one day and oversee a style of football that could win games and excite people.

"Of course I would come back to Spain, I'm always open to new experiences and projects."

Tottenham reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League by knocking out Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund this week.

GUARDIOLA: MAN CITY NOT IN THE SAME BRACKET AS BARCELONA, REAL MADRID AND BAYERN

Manchester City cannot be considered to be a club of equal stature to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but Pep Guardiola feels they are making steps in the right direction.

Since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, City have established themselves as one of the leading forces in the Premier League, winning the title on three occasions.

For the past three seasons they have been managed by one of the greatest coaches in the modern era in Guardiola.

The Catalan led Barca to the treble in 2008-09 and instilled a brand of football that won admirers across the world, including at Bayern, where he won three Bundesliga titles in as many seasons before heading to City.

Guardiola believes sustained success is needed for City to enter the same bracket as Europe's premier clubs and he is confident they are on the right path.

"The last decade, one of the teams to have grown the most is Manchester City. Not just in our period [together], but over the last decade," he said.

"To compare with Barca, we are far away in terms of history and legacy. We are far because we are one decade. But what we do is getting better and better.

"My humble opinion is we are making small, small steps and every time getting better. We made back-to-back [EFL Cup] titles, we won 100 points, we are fighting for all the titles.

"In the next years still being there, those are the best steps. [When you] compare with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, they have an incredible history of results. We are not there.

"The best way [to describe it] is that we feel far, far away from these clubs. That's the best way. At Barcelona and Munich I didn't go to work thinking about a legacy, it just happens.

"If we'll be remembered we'll see. We'll have to win more and more through the years. They are a step forward in many terms."

City are in pole position to become the first team to win successive Premier League titles since Manchester United in 2008-09, sitting one point clear of Liverpool at the summit with nine games remaining.

Jurgen Klopp's side were seven points ahead in January but drawing four of their past six games has seen a significant shift in the balance.

Guardiola does not feel suggestions Liverpool have buckled under the pressure take away from City's exploits and his point of view was similar with regards to the investigations into his club opened by UEFA and the Premier League, following allegations published by Der Spiegel.

A series of articles from the German publication, which drew upon documents purportedly obtained by whistleblowers Football Leaks, included claims of impropriety with regards to circumventing UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, youth player recruitment and third-party ownership. City insist accusations of financial irregularities are "entirely false".

"I don't know what happens there [at Liverpool]. When you are fighting, people want to underestimate what you achieve," Guardiola said.

"I'm not too concerned or worried about what people say if we win the title and, just because of what is happening now with UEFA, they do not give us credit for what we have done. Believe me, I don't care. Absolutely zero.

"I know exactly what the guys are doing for the last two seasons and more and that is what remains, my feelings.

"If we have made mistakes we will be punished - it is what it is, on and off the pitch - but I'm pretty sure what we have done is incredible. Incredible.

"I don't know whether it is important for the rest of the people but it is important for ourselves. When we did it [win] it belongs to us and nobody is going to change that."

OFFICIAL BARCELONA XI VS REAL MADRID

 Our line-up for El Clasico.

Barcelona announce the squad that will face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

XI: ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Dembele.

Bench: Cillessen, Umtiti, Semedo, Alena, Vidal, Coutinho, Malcom.

MARCELO:- IF REAL MADRID DON’T WANT ME, I WILL LEAVE

 Real Madrid left-back Marcelo is prepared to leave the club if they no longer want him, but he remains optimistic about his standing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Brazil international Marcelo is enduring one of the most challenging seasons of his career this term, featuring only 12 times from a possible 23 LaLiga games.

Sergio Reguilon has been the main beneficiary of Marcelo's slump, with the Madrid youth product following Santiago Solari up from the club's Castilla side and making nine appearances on the left side of defence.

As such, media speculation has tentatively linked Marcelo with a move – Juventus touted as a potential destination.

Marcelo does not want to leave, but he will do if Madrid decide they want him out.

"If I am on the list of players [Madrid] want to sell, then they can pay me up and all is sorted," the 30-year-old told Esporte Interativo.

"I trust in myself, in my work, but if a day comes when Real Madrid do not want me, I'll go. I will be sad, but I'll go. But I am sure I will not be kicked out."

Marcelo acknowledged that his form this season has not been at his usual standard, though he is convinced that he is in good condition – all he is lacking is confidence.

"The level I have been showing is difficult to always maintain," he added. "I am a little below that level at the moment, but my career has been like that, some little dips, and unfortunately this season I had three injuries in two months.

"I went through a difficult period in my football and within the club, but that phase is over now, I need to play to get back to my usual form and confidence.

"But I feel good now, physically good, I am training strongly. I need to play to get back my confidence, but physically I am good."

SERGIO RAMOS: REAL MADRID CAN CATCH BARCELONA

 

Sergio Ramos insists Real Madrid can catch Barcelona in the LaLiga table after a 3-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid moved his side up to second in the table.

Ramos scored from the penalty spot in Saturday's victory at the Wanda Metropolitano, netting his 11th goal in all competitions this season, making 2018-19 the best scoring record of his career.

Antoine Griezmann had cancelled out Casemiro's bicycle-kick opener before Ramos struck from 12 yards, with Gareth Bale's 100th Madrid goal wrapping up Madrid's first win at the Wanda.

Madrid are now five points behind Barcelona, although the leaders are at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, and captain Ramos declared the title race alive after a fifth successive league win.

"The league is still to be contested," Ramos said to beIN SPORTS. "There are many points in play and any team can complicate your life as it was seen in the first round [of games].

"We have that hope and we will fight for the league and make it difficult for Barcelona even though they have a very important lead.

"Real Madrid played a very, very good match, very complete in all the lines, not only in attack, but also on a defensive level the team left few possibilities to the opponent and I think the result is fair enough.

"They pushed well up and caused us a lot of danger, but the match is 90 minutes and we have to know how to play the time and in that sense Real Madrid made a very smart game."

Madrid will face Barca twice more in the next three weeks, the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final followed by a LaLiga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 2.

And former Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois agrees with Ramos that Madrid now have Ernesto Valverde's side in their sights.

"It was a complicated game," Courtois said to Real Madrid TV. "But we knew how to get past the rival, who was not easy at all.

"We put ourselves ahead of them in the table and we'll see how we go to May but now we're very good, with good feelings after the game against Barcelona.

"We do not feel fatigue."

VALDANO CALLS ON MADRID AND ISCO TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES

Former Real Madrid sporting director and coach Jorge Valdano has called on the club to find a solution to Isco's ongoing plight.

The Spain international was a key man for Madrid as they won three consecutive Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane, but he has fallen out of favour since Santiago Solari took over.

Isco's five LaLiga starts this season all came while Julen Lopetegui was at the helm, but Solari insisted there was nothing personal in his decision to leave the 26-year-old on the bench as a weakened Madrid side won 2-1 at Real Betis on Sunday.

Valdano is not impressed, though, and believes there must be issues behind the scenes that need to be fixed.

"A year ago, the great hopes of Real Madrid were Isco and [Marco] Asensio," Valdano told Onda Cero. "One has been lost along the way and the other is under observation.

"Everyone knows that something is wrong with Isco, but nobody knows what is happening. It should be solved in private. Cristo Gonzalez played ahead of Isco [against Betis] - this is a serious problem.

"I suppose it is something that is talked about within the club. Isco must do some soul-searching."

Madrid climbed to fourth in LaLiga with victory on Sunday, but Solari's men remain 10 points behind leaders Barcelona after 19 matches.