The 42-year-old has denied the Champions League holders are set to launch a big-money bid for the defender, who continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has ruled out a possible move for Chelsea defender David Luiz.The Brazil international has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, with Bayern and Guardiola’s former side Barcelona both mooted as potential suitors.However, Guardiola has insisted he is happy with his existing defensive options and that there are no plans for the current Champions League winners to make a move for Luiz."David Luiz won't come to Munich. I have four, five central defenders, and I am happy with them," Guardiola told reporters ahead of the Audi Cup.Bayern head in to the pre-season Audi Cup tournament which also includes Manchester City, AC Milan and Sao Paulo, on the back of a 4-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Supercup.And Guardiola has highlighted the importance of the returning Franck Ribery after he missed Saturday's defeat, and gave an update on the availability of a number of key players ahead of their match against Sao Paulo.He continued: "There are no excuses for that defeat. We recognized how difficult it is, if you always want to win. Franck is an important player, it did hurt us that he could not play.“Dante, [Javi] Martinez and [Luiz] Gustavo are ready for tomorrow. I don't know how long they will play, though. Mario [Gotze] will train with the team on Friday."Bastian [Schweinsteiger] is an unbelievable player. He has a lot of experience, but he is not completely fit right now. He needs a little more time. He says so, and so do the doctors. I am not sure yet if I will play with one or two defensive midfielders. “Thiago is fit, and I have to work with the players who are fit right now. We have a big squad, everyone wants to play. We will see."
The 21-year-old is delighted to have finally made his bow in Blaugrana colours following his €57 million move and says he looks up to his Argentine team-mate
Neymar has revealed he idolises team-mate Lionel Messi and described his debut for Barcelona as a "dream come true".The Brazil international was handed his highly-anticipated debut for the Blaugrana with a 15-minute cameo in the 2-2 draw with Lechia Gdansk on Tuesday, replacing Alexis Sanchez in the 78th minute.And, speaking to reporters after the game, the Selecao starlet admitted the transition from dream to reality had begun after making his bow."What was my debut like? My dream is turning into a reality and I'm very happy," he said.Much has been made over how the €57 million youngster's arrival will impact on Messi - who netted his team's second equaliser in the game - but the former Santos forward says he is just happy to share the same dressing room as his "idol"."Messi is an idol of mine and I am very happy to be with him and playing alongisde him. He is a great player and a great person."The 21-year-old is due to face his former club Santos on August 2 in the Joan Gamper trophy and, while admitting it will be an odd experience to come up against his old team-mates so soon after leaving, Neymar insists he will not be holding back on his return."It will be a little strange to play against Santos, but now I am with Barcelona and I'll give everything for the shirt," he added.Neymar is expected to make his competitive debut when Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super-Cup on August 21.
The 44-year-old believes his former club should've retained the services of the Argentine because of his prowess in front of goal
Real Madrid will live to regret letting striker Gonzalo Higuain leave the club this summer, according to former Bernabeu favourite Pedrag Mijatovic.The 25-year-old sealed a move to Napoli for €37 million last week and has subsequently been unveiled by president Aurelio De Laurentiis on Monday.However, Mijatovic - who enjoyed a three-year stay in the Spanish capital with los Blancos - is convinced the club's hierarchy will struggle to find someone to replicate the Argentine's goalscoring feats.The former striker told Cadena COPE: "When Real Madrid purchased Higuain he was seen as a kid with great talent. He was settled in Spain and did well in Spanish football."He was key to winning the league title under (Fabio) Capello and has grown a lot at Madrid."It is not easy to find a player that scores 25-30 goals a season."The Argentina international, along with goalkeeper Pepe Reina, were presented to supporters for the first time since their respective moves to Stadio San Paolo before the 3-1 victory over Galatasaray on Monday.The duo sported the club's colours as they were paraded around the field prior to kick-off but, having failed to obtain international clearance in time for the visit of the Turkish champions, were forced to watch on from the stands as Goran Pandev, Juan Camilo Zuniga and Lorenzo Insigne all scored to secure the win.Pandev put the hosts ahead in the first-half after guiding his header beyond the Galatasaray stopper.Nordin Amrabat restored parity for the visitors early in the second-half before Zuniga - who was initially booed by the Partenopei fans amid speculation he is set to join Juventus next summer - and Insigne put the result beyond doubt late on.Both clubs will now turn their attentions towards London as they travel to the English capital to clash with Arsenal in the Emirates Cup in August.
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