Arsenal manager tells Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to believe in himself more

Arsène Wenger fears that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s development is being undermined by a lack of self-belief. The Arsenal manager says that this is a vital season for the 22-year-old England midfielder and he has used him in every match so far, either from the start or as a substitute.

Wenger is also expected to start him in the Capital One Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday but in the build-up, he spoke about how the player has to believe in himself more and criticise himself less. “It is a massive season for Alex,” Wenger said.

“He is at the age now where he is getting picked regularly for the national team. He is picked by me as well for the team. It is a very important season because of how he is growing. You feel the evolution has a sense of responsibility.

“I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must believe more in himself. He must believe more in his talent and that will help him develop as a player. I think sometimes he is too critical of himself. I would like him to play with the freedom and express the desire of his talent.”

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Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro considers legal action after leaving post

Chelsea Football Club’s doctor, Eva Carneiro, is believed to have left her job and is preparing to sue the Premier League champions for constructive dismissal following an incident during the game against Swansea last month that led to her first-team duties downgraded at the request of the manager, José Mourinho.

Carneiro was due to return to work last Friday having been told she was no longer to attend training sessions, matches or enter the team hotel after provoking Mourinho’s anger when she and the physiotherapist, Jon Fearn, ran on to treat Eden Hazard during injury-time of the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on 8 August.

However, it is understood that she has not been seen at the club’s training ground and is now considering her legal position. Chelsea have so far declined to comment on what they described as “an internal staffing matter”.

Gibraltar-born Carneiro is reported to have sought advice from a London law firm over the past few weeks, although they too refused to comment on Tuesday. But she is likely to have a strong case given that she and Fearn were twice waved on to the pitch by referee Michael Oliver to treat Hazard, causing Mourinho to accuse the medics of being “naive”.

Employment law expert Nick Wilcox told last month that Mourinho’s public criticism of Carneiro – which was condemned by the Premier League Doctors’ Group – appears “disproportionate” and could amount to “public humiliation” which breaches Chelsea’s duties as her employer. He pointed to the law governing employment relationships, which says: “The employer must not, without reasonable and proper cause, conduct itself in a manner calculated and likely to destroy or seriously damage the relationship of trust and confidence between employer and employee.”

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Sagna: I never thought about leaving Manchester City

The France international has been a first-team regular this season and insists he never once considered giving up on fighting for a spot in Manuel Pellegrini’s side

Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has confirmed that he never once thought about leaving the club due to a lack of game time.

The right-back has been ever-present in Manuel Pellegrini’s side this season but spent much of last year on the bench, playing back up to Pablo Zabaleta.

Yet an injury to the Argentine has seen Sagna restored to the first team, in a position he claims he has always been fighting towards.
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Barkley has reached another level - Martinez

The England international scored a superb volley against Reading in the League Cup on Tuesday, and his manager has hailed his progress from the 2014-15 season

Ross Barkley has reached "a different level" for Everton this season, according to manager Roberto Martinez.

The England international scored a superb volley in the League Cup win over Reading on Tuesday to take his tally to three goals and four assists in all competitions so far this season.

The 21-year-old managed just two goals and three assists in the whole of 2014-15 and Martinez says the difference in his game is clear.

"Ross has gone to a different level," Martinez told Everton's official TV channel, following Barkley's 100th game for the club against Reading. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Martial mature beyond his age, says Sagnol

The 19-year-old joined the Premier League giants for a fee that could reach £58 million from Monaco in the summer and has now been praised by his former manager

Willy Sagnol believes that Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is mature beyond his age.

The curreent Bordeaux manager worked with the 19-year-old during his time as France Under-21 coach, handing the former Monaco starlet his debut at the tender age of 17.

Sagnol received some criticism at the time about his decision to field the inexperienced striker, but has now expressed his delight that his gamble is paying off, with Martial having scored three goals in two Premier League games in 2015-16. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Gotze underestimated difficulty of Dortmund-Bayern move - Magath

The 62-year-old says that the World Cup winner is only now settling in Bavaria but is still not "anything like the dominant player he was at BVB"

Former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath believes Mario Gotze has struggled at the Allianz Arena because he took his move from Borussia Dortmund too lightly.

The Germany international joined the Bavarians in July 2013 for a fee of €37 million, but has thus far been unable to nail down a regular berth in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up.

However, while Magath feels that the 23-year-old is playing nowhere near as well as he was during his days at Signal Iduna Park, the 62-year-old believes that the World Cup winner is finally showing signs of settling. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Fellaini: I'm a midfielder, not a striker

The Belgium international has been regularly deployed as a forward by manager Louis van Gaal but says that he is better off when he is played in a midfield role

Marouane Fellaini says that his best position is at the heart of midfield, despite being deployed as a striker by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

The Belgium international has made four appearances in all competitions thus far this season and started the 3-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool earlier this month as a forward in the absence of captain Wayne Rooney.

Van Gaal claimed in August that Fellaini is best used in an advanced role, but the former Everton star disagrees with the Dutchman. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.