Football transfer news

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf says the Bundesliga side want to keep Kevin De Bruyne beyond this season.

The Belgium international has spent the season on-loan in Germany to experience first-team football after joining Chelsea from Genk last year.

The 21-year old has impressed at the Weserstadion and Schaaf is keen to have De Bruyne at the club permanently.

“I would be kind of stupid not to want to keep such an exceptionally talented player at our club longer,” Schaaf told Deutsche Pressagentur.

“Of course, we will have to wait and see what Chelsea intend to decide on De Bruyne’s future.

“Generally, he has been a big boost for our squad. We profit because he is giving his best in the games for our club and we offer him every chance to impress while he is on loan.

“He’s a great player. And Kevin told me recently how much he enjoys being at Werder Bremen.

“It’s obvious that he has not yet reached his own maximum. I would be delighted to keep on working with him beyond the end of the season, that’s for sure.”

De Bruyne has scored four goals and made five assists in 17 league games for the Bundesliga side this season.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he isn’t concerned about Rio Ferdinand’s contract situation.

The 34-year-old’s current deal at Old Trafford runs out at the end of this season, with the former England international free to negotiate terms with other clubs.

Ferdinand has reportedly attracted interest from the MLS and Far East but Sir Alex is confident he will sign a new deal with the Red Devils.

“We are not panicking about that,” the Scot told reporters.

“I don’t think Rio wants to leave and, as I have said before, he can play on.

“I don’t think he has the same issue with his back that he had a couple of years ago. It is manageable now.

“There is no way you would be expecting him to play every four days right through a season anyway.

“Getting rest at the right time definitely helps him and he does a lot of work on his pre-match preparation now, with yoga and a lot of other things to help him sustain his playing time.”

The United defender has been in and out of the team this season, making 18 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils so far.

Rafael Benitez has told his Chelsea team to remain professional while the future of Frank Lampard awaits a resolution, fearing that otherwise it could distract the side from their upcoming fixtures, including a tricky FA Cup tie against Southampton.

This follows John Terry’s public comment on a social networking side, pleading with Chelsea to retire the number eight shirt in honour of Frank Lampard, who has reportedly been told he will be allowed to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Benitez, however, has spoken of his surprise at the way Terry reacted.

The Spaniard told reporters: “Nobody was talking about this, we were just concentrating on the job [during yesterday’s training session].

“They will have their feelings but also, at the same time, they will manage the situation as professionals on the pitch.

“I didn’t know [about the message]. I was surprised when they told me but that’s it. We know that we have to manage the situations as they are coming.”

The Chelsea midfielder, 34, is in his 12th year at Stamford Bridge since moving from London rivals West Ham in the summer of 2001. He has made 577 first-team appearances for the Blues in all competitions, scoring 192 goals and providing 130 assists.

However, future opportunities appear to be available for the England international, with a few different leagues keeping tabs on the Chelsea legend.

Chelsea forward Demba Ba says the decision to join the Blues from Newcastle in the January transfer window was easy because the Stamford Bridge club “is on another level” to the Magpies.

The 27-year-old completed his switch to Rafa Benitez’s side on Friday after mounting speculation, with former boss Alan Pardew criticising the striker’s agents for misrepresenting their client and leading him away from the club.

However, the striker believes he believes he is taken a big step forward in his career, and is relishing the prospect of playing alongside “world-class players” for the Champions League holders.

“This club [Chelsea] is at another level. It isn’t West Ham or Newcastle,” he told reporters.

“They are both big clubs with a strong history, but Chelsea is Chelsea and you cannot compare.

“It will be easier with world-class players around, who make the football look so easy.”

The Senegal international could feature in Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round tie against Southampton after completing his move in time – and Ba is looking forward to linking up with his new team-mates.

He continued: “I hope my new team-mates can create a lot of chances for me when I play.

“I have watched some replays of some games to see how the team is playing and hopefully it will be good.”

Ba arrived in the Premier League in January 2011, joining West Ham after failing a medical at Stoke, before he went on to Newcastle in the summer of that year.

And although he feels he has learned a huge amount while competing in England’s top division, he believes he must keep improving with Chelsea.

“In two years now in the Premier League I have learned a lot and I keep learning.

“I try to be strong mentally. Yesterday I was looking back and smiling to myself, saying ‘Yes, I’ve done it’,” he added.

Chelsea forward Demba Ba says the decision to join the Blues from Newcastle in the January transfer window was easy because the Stamford Bridge club “is on another level” to the Magpies.

The 27-year-old completed his switch to Rafa Benitez’s side on Friday after mounting speculation, with former boss Alan Pardew criticising the striker’s agents for misrepresenting their client and leading him away from the club.

However, the striker believes he believes he is taken a big step forward in his career, and is relishing the prospect of playing alongside “world-class players” for the Champions League holders.

“This club [Chelsea] is at another level. It isn’t West Ham or Newcastle,” he told reporters.

“They are both big clubs with a strong history, but Chelsea is Chelsea and you cannot compare.

“It will be easier with world-class players around, who make the football look so easy.”

The Senegal international could feature in Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round tie against Southampton after completing his move in time – and Ba is looking forward to linking up with his new team-mates.

He continued: “I hope my new team-mates can create a lot of chances for me when I play.

“I have watched some replays of some games to see how the team is playing and hopefully it will be good.”

Ba arrived in the Premier League in January 2011, joining West Ham after failing a medical at Stoke, before he went on to Newcastle in the summer of that year.

And although he feels he has learned a huge amount while competing in England’s top division, he believes he must keep improving with Chelsea.

“In two years now in the Premier League I have learned a lot and I keep learning.

“I try to be strong mentally. Yesterday I was looking back and smiling to myself, saying ‘Yes, I’ve done it’,” he added.